Friends of the Foundation
Whether it's collecting donated school supplies, filling backpacks for students in need, stuffing envelopes, making deliveries, assembling centerpieces or helping connect other supporters to our OPSF programs, we need you. Student, retiree or in-between, --one hour a year or an hour a month---you can be part of the success of promoting innovation and excellence in Olathe Schools by becoming a Friend of the Foundation, an hour a month or an hour a day, we have something for you. Call our office today and get started now as one of our FOF Crew.
Youth Mentors
The Olathe Public Schools volunteer program has many opportunities for adults who want to serve as positive role models for students ages 5 to 18. Youth Mentors is a program in which volunteers spend approximately one hour a week with students. Adult volunteers and schools work together to choose the time to meet, whether it's during a class period or at a lunch break. The activities include: lunch buddy, tutor, after-school homework helper, mentor, and special projects.
There are students at each school level who are on a waiting list to connect with an adult mentor or who need tutoring support. Olathe's Youth Mentor program brings the community into the classroom. Supporters give their time and talent to assist students and staff of the district.
Community Liaison and volunteer coordinator Heather Schoonover said mentors help students meet their academic and personal goals.
"I think our mentors have received as much from the relationships as the students," Schoonover said.
Adults meet with their student or small groups of students once a week. Many district employees are among the Youth Mentors in Olathe Public Schools.
The volunteer department offers training during the school year for adults who have applied and been accepted into the program. A background check is completed for each applicant.
For more information about Youth Mentors, please contact Pam Wolfe at pwolfenlsc@olatheschools.org or (913) 780-7002 for training dates. You can also visit their website at www.olatheschools.com/community2/volunteering/youthmentors
Seniors Serving Schools
"A school volunteer adds love to education"
The idea of having senior adults volunteer their time in the Olathe School District was first discussed in the spring of 1993. The first volunteers of Seniors Serving Schools were retired school teachers. With district administrative support and a handful of volunteers, the program was launched in January of 1993. Since the first day a senior volunteer appeared in a classroom, hundreds of volunteers have given their time and energy to help students of all ages. Other highlights of the program include:
- Volunteers contributed more than 11,600 hours of their time to our schools in 2008-09.
- Approximately 250 senior adults participate in Seniors Serving Schools and the Rotary Reader program.
- A pen pal program called Script Pals pairs senior volunteers with elementary students.
- Living history volunteers make school presentations on history, psychology and their own experiences relating to significant periods of American history.
- Classroom volunteers assist with one-on-one tutoring, storytelling, field trips, and specialty classes including Spanish, music, and woodworking.
- Seniors Serving Schools provided a district activity pass allowing volunteers to attend district events at no charge.
- An advisory board includes district administrators and three coordinators.
Volunteers may contact the Seniors Serving Schools program at (913) 780-7002, 300 E. Loula, Olathe, KS 66061.
Site Councils
Site Councils began in January 1993 under Kansas law. They provide support, advice, assistance and counsel to individual schools regarding their established School Improvement Plan. Some activities in which the councils may be involved include communicating needs and successes of the school, obtaining input from the staff and community, learning about the needs of the particular building, and learning about the School Improvement Process. Site Council membership is determined at the building level, but may include building administrators, school staff, parents, and community or business members. Please contact your school principal for more information for a schedule of your site council meetings and how you may become involved.