NORTH NEWS August 5th

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

Hello North Community!

We are so excited to start the school year next week! This week's newsletter has all the information you need to get a great start to our school year!

I included this information in our previous newsletter, but in the following link you will find some key action items that will allow you and your student to start the school year off successfully. Some of the items in the link are repeated (or covered in greater detail) in the following sections of this newsletter.

We are so excited to get this school year started, and we look forward to a great year with your student at the Brickhouse! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the office here at Shawnee Mission North. Go Bison!

Families and students- we feel that it is important to review with you some of our safety and security expectations at Shawnee Mission North. Our goal at the Brickhouse is to keep our campus, inside and outside, a safe learning environment where every student can achieve academic success. To help with this, please review the following items as a family and remember: see something, say something.

1. Arrival procedures: students may enter the building through doors in both parking lots, performing arts wing, cafeteria, student commons, before school. These doors will be locked promptly at 7:40 and all students will need to enter through the main entry (door 1) for the remainder of the school day (until 2:40).
2. Breakfast is served: breakfast is available in the cafeteria beginning at 7:00am everyday. For additional details, cost, and menus, please visit the SMSD Food Service website.
3. Passing periods: students will have five minutes between each class period. Students are encouraged to take this time to use the restroom and walk swiftly to their next class. Taking care of this business during passing periods will ensure that students can stay in class for the entire period, which will help to increase their achievements and not miss out on class time.
4. Lunch locations and times: we will have three lunches at North this year (schedule below). All students will eat in the cafeteria for the entire lunch time.
5. Open lunch for seniors: senior students who qualify and whose parents have completed the senior lunch google form will be afforded the opportunity to leave campus during their designated lunch time. Students will return through the main doors.
6. Propping doors: propping doors at Shawnee Mission North will not be tolerated. Students found violating this will be subject to consequences from administration.

Seniors - Tuesday, August 16 (Where you nicest clothes for your Senior Pictures)

Grades 9-11, Monday , August 22

Times announced later

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

First Day of School for 9th Graders is Thursday August 11. This is a full day of school (7:40AM- 2:40PM) for all 9th Graders. Bus riders be sure to check your skyward account for bus stop locations and bus numbers.

• Freshmen bring their schedules on Freshmen First Day--we will not hand out paper copies. Student Services will be available to assist

4 Parts of the Freshman First Day

1. Welcome - Meet in the Field House

2. Freshmen Mentor- led rotations (4-30-minute rotations)

3. Schedule run-through

4. Pep Assembly

Freshman will be released at 2:40pm

Car Drop off/pick up is in the front circle drive

Bus arrival/departure is in the FH parking lot

CAA/CTC bus will depart in the AM in the FH parking lot

CAA/CTC bus will drop off AM and pick up PM students in the front circle.

**CAA/CTC parents and students welcome letter emailed from Ryan Flurry 8/4/22 below.

At Shawnee Mission North, there is no designated on-site fee payment day. Everything required for the start of school can be done online and at your convenience using this link.

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

This does not mean that you cannot still pay fees in person. Although fee payment online is highly recommended for its ease, you are still able to pay fees in the school office during summer office hours (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) any day between August 1 and August 10, 2022.

Another option is to mail a check using the following information.

SM North High School

Attn: Shelle Lewis, Bookkeeper

7401 Johnson Drive

Overland Park, KS 66202

New for 2022-2023:

Instructional resource fee and the ID card fees may be waived if one of the following circumstances apply:

If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals, then 100% of the fees will be waived. If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for reduced meals, then 50% of the fees will be waived. We will need a documented confirmation letter. It takes time for this document to process, so the sooner you apply the better. See links below.

Applications for Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals (free/reduced meals) will will be located on the district’s food services webpage, link below. In order to apply for a fee waiver, an application for free/reduced meals must be submitted, approved, and documented with the district.

Proof that the student is in the custody of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (foster care program) is provided to the school office, or the student receives services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.

Information regarding Free and Reduced:

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1656621081/smsdorg/jzduba3d3bo60vk7rvsk/Letter_to_Household2022-23.pdf

Information on setting up School Café and apply for Free and Reduced:

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1656509936/smsdorg/tuo23dzch5bzg2fgd3or/SchoolCafeEligibilityQuickCard.pdf

Link to set up School Café:

https://www.schoolcafe.com/SHAWNEEMISSION

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1652714785/smsdorg/hwadfqof0ijjlvfptdhy/Fees2022-23.pdf

SMSD Fees

Contact the Food Service at 913-993-9710 with questions.

There are several ways of staying informed and up-to-date on school events. These include, but are not limited to:

• Canvas is an excellent way to stay up-to-date on your student’s grades. Please follow the directions on the linked site to enroll as an “observer” of your student’s Canvas courses. Click through each collapsible menu on this linked page to set up your Canvas observer account.

• “North News” emails from the principal’s administrative assistant, Gayle O’Grady, are sent every Monday. Be sure to add/update your email address and preferences in Skyward to receive these email blasts.
  
  

• The school website is an excellent source of school information that includes updated information and links to specific teacher and/or team sites, student services (counseling/social work) site, and the school resource officer’s site. SMN Website Link
  
  

• The homepage of the school website hosts the school calendar. Most 22-23 school events have already been put into that calendar. Families have the ability to click on the event to see a detailed description as well as have the functionality to place that event directly into their own preferred calendar.
  
  

• The SMSD Alert system allows parents to receive emailed information, phone announcements, and reminders throughout the year. Families who have signed up for text alert will receive text message reminders of major school events, school closings, etc.
  
  

• Sunflower League Schedule- In addition to all sports and cross-curricular activities added to this, this site also includes other activities that are happening throughout the school day. This site also includes whether each day will be a Traditional (T), Even (E), or Odd (O) schedule day. There is also an app for this website. To download this app search rschool Activity Scheduler, then select state (Kansas) > scroll down to select school which is grouped by conference (Sunflower) > Click on Shawnee Mission-North. Once downloaded, it shows Calendar, My Teams, and Scores.

Please follow SM North on Twitter and Instagram. Great way to get information about what is going on at North.

Twitter @SM_NORTH_HS

Instagram at @SM_NORTH_HS

Now is the time to get a jump on senior year parent activities and purchase a senior ad for your student that will appear in the 2023 yearbook. Ads can be purchased at www.yearbookforever.com. If you have any questions, please contact yearbook adviser Becky Tate at notate@smsd.org. More information can be found in the senior ad form.

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

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

Tuesday August 9 - BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

• 6:00pm - Freshman Parent Orientation - Auditorium
• 6:30pm - All parents - meet their students teachers

Thursday August 11 - Freshman First Day - 7:40-2:40pm

Friday August 12 - All grades - Full day

Monday August 15 - Frist day of Fall Sports

Requests for a schedule change must be submitted, by email ONLY, to your alpha counselor by Thursday, August 11th at 3:00 pm.

Schedule change requests will be prioritized as follows:

1. You are missing a graduation requirement

2. Your schedule is incomplete, or a class is duplicated

3. You are enrolled in a course that you have already completed and received credit.

4. You are enrolled in a course for which you have NOT met the prerequisite.

5. You have a physical injury that does not allow participation in the course.

6. You wish to increase or decrease rigor of your schedule (assuming space is available).

7. You have decided you do not want to take a class that you originally chose (in January).

Alpha Counselor by student last name:

A – D/ELL jeinnymorris@smsd.org

E – K leahmurray@smsd.org

L – Q jenniferfontaine@smsd.org

R – Z deannagriffey@smsd.org

Incoming Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend a Career Expo on August 26th at the CAA. Come learn about a variety of Kansas City based businesses and begin building connections to start your future career! There will be a variety of pathways in attendance such as Graphic Design, Construction, Healthcare, Education, Architecture and many more.

See the brochure below. For more information please email brittsherer@smsd.org

LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT:

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

Go to student services for more information.

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 Information and 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

● 2021-2022 Transportation Release Form- HS Only - English (Corrected May

2021).pdf

● 2021-2022 Transportation Release Form - HS Only - Spanish (Corrected May

2021

● 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)

SMSD Winter Mitigation for Athletics - please take time to review the current SMSD mitigation guidelines.

• 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

Click here for the SMSD Website

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.

The Shawnee Mission School District provides free bus transportation to students living 2.5 miles or more from the school in their attendance area. To receive free busing you must register with DS Bus Lines.

To register students for transportation visit DS Bus Lines website.

Students who live less than 2.5 miles from the school in their attendance area may pay to ride the bus in areas with established routes. The 2022-23 bus rate is $185.00 per student, per semester or $370.00 per student for the school year. Routes will be established annually based on interest and enrollment numbers. Routes will be built around those who have registered by July 22 for the 2022-23 school year. To pay for busing visit DS Bus Lines website.

Families who pay fees by July 22, 2022 will receive a discount:

· $160.00 per student per semester ($320.00 per year)

· Payment must be received or postmarked by July 22, 2022 to receive the discount.

Sign up for Textcaster Alerts here to receive text messages when a bus is delayed more than 10 minutes. This is very convenient during times of bad weather.

Contact DS Bus Lines at 913-384-1190 with any questions.

• 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.