Knightly News

Monday, March 17 - Friday, March 21: Spring Break!

Monday, March 24:

• Student Council Mtg 8:05A

Tuesday, March 25:

• N/A

Wednesday, March 26:

• Junior Board 7:45A

• 2025-26 Freshman StuCo Election Meeting 8:20A

• Art Club 3:50P

• Board Game Club 3:50P

• Green Team 3:50P

• 2025-26 Freshman StuCo Election Meeting 3:50P

• Girls Soccer Games @ WR 5:00P

Thursday, March 27:

• Report Cards Posted to Skyward

• Jazz Band 3:50P

• Middle School Choir Festival 7:00P

Friday, March 28:

• N/A

There will be no Academic Learning Lab (A.L.L.) for the week of March 24th following Spring Break. A.L.L. will resume the week of March 31st.

Please let Jennifer Gorniak know if you have any questions. Thank you!

The East exec members will come to IHMS on Wednesday, March 26th before school (8:25) and after school (3:45- 4:05) in room 9 to give information to students interested in running for Freshman class officers. 8th graders can attend either meeting.

Instagram: @smestuco

Students who signed up for musical crew should now have access to the Cast and Crew canvas page! (You will receive an invitation on the Canvas Dashboard.) The canvas has schedules and “to-do” items for crew members.

If you turned in a crew form but do not have access to the Canvas, please reach out to Ms Opheim ASAP. (Email below). Thank you for being patient with us while we put together a big email list–crew families will hear from us soon!

We can’t wait to have you all join Cinderella! Have a great break!

Ms. Opheim

francesopheim@smsd.org

We are proud of our facilities at Indian Hills. The turf field is conveniently located and provides a large all-weather surface for many different activities. Our turf field is regularly used by Indian Hills athletic teams after school hours. Football, Girls Soccer, and Boys Soccer have full access to the field during their respective seasons.

The IHMS field is not available for other use (even shared) when it is reserved and occupied by an athletic team or a group that has been approved through the facility rental process.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership.

Tryouts begin Monday, April 14th. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon

Indian Hills will be administering a Spring session of 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 4th quarter. Parents/Guardians must consent for their student(s) to participate in the Panorama survey; by filling out the form linked here. 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.

Survey consent form: IHMS Spring 2025 Panorama Participation Consent Form

View full information letter: Panorama Parent Information Letter

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.

Your academic goals are stepping stones to your future—set them with intention, check in on them regularly, and keep pushing forward. Progress doesn’t always happen overnight, but every effort you make brings you closer to success. One of the biggest keys to reaching your goals? Being in school every day! When you show up, you give yourself the best chance to learn, grow, and achieve your dreams. Stay focused, stay determined, and trust in your growth!

Here are a few goal ideas to consider this month:

• Attend Every Class – Show up on time, every day. The more you’re present, the more you learn!

• Finish Work on Time – Complete homework and projects before deadlines.

• Participate More – Ask questions, share ideas, and engage in class discussions.

• Study Regularly – Set a daily study time to stay on top of your learning.

• Read More – Pick books or articles to read each month.

• Prepare Early for Tests – Start reviewing at least a week before a test.

• Ask for Help – Reach out to teachers, friends, or tutors when you need support.

• Stay Organized – Use a planner or checklist to keep track of assignments.

Remember, showing up every day is the first step to reaching these goals. What will you focus on this month?

Ms. Lysaught’s 8th grade Orchestra brought the magic of music to Hills Hall with a special mini concert! Students and staff got to enjoy beautiful melodies —what an amazing way to showcase their talent!

Attendance is always important but it’s extra important that students are present and on time on testing days (March 31-April 4). To encourage students to attend, we are offering several incentives throughout the week.

This year’s Yearbook theme is This is Our Year!

There are still copies available to order. Here is the link to purchase.

The Indian Hills PTA and Indian Woods PTA have teamed up to host a Screen Sanity parent night. Please join us on Tuesday, March 25 at the Shawnee Mission South Auditorium from 6pm to 7:30pm. All parents from feeder schools are also welcome to attend! Screen Sanity is a national program designed to help parents navigate our digital world and provide tips and tricks to talk to your kids about these issues. This content is designed for adults only. Please join us for this FREE EVENT!

Your student's health and safety are our top priorities, and we’re excited to share a special opportunity available to your family. While our district does not formally endorse specific organizations, we believe this is an important resource for our community.

On Saturday, April 19th, My HeartCheck will be at Shawnee Mission East High School offering comprehensive heart assessments for young people aged 8 to 25. This nationally recognized program specializes in youth heart screenings, conducted by skilled medical professionals and supervised by pediatric cardiologists.

To date, My HeartCheck has screened over 17,000 kids, identifying serious heart conditions that might otherwise go undetected. Through special arrangements, HeartChecks are being offered for the special price of only $149 (a $1,500 value when performed in a hospital).

Please note: Appointments are required, and pre-registration is essential as availability is limited. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure your child’s heart health.

We encourage you to take advantage of this life-saving opportunity.

Click Here to Learn More and SCHEDULE NOW

Don’t let cost be an issue. Financial assistance is available through valuable partnerships with the Strive for Life Foundation and Jordan Robert Mann Foundation. CLICK HERE to request assistance.