ON Student Services Newsletter
November 2025
Attention Sophomores and Juniors: If you’re interested in learning more about Olathe’s two-year technical academies (OATC), there’s still time to explore and apply for next year. Before you can apply, you must attend either a make-up tour or the district Open House.
Make-Up Tours
Automotive Technology & Welding Technology
3:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Olathe Advanced Technical Center
611 N. Nelson Rd.
Olathe, KS 66061
Animal Science and Research, Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Electronics & Avionics, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Healthcare Science
3:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus (OPSIC)
450 N. Rogers Rd.
Olathe, KS 66062
District Open House
All Programs
5:30–7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 6, 2025
Olathe Advanced Technical Center and Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus
When you attend a tour, you’ll not only get to see the programs in action but also receive details about how to apply. Don’t forget to scan the QR code so you receive credit for attending.
Click here to learn more about OATC programs and opportunities before your tour.
If you have any questions about OATC, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Gunderson.
Olathe North will be offering a second ASVAB opportunity for juniors and seniors who were unable to take it on 10/15. The next test will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at 8:00 a.m., and students will be excused from 2nd Hour and Advisory to participate.
Taking the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) provides valuable insight into your strengths and can help you explore potential career paths. There is no cost to take the test and no obligation to join the military.
Register for the ASVAB by November 10 to secure your spot: ASVAB Registration
Find out more about the ASVAB here: Military.com – The ASVAB Test
We know that hunger can make it difficult for students to focus and learn. If you’d like to help support students who may be struggling with food insecurity, there are two easy ways to make a difference:
Donate snacks to the Counseling Office
We keep a supply of quick snacks to help students get through the school day, and we’d love your support in restocking our shelves. Please label all donations “Counseling Office” and drop them off anytime.
Popular items include:
- Beef jerky
- Nutella & GO! packs
- Cheese or peanut butter crackers
Microwave mac & cheese
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Pop-Tarts
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Ramen
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Single-serve chip packs
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Fruit snacks
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Drinks such as juice boxes, water bottles, or drink flavor packets
Don’t have time to shop? You can also order directly from our Amazon Wish List.
Contribute to Eagle Packs
Eagle Packs provide weekend snacks and meals for students in need. Monetary donations go directly toward purchasing food for students. You can donate here: Olathe North Eagle Pack.
Every contribution—whether snacks or a monetary donation—helps ensure all students have the nourishment they need to learn and thrive. Thank you for your support!
Who should take the ACT?
Any student planning on attending a 4-year university. Many schools have waived the ACT for the class of 2025 however, it is still required for many scholarships at universities. For example: K-State has a smaller scholarship for GPA only and larger scholarships that need both GPA and ACT scores; KU just has GPA only scholarships. Schools are still deciding for future years. Please check with individual schools.
When should I start taking the ACT?
We recommend starting by the end of Sophomore year. The June test is a great test to get started in the process. However, for the 2024-2025 school year, Sophomores might want to delay taking the test until their Junior year-see below for more information.
Most students will take the ACT 3 times. We also recommend being finished by the end of the summer before Senior year in taking the test. The ACT is offered in June, July, September, October, December, and April each year.
How is the ACT test changing?
Students will now have the option to take the test online. However, Olathe schools are continuing with the paper and pencil test only. If a student is interested in the online option, they will need to go to ACT’s website to look for testing locations that offer online testing.
Starting with the September 2025 test, the Science portion will be optional for all paper and pencil tests just like how the writing portion is currently optional. It is too soon to tell how colleges will handle this change. It will be important to check with each school of interest to see if they are going to require the science test or not.
For current Juniors: you will need to continue to take the Science test-very few of you will still be taking it in September of Senior year when the changes start
For current Sophomores: If you take the test starting in June you will have Science. Starting in September of your Junior year Science will be optional. It might be to your advantage to wait until Fall of Junior year if you feel that Science will not be helpful to you.
What is ACT My Answer Key?
For an additional $32, students(if ordered before the test date) can get an electronic copy of the test booklet and their answers about a month after they take the test. This is a great learning tool to see areas where you need to make improvements. The ACT My Answer Key is offered for the upcoming school year for October 2025, April and June 2026 (this is all that is currently published).
Most students will take the ACT 3 times. We also recommend being finished by the end of the summer before Senior year in taking the test. The ACT is offered in June, July, September, October, December, and April each year.
What should you do to get ready for the test?
Practice! Research has shown the more you look at the test and prepare the better you will do. We also recommend taking a prep test.
How does a student register for the ACT?
Students will need to register for the ACT at www.actstudent.org. They will need to set up an account to register and pay for an exam. Students on free/reduced lunches can talk to their counselor and use an ACT waiver for 2 free exams. This account will be where students will check their testing location and confirm their registration.
Please contact Carrie Parazin with any questions. cnparazin@olatheschools.org
Before committing to an in-person campus visit, check out CampusTours.com. The site offers virtual tours of colleges and universities from all over the country without leaving home!
Did you know that only about 7% of high school athletes go on to play in college—and just 1% make it to an NCAA Division I team? The good news is there are still tons of chances to keep playing at smaller colleges through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). If you want to explore NAIA schools, sports, and how to get started, check out PlayNAIA.org.
Getting ready for college? Count on BigFuture to help out. BigFuture is the College Board’s free college planning tool, designed to support students like you from your first thoughts about college to your first day on campus. BigFuture will help you:
- Handle the college planning process.
- Find the college where you’ll thrive.
- Take a look at your interests and career options.
- Make informed choices.
- Discover your big future.
Check it out here: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.
Olathe School District H.E.L.P. Clinic
View the H.E.L.P. Clinic brochure in English (PDF)
Lea el panfleto acerca del H.E.L.P. Clinic en español (PDF)
Any situation that causes an interruption in the learning process is a serious educational concern. Students who are finding school difficult because of poor study skills, adjustment concerns, or relationships with others can find help through the clinic. Parents who want to learn more effective ways of encouraging and motivating children in school can also turn to the clinic.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is a service provided by the Olathe Public Schools. All services are free of charge to any student enrolled in the Olathe Public Schools, either in a remote environment or onsite.
- Individual and family counseling consists of short-term counseling (six sessions) for students and their families.
- Small group counseling with other grade-level or near grade-level peers serve those who would thrive learning and growing from a group structure. Groups would meet for six sessions.
- Play therapy is a technique where the child's natural means of expression, namely play, is used as a therapeutic method to assist him/her in coping with stress or life difficulties. Play therapy is used effectively at the H.E.L.P. Clinic with children ages 5 to 8 years old. Play therapy may not be used with every child and is available on a limited basis.
The H.E.L.P. Clinic is staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other school-based mental health providers. All clinicians are Olathe Public Schools employees or retired employees who have an active license in school mental health. These accredited and experienced professionals have a sincere interest in assisting students and families to better deal with challenges that impact students' abilities to achieve educational success.
Enrollment information is available in the brochure mentioned above.
HELP Clinic
Mill Creek Campus
300 E. Loula Street
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-780-7049
Email: HelpClinic@olatheschools.org.