Silent auctions, chili cook-offs, and bubble gum sales are a few of the ways district buildings raised $37,509.37 for the United Way of Greater Kansas City.
In fact, 13 buildings held some type of on-site fundraising activity to enhance their total contributions. The ePledge option continued to be popular with staff because of the ease of making an online donation.
“Each year I am amazed by the effort from staff to support the campaign,” said Nancy Cheatham, who serves as the district’s United Way coordinator.
Fifteen buildings showed an increase in total donations compared to last year and six buildings noted an increase in the number of participating staff.
Highlights of the 2019 campaign:

• Two high schools raised more than $1,000 each. Olathe North staff gave generously for a total of $6,365.
• Four middle schools raised more than $1,000 each. Summit Trail led the way with $1,432.72.
• Three elementary schools raised more than $1,000 each. Ridgeview donated the most with $1,926 in contributions.
• Two support or other education buildings raised more than $1,000 each. The Education Center donated $5,161.10. 

​Olathe North is having a blood drive Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm in South Gym and it couldn’t come at a better time. 
America’s blood supply has never been lower resulting in an unprecedented fall blood emergency.
 
Ask your student if he/she is giving blood Nov. 12.  Students 16 and older who meet height, weight and health requirements are eligible to donate.  Signed parental consent is required for all students.  Students will receive a consent form when they sign up for an appointment time next week.
 
Parents/Guardians/Members of our community are encouraged to donate, too, if not at the school Nov. 12 then at any CBC Neighborhood Center any day in November.  Give when registering so your donation is credited to the Eagles.  Giving blood takes one hour and adults are processed first.  For more information or to make an appointment contact Student Council sponsors Kara Pittman or Dr. Julia Wenzel (kpittmanon@olatheschools.org, jjwenzelhuguley@olatheschools.org)

 
On February 25th and February 26th, ONHS is offering an opportunity for each junior to take an OPTIONAL, but FREE ACT test and FREE ACT WorkKeys test.  Juniors can only sign up now in November – NOT LATER.  Juniors can take one or both or none at all; it is up to them.  The state of Kansas will pay the bill.  Have an interest?  Read if your student should take one of the optional tests and how to sign up below.
 
On Tuesday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 26 while other students are in their classes, Juniors across the state are offered the opportunity to take an OPTIONAL, but Free ACT or WorkKeys test during the school day. 
 
The ACT on February 25: The ACT is a standardized test used for 4-year college admissions. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning.  This test is optional and may not be necessary for everyone pursuing college.  For example, a student planning on a two-year college can take that college’s placement test (like the JCCC Accuplacer) at no cost.  In fact, the ACT is not a necessity at most community colleges.
 
The WorkKeys on February 26:  ACT WorkKeys® assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. Individuals who successfully complete the three WorkKeys assessments—Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®).  A student planning on going into a post-secondary training such as a technical school, going into the workplace, or going into the military likely will not need to take the ACT.  They might see a bigger benefit to take the ACT WorkKeys.
 
Do you want your son or daughter to sign up for one or both?  Have your junior go to the link below.
 
https://forms.gle/P63ok1Jq3SP5dp6V9
 
 
*Enrollment for both the ACT and the WorkKeys will run from Nov. 4th through Nov. 22nd
 
 
 
If you have questions regarding ACT or WorkKeys testing, contact Jim Tarwater - jtarwateron@olatheschools.org or in room 217 at ONHS.
 
More Information below from the district:
ACT and ACT WorkKeys Assessments
February 25th and 26th, 2020
FREE to Juniors
 
The Kansas Department of Education will offer ALL Juniors the opportunity to take the ACT and/or the ACT WorkKeys assessments without cost on February 25th (ACT) and February 26th (WorkKeys). The assessments will be offered during the mornings of those days in the student’s home school, and each of those days will be a full day of school for all students.  This is a tremendous opportunity for Olathe students to take either (or both) of these assessments at no cost to the families.  Both assessments do count as official tests.
 
ACT® (Feb. 25th, 2020)
The ACT® is a paper-and-pencil entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants (in addition to GPA, courses taken, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc.).  The tests are multiple choice and the four-part assessment measures:

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science
• (There is no writing test associated with this testing date)

 
WorkKeys® (Feb. 26th, 2020)
ACT® WorkKeys® assessments are the cornerstone of the ACT workforce solutions. The paper-and-pencil assessments measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries. Additionally, successful completion of WorkKeys assessments can lead to earning a National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®)—a credential that verifies foundational workplace skills. Tens of thousands of employers recognize the value of the NCRC, and many recommend the credential to candidates.  The tests are multiple choice and the three-part assessment measures:

• Applied Math
• Graphic Literacy
• Workplace Documents

 
 
*Enrollment for both the ACT and the WorkKeys will run from Nov. 4th through Nov. 22nd
 
 
 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
Who is eligible?  ALL Juniors!  
Which test may I take?  Students may take either test, or both tests.  Both are paid for by the Kansas Dept. of   Education.
How do I enroll?   Enrollment to both the ACT and the ACT WorkKeys will be done online using a link provided by your school.  The link will be supplied to families by the building either in the principal’s weekly newsletter or in an email and will be open from Nov. 4th through Nov. 22nd.
 
Where do I take either test? Both tests will be given at the student’s home school.   
Are these official tests?   YES!  You may send ACT scores to 4 schools and receive a work-ready certificate from the WorkKeys assessment.
What if I have a need for accommodations?  The ACT and the WorkKeys provide for accommodations, and those will be applied for by the Olathe school district.  If you believe you are eligible for ACT-approved accommodations, you must meet with your counselor in order to give the school time to submit the request to ACT and for ACT to have time to respond.
Which test is right for me?  The ACT measures college readiness and the WorkKeys measures workplace skills and career-readiness.  Go to https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html for more information about ACT and  https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-job-seekers.html to find out more about the ACT WorkKeys. 
Are Feb. 25th and 26th full days of school?  Yes.  Each school will have their own, unique schedule while students are testing in the morning and have regular classes in the afternoon on both days.  
Are there local businesses who recognize the WorkKeys certification (NCRC)?  Yes, and the list is growing!  Here are a few locally: Olathe Toyota, Honda of Olathe, Legends Toyota and Honda, GFI Digital, ITS Technologies and Logistics, Midwest Concrete Materials, GTM Sportswear, Ventria Bioscience, Keller Williams Realty, Steward Title Company, Cosentino’s Food Stores, Pyramid Roofing Company, Continental Siding supply, ASQ Irrigation Supply.

​

Nov. 5, 2019 ~ The stadiums at the Olathe District Activity (ODAC) and College Boulevard Activity centers (CBAC) will have a new visual component later in the spring semester. Video boards will soon replace the aging scoreboards that are at the end of their life expectancy.
In an innovative, fiscally-responsible approach to replacing the boards, business partnerships will finance the entirety of the project. The sound system, cameras, installation, training and equipment will be covered through four Anchor and six Founding sponsors.
Sponsorships will be a multiyear agreement and working with district partner Daktronics, the boards will be paid off using sponsorship dollars.
Patrons will experience events and athletic contests in a new way with LED video, improved sound and animation, said Olathe Public Schools District Activity Director Tim Brady.
“As graduation will be held at CBAC, regardless of where you sit in the stadium, every graduate will be able to be seen in high definition,” said Brady. Currently, video boards are installed in the high school gymnasiums. In the event that graduation moves indoors due to inclement weather, the backup location at Olathe Northwest High School will have the same video technology to provide guests a better visual experience.
Another component of this project involves student experiential learning.
“Video production, camera operation, writing, editing and animation are career fields students will gain exposure to as they’ll be working the boards during events,” said Brady. “These skills are great resume builders and students can use these skills, gain experience before they reach the college level and enter into potential career paths.”
Graduation and athletics are just a few events that utilize the district activity centers. The high school band showcase, Relay for Life and various middle school functions also use the centers.
“This project allows us to better serve our patrons in the most cost-effective manner,” Brady said. “Providing educational and real-world opportunities to our students while enhancing the event experience for our attendees is an all-around win for our district.”
As high school graduations have more than 35,000 attendees, the impact of these boards will be beneficial to all parents.
If your business if interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Brady at tbradyec@olatheschools.org or by phone 913-780-7989.

​OATC Applications are due by December 2nd.  Some programs require testing prior to enrolling.

If you are applying for Aviation Electronics, Healthcare Science or EMR, or Certified Nursing Assistant,  you will need to do the following prior to application:

If you are interested in Aviation Electronics, below are additional requirements.
•    Must apply to JCCC prior to submitting an OATC application
•    Go to www.jccc.edu to apply to JCCC  (It will take 2 to 3 days to get JCCC ID #)
•    Take Accuplacer Math (ANQS) and earn a score of 219 or higher
•    Note: Transportation provided for students enrolled in the morning session.  Afternoon students will need to provide their own transportation.
If you are interested in Healthcare & Nursing, CNA or Medical Emergency Specialties, below are additional requirements.
•    Must apply to JCCC prior to submitting an OATC application
•    Go to www.jccc.edu to apply to JCCC  (It will take 2 to 3 days to get JCCC ID #)
•    ACT reading score of 19 or higher
•                        OR
•    Take Accuplacer Reading and earn a score of 243 or higher
•    Note: Transportation provided for students enrolled in the morning session.  Afternoon students will need to provide their own transportation.