Knightly News
February 21-28, 2025
Week at a Glance
Monday, 02/24:
Student Council Mtg 8:05A
Boys iLeague Basketball 3:50P
Boys Basketball Tournament 5:30P
Tuesday, 02/25 :
Musical Crew Meeting 8:45A
Boys Basketball Dinner 5:30P
Wednesday, 02/26:
Junior Board 7:45A
Art Club 3:50P
Board Game Club 3:50P
Green Team 3:50P
Boys Basketball Tournament 5:30P
Thursday, 02/27:
Big Idea Info @ Lunch
Jazz Band 3:50P
Friday, 02/28:
Team 7-3 Fun Friday!
Weekly Recap
We hope you’re staying warm and cozy during these chilly days! It’s been great to welcome students back to school after our extended Winter Break 2.0, and we’re all looking forward to some warmer weather soon so we can continue our learning journey together.
In this week’s newsletter, we’d like to highlight a few important updates:
Spring Testing Schedule: Please take a moment to review the schedule below and ensure that your child is present for these important tests. A good night's rest before testing will help them perform their best.
Attendance: We encourage you to continue motivating your child to attend school and stay engaged in their learning.
R&D Forum: Encourage your student to sign up for the R&D Forum – it's a great opportunity for them to showcase their knowledge.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a full week back at school next week!
Girls Soccer Information
Is your student interested in participating in girls soccer at Indian Hills? If so, please join us for an informational meeting for parents & students on Wednesday, February 26th at 5:00 PM.
Tryouts begin on March 3rd at 4:00 PM. All athletic paperwork must be completed and approved before this date.
Be sure to visit the Girls Soccer website for important details.
Musical Crew Informational Meeting: Tuesday, February 25th!
Is your student interested in working backstage for this year’s musical? We will have a meeting during Knight Time on Tuesday, Feb. 25th. (Cafeteria)
PREP CREW:
Love crafting, building, and getting creative? Prep Crew is for you! Members will help design and create everything the show needs—sets, props, costumes, and more. This crew offers a flexible schedule and unlimited spots, making it a great option for students who enjoy hands-on work or just want to try something new!
RUNNING CREW
Want to be part of the action during performances? Running Crew works backstage, handling set changes, costume quick-changes, spotlights, and more. Running Crew requires two weeks of mandatory rehearsals. Running Crew spots are limited–students who can’t attend to the full rehearsal schedule are encouraged to join Prep Crew!
More details will be provided at the meeting—see you there!
Ms Opheim (musical director)
Ms Smith (crew director)
R & D Forum
The Shawnee Mission School District R&D Forum is coming this April with three ways to get involved:
📅 Save the Dates: The Student Showcase will be April 22-24, 2025, and The Next Great Idea Pitch Competition is April 26, with an awards ceremony in the afternoon.
💡 Brainstorm The Next Great Idea: Students can pitch a new product or solution for a chance to win prize money. Initial applications are due March 7, 2025. Learn more during lunch on February 27th.
🖼️ Select Showcase Projects: Students, teachers, and families are encouraged to enter projects in the Student Showcase. The submission deadline is March 28. For more info, visit the R&D Forum website.
Attendance
This month, our attendance focus is from the students' perspective. When asked, "What or who motivates you to come to school every day?" students shared the following insights:
The connections they have with friends
The encouragement from teachers and parents
The feeling of safety and security at school
It’s clear that students are motivated by a sense of community, support, and safety. These factors highlight the importance of fostering positive relationships and creating a nurturing environment that encourages regular school attendance.
Artists of the Week: Caitlin Dailey & Amelia Lemm
Instructional Spotlight
Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up
Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up is a podcast where our superintendent shares stories and highlights the people, programs, and plans that make us ONE Shawnee Mission. New episodes drop every other Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.
Latest episode: “Kaden’s Story”
The latest episode of Shawnee Mission Mic’d Up is one of our most inspiring to date. Kaden Griffith has been beating the odds his entire life. At just 11-years-old he is out to change the world and nothing is going to stop him. Learn more about what drives him and be inspired. #ALLINSMSD #OneShawneeMission
Water Only
We have noticed an increase in students bringing energy drinks and coffee to school. Please remind your child that outside food and drinks are not allowed.
In addition to school policy, energy drinks and excessive caffeine consumption can negatively impact students’ health, leading to:
☕ Increased heart rate and blood pressure
⚡ Difficulty focusing and disrupted sleep patterns
😓 Anxiety, jitters, and dehydration
To support a healthy learning environment, students will be asked to dispose of any outside drinks found in hallways or classrooms. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and focused.
Spring Testing Schedule
Please check the image below for our Spring Testing dates. We would appreciate your support in ensuring your student(s) have a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast before testing. We will send more information in the weeks before testing to help provide clarity and support in the testing process.