Welcome to the Tenino School District website. We are located in Tenino, Washington, approximately 14 miles south of Olympia. We are a district serving over 1,300 students in the Kindergarten through 12th grades.

Our website is full of information you may need to know about our District. Whether you are looking for information about registration at one of our schools, needing the District calendar in order to plan a family vacation, or seeking employment with us, we know you’ll find what you are looking for. If you have additional questions, we hope you’ll contact us. We’d love to meet with you and help in any way possible.

Optimism is a Choice

We are entering the season of “Thank You.” The middle of March brings us classified employee week, and the start of May ushers in teacher appreciation week. Every employee of the Tenino School District deserves thanks. Changing requirements and declining revenue have redirected the focus of our mission as educators. Staff is required to do more with less, and on occasion, we need to take a step back to make sure our number one goal is to provide the best education possible for the students of Tenino. As we enter the “Thank You” season, it’s important to remember that primary goal and show our gratitude for all who work so hard to meet it.
 
Thank you, Classified Staff. This group of support people makes it possible for the rest of us to do our jobs effectively. They transport students safely, cook great food, help students when they struggle, keep them safe at recess, clean and maintain our facilities, and maintain records. They are often the first and last smile your child sees every day.  

Thank you, Teachers. This group of professionals spends many hours planning lessons, presenting information, correcting papers, and communicating with families. They worry about every child in their class. They continue to seek professional development and have to continually adjust to ever-changing standards. Their dedication has them working many hours outside of the regular workday to make sure the students of Tenino get the best education possible.

Thank you, Administrators. These hard working individuals make sure that each building and department runs smoothly. They are the consummate problem solvers, and much of their day is spent intervening conflicts. They too have to continually adjust to ever-changing requirements and make sure that all the employees under their umbrella have the tools to do their job. This team of individuals recently completed the Consolidated Program Review conducted by OSPI. David Ford, principal at TES, was the lead organizer in this program audit, and every administrator had specific reporting responsibilities. The Tenino School District received many accolades from the audit team for its accuracy and hard work. 

Thank you, Coaches. Coaches have passion. Sports are an integral part of our school system. Students who thrive in sports, music, and other extra-curricular activities do better academically. We have seen such positive growth in our sports programs and that transfers into school and community pride. Special congratulations to Wanda Blanksma for receiving “Coach of the Year” honors for girls basketball from the Olympian.

Thank you, School Board Members. This is very often a thankless job. These people choose to give their time and talents to guide the school district towards success. They care about kids. They are dedicated to the continual improvement of our schools. They listen, learn, and carefully analyze all the facts before making a decision.

Thank you, Parents. Working in partnership with your child’s school is the best way to ensure success.  Our PTA and Booster clubs have really stepped up over the last few years to provide great opportunities for the kids of Tenino that the district might otherwise not be able to afford. Parents are always welcome in our schools.

Thank you, Community. We just passed a four-year Maintenance and Operations levy by 59.98%. This is a demonstration of the amazing people that live in the Tenino School District and their ongoing support of our schools. A special thank you to everyone who worked to pass the levy: teachers, classified staff, administrators, coaches, parents, and community members. It was truly a team effort.

I have the privilege of working with each of these groups on a regular basis. I have the opportunity to see the bigger picture and the interaction between all of these stakeholders. I will be eternally optimistic that as individuals and as a group, we will continue to raise the educational bar in Tenino and continue to support the schools. Optimism is a choice, and that choice for me makes it a privilege to come to work each day and work for what is best for our young people.

Sincerely,

Russell Pickett
Superintendent