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
10/28 - Odd Block Day
10/28 - Yearbook Photo Retakes
10/29 - Even Block Day
10/30 - Odd Block Day
10/30 - Safe Trick-or-Treat 6-7:30pm (West student leaders will organize and implement for elementary students in our feeder pattern.
10/31 - Late Start/Even Block Day
11/1 - NO School For Students - Professional Learning for Teachers
11/2 - FALL BEAUTIFICATION DAY - see information below
11/7 - West Feeder Family Engagement Night - see information below
11/25 - 12/1 - Thanksgiving Break
Our SM West calendar is linked in the smswest.smsd.org website under "Calendar."
Viking Athletics
Viking Athletics
CLICK HERE to access this week’s Athletics Newsletter. This week, we have information to share regarding:
Schedules for fall postseason play.
Winter Sports Tryout Meetings
The upcoming Winter Sports season.
Upcoming Youth Dance Clinic
Texts and Digital Notifications With Your Student - During school hours
Texts and Digital Notifications
Thank you for being such an incredibly supportive parent and community at West. We are stronger and better because of it! We know support takes communication, and you are working hard to organize yourself and your family on a weekly basis. Here are some guidelines/parameters to remember when texting your students during the school day:
Do your best to avoid a back and forth conversation. Your student’s primary focus during class is on learning.
Do your best to ensure that what you are texting your student is not going to escalate or upset them while you are not there to process/guide through the situation.
If your student reaches out to you during the day and it’s not an emergency, please let them know you can discuss at home and/or after school rather than engaging in a conversation.
Thank you for being such an incredibly supportive parent and community at West. We are stronger and better because of it! We know support takes communication, and you are working hard to organize yourself and your family on a weekly basis. Here are some guidelines/parameters to remember when texting your students during the school day:
Do your best to avoid a back and forth conversation. Your student’s primary focus during class is on learning.
Do your best to ensure that what you are texting your student is not going to escalate or upset them while you are not there to process/guide through the situation.
If your student reaches out to you during the day and it’s not an emergency, please let them know you can discuss at home and/or after school rather than engaging in a conversation.
Texts, Email, and Phone Calls from SM West
Shawnee Mission School District Alerts
The Shawnee Mission School District has a comprehensive communication platform that allows parents to receive communication in a variety of ways: phone calls, text-alerts, and e-mails. Families can sign up to receive alerts in the manner that works best for them.
Alerts may include: Emergency messages, school closings, early dismissals, attendance information, and announcements from a school.
For family members to receive phone calls and emails, parent/guardian contact information must be up-to-date in Skyward. Please go to the Skyward Family Access Portal and make those changes on the Student Info tab.
Once the contact information is up-to-date in the Skyward Family Access Portal, to receive text messages, parents/guardians will need to opt-in by texting Y to 67587.
To review your communication preferences, visit the Skyward Family Access Portal and check preferences on the Skylert tab.
Thought Exchange about Personal Technology Devices at School
Dear Shawnee Mission School District Families and Staff,
We seek your feedback regarding the student use of personal technology devices in school.
Click here to provide your input via ThoughtExchange:
https://tejoin.com/scroll/796602979
Individuals who would like to participate in the ThoughtExchange using a language other than English can do so by selecting their preference on the Welcome screen.
How is this input being used?
One of the new strategy areas in the SMSD Strategic Plan, adopted by the Board of Education in June, is technology. It is a priority of the district for the technology action team 4.1.3 to dig into their work immediately. This team’s work is focused on creating a developmental guide related to age-appropriate usage of technology (to include the use of personal devices) with consideration for students who may require individualized support.
This action team’s work is challenging, and team members are working to thoroughly gather research and critically important feedback from our school district community. To assist in the process, the SMSD is launching this ThoughtExchange to gather community feedback.
Feedback from the ThoughtExchange will be reviewed by the action team to assist in informing their work. We are committed to bringing forward a thoughtful recommendation to the Board of Education as early as possible.
How does ThoughtExchange work?
The action team has developed a question prompt that will be shared through ThoughtExchange, which allows us to receive input through comments from the community. Individuals are also able to rate thoughts that have been submitted by others, in order to provide further insight.
The topic of age-appropriate use of technology, including the use of personal devices is of great interest and concern in our community, so we appreciate the community engaging in this action step process. Please participate and share the link with others.
Estimadas familias y personal del Distrito Escolar Shawnee Mission:
Buscamos sus comentarios sobre el uso de dispositivos tecnológicos personales por parte de los estudiantes en la escuela.
Haga clic aquí para proporcionar su opinión a través de ThoughtExchange (intercambio de pensamiento): https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/796602979/welcome
Las personas que deseen participar en ThoughtExchange utilizando un idioma distinto del inglés pueden hacerlo seleccionando su preferencia en la pantalla de bienvenida.
¿Cómo se está utilizando esta información?
Una de las nuevas áreas de estrategia en el Plan Estratégico de SMSD, adoptado por la Junta de Educación en junio, es la tecnología. Es una prioridad del distrito que el equipo de acción tecnológica 4.1.3 se ponga a trabajar de inmediato. El trabajo de este equipo se centra en crear una guía de desarrollo relacionada con el uso de la tecnología apropiada para la edad (que incluya el uso de dispositivos personales) teniendo en cuenta a los estudiantes que pueden requerir apoyo individualizado.
El trabajo de este equipo de acción es desafiante y los miembros del equipo están trabajando para recopilar exhaustivamente la investigación y los comentarios de importancia crítica de nuestra comunidad del distrito escolar. Para ayudar en el proceso, el SMSD está lanzando este ThoughtExchange para recopilar los comentarios de la comunidad.
El equipo de acción revisará los comentarios de ThoughtExchange para ayudar a informar su trabajo. Nos comprometemos a presentar una recomendación reflexiva a la Junta de Educación lo antes posible.
¿Cómo funciona ThoughtExchange?
El equipo de acción ha desarrollado un mensaje de preguntas que se compartirá a través de ThoughtExchange, lo que nos permite recibir aportes a través de los comentarios de la comunidad. Las personas también pueden calificar los pensamientos que han enviado otros, para brindar más información.
El tema del uso apropiado de la tecnología según la edad, incluido el uso de dispositivos personales, es de gran interés y preocupación en nuestra comunidad, por lo que apreciamos que la comunidad participe en este proceso de pasos de acción. Participe y comparta el enlace con otros.
FALL BEAUTIFICATION
Women in Leadership is hosting Fall Beautification this year.
When: Saturday, November 2 from 8:00-11:00am
Come in comfortable clothing to help clean up our school.
We are also taking donations of yard bags, rakes, and other tools to help clean up our school.
Please spread the word with your students and groups - all are welcome!
Sign up: https://forms.gle/a4mfN6nnvzZ7cZR76
Attendance Campaign Strategy
Tardy Sweeps and Tardy Reduction Incentives
Why: Data suggests that we have a significant number of students who are not making it to class when the bell rings and we want to increase students’ opportunities for success. A vast majority of these students are only missing 5-7 minutes of class when they are tardy. However, that time added over several block periods in a week can lead to a substantial loss of instructional time.
In an effort to provide structure for additional support and enhance the learning opportunities as well as safety in our building, moving forward we will be implementing periodic “tardy sweeps”. We are also offering some incentives for students who consistently get to class on time to continue to do so.
How: We will randomly conduct tardy sweeps. Once the sweep is announced, students in the hallway will be escorted to the cafeteria. At that point, they will complete a brief Google form, and then be sent to class (depending on how many tardies they have accumulated). Guardians will receive email notification when your student has been a part of a tardy sweep. Consequences will remain in alignment with our current tardy policy:
10 Tardies - 1 hour detention and parent contact
20 Tardies - 2 hour detention and parent contact
30 Tardies - Assigns 1 day of ISS and parent contact
40 Tardies - Assigns 1 day of ISS and parent conference
50+ Tardies - Assigns 2 day of ISS and passing privileges removed
When: Tardy sweeps can take place during any hour of the day and we will continue to implement them during 2nd Semester as needed.
Barridos de Tardanzas e Incentivos de Reducción de Tardanzas
Por qué: las investigaciones sugieren que tenemos una cantidad significativa de alumnos que no llegan a clase cuando suena la campanilla y queremos aumentar las oportunidades de éxito de los estudiantes. La gran mayoría de este grupo de estudiantes solo faltan entre 5 y 7 minutos de clase cuando llegan tarde. Sin embargo, sumando este tiempo durante varios períodos de clase en una semana puede generar una pérdida sustancial de tiempo de instrucción.
En un esfuerzo por proporcionar una estructura para apoyo adicional y mejorar las oportunidades de aprendizaje, así como la seguridad en nuestro edificio, en el futuro implementaremos "Reclutamiento de alumnos que llegaron tarde" a vez en cuando. También estamos ofreciendo algunos incentivos para que los estudiantes que constantemente llegan a clase a tiempo continúen haciéndolo.
Cómo: Realizaremos reclutamiento de alumnos que llegaron tarde inesperadamente. Una vez que se anuncie el reclutamiento, los estudiantes que se encuentren en el pasillo serán acompañados a la cafetería. En ese momento, completarán un formulario corto de Google y luego serán enviados a clase (dependiendo de cuántas tardanzas hayan acumulado). Los padres de familia y/o tutores recibirán una notificación por correo electrónico cuando su estudiante haya sido parte de una redada de tardanzas. Las consecuencias permanecen alineadas con nuestra política actual de tardanzas:
10 tardanzas - 1 hora de detención y comunicación con los padres
20 tardanzas - 2 horas de detención y comunicación con los padres
30 tardanzas: asigna 1 día de ISS (suspensión temporal dentro de la escuela) y comunicación con los padres
40 tardanzas: asigna 1 día de ISS y conferencia de padres
Más de 50 tardanzas: asigna 2 días de ISS y se eliminan los privilegios de aprobación
Cuándo: Las barridas tardías pueden realizarse durante cualquier hora del día y continuaremos implementándolas durante el segundo semestre según sea necesario.
Positive Office Referral Competition Results - 1st Quarter
Listen up! It’s time to announce the winners of our 1st Quarter Positive Office Referral class competition!
In 4th place, Freshmen with 40 Positive Office Referrals.
In 3rd place, Seniors with 51 Positive office referrals.
In 2nd place, Juniors with 68 positive office referrals.
That means that Sophomores are in 1st place with 70 positive office referrals!
Remember that this competition will give points toward the Spirit Stick during our next Pep Assembly!
Your teachers are still keeping an eye out for students doing the right thing so let’s get caught doing something positive!
Notes From Nurse
Change to Immunization Exclusion Date: the exclusion date has been rescheduled for Thursday October 31st. Please expect a phone call from Mr. Revelle letting you know of the change.
You can still get the needed immunizations prior to October 31st. Please provide documentation to the school nurse after receiving the vaccinations.
As a reminder Vision Screening for Sophomores will be held on Monday November 4th. Please let the school nurse know if you do not want your child screened.
SM West Pride Band Invited to London
SM West Pride Band Invited to London
Wednesday evening, delegates from the London New Year’s Day Parade in London England, invited the SMW Pride Marching Band to the 25-26 New Year’s Day Parade. The band, along with parents and community members, accepted this prestigious invitation to attend.
This will be the 11th invitation, and the 10th acceptance (the band could not attend during COVID) for the SM West Pride Band.
Highlight Recognition for SM West Math Teacher
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, United Soccer Coaches is proud to highlight three incredible educators and coaches: Sarah Gonzalez, Memo Latapi, and Edgardo Becerra. These leaders are making a tremendous impact in their communities, shaping the future of soccer, and promoting inclusion, education, and opportunity through the sport.
Sarah Gonzalez
For the past 18 years, Sarah Gonzalez has been a cornerstone of the soccer program at Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kansas. A former National Youth Referee of the Year and goalkeeper for the University of Kansas, Sarah has led her high school team to multiple league titles and a state championship. She is committed to developing not only skilled soccer players but also strong individuals. As a math teacher and a color commentator for KU Women’s Soccer on ESPN+, Sarah is an all-around role model for her players, especially in her efforts to promote soccer within the local Latino(a) community.
“Sarah is like a teddy bear with armor,” says one of her players. “She pushes us to our limits but makes sure we always know how much she cares.”
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.
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 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 3 short “How To” videos below…everything you need to know to order your student’s class ring.
RING ORDER DUE DATE: Tuesday, October 29th!
“How To” order videos:https://teamjostens.com/smw-7670
Thanks!
Jeff Heline
Jostens of NE Kansas
785-843-2967
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!"
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.
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
Presidential Service Award
Do you volunteer your time with acts of generosity? If so, you may be eligible to be awarded a Presidential Service Award. If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident and have completed service time starting on 4/1/24, go to https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/ for more information. There are categories based on age and the hours you have served. You can download a tracking log on the student services web and canvas pages. Please see Mrs. Holmes in student services for questions or to turn in logs by 4/1/25 the latest.
SM West - National Merit Semi-Finalist
National Merit The National Merit Program has named 11 Shawnee Mission seniors as semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
SM West is proud to announce that our senior, Lachlan Smith has been named as a National Merit Semi-Finalist.
These students took the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The 16,000 semifinalists named represent less than 1 percent of United States High School seniors. These students earned semifinalist distinction and will have an opportunity to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, worth nearly $28 million. Finalists will be notified of this designation next spring.
Seal of Biliteracy
Seal of Biliteracy This year, 150 students from the Class of 2024 earned 157 Seals of Biliteracy in 11 different languages. This is a record number of students in the SMSD earning this distinction. The Seal of Biliteracy is a credential for high school students who have attained intermediate and advanced proficiencies in English and one or more additional languages.
33 SM West students received either Gold or Silver Seal of Biliteracy for the FY24 year.
Apply Kansas Honors
Apply Kansas Honors Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission South, and Shawnee Mission West were named All Star High School award winners. This recognition was presented to only 148 high schools in Kansas through the Apply Kansas: College Application campaign. This recognizes schools that provide support to students in completing admissions applications, seeking financial aid, and celebrating all postsecondary
Having a strong relationship with your teen AND monitoring social media use can greatly cut the risk of mental health problems, including suicide or self-harm. Among teens that were surveyed about social media use, 60% of the high frequency users who reported having poor relationships with parents and low parental monitoring, also reported having poor mental health. You can read more here: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/04/teen-social-use-mental-health
SM West PTSA Membership!
Please remember to help out our PTSA by purchasing an annual PTA membership. Your membership helps our SMW students, staff, and also helps support the teaching and learning in the classroom.
PTA Membership numbers
Great work eclipsing our PTSA membership numbers at SMW! We want to continue to press on to beat our 21-22 total below of over 220 members! Please consider joining our school’s PTSA. Here is the online link.
Membership Totals:
2024-2025: 188 members
2023-2024: 180 members
2022-2023: 221 members
2021-2022: 220 members
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.