Avanti Connections May 18th, 2026 - Soon to Be Senior Night 5/21 - Seniors Deadline less than 2 weeks 5/28

Monday (May 18) – Regular Schedule; FFA (Quasar's Rm.) @ Lunch; Avanti Album Listening Club (Hendrix's Rm.) @ Lunch; D&D in Conference Rm 1:30-3:30pm;

Tuesday (May 19) – Regular Schedule; STU.Co Meeting @ Lunch; FFA 2:30-3:30PM;

Wednesday (May 20) –  Regular Schedule; Pizza Klatch (2D Art Rm.)

Thursday (May 21) – ADVISORY SCHEDULE; Soon to be Senior Night (OSD Event) 5:30-8PM

Friday (May 22) –  NO SCHOOL - Snow Make Up Day

See the flyer for details.

Looking for an easy and meaningful way to earn service hours? The Olympia Schools Supportive Education Council (OSSEC) is hosting a community social event and needs student volunteers!

Date: Wednesday, May 20

Time: 5:45–7:45 PM (2 service hours)

Location: LP Brown Elementary

Volunteers will help set up, play with kids on the playground and in the playshed, and assist with cleanup. Kids will be of all ages, this is a great opportunity to support an inclusive and welcoming community.

You won’t be responsible for supervising, just showing up, engaging, and helping out!

If you're interested, keep an eye out for more details or reach out to Steve for how to sign up.

The Avanti ASB will be hosting a meeting in the library during lunch on Wednesday the 27th. This meeting will be open to all soon to anyone within the class of 2027. The purpose of this meeting will be to poll interest for potential events for the class of 27, as well as to develop an understanding of how our soon to seniors are feeling about entering their last year at Avanti. If you have any questions about the event, please direct them to Ben Martin martinbw@students.osd.wednet.edu.

CALENDAR

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(Attendance is REQUIRED if you are participating in the ceremony / Make pre-arrangements to attend)

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Ceremony (Saturday) June 6, 2026 @ 12pm - 2:30pm

CEREMONY GUIDANCE

We’re excited to welcome additional students to join us for our Spring Avanti Bikes! Friday rides and bike‑packing preparation. Students who participate in these Friday sessions have the opportunity to earn a refurbished bike and 0.25 PE credit, as well as join our overnight bike‑packing trip at the end of May.

To participate, students must meet the following requirements:

Students must attend all Friday sessions listed below.

Students must be in good academic standing.

Those on Academic Probation or has at least 1 U will not be allowed to attend the overnight.

If you have questions or need support with equipment, please reach out:

nwinkley@osd.wednet.edu

Do you know the steps you need to take to apply for college? 

Do you need money for college? 

The 12th Year Campaign can help you with two important steps you need to take to go to college: applying for college and applying for financial aid. The first step is to file a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application.  

Join one of the events listed on our event page to learn more and get help. Please note, most events are offered virtually.

All events can be found at our new Financial Aid Events Page 

It's not too late to join us this month! Calling all Avanti students, families, siblings, and staff , join Team Avanti Bikes! this May for Thurston County’s annual Bicycle Commuter Challenge! This free, all-ages event is a fun way to stay active, reduce your carbon footprint, support community wellness, and celebrate biking together.

Whether you bike to school or work, cruise your neighborhood, ride trails, run errands, or just ride for fun, every mile counts!

Why Join Team Avanti Bikes?

May Bike Celebration Days Coming Up!

Bike Anywhere Day – May 14

Bike to Work Day – May 15

Special Avanti Student Challenge!

Avanti students can earn raffle entries all month long!

Every 10 miles logged on the Bicycle Commuter Challenge website = 1 raffle ticket

Prizes include:

Avanti Bikes! Bingo Challenge

Want even more chances to win?

Complete activities on the Avanti Bikes! Bingo Board:

Take photo or video evidence of completed Bingo activities and connect with Nikki at the end of May to claim your raffle tickets.

TTeam Avanti Is Already Rolling!

Our current riders have already:

Amazing work, Avanti community! Even riding one day makes you eligible for community coupons, prizes, and raffle opportunities.

Let’s keep the momentum going, grab your bike, log your miles, and ride with Team Avanti Bikes!

We’re building something that goes beyond one trip!

This Spring 2026, Avanti Bikes students are preparing for a self-supported bikepacking adventure, learning how to carry everything they need on their bikes, from food and clothing to shelter and tools. It’s an exciting challenge in independence, teamwork, and outdoor skills.

But this trip is just the beginning.

We’re launching the Avanti Gear Library, a shared collection of outdoor equipment that will be available to all Avanti students and staff. The goal is simple: remove barriers and make it easier for our community to access hiking, camping, biking, and field-based learning experiences.

To bring this vision to life, we’re collecting donations of gently used or new gear, including:

• Bikepacking equipment (seat packs, frame bags, handlebar rolls, racks, panniers, cargo cages, repair kits)

• Shelter & sleep systems (tents, sleeping bags/quilts, sleeping pads)

• Camp kitchen gear (stoves, fuel canisters, pots, utensils)

• Backpacks, daypacks, and waterproof dry bags

• Water storage (bottles, bladders, filtration systems)

• Lighting & essentials (headlamps, batteries, trekking poles)

• Outdoor apparel (rain jackets, warm layers – all sizes)

• Extra gear (snowshoes, cross-country skis, tarps, camp chairs, etc.)

Your donation will directly support our Spring 2026 bikepacking trip and continue to serve students and staff for years to come through the Gear Library, powering future trips, classes, and outdoor experiences.

If you have gear to contribute or want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s build something lasting together

Contact Nikki for more info and where to drop off your donation.

Avanti students are required to complete 75 hours of Service Learning in our community, and we have some great upcoming opportunities to earn hours while making a real difference!

Join us every Friday from 12:30–2:30 PM to help care for our Sagan Satellite Garden. Our garden is in serious need of community support, and we would love to see students and families come lend a hand!

Location: Avanti High School

Fridays, 12:30–2:30 PM

No Garden Crew on Friday, May 15

Whether you have gardening experience or not, everyone is welcome. We need you!

Students can also earn Service Learning hours at this community garden project:

Sunday, May 17, 2026

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Dirt Works Demonstration Garden at Yauger Park

530 Alta Street SW, Olympia, WA 98502

Volunteers will work alongside the Thurston County Master Gardeners on a variety of garden projects, including:

Building and maintaining raised beds

Rain garden restoration

Planting fire-resistant landscapes

Growing food for the Thurston County Food Bank

Bring:

Signed waiver form (See Quasar for your waiver)

Garden gloves (if you have them)

Water bottle

Closed-toe shoes & clothes you can get dirty

Snacks provided!

Please reach out to Quasar Surprise with questions or to learn more about Service Learning opportunities.

Thank you for supporting our students and our community gardens! ​

Join us for an afternoon of fun, community, and celebration at our Youth Bike Summit Ride!

Date: Sunday, May 31

Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m. (Meet at 12:45 p.m.)

Location: Chamber’s Lake Trailhead, Chehalis Western Trail

This family-friendly ride is perfect for students and riders of all ages and abilities. Come enjoy a relaxed ride while celebrating youth leadership and excellence in cycling!

What to know:

Please bring a bike that is in good working condition

Helmets are required for all riders

Need a bike? No problem—just fill out the bike request form (limited quantities available; confirmation will be sent via email)

Want to learn more about the movement behind this event? Check out the National Youth Bike Council and the Youth Bike Summit to see how young people across the country are leading the way through cycling.

please fill out this form to attend

We hope to see you there for a great afternoon on the trail!

Turn your hours in on Schoology in the Passport under JEDI Hours.

Students who have participated in or are currently enrolled in an Avanti Bikes! course, especially those in Session #4, Period 3.

Session #4 Period 3 students are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of service as a class task.

A variety of volunteer opportunities are available to match your schedule and interests.

Hours count toward Avanti’s 75-hour Service Learning graduation requirement.

Additional hours beyond the required 6 can be applied toward class absence make-up (1 extra hour = 1 make-up day).

June 6 – Great Olympia Bike Rodeo (Non-Seniors)

2-hour shifts available between 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Reach out if you need help finding the right opportunity!

Let’s continue building our skills, giving back, and making cycling accessible for everyone in our community!

Contact Nikki if you have any questions.

As we move into November, advisories are continuing important conversations about service and community connection. Students have been reflecting on where they’ve volunteered locally as they work toward the 75 service hours required for graduation.

Please take a moment to visit our Service Connections Padlet and share any local organizations or volunteer opportunities you know of that could benefit our students.

You’ll also see a word cloud above showing places students have volunteered. If your student still has a connection with one of those organizations, please have them add contact information to the Padlet as well.

Thank you for supporting our students as they grow through service and community engagement!

The following guide contains important “Back To School” information and resources. Have a look, print off items for the refrigerator, and feel free to return to this guide throughout the school year. If you have any questions feel free to reach out or check with your advisor during conferences. We are all looking forward to building connections with you this year

Hello Avanti Community,

In case you did not know, we have a Sea Mar counselor that comes to our school on Thursdays. Her name is Dani Thompson. She has been with us longer then I have and she is fantastic. If you quality for their services and have been looking for a mental health counselor for your student, I highly recommend Dani.

With Sea Mar’s program, they accept all forms of Medicaid (including those who are undocumented since she is fully licensed). They offer community-based therapy services to those 21 and under (they have an adult program as well if someone needs that information). They also have a medication program that kids can take advantage of if and only if they are enrolled and active in their therapy services.

If you dont know what insurance you have, she can always check to see if you would qualify. 

Please let me know if you are interested so I can fill out a referral form. 

Steve

Hello Avanti Community,

Each month, students receive a Monthly Review—a snapshot of their progress in every class. These reports are available on the last Friday of each month.

If you have questions, please contact Brenda at 360-596-7900.

As many of you know, we have a pantry at Avanti. It is located on the 2nd floor next to my counseling office. 

This pantry is a great resource for all of our students. It is a place for them to find toiletry items, grab and go snacks and food to take home. 

At this time, I would like to ask you for donations. Chips, granola bars, fruit, and plastic forks would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you want specific items. 

Our wonderful pantry would not be able to exist without the support of our community. Families should donate as much or as little as they are comfortable with. All donations are viewed as a gift rather than an expectation. I am truly grateful for all of your support. Your donations make a difference in our students lives. 

You can bring your donations to my office or leave them at the front with Katy. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Steve Aguirre

School Counselor

Hello Avanti Students and Families,

Here are two helpful resources for learning about how / where to earn the required JEDI and Service Learning Hours.

Reach out to the Advisors with questions. We are happy to help set up students with meaningful experiences. Students: be sure to fill out the reflection forms in Schoology (Passport page) to submit completed hours.

Dear Avanti Students, Families, and Community,

We are excited to share that Avanti High School is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year, and we need your help spreading the word.

Avanti is looking to welcome 75 new students this September, and our strongest outreach comes directly from our own community. Your voices, your experiences, and your connections help future students discover a school where they can truly thrive.

Why This Matters

To ensure we can keep our full staff and continue offering the programs, relationships, and learning experiences that make Avanti special, we need students to apply as soon as possible. Early applications help us plan, prepare, and confirm staffing for the fall.

What Makes Avanti Unique

Avanti is a School of Choice where students have a voice in their learning. We offer:

Project‑based learning

Hands‑on, creative coursework

Personalized learning plans

A supportive, tight‑knit community

Mastery‑based learning and interdisciplinary studies

Quarterly Exhibition Nights where students showcase their culminating projects

If you know a student who is self‑motivated, independent, creative, or looking for a different kind of high school experience, Avanti may be the perfect fit.

How to Apply

Help Us Spread the Word

Please share this information with: 

Friends and family

Neighbors

Community groups

Social Media Post

Anyone who might be looking for a school where students are known, supported, and encouraged to grow

Your voice is powerful — and your support helps us continue building the Avanti community we all care about.

If you have questions, please contact Brenda Beck at 360‑596‑7900 or bbeck@osd.wednet.edu.

Thank you for being the heart of Avanti. Let’s bring in the next generation of creative, curious, independent learners.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to pause, reflect, and recommit to caring

for our emotional and psychological well-being. In 2026, the conversation continues to grow

louder and more compassionate, reminding us that mental health is just as important as

physical health.

If you or someone you know needs support, you’re not alone. Here are a few trusted

resources:

● HearMeWA is a youth-centered crisis response program that meets youth safety

and well-being needs by linking them to existing support systems. This program

is available statewide and provides support to youth 24/7/365. It serves youth up

to the age of 25.

● WA Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens. This service connects

families with mental health providers in your community who accept new

patients, work with your insurance, and fit your child’s treatment needs.

● Thurston-Mason Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services

(360-480-5721). This program provides 24/7 community-based crisis response

services for youth who live in Thurston or Mason Counties and are in crisis, or are

at risk of being hospitalized.

● Olympia School District - Resources for Youth and Families

● 988 Lifeline At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's

challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health

struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone

to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

● Family Education and Support Services (FESS) is offering Question - Persuade -

Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention training on 5/13/26 and 6/3/26.

● Thurston County Public Health and Social Services offers

Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention training to organizations or

those hosting community events.

● NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness/Southwest Washington: Offers

education, support groups, and a helpline (1-800-950-NAMI).

● SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Call or

text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

● MHA - Mental Health America: Provides screening tools, resources, and

community programs.

This month, let’s continue breaking stigma, sharing stories, and supporting one

another. Mental health matters—today and every day. 💚