NORTH NEWS September 12th

Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS

North Community,

Homecoming week and our 100th Anniversary celebration on Saturday were amazing. The excitement and energy on Friday were electric. The parade, tailgate, and game were all a big success, and our students and staff helped us represent our building well for our open house on Saturday. Finally, our students had a great dance (until the power went out!).

Today, September 12th, marks the actual 100th anniversary of the school opening. We are celebrating that today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the school cafeteria (the original school building) at 1:30 p.m. The celebration concludes on Tuesday with our Senior class and faculty re-creating the photo below in front of our cafeteria. It's truly a wonderful time to be at Shawnee Mission North!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the office here at Shawnee Mission North. Go Bison!

We have been working with the city of Overland Park to get updates on the ongoing construction project on the North and East sides of the building. In order to complete the entire project in a timely manner, the city has had to allow both sides of Johnson Drive to be under construction at the same time along with simultaneous closures of Metcalf Lane and Frontage Road. We have attached a link to an Overland Park road closure map and an aerial map that shows a pedestrian detour for students to use during the course of the construction project.

The beginning and ending of class are important components of classroom learning opportunities. To protect those vital times, we have a 10-10 rule. Students should not be out of class the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes. We will help protect student achievement opportunities by not allowing passes during these times.

This year we will be allowing students to take a photo of their student identification card front and back once they are received to use as an acceptable form of identification to enter the building.

The only exception will be the senior students who go to outside lunch, they will still be required to show their actual I.D. card with the lunch sticker on the back of the card.

Students will still be required to purchase a replacement I.D. card after their fourth incident in which they fail to show a card, after that they will be required to see an administrator prior to being allowed into the building.

A couple reminders about safety precautions we are taking at Shawnee Mission North moving forward. Violation of these policies can result in consequences from administration so please take this seriously:

1. We will not prop exterior doors at any time at Shawnee Mission North.
2. We will not open exterior doors for anyone to enter the building between 7:40 and 2:40. All students MUST enter through the main doors (in the circle drive) between 7:40 and 2:40.
3. The only students allowed to leave the building without parent approval are SENIORS whose parents have completed the permission form for open lunch. Documentation/Identification must be shown upon return, and students may only return through the main doors (in the circle drive).
4. Restrooms at Shawnee Mission North are single use only. Students found sharing restroom stalls are in violation of this policy and are subject to consequences from administration.

Please take these policies seriously as they help to keep us safe at the Brickhouse!

1. The lower east parking lot by the tennis courts is a great meeting point to pick up your student. The busses leave Shawnee Mission North at 2:50pm so feel free to pick up your student AFTER that time if you want "curbside" pick up on the fieldhouse side. Please share this with anyone who may pick up your student as it may save them frustration, time and gas!
2. Foster street and surrounding businesses are NOT an authorized meeting space to pick up students. Living and working next to a high school can be challenging, but as a school community, let's be kind. The coffee shop parking lot is for coffee shop customers. With limited spaces, the extra cars make it difficult for traffic to flow in the parking lot and you risk a car accident. Foster street has many "no parking" signs on the southbound side and updated no parking signs are in the works. Avoid the ticket and just park in the east lot mentioned in #1 above.
3. If you prefer to wait in the west parking lot to pick up your student, there are about 25 empty parking spots near the baseball field in the back. Just be aware of the ongoing construction and the "no left turn" sign during school hours. If you live west of the school, the legal way to park and leave is in the lower east lot as mentioned in #1 above. Avoid the fines and park legally not in fire lanes.

We are closing in on our first exclusion date for students who are missing required vaccinations.

Emails were sent at the end of last school year notifying parents/guardians of students who were in need of required vaccinations.

Another email will be sent in the next week to those who are in need of a vaccination.

Once your student receives the required vaccine, please send copy/proof of that to the nurse’s office. You may email the copy to nosnow@smsd.org or fax to 913-993-1450.

We do not want to exclude any student from school. However, if they do not have the state required immunization they will not be able to be in attendance on October 13th. They will need to get that vaccine before returning to school after 10/13/22. Thank you all for helping us out! We appreciate your time and dedication to keeping SMN safe and healthy!!

Graciously,

Mary Alice Kelly BSN, RN

Val Snow aide

For underclassmen:

You have to wait and order when the “second chance to order” proof is delivered with all those that ordered packages in about 2 weeks.

The original forms for underclassmen to order from were only good until photo day – afterward the prices increase.

For seniors:

Go to https://rollandkc.gotphoto.com/login -- the access code is the student ID number. They can order photos right now.

Please use the link below to pay current and past due school fees – you can sign in as a guest with the students last name & ID number if you don’t want to set up an account.

https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/55790

Fees can also be paid at the school office from 7:30-3:30 M-F or by phone to Shelle Lewis 913-993-6910.

Required fees: Instructional Resource, ID card, Textbook Fee, Apple Repair, Participation & Course Fees. Optional fees: Parking, Pep Club, Class Dues, Yearbook, Literary Magazine

Any unpaid optional fees and dropped class fees will be swept from student accounts later in the semester.

The first deadline is Sept. 16.

To purchase an ad, go to www.yearbookforever.com. Choose Shawnee Mission North. You can upload all of your photos and pay there.

If you need help scanning to make the photos digital, or getting things uploaded, please call Mrs. Tate and she will assist you.

Thanks so much for supporting the SM North yearbook. We look forward to designing your senior’s ad.

If you have any questions, please contact yearbook advisor Becky Tate at 913-993-7012 or at notate@smsd.org .

Are you interested in working at the Brickhouse and helping students? Shawnee Mission North has a couple of open para-educator position still available in our specialized ACE program. If you are interested or want to know more about the position, please apply online at www.smsd.org or contact our associate principal Mr. Jamison @ 913-993-6900.

The theme for the 2022 Reflections Contest is:

Show your voice!

Students can submit their entries in the following categories:

Dance Choreography Music Composition

Film Production Photography

Literature Visual Arts

*** Specific entry (file) requirements are listed on entry form link below. ***

Important dates!

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 – entries due in the SM North office. Just drop the entry off there with the entry form.

No late entries will be accepted, school level judging starts on October 19.

School level winners announced! ( Between Oct 31st & Nov 4th)

Friday, November 4, 2022 – School level winners move to SMSD level judging

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 – District level winners announced at the Reflections Open House at the CAA

District level winners move to Kansas state level for judging – dates TBD

Questions? Contact the Reflections chair for Shawnee Mission North, Becky Tate, notate@smsd.org, 913-993-7012 or stop by and see her in room 184.

• Digital entries can be emailed to notate@smsd.org. You can email the entry form too – or if it is easier, drop that off in the SM North front office.
• Physical entries (visual art & photography) and ALL completed and signed entry forms due to the North front office by 3:15 p.m. Oct. 19

Entry Form:

SM North Reflections Form.pdf

SM North Reflections form - Spanish.pdf

Please always check the school calendar for the most up to date schedule SMN Calendar

• September 13 - PTSA Meeting - 6:00pm Learning Commons
• September 16 - Voter Registration, Learning Commons
• September 17 - Choir Car Wash 10:00-2:00pm, Front circle drive

All SMN students will have the opportunity to complete the Panorama Survey on September 19th. Please take a moment to read this letter from the district that outlines details about the survey and the purpose. We at North review and use this data to plan professional development for teachers, and provide assistance to our students in areas where they may have challenges. While participation is not mandatory, we encourage ALL Bison to complete the questions and provide us with valuable information for the 22-23 school year.

Parent Information Letter in English

Parent Information Letter in Spanish

Shawnee Mission North will be offering the ACT WorkKeys assessment on October 19, 2022. If your student has not taken the WorkKeys assessment before, and you would like them to be considered, please email LauraBrogdon@smsd.org. More information about the ACT WorkKeys can be found below:

The WorkKeys assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace. Individuals who successfully complete all three WorkKeys assessments—Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents—can earn a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (WorkKeysNCRC®) and/or a Kansas WORKReady! Certificate. These certifications are a valuable credential for students and job seekers seeking to verify foundational workplace skills.

Many employers use the Kansas WORKReady! Certificate as a means for identifying quality applicants. Job seekers can present this certificate to potential employers as documentation of work skill levels.

For more information on the National Career Readiness Certificate or the Kansas WORKReady! Certificate, please visit

https://www.workreadycommunities.org/KS

and https://bit.ly/2MsOexC

To celebrate the start of the new school year, Shawnee Mission Public Schools are celebrating with a Spanish Community Resource Night. We realize that schools are a nexus of the community and resources. Please join us in celebrating our SMSD community by sharing this information with our bilingual families.

Bilingual Community Resource Night

September 20, 2022 5:00 - 7:00pm

Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st Street, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66204

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by the emails listed below or at 913-993-7212.

Bilingual Advocacy Team - Shawnee Mission Public Schools

Dr. John McKinney, Director of Family Services

Connie Springfield, Ed.S., Associate Principal

Dr. Elizabeth Ault, ELL Teacher

LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT:

YMCA - Before & After School Y Club - See flyer blow

Freddy's - freddys.com/careers

Amazon - Go to student services for more information.

Papa Murphy's on Shawnee Mission Parkway - 913-638-4552

UPS - Lenexa, KS email - sford@ups.com

Go to student services for more information.

• The varsity football team is 2-0 after securing a homecoming game victory over Olathe South on Friday evening, 28-21. North is in action this week vs Olathe North on Thursday evening. The little Bison cheer clinic will also perform at half-time.
• SM North Bison soccer beat KC-Turner 5-0. Goals scored by Will Boyd (2), Tobias Mercado (1), Marco Estrella (1) and Joshua Mercado (1). On Thursday evening they lost 4-1 to Lawrence High. They play this week vs LFS and SMNW (SMSDSC).
• The SMN Volleyball team secured victories versus SM South on Tuesday and Thursday. They dropped matches to BVW and Gardner Edgerton. This week all four levels play Olathe West on Tuesday at home.
• The girls golf team will participate in the first leg of the Sunflower League championships.
• The girls tennis team competes at SME today.
• The SMN XC team participated in the Olathe Twilight meet and had solid performances. They will compte Saturday at the Bonner Springs Invite @ Wyandotte Park.
• The SMN gymnastics team will compete at Olathe South tomorrow and host their annual meet on Saturday @ SMNW beginning at 10:00am.

Live Eligibility

• Reports will be provided to coaches daily from skyward. We use the canvas platform which must be synchronized with Skyward; due to syn issues;

• Eligibility reports are Bi-weekly process

• 1st and 3rd Monday of the month

• If a student shows the AD between reports, he/she improved their grade then he/she is immediately reinstated.

• If a student does not improve and is on the next report they become ineligible for contests until they can show they are passing 5. They regain eligibility as soon as they can show proof and the process starts all over again.

SM North subscribes to Core Course GPA. If your student is interested in participating in collegiate athletics please visit the website and begin the registration process. SMSD will host a college eligibility informational session in late fall. It’s never too early to begin this process.

CoreCourseGPA.com now makes it easier than ever to educate your student-athletes and families on various aspects of NCAA/NAIA initial-eligibility and recruiting. Just click on the 1-Minute Recruiting Webinars below:

NCAA Core Course GPA vs Cumulative GPA

What are the NCAA D1 Initial-Eligibility Requirements?

Football Varsity Coach: Andy Walter

Twitter: @NorthBisonFB

VNN Website: smnbison.com

Boys Soccer Varsity Coach: Jaime Velez

Email: jaimevelezacosta@smsd.org

Twitter: @SoccerSMN

VNN Website: SM Boys Soccer

Girls Tennis Varsity Coach: Andrew Lause

Assistant coach in building - Amanda Polking

Twitter: @smntennis

VNN Website: SMN tennis

Gymnastics Varsity Coach: Sarah Hink (teacher at SMNW) |

Assistant Coach: Morgan Hoffman (teacher at Mill Creek Elementary)

Twitter: @smngymnastics18

VNN Website: SMN GYMNASTICS SMNW GYMNASTICS

Instagram: gymnastics_smn

Girls Golf Varsity Coach: Walter Mansfield

VNN Website: SMN Girls golf

Girls & Boys Cross-Country Varsity Coach: Aaron Davidson

Twitter: @smnorthxc

VNN Website: SMN Cross-country

Volleyball Varsity Coach: Riann Hill

Instagram: smn_volleyball

Twitter: @SMN_Volleyball

Unified Bowling Coaches: Robyn Barreca and David Langton

Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive activities program that combines an approximately equal number of Special Olympics students with intellectual disabilities and students without intellectual disabilities on teams for competition and inclusive activities fostering an environment of social inclusion. Unified Bowling will annually begin in Standard Calendar Week #13 and conclude with a state tournament during Standardized Calendar Week #20. Unified Bowling will operate like any other KSHSAA activity with all participants meeting individual eligibility requirements.

Given the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the educational environment, the NCAA Eligibility Center has partnered with the NCAA membership to identify adjustments to the initial-eligibility certification process for students who initially enroll full time in an NCAA Division I or II school during the 2023-24 academic year. Click here to learn more about these important adjustments. This directly impacts rising seniors. Please share this information with your athletes!

Important Links

• KSHSAA Physical Packet- PPE (Rev. 3-20), Concussion Info Release Form, Transportation Release Form- HS - English [Required Athletic Forms for High School Students]

• KSHSAA Physical Packet- PPE (Rev. 3-20), Concussion Info Release Form, Transportation Release Form- HS - Spanish [Required Athletic Forms for High School Students

• 2022-2023 SMSD Concussion & Head Injury Information Release Form

• 2022-2023 SMSD Concussion & Head Injury Information Release Form - Spanish

• 2022-2023 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form

• 2022-2023 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form - Spanish

• Parent Information and Consent Form- Cross Country Guidelines-Distance Training Off Campus for MS and HS Athletes (English)

• Parent Information and Consent Form- Cross Country Guidelines-Distance Training Off Campus for MS and HS Athletes (Spanish)

• Voluntary Student Accident Insurance (Managed by K&K Insurance)
  Our school district has selected the Student Insurance Plan from K&K Insurance Group to make reliable coverage available to parents. If you don’t have other insurance, this plan may be a resource to consider. Additionally, even if you have other coverage, this plan can help fill expensive “gaps' ' caused by deductibles and copays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.

High School Sports Information

• High School Sports - Athletic Schedules

• SMSD Athletic Stadium and Athletic Complex Locations

• Kansas State High School Activities Association

• SMSD one page calendar

• SMSD HS Activity Handbook

• SMSD Athletic and Activities Webpage

Homecoming Recap:

On Friday, the parade North Through the Decades, wrapped around the school blocks, passing future Bison at Crestview. Our volunteer community judges determined that the Senior class and Cheerleaders tied for Best Interpretation of Theme. Cheerleaders also won best costumes and most school spirit. The Seniors won Best Class Float.

On Saturday night, after hosting the Alumni Dance in the Field House, the students turned up for the dance, Party Like Gatsby. We had an excellent turnout as over 900 students were in attendance, and it was blast before the power went out on the city block. The weekend was quite unprecedented!

Our Coronation Ceremony at Halftime of the victorious football game was beautiful. Thank you to NJROTC for providing the sword arch, and to Mr. Rose for announcing the court. Jalen Juan was named the 2022 Homecoming Queen, Sofia Bustamante 1st Attendant, and Holly Reed 2nd Attendant.

On Saturday night, after hosting the Alumni Dance in the Field House, the students turned up for the dance, Party Like Gatsby. We had an excellent turnout as over 900 students were in attendance, and it was blast before the power went out on the city block. The weekend was quite unprecedented!

Coming Up this week! Voter Registration in Honor of Constitution Day

Voter registration is on September 16th and will happen all day in the Learning Commons near the coffee bar. Any North student that will be 18 on or before February 16th is eligible to register to vote at this time so that they are ready to go for the upcoming elections!

• Join PTSA (optional, but highly encouraged): Parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members: You can now become a PTSA member. Your membership helps support our students and their school!

Check PTSA out on Twitter @SMNorthPTSA or https://twitter.com/SMNorthPTSA

Check PTSA out on Facebook @SMNorthPTSA or https://www.facebook.com/SMNorthPTSA/

Check the PTSA Website http://smnorth.smsd.org/Pages/parent-involvement/PTSA.aspx

Join the PTSA Here - https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/41480960832961

• Join Booster Club (optional, but highly encouraged) SMN BISON SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE IN THEIR ONLINE STORE!! https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

Check out the SMN Booster club website https://smnorth.smsd.org/activities/booster-club

Check out the SMN Booster Club news & updates on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402

Check out the SMN Booster Club on Twitter https://twitter.com/SMNorthBooster

You can earn $$$ for your favorite group at North by attending Booster Club meetings. We offer Attendance Grants to any SMN club, group or team that sends a parent or sponsor/coach to our meetings. If your team or group has someone attend at least 4 Booster Club meetings a year, we will give your group a $100 grant - attend 6 meetings and receive a $200 grant!

Did you know… Each year the SMN All-Activities Booster Club supports student clubs, groups, and teams by funding grant requests from coaches and club sponsors for expenses that are not funded by the school district? Since our organization began, we have given over $200,000 in grants to student organizations & teams at North! We raise funds for our grants through our spirit wear sales, tailgates/concessions, Annual Trivia Night & Annual Golf Tournament.

Do you attend sporting events at North?

Consider buying the 2022-23 SMN SPORTS FAST PASS for quick and easy access to games – Booster Club Membership is INCLUDED, and all funds stay at NORTH! See the attached form for details and then purchase at our online store!

Purchase SMN Spirit Wear, BC Memberships, and Sports Fast Passes at our online store - we have lots of NEW Bison gear and 100th Anniversary items in stock!!

https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

Click here for the SMSD Website

Food Services has updated the School Meal Information flier for parents. It is available on the main page of the Food Service web page and linked here for your convenience.

In the event there are times throughout the year when routes are running late and notification is needed at the school and family level, we want to encourage you to sign up for Textcaster notifications. We have previously pushed a number of communications about this to families via school newsletters (with your assistance) as well as through district communications reminding of the availability to sign up for text notifications when routes are running late or compressed with other buses. We encourage you to also sign up to receive text notifications as it is the fastest way to provide notice of any changes.

Sign up for notifications at the following link: https://my.textcaster.com/asa/2795 where you can select the route numbers pertaining to your school (you may select multiple bus routes). Additionally, we will do our best to provide you with updates as we receive them.

The SMAC PTA Clothing Exchange is excited to be back in service to the SMSD community! Please see attached files in English and Spanish with more information about the Schedule for the Clothing Exchange.

To receive FREE or REDUCED cost meals in the 2022-2023 school year, families will need to complete a meal benefit application. Over the past few years, federal school meal waivers made free meals for all students possible. Congress has not extended this waiver for the 2022-2023 school year.

The meal benefit application can be found on School Café. If you are unable to complete the application online, a paper application is available. Click here for more information.

Children may receive free or reduced price meals based on certain Medicaid benefits or if household income is within the limits on Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Benefits of Applying

Applying and qualifying for free and reduced meals can benefit families and the Shawnee Mission School District in multiple ways:

Free or Reduced Meals

Students who qualify through a meal benefit application will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at a free or reduced cost this year.

State Funds for Schools

The application generates additional funds for schools. These funds support staffing and other resources to help student learning. If families do not complete the application, the district will not be able to receive state funding for which it is eligible.

Potential Fee Reductions

Qualifying for child nutrition meal benefits provides other benefits to eligible families, which may include free/reduced instructional resource fees, transportation fees, and Pre-k enrollment.

Families are encouraged to complete a Consent for Disclosure form in Skyward which gives SMSD Food Service permission to share a child’s eligibility status information with the programs families designate on the consent form.

If you do not have a Skyward Family Access account, you may contact your child’s school office after July 26 to inquire about setting up account access.

Important Information If You are Directly Certified

Do not complete the application if you are Directly Certified to receive free meals. If you receive state assistance and have not received a notification of eligibility, call the SMSD Food Service office before completing a meal program application.

• Families who are directly certified are encouraged to complete a Consent for Disclosure form in Skyward which gives SMSD Food Service permission to share a child’s eligibility status information with the programs families designate on the consent form.

It is that time of year to fill out Back to School Forms. Parents and high school students need to complete the Online Verification . Please click on the link to the SMSD website below to get all of the information and to start getting this completed.

SMSD Online Verification

Students and Families:

We hope you are enjoying the new MacBooks! Now that 99.9% of our students have been issued a MacBook, it is very important to make sure students are taking the best care possible of the devices. Below are some important reminders to help protect the MacBook and your student.

We want to remind you of a few things now that we are back in the swing of the school year:

1. Your MacBook must have the district issued case on it at all times. (Failure to have the cover in place will result in confiscation of the MacBook.)

2. Please only carry your MacBook with the screen shut and with both hands to keep the machine secure.

3. Do not ever pick up the MacBook by the screen. The LCD screen on these devices are very sensitive and the pressure of your grip will break the screen. (Other schools are already reporting damage from students holding and carrying the MacBook by the screen.)

4. Keyboard covers should not be used since non-Apple keyboard covers might be too large and can put pressure on the screens and cause damage.

5. Do NOT slam the MacBook shut, this causes lines in the LCD screen and also the screen to go “white.”

6. Always open the screen from the center clip on the case. Opening from the sides will cause damage.

7. Carrying the computer from the screen will also damage/loosed/break the hinge.

8. Please don’t leave your MacBook in a car. Extreme temperature (hot and cold) conditions will cause issues for the MacBook. (And provide a target for theft)

9. Needed applications can be found on Manager. You will not be able to download programs from the App Store for use on these devices. If you need access to a program that isn’t in Manager, please submit a Help Desk Ticket ( https://support.smsd.org )

10. Downloading VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) or other programs that mask your device on the network are a violation of the Responsible Use Policy you have agreed to. Use of VPN’s will result in the confiscation of the MacBook and you may lose MacBook access for the semester/school year.

11. If you ever need help or support with your device you can submit a Web Help Desk Ticket and our Tech Analyst assigned to SMN will find you to help with the issue. If there ever is a problem, you should start by submitting a Help Desk Ticket at https://support.smsd.org

12. Keep your charger safe, preferably at home. Charging your device each night to 100% will last all day at school.

13. Do NOT eat or drink near the device, this keeps it clean and away from possible accidents.

Please reach out if there are any questions or issues we can help with as you use your new MacBook. -Mr. Jamison

• ** Please Note- If you have an account from previous years (even Hocker Grove), there is no need to create another account.
  
• New users: Download the Canvas Parent App from the App Store or Google Play store.
• Follow the prompts to create your account. Create a username and password.
• Search SMSD (Shawnee Mission School District) > Shawnee Mission North > Eventually it will ask you for a “Pairing Code”
• To find your student’s “Pairing Code”
1. In your student’s Canvas account have your student click on “Account” (Top Left)
2. Click on “Settings” > then click on “Pair with Observer” (Right side)
3. Enter this “Pairing code” when prompted in your Canvas Parent App.
• Note that each parent needs a different code, therefore repeating this process to generate a different code. If more than one student, you will be prompted to “add student” on the app. Repeat the process to generate their observer code.
• If your student will not provide the code to you, please reach out to the school to get the Pairing Code. 😊
• Additional Canvas gradebook information can be found here.
• Canvas has the most up-to-date grade information for your student, if you have questions about missing assignments, please contact your student’s teacher.

Skyward

To get information about your login information for your Skyward parent account please contact Student Services at 913-993-6930. Skyward helps parents keep track of attendance, pay school fees, view national and state test scores, complete the online verification process and much, much more.