Cyclone Watch

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Dear Cyclone Families,

Regular school attendance plays an important role in a student’s academic, social, and emotional success. When students miss school, they can miss important instruction, classroom discussions, assignments, and opportunities to build relationships with teachers and classmates. Additionally, so many of the classroom experiences aren't possibly to fully make up.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as students missing 10% or more of the school year, including absences that are excused or unexcused. This is the equivalent of missing 1 school day every 2 weeks. Students who are frequently absent are more likely to experience learning gaps, fall behind academically, and feel less connected to our SFT school community.

There are certain circumstances where your student should stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have passed without medicine:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

In these cases, students should stay home to recover and minimize the exposure to their peers.

We appreciate your partnership in prioritizing regular attendance and communicating with your child's Assistant Principal or Counselor when challenges arise. Please also attempt to schedule appointments outside of the instructional day whenever possible. We are committed to partnering with families to identify barriers to attendance and help every student be present, engaged, and ready to learn.

Proud to Be SFT!

Dr. Leah Cogswell

Principal - Santa Fe Trail Middle School

• Monday, September 7 - Labor Day - No School
• Wednesday, September 9 - 3:45pm - Volleyball v. Prairie Trail (@ Prairie Trail)
• Wednesday, September 9 - 6:00pm - 8th Grade Football Night Game v. Summit Trail (@ CBAC)
• Thursday, September 10 - 3:45pm - 7th Grade Football v. Summit Trail (@ Santa Fe Trail)
• Friday, September 11 - 9:00am - Band, Dance & Cheer March to Mahaffie
• Friday, September 11 - 7:00pm - Olathe North Middle School Band Night (@ ODAC)
• Saturday, September 12 - 10:00am - Old Settlers Day Parade
• Feel free to join our SFT families and staff on the southwest corner of Loula and Chestnut to watch the parade!

We have a lot of great opportunities to cheer on the SFT Cyclones this week. Come support the SFT Cyclones. Wednesday is our night football game. The game is at 5:30 at CBAC. You will need to get your own ride to CBAC to watch the game. Thursday is our 1st home football game right after school. Come support the SFT Cyclones and cheer them on to victory.

On Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m., the e-Communication Academy at Olathe Northwest will be hosting an 8th Grade Movie Screening Night at the Glenwood Arts Theatre.

This free event is designed specifically for current 8th-grade students and their families to get an inside look at what students can create as part of the e-Communication Academy. We will be screening some of the best student films and animations produced over the past few years, followed by a Q&A with current and former students.

Our goal is to give prospective students a chance to experience the work on the big screen, hear directly from students who have been part of the program, and see what opportunities are available to them when they enter high school.

Admission is completely free, but we are asking families to RSVP so we can plan for attendance and reserve seats.

RSVP for the 8th Grade Movie Screening Night

Friday, October 9
7:00 p.m.
Glenwood Arts Theatre
Free Admission

An audition workshop for our winter musical - Elf Jr. - will be on Tuesday, September 15 in the auditorium from 7:30am to 8:10am and from 3:30pm to 4:15pm. Audition forms and crew applications will be available starting the 15th.

Auditions will be Tuesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 24 from 3:30 to 5pm in the auditorium. Students should pick one day to attend.

Cross Country, Football, & Volleyball players only may audition on Wednesday, September 23 from 7:30am to 8:15am.

Click here to access the SFT Theater Shop.

The Cyclone Closet at Santa Fe Trail provides a unique opportunity for students and their families to select clothing and/or toiletry items that are needed. SFT students who need something during the day should see their counselor, but we are also open to families on designated Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.

The Cyclone Closet is open on:

• Tuesdays listed below from 4:30 to 7:30pm
• September 22
• October 27
• November 17
• January 26
• February 23
• March 23
• April 27
• Saturdays listed below from 9am to 11am
• September 12
• November 14
• December 12
• April 10

If you need access to the Cyclone Closet outside of these dates, please contact the SFT front office at 913-780-7290 or Patty Stadler at Olathe North at 913-780-7140 or pstadleron@olatheschools.org

Those arriving to access the Cyclone Closet should enter through Door E on the north side of the building.

We are excited to announce the full adoption of Canvas, a new learning management system designed to support teaching and learning across the district. As we implement this new system, our goal is to make it easier for you to stay connected to your student's learning while reducing the number of platforms to navigate.

Canvas Observer Account Information:

The district has created Parent and Guardian Canvas Observer accounts using the email address you provided to your child’s school. With a Canvas Observer account, you can view upcoming and past assignments, monitor grades and assignment feedback, receive alerts about student activity, and access all of your students with one login. You will be able to switch between students using a drop-down menu.

• Important note for families who also work in Olathe Public Schools: If you are an OPS employee and use a district email address, Canvas cannot use that same email for a parent observer account. If this applies to you, please provide your child’s school with a personal email address.

How do I access Canvas?

Parents and guardians can access Canvas in two ways: on a web browser (recommended) or through the Canvas Parent mobile app. To keep things simple, we have created a short, step-by-step tutorial to guide you in this initial process.

• Explore the OPS Parent’s Guide to Canvas Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where do I find my student's official grades?

While Canvas may display assignment scores, Synergy (ParentVUE) remains the official gradebook and record of communication. We encourage families to continue using ParentVUE for final grades and to initiate communication with teachers.

How do I manage notifications for Canvas?

Canvas notifications are set by default and can be customized by each parent or guardian. Notification settings must be managed on a web browser, as they cannot be changed in the mobile app. To update your preferences, log in to Canvas, select Account, then Notifications, and choose how often you would like to receive updates for each course. Click here to learn how to manage Canvas notifications.

How can I support my student who is learning to navigate Canvas?

Students can click on the OPS Student Tech Training desktop shortcut on their district-issued device, select their grade level, then scroll down to Canvas. Here is a direct link for your convenience.

Who do I contact if I need help?

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the OPS Canvas Support Team at canvas.support@olatheschools.org.

Thank you for your partnership as we implement Canvas and work to improve how we share learning with families. See the directions below for additional steps to create your Canvas Observer Account.

We have a large number of community partners who are committed to supporting the students and families at Santa Fe Trail. If your student or your family would benefit from additional community assistance as you prepare to return to school, please use the link below to make that request. You may also reach out to your student's counselor.

Family Assistance and Outreach (2026-2027) - Fill out form