NORTH NEWS April 8, 2024
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
Office Hours 7AM - 3:30PM
913-993-6900
Attendance Hotline (24 hours)
913-993-6945
Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS
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Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
What an amazing week! We had competitions, the spring play, concerts, and the week was capped by our NJROTC claiming three event national championships and placing 5th overall at Nationals! The next two weeks are four-day weeks, with no school taking place on Friday (4/12) and Monday (4/15). We will be running block schedules for the next two weeks.
Please continue to push your student for attendance and achievement over our last two months of the school year! This is the time where students can truly make a strong drive to academic success to close out the year. Thank you for your support and Go Bison!
Student and Staff of the Week
Student of the Week
Our Student of the Week is Gage Barron. He just unofficially set the record for sit-ups at the NJROTC National Championships (372)!
Congratulations!
Staff of the Week
Our Staff Member of the Week is Lydia Tramp. Lydia does a great job of working with and supporting our students at SMN!
NEW INFORMATION
NorthFest 2024
SMN Pep Club is hosting North Fest on April 24 from 5:30 to 8:00pm. We created this event so our future Bison and their families could join us in a celebration of our community.
There will be food trucks, outdoor games, and a neon-themed pep assembly in our field house. One-of-a-kind commemorative neon t-shirts in youth and adult sizes are available through the QR code on the poster or through this link: North Fest Neon Shirt.
Previously released information, but still important to know
Real World Learning
I am delighted to inform you about the recent launch of KC Tech Council’s LEGiT (Leadership and Empowerment for Girls in Tech) KC program. This program, backed by Meta and Panasonic among other company partners, has been meticulously designed to empower and equip female-identifying students entering their Junior (class of 2026) and Senior (class of 2025) years of high school with comprehensive tech exposure, career pathway guidance, leadership opportunities and invaluable mentorship.
Any girls interested can fill out the short application by April 15th, 2024. Previous technology experience is not a prerequisite; rather, we’re simply looking for a genuine interest in exploring the vast possibilities of a career in tech. For further information, please visit LEGiTKC.org.
ACT scores are in!
Student score reports have been delivered to SM North for the February 27th free junior ACT test. Students can pick up their individual report from the front office during passing periods, lunch or before/after school.
After School Tutoring
After school tutoring will be on Monday and Wednesday.
This will be in the Learning Commons from 3:00pm-4:20pm on Monday’s and Wednesday’s. Content teachers will be available to assist students with homework or reviewing course material. FREE meals can be picked up in the cafeteria between 2:50 and 3:00 if they are staying for tutoring. Students can ride a FREE bus home at 4:30pm with a pass from a teacher.
Student Parking Reminder
Just a reminder that students need to park in the West or East Lot. There is NO student parking in the circle drive
Attendance Reminders from the Attendance Office
- Only guardians may report their student's attendance.
- Whether a student is coming in late, leaving early, leaving and coming back during a school day, or out for a full day, it is considered an absence.
- Our Administration asks for your assistance in helping with these procedures.
- If attendance is reported on Attendance line 913-993-6945, please make sure to leave student name, the reason, your name, also leave time student is arriving or leaving.
- Students and teachers will receive an email to leave class at the appropriate time.
- If student's do not have an email pass to leave class, the student will need to come to the Attendance office and we will call a parent or guardian.
- We understand last minute appointments or last-minute checkouts may be unavoidable. If this happens, please come directly to the Attendance office and we will get your student.
- Guardians may submit attendance in advance at 913-993-6945. Attendance line is answered 24/7. If you know there will be an appointment or other obligation in advance, you may always submit ahead of time and attendance will be recorded.
- Unreported absences will be recorded as unexcused, and you will receive an automated phone call at the end of the day.
- Please report attendance within 48 hours or we will require doctor documentation to excuse the absence per district guidelines.
- We will only release students to individuals listed in Skyward by the students' guardian. Please be sure you check your emergency contact list and put all potential individuals who may need to pick up in your absence and delete individuals that you do not want to pick up your student.
School Pictures
Students and Parents – it’s not too late to order school photos from this year’s picture day.
If your student is in grade 9-11, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/2ndSMN23
If your student is a senior, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/Senphoto
If you have any questions, please contact Rolland Studios here: https://www.rollandkc.com/contact
School Fees for 2023-24 are PAST DUE!!
- Please use the online fee payment portal. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online".
- Add lunch money online using “Optional Fees”. Create an account or use the Guest option with the student’s ID number and last name.
- If you are interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, please use this link.
- Fees are needed for teachers to buy supplies for classes and to cover other expenses for the 2023-24 school year.
- The following fees are required: instructional resource fee (classroom materials), participation fee (admission home games/theatre/activity buses, etc.), ID card and course fees.
- Optional: Yearbooks are $65. Parking permits are available throughout the year and prorated by quarter.
- If you need to pay by check, please mail or bring your check with your student’s ID number in the memo to SM North, Attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66202.
- If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, email a copy of your food service benefits letter to shellelewis@smsd.org. Free lunch students receive a $105 fee waiver & reduced receive $52.50.
- For payment plans and questions, please call 913-993-6910 or email shellelewis@smsd.org. Unpaid fees may be sent to collections, so please make payment arrangements.
Staff Member of the Week
SMN Booster Club/PTSA
The April Meeting of the All-Activities Booster Club will be Monday, April 15 at 6:30pm in the SMN Learning Commons. This is our last meeting of the school year - all are welcome!
Registration is OPEN for the 17th Annual SMN Booster Club Golf Tournament!
This year's event will take place on Tuesday, June 11th at Dub's Dread Golf Course - 1:00pm start
The cost is $500/team, $125/individual, $650 for a team & sponsorship. Registration and event information is available on the attached forms.
The registration deadline is Friday, May 31, 2024.
LINK TO PAY ONLINE - https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
Last year, we had 26 teams and are always open to new teams joining us! Feel free to spread the word to others who you think might like to play! Please contact Sara Goodburn at sadigo@sbcglobal.net or 913-593-5313 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Leave a Lasting Legacy at Shawnee Mission North! Legacy Bricks are a great way to honor graduating seniors, alumni, and staff!
For a tax deductible donation of $45, an engraved brick will be added to the Legacy Brick Courtyard, located just outside the SMN stadium/pool entrance.
Please complete a separate form for each brick ordered. Payment can be made to the SMN Booster Club by check or credit card. If you have questions, please email Paula Blood at pdblood@sbcglobal.net.
Purchase SMN Spirit Wear and Booster Club Memberships at our online store (click on the link or use the QR code below)
Join PTSA and the Booster Club
The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) and the All-School Booster Club are great ways for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!
Join PTSA by clicking on this link!
Join Booster Club by clicking on this link!
All proceeds raised by both organizations directly benefit SMN students!
Paraprofessional and Food Service positions are available
If you are interested in food services positions in the SMSD, please see the image below.
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STUCO NEWS
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Upcoming Elections
Pep Club, Class Officers and Committee Heads Voting: 4/8 - 9
Prom
Prom is coming up on April 27th and will be held at the Uptown Theater! The theme is A Golden Midnight and tickets will be sold starting April 15th in the cafeteria! Each ticket will be $35 each.
News from Student Services
23-24 College Rep Visits - Sign up
Juniors and seniors may sign up for the college admission rep visits. These visits are held during school hours. (Check weekly for updated college lists, dates, and times).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn5kJr2FlCpNzF_Tu328IhA10mKWlhiAcnrZz2IOF4xD70wA/viewform
Need a summer job?
The city of Overland Park is hiring lifeguards for the summer. Must be 15 years old by May 1, 2024.,
Apply now at opkansas.org
Worlds of Fun seasonal hiring
Please see flyers below for additional information.
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Bison Athletics and Activities
Shawnee Mission North Athletics
4/8/24
Softball: SMN could not keep up with the Piper Pirates on Saturday. Madison Woodruff started the game for the Bison. The right-handed pitcher surrendered seven hits and four runs (three earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking three. Brooklyn Bonewits and Woodruff each collected one hit for the Bison.
The Bison bested the Piper Pirates on Saturday, 4-2. Piper was the first to get on the board after a sacrifice fly, but SMN came back in the 5th inning when Kelsey Hoekstra and Madison Bruson both had RBI singles. Hoekstra stepped in the circle for the Bison. The pitcher surrendered five hits and two runs over 7 innings, striking out seven. Bruson, Tyra Wright, Reese Waters, and Hoekstra all collected one hit on the day.
Bison won big over Olathe South Varsity 8-1 Tuesday. In the top of the first Haiden Peterson led off with a first pitch double. After a sac bunt by Chris Moreno, Cale Fossett brings him in after an error committed by the Falcons. In the third inning, the Bison added four in the third to make it 5-0. Cale Fossett hit an RBI Triple, Norman Davis singled, Yehidam Sierra hit into a fielder's choice, and Olathe South committed an error, each scoring a run. In the 4th inning, Cash messenger added the last tallies with a three-run home run scoring Peterson and Moreno. Messenger earned the win for the Bison, allowing three hits and only one run with 9 strikeouts in 6 2⁄3 innings, with Cale Fossett getting the final out of the game. At the plate the Bison tallied 10 hits. Haiden Peterson went 3-5, and Cash Messenger went 2-3. Cale Fossett and Moses Bortka both had multi- hit games as well. The Bison now improve to 6-1 on the season.
Baseball - Bison win pitchers duel 3-0 vs Mill Valley. Cale Fossett threw a complete game shutout against Mill Valley Jaguars. Neither team would score until the Bison put up a run in the fifth after a Cash Messenger double. Messenger would then steal third and score on a drop third strike mishandled by the Jaguars. In the 6th Haiden Peterson started the inning by reaching on an error and reaching 2nd base on the same error. Chris Moreno then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third, which Cale Fossett then got the rbi double directly after. In the 7th Chris Moreno picked up and rbi double after Yehidam Sierra reached via walk and Drew Voyles hit a single to move Sierra up to second making it 3-0. Cale Fossett picked up the win throwing 7 innings, giving up 3 hits and striking out 8 hitters on the way. Moreno, Fossett, Davis, Messenger, and Voyles all picked up a hit each in the win.The Bison will be back on the diamond Tuesday (4/9) versus the Olathe North Eagles @ ODAC and Thursday vs Shawnee Mission East at 3&2.
It was a windy/cold Wednesday afternoon at Gardner Edgerton tennis courts as the varsity boys tennis team competed against Olathe East, Olathe South, and Gardner Edgerton. Olathe East Vs Shawnee Mission North. Score 2-2 The Bison took on Olathe East to start the day. Captain Porter Lee was in a close match at 3-2 until he pulled off 5 straight games to win the match 8-2 at the 1 singles position. On the next court was Captain Cohen Woller who won a nail-biter match 8-7(4) at the 2 singles position and secured the 2-2 result against Olathe East.
Olathe South vs Shawnee Mission North. 3-1. The Bison competed hard against a very good Olathe South team. Eventually falling 3-1, the lone win came from Cohen Woller who won his match 8-4 at the number 2 singles position.
Shawnee Mission North vs Gardner Edgerton 4-0. In the last duel of the day, the Bison finished strong sweeping all four courts against GE. Cohen Woller continued his success on the day winning his match 8-3 at the 2 singles position. Furthermore the doubles pair of Captain Oliver Goering and Sammy Shriver picked up a solid win at 2 doubles 8-4. Porter Lee picked up a hard fought win after being down 3-0 to his opponent he kept fighting and eventually won the match 8-6 at the number 1 singles position. The last match of the day was Grant Nichols and Seth Heying who were down 5-1 but in typical Bison fashion they did not give up rallying behind the support of their teammates and eventually clinched the sweep winning 8-7(5). Sophomore and Captain Cohen Woller went a perfect 3-0 on the day playing at the 2 singles position adding to his match win streak that currently sits at 5. The Bison are back in action on 4/5/24 for the District Tournament.
The Bison Tennis Team competed hard but eventually finished 5th on the day at the Shawnee Mission District Tournament. At 1 singles, Porter Lee went 1-3 on the day. His win came in the 4th round beating Northwest 8-6 in a barn burner. At 2 singles, Cohen Woller went 2-2 on the day. His two wins came in the 1st round beating SMW 8-2 and beating SMNW 8-2. At 4 singles, Bryson McConeghy went 1-3 on the day. His win came in the 1st round beating SMW 8-2.
At 5 singles, Evan Keir went 1-3 on the day. His win came in the 4th round beating SMW 8-1. At 2 doubles, the pair of Sammy Shriver and Oliver Goering picked up a huge win against SMS 8-7(5) in the first round. They finished 1-3 on the day. The boys varsity team will be back in action on 4/9/24 when they take on OLE @ North.
North varsity girls soccer dropped a close game Tuesday evening in Lawrence. Senior Carmen Duarte scored the lone goal for the Bison. North is back in action this Thursday April 4th vs SMNW. Kick-off is set for 7:00pm at the Shawnee Mission Soccer Complex.
Lady Bison Girls Soccer falls short to SMNW on Thursday evening. Next up is the first home game of the season vs Olathe North. Kick off is set for 7:00pm at Shawnee Mission North District Stadium.
SM North Athletics is looking forward to hosting a multitude of athletic camps this summer. Please check out our website to select camps you're interested in your student attending.
Senior parents of student-athletes who have signed or will sign a National Letter of Intent to compete in college athletics please save the date, Wednesday, April 24th. We will celebrate in the FH at 3:00 pm. Please make sure you have reached out to our varsity coach to ensure your student-athlete is participating in this event.
Senior parents of student-athletes who earned a Sports Foundation Scholarship please save the date, Tuesday, April 23rd. We will celebrate in the Little Theater at 9:30 am.
Varsity Baseball Coach Rusty Jones Twitter: @SMN_Baseball
Varsity Girls Softball Coach
Julie True coachtrue22@gmail.com
Twitter: @SMNorthSoftball
Varsity Tennis Coach
Steven Acala
Twitter: @SMNtennnis
Varsity Golf Coach
Walter Mansfield
Twitter: @SMNboysgolf
Varsity Track and Field Coach
Mike Pope
Twitter: @SMNTrack
Varsity Girls Swim and Dive Coach
Kailey Morash
Twitter: @SMNGirlsSwim
Varsity Girls Soccer Coach
Sarah Wallace
Twitter: @smngirlssoccer
SMN Cheer Flower Sale
Please use the link below if you are interested in ordering flowers from our cheerleaders. Last day to order is April 22.
A note from the SMN Robotics Team
Robotics Team UpdateThe Nerd Herd and our robot, "You've Got Mail", closed out an impressive season this weekend at Greater Kansas City Regional. Technical problems and overall lower scoring left us short of the playoffs this time. However, our gameplay and strategy continued to improve, particularly our defense, gaining commentary from game announcers in one exciting match when You've Got Mail held off two opposing bots at once. We have much to be proud of this year and even bigger plans for next year!