Welcome Back Bobcats!

We hope your summers were filled with sunshine, adventures, and plenty of time with the people you love! Our Black Lake team is beyond excited to welcome everyone back and to meet all the new faces joining our wonderful school family. We can’t wait to fill our halls with laughter, learning, and the energy that makes Black Lake such a special place to be!

School is just around the corner - we hope you are just as thrilled as we are to get all the fun started! See you very soon Bobcats!

Bring on the backpacks, big feelings, and beautiful chaos!

Mr. G and Mrs. Butler

Welcome Our New Counselor - Madelyn Olson

Hello Black Lake Elementary families! I am the new counselor at Black Lake and am so excited for this upcoming school year. This will be my fifth year as a school counselor. Both of my parents were teachers my whole life and so I quickly developed a love for being in school and knew that was a path I was meant to follow. My first year was in the Hoquiam School District at the K-1 school. Then I spent the last three years at McKenny Elementary in the Olympia School District. I have a special place in my heart for elementary students and I am so excited to be a part of your child’s educational experience. I look forward to the work we will get to do together!

Welcome Our New Staff Members

Jancin Cook

Kindergarten Teacher

Kelsie Kassler

Kindergarten Teacher

Michelle Paul

4th Grade Teacher

Krystyn Shelton

School Nurse

Linda Boone

Paraprofessional

Book Fair - September 1st - 4th

Click here for Book Fair information!

Strong Start Conferences - September 2nd - September 4th

Wednesday, September 2nd - Friday, September 4th

Please sign up for a time slot to meet with your student’s teacher through Qmlativ.

👉 Click here to access Qmlativ

How to Sign Up in Qmlativ:

Log in to your Qmlativ account.
Select your student’s name.
Choose Conferences from the menu.
Pick your preferred time slot and confirm.

Why Conferences Matter:

Families: Connect with the teacher and share insights.
Students: Feel supported by a team working together.
Teachers: Learn about each student’s strengths and needs.

A strong start sets the tone for a successful school year.

If you need assistance signing up for a conference, please contact the office at 360-709-7350.

Transportation

If your child will be riding the school bus this fall and you haven’t yet filled out the Transportation Request Form, please do so as soon as possible!

You must complete the form if:

- Your child is new to the district

- Your family has moved

- Your child will be riding the bus for the first time

- There’s been a change in your transportation needs

You don't fill it out if there is no change to your child's transportation needs AND they will be at the same school as last year. If your child receives special transportation through their IEP, please work with their case manager for their specialized transportation.

Timely completion of the form helps us plan bus routes and ensure we’re ready for a smooth start to the school year. 🚌

First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8th

Tuesday, September 8th

School Hours: 8:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m., Monday–Thursday
Friday Hours: 8:55 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Doors Open: 8:45 a.m.

For the safety and supervision of all students, please do not drop off students before 8:45 a.m. Students should arrive no earlier than the time the doors open.

Java Jitters - Tuesday, September 8th

Ice Cream Social - Wednesday, September 9th

PTO Meeting - Thursday, September 10th

Please join us for the first PTO meeting of the school year on Thursday, September 10th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the library. We look forward to seeing you!!

Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

Stay in Your Car: Please remain in your vehicle during drop-off and pick-up. If you need to come inside, use the front parking lot. Avoid parking or exiting at the sidewalk to keep the line moving.
Car Seat Placement: Position your child's car seat on the passenger side for easy and safe loading directly from the sidewalk.
Designated Drop-Off Points: Drop off your child only at the front sidewalk. Students should not cross through the bus loading area.
Traffic Flow: Follow the blue arrows on the attached map for one-directional traffic. Use the right lane for parent drop-off and pick-up; the left lane is reserved for thru traffic, and staff.
Early Pick-Up: If you need to pick up your child before 3:00 p.m., please park in the front lot and come to the main office. We’ll call your child to meet you.
Visible Placard: Display your student’s placard on the front passenger side window for easy identification.
Follow Signs: Adhere to posted traffic signs and avoid entering the bus zone or “Do Not Enter” areas.
Walking Pick-Up: If walking, bring your placard and wait at the sidewalk area. Staff will help connect you with your child.
Arrival Time: Drop off students after 8:45 a.m., when supervision begins and doors open. Breakfast service starts at this time as well.
Reserved Areas: Please avoid parking in coned-off areas, as they are reserved for preschool buses Monday through Thursday. Please also avoid driving in the bus zone at all times.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Back-to-School Support

Do you need a backpack filled with school supplies for your student or students? Please reach out to our school counselor, Madelyn Olson at madelyn.olson@tumwater.k12.wa.us for help getting your student ready for the year!

Healthy Together

Kids Closet Clothing Bank Give-Away

Volunteering

We encourage all families to complete a volunteer application—even if you don’t plan to volunteer right away. Having your application approved in advance makes it simple to jump in when opportunities come up, whether that’s helping in the classroom, attending a special event, or chaperoning a field trip.

👉 Apply here: Volunteer in Our Schools

Thank you for supporting our school community—we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers!

We Are Hiring!

Our district is hiring for multiple substitute positions – we are especially interested in hiring additional substitute bus drivers! If you are interested in a flexible position that supports students and schools, we encourage you to apply. Learn more and apply here:

• District Employment Page
• Substitute Bus Driver Posting

Thank you for helping spread the word and support our school.

2026-2027 Tumwater School District Calendar

Upcoming Events

9/1-9/4 - Book Fair
9/2-9/4 - Strong Start conferences
9/7 - Labor Day, no school
9/8 - First day of school
9/8 - PTO Java Jitters, 8:45-9:30 AM in the courtyard
9/9 - Ice Cream Social, 5:30-6:30 PM
9/10 - PTO meeting, 5:30-6:30 PM in the library
9/11 - ACT Friday, dismissal at 2:10 PM
9/18 - ACT Friday, dismissal at 2:10 PM
9/24 - Fun Run kickoff
9/25 - ACT Friday, dismissal at 2:10 PM

Tumwater School District will not discriminate in any programs or activities based on sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator – Meagan Dawson, 360-709-7030, meagan.dawson@tumwater.k12.wa.us; 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. Title IX Coordinator – Wendy Bromley, 360-709-7020, wendy.bromley@tumwater.k12.wa.us, 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512. Section 504 Compliance Coordinator – Deena Alley, 360-709-7030, deena.alley@tumwater.k12.wa.us, 621 Linwood Ave SW, Tumwater, WA 98512.

Welcome Back Bobcats! Welcome Back Bobcats!

Welcome Our New Counselor - Madelyn Olson Welcome Our New Counselor - Madelyn Olson

Welcome Our New Staff Members Welcome Our New Staff Members

Jancin Cook

Kelsie Kassler

Michelle Paul

Krystyn Shelton

Linda Boone

Book Fair - September 1st - 4th Book Fair - September 1st - 4th

Strong Start Conferences - September 2nd - September 4th Strong Start Conferences - September 2nd - September 4th

Wednesday, September 2nd - Friday, September 4th

Transportation Transportation

First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8th First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8th

Tuesday, September 8th

Java Jitters - Tuesday, September 8th Java Jitters - Tuesday, September 8th

Ice Cream Social - Wednesday, September 9th Ice Cream Social - Wednesday, September 9th

PTO Meeting - Thursday, September 10th PTO Meeting - Thursday, September 10th

Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

Back-to-School Support Back-to-School Support

Healthy Together Healthy Together

Kids Closet Clothing Bank Give-Away Kids Closet Clothing Bank Give-Away

Volunteering Volunteering

We Are Hiring! We Are Hiring!

2026-2027 Tumwater School District Calendar 2026-2027 Tumwater School District Calendar

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events