Comet Express

What an awesome two days we have had! There have been so many smiles, laughs, and memories being made as we kick off the new school year. It has been so wonderful seeing our students back in the building!

A huge thank you to all of our families who came out for Sneak a Peek! What an awesome night it was. We loved having the opportunity to see so many of you and start the year together!

Cedar Creek Spirit Wear:
Below in this newsletter, you’ll find a link for families to order Cedar Creek spirit wear. Please know that a portion of the proceeds will go directly back to our PTO to support our students and school.

Communication Device Policy:
Thank you for doing your part at home and helping us with our new communication device policy. We truly appreciate your support.

I know you may have some very tired kiddos by the end of the day! 😊 I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Get some rest, enjoy your family time, and we’ll see everyone Monday!

Have a wonderful weekend, Comets!

Monday ~ B Day

Tuesday ~ C Day

Wednesday ~ D Day

Thursday ~ A Day

Friday ~ B Day

August 25th- Back to School Night K-2nd 5-6 PM

August 26th- Back to School Night 3rd-5th 5-6 PM

September 4th ~ Shorts and Shades

September 7th ~ No School

September 8th ~ Picture Day

September 18th ~ Carnival; 5th Grade Ernie Miller Field Trip

September 25th ~ Walk a Thon

October 5th-8th ~ Book Fair

October 7th ~ Grandparents Lunch K-2

October 8th ~ Grandparents Lunch 3-5

October 9th ~ No School; Choir to Sing National Anthem at OW 7 PM

October 12th-14th ~ Conferences

October 14th ~ 12:10 Dismissal; Picture Retakes; Blood Drive

October 15th ~ No School

October 16th ~ No School

October 28th ~ 3rd Grade Musical 6:30

October 30th ~ Halloween Parade 9:15, Parties 2:30-3:30

November 2nd ~ No School

*Additional events will be added as they become available

** Information is subject to changer

Kindergarten ~11:45-12:15

First ~ 12:05-12:30

Second ~ 11:50-12:15

Third ~ 12:20-12:45

Fourth ~ 12:35-1:00

Fifth ~ 12:50-1:15

As you may be aware, during the 2026 Legislative session, the Kansas Legislature passed a new state cell phone law that prohibits the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day on school premises. Per state law, devices must be turned off and securely stored during the school day.

At the Aug. 6 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved updates to Policy JTC- Personal Electronic Devices, that bring Olathe Public Schools into compliance with the newly passed state law for the 2026-27 school year.

Key highlights from the policy updates include:

• Elementary and PreK: Personal electronic communication devices, if on school premises during the school day, must be stored in the student’s backpack, in a personal storage bag or container, in a school-designated storage solution or other area designated by school administration.
• Middle and High School: Personal electronic communication devices, if on school premises during the school day, must be stored in a student’s locker, in a school-designated storage solution, in the student’s vehicle (high school only) or other area designated by school administration.

Students who bring personal electronic communication devices – including cell phones, smart watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, smart glasses, tablets not issued by the school, and similar devices – must adhere to the policy as outlined above.

District administration have created consistent expectations for those found in violation of the policy.

We know this maybe an adjustment for many students and families. Our approach is rooted in teaching expectations, partnering with families and applying those expectations consistently across all Olathe schools. Before school begins, please discuss with your child the new requirement that all personal devices be turned off and securely stored during the school day. We appreciate your support and partnership in helping students understand this new expectation.

This year, to help ensure the safety of all students, parents who come to eat with their child will not be able to sit in the lunchroom. Instead, you are welcome to enjoy lunch together at the tables in the foyer or at the picnic tables outside. On Fridays, we will also have a table set up in the commons for families. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our students safe!

With warmer weather bringing more students outdoors, we wanted to share the newly-updated rules for bikes, e-bikes and scooters from the City of Olathe. Here are the key points for our students:

• All riders under 18 years old must wear a helmet when riding on an electric scooter or e-bike.
• Electric scooters cannot be ridden on the road unless the speed limit is 30 MPH or under and there’s no sidewalk.
• E-bikes may be ridden on roads with speed limits up to 40 MPH.
• Riders of bicycles or any motorized device must yield to pedestrians and warn them before passing (ring the bell, say “excuse me” or “on your left”, etc.)
• There is a 15 MPH limit for electric scooters and e-bikes on the sidewalk.
• It is illegal to ride a bicycle, e-bike, or electric scooter in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner or weaving in and out of traffic. Stay as close to the right side of the road as possible except when turning left.

• An electric scooter or e-bike must have proper lighting and be visible in order to ride at dusk or at night.

• Electric powered “bikes” that cannot be pedaled are actually motorcycles or motor-driven cycles and require a license to ride.

• If you get into an accident while riding on a bicycle, electric scooter, or e-bike where someone is injured or property is damaged, you must provide contact information to other parties involved and report the accident to the police.

• Parents may not authorize or knowingly permit their children to violate any Olathe bicycle, e-bike, or electric scooter regulations.

For those in need of a helmet, the Olathe Fire Department is partnering with the University of Kansas Health System for its annual Helmet Head Bike Rodeo on Sunday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Olathe. Kids aged 15 and under will receive a free bike helmet while supplies last.

We encourage families to have a conversation at home that will help keep everyone safe. Please read the complete list of updated rules by visiting OlatheKS.gov/RollSafe.

Review

This spring the Facility Alignment Task Force, made up of one staff member and one parent from each school, met three times to review district finances, enrollment projections and building capacity to inform Olathe Public Schools' school consolidation planning.

At the June Board of Education Meeting, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jim McMullen presented an overview of the Task Force’s work and recommendations. View the full presentation on the district’s YouTube Channel.

Survey results showed unanimous support for reducing the district's elementary footprint. Most participants recommended closing at least three or four elementary schools and at least one middle school. High schools are not expected to be affected.

Current Work

So far this summer, the Facility Alignment Steering Committee (a smaller subgroup of the Task Force) has met three of four times to evaluate the task force's recommendations and review data for each school. The committee will recommend specific schools for consolidation after its final meeting before the start of the school year.

Next Steps

A recommendation on specific school consolidations will be presented to the Board of Education at its September meeting, with boundary recommendations to follow. Please note that your school may be affected even if it is not recommended for consolidation, as attendance boundaries may be adjusted to accommodate students from consolidated schools.

Information will be shared in school and district communications throughout the next several months. Community members interested in following the process can learn more, including answers to frequently asked questions and view all districtwide and school-based communication so far on the district website. Our commitment to transparency throughout this process is intentional, so our community feels informed every step of the way.