Seminar Jan. 12 for parents of special needs students

The Olathe Public Schools Special Services Site Council will host a free seminar for parents of students with special education needs. “Guardianship Basics” is the topic of the Jan. 12 meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Instructional Resource Center, 14090 Black Bob Road, Olathe.

Jean Krahn with the Kansas Guardianship Program will help parents become award of guardianship issues once a student reaches the “age of majority.” Her presentation will answer many questions including whether a guardian is really necessary, and how to attain guardianship for a child.

Young singers bring holiday songs to school district offices

Being a member of an elementary school chorus is hard work. It takes a lot of practice to get ready for the holiday performance tour which might include up to a half-dozen locations across the city.

Olathe students, staff receive awards

Olathe East Singers Win Radio Station Contest

The Olathe East High School Madrigal Singers won $5,000 in the recent 99.7 The Point Christmas Choir Competition.

Director of Choral Activities Susan Scheibler recorded her singers performing the Pentatonix version of “Mary, Did You Know?” and submitted it to the radio station’s contest in November. A panel of judges reviewed all of the entries and chose the top eight recordings to play on the air for a week. Listeners and supporters of those schools texted in their votes, which were combined with the judges’ votes.

Allison officially hired at Olathe superintendent

In a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 19, the Olathe Board of Education named John Allison the next Superintendent of the Olathe Public Schools. Allison, currently the Superintendent of the Wichita Public Schools, will officially begin his duties in Olathe on July 1.

“It is my honor and privilege to be appointed Superintendent of the Olathe Public Schools,” Allison said. “Olathe is a community that takes great pride in their schools and strives to offer a world-class education for each student. I look forward to working with the Board of Education, staff, students, parents and community to make sure our students are prepared for their future.”

MNU AD resigns

Kevin Steele

MNU president David Spittal has announced the resignation of Director of Athletics Kevin Steele effective January 2, 2017. Steele, who has held his current position since 2008, resigned to accept a similar position with another university.

“Kevin has provided the university with excellent leadership and under his direction our programs have achieved regional and national recognition,” Spittal stated.  “We appreciate his contributions and the level of excellence that he has established for the future of Pioneer athletics.”

Steele began his administrative career at the University of Oklahoma and prior to MNU, served as athletic director at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.  He has also served in similar positions at Blinn College and Redlands College.  Steele has achieved multiple honors: the 2015 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics; the 2015-16 Heart of America Conference Athletic Director of the Year; and two Heart of America Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Awards.