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

This week at Avanti (August 31 - September 4):

Monday (Aug 31) – NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Day

Tuesday (Sept 1) – NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Day

Wednesday (Sept 2) – Teachers 1st Day - No Classes; ASB Retreat - 3:30-5:30p

Thursday (Sept 3) – Returning Student/Parent/Advisor Conferences - No Classes

Friday (Sept 4) – Returning Student/Parent/Advisor Conferences - No Classes

Monday (Sept 7) – No School - Labor Day; Mathletes (rm. 213) will start 9/14 @ Lunch (see Nikki for Details); FFA Meeting will start 9/14 @ Lunch; Avanti D&D will start 9/28 from 1-3;

Tuesday (Sept 8) – Returning Student/Parent/Advisor Conferences - No Classes; New Student Conference - 12-1:30p; FFA Meeting will start 9/15 (2:30-3:30p)

Wednesday (Sept 9) –  1st Day of School; Regular Schedule - Pizza Klatch (2D Art Rm. Starting Date TBD);

Thursday (Sept 10) – ADVISORY SCHEDULE;

Friday (Sept 11) – Orientation (12:30-1:30p); Academic Support rm. 213 (8:30a – 2:30p); ASB Workshop Meeting @ 10:30am-12:00pm; Living Chrysalis Artwork Co-Design Team - 11a-12p; Open Art Studio 3D (Annex) and 2D Art Room (Time TBD); Open Gym/Weightroom (12:30-2:30p); Garden Volunteer (Contact Quasar to participate) (2-3p); Music Listening Club - (1-2p in Hendrix's Rm.)

-Parent Workshops (3 - 4:30p)

-Community Potluck-BBQ (4:30 - 5:30p)

September 23: Oregon State University Visit (rm. 213) - 6th Period

Get your photo taken in the Library before school, during passing time, during lunch, or after school. Students choosing to participate in student photos (not mandatory) will be provided a free Student I.D. card.

Join us for our Parent Orientation & Community Potluck (BBQ) on September 18th from 3-5:30 PM!

Workshops (3-4:30 PM): Learn the essentials—Skyward, ParentSquare, Schoology tutorials, our grading system, Mastery Based Learning, and how to get involved at Avanti.

Potluck (4:30-5:30 PM): Bring a favorite dish to share or donate to the BBQ! (BYOP—Bring Your Own Plate & utensils to help us stay green!)

This is a great opportunity to connect with our community, get the tools you need to support your student, and enjoy delicious food together. We can't wait to see you there!

We're excited to offer a series of parent education workshops throughout the 2026-2027 school year, designed to support you in navigating the joys and challenges of raising teens. These workshops provide practical tools, open discussion, and a supportive community of Avanti families.

Get to know what's happening in your teen's developing brain and how it can shape their emotions, choices, behavior, and relationships.

Explore simple, practical ways to encourage your teen, build their confidence, and help them take ownership of their goals.

Develop tools and strategies to help your teen find a healthy balance in a digital world.

Discover ways to stay connected, listen openly, and have more positive and productive conversations with your teen.

Learn how to guide and set healthy boundaries while giving your teen the space to grow, become more independent, and build mutual respect.

Learn how to recognize when your teen may be struggling and discover ways to support their emotional well-being and help them build healthy coping skills.

Explore ways to help your teen recognize and manage their emotions, handle challenges, build empathy, and strengthen their relationships.

Learn more about why teens take risks and how parents can support safer choices, open conversations, and healthy decision-making.

Gain practical tools and strategies

Connect with other Avanti families

Learn from experienced parent educators

Support your teen's growth and well-being

Build stronger communication and trust

Location: Avanti Commons/Lunch Room

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Questions? Contact the Avanti office at (360) 596-7900

(Provide supplies to the student’s advisor during conferences.  Families should donate as much or as little as they are comfortable with.  All donations are viewed as a gift rather than an expectation.)

(Some classes may require other course specific supplies)

Calculators are available for all students. 

This is the perfect opportunity for students who couldn't sign up for the regular Avanti Bikes! class but still want to get active, build bicycle skills, learn the rules of the road, and ride in a group.

Join us for 2-hour group rides covering 5+ miles every Friday afternoon. It's a fun, engaging way to explore Olympia, stay active, and earn PE credit at the same time!

Students who want to: Earn ILP PE hours

Get outside and stay active

Build confidence riding in traffic

Learn group riding skills and road safety

Have fun exploring the community on two wheels!

Bike & Helmet: Don't have your own? No problem! We can provide a bike and helmet—just connect with Nikki ASAP so we can prep one for you.

Safety Check: Before joining a full ride, you'll demonstrate safe bicycle handling and riding skills with a staff member to ensure everyone's safety and confidence on the road.

Waivers Required: All safety waivers and permission forms must be completed and submitted before you can participate in any ride.

Hello Avanti Community,

If you are interested in taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Practice SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) this October, come to the Counseling Office to sign up. We have 15 spots available. Priority goes towards 11th grade students. 10th and 12th grade students are able to sign up for this test (you would not be considered for the NMSQT). The PSAT does cost money. Its usually around $15.

Deadline to register for this test is September 15th. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Below you will find some helpful links.

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.

This is not just for Seniors!

Students can start applying for these scholarships starting their 9th grade year.

Don't wait until it is too late.

FREE MONEY SCAN ME!

DON'T WAIT! Click here for the list and see Steve with questions. 

Open art studio is an opportunity for students to work on individual creative projects and/or spend more time working on projects from art class. You do not have to be enrolled in an art class to come to participate. Work time is primarily independent, with art teachers available for guidance with materials and techniques when needed. 

TIME TBD 

See Cecily or Hayley for more info

We’re looking for a small but committed team of students to help co-design an exciting art installation that will be displayed at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Spring 2027!

The installation, called a Living Chrysalis, will bring together artwork created by hundreds of community members. The project is being fostered by local artist and activist Carrie Ziegler and will continue to grow and travel internationally, inspiring people around the world to create positive change. 

Want to be part of the Design Team?

Students who join the team must be able to commit to all five design meetings:

Fridays, September 11–October 9 - Time 11a-12p (Quasar's Room)

Ideally, students on the design team will also participate in Climate Action Through Art during Quarter 3, where we’ll continue working together to co-create the installation for the Washington Center.

If you’re interested in art, creativity, climate action, community change, or helping create something bigger than yourself, we’d love to have you on the team!

/Quasar & Cecily

Do you like donuts?

Do you you like to solve puzzles?

Do you like to doodle on whiteboards?

Do you possibly tolerate math/love it? And if so, do you want to share those magical powers with your teammates, while checking out a rad college campus The Evergreen State College and grow your edges?

Would you like to waive your future math project (final) for your future math class?

Well if any of these items apply (seriously, including doodling) then Avanti Mathletes is for you!

Avanti morning and afternoon students, join us Mondays at lunch (11:15AM-11:45AM) in room 213 (Nikki's Room).

Bring your lunch, bring a Chromebook, make a friend or roll solo, and check out the fun that is Avanti Mathletes.

For more info, email: nwinkley@osd.wednet.edu

Hello Avanti Adventurers! This year the Avanti D&D group shall be headed on a new campaign dark and mysterious as we go into October and begin the festivities of Halloween. Our first session shall be on the 28th of September and will be a start for any who want to join, no experience needed and those with experience will see something definitely new.

-Xane Burns zburns1230@gmail.com

Spend a September morning making a difference along one of our local waterways! 

Join Stream Team and the City of Lacey on Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Woodland Creek for a Restoration Work Party. Volunteers will continue removing invasive blackberries from the creek’s riparian area while hearing project updates and connecting with fellow community members. 

Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided. Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and note that children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sign Up Now:

Give back to one of our community’s special natural spaces! Join us on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Palermo Wetlands for our monthly Second Saturday Restoration event. 

Volunteers will work together to remove invasive plants, giving native species more room to thrive and supporting healthy habitat for birds, beavers, river otters, and other local wildlife. 

Bring your helping hands and enjoy some fresh air while making a meaningful difference for this beautiful wetland!

Sign Up Now: 

https://streamteam.info/events/

Don't miss the last restoration work party of the 2026 season at McLane Creek Nature Trail! Join Stream Team and the Washington State University Extension Native Plant Salvage on Friday, September 18, from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 

Manage trailside vegetation while learning about our region’s native plants and the wildlife they support. Connect with fellow nature lovers and help care for one of Thurston County’s most beloved trails. 

Sign Up Now: 

https://streamteam.info/events/

Earn JEDI hours and strengthen your social justice skills. See Steve for more info. Fridays 1-3p.

SEP 18th

OCT 30th

NOV 20th

DEC 11th

JAN 29th

FEB 26th

MAR 26

APR 23rd

MAY 21st 

Bored? Need service learning hours? Want to be outside and help grow food for our community?

Volunteer with the Kiwanis FoodBank Gardens! Wed, Thurs, and Fri from 9-12 at 3 different locations (so pay attention to which one is on which day!). Sign up using the link below:

See Quasar for questions

This is a great opportunity for Avanti students, families, and community members to provide feedback on transit policies that affect our community. Successful candidates receive a monthly stipend.

Many of our students and families rely on public transit for school, work, Running Start, internships, and community events. Your perspective matters!

Intercity Transit especially seeks representation from: 

Youth (one-year term!)

Students

BIPOC

LGBTQ+ community

People living with disabilities

Fixed-income families

Get an application: intercitytransit.com or pick one up at the Olympia Transit Center (205 Franklin St.)

Submit: Online, email acollins@intercitytransit.com, or mail to Intercity Transit Attn: CAC, PO Box 659, Olympia, WA 98507

Interviews: Friday, November 6, 2026 (tentative)

Questions? 

media@intercitytransit.com | intercitytransit.com

Join the Peer Mentor Program at Explore ABA and support children and teens with developmental disabilities while building valuable skills for your future!

As a peer mentor, you'll serve as a positive role model and "buddy" for clients during their therapy sessions. You'll participate in supervised social activities like:

Service learning hours toward graduation requirements

Meaningful experience in a professional therapeutic environment

Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills

The chance to make a real impact in someone's life

Students (8th-12th grade) who are:

Students: Scan the QR code on the flyer or contact carley@exploreaba.com(opens in new tab) for more information

Teacher recommendations are required as part of the application process

Contact Jessica Dunn at Explore ABA: carley@exploreaba.com

Help create a positive and supportive learning environment while earning your service learning hours. This is an incredible opportunity to give back to the community and grow as a leader!

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.

We invite all parents, guardians, students, staff, and friends of Avanti to join our Community Group meetings for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a space where we come together to discuss how we can best support our community events, initiatives, and most importantly, each other.

When: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (first Monday of most months)

Where: Room location will be posted before each meeting

Your voice matters! Whether you can join us for one meeting or all nine, we'd love to have you at the table as we build and strengthen our Avanti community together.

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hello Avanti Community,

As many of you know, we have a pantry at Avanti. It is located on the 2nd floor next to my 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. The list below is an example of items that have worked in the past with our students. If there is an item that is not on here that you would like to donate, please let me know.

Toiletry items: Menstrual Products, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush.

Grab and Go Snacks: Cup of Noodles, Doritos, Sunchips, Goldfish, PopCorners, Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks, and Fig Bars.

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. You can bring your donations to my office or leave them at the front office with Katy.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Steve Aguirre

School Counselor