Olathe Public Schools

Olathe Community,

I hope your break was restful, and I want to thank you for your patience and support as we have adjusted our schedule to make up for a truly unprecedented winter weather season. We have a jam-packed issue of the Insider filled with celebrations and important information for you to know below.

I want to briefly address the potential changes with the federal Department of Education. Our primary focus at Olathe Public Schools will always be doing what’s best for our students while following the law. It’s important to note that closing the Department of Education would require Congressional approval, and changes in federal funding would not happen immediately. The impact on our district and state remains unclear, but we will continue to monitor developments and advocate for Kansas students. We will continue to seek guidance from the Kansas Department of Education in the coming months. Please know that our commitment to providing a high-quality, supportive learning environment for all students remains unchanged.

Happy spring!

Your very proud superintendent,
Dr. Brent Yeager

Did you receive the newest issue of School News in your mailbox? Olathe Public Schools is thrilled to introduce The Olathe Advantage, designed to showcase what makes our schools unique. You may begin to see this phrase pop up around the district because we are proud of what our school district offers its students, employees, families and greater community.

The Olathe Advantage emphasizes our top-tier academic programs, world-class staff members, our rich array of extracurricular activities and community service, cutting-edge career pathways, and strong community support. Didn’t receive a copy? Download the magazine here.

Olathe Public Schools is celebrating Paraeducator Appreciation Week from March 31-April 4, recognizing the essential contributions of paraeducators in supporting students and teachers across the district. These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in creating a positive learning environment, providing individualized support and helping students succeed. We thank all our paraeducators for their hard work and commitment to make a significant impact on the lives of students every day. Want to join our award-winning Olathe team as a paraeducator? Check out our openings here!

Olathe Public Schools student-athletes excelled at the recent winter sports state championships, bringing home several top honors. Congratulations to the following individuals and teams!

• Boys’ Swimming: Olathe East’s 200-yard Medley Relay team (Corbin Bradwell, Skylar Jones, Adam Hagan, and Charlie Ross) won the state title, while Olathe West’s Hayden Renoux claimed the 500-yard Freestyle championship.
• Boys’ Wrestling: Olathe South’s Jovani Caudill won the 165-pound state title.
• Girls’ Wrestling: Olathe North’s Makenzie Sharp (140-pound), Olathe East’s Audrey Lennard (145-pound), and Olathe South’s Justice Thomas (170-pound) all earned state championships.
• National Dance Competition: The Raven Dance Team from Olathe Northwest made history, winning three national titles, including Grand National Champion.

"Welcome to Our Classroom" is a video series where you're invited to a staff member's space to see the positive impact they have on their students every single day. Olathe South High School theater teacher David Hastings has been working in Olathe Public Schools for 23 years, with 26 years in education. He said, "I feel like every student should take theater because the skills that are involved with theater are what make you a well-rounded great person and achieve the goals you have for your life." Hastings believes the joy in teaching is seeing that positive impact on students and their future.

At the March Board of Education meeting, we honored several outstanding individuals and groups for their contributions to our district.

• Dr. Sean DeMaree, principal of Olathe South High School, received the Outstanding Real World Learning Leadership Award from the Kauffman Foundation.
• The district’s Math Wings competition champions include Arbor Creek Elementary School fourth graders Addison Baker, Quentin Smith and Beniah Brown and Regency Place Elementary School’s fifth graders Jeremy Chen, Liam Allinder and Aria Singer.
• The Olathe Northwest High School dance team was named 6A state champions in the Gameday Dance Showcase and grand national champions at a competition in Florida.
  

At the board meeting, Russ Munyan, adult education teacher in the Step Up program, shared this program helps Kansas residents earn diplomas through online classes funded by the Kansas State Department of Education. About 60 adults graduate each year, ranging in age from late teens to 74. A 2019 graduate, Trung Duy Huynh (Tom), also spoke about his success in the program and his current doctoral studies. Dr. Scott Fluke, assistant director of behavior and social-emotional learning and mental health, provided an update on the district's mental health initiatives. He highlighted the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in 45 schools, where staff work to create safe environments and improve behavioral health, as well as the vast mental health services the district offers, including individual sessions, therapy, and referrals.

For more information on the March board of education meeting, please visit our district website.

The spring District Site Council will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 31 at Olathe East High School, 14545 W 127th St., Olathe. As part of our ongoing education for parents and community members, we will begin with a presentation highlighting the dangers of fentanyl in our community. The remainder of the evening will be sessions highlighting the many ways we impact student postsecondary success starting in elementary school. See you there!

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-26 school year will be held from 1-6 p.m. Thursday, April 10 in each elementary school. This is an event for parents and their future kindergartners (children who will turn 5 on or before Aug. 31). As visitors, parents must present a form of identification upon entering the building. Current kindergarten students do not have class on April 10.

To find out what to bring or what elementary school your child will attend, please use the school locator on the district website. Please contact your child’s school for additional details or if you have questions about kindergarten enrollment or the enrollment process. Find the school contact information on www.olatheschools.org/schools. For other enrollment information, please visit the district's enrollment webpage.

A message from Johnson County Parks & Recreation District Children’s Services: Adventure awaits your child at JCPRD Out-of-School-Time programs! JCPRD challenges our next generation with fun and stimulating enrichment experiences. Multi-talented and well-educated staff facilitate opportunities to explore environmental awareness, fitness, health, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), creativity and innovation. Program hours are ideal for stay-at-home and working parents. Camps are available during winter and spring breaks. Give your child an edge – join us before and after school, and see how they shine! Space is limited at school sites, so register early! Click here for more information.

Olathe families, community members, students and staff are invited to join members of the Board of Education and superintendent for a Community Conversation on April 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education room (14160 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe).

These informal events are designed to encourage two-way dialogue between the Board of Education and community members about the topics that are top-of-mind in the district. There is no set agenda, but rather, participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversation regarding a variety of topics.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP in advance. If you intend to join the Thursday, April 24 Community Conversation, please submit an RSVP at this link by Friday, April 18: https://forms.office.com/r/ZMHKr1zWj5. Translators will attend every community conversation. Please indicate on your RSVP form if you will need a translator.

Construction projects across Olathe Public Schools are progressing as planned. At the Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus, work continues on interior and exterior construction, including walls, ceilings, plumbing, and roofing. The addition is also advancing with metal stud framing and masonry work. At Santa Fe Trail Middle School, warranty items are being addressed while grading continues for the new football field and track. Planning is underway for our aging facilities projects, with bids being submitted for approval, and construction is scheduled for summer break.

At the Olathe District Activity Center, renovations to the long jump and pole vault areas are nearly complete, with concrete work finished and asphalt installation planned for warmer weather. The project will be completed before the spring track season. Meanwhile, renovations for high school media centers at Olathe North High School and Olathe South High School began this week, with contracts being finalized and materials being procured. Middle school auditorium renovations at Frontier Trail, Indian Trail, Pioneer Trail, and Oregon Trail are also on track, with work scheduled to start during summer break.

We are so thankful for YOU – our community – who voted YES on these bond projects in 2022. To find more information, please visit our website.

Questions, comments or suggestions? Email them to communications@olatheschools.org.

Website: www.olatheschools.org
Location: 14160 South Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS, USA
Phone: 913-780-7000
Facebook: facebook.com/olatheschools

Instagram: instagram.com/olatheschoolsks
X / Twitter: @olatheschools

YouTube: youtube.com/@OlathePublicSchools233