Wolves Families,
I am honored to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. Over the summer, I’ve had the opportunity to begin settling into this incredible community, and I’m filled with gratitude and excitement as we prepare for the new school year; my first as a member of the Wolves family. I look forward to getting to know your families and working alongside our staff to support your students.

The first day of school is Thursday, August 14. We can’t wait to welcome our students back to class.

This summer has been a busy one across the district. From major construction projects to new policies that support student success and safety, we’ve been focused on building a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Academic Calendar Updates
At the June 30 Board Meeting, updates were made to the 2025–2026 Academic Calendar. Please be sure to review the most current version so your family stays informed throughout the year. View the updated calendar here.

Student ID Expansion
This year, every student who rides the bus will receive a school-issued student ID to swipe when they get on and off the bus. This simple step makes each route trackable from start to finish, giving families peace of mind and helping us keep students safe every step of the way. This expands on the system we introduced last spring for elementary students and is now available districtwide. You can follow your student’s bus ride in real-time with the My Ride K-12 app.

Updated Event Policy
We have updated our event guidelines for all Shawnee Public Schools events, including those held at elementary sites. Read the full policy here, as it goes into effect immediately.

Device Policy: Disconnect to Reconnect
In alignment with Senate Bill 139, Shawnee Public Schools has adopted Policy FNG, our new “Disconnect to Reconnect” policy. All electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight during the school day, from the first bell to the last. This policy is designed to help students focus, reduce stress, and build healthier habits by minimizing screen time during instructional hours. We have built out a landing page with the full policy and answers to questions you may have. Find more about this new policy here

Construction Updates
Thanks to your support of the April 2024 bond, several of our elementary campuses, Horace Mann, Jefferson, and Will Rogers, received significant upgrades this summer. These include new bathrooms, flooring, windows, roofing, and more. We’re excited to unveil these improvements, which directly benefit students, staff, and the Shawnee community.

Free Meals for All Students
Shawnee Public Schools continues to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students every day. Healthy meals help students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. By providing free meals each day, we’re not only supporting families, we’re creating the conditions for academic success. Our goal is to ensure every student has what they need to reach their full potential. In the last two years alone, Shawnee Public Schools served more than 1.2 million meals to our students, and we’re proud to continue this support for our families.

Student Ticket Policy
We are excited to introduce a new student ticket policy that encourages school spirit and rewards positive behavior. Middle School and High School students in good standing with their principal will receive one free ticket to home games held at their own school site. 

We believe it’s important for students to have the opportunity to support their classmates, cheer on their school, and feel connected to our community. This policy is one more way we can recognize students for making good choices and contributing to a positive school environment.

Wolves Gear
As we head back to class, we love seeing our students and families wearing Wolves blue with pride. Shop for your gear here

As we begin this new chapter, I want you to know that I’m committed to listening, learning, and leading with students at the center of every decision. I truly believe the best is yet to come.

One last thing – Go Wolves! 

For every student, every day,

Dr. Jason James

Superintendent

Shawnee Public Schools

This message was sent to all SPS families on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM.