Tomahawk Elementary leaders on Tuesday presented a school-spotlight update to the Olathe Board of Education, highlighting inclusion efforts, PBIS implementation and a range of student programs as the school begins the 2025-26 year.

Why it matters: The presentation provided board members a snapshot of a single elementary school’s approach to positive behavior systems, special programs and community engagement — useful context for districtwide planning and for understanding how school-level practice supports student learning.

Key points: The school serves pre-K through fifth grade and reported about 347 students. Staff said roughly 48% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the student population includes approximately 21% Hispanic, 8% African American, 61% white, about 8% identifying as two or more races and 2% other.

Principal highlights: The principal described the school’s PBIS expectations (showing we matter, showing we are safe, showing we are prepared), an annual positive-reinforcement digital-ticket program that averages more than 100,000 positive reinforcements districtwide, and programs such as an ELL site with two paraprofessionals, a 0.8 reading specialist and early childhood special-education services including autism level 2 support.

Inclusion and student opportunities: The school runs peer programs (PALS) that pair general-education students with students in the autism program; extracurriculars include running club, Olathe United soccer, flag football, math wings, art clubs and student council. The principal noted routines that promote adult-student connections such as playing Uno with the counselor, therapy-dog reading sessions and other incentives.

Board engagement: Board members asked light follow-up questions — including the therapy dog’s name (Scooby) — and praised the school’s inclusive practices.

Ending: The presentation underscored school-level implementation of district strategies — PBIS, inclusion and targeted academic supports — as Tomahawk moves through the year.