The Paw Print
A Bi-Weekly Newsletter for Indian Creek Elementary Families
Celebrating Positive Behaviors
We've had a wonderful start to the school year. Our first day had tons of smiles and hugs as friends saw each other and teachers got to meet their new group of students. We're also spending the next few days learning about our school wide expectations and how to navigate the lunchroom, dismissal, recess, and adjusting to our school schedule. Our goal is to positively reinforce expected behaviors and create an inclusive and welcoming school culture.
You may hear the term "PBIS" which stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. This is the system we use to reward amazing behavior. We do this by giving students Character Cards. If your child tells you they earned a Character Card - CELEBRATE!!! This is a huge accomplishment and is celebrated in our school with a Walk of Fame where they get to share their Character Card with a lot of staff and students. They can also turn Character Cards in to purchase items/experiences at Boomer's Market. This will begin in September.
This month we are focusing on the character trait of RESPECT. We'll be sending out information to parents on how they can also help reinforce this trait.
It's going to be an amazing school year and we're excited to be partnering with you to help our students as they are "BLOOMING with CHARACTER!"
Dr. Sluyter
What's Happening This Week:
Monday, 8/17 - B Day
Tuesday, 8/18 -C Day: 5th Grade Instrument Try-It Night @ Olathe East High School - 5:30-7pm
Wednesday, 8/19 - D Day: Kindergarteners Learn Who Their Teacher Is! (Shirts Come Home)
Thursday, 8/20 - A Day: Kindergarten Students Wear Their Camp Kindergarten Shirts
Friday, 8/21 - B Day
Coming Up Next Week:
Monday, 8/24 - C Day
Tuesday, 8/25 -D Day
Wednesday, 8/26 - A Day
Thursday, 8/27 - B Day
Friday, 8/28 - C Day: IC's First SPIRIT Day! Wear Your Bobcat Blue!
Have Your ID Handy
We love having visitors at Indian Creek, so please plan on bringing a picture ID with you so we can get you checked in quickly. We require this ID before anyone is allowed in the building per safety protocols. Thank you for understanding!
Have You Moved?
Have you moved over the summer? Please bring a new proof of residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.) to the office as soon as possible. As we are updating our files, you may be asked to provide a new proof of residency. Thank you for helping our office update our records!
Emergency Contacts
Please make sure that your emergency contacts are updated. Alert those on your contact list that they may be called when you cannot be reached so that we can get information out as quickly as possible. When you change your phone number, please let the office know - 913-780=7510.
Parents and Families,
We ask that if your student will have medication at school this year, daily or as needed, that you please bring the students medication in its original container, a medication order from their doctor dated after May 1st, 2026, and a signed parent consent form to sneak a peek night or the first day of school. These are required for all medications including albuterol inhalers and epi-pens that will be kept at school. I have attached the parent consent form below and will have copies at school as well. We cannot wait to see you and your student soon!
Thank you,
Nurse Deanna
What Is a Spirit Day?
Spirit Days are opportunities for our students to show school spirit by dressing i all BLUE! Our colors are Blue, Silver, and White and when we are all wearing the same colors, it strengthens our community relationships. Join us on August 28th and wear all BLUE!! Check out our mascot ~ Boomer, the Bobcat wearing his BLUE!
Traffic Reminders
Thank you for helping us make the new traffic patterns so smooth! Here are a few reminders:
- Please enter the north parking lot from S. Seminole and do not run through the cones.
- Students should never be walking in the front parking lot without an adult.
- Left turns into the car line could result in a substantial ticket from Olathe Police. Please enter the car line from the east.
- Students should use the crosswalks and should not be crossing Indian Creek Parkway.
Thank you for keeping our students safe!
What To Do If My Child Has an Appointment or Change in Dismissal
Students get the most our of the instruction when they are at school the entire day. We understand that appointments sometimes happen that require students to leave early. Here are some tips to help make it easier:
- If your child has a scheduled appointment, please email the teacher EARLY so they will know.
- Please plan on picking up your child prior by 3:45. Our dismissal transition can is complex and well organized. If students are already in transition to their dismissal locations, it could create a delay in getting your child to the office.
- Please contact the teacher EARLY if your child's afternoon dismissal process has changed. Teachers don't always have an opportunity to check email during instruction and they might miss a late communication.
- Call the office by 3pm if you have a last minute change.
Families must apply each year for free or reduced-price school meals, transportation, and student registration fees. Beginning this year, the meal benefit application can be found on SchoolCafé. You will need to create a SchoolCafé account if you do not have one to complete an online application.
Parents are welcome to create a SchoolCafé account at their earliest convenience; however, please note that balances will begin appearing/transferring and payments can be made in the new system right now. A paper application is also available.
To set students up for the most successful pairings and Kindergarten experience, we will use the first week of school as Camp Kindergarten. In this setting, we will have students work with all kindergarten teachers as well as Specialists such as PE, Music, Art, and Library. This will familiarize students with staff they will be working with throughout the year and give us a few days to meet your students as learners and people! Each morning your students will start in the gym and be given a team color for the day. The evening of Wednesday, August 19 class assignments for Thursday, August 20 can be accessed on ParentVue.
Para asegurar que los estudiantes tengan las mejores combinaciones posibles y una experiencia exitosa en Kinder, usaremos la primera semana de clases como "Campamento de Kinder". En este contexto, los estudiantes trabajarán con todos los maestros de kinder, así como con los especialistas en Educación Física, Música, Arte y Biblioteca. Esto les permitirá familiarizarse con el personal con el que trabajarán durante el año y nos dará unos días para conocer a sus hijos tanto como estudiantes y como personas. Cada mañana, los estudiantes comenzarán en el gimnasio y recibirán un color de equipo para el día. La tarde del miércoles 19 de agosto podrá acceder a las asignaciones de clases del jueves 20 de agosto en ParentVue.
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 July 9 Board of Education meeting, district administration presented proposed changes to the district’s current Policy JTC- Personal Electronic Devices, that would bring Olathe Public Schools into compliance with the newly passed state law that goes into effect beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Key highlights from the proposed 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.
Notification Statement of Non-Discrimination
The Olathe Public Schools prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups to its facilities as required by: Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Equal Access Act of 1984, and other relevant state and federal laws as amended. Inquiries regarding compliance, reports of specific complaints, or alleged discrimination may be directed to Olathe Public School’s Compliance Coordinator, John Hutchison, Deputy Superintendent, or to Chris Pittman, Staff Counsel, 14160 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone 913-780-7000. Interested persons, including those with impaired vision or hearing, can also obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons by contacting Dr. Jim McMullen, Assistant Superintendent of General Administration/Middle Schools, 14160 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone 913-780-7000. (01/22)