IHMS Weekly News
January 21 - 28, 2022
Upcoming IHMS Events
Monday, 01/24:
- Dreaming of Kindness- Wear Pajamas!
- 3:50 Academic Learning Lab
3:50 Cheer Club
5:00 Boys Basketball at IH vs. TR
Tuesday, 01/25:
- Crazy for Kindness- Do Crazy Hair!
3:50 Academic Learning Lab
3:50 Cheer Club
3:50 Jazz Band
6:00 SPED Parent Transition Meeting in Library
Wednesday, 01/26:
- Powered by Kindness- Wear A Superhero Shirt!
8:20 School Store Open
3:50 Academic Learning Lab
3:50 Board Game Club
3:50 Multicultural Club
3:50 Cheer Club
Thursday, 01/27:
- Peace, Love and Kindness- Wear Tie Dye and Peace Signs!
7:45 Junior Board
3:50 Academic Learning Lab
3:50 Art Club
3:50 Chess Club
3:50 Nancy Drew Club
3:50 Jazz Band
Friday, 01/28:
- Team Kindness- Wear Chiefs/Sports Shirt!
IHMS Math Team Meeting during KT
8:45 Performance Field Trip to East
Upcoming Events:
01/31: SME Counselor Visit in Science for 8th / Forms to 7th
01/31: 5:00 Boys Basketball @ WR
02/01: NAEP for Select 8th Grade Students
02/02: 5:00 Boys Basketball @ IH vs. WR
02/03: 5:00 Evening Conferences
02/07: 5:00 Boys Basketball @ TR
02/07: 6:30 8th Grade Student/Parent Informational Night @ SME
02/08: KELPA Testing
02/09: KELPA Testing
02/09: 8:20 School Store Open
02/09: 5:00 Boys Basketball @ TR
02/10: KELPA Testing
02/11: Enrollment Form Turn-In 7th & 8th
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Section 1: New and Important at IHMS
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Kindness Week Across SMSD: 1/24 - 1/28
Next week is Kindness Week across SMSD! Indian Hills will be having a Spirit Week and other student-led activities throughout Knight Time and lunch periods. We look forward to a week of fun and positivity for our students and staff. The spirit themes for each day are as follows:
- Monday: Dreaming of Kindness- Wear Pajamas!
- Tuesday: Crazy for Kindness- Do Crazy Hair!
- Wednesday: Powered by Kindness- Wear A Superhero Shirt!
- Thursday: Peace, Love and Kindness- Wear Tie Dye and Peace Signs!
- Friday: Team Kindness- Wear Chiefs/Sports Shirt!
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Book Club Opportunity: February 9
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Students Checking Their Email Incentive
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Student-Athlete Return to Play Procedures
Please see the following steps and resource links for more information about your student-athlete being able to safely return to play after testing positive for COVID-19. Click here for a helpful Return to Play Timeline
Quarantine Protocol-
Your student will quarantine for 5 days starting from the onset of symptoms or the positive testing date (whichever date is first).
Return to School-
Your student may return to school on day 6 of quarantine if symptoms are improving.
Healthcare Provider Clearance-
Day 6 marks the first day that your student-athlete can be seen by a health care provider (must be MD, MO, PA-C, APRN) for their return to play release.
- Schedule an appointment for your student-athlete no earlier than day 6 (return to school date) for your healthcare provider for return to play clearance note. Note MUST be dated, full clearance for physical activity documented on the note, and be signed by one of the personnel titles listed above.
A copy of the clearance note is provided to our school nurse, Judy McMullen: judithmcmullen@smsd.org.
Once the school receives your student-athlete's athletic clearance note our athletic trainer, Haley Rieff, will be in contact with the head coach and your student to begin the Return to Play Process.
Return to Play Process-
KSHSAA has outlined a progressive exercise program that a COVID positive student-athlete will engage in as they build their strength and stamina in order to be practice and competition ready.
- Return to Play Progressive Excercise Program worksheet will need to be completed once your student-athlete has their healthcare provider clearance note. (Click here for the PDF copy of the progressive exercise program which outlines each day and stage for your student-athlete.)
- IMPORTANT- Stages 1 and 2 can be completed under the supervision of parent(s) or at school under the supervision of our athletic trainer and coaching staff. Stages 3-5 will be completed under the supervision of the IHMS athletic trainer and head coach.
*If your student begins Stages 1 and/or 2 at home, please have your student-athlete bring
the above-linked worksheet to the school nurse with parent signatures indicating
which two stages have been completed.
Please note: For your student to be cleared to return to play they will be assessed by both our athletic trainer and coaching staff. The progression through this process and successful completion will be communicated to the student-athlete and parents by our IHMS athletic trainer. For most student-athletes, a return to practice/competition on day 7 is likely, but not a given. Any student who has an extended absence for illness of 3 or more days will engage in a progressive exercise program to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes.
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IHMS Office Staffing: 1/18 - 1/25
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8th to 9th Grade Enrollment Timeline
8th Grade Enrollment Timeline
Knight Time: Thursday, January 20th
A short PowerPoint for KT teachers to review with the students that will focus on the process and dates (timeline), but will also include links to course and curriculum information that students and parents can start reviewing.SME Counselor Visit #1: Monday, January 31st
A SME counselor will visit each 8th-grade science class, each hour. This will require the entire period. Students will receive their enrollment forms and 9th-grade course lists. Questions will be answered and electives discussed.8th grade evening for students and parents: Monday, February 7th
6:30 pm at SME. An opportunity for students and parents to visit SME and learn more about programs, electives, etc.SME Counselor Visit #2: Friday, February 11th
Social Studies teachers will bring their classes to the library with their completed course request cards. All SME counselors will be there and will meet individually with students to confirm choices, answer questions, and collect cards.
Please note that the 7th to 8th grade enrollment timeline, although similar, will be shared at a later date.
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Parent Teacher Conference Information: 2/3/22 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Conference signups will be available to sign up on a first come, first serve basis in on January 25, 2022 and will be sent out in a stand-alone email to the community.
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Section 2: Still Relevant From Previous Weeks
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Career Day - Only a Few More Volunteers Needed!
Parents, our inaugural IHMS Career Day is coming up on March 9!
We already have 50 presenters signed up for this event which is exciting! However, we are in need of 5-10 more individuals willing to present (see below for more information on how to sign up). We are especially looking for people who have a background in, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing, Transportation, Information Technology, Arts, AV Technology, Communications, Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources, Human Services, Hospitality, and Tourism to round out our career clusters.
We are looking for individuals whose professional experiences may help to inspire our students as they consider their future possibilities. We hope to have many volunteer presenters who represent a variety of career pathways. Would you consider joining us as a presenter for one or two sessions? Could you also share this opportunity with colleagues and friends? If you would like to learn more, please share your contact information with our College and Career Readiness Action Team here:
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I'm Out Sick and/or in Quarantine/Isolation. What Do I Do? How Do I Keep Up With School Work?
Students will be asked to stay home for the duration of their isolation/quarantine and they will be coded in Skyward simply as "absent--ill." To ensure you have a correct return date with current guidance, please reach out to our front office staff to report illness, and if COVID-related, please ensure you let Nurse Judy know.
Front Office Attendance Contact:
Erinn Vogts: erinnvogts@smsd.org
Constance Eddy: constanceeddy@smsd.org
Attendance Line: (913) 993-0412
Nurse Contacts:
Nurse Judy McMullen: judithmcmullen@smsd.org
Nurse's Aide Rhonda Levine: rhondalevine@smsd.org
Once you have notified school personnel of the absence, make sure your student reaches out to each individual teacher to check on what Canvas assignments should be completed and/or if any questions arise.
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Report Cards Have Been Posted
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Section 3: SME Area News and Events
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8th Grade Informational Night: February 7 @ 6:30 p.m.
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SME PTSA Volunteers Needed!
Shawnee Mission East PTSA is looking for volunteers for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have interest in a fun and easy way to get involved with East, please reach out to April Crosser (aprilcrosser@gmail.com) or Amy Moore (amooredunn@gmail.com) for more information.
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Section 4: District Area News and Events
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SMSD R&D Forum + Next Great Pitch Competition Information
Spring 2022 is the 60th year of the Shawnee Mission School District’s Research and Development (R&D) Forum. This year's forum will feature a Student Showcase and a live streamed Pitch Finals competition at the Center for Academic Achievement.
Pitch Finals Competition- Info Session on Jan. 27
For a second year, a pitch competition for student innovators will be offered as part of the district’s annual R&D Forum. Not only can students win cash prizes for their Next Great Idea, but they can also receive additional funding to advance their idea.
An informational session will be held virtually:
Time, Date, Place: Webex, at 6 p.m. on January 27
Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12
What: Hear from past winners and to learn more about the process.
How to join: A link to the informational session can be found here.
How to apply: Application information can be found on the R&D webpage. The deadline to apply for the pitch competition is Friday, February 25, 2022. Practice sessions with industry mentors will be scheduled for students who apply to compete.
Final Competition and Prizes:
Applicants chosen as finalists will pitch their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges during the morning of April 30, 2022 at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St. The pitch competition will be live-streamed so friends and family can participate as well. Top awards are $2,500, of which $1,000 is a cash award to be used by the winner to pursue their passion and education and up to $1,500 will be awarded as "build it" grants to support making the winner's pitch a reality. A People's Choice category, determined by public voters, will be awarded a $500 prize. There will also be an Idea of Promise award with a prize of $500.
Student Showcase
The R&D Forum student showcase, with display-only and competitive exhibits will be held in Spring 2022. Students, families, and staff members are encouraged to enter student-created projects, experiments, or art projects to share in this districtwide event. All submissions must be registered and information on how to register can be found online. The deadline to register for the showcase is Friday, March 25, 2022.
The SMSD community is invited to take part in this year’s 60th R&D Forum by attending the following events at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL ART & ALL GRADES SCIENCE SHOWCASE
April 18-21, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00 - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
April 21, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00 - Reception for all entrants and families
ELEMENTARY ART & CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SHOWCASE
April 25-28, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00 - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
April 28, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00 - Reception for all entrants and families
NEXT GREAT IDEA LIVE PITCH
April 30, 2022 - Morning - Finalists will present their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges
Public Voting to follow presentations
Afternoon - Awards ceremony for Showcase Entries, Regnier Award
winners, and the Next Great Idea Pitch Competition award winners
About the R&D Forum
The Shawnee Mission Research and Development Forum celebrates its 60th year in 2022. It is one of the SMSD’s biggest showcases of the year!
This annual event has always served as a celebration of student achievement and highlights innovative student projects and talent from across the district.
Sincere appreciation is extended to the Regnier Family for 60 years of generous support for the SMSD R&D Forum.
Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions.
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Instructional Technology for Parents
We invite you to join us for a student panel discussing screen time and its influence on student life. There will be collaborative discussion to follow the student panel:
CAA Board Room
January 25, 2022
6:30-7:30pm
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Student Vaccination Information and Locations
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) - Mission Clinic Location:
An appointment is required to get a COVID-19 vaccine at JCDHE’s clinic, which is in Mission. Schedule an appointment or call 913-715-2819. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please arrive NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES prior to your appointment time.
Northeast Office Building, 6000 Lamar Ave., Suite 140, Mission, KS 66202
Additional Local Clinics, Health Systems, and Pharmacies offering the vaccine may be located at the following link provided by JCDHE:
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Section 5: Mainstay News
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9/21 Parent Engagement Evening Resources
For those parents/guardians that were unable to make our family engagement night on September 21, 2021, we have populated the information from the evening in presentation format.
Please check out the very important information covered that evening by following this link.
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COVID and the Health and Safety of Your Athlete:
Athletes who test positive for COVID or are presumed positive will need to follow the outlined Kansas State High School Athletics Association protocol in order to return to play.
For more information, visit:
https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/pdf/ReturntoparticipationguidelinesFall2021.pdf
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21-22 PTA Membership: Please Join Us!
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Academic Learning Lab (A.L.L.) Now Monday-Thursday!
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After-school Activity Busing: Free to All Students (in SME boundary)
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Macbook Troubleshooting Tips
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IHMS Website Reminder
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Give us a Follow
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IHMS Peace Corner
The IHMS Student Services team has created a virtual calming room (click link) for students, staff and families to access in times of need.
We know that stress and anxiety can be high at times. This IHMS Peace Corner has videos and activities to help manage stress, calm down strong feelings and build resiliency. We hope that this will be another resource for our families to navigate this unusual school year. You can also find this page on our Student Services tab at https://indianhills.smsd.org/.
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e-Read Access Through IHMS
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1-800-CHILDREN
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COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Available for Ages 5 and Older!
COVID-19 vaccine opportunities are now open through the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment or Children’s Mercy Clinics for adolescents ages 5 and older.
For more information about scheduling an appointment click here.
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IHMS Communication Chain
1. Mass communication from IHMS:
- Mass communication will come each Friday or Saturday in the form of the IHMS Weekly News. This is an important review for your family each week as it outlines specific events, newsworthy, and/or action-oriented items relevant to IHMS.
- There are times throughout the week a stand-alone email may be sent via a Skyward blast - especially if an important event is taking place or if important information must be shared. You have already seen this in practice (i.e.Tuesday when I sent a reminder about the ice cream social).
2. Absences:
- Please communicate absences through attendance personnel. Avoid emailing administration or student services directly.
- Email constanceeddy@smsd.org to indicate the date(s) and nature of your student's absence.
- Call in your student's absence - including date(s) and nature of the absence - to the school attendance line: (913) 993-0412.
3. Grades/Classroom Questions/Issues:
- Please email your student's teacher directly for all questions/issues related to grades and/or the classroom.
- Staff email addresses can be found on our school website (click link). Unless specific circumstances
- Avoid emailing administration and/or student services with issues that have not been problem solved at the classroom level first unless extenuating circumstances merit direct contact.
4. General Contact Guidelines:
- The chart below provides parents with a general contact chart they can utilize to ensure communication remains streamlined: