North News January 13, 2025

Office Hours 7AM - 3:30PM

913-993-6900

Attendance Hotline (24 hours)

913-993-6945

Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS

Building Mission, Commitments, and Goals

Our building mission, commitments, and goals are at the forefront of all that we do in our building. As we get further into the school year, we will provide updates on our data on our goals.

January 20, 2025-Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools/Offices Closed

January 21, 2025-Professional Learning Day, No School

February 5, 2025-Evening Parent Conferences, Grades 9-12

February 7, 2025-No School PreK - 12, Parent Conferences

February 17, 2025-Presidents' Day, Schools/Offices Closed

February 18, 2025-Professional Learning, No School PreK - 12

March 14, 2025-Teacher Workday, No School PreK - 12

March 17-21, 2025-Spring Break / No School

April 21, 2025-Professional Learning, No School PreK - 12

April 22,23,24, 2025-R&D Forum Open House receptions from 4-7:00pm at CAA

North Community,

We are super excited to have a full week of school this week! Our students are back in the building today and we are off to a great start. Please note we will be utilizing a block schedule all week due to last week’s inclement weather.

We hope to have an update on data related to our building goals for next week’s North News. We are very proud of the efforts our students exhibited at the close of the first semester.

Tonight, we host our annual “Northern Exposure” night where we welcome the incoming freshmen class and their families. In athletic news, all our teams are on the road this week as all basketball, wrestling, bowling, and swim and dive teams are off campus for competitions.

Let’s have a great full week here at the Brickhouse! Have a great day and Go Bison!

January is a fast-paced “welcome back” to the school year, and this is also when we start looking towards next school year! In the coming weeks students will explore options and select their courses for 2025-2026. We start this process now because there are many steps in building a master schedule and enrolling 1500+ students in classes for next year.

Our process centers on students’ Individual Plans of Study and the courses they are interested in to fit those plans. Once we know what requests students are making, we assign sections and teachers based on that information. This is why it is very important to plan course requests now. There is often very little opportunity to change schedules because our staffing is very tight, and we base all of this off student requests during these next few weeks.

In order to help you and your students, we have created many opportunities for students to get information about courses in our curriculum:

• Content-area teachers will talk with students about courses in their department and sequence/next steps (this includes Math teacher recommendations)

• Counselors will be meeting with all students in classrooms to review the process of course requests, graduation requirements, tips for post-secondary planning, and answering questions

• Counselors will be visiting HGMS to work with 8th graders as they plan for next steps entering High School next year

• We have put together an extensive website outlining course information, pre-requisites, and key parts of each individual course.

• Counselors will meet with each student individually, in January and February, to answer questions and ensure that courses selected meet the requirements for graduation and their Individual Plan of Study.

• Over the course of 1st semester (and in previous years), students worked in Xello to identify career interests, post-secondary plans, and a 4-year course plan. Families should work with students to look at those resources as requests for courses are finalized.

We encourage our families to begin conversations with your student(s) about courses and pathways they are interested in. We want students to be challenged appropriately and to find a balance within their Individual Plan of Study. We offer a wide variety of classes and programs at SMN, and we want to work with our students to create a schedule that allows them to excel during their time at SMN

Please use the following resources in the coming weeks to learn about the options we have at SMN and pathways on your Individual Plans of Study:

• SMSD Graduation Requirements…https://bit.ly/SMSDGradRequirements

• SMN Course Options site… 2025-2026 Course Listing Sheets

• SMN Course Explorations site… SMN Course Explorations

• SMN Student Services Resources… SMN Student Services

• Kansas Board of Regents Qualified Admissions… https://bit.ly/KansasKBORQualifiedAdmissions

This is an exciting time as we begin to work towards the 2025-2026 school year!

Coach McCarty does a fantastic job of advocating for his students while also holding them accountable. He is outstanding with students, parents, and patrons!

Ashton is crushing it in coursework this year. He is making straight A’s, his teachers say great things about him.

If your student has not received the/any state required vaccination please continue reading.

We will be excluding them from school at the start of second semester.

This means they will be sent home after winter break, if they do not have the missing required vaccination.

Ideally, we don’t want anyone missing school due to this issue.

If you have gotten the missing vaccine please contact Bella Lopez 9936907 or Mary Alice Kelly 9936916.

We must have these vaccines recorded before second semester begins.

As always we are here to help. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

We would love to help you out, in any way.

***Families of students with outstanding school fees will be receiving email statements from the district on Friday, November 15. Please pay at least a portion of your fees by December 31st as SM North is seeing an increase in unpaid school fees.***

• Please use the online fee payment portal. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online".
• Add lunch money online using “Optional Fees”. Create an account or use the Guest option with the student’s ID number and last name.
• If you are interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, please use this link.
• Fees are needed for teachers to buy supplies for classes and to cover other expenses for the school year.
• The following fees are required: instructional resource fee (classroom materials), participation fee (admission home games/theatre/activity buses, etc.), ID card and course fees.
• Optional: Yearbooks are $50 until January 10, 2025 and then they go up to $65. Parking permits are available for 10th graders and up throughout the year and prorated by quarter. Class dues and pep club are optional but help with activity expenses throughout the year.
• If you need to pay by check, please mail or bring your check with your student’s ID number in the memo to SM North, Attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66202.
• If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, email a copy of your food service benefits letter to shellelewis@smsd.org. Free lunch students receive a $105 fee waiver & reduced receive $52.50.
• For payment plans and questions, please call 913-993-6910 or email shellelewis@smsd.org. Unpaid fees may be sent to collections, so please make payment arrangements.

1. School starts at 7:40am. Please consider having your student to the building by 7:30 to ensure they are in their first class of the day on time. Busses will drop off in the East lot while car riders need to arrive in the circle drive and get out only on the curb.
2. Lunch is between 11:00 and 1:00. The only students allowed to leave campus for lunch are seniors with prior approval.
3. 2:40pm is when the final bell rings. Busses will depart at 2:47pm from the East Lot. Car Riders can be picked up in the Circle Drive. 3:00pm is when students need to be settled into activities or off campus.
4. Shawnee Mission North is in restricted access between 7:40 and 2:40. Anyone entering the building between these times must come through the main doors (#1) from the circle drive.
5. To excuse a student between 7:40 and 2:40, please call 913-993-6945 and leave a message. Please allow 30 minutes after you call for your student to be released, and you must call prior to 2:00pm on the same day to ensure the office has time to process your request.

Attendance Reminder
“As a reminder: Please remember to contact the attendance hotline, (913) 993-6945, whenever your student is absent. Without a call, absences will be marked as unexcused, and multiple unexcused absences may lead to additional steps being taken to support your student’s attendance.

Additionally, after 10 absences, any further absences will need to be accompanied by documentation that aligns with the following reasons:

• Personal illness. (Doctor/Dental/Medical appointments) The school may, with notice to the parent, require verification from a physician of absences due to reasons of health.
• Serious illness or death of a member of the family.
• Obligatory religious observances of the student’s own faith.
• Emergency situation requiring immediate action.
• Participation in a Kansas State High School Activities Association activity, a district-approved function, or a school-sponsored activity.

If documentation is not provided, the absence will be considered unexcused.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!”

1. For everyone’s safety, drivers need to follow the car loop guidelines for drop off and pick up at SMN. Picture of SMN Circle Drive
1. The red curb should be the only place cars stop to unload/load students.
2. The middle lane should be continually moving at no more than 5mph with cell phones put away.
3. The farthest lane from the building is reserved for visitor parking and SMN staff members. If you park during drop off or pickup, please make sure your student crosses at the center crosswalk to get to and from the building.
2. On August 14th and August 15th, SMN completed safety drills in the areas of: Fire, Severe Weather, Lockdown, and Evacuation. Students and staff did an excellent job with these drills! While we don’t like thinking about challenging situations like these, we will be best prepared if we have thought and practiced through them if we have practiced ahead of time.
3. The two most important safety rules at SMN are that we do NOT open exterior doors for anyone, and we do NOT prop open doors at school for any reason.

Calling All Volunteers!

Trivia not your thing? That’s ok!

We also need volunteers to help out with trivia and offer several time slots and volunteer positions.

The gift of your time is truly appreciated!

Trivia Night Volunteers 2025

signupgenius.com

Win an official Travis Kelce autographed Kansas City Chiefs Jersey (courtesy of the Chiefs Ambassadors) and support the SMN Booster Club and SMN PTSA.

Tickets are $25 each. Purchase tickets using the link below - there are only 150 tickets available!!!

Online purchases open through Jan 24, 2025.

https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

Winner will be drawn at the SMN Trivia Night on Saturday, Jan 25, 2025. You do not have to be present to win. Winner will be notified by text and/or email to make arrangements for pick up of item at Shawnee Mission North High School. Shipping is NOT available.

Hello Friends of SMN!

*DATE CHANGE*

Due to a scheduling conflict, the January All-Activities Booster Club Meeting will now be on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8th at 6:30pm on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent out the first week of January.

SMN Spirit Wear makes a great Christmas gift!

Stock up on your favorite Bison gear... t-shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, ball caps, beanies, cups & more!

Order online by Monday, Dec 16 to guarantee pick-up before winter break!

Our online store is ALWAYS OPEN -

Click on the link below to start shopping

https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

Join in the fun at the 11th Annual SMN TRIVIA NIGHT!

Recruit your team of 8 to join us at St. Pius X in Mission, KS on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for costumes, competition, and a whole lot of cheer! **This is an adult-only event – no one under age 21 will be permitted**

The team registration fee is $320 – this includes ONE mulligan (free answer). As always, we will give $100 of your team's registration fee to the SMN team/group that you designate! We will contact team captains in January to get Team Names, a list of your team members and your designated group for the $100 grant.

TEAM REGISTRATION IS ONLINE ONLY using the link below. The DEADLINE to register your team is January 17, 2025 - there are limited slots available so get your registration in ASAP!

Home | Shawnee Mission North Booster Club

RAFFLE ITEMS NEEDED!

Do you have a favorite business that you would contact to donate an item or gift card? Are you willing to team up with a friend to create a gift basket? Donate an item to our raffle and the business or individual(s) will be promoted at the event! Items are needed no later than January 17, 2025.

If you have an item to donate, contact SMN PTSA at smnorthptsa@gmail.com with information about the item. If needed, we can provide you will a donation letter from Shawnee Mission North for tax purposes.

The 11th Annual SMN Trivia Night is co-sponsored by SMN PTSA and the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. All proceeds will be used to support SMN students, staff, and programs!

• The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) is a great way for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!

• Join PTSA by clicking on this link!

SMN yearbooks are only $50 until Jan. 17. Payment can be made at www.yearbookforever.com

School Store

School Store

www.yearbookforever.com

. Choose SM North.

Only a few books will be available after Jan. 17, so please purchase now.

https://www.rollandkc.com/

https://rollandonline.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=275008

Enrollment for 2025-2026

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will begin in January 2025. Academic Counselors will meet with students by grade level in seminar starting January 7th. Each student will receive an Enrollment Card and a Course Listing Sheet and will be encouraged to take them home and talk with their parent/guardian about classes for next year. Counselors will then collect Students’ enrollment cards the following week during their English class. Please make sure your student’s enrollment card is in their backpack.

North Basics- English

North Basics- Spanish

Post Secondary Planning- English

Post Secondary Planning- Spanish

Please follow the RWL Upcoming Events Link for a list of opportunities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Real World Learning Counselor, Britt Sherer at BrittSherer@smsd.org

Are you interested in learning more about the Shawnee Mission School District Signature Programs? Middle and high school students and their families are invited to the annual Signature Program Open House, to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st Street.

Signature Programs provide unique opportunities for students in the areas of:

• Animation and Interactive Media
• Biotechnology
• Culinary Arts and Commercial Baking
• Engineering
• Health Science
• Sustainability & Urban Agriculture
• Project Blue Eagle (EMS, fire science, and law enforcement)

Those attending the open house will have the opportunity to tour state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, speak with instructors and current students, and learn about options for creating flexibility in high school schedules to allow time for enrollment in coursework.

In addition to the Signature Program Open House, students and their families can discover more about these opportunities at: https://www.smsd.org/academics/signature-programs.

The website includes short video introductions and information about each program. School counselors also serve as a tremendous resource in helping students develop a dynamic and individualized high school experience to help them explore their areas of interest.

We hope to have you join us on Thursday, January 16!

Interested in pursuing a Dual Degree through JCCC?

Save the date – January 22nd in Regnier Center 101- 6:00-8:00pm

Save the Date for JCCC’s Career Ready information nights:

-Wednesday January 29 (CTEC/ Industrial Tech programs) in CTEC from 6-7:30pm.

-Thursday January 30 (Cybersecurity, CNA, Culinary, Fashion and Interior Design) in WHCA (Wylie Hospitality and Culinary Academy) from 6-7:30pm.

Students interested in pursuing on the of the Career Ready programs at JCCC must be in attendance at the evening event to learn more about the program and process!

Questions – Reach out to BrittSherer@smsd.org in Students Services.

The SM North Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony and reception was held on Friday,

January 10th! What an exciting and special evening for Jazmin Williams. Jazmin is a member of the class of 2016 and her athletic achievements were varied and unique as she was a three-sport athlete; participating in Cross-Country, Basketball and Track and Field. Her contributions can be viewed here. Welcome to the prestigious Shawnee Mission North Hall of Fame Jazmin!

The following student-athletes were selected to submit their application for the KMBC / Hy-Vee Athletic Scholarship 2025! To be eligible for the scholarship, students must graduate in the spring of 2025, must have maintained a 3.0 GPA or better, and must plan to attend college in the fall of 2025. Each student must have played at least one year of any varsity sport and display a strong involvement in other school and civic activities.Congratulations and Best of Luck to our candidates!

• Aaron Salvino

• Jack Eaton

• Jonathan Guild

• Zak Kohoutek

• Nathan Schweiger

SMN boys basketball team lost to Junction City, 75-53 and SM East 62-53 last week. The team competed against a solid SME team but came up short in the 4th quarter.

SMM girls basketball team beat Junction City handily, 59-27 and lost to SM East in a hard fought battle; 55-45.

To check athletic and activity schedules please use this link: www.sunflowerleague.org

Boys Basketball

Varsity Coach: Denton Hays

Email: dentonhays@smsd.org

Instagram: @smnhoops

Twitter: @SMNboysbb

Website: smnbison.com

Girls Basketball

Varsity Coach: Trinity Hall

Email: Trinityhall@smsd.org

Instagram: @smn_girlsbball

Twitter: @SMNLadyHoops

Website: smnbison.com

Boys and Girls Wrestling

Varsity Coach: Conan McCormack

Email: conanmccormack@smsd.org

Instagram: @smn_wrestling

Twitter: @SMNwrestling

Website: smnbison.com

Boys Swim and Dive

Varsity Coach: Cody Fothergill

Email: nofother@smsd.org

Instagram: @smnboysswim_dive

Twitter: https://x.com/smnboysswimdive

Website: smnbison.com

Bowling Boys and Girls

Varsity Coach: Jim Sherwood

Email: jamessherwood@smsd.org

Website: smnbison.com

Tryouts: Athletes must have a physical form on file prior to tryout. Potential team members must

sign for a tryout slot

● Park Lanes, Shawnee

● December 2-6

● 3pm-5pm

● There are spots for 12 girls team members and 12 boys team members this includes all

varsity and Junior varsity

The season runs from January 8th until February 29th. The first day of practice is January 8th.

Parents and guardians: Each year you must go to Family Access to complete the Annual Online Verification for each of your students. Through this process you will update student and family information, become familiar with and consent to important SMSD policies, and make any necessary changes to your students' health information.

Click here to find instructions to complete these forms.
Haga cliq aqui para obtener instruccionies en Español a completar estos formularios.

If you have any questions contact:

Beth Giles

913-993-6909

BethGiles@smsd.org

Click Picture to nominate a SM North Classrooms

Bison and Family,

SMN Journalism would like to share an important message with all of you! Did you know that SMN Journalism has social media accounts? Our Facebook and Instagram accounts are great avenues for parents and students to connect, find information about SMN and find great photos!

Seeing these photos is also a great way to save memories, these four years go by fast!

Check out our accounts linked below or scan the QR code! Go Bison! We wish everyone luck this year and hope everyone enjoys all they can from our accounts!

Instagram Account: @smnjournalism https://www.instagram.com/smnjournalism/

Facebook Account: @Smnjournalism https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556805605266