
The Cougar Connection
Weekly Update for Families - January 30, 2025
SMNW
Office Hours 7 AM - 3:30 PM
913.993.7200
Attendance
Attendance Hotline 913.993.7245 (All Day)
Attendance Office 913.993.7242 (Partial Day)
Email: lisagruman@smsd.org
Website: https://smnorthwest.smsd.org/
Location: 12701 W 67th St Shawnee, KS
Phone: 913.993.7200
X (Twitter): @smnw_office
Instagram: @smnwoffice
A note from Principal, Dr. Lisa Gruman
Dear Northwest Community,
We have been busy this week with learning activities, events and competitions, concerts, and student clubs! We are settling into the second semester and are looking forward to many exciting days ahead. We had great attendance at our Future Cougar night and it was a wonderful evening to meet our new families and future freshmen!
We hope you will join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences this upcoming week. You are welcome to stop by teachers’ classrooms with a walk-in format on Wednesday night, Feb. 5th. There will be a sign on the door if the teacher is meeting with another family, please wait and the teacher will see you when that conference is concluded. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment with individual teachers for Friday, Feb. 7th. The instructions to sign-up for conferences through Skyward are in a section below.
Friday, February 7th is also a busy night for SM Northwest as we will host Shawnee Mission South for girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball games with our Athletic Hall of Fame Induction occurring at half-time of the boys’ game. We hope you will show your Cougar Pride to come out and support our school on Friday night!
Looking ahead – please mark your calendars for our School Musical, Chicago, February 20-22 in our Greg Parker Auditorium. The musical involves so many of our kids from the actors and chorus to the pit orchestra and all of the behind the scenes work with costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, and stagecraft! We are so proud of our students and hope you can join us for an exciting evening of musical theater!
Reminder – the new semester is a great time to check your student’s emergency contacts in Skyward. Please verify those contacts are up to date. You are welcome to call our Computer Clerk, Natasha O’Donnell, at 993-7209 for assistance or by email, natashaodonnell@smsd.org.
Lastly - we are implementing the new District Wide Personal Device Policy this upcoming Monday, February 3. Please don't hesitate to reach out as questions arise.
Have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Lisa Gruman
Mark Your Calendar
February 5, 2025 - 5pm-8pm P/T Conferences
February 7, 2025 - 7pm Hall of Fame Basketball Game
February 15, 2025 - 8pm Sweetheart Dance
Feb 20, 21 & 22 - 7 pm Winter Musical
March 6, 2025 - Jazz Show Case
Parent-teacher conferences
For the Spring Semester will be held on Wednesday, February 5 from 5-8pm. You may have a quick check-in with any/all teachers you wish. Friday, February 7 conferences are from 7:30-3:30 and will be in teacher classrooms by appointment only. Please make all appointments in Skyward between Monday, 1/27 and Thursday, 2/6. Counselors and administrators will also be on-hand in the office. We hope to see you all there!! Any questions, contact stefanieforbes@smsd.org or Stefanie at 913.993.7356.
Conferences times will be available for Friday in Skyward beginning on Monday, January 27. Please complete appointment requests by Thursday, 2/6. Desplácese más allá del inglés para obtener instrucciones en español.
Link to Instructions for Skyward Conferences on the app
Online Absence Reporting
Online Absence Reporting
This option is for reporting all day absences and late arrivals only.
When requesting an early dismissal please call 913-993-7242 or email jamieprosser@smsd.org
Winter weather is here and we want to be sure families are as ready as possible for possible schedule changes or inclement weather cancellations. As of December 5, 2024, the Shawnee Mission School District has updated its inclement weather plans to include Plan C- which includes a 2-hour delay option. This new option aligns us with our neighboring districts in Johnson County and will facilitate common decision-making with regard to inclement weather. Please review the district’s inclement weather procedures on this website: https://www.smsd.org/families/weather
From our Northwest Counselors
Zach Cash A-D zacharycash@smsd.org
Barb Legate E-J barbaralegate@smsd.org
Katie Cole K-Pe katherinecole@smsd.org
Jessica Andrade Pf-R (ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org
Jordan Landis S-U jordanlandis@smsd.org
Erica Jablonski V-Z (RWL) ericajablonski@smsd.org
COLLEGE CREDIT DEADLINES
Please see the SMNW STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE for more information on the following Real World Learning events!
Free Parenting Event!
information and registration form for the free parenting event to be held at Trailridge Middle School on Wednesday, February 12th 5:45-8 pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1131393411149?aff=oddtdtcreator
College Now Enrollment Spring 2025
Spring enrollment is now open! DEADLINE: February 14
Please follow the steps outlined on the website, or check your inbox for an email with more information about your student’s specific course requirements.
- AP Macroeconomics (ECON 230) Mr. Wolfe
- Honors ELA 4 (ENGL 122) Dr. Lopez-Boren
- Prerequisite(s): ENGL 121 Composition I with a D or better; OR AP English Language and Composition 3.
- Spanish 4 (FL 131) Ms. Menssen
- AP European History (HIST 130) Mr. Wolfe or Mr. Boren
- AP US History (HIST 141) Mrs. Anthony
- AP Calculus BC (MATH 242 Calc II) Mrs. Barger
- Prerequisite(s): MATH 241 Calculus I with a C or better; OR AP Calc AB 3 or AP Calc BC 3 (composite score or AB subscore).
- Intro to Business (BUS 121) Mr. Nesselhuf FREE Excel in CTE Course!
- Business Management (BUS 241) Mr. Nesselhuf FREE Excel in CTE Course!
Questions? Contact your student’s alpha counselor.
Summer Internship Opportunities
YEP Internship - Empowering Future Entrepreneurs! Application Due February 1, 2025!
🗓️ Compensation: Students will receive a $2,500 scholarship ($1,250 per session) upon completion of the program and compensation of $12 per hour
📅 Application Deadline: February 1st, 2025
📅 Program Dates: (40 hours / week)--Students can apply for one or both sessions!
Session 1 (June 2nd - June 27th)
Session 2 (July 7th - August 1st)
📍 Who Can Apply: High school students that will have completed 11th or 12th grade
STAHR Scholars Healthcare Program at UMKC - Application Due February 15, 2025!
🗓️ Compensation: active scholars receive a stipend
📅 Program Dates: June 9 - July 18 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm)
📍 Who Can Apply: 3.0 min GPA, Current 10th, 11th and 12th graders, from disadvantaged background
ProX Summer Internship (Any Career Pathway!) - Application Due March 15!
🗓️Compensation: $1250 stipend + 1.0 HS Elective Credit + MVA designation on transcript
📅 Program Dates: June/July, 5 Weeks (26 hours/week)
📍 Who Can Apply: Current 9-12 Graders (ask about transportation if needed)
PTSA Updates
February Northwest News
The February edition of Northwest News is packed with info and available now! CLICK HERE to
read and stay informed!
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Please take a moment to become a member! Our 2024/2025 membership goal is 125 and we currently have 115 members. Becoming a member doesn't commit you to volunteering, it simply supports what our PTSA does for NW students, staff, and families! CLICK HERE to join.
There's No Place Like Northwest!
After Prom '25 - There's No Place Like Northwest - is coming on April 12! SMNW After Prom is a party with a purpose, giving junior, seniors, and their guests the opportunity to gather and celebrate safely and smartly! The After Prom committee has been working behind the scenes for months already on this huge undertaking which includes inflatables, casino and carnival games, snacks and drinks, and AMAZING PRIZES!
Our entire school community is needed to make this an event succeed! Volunteer opportunities will be coming soon, but donations toward After Prom can be made anytime (quickly and easily) online or through Venmo! Please visit the After Prom page HERE for full details on how to donate or become a sponsor, upcoming fundraisers, and more!
Kendra Scott Gives Back!
Valentines Day is coming up! Kendra Scott is generously donating 20% of sales on December 1 & 2 to After Prom! Stop in the plaza store on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 3-5 pm to enjoy a beverage and pick out or customize a piece. You can also shop online or in store ANY TIME on Feb. 1 & 2 and use the giveback code to have your purchases applied to the fundraiser. This is a great fundraiser to share with out of town family who might want to support SMNW After Prom! See the flyer below for the code. Happy shopping!
Save the Date - Mental Fitness
Join us on February 19 for a guest speaker on the topic of Mental Fitness. Learn mental resistance tools and tips on active listening! Attend and change your child's life forever! (See flyer below.)
Sweetheart Dance - February 15
The annual Sweetheart Dance is coming up on February 15! Donation of snack/drink items are needed as well as parent volunteers! Please see the link here and consider contributing!
Concessions Volunteers Needed
We are in need of concession volunteers during basketball games on Friday February 14. Proceeds will support After Prom, so this is a great way to donate a bit of your time to support this event - and a way for students to earn service hours! Sign up here.
SMNW Yard Signs
The spring yard sign order is open now through March 5. Activity riders are available for any SMNW sport, club, activity, organization, etc.! The next opportunity to order will be in the fall, so now is a great time to get your riders to have in time for fall activities when school starts! Order HERE.
Class of '25 Grad Signs
Celebrate your upcoming graduate with a (BIG!) SMNW Class of '25 yard sign! Only 40 signs are available and when they're gone, they're gone! CLICK HERE to order.
NW Athletic Links
ALL-SPORT PASSES NOW AVAILABLE FOR 24-25 SMNW ATHLETICS
All Sports Passes are now available for purchase! All ticket sales including the All Sports Pass are available digitally through GoFan!
All Sports Passes are ONLY available in the digital format. You will have access to your All Sports Pass through the GoFan platform throughout the entire school year. There are two types of individual sports passes:
(1) Individual Sports Pass–Adult: Admits one adult with the cost being $75
(2) Individual Sports Pass–Student: Admits one person, who is not a SMNW student (with valid ID) to get into games. Please remember that all individuals grades K-12 are considered students. Cost is $50
The Shawnee Mission Northwest All Sports Pass allows you to pre-purchase your admission to Shawnee Mission Northwest regular season home regular season athletic events. This convenient option can allow for quicker access by eliminating the need for cash at the entrance gates. The All Sports Passes are not valid for KSHSAA post-season events and regular season tournaments hosted by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.
In summary, two different passes available:
Individual Pass–Adults are $75.00
Individual Pass–Students are – $50
See below to order your individual passes today. For questions contact the SMNW Athletic Office at 913-993-7400 or email angelogiacalone@smsd.org
Note from Athletic Director, Angelo Giacalone
The action is starting to wind down in several sports, being in the final month for wrestling, bowling and boys swimming and diving.
As a reminder this Friday is SMNW Hall of Fame Induction as Molly Born and Quentin Hammontree will be brought in as the Class of 2025. These inductions will occur at halftime of the boys basketball game vs SMS on Feb. 7th.
To keep up with all the action we have this week's EveryDay Champion News for the week of Feb. 3rd. See the link below. As always if questions please reach out to Mr. Giacalone or Mrs. Alvey. You can call the athletic department at 913-993-7400. We welcome you to the "HOME OF EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS!"
Northwest Yearbook Information:
A Word from Nurse, Wendy Woods
Your SMNW student may be missing KS state required immunizations. These may include any Meningitis ACWY for Juniors 16 years or older (this is a 2-dose shot and the first should have been received in 7th grade) or they may be missing other state required immunizations. If this is the case please see the attachment for an upcoming immunization clinic at the health department.
Thank you, Nurse Wendy Woods
Please provide proof of vaccination to the nurse aid or I. You can email this to myself at wendywoods@smsd.org or the nurse aid Brenda Renteria at brendarenteria@smsd.org.
Please turn any athletic papers to the athletic secretary in the main office.
I would also like to introduce our new health office nurse aid Brenda Renteria; she will be helping with vaccinations, paperwork and everyday office needs.
Feel free to email or call with any questions or concerns about your student’s health or vaccine needs! You can reach me, Wendy Woods (nurse) at 913-993-7216 or Brenda Renteria (nurse aid) at 913-993-7606.
Thank you,
Wendy Woods, RN, BSN, MSN
NW Nurse
Medications at School:
Immunizations and Physicals: