NORTH NEWS April 24, 2023

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

North Community,

We are approaching the busiest time of the school year. End of year concerts, performances, banquets, awards ceremonies, and the championship season of spring sports is upon us. Amid all of the crazy schedules, please remember to emphasize finishing strong with your student. If you have questions regarding our schedules below, or anything else related to your student’s success, please do not hesitate to reach out the appropriate staff member (teacher, counselor, administrator, etc.) for assistance! We are down to 22 days left for grades 9-11 and 15 days left for the Class of 2023! Let’s finish strong!

Calendar Updates:

Please review the following calendars for April and May. Key important dates that affect the entire school community are included. Please reach out to the office if you have any questions!

All students interested in playing football at Shawnee Mission North are invited to a parent and player meeting at Shawnee Mission North at 6:00 on May 2 in the Auxiliary Gym next to the weight room. Coach Walter will discuss summer plans, fall plans, player expectations, and he will answer questions. This meeting was originally set for April 25 but the meeting needed to be moved.

On Friday, May 5, Shawnee Mission North will host North Relays Track and Field competition which is the premier High School track event in this region. To minimize the impact on instructional time, and alleviate traffic congestion, we are adjusting the schedule for Friday, May 5. We would also like to stress that, as it has been all year, students be picked up in the front circle drive that day. Buses will leave at regular time. The schedule for the day is included below.

L1- 11:40-12:05

L2-12:10- 12:35

L3- 12:40-1:05

Seminar 1:10-2:40

And also switched the order of classes just a bit:

Dear SMSD Families,

We are coming to the end of another successful year in the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD). This time of year is full of celebration for all that has been accomplished, along with feelings of nostalgia over what will be missed as students and staff move on to what comes next.

I am writing to share the dates for the end of the 2022-23 school year in the Shawnee Mission School District:

• The last day of school for Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) students will be Monday, May 22, 2023.
• The last day of school for K-11 students will be Tuesday, May 23, 2022 (early dismissal)

We are close to the finish line, but there is still important work to be done. Let’s dig deep and finish the year strong. Thank you for all you do to support the education of your children. Together, we are One Shawnee Mission!

Sincerely,

Dr. Michelle Hubbard
​​​​​​​Superintendent

Has your student failed a required class? Do they need to make it up this summer to stay on track to graduate? SMSD offers two summer programs: Summer Academy and Summer eSchool. Please refer to the websites for details. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.

Registration for summer programs will be at North in Student Services.

If you have questions about what class your student needs to take, please reach out to your child’s Alpha Counselor.

A-D & ELL Jeinny Morris jeinnymorris@smsd.org

E-K Leah Murray leahmurray@smsd.org

L-Q Jennifer Fontaine jenniferfontaine@smsd.org

R-W Deanna Griffey deannagriffey@smsd.org

X-Z Britt Sherer brittsherer@smsd.org

If you have not picked up your announcements please stop by the main office.

(Cap and Gown are handed out at graduation practice on the Seniors last day)

All Seniors should have ordered a cap and gown from Jostens. If you have not done that, please contact Jostens at 785-843-2967.

Email #3 is being sent on Monday April 10. Please click here https://docs.google.com/document/d/145w2oJYlvP0AYjJsDvhdfbRQ40y_dlXHe26qX5qUPYU/edit

https://smnorth.smsd.org/students/graduation

• Student fee email notifications were sent out on Friday, February 10th.

• The Online fee payment portal can be found at https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/55790 You can set up an account or pay as a guest using the student’s last name and ID number.
• Fees not paid by June 1st or graduation for seniors may be sent to the Collections agency.

• Any questions regarding fees, payments, or to arrange a payment plan should be directed to SMN bookkeeper, Shelle Lewis at Shellelewis@smsd.org or 913-993-6910.
• Families qualifying for free or reduced lunch can receive a waiver for part of the fees if they provide the bookkeeper with a copy of their Food Service benefits letter.

To those families who are contacted through the remainder of the school year, by the nurse’s office staff.

We will be excluding students we have identified as missing required vaccinations until they receive them. We have exhausted our efforts at getting those done.

To prevent a delay in enrolling in the fall, those students who are missing any vaccinations will be called to the nurse’s office and parent/guardian will be called to pick them up.

If you believe you have a student in need of a required vaccine please feel free to call 913-993-9704 or 913-993-6916.

There are community based supports that we may recommend so that your student may remain in school.

We are here to help!

Keeping our Students Healthy

You may have recently heard news reports about increases of illness including allergies this spring, as is typical with this time of year. In SMSD, we have begun to see increases in absence due to illness; with a few physician diagnosed illnesses and many generalized symptoms.

One of the most important things to help decrease the spread of illness is for those who are not feeling well to stay home. If your child has a temperature of over 100.0 or has vomited or has had diarrhea, they must stay home. Students may return to school when they have been free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours.

Your child may also be ill, but without these symptoms. They may have a sore throat, headache, cough, or generally not feel well. If you suspect illness, please keep your child home. If in doubt about sending your child to school, contact the school nurse or your child’s doctor.

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

• April 27: Last late start of the school year
• May 5 : North Relays
• May 17: Graduation

https://smnorth.smsd.org/students/counseling

The theme of the month for BRICK time is citizenship, and we are focusing on digital citizenship during our presentations. Here is a resource from our SRO.

LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT:

JCPRD Lifeguards Aquatic Jobs | Johnson County Park & Rec, KS (jcprd.com)

Advance Auto Parts - Click here to apply

Charlie's Car Wash - Two Overland Park locations - stop by or go to charlies.com

Creative Carnivals & Events part time help. Email kevin@carnivallady.com

Crown Center Ice Terrace - click here to apply

Freddy's - freddys.com/careers

Jefferson's - Hiring Kitchen staff - call 1-785-727-3000

Overland Park, City of - apply at recruit.opkansas.org

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

Stretch Lab - Leawood and Overland Park locations hiring - Click here

Stanley Steamer - Career opportunies - Email: dfry@steemer.com

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

Tidal Wave Auto Spa - Click Here

Go to student services for more information.

Softball: Kelsey Hoekstra threw a gem on Thursday for the Bison, allowing zero runs and besting Olathe North by a score of 7-0.Shawnee Mission North fired up the offense in the second inning. An error scored three runs for the Bison. Hoekstra earned the win for SMN. The righty lasted seven innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out 11 and walking one. Brooklyn Bonewits, Tyra Wright, Alyson Worthy, Hoekstra, and Eve Frame all managed hits for the Bison.

A walk-off single left SMN on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat to Olathe Northwest on Tuesday afternoon. A true pitcher's duel, both arms were strong on the mound. The Raven's pitcher struck out 18 while Kelsey Hoekstra wrung up 12 of her own. The table was set for North in the 7th after a bunt single for Reese Waters and an intentional walk for Hoekstra. With runners in scoring position, Madison Bruson singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one to tie the game. Bruson, Hoekstra, and Waters led the Bison offensively with one hit a piece.

Tennis

The boys varsity tennis team traveled to Olathe North for a dual match. The number 1 doubles pair of Cohen Woller and Porter Lee played smart and steady, eventually winning their match 8-5. The team of Oliver Goering and Sammy Shriver fought hard in their match eventually falling in a tiebreaker 8-7(3) In singles the boys fought hard but were unable to win a singles match. Number 1 singles player Porter Lee dropped a close match 8-7(5). The boys varsity team is back in action on 4/18/23 against SMNW.

Golf

Senior Jason Culp (95) and Junior Nathan Oberle (97) led North today at Village Greens Golf Course. Juniors Aiden Wiegers (103) and Robert Wilson (112) rounded out the scoring.North golfers are continuing to improve as they prepare for the Ryder Cup Tournament at Tomahawk Hills next Wednesday April 26.

Baseball

Late Score Costs Shawnee Mission North Against DeSoto HS. Saturday's game against DeSoto HS was a heartbreaker for Shawnee Mission North, as they lost the lead late in a 3-2 defeat. The game was tied at two with DeSoto HS batting in the bottom of the fifth when Jack Millman singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. The pitching was strong on both sides. DeSoto HS pitchers struck out three, while Shawnee Mission North sat down five. In the bottom of the fourth inning, DeSoto HS tied things up at two. DeSoto HS scored one run when Nathan Mall doubled. Austin Lindsay was on the hill for DeSoto HS. The pitcher surrendered two runs on five hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking zero. Cale Fossett was on the pitcher's mound for Shawnee Mission North. The righthander allowed 11 hits and three runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking zero. Emmit Gates threw one-third of an inning in relief. Norman Davis Jr, Ethan Jones, Gates, Hunter Calkins, Cade Austin, and Jack Taylor each collected one hit to lead Shawnee Mission North.

Shawnee Mission North fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 12-9 loss to STA on Thursday. STA scored on a triple by Cru Huenfield in the first inning, a single by Blake O'Brien in the first inning, a home run by Eddie Henheik in the first inning, and a single by Ashton Larson in the second inning. Despite the loss, Shawnee Mission North did collect 13 hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, STA had ten hits on the way to victory. Jacob Bitper led things off on the mound for STA. The bulldog went one inning, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out one and walking zero. Drake Frame started the game for Shawnee Mission North. The pitcher went two innings, allowing ten runs on eight hits and striking out two. Jett Messenger and Nate Doolin entered the game as relief, throwing two innings and two innings respectively. Shawnee Mission North tallied 13 hits on the day. Jack Taylor, Cade Austin, Cale Fossett, Hunter Calkins, Messenger, and Norman Davis Jr all had multiple hits for Shawnee Mission North. Davis Jr, Messenger, Calkins, Fossett, Austin, and Taylor all had two hits to lead Shawnee Mission North. STA racked up ten hits. Larson and Henheik each collected multiple hits for STA.

Shawnee Mission North struggled to get their offense going on Friday, getting easily dispatched by Ottawa Varsity Cyclones, 7-1. Ottawa Varsity Cyclones scored four runs in the fifth inning. The big inning for the Ottawa Varsity Cyclones came thanks to singles by Carter Hepner, Keegan Riemer, and Owen Blaine and a double by Jake Titus. Tj Kerns toed the rubber for Ottawa Varsity Cyclones. The righty went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six. Jack Taylor started the game for Shawnee Mission North. The pitcher went four innings, allowing four runs on three hits and striking out five. Jett Messenger threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. Ethan Jones went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Shawnee Mission North in hits. Ottawa Varsity Cyclones collected eight hits on the day. Titus and Riemer each collected multiple hits for Ottawa Varsity Cyclones. Ottawa Varsity Cyclones were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Brandon Reynolds had the most chances in the field with seven.

On Tuesday, SMN fell to Lawrence HS in a pitching duel, 2-1,

SM North Summer Camp Information and registration information is available on the SMN Bison Website. We’re excited for your student to join us this year.

Physicals for 2023-2024: Just a reminder for those that may be new to this. Any physical and concussion form that is dated after May 1st can be used for the 2023-24 school year. So while these forms are posted on the district website, you will want to wait until after May 1st to schedule a physical exam.

Save the Date:

• Wednesday, April 26 National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing in the FH
  

• Friday, May 5 North Relays

If you need to visit with varsity spring coaches please see the information:

Varsity Baseball Coach

Rusty Jones

btl359@gmail.com

Twitter: @SMN_Baseball

Varsity Girls Softball Coach

Julie True coachtrue22@gmail.com

Twitter: @SMNorthSoftball

Varsity Tennis Coach

Steven Alcala

Stevenalcala6@gmail.com

Twitter: @SMNtennis

Varsity Golf Coach

Walter Mansfield

Waltermansfield@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNgolf

Varsity Track and Field Coach

Aaron Davidson

Aarondavidson@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNTrack

Varsity Girls Swim and Dive Coach

Kailey Morash

Kaileymorash@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNGirlsSwim

Varsity Girls Soccer Coach

Jaime Velez

Jaimevelezacosta@smsd.org

Twitter: @smngirlssoccer

JOIN OUR 3&2 BASEBALL UMPIRE ACADEMY

3 & 2 Baseball Program / JOCO Recreation is recruiting baseball umpires: REGISTER HERE https://bit.ly/3FSVn2U or call 913-401-6000 &/or email 3and2UIC@gmail.com

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?

• 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

April & May SMN All-Activities Booster Club Events & Volunteer Opportunities -

• The SMN All-Activities Booster Club will be hosting the concessions at NORTH RELAYS (the largest high school track meet in Kansas) onFRIDAY, MAY 5 from NOON-9PM and we need your help!!

• Proceeds from this event will go to our grant program which directly benefits student clubs, groups and teams at North!
• Volunteer opportunities are available for set-up, grilling, serving food, and clean-up. Click on the link below for more info and to sign-up
• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4eafa62fabf58-north1#/
  

The SMN BOOSTER CLUB online store is ALWAYS OPEN!

SMN 100th Anniversary Spirit Wear items are now 25% off - use the coupon code 100YEAR when purchasing online!

You can also order your gear through our online store using the link or QR code below…

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

• 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://smnorthptsa.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

Click here for the SMSD Website

As the winter months approach, it is especially important for our community members to be aware of inclement weather procedures and how they can be alerted if plans for building closures are announced.

Procedures

If conditions make it necessary for the SMSD to close schools, the district will implement one of three plans: A, B, or C.

Click here to view the plans.

Inclement Weather Announcements

If plan A, B, or C is announced, this information will be shared broadly.

Staff and families can receive direct emails, texts, and voice messages.

Families can sign up to receive alerts in the manner that works best for them.

Click here for details on how to sign up for alerts.

Additional Resources:

The main page of the district website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Local radio and television stations

24-hour information line at (913) 993-7380

No announcement will be made when schools are to remain open.

• ** 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.