Important Numbers
Main Office – 993-7800
Student Services Office – 993-7830
Attendance Hotline – 993-7845 Please call this number to report an absence
Spanish Interpreter – 993-7840
Oficina Principal – 993-7800
Oficina de Los Consejeros – 993-7830
Línea de Asistencia 24 horas al día – 993-7845 Por favor,
Intérprete de español – 993-7840
Attendance
You can leave a message at anytime. Staff listens to messages and processes them in the order that they are received, so it is suggested to allow at least 30 minutes of time before you need your student released.
Students need to stay in their class until the pass is delivered to them.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Gracias a aquellos de ustedes que están llamando a la línea de asistencia al 993-7845 para reportar una ausencia.
Puede dejar un mensaje en cualquier momento. El personal escucha los mensajes y los procesa en el orden en que se reciben, por lo que se sugiere que permita al menos 30 minutos de tiempo antes de que necesite liberar a su estudiante.
Los estudiantes deben permanecer en su clase hasta que se les entregue el pase.
Gracias por su cooperación.
Bell Schedule
Below you will find an image of our Bell Schedule.
-Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 7:40am-2:40pm school day.
-Thursdays are Late Start Thursdays 8:40-2:40 school day.
Busses run normally on late start days - there is no change in the pick up times on late start days.
Students will arrive to school and will be directed to go to the bridge, the gym or the cafeteria until the 8:30 bell rings. All students will then be released to their 2nd block classes that will begin at 8:40am.
Important Upcoming Dates
10/21 - Odd Block Schedule
10/21 - PTSA Meeting 6:30pm.
10/22 - Even Block Schedule
10/23 - All Block Schedule
10/24 - Even Block Schedule
10/25 - Odd Block Schedule
10/25 - Yearbook Group Photos
10/28 - Yearbook Photo Retakes
10/30 - Safe Trick-or-Treat 6-7:30pm (West student leaders will organize and implement for elementary students in our feeder pattern.
Our SM West calendar is linked in the smswest.smsd.org website under "Calendar."
Pre-Act for Freshman
On Wednesday October 23rd, our 9th grade students will be taking the Pre-ACT as part of a district-wide testing initiative to give our students earlier access to practice experiences for the ACT and to learn more about their college and career readiness.
This will be an all-period day, and students will participate in testing in Blocks 1-4 while attending their regular classes in Blocks 5-7. Students receiving IEP or 504 accommodations on the exam may be testing into the afternoon. If that is the case, they will be excused from their classes.
To support your student in this testing experience, you can:
Encourage your student to get a good night of sleep on Tuesday evening.
Encourage your student to eat breakfast the morning of the test – breakfast is available daily in the cafeteria prior to the start of school.
Ask your student to bring a No. 2 pencil and a calculator (if available). We will have only a limited number of calculators available in each testing room.
Remind your student that testing rosters will be posted in the main entrance and throughout the building to help guide them to the proper testing location. This will also be discussed in their seminar classes on Tuesday.
Parents and guardians do have the ability to opt out of the test on behalf of their student. If you do not want your student to take this exam, please contact Dr. Markley at dianemarkley@smsd.org no later than Tuesday October 22nd at 2:30 PM. Please place “Pre-ACT Opt Out” in the subject line of your message.
West Safe Trick or Treat
FCCLA and NHS are sponsoring a Safe Trick or Treat for our Shawnee Mission West community. Children up to 3rd grade are welcome to attend.
This is a free event. We suggest bringing canned food donations to support Shawnee Mission West’s Food Pantry.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Shawnee Mission West cafeteria.
If your club or activity wants to participate by hosting a table, contact Mrs. Freberg in room 164.
Yearbook group photos
Yearbook group photos are Friday, Oct. 25 in the aux gym. Students should ask to be dismissed 5-ish minutes ahead of the scheduled time for their group to head to the aux gym. They should return promptly.
Picture day- LAST CHANCE!
If you didn’t get your yearbook picture taken in August, your last chance is Monday, Oct. 28. Inter-State Studio will be in the library all day!
This is for all grade levels.
HERE is a list of students who have not been photographed yet.
Yearbook orders and senior tribute orders
FOR ALL PARENTS- yearbook orders
Make sure you have reserved your student’s copy of the 2025 Saga yearbook! Yearbooks are $55 and you can pay with your school fees, or you can order online HERE. After Feb. 14, the price will increase to $70, and they will be available on a first-come, first-serve until we run out. Order now if you would like to be guaranteed a yearbook!
Yearbooks will be distributed in May.
FOR SENIOR PARENTS- senior tribute ads- you stil have time!
As the parent of a senior, you have the special opportunity to place a congratulatory tribute for your son or daughter in the 2025 yearbook. Even though the book doesn’t come out until May, now is the time to prepare your senior tribute.
Click HERE to find detailed information about ordering your senior tribute. The deadline is Friday, Nov. 1. You can order and pay for tributes HERE.
Elementary school groups are part of the senior ad section. A student or parent from that school should coordinate taking a photo, collecting the money and paying for the tribute.
Xanadu - Upcoming Musical Performance
Family and Friends of the Xanadu Cast & Crew:
Spotlighters, is a parent-run organization dedicated to fostering the performing arts at Shawnee Mission West High School. They are selling family ads along with tweets for the Xanadu program.
These are the options available for purchase if you wish:
Family Ads*
These can contain verbiage and photos submitted by you. All ads will be black and white and run only in the Xanadu program. Pricing depends on the desired size.
Full page - $100, includes up to 8 photos
Half page - $60, includes up to 4 photos
Quarter page - $40, includes up to 2 photos
Business card - $25, includes 1 photo
Please note that the deadline for ordering an ad will be Friday, October 25! It takes our creative team awhile to compile these, so please be considerate of the established deadline. We want to get our programs to press on time.
Link to order a family ad: https://forms.gle/fmp6uvyvDd5NkGfu6
Photos should to be emailed to: SMWspotlighters@gmail.com with your honoree's name in the subject line.
Tweet Ads*
Also this year, a text only option is available for $5. It must be less than 140 characters. These are due Friday, November 1.
Link to order: https://forms.gle/U4diVUnTjxhPNVfx8
* The payment deadline for Family and Tweet ads is Friday, November 1. Money can be given to me or paid online (see the form for instructions). For your convenience, the link to online payment is: https://shawnee-mission-west-spotlighters.square.site/
Lastly, everyone is invited to become a member of Spotlighters. See https://smwspotlighters.com/join-spotlighters/ for details on how to do that.
Class Rings
Sophomore and Junior Parents,
Welcome to Jostens. We will be working with your school next week to help students order their class rings. Please watch the short video below for important info and a schedule of events.
RING ORDER DUE DATE: Tuesday, October 29th!
Class Jewelry Info and Schedule of Events: https://teamjostens.com/smw-2862
Thanks!
Jeff Heline
Jostens of NE Kansas
785-843-2967
Updates District Updates To Automated Attendance Phone Calls
In order to inform parents of daily unexcused absences, the district utilizes automated calling based on attendance in Skyward. This fall, in taking steps to improve communication related to student attendance, we updated the calling system. Calls are made at 11AM and 4PM for any student absences that are unexcused in the Skyward System at the time the system is set to call.
Please note that if you receive a call and have previously left a message on the school attendance line, you do not need to call again and may disregard the automated call.
If you receive a call and did not call in to excuse the absence for your child, we ask that you do contact the school so we can communicate on a plan to support your child’s attendance.
Updates to Course Change Procedures for 2nd Semester:
Beginning January of 2025, there will be a 3-week window for class adjustments. Beyond that cut-off date, there will be no course drops, adds, etc. - this includes for lab assistants, and/or cadets. Our school counselors will continue to have a required form that will need to be completed to request a course add/drop, but we want to ensure forward communication to our community on this new procedure.
All course add/drop requests will need to be completed by the end of the school-day, Friday, January 24.
Graduation Updates
-Important Dates for Seniors:
Deadline for ordering Graduation Announcements, Cap/Gowns, and other items is Wednesday Oct. 16th. Please use this like for your order:
Please remember, the only REQUIRED item is the cap/gown/tassel/stole unit which is $35 and will be shipped to SM West in May.
Families and students should review the Important Information Page :
Important Information - English version
Important Information - Spanish version
Seniors need to complete the google form:
GRADUATION GOOGLE FORM
Parents/guardians - complete your order from Josten’s.
Please watch the short “How To” order video for important information on how to order graduation products!
HOW TO VIDEO: https://teamjostens.com/smw
ONLY REQUIRED PURCHASE IS THE CAP/GOWN/STOLE/TASSEL - $35
Please view these instructions on how to order JUST the CAP/GOWN UNIT
Senior Sizzle Monthly Parking Spot
We are happy to announce the SMW Senior Sizzle October Parking Spot winners are Grace Gifford and Mallory Leib! Congratulations!
The NOVEMBER Senior Sizzle Parking Spot Raffle is NOW OPEN. The two parking spots are by the band/orchestra rooms with a Senior Sizzle parking sign. Anyone can purchase lottery tickets for their SMW student that has a SMW parking pass. Each raffle ticket is $5. Just scan the QR code. The money raised goes to support Senior Sizzle, a drug-and alcohol-free celebration for our seniors as they graduate high school.
Two names will be drawn on October 30th, and the winners can pick up their November parking pass from the office on October 31st. Your student can park in the prime parking spot the entire month of November!"
Panorama Survey
Summary Information for Parents/Guardians:
This school year (2024-2025) the Shawnee Mission School District is once again utilizing 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 first semester. The SMW survey is scheduled for October 22, 2024. Parents/Guardians must consent for their student(s) to participate in the Panorama survey; this would have been done during the 24-25 registration process. 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.
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. Please visit this site for more information about the Panorama SEL survey.
Información para padres/tutores - Español:
Este año escolar (2024-2025) el Distrito Escolar de Shawnee Mission está utilizando la Encuesta Panorama de Aprendizaje Social y Emocional para evaluar la perseverancia, la determinación, la cultura escolar y las relaciones entre estudiantes y maestros. La encuesta Panorama Social-Emocional tarda aproximadamente 30 a 45 minutos en completarse. La primera ventana de la encuesta está programada del 14 de octubre al 15 de noviembre de 2024. Los padres/tutores deben dar su consentimiento para que sus estudiantes participen en la encuesta Panorama; esto se habría hecho durante el proceso de registro 24-25.
Los datos de la encuesta se revisarán a nivel de distrito y salón de clases para determinar las áreas de fortaleza, así como las áreas donde se necesita más instrucción y / o apoyo. Una vez que se devuelven los resultados de la encuesta, los padres / tutores pueden ver y discutir los resultados con los maestros, trabajadores sociales y consejeros de sus estudiantes. Se pueden encontrar ejemplos de preguntas de la encuesta aquí: here y aquí: here.
Le recomendamos que visite el sitio web del Departamento de Educación del Estado de Kansas (KSDE) para obtener más información sobre cómo el Aprendizaje Social Emocional beneficia a su hijo/a y su entorno: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/Content-Area-M-Z/School-Counseling/Social-Emotional-Character-Development-Standards-Assessment-and-Instruction.
Mural Project
Shawnee Mission West High school is embarking on the greatest art project: changing the mural. We want your input! Please share stories and ideas (and even your own art!) here.
Proyecto Mural
La escuela secundaria Shawnee Mission West se embarca en el mayor proyecto artístico: cambiar el mural. ¡Queremos tu opinión! Comparte historias e ideas (¡e incluso tu propio arte!) aquí.
Performance Arts Newsletter
Thank you for supporting quality arts programs in our schools.
To paraphrase the leader of Foreigner, Mike Coppola said music and the arts can take you around the world, taking you backward and forward in time. The arts help expand the beautiful young minds of (SMSD) students.
Please enjoy the newsletter. October Newsletter
Picture Retakes
Inter-State Studios will be onsite at SM West on Monday, Oct. 28th for picture retakes. If your student was absent for the original picture days and needs to have a photo taken, or if you were wanting a new picture taken, please have your student report to the library at some point on this date.
PTSA Senior Scholarships
Seniors - PTSA has a set aside some money to provide seniors with scholarships for their post high school schooling. Only seniors that are PTSA members are eligible and you must apply for the scholarship .
Application: SM West PTSA Senior Scholarship Document 2024-2025-application check off.pdf
Positive Change
Hey West Students!
In order to make a positive change to our school climate and culture, SMW staff is rolling out prizes for students who get caught doing something positive! There are lots of ways to get caught, in and outside of class. Students will earn a certificate and their name in a drawing for a major prize. Let’s get caught doing something positive!
Notes from Nurse:
If you received an email about needed immunizations, please get the vaccines completed and the record from your provider to the Nurses Office by October 16th, 2024.
JCDHE is hosting an immunization clinic for the following:
7th and 11th graders who need:
Tdap
MCV
· Any student needing Hepatitis A
Friday, October 11 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Olathe office. Students are not in school this day.
You can send the immunization record in with your student to turn into the Nurses Office or email them to amyhall356@smsd.org
We will be doing Vision Screening for the Sophomores on Monday November 4th, 2024. Please let the nurse know if you would like to opt your student out of the screening.
Senior Sizzle Fundraiser
The Flock is back! Where will they land? For only $20, you can pick where they should land! Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior? The Flamingos are not picky!
For $100, you can buy Flock Insurance to ensure they won't land at your house!
Proceeds support the Class of 2025 Senior Sizzle Grad Night.
Donate to Send the Flock: https://smwest.givebacks.com/store/items/1078138
Parking at SM West
Parking Stickers are available to be picked up NOW at the front security office from Officer Lanning. Students should bring the completed Parking Registration Form as well as proof of purchase of the parking pass through fee payment portal.
Students are encouraged to visit the officer before or after school as well as during passing periods.
Sticker should be placed on the inside of the back car window in the lower left corner. Please read all guidelines for parking and be aware of all of the guidelines.
Permit applications can be picked up in the front office or use this link to print one for you to complete:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uj-Dy6QXVKz7IVynOCzhMe655PqQiCsl/view?usp=sharing
Technology and MacBook Help
If your student has an issue with technology we ask that you FIRST try to do some independent problem solving.
1) Try going to the SM West Website to look at the Technology Rescue Site. This google site has many solutions that students can do at home to problem solve their tech issues.
2) Go to the "Lifesaver" icon on your browser bar. This takes you to the SMSD Help Desk to complete a Help request.
3) BE PATIENT. Please wait for a staff member to call you down to the library for assistance. Please be assured that staff are working very hard to meet the needs of all of our students.
Español:
El 16 de agosto, el personal y los voluntarios distribuyeron MacBooks a los estudiantes. Si su estudiante no recibió un MacBook, por favor sea paciente. Nuestro personal de tecnología está trabajando continuamente para resolver problemas y solucionar problemas técnicos para que todos los estudiantes tengan un MacBook que funcione.
Si su estudiante tiene un problema con la tecnología, le pedimos que PRIMERO intente resolver algunos problemas de forma independiente.
1) Intente ir al sitio web de SM West para ver el sitio de Technology Rescue Site (Rescate de tecnología). Este sitio de Google tiene muchas soluciones que los estudiantes pueden hacer en casa para resolver sus problemas de tecnología.
2) Ve al icono "Salvavidas" en la barra de tu navegador. Esto te llevará al Servicio de ayuda de SMSD para completar una solicitud de ayuda.
3) SEA PACIENTE. Espere a que un miembro del personal lo llame a la biblioteca para pedir ayuda. Tenga la seguridad de que el personal está trabajando muy duro para satisfacer las necesidades de todos nuestros estudiantes.