![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/miniaturepumpkins.5d3146e5.jpg)
Nieman News
October 13, 2023
¡TRADUCIR! / TRANSLATE!
Para traducir este boletín, use el botón en el lado derecho de la pantalla (computadora) o cerca de la parte superior (teléfono celular) con la etiqueta "Traducir boletín" y elija el idioma deseado.
To translate this newsletter use the button on the right side of the screen (computer) or near the top (cell phone) labeled, "Translate Newsletter" and choose your desired language.
Hello Nieman Families,
I hope you all are enjoying the cool weather. I think it is finally here to stay and I am excited to be gone from the heat! Please make sure your children are bringing jackets/appropriate weather clothes to school so they are not cold at recess.
Yesterday staff had a day of professional learning where we worked on our building goals with academics and attendance, as well as important DEIB work. It was a full, but very impactful day.
Did you know... that we currently have 19% of our student body who is considered to be chronically absent from school? This is a very large and concerning number and our staff is working very hard to determine if there are any root causes to why students are being chronically absent. The most important thing with this is communication. If you know your child is going to be gone from school please make sure you are calling the attendance line or emailing (jennymeacham@smsd.org) our attendance clerk, as well as their classroom teacher to let them know they will be out. We know that things come up, kids get sick, people pass away, and yes, you even go on vacation (so fun!). When we know why students are gone we can have a better understanding of whether the chronic absenteeism is a pattern or a singular event.
This week is conference week! If you have not yet signed up for a conference time with your child's teacher, please do so quickly! Like above, communication between home and school is a vital part of your child's success at school. We want to be able to share with you their successes and what we are doing to help them in their educational journey! See you this week! As a reminder, that means there is no school this coming Friday, October 20th.
Construction Update: As you all are likely very aware, there has been quiet a bit of road/sidewalk construction around our building. Unfortunately it is going to get slightly worse before it get's better. They are currently working on the service drive, unfortunately it will be closed all week. Students will still be able to walk that direction, but it will not be available for cars. There will be a forever traffic pattern change for cars leaving the kindergarten/prek dismissal area- from here on out it will be RIGHT TURN ONLY. For the 1-6th grade car rider dismissal lanes, it will only be a temporary change while the construction is happening at 67th and Nieman. Thank you for your adherence to these changes and your patience during this construction.
The I Can, We Care food drive starts Monday October 16th and runs through November 10th. We will be collecting cans and non-perishable food in the foyer. If you are able, please consider donating items to help families in need during the holiday season!
Thank you to all our foxes that attended the SMN Homecoming game to represent Nieman. We had a family send a picture of a group of kiddos having a fun time supporting our Bison!
Principal Tenbrink
School Information
Halloween Costume Guidance
Fall parties will be Tuesday, October 31st.
- Room parents are in charge of organizing items to bring in that day. Please DO NOT bring in food items unless you have coordinated with the room parent in your room. If you have any questions about this please reach our to your child(ren)'s teacher.
Attending the Parade and Parties! READ ME FOR EASIER ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL!
- The parade will start at 2pm and parties will start after that. Parents are allowed to attend the parade and parties. You may arrive starting at 1:30 to check in. Want to skip the line? read below!
- We are going to use a Google Form to expedite the check-in process. Please let us know you are coming by filling this out. https://forms.gle/eSjtaynntH9gCFAv8.
- By filling out this form we will pre-print your name tag and have it waiting for you! If you have never checked in through Raptor before we won't be able to do this, but we will let you jump to the front of the check-in line!
- If you do not fill this out you will have to wait in line to be checked in.
- All families will be asked to leave starting at 2:50 so that we can get the parking lot moving as quickly as possible. Please be patient and understanding. The safety of our students is our number one priority!
Parking
- We will open the back playground for our Kindergarten and PreK families to utilize.
- 1st-6th families please use the front parking lots and service drive first, if full then use the back lot.
- The circle drive will be blocked off.
Costume Guidance
- No full face masks. We must see student and adult faces.
- Limit extra accessories that may become distractions or get lost.
- Be cognizant of anything scary or gruesome. That includes cartoon characters that send a negative or violent message.
- No play weapons or sharp objects.
- Students should bring in their costumes as we will do the parade in the afternoon.
- Students will be allowed to put their costumes on at school; please do your best to make it so students can put it on over the regular clothes.
PTA Information and Updates
PTA has so many ways for you to get involved, connect with one another, and support Nieman.
Become a PTA member through Givebacks- scan the QR code or visit the link below!
4th Grade Stock the Lounge!
4th grade families, you are up for November Stock the Lounge for teachers. Please bring the goodies to the front office between October and we will add it to the goodies. There are still lots of slots open! Our teachers are amazing and we would love to be able to refuel their energy throughout the day! Thank you!
4th Grade Families- Sign Up Here!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054AA4A929ABFC1-45215924-nieman
Stock the Lounge Schedule
December- PTA Provided
January- 3rd Grade
February- 2nd Grade
March- 1st Grade
April- Kindergarten/PreK
May- PTA Provided
Important Dates for Families
October:
16 Monday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
17 Tuesday:
- PTA Meeting 6:30pm Library - we hope to see you there!
18 Wednesday:
- Choir 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics 3:15-4:00
- Student Council 3:15-4:15
19 Thursday: Parent Teacher Conference Night
- Conference Night preK-6
20 Friday: NO SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
23 Monday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
- Student Council to do Pledge of Allegiance at the Board Meeting
25 Wednesday:
- Choir 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics 3:15-4:00
26 Thursday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
- Pumpkin Palooza 4:30-6
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade Music Performance 6pm
30 Monday
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
31 Tuesday: Happy Halloween!
- Halloween Parade 2pm
- Fall Parties to follow parade around 2:15pm
District Information
Panorama
Panorama:
Parent information regarding the 1st Semester Panorama Survey below.
This school year (2023-2024) the Shawnee Mission School District is once again utilizing the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning survey to assess student’s perseverance, grit, determination, school culture and student-teacher relationships. The Panorama Social-Emotional survey takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete and will be administered during the first semester. The first survey window is scheduled for October 16 through November 10, 2023. Parents/Guardians must consent for their student(s) to participate in the Panorama survey; this would have been done during the 23-24 registration process. Survey data will be reviewed at the district and classroom level to determine areas of strength, as well as areas where more instruction and/or support is needed. Once survey results are returned, parents/guardians are welcome to see and discuss the results with their students’ teachers, social workers, and counselors. Sample survey questions can be found here and here.
We encourage you to visit the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) website to learn more about how Social Emotional Learning benefits your child and their environment. All data is maintained by SMSD and will remain confidential. Please visit this site for more information about the Panorama SEL survey.
SMSD Mic'd Up!
Shawnee Mission's premier podcast, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard and Dr. Jeremy Higgins, Secondary HR Director. New episodes drop every other Thursday wherever you download your podcasts!
Episode 5: West is Best? Nothin’ greater than a Raider? We’re turning up the school pride this week showcase the efforts that go into Homecoming parades, pep rallies, spirit weeks and the festivities that bring our feeder communities together.
Community Resources
Repeated but Important Information
Changes in Dismissal Routine
Student safety is of the upmost importance to us. Please know that frequent changes in dismissal routines causes safety concerns. We ask that you have a regular dismissal routine and communicate this with the classroom teacher at or before Sneak.
If a change has to occur the safest way to ensure the change is communicated is to email the classroom teacher BEFORE school starts and then ALSO call the office BEFORE 2pm. Teachers have different plan times and lunches, and they are not regularly able to read email. Any dismissal change received after 2pm is NOT GUARANTEED. We will do our best, but the end of the day is a very hectic time in a school. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety of your child.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Our Shawnee Mission Student Handbook provides information on our philosophy of education, code of conduct and a of variety policies and procedures. Students and parents can read this handbook to better understand the behavior expectations of Nieman Elementary and also the Shawnee Mission School District.
Please note specifically the updated cell phone policy that was approved summer 2023:
- SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Cell phones and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during the day in order to respect the educational environment of the classroom. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
Principal Tenbrink
Email: kileytenbrink@smsd.org
Website: https://nieman.smsd.org/
Location: Nieman Elementary School, West 67th Street, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-4000
Twitter: @Tenbrink512