Families of Olympia High School students raised concerns to administrators after receiving an email saying their students and teachers were being encouraged to wear military and workforce gear on a weekly basis. It wasn't long before the school took that back.
Olympia School District spokesperson Susan Gifford said an email was sent out on Sept. 6 to both students and parents about career "dress up" days for staff and students. Sent from the College and Career Readiness Center, it included "Military Mondays" and "Workforce Wednesdays."
Gifford said the high school received emails from families criticizing the "dress up" days, and they quickly shut the whole thing down.
"While the intention of the first email from the College and Career Readiness Center was to get students excited about college and career pathways, administrators shared that there needed to be more discussion and planning at the administration level about how exactly this would occur this year," she said.
Students and staff won't be encouraged to wear these outfits anymore, but the school will continue its tradition of school spirit wear on Fridays, Gifford said.
Recruiters and representatives from the military, colleges, the workforce and more will continue to meet with students during lunch hours, presentations and other special events.
Gifford said Olympia High Principal Matt Grant included in an email to parents that they also intend to include representatives who can speak about nonprofits, gap years, public agencies and more in the future.
More information about pathway presentations, guest speakers and more can be found online on the College and Career Readiness Calendar.
