August 21, 2026

2 min. read

What the first day of school looked like in the Olathe School District

Students at Briarwood Elementary School and Frontier Trail Middle School got greeted by cheerleaders, football teachers and a friendly pooch as they entered their first day of school.

Cheerleader — Cheerleaders at Frontier Trail Middle School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

It’s back-to-school time, Johnson County.

Students across most of Johnson County are already back in classrooms, including in Olathe Public Schools.

Olathe School District students in kindergarten through sixth grades as well as ninth went back on Aug. 13 and seventh and eighth and 10th-12th went back on Aug. 14.

The Post got a behind-the-scenes look at the first day of school at Frontier Trail Middle School, 5300 W. 143rd St., and Briarwood Elementary School, 14101 S. Brougham Drive, both in Olathe.

Here’s a look at some of the first day of school Olathe School District students enjoyed last week through a Post camera lens.

Briarwood Elementary — A student draws and colors at Briarwood Elementary School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Briarwood — A Briarwood Elementary School throws up a peace sign on the first day of school. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Briarwood Elementary School teacher — A Briarwood Elementary School teacher introduces herself to students. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Mo the dog — A student pets Mo the Dog in front of Frontier Trail Middle School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Mo the dog poses for a photo in front of Frontier Trail Middle School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Friends at Frontier Trail Middle School — Friends at Frontier Trail Middle School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail Middle School teacher — Teachers at Frontier Trail Middle School greet students. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail Middle School scooter — A Frontier Trail Middle School student arrives on his scooter. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail Middle School friends — Friends at Frontier Trail Middle School get ready for the first day of school. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail students — Frontier Trail students and teachers arrive at the drop-off site in front of the school. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail scooter — A Frontier Trail Middle School student arrives on his scooter. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Students bike — Students at Frontier Trail Middle School arrive on their bikes. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail students — Frontier Trail Middle School students are greeted by cheerleaders. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Cheerleaders — Cheerleaders at Frontier Trail Middle School greet students and perform cheer routines. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Briarwood Elementary student — A Briarwood Elementary student poses for a photo. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

MidAmerica Nazarene University Footbal — Football players at MidAmerica Nazarene University greet students at Briarwood Elementary School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Briarwood Elementary — A student draws and colors at Briarwood Elementary School. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

Frontier Trail staff — Frontier Trail Middle School staff watch students arrive. Photo credit Andrew Gaug.

About the author

? Hi! I’m Andrew Gaug, and I cover Shawnee and Lenexa for the Johnson County Post.

I received my bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and started my career as a business reporter for The Vindicator in Youngstown, Ohio.

I spent 14 years as a multimedia reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press before joining the Post in 2023.

Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at [email protected].

Previous article

SMSD News: Celebrating student academic growth and success!

Next article

This JoCo man helps long-term animal shelter dogs find their forever homes

LATEST HEADLINES