Oct. 19, 2018

Olathe Educator Wins Inaugural Award

Olathe Northwest High School English teacher LuAnn Fox has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) Outstanding High School ELA Educator award.

“LuAnn is a talented teacher and absolutely deserving of this award,” Olathe Northwest Principal Chris Zuck said. “Olathe students benefit from her work with the College Board and other professional organizations.”

Fox will be honored at the 2018 KATE Conference held in Wichita, Kansas, Oct. 26-27.

Volleyball Teams Raise Over $10,000

The Olathe School District’s five high school junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams banded together for a good cause in early October raising $10,395 for the Side Out Foundation. The 2018 Dig Pink event was hosted by Olathe East High School and provided high-quality competition and health education for young student athletes.

The annual event raises awareness for breast cancer and donates the funds for research. A formal banquet is hosted the night before volleyball matches. The next evening between matches, breast cancer survivors are honored and accompanied on court by a high school volleyball player.

“As host of this year’s event, the Olathe East parent committee set a goal of raising $10,000,” Olathe Public Schools District Athletic Director Tim Brady said. “Because of the generosity of the Olathe community, they exceeded this goal and funds will go directly to breast cancer research and treatment of Stage IV breast cancer.”

Elementary Math Wings Winners Named

The first 2018-19 Olathe Elementary Math Wings competition took place and crowned winners in the fourth- and fifth-grade divisions.

Regency Place Elementary won the fourth-grade division. Team members Mahi Kohli, Riya Mazumdar and Anjali Krishnakumar were coached by Staci Andersen and Katy Auld.

Brougham Elementary won the fifth-grade division. Team members Lillian Bryant, Rhea Gokul and Rithika Pandit were coached by Christina Williams. 

Impact Olathe Earns Community Service Award

Olathe Public Schools’ Impact Olathe program will receive the UCS Excellence in Community Service Award from the United Community Services of Johnson County (UCS). The award will be presented during the UCS Annual Meeting and Human Service Award Ceremony Dec. 7, at the Johnson County Community College Capitol Federal Room of the Regnier Center.

The UCS Excellence in Community Service Award recognizes an organization or partnership that has significantly improved the lives of Johnson County residents.

“Impact Olathe is an innovative approach to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students,” Olathe Public Schools Community Liaison Heather Schoonover said. “While the district focuses on student success in the classroom, it takes a community approach to meet the needs of our families facing economic challenges. Access to services through a unique human service delivery strategy has made a positive difference to families in our community.”