Community Involvement in the Olathe Public Schools

  • Alumni Association

    The Olathe Public Schools Alumni Association is governed by a board of directors and its executive committee. The Alumni Association created a mission statement in 2005 to support reunions, provide scholarships and recognize alumni. Major events of the association include the Wall of Honor banquet each fall, and designing/installing a historical timeline of the district in the Education Center. Learn more on the association's webpage.

    Community Development

    photo of people holding Thank You signs The Community Development Department links schools and community through business, faith and civic partnerships. Goals of business partnerships:

    • Learning opportunities for students
    • Opportunities for business, faith and civic organizations to enhance their community involvement through an Adopt-A-School connection
    • Job opportunities for graduating students
    • Learning opportunities for businesses through internship experiences with schools
    • Fostering a climate of involvement, interaction and respect between schools and community partners
    • Learning opportunities for educators through externship experiences

    Olathe Public Schools Foundation

    The Olathe Public Schools Foundation, founded in 1997, is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization providing grants, scholarships and recognitions for the teachers and students of the Olathe School District. The Foundation brings students, parents, alumni, small businesses and corporations together to create opportunities to support continued excellence in Olathe Schools. The Foundation works to build supportive relationships between our schools and the business community through many cooperative events and programs. Since 1997 the foundation has provided over $8.8 million in support to Olathe school staff and students. The Foundation has assets in excess of $3.4 million dollars and has an annual operating budget of $1.4 million. The Foundation is managed by a staff of four professionals and a board of directors consisting of 23 community volunteers. They work with corporate sponsors and individual donors who wish to establish or contribute to programs through ongoing sponsorships, annual pledges, one-time gifts, lifetime gifts, or legacy gifts. For more information, call the Olathe Public Schools Foundation at 913-780-8222. Visit the Foundation website.

    Retired Employees Association

    The Retired Employees Association was formed in 2001 to provide opportunities for retired district employees to keep in touch with former colleagues, make new friends through social activities, and continue to serve the students of the district. Learn more about the association.

    Volunteers Serving Schools

    photo of volunteer with two boys The Olathe Public Schools volunteer program, Volunteers Serving Schools, has many opportunities for adults who want to support the classroom or serve as positive role models. Volunteers Serving Schools connects adult volunteers to activities such as classroom helper, lunch buddy, reading or math helper, after-school homework helper, mentor, and special projects. Olathe’s volunteer program brings the community into the classroom. Typically, adults meet with students one-on-one or help in a classroom once a week. There are students at each grade level who are on a waiting list to connect with an adult mentor or who need academic support. Volunteers and schools work together to schedule the best volunteer time such as during lunch or a class period. Classroom helpers assist teachers as needed whether it be helping students in a small group setting with reading, math and spelling, or assisting teachers with bulletin boards, cutting, making packets, copying, and much more. Community Development Director Heather Schoonover said volunteers help students meet their academic and personal goals as well as assist teachers with classroom needs. The volunteer department offers training during the school year for adults who have applied and been accepted into the program. A background check is completed for each applicant. Visit the Volunteers Serving Schools webpage.

    Activity Passes for Seniors

    District activity passes are available to senior citizens who live in the Olathe district and to grandparents of an Olathe student. The passes will allow them free admission to middle school and high school athletic and performing arts events for the upcoming school year. Passes may be picked up at any of the middle and high schools, at the Education Center (14160 S. Black Bob Road) or prior to a sporting event at either of the two athletic complexes. The passes are valid for regular season home games for all middle and high school athletic events and for drama productions, musicals and other performing arts events. They are not accepted for Kansas State High School Activities Association post-season events or Sunflower League tournaments.

Community Involvement