Olathe Public Schools

Portrait of Superintedent Dr. Brent Yeager

Message from the Superintendent

October 2022

Olathe families,

We are well into the fall semester and it has been a great year. With October, comes one of my favorite events of the year — the Olathe Public Schools Foundation Breakfast — where I have the opportunity to share the State of the District with our community partners. I always enjoy spending the morning hearing about the wonderful things that are happening because of our Foundation's generosity and I also love getting to brag on our incredible students and staff.

Speaking of bragging, I just have to share... Did you know that last year 18 students were named National Merit finalists, 73 students were named CTE scholars and received full-ride scholarships to Johnson County Community College, and $45.5 million in scholarships were offered to our class of 2022 graduates? Talk about reasons to be a proud superintendent!

During the State of the District, I recapped the current upgrades to the 2022 Bond projects, which you can find here. I talked about the joy I have seen in our students and teachers this year. Finally, I talked about the importance of parent, family and community engagement. This year we are committed to welcoming our families and community members back into our buildings and I would encourage you to find a way to connect with your child's school.

I am so thankful for the support of our community, Foundation, staff and families like you who are engaged in our students' learning and helping us prepare all students for their future. Please make sure to read through this newsletter to see opportunities for you to engage in our schools, celebrate our staff and students' achievements and learn more about new programs that will greatly benefit our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brent Yeager

Community Conversations with Olathe's Superintendent and Board of Education

Olathe families, community members, students and staff are invited to join the superintendent and members of the Board of Education for Community Conversations. 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.

All Community Conversations will be held in the Olathe Instructional Resource Center (14090 S. Black Bob Rd.). For a list of Community Conversation dates/times, click here. Those planning to attend the Thursday, Nov. 17 event are asked to RSVP in advance. If you intend to join the Community Conversation, please submit an RSVP at this link by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

October is National Principals Month!

Join us as we celebrate all of our principals across our district. National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our nation’s students. We are proud to have good leaders in our buildings. Take a moment to thank your principal this month!


Heatherstone Elementary Principal Toni Cole delivers a "top-secret" message from NASA to Nancy Smith's second grade engineers.	Olathe Northwest High School Principal Chris Zuck reads to classes at the ONWHS feeder elementary schools.	Oregon Trail Middle School Principal Johnathan Lynk joined the cross country team for a run this fall.

Heatherstone Elementary

Principal Toni Cole delivers a "top-secret" message from NASA to Nancy Smith's second grade engineers.

Olathe Northwest High School

Principal Chris Zuck reads to classes at the ONWHS feeder elementary schools.

Oregon Trail Middle School

Principal Johnathan Lynk joined the cross country team for a run this fall.

21st Century Academies Open Houses

The 21st Century Academies are celebrating 20 years of preparing students for their future!

Do you want your student to be a part of this legacy? Eighth grade families - you're invited! Each of the academies will hold an open house for students and parents to attend in order to visit the facilities and find out more details about the academy. They are all on different dates and families can attend as many as they choose and can fit into their schedule. If a family is unable to attend the scheduled date, there are many resources online at www.olatheschools.org/21stcenturyacademies or you may email the academy facilitator. Community members are welcome to attend to learn more about the 21st Century Academies.

Distinguished Scholars Information Night
Wednesday, October 26, 6:30-8 p.m. – Olathe North (600 E Prairie St., Olathe, KS 66061)
Animal Health, Geoscience, Medical Professions, Sports Medicine
Thursday, October 27, 5:45-8 p.m. – Olathe North (600 E Prairie St., Olathe, KS 66061)
BioMedical Engineering, Business Finance, Computer Science
Tuesday, November 1, 6-7:30 p.m. – Olathe South (1640 E 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062)
Green Tech, Public Safety
Wednesday, November 2, 6-8 p.m. – Olathe West (14545 W 127th St., Olathe, KS 66062)
Civic Leadership, Design, Future Educators
Wednesday, November 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Olathe East (14545 W 127th St., Olathe, KS 66062)
e-Communication
Wednesday, November 15, 6-8 p.m. – Olathe Northwest (21300 College Blvd., Olathe, KS 66061)
Engineering
Tuesday, November 16, 6-8 p.m. – Olathe Northwest (21300 College Blvd., Olathe, KS 66061)

Naloxone Program is Expanded to All Schools and Support Buildings

Earlier this month, the Olathe Public Schools expanded its supply of Naloxone (commonly known as NARCAN) and is now stocking the medication at all support buildings and elementary schools, in addition to middle and high and schools. Naloxone is a nasal spray medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and can be safely and easily administered to individuals of all ages.

“While we hope to never have to use NARCAN, we feel that it provides comfort knowing that emergency medications are available in every building and ready to be used on the rare occasion they are needed,” Director of Health Services Dr. Sarah Gilliland said.

In 2019, the Olathe Public Schools began stocking NARCAN in middle and high schools. Since then, staff have administered nine doses of the lifesaving medication to students suspected of experiencing an opioid overdose. All school nurses are trained on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid intoxication and how to deliver NARCAN quickly and effectively. All school Resource Officers will continue to carry NARCAN.

It is important to note that NARCAN is safe for individuals of all ages, and there are no adverse side effects or harm to users if NARCAN is administered unnecessarily. However, it can be lifesaving if an individual is experiencing an opioid overdose.

Fall Educator Interview Night

The Olathe Public School's Human Resources department welcomes external teachers and other certified professionals to participate in our upcoming Fall Educator Interviewer Night on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4:30-8 p.m.

This in-person event will take place at Olathe East High School. These one-on-one interviews will be with an administrator in our district for upcoming 2023-2024 school year positions including classroom positions and certified support roles. To register for the Fall Educator Interview Night, fill out an application by clicking the button below.

Come join our team! For more information, contact Human Resources at 913-780-7000.

SAEBRS/MySAEBRS Opt-In Reminder

Reminder! If you have not already completed the opt-in form for SAEBRS/mySAEBRS - CLICK HERE. Thank you to all who have filled out the opt-in form. If you have already filled out the form, you can disregard this message. If you have multiple children in the district, you will need to complete a form for each student.

To learn more about student experiences and needs, we will be asking for your child’s feedback via an online survey that will be completed at school. The tool that will be used is SAEBRS/mySAEBRS. Over 70% of schools in Kansas use SAEBRS/mySAEBRS to identify needs that may present barriers to learning.

The skills that SAEBRS/mySAEBRS measures are those that help students succeed in school, career, and life. For the Olathe Public Schools, SAEBRS/mySAEBRS measures behaviors in three categories: social, academic, and emotional. Results are one piece of data to help educators identify and provide instruction and interventions within their classrooms.

Parent consent is required for SAEBRS/mySAEBRS. For those students whose families have consented, the SAEBRS/mySAEBRS screening will be completed between Nov. 28 – Feb. 3. For students in K-1, teachers will complete the SAEBRS survey about what behaviors they observed in your student. For students in grades 2-12, students will be asked to complete the mySAEBRS survey about themselves. Surveys take about five minutes. Children whose parents have not opted in for this survey will not take the survey.

For both surveys, students or teachers will be given the opportunity to provide a rating of Never, Sometimes, Often, and Almost Always on the following:

1. I argue with others.
2. I get along with my peers.
3. I lose my temper.
4. I disrupt class.
5. I am respectful.
6. Other people like me. (on mySAEBRS only)
7. I have trouble waiting my turn.
8. I like school.
9. I am ready for class.
10. I get good grades.
11. I have trouble working alone.
12. It's hard to pay attention in class.
13. I participate in class.
14. I feel sad.
15. I feel nervous.
16. I like to try new things.
17. I am happy.
18. I am worried.
19. When something bad happens it takes me a while to feel better.
20. I like being alone.

Please reach out to your student’s school with any questions.

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