Weekly Wildcat

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 7:15am-4pm; Fri-7:15am-4:00pm

16700 W. 159th Street, Olathe, KS, 66062

913-780-7240

Technical Support: Help Desk--913-780-8058

Administration

Principal: Rick Sola

rfsola@olatheschools.org

Asst. Principal: Krista Dueringer (Silver Teams-6,7,8)

kdueringercst@olatheschools.org

Asst. Principal: Erin Richerson (Green Teams-6,7,8)

eericherson@olatheschools.org

Counselors

Rachel Iuli: Green Teams-6,7,8

rjiuli@olatheschools.org

Makaela King: Silver Teams- 6,7,8

mcking@olatheschools.org

Nurse

Jenn Ross: jiross@olatheschools.org

School Resource Officer

Daniel Mason: dmasonsro@olatheschools.org

Attendance Secretary

Carrie Douglas: cescottdouglas@olatheschools.org (913.780.7241)

Student Information Specialist

Melynda Marquardt: mrmarquardt@olatheschools.org

Website: https://www.olatheschools.org/chisholmtrail
Location: 16700 W 159th St, Olathe, KS 66062, USA
Phone: 913-780-7240

X: @CSTWildcatsMS

Facebook: Click HERE

(click HERE for past Weekly Wildcat newsletters)

Commit, Connect, Continue

Dear CST Family!

As I walked the building after school on Thursday, I came across the following (in order of my walk)…

• 30-35 girls at volleyball practice—players and managers

• 65-70 boys and girls out at football practice—players and managers
• 65+ XC runners—all grades
• 50+ students rehearsing for the Anastasia production

This does not include 14 coaches and sponsors working with our kids. The kids were excited, working hard, and having fun. Seeing this brought me such a feeling of joy. We’re within the first full week of school and we are back in full swing…it’s awesome and so wonderful for our students. CST is such a great place for kids to be and I'm grateful for our amazing staff for their tireless commitment providing a wonderful middle school experience.

With the first full week at CST in the books and we're already to our first shortened week of the year. Friday is a half day with a 11:35am dismissal. The following Monday is Labor Day and Tuesday, 9/3 is a professional development day for teachers. However, when students return from the Labor Day break, games begin with volleyball on Wednesday, 9/4 and football on 9/5. The Old Settlers Parade is on 9/7.

Inside classrooms, students are working hard as well. Classes have transitioned into their content and students are beginning to bring their work home (i.e. homework) to complete. Students have already brought in shoe box projects and they have begun taking the Fastbridge screener for math and literacy. The year is full steam ahead!

Have a great week ahead and safe travels if traveling is part of your upcoming extended weekend.

Rick

This week...

(Fastbridge assessments will vary by grade/teacher)

Monday, 8/26

• Fastbridge Assessments

Tuesday, 8/27

• Minsky's Night- Supporting CST Football
• Fastbridge Assessments

Wednesday, 8/28

• Fastbridge Assessments

Thursday, 8/29

• All school picture day
• Fastbridge Assessments
• Atheletic pictures after school

Friday, 8/30

• 1/2 day- All grades (11:35am dismissal)

...and beyond!

• 9/2--No school
• 9/3--No school

ICYMI from registration: The CST Wildcat Fund are funds used to promote a positive climate and culture for all wildcats. Donations to this fund can go toward any of the following…

• CST students—CST ROCS Store (experiences, toys, candy, swag, etc.), recognitions, giveaway items (Vets Day pin, US Constitution, treats, etc.), other student-specific items as needs arise.
• CST teachers—Parent-teacher conference meal support, teacher appreciation efforts
• "CST" landscape design on the hill just south of the football field (future project)

• CST 25 Event support—All CST Community Event on 10/22/24 at 6:00pm

Any and all amounts are appreciated. ALL donations are tax-deductible and go toward the CST Wildcat Fund. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of CST students and staff!

*You will have the option to email or print a receipt for your donation. If you need any assistance regarding your donation, please email Courtney Seever at: cseever@olatheschools.org

We are so appreciative of the K-cup donations we've received last year! If you are looking for a simple way to support CST staff, we gladly accept and greatly appreciate K-cup donations for our lounge. Our staff LOVE this and use it daily...thank you! These donations can be dropped in the office or on the tables stage in the main hall of the building with tissue boxes.

Parents, you received an email from Jostens earlier this week about how to purchase a yearbook for your CST student. Please use the information and links in that email for your yearbook purchases. This year, Jostens is offering many different add-ons for you to choose from - all are optional! Yearbooks start at $27.15 plus tax.

Attention K-6th graders! Southside Spirit is back for the 2024 football season. Join the Olathe South Cheerleaders and Golden Girls in the spirit tunnel at the start of each regular season home football game! Attend the Southside Spirit Social on Wednesday, September 4th to meet the cheerleaders and dancers and receive your t-shirt (ticket to get in the games!)

Use the following link to sign-up:

Presented by Officer D. Mason

...the presentation and editable contract with your kids is linked below.

Join CST's site council! Site council is parent leadership group whose focus is on some of the inner workings of the school/district. This includes learning more about projects or initiatives and also providing feedback on current practices. There are 4 meetings a year--2 feeder meetings (with elementary schools) and 2 district meetings. Additional meetings will be added as/if needed. Site Council will meet on September 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025.

Please email Principal Sola at rfsola@olatheschools.org if you are interested in serving.

(No need to email if you expressed interest on the volunteer form already.)

Middle School Athletic Passes for adults and students are available through GoFan - https://gofan.co/app/school/KS79390

Once purchased, you can transfer the student pass to your student via text message. Passes can only be transferred 1 time. If your student doesn’t have a cell phone, they will receive an ID card with an “A” on it for Athletic Pass that will allow them into athletic events.

Parents were shared information about personal student devices at school (board policy can be found HERE).

We will review this policy with students as they return this week. Please help us by reminding (informing) students of this change ahead of time. This policy will be a slight shift from last year's practice.

• Personal devices are to be put away from bell to bell--8:20am-3:20pm
• Cell phones and ear buds will be turned into the office if out during the day. This includes passing periods and lunch.
• Headphones/earphones should be wired only
  
• Devices will be labeled and kept in the office until after school where students can pick it up.
• These procedures will be reviewed with students this week.
• Smart watches may be worn for time/step tracking purposes, but active use (i.e. like cell phone) will result in the watch being turned into the office.
• Collected devices will be kept in the office so it can be labeled and kept safe until return.

Two years ago, CST launched Father's Club. Father's Club is currently established in all 5 Olathe high schools and kicked off in several Olathe middle schools last school year. Its origins stem from Blue Valley and has expanded to several surrounding districts and schools. Father's Club at CST has been tailored to CST's needs and will continue to evolve as time moves forward.

All dads are encouraged to sign-up using the links below. This will ensure you receive information for upcoming events. Opportunities will include car line and door greetings, food giveaways, half-time activities, and more. Read about it below, but please consider signing up! Watch this space for more info!

_____________________

CST Father's Club has two co-chairs, 7th grade parent, Brad Reynolds, and 7/8 grade parent, Steven Brigman. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at ChisholmTrail@FathersClub.org.

Register or read more about Father's Club by clicking the buttons below. We look forward to having our dads active in the CST community!

• Students arriving between 7:30-7:40 – both activity and front doors will be unlocked; remain in foyer
• Students arriving at 7:40—front doors and activity entrance—go to the gym, MPR, or library (7:45)
• Breakfast will be eaten in the MPR
• Students wanting to meet with a teacher between 7:40-8:10am should go to the office to get a pass.
• Students need to wait until the 8:10 “release bell” to go to their lockers or the locker room
• Students should not be in the hallways unless you have a pass/appointment with a teacher.

What do I do after school?

• Bus riders – Gather belongings and head straight out to your bus (front of school)

• Walkers/Bike riders/Skateboarders – walk bikes/carry skateboards while on school property both before and after school - 2 rack locations available - front by science doors and side by Events Entrance

• If you are heading toward Ridgeview, you must walk on the sidewalk by the science doors toward 159th Street.

• If you are heading toward Murlen, you need to walk on the sidewalk that heads toward Mur-len (by the football field) and then turn right and go to the light.

• Students may not cross in front of cars at any time.

• Parents may not park in the parking lot to drop off or pick up students

• If your ride is in the outside lane for pickup, you may ONLY cross at the crosswalk in the front of CST

Check out the local features of area schools, including Chisholm Trail!

• Santa Fe Trail Middle School - August 13
• KCTV-5 – Interview with Students
• FOX-4 - Interview with JJ, Interview with Students, Interview with JJ/Teachers
• KMBC-9 - No Interview, just live footage outside beautiful gymnasium
• Tomahawk Elementary School - August 13
• KMBC-9 – Interview with Julia, Interview with Cassie

• Chisholm Trail Middle School - August 14
• FOX-4 - Interview with Rick & Father's Club, Interview with Rick

Reminders:

• There is no park and pick up at CST. Parking is reserved for those needing to come into the building
• Once child is picked up, use the center lane for pass through
• May switch lanes in the PM
  
• Drop off along the ENTIRE curb
  

Please review and follow the traffic patterns for drop-off and pick-up. The established traffic pattern is designed for the safety of our students and families who are in vehicles as well as our bike and walker traffic. Plan ahead and expect delays, especially at the start of the year.

For brief video tutorial of CST's traffic pattern, click HERE.

If your child needs to be picked up during the school day, you can call the front office (913-780-7240) and let them know the time. A pass will be sent for your child to be in the office upon your arrival. Please come into the building to check out your child. A state ID (driver's license) is required to enter the building.

If your child is late because of an appointment, you can simply call the office to check them in and have them walk in and report to the attendance secretary (Mrs. Douglas).

If your child is going to be absent, please notify our attendance secretary directly at 913-780-7241 or by email at cescottdouglas@olatheschools.org.

Add Money to your students account-- https://www.olatheschools.org/domain/2915

(3 charges allowed per student)

District Lunch Menus:

https://www.olatheschools.org/domain/2911

Many have asked questions about Academic Intervention, which is listed as 8th hour on your student’s schedule. This time (called Cat Time at CST) will actually occur right after 1st hour. During this time, students will be engaged in a variety of activities centering around literacy, numeracy, executive functioning skills, and social/emotional learning. All students will be working on the skills listed above during this time.

Similar to the past couple years, students will also be pulled for brief assessments to determine whether placement in one of the math or literacy intervention cycles would be appropriate.

As students will be working on the areas listed above, this is not a time for homework.

There will be time for students to get additional help, in the morning prior to the start of school and there are options a teacher may use during school day called "BASC" (Behavior and Academic Support Center) to have students make up a quiz or test. After school is also an option for students to touch base with their teacher.

Chisholm Trail launched its new PBIS program last school year. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and ROCS is Respect, Ownership, Compassion, and Safety. These four core values are emphasized and taught to our students daily. The program is intentional about teaching students expected behavior. Tokens may be given out for exhibiting expected behavior and those can be used in a "store" to purchase items. These items may be tangible (candy, pop, books, etc.) or intangible (time in the gym, lunch in a special location, sit in the teacher's chair for the day, etc.). The tokens are what helps make ROCS fun, but the conversations this generates between students and staff are also part of what makes this such an impactful program. You will certainly see and hear more but ask your child about ROCS, what it stands for, and why we do it...they should know and may share about their own experience receiving a token or cashing it in!

Use the link in the section below if you'd like to contribute to our store. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support of this important program at CST!

You can donate items for the ROCS (Respect, Ownership, Compassion, Safety) store through our Amazon Wish List and the items will be sent directly to CST.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12SICJZV5MY4P?ref_=wl_share

Thank you to all who have helped us in the past. Our kids are LOVING it and we are so grateful for your support of our positive behavior program...CST does in fact ROC(K)!

In Olathe Public Schools, we are committed to having an environment in all schools that is conducive to learning – an environment free from unnecessary distractions and that promotes the responsible use of technology by all individuals. Personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, etc.) can hinder or disrupt student learning.

At the August 1, 2024 regular Board of Education meeting, the Board approved Policy JTC – Personal Electronic Devices, providing standard districtwide guidance around the use of personal electronic devices during the instructional day.

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, early childhood through eighth grade students cannot use their personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, during the scheduled school day. To read the full policy, click here.

We recognize that in today’s digital world, personal electronic devices are a part of our everyday life, and as such, we want to be clear that while they are prohibited during the instructional day, students can have personal electronic devices in their backpacks or lockers and may use personal electronic devices during the scheduled school day in emergency situations, lockdowns, or if necessary for the student’s physical health.

If a parent or guardian needs to contact their student during the school day, please call the main office. Our phone number is 913-780-7240.

We understand this change may bring questions or concerns. Click here for a list of frequently asked questions.

SPANISH VERSION

NUEVO ESTE AÑO - Política de Aparatos Electrónicos Personales

En las Escuelas Públicas de Olathe, estamos comprometidos a tener un ambiente en todas las escuelas que sea apropiado para el aprendizaje - un ambiente libre de distracciones innecesarias y que promueva el uso responsable de la tecnología por parte de todas las personas. Los aparatos electrónicos personales (es decir, teléfonos celulares, relojes inteligentes, audífonos, auriculares, etc.) pueden obstaculizar o interrumpir el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.

En la reunión regular del Consejo de Educación del 1 de agosto de 2024, el Consejo aprobó la Política JTC - Aparatos Electrónicos Personales, proporcionando orientación estándar en todo el distrito sobre el uso de aparatos electrónicos personales durante el día de clases.

A partir del ciclo escolar 2024-25, los estudiantes de preescolar a octavo grado no podrán utilizar sus aparatos electrónicos personales, incluidos los relojes inteligentes, durante el horario escolar. Para leer la política completa, haga clic aquí.

Reconocemos que en el mundo digital de hoy en día, los aparatos electrónicos personales son una importante herramienta en la vida diaria, y como tal, queremos dejar claro que, si bien están prohibidos durante el horario escolar, los estudiantes pueden tener aparatos electrónicos personales en sus mochilas o casilleros y pueden utilizar aparatos electrónicos personales durante el día escolar en situaciones de emergencia, cierre de la escuela o si es necesario para la salud del estudiante.

Si un padre o tutor necesita ponerse en contacto con su estudiante durante el día escolar, por favor llame a la oficina principal. Nuestro número de teléfono es (Insert phone number here).

Entendemos que este cambio puede generar preguntas o inquietudes. Haga clic aquí para ver una lista de las preguntas más frecuentes.

All students are to dress properly for attendance at school and at school functions. Coats and hats are to be left in students’ lockers. Students must wear shoes at all times. Costume-type dress is not permitted unless a special day has been designated. Students must have some part of their shirt/top which goes over the shoulders. Students who are not properly dressed or their dress is deemed disruptive to the educational process will be requested to correct their clothing. If they do not have a change of clothes, items will be provided through the nurse’s office.

These items are not considered appropriate for school:

• obscene or suggestive phrases or pictures on clothing;
• revealing or provocative clothing, including short shorts or tops which show bare midriffs or have plunging necklines. Shirt bottom should touch waist line of the pants.
• clothing which does not cover undergarments
• phrases or pictures on clothing which refer to alcohol, smoking, drugs, or provocative brands
• hats, stocking caps, sunglasses, hoods
• clothing deemed inappropriate by school administration, school staff, district staff, or clothing which is a threat to the order or safety of the school or students; clothing in violation of school board policy.
• At Chisholm Trail, the dress code is intended to ensure that students dress appropriately for the school setting. We ask students to remember that clothing for school and clothing for recreational activities may NOT be the same. School clothes need to reflect that the child is at school to attend to the business of learning. Specific guideline questions may be directed to the building administration.

All students will get a review of the district Student Code of Conduct which can be found HERE.