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Seniors Serving Schools

collage of photos from the bashThe idea of having senior adults volunteer their time in the Olathe Public Schools was first discussed in spring 1992. The first volunteers, and present coordinators of Seniors Serving Schools were retired school teachers. With district administrative support and a handful of volunteers, the program was launched in January 1993. Hundreds of senior volunteers have given their time, talent and energy to help students of all ages.

(Photos: Community Liaison Heather Schoonover hugs senior volunteer Lenore Kneebone, Deputy Superintendent Alison Banikowski thanks Toni Miller for being a volunteer, Arbor Creek Elementary's Special Chorus performed at the 2012 bash)

Highlights of the program include:

  • Volunteers contributed more than 13,000 hours of their time to our schools in 2010-11.
  • 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.
  • Dick Hitt, a senior volunteer, was named "Senior Volunteer of the Year for 2002" by the Volunteer Center of Johnson County.
  • The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force presented the group with a Certificate of Merit in the Friends of Education Awards for 2001.
  • The Rotary Readers program received a Daily Point of Light award from the Points of Light Foundation, Volunteer Center National Network, Knights of Columbus and the Corporation for National Service.
  • The Seniors Serving Schools program received the 1999 Olathe Community Pride Award from the City of Olathe. The award recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations that enhance the image of Olathe.
  • 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.
  • The Rotary Readers program and involves about 50 Olathe Rotary Club members reading to small groups of elementary students.
  • Volunteers may contact the Seniors Serving Schools program at (913) 780-7002 or dsteelenlsc@olatheschools.org in the North Lindenwood Support Center, 315 N. Lindenwood, Olathe, Kan. 66062. A district volunteer application, in PDF form, is required.