Summit Trail News and Notes
October 9, 2026
October Teacher Spotlight
The Summit Trail Teacher Spotlight is a monthly award intended to shine the light on a staff member who makes a positive impact on Summit Trail. Teachers are nominated by their peers for the award.
Mrs. Becky Graham is a 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher. She is also a member of the Building Leadership Team and FCA sponsor.
Describe your classroom in three words.
Mrs. Graham: Warm, engaging, safe
If you could teach a one-week class on any obscure topic, hobby, or pop-culture debate, outside of Social Studies, what would it be called and what's on the final exam?
Mrs. Graham: Can I pick two? 🙂 Making the Ordinary Meaningful - Food, Family, and Faith edition. Final exam: Students will be given an ordinary object (a box, basket, bag) and asked to give it purpose and connect it to a memory, story, or tradition. OR Planning the Perfect Family Trip. Final exam: plan a trip with transportation, lodging, activities, downtime, and food!
If you could magically install a 'skip button' for one repetitive moment or daily hassle in your teaching routine, what are you skipping, and what are you doing with that extra time instead?"
Mrs. Graham: Grading! Talking with the class about life outside our classroom.
What is one piece of 'unofficial' advice you would give to a brand-new student in your classroom on their first day?
Mrs. Graham: Take risks and be brave. Let them know that they are right where they are supposed to be.
What has to happen for you to think "today was a great day!" in your classroom?
Mrs. Graham: I drank all my water instead of caffeine. I kept my emotions in check. I smiled even in the hard. At least one student felt seen.
Summit Trail Theatre presents 33 Little Pigs!
Our next production is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss it!
Join us for this fun and hilarious retelling of a classic story featuring more than 80 Summit Trail Sabercats both onstage and behind the scenes!
Show Dates & Times:
Thursday, October 8 — 6:30 PM
Friday, October 9 — 6:30 PM
Saturday, October 10 — 2:00 PM
At just under an hour, 33 Little Pigs is a short, fun production that is perfect for audiences of all ages, especially our elementary-age siblings and future Sabercats!
Come support our incredible cast and crew and see what happens when there are 33 pigs get into a whole lot of trouble!
Tickets: Get your tickets here
Fall Math Club Competition
All three of our grade level teams placed in our district math club competition this week! Thanks to Dr. Taschner for providing this opportunity for students!
6th Grade (1st Place)
Tiffany Han
Jason Ramirez-Monger
Jabba Ntonjira
Kaenan DeVault
7th Grade (3rd Place)
Jackson Vargas
Asher Nguyen
Kai Nguyen
Noah Liu
8th Grade (2nd Place)
Linna Wang
Ariana Smeall
Daxton Webster
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences are next week! We look forward to welcoming you to Summit Trail! Monday and Tuesday evenings are for scheduled conferences.
Wednesday evening conferences will be arena style and not scheduled. This is an opportunity to visit with teachers without a scheduled time. Teachers will be available from 4:30-8:30 PM.
Thursday conferences may be scheduled depending on teacher availability
Middle School Semester Grades
Olathe Public Schools made districtwide gradebook updates for middle schools over the summer to better align grading throughout each semester. Student grades will no longer reset at the end of the first and third quarters.
Instead, Quarter 1 grades will roll forward into Quarter 2 to create the Semester 1 grade, and Quarter 3 grades will roll forward into Quarter 4 to create the Semester 2 grade. This change provides a more complete picture of student progress at the end of each semester and prepares our students for high school.
Math State Assessment Update
PTO Corner
Steele Pride is looking for volunteers to help with events and concession stands! See the sign-up for more information:
Thank you for your support!
PTO Meeting is Monday, October 26th at 6:00 PM in the ST Commons
Attention Parents of 8th Grade Students
Father's Club at Summit Trail
Sign up at Join - Father's Club. You will receive a subsequent email that allows you to choose Summit Trail Middle School and up to 4 other schools should you have kids at other secondary schools as well.
Let's Go, Sabercats!
Sabercat Spirit Squad is ready to bring the SPIRIT!
What is Sabercat Spirit Squad? It is a club open to ALL 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who want to support and celebrate STMS activities during the year.
The Sabercat Spirit Squad (STMS Pep Club) is fired up and ready to cheer on our Sabercats throughout the fall, winter, and spring sports and activities seasons!
Whether you're cheering from the stands, joining in on spirit activities, or simply showing your Sabercat pride—you can be part of the pack!
Sponsors: Coach Audrey Millard (cheer) and Coach Dena Steen (dance)
Summit Trail Yearbooks
Yearbooks for the 26-27 School Year are available to purchase! Use the link below to customize your student's yearbook and buy online. The deadline to purchase is December 31, 2026.
Traffic Flow
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe!
No drop-off or pick-up is allowed on Roundtree or 118th Street in front of the building.
Morning student drop-off:
- This takes place in the northwest loop only (shown in purple on the image below). Vehicles enter the campus from 116th Terrace.
- When dropping students off in the morning, please pull forward as far as possible before allowing your student to exit the vehicle. Vehicles are allowed to exit into the double lane if vehicles are delayed ahead. All students enter up the stairs and through the west commons doors.
- Students entering the building before 7:50 a.m. will sit in the auditorium. At 7:50 a.m., students may eat breakfast in the commons or hang out in the library. At 8:10 a.m., students are dismissed to the halls and on to first period.
Afternoon student pick-up:
- All car riders will exit the west commons and down the stairs.
- Please pull forward as far as possible before allowing your student to enter your vehicle. Vehicles are allowed to exit into the double lane if vehicles ahead are delayed.
- The front parking lot is reserved for buses, special needs and office visits. The southeast entrance is reserved for staff and event parking only. There is no crosswalk for walkers and bike riders.
Thank you for your cooperation to keep our students safe during arrival and dismissal.
School Breakfast and Lunch Information
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 12th- Evening P-T Conferences- Scheduled
Tuesday, October 13th- Evening P-T Conferences- Scheduled
Wednesday, October 14th- EARLY RELEASE (11:35 AM). P-T Conferences- Arena Style (4:30-8:30 PM)
Thursday, October 15th- NO SCHOOL. P-T Conferences- Scheduled
Friday, October 16th- NO SCHOOL
Monday, October 19th- Girls Basketball Tryouts Start (Head Coach: Audrey Millard)
Monday, October 26th- Wrestling Club Begins (Head Coach: Officer Bass)
Contact Information
Email: truder@olatheschools.org
Website: olatheschools.org/summittrail
Phone: 913.780.7200