What the first day of school looked like at one Shawnee Mission elementary
Students at Pawnee Elementary in Overland Park enjoyed brain breaks, "Simon Says" and a refresher on cafeteria rules on their first day of school on Aug. 12.
First grade students at Pawnee Elementary hop around on one foot during a game of "Simon Says" in the gym on the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.
It’s back-to-school time, Johnson County.
Students across most of Johnson County are already back in classrooms, including in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Shawnee Mission students in grades 1-7 and 9 went back on Wednesday, Aug. 12, with grades 8 and 10-12 following on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Finally, pre-school and kindergarten students arrived to begin their school years on Friday.
The Post got a behind-the-scenes look at the first day of school inside Pawnee Elementary, 9501 W. 91st St., in Overland Park, which feeds into Shawnee Mission West High School.
Here’s a look at some of the first day of school festivities the Pawnee Panthers enjoyed last Wednesday through a Post camera lens.
Teachers and students are falling back into school procedures at Pawnee Elementary. Above, a third grade teacher points out a student who is using Pawnee’s hand signal for listening ears. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.A third grade boy awaits further instructions from his teacher on the first day back in 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Students worked on small projects on the Aug. 12, 2026, for their first day back. Above, a third grade girl writes her name on the top of a word search worksheet. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Pawnee Panthers got right back into routines on the first day. Above, a third grade girl listens intently to her teacher’s instructions. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.A fourth grade boy at Pawnee Elementary sits through a cafeteria procedure refresher on the first day of school in 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Shawnee Mission elementary students walk through the hallway. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.After reviewing cafeteria procedures, fourth graders at Pawnee ate an early lunch on the first day of school. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.First grade Panthers at Pawnee patiently wait for the next Simon Says directive on the first day of school. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.For their first day back, Pawnee Panthers spent their specials hour in the gym. Some, like the first graders pictured above, played Simon Says. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Pawnee Panthers spent their special hours on the first day of school in the gym with all the specials teachers. Above, first grade students line up for Simon Says. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.A Pawnee third grader raises her hand to answer a question on the first day of school in 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The first day of school for most Shawnee Mission students was Wednesday, Aug. 12. Above, a teacher’s warm welcome back to students on the whiteboard reads “Happy 1st Day of School!” Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Another third grade boy uses the Pawnee Panthers hand signal for active listening. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.A third grader jumps high during a brain break of the first day of school in 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.In the gym at Pawnee Elementary on Aug. 12, students played games like Simon Says for the first day of school. Above, first graders enjoy the game. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Pawnee Panthers eat lunch on the first day of school in 2026. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Pawnee teachers prepared the school for the first day with decorations and signs welcoming Panthers back to classrooms. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.First grade students put their hands up to follow the instructions during a game of Simon Says. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.First grade students line up to return to their classroom after playing Simon Says on the first day of school. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.
? Hi! I’m Juliana Garcia, and I cover Prairie Village and northeast Johnson County for the Johnson County Post.
I grew up in Roeland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission North before going on to the University of Kansas, where I wrote for the University Daily Kansan and earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism. Prior to joining the Post in 2019, I worked as an intern at the Kansas City Business Journal.
Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at [email protected].
