Prairie Trail Middle School nurse’s office gets a splash of cheer

A cheery mural for nurse’s office

A formerly white wall in the nurse’s office has been transformed with painted flowers and smiley faces, courtesy of Katherine Gardner’s Art 3 students at Prairie Trail Middle School in Olathe.

The idea for the welcoming mural came from school nurse Julie Anselmi, who asked Prairie Trail art teachers if students could paint a mural that their sick classmates would see when lying down in the health room. She offered guidance only on the colors and the smiley faces.

“I want the atmosphere in the health room to feel like home when a student has to spend a long time there waiting for a parent or has a health need that keeps them in my room,” she said. “I felt this design was something a student would want on their wall at home.”

After approval from the principal, Gardner tapped her 11-student Art 3 class to work on the mural. Students submitted design proposals to Anselmi.

“Each of the students designed one flower and made a template to include on the wall,” Anselmi said. “I selected two designs and they combined the two to paint my wall.”

Staggered end to Gardner Edgerton school year

When’s the last day of school in Gardner Edgerton?

There are many answers, thanks to flooding at Madison Elementary School, high school construction and weather cancellations.

Barring future disruptions, May 25 will the last day for Madison Elementary, and a day earlier for preschoolers there.

Other students in grades K-7 will conclude their academic year on May 22, with preschoolers being released May 21.

The last day for eighth-graders is May 21, but finals will continue through May 24 for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

May 17 is the last day for high school seniors, who will graduate on May 19.

Olathe hosts scouting open houses April 16 and 19

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will have a chance to learn about citizenship and local government at two open houses next week hosted by the city of Olathe.

The open house for Boy Scouts will be April 16, followed by the girls’ session on April 19. Both events will begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 100 E. Santa Fe St.

Space is limited. Those interested in attending should RSVP at https://goo.gl/YDi8Tn.

Seminar offers insight to learning disabilities

A free seminar on April 19 will help parents of children with special needs experience what it’s like to live with a disability that makes learning difficult.

The session, “Maybe If I Just Try Harder: Experiencing the Challenges of a Student with a Learning Disability,” begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Olathe School District’s Instructional Resource Center, 14090 S. Black Bob Road.

Lanie Fasulo, executive director of special services for the district, will take parents and staff through simulations based on the work of expert Richard Lavoie. The simulations are designed to provide insight to the frustrations, anxiety and tension experienced by students with learning disabilities.

No RSVP is required, but parents can request sign language and Spanish interpreters by calling Sally Boyd at 913-780-8170.

Ravens players team up for Beau

Once each year the Olathe Northwest High School softball teams wear special uniforms to raise funds and awareness for a cause, and for the foreseeable future, they’ve found one close to home.

It’s 1-year-old Beau, son of assistant coach Anne LeVar-Hash. Beau has been diagnosed with the genetic mutation GNAO1, which affects only about 50 people worldwide and causes seizures and developmental delays.

This year’s event will be on May 3, when the Ravens play a double-header against Olathe East High School at the College Boulevard Activity Complex.

“We’re having a powder blue night and designed a shirt in Beau’s honor,” said Head Coach Mark Mahoney. “The shirt’s design is a Superman shield with his family member names and words that describe this young man.”

Members of the Raven softball team surprised LeVar-Hash with the shirts and made blue bracelets inscribed with “#TeamBeau” and “Family.” Shirts went on sale early this year, and fans are encouraged to wear their shirt or powder blue for the game. Beau is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

Proceeds from the shirt sales and contributions will go to the Virginia-based Bow Foundation, which supports GNAO1 families, research and awareness.

This story was originally published April 11, 2018 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Prairie Trail Middle School nurse’s office gets a splash of cheer."