
NORTH NEWS October 10th
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS
Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
We have a unique schedule this week. Please take a look at our schedule below, and let us know if you have questions. We are also wrapping up the 1st quarter this week, so please assist us in alerting your student to any missing assignments before the end of the week!
Monday: "T" Day (students attend all seven classes for 50 minutes)
Tuesday: "O" Day (students attend blocks 1,3,5,7)
Wednesday: National Day of testing schedule
- Students taking PSAT or ACT will be in testing locations 7:40-12:00 (attendance taken)
- Seniors excused and encouraged to explore opportunities for their future.
- All other students will participate in the following activities:
- 7:40-9:00- students in seminar classrooms with seminar teachers.
- 9:05-11:40- students participating in different activities in different locations based on their grade (9-11).
- 11:45-12:15- 10th/11th students and 10th/11th seminar teachers take lunch while 9th grade students are in seminar with their seminar teachers.
- 12:30-1:00- 9th grade students and their seminar teachers take lunch while 10th and 11th graders are in seminar with their seminar teachers.
- 1:00 early dismissal; 1:07 busses depart
- NO after school tutoring on 10/12/22
- Staff Professional Learning after the Early Release
Thursday: Late Start "E" day (students attend blocks 2,4,6 and seminar)
Friday: No School (Teacher Work Day)
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NEWS & UPDATES FROM SM NORTH
NO Student Parking in the Front Circle
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parents and Guardians,
Please be aware that in conjunction with the end of the 1st quarter this Friday, Shawnee Mission North will be hosting two opportunities to touch base via face-to-face or WebEx with teacher’s about your student’s progress thus far in their classes. The first available conference time is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th from 5pm to 8pm. The second opportunity to conference with teachers is Friday, October 21st from 7:40am to 2:40pm. Both conference times are by appointment only for 10 minute time slots.
Parents will schedule conferences through Skyward. Directions on how to do this are included here.
Directions to Sign Up:
1. Log into your parent account in Skyward. https://skyward.smsd.org/
2. Click on “Conferences” on the left hand navigation
3. Click on “All Conferences”
4. Click on “Select a Time” for the class you would like to schedule a conference for
5. Find the time slot that works for you to have the conference and click “Select” and then “Save”
6. You will repeat this process for each conference you would like to schedule.
7. You will then receive an email for each time slot you select for your student.
The intent of parent-teacher-student conference is to provide positive dialogue between parents, students, and teachers to help our students succeed here at North. Please make sure you bring your student with you to the conferences. If they absolutely can’t attend, please have a conversation with them beforehand so you have some background information about the class you are having a conference.
NJROTC members will be around SMN to guide and direct parents and patrons to the correct location; Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available both days to assist families. Spanish-speaking parents that need assistance signing up for conference via Skyward, please contact Maria Diaz-Lorenzana at 913-993-0277 or email her at marialorenzana@smsd.org.
Thank you,
SMN Administration
After School Tutoring is back!
We will have tutoring after school in the Learning Commons every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00-4:20. With this opportunity also comes FREE meals for students who stay. These can be picked up in the cafeteria at 2:50 and must be consumed on campus. FREE late busses will be available to bring students home anywhere in the North attendance area. Busses will leave from the cafeteria doors in the front circle drive at 4:30. Students must have a pass from a staff member to ride the free bus.
Safety and Security at SM North
- We have seen an increasing trend of fake or "prop" money on campus. Please encourage your student to avoid exchanging money at school as well as to avoid bringing these types of items.
- We also remind students "if they see something or hear something, say something". The more information we have, the more support we can give to maintaining a safe, learning environment.
- As we continue to raise awareness of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors both in and out of school, one resource is MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), who will again be in the building this month presenting to students.
How to order your school pictures
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.
Student ID Cards
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.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS:
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, nurse's aide
Senior Ad in the 2023 SM North yearbook - Deadline Oct 14th
The first deadline is This Friday October 14
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 .
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:
Weekly Schedule Reminders....
Please always check the school calendar for the most up to date schedule SMN Calendar
- Wednesday 10/12 - Testing day, Early release 1:10
- Thursday 10/13 - Band Light Show - at the end of the V - FB game
- Friday - 10/14 - No School
- Saturday 10/15 - SMN Marching Festival - 1:00pm
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NEWS FROM STUDENT SERVICES
Check out the Student Services Website
ACT Test Prep Class
There will be an ACT Test Prep class, by Power Prep Inc, at SM West Friday, Oct. 14.
The registration link for SM North students is http://actprep.info/shawneemissionnorth.
B-ROC
If you are looking for volunteer hours, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City has some opportunities for you!
Volunteers must be 16 years old and willing to work 3-4 hours on the evening of Tuesday, November 1st. They are looking for volunteers to help with event check-in and parking attendance. Food will be provided to volunteers.
Please use these links to sign up…
- Sign Up for Parking Attendants (3:15PM to 6:30PM)
- Sign Up for Greeters/Coat Check (3:15PM to 7:30PM)
Other volunteer opportunities with Junior Achievement can also be found by contacting Sara Swearingen at sswearingen@jagkc.org.
AP Testing Information
AP Registration is open! Please follow the link below to register and pay for your AP Exam. If you already have a total registration account, please use your username or password to login.
https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/172000
You can find the AP Exam dates Here.
If you have questions, please reach out to BrittSherer@smsd.org for help.
Student JOB Postings
LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT:
Advance Auto Parts - Click here to apply
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
Tidal Wave Auto Spa - Click Here
Go to student services for more information.
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SMN Athletics & Activities
Athletic Update
- The Varsity Football team played a solid game but fell short in over-time @ Lawrence Free State , 21-27. We will celebrate senior night this Thursday evening prior to the game at 6:30pm.
- Boys Soccer: played a tough match vs ON West last Thursday evening, losing 2-0. The team hoped to bounce back this week. On Tuesday, Bison soccer played a close match through the 1st half keeping the score 1-0. Shortly into the second half Olathe East scored their second goal and would end up winning the match 5-0. The team was shut-out on Thursday against SM South, 3-nil.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball beat Lawrence High School in a thrilling 5 game match on Tuesday evening. On Thursday they played SMNW and ON. they lost to SMNW in two games but played tough verses ON winning the first losing the the 3rd game, 15
- The SMN cross country teams competed in the Baldwin Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1. Micah Blomker set a course record with his winning time of 15:13!! Diego Rojas (6th), Gage Chapman (7th) and Gavin Montagne (17th) all earned top 20 medals as well the the boys finished 2nd overall. In the girls varsity race, Brenna Murphy battled a group of girls from start to finish to earn a 3rd place finish. Brittney Betancourt (8th) had her best race of the season to finish 25 seconds behind Brenna and Oliva Burchstead (14th) also earned a top 2 medal. Our girls 1-5 split was the best it has been this season with a 2:02 margin, and Erika Nunez Siguenza was only 9 seconds off her PR while Stephanie Moncada Zayas ran her fastest time of the season. The girls finished 3rd. In the JV races, two freshmen led the way for the JV boys...Klaus Scharenberg led our JV with a 17th place finish and Tate Coe barely missed out on the medals with a 21st place finish. In the girls race, Abigail Weding (19th) and another freshman Mclean Williams (20th) earned medals! Both JV teams finished 3rd and the JV teams brought home a combined total of 17 season best marks.
- The SM North Gymnastics team has competed in a number of weekly meets and are improving every week. The girls will attend the All-around meet at SM South on Thursday evening before state competition the following week.
- Girls Golf: The team competes in 6A regionals today at Brookridge Golf Course in Overland Park at 12:00pm.
- The Girls Tennis team completed their season at 6A regional tennis at LFS on Friday. The girls competed in matches last week vs Olathe North, SMNW and SM East.
- Unified Bowling attends their first meet this week on Wednesday at Mission Bowl at 3:30pm.
SMSD will host a college eligibility informational session on Monday, October 17 at 7:00pm @ SM West. It’s never too early to begin this process.
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
Boys Soccer Varsity Coach: Jaime Velez
Girls Tennis Varsity Coach: Andrew Lause
Assistant coach in building - Amanda Polking
Gymnastics Varsity Coach: Sarah Hink (teacher at SMNW) |
Assistant Coach: Morgan Hoffman (teacher at Mill Creek Elementary)
Girls Golf Varsity Coach: Walter Mansfield
Girls & Boys Cross-Country Varsity Coach: Aaron Davidson
Volleyball Varsity Coach: Riann Hill
Unified Bowling Coaches: Robyn Barreca and David Langton.
Important Athletic 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
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
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Student Recognition
Congratulations to the DECA students who competed for the first time this year on Friday. We had 8, yes 8 category winners as well as a number of 2nd and 3rd place finishers.
Winners included: Ben Cloud, Maggie Bartlett, Mallory LaBrasca, Carley Miller, Eli Redmond, Miguel Tapia-Becerra and Scarlett Marchman. 2nd place finishers included Jack Dunker, Sara Khan and Lily Smith. Those students finishing 3rd were Mirian Castro and Angie Fernandez-Alvarez.
Many other students finished in the top 3 in individual Role Plays, team role plays or tests.
The next DECA competition is at Blue Valley High School on October 19th. Good luck to all members of the North DECA team!
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Student Council Information
NEWS AND UPDATES
SMN’s annual bonfire is BACK and will be held on October 12th in the East parking lot. It is scheduled to start around 7/sundown. Senior athletes may be asked to be there earlier as Pep Club would like to include them in the festivities. Students, family, and the community are encouraged to come out and celebrate the successful Fall season we’ve had as we near the end of the first quarter. Many sports will be hosting Senior Night that week or the next, and we want to celebrate with as many Bison as possible!
Reminder: The canned food drive is coming up, so be sure to start saving up your cans! More information about the canned food drive to come
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SMN PTSA
PTSA update
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
SMN BOOSTER CLUB
CONGRATS to the following groups at North that were awarded a total of $11,055 in grants at the September All-Activities Booster Club meeting...
SMN Cheer and Pep Club - Bison Banner and Flag
SMN Cheer - 100 Pink Poms
SMN Band - New Marching Banner
SMN PE Dept and Athletics - 250 locks for lockers
SMN Football, PE Dept, and Athletics - Athletic timing system and Jump Ease
SMN Girls Basketball - New Warm-Ups
THANK YOU to the North Community for supporting SMN Booster Club fundraising efforts to make these grants possible!!
**Funding for the SMN All-Activities Booster Club Grant Program comes from memberships, spirit wear sales, and our annual fundraisers (Trivia Night & Golf Tournament)**
The SMN Booster Club is looking for volunteers to assist with spirit wear sales at the football game, THIS Friday, Sept 30 from 7:00-8:45pm. Click on the link below for more info and to sign-up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4eafa62fabf58-help2
2022-23 SMN All-Activities Booster Club Meeting Dates:
Oct 17, Nov 14, Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 17 (meetings are held at 6:30pm – Nov & Jan will be on Zoom)
Purchase SMN Spirit Wear, Booster Club Memberships, and Sports Fast Passes at our online store (link below) - check out our NEW gear and 100th Anniversary items!!
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News from SMSD
SMSD Website
FOOD SERVICE
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.
Transportation Update - Sign up for Text Notifications
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.
SMAC PTA Clothing Exchange
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.
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TECHNOLOGY CORNER
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
Canvas and Skyward Parent Accounts
- ** 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”
- In your student’s Canvas account have your student click on “Account” (Top Left)
- Click on “Settings” > then click on “Pair with Observer” (Right side)
- 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.