Knightly News

Indian Hills has a selection of sports teams as well as after-school clubs and activities available to both 7th and 8th grade students. Information and schedules can be found on the school’s athletics and activities website.

Important Dates:

August 8th- Fall Sports Meeting after the Ice Cream Social (6:30-7:30P)

August 15th- Physical and Concussion Form due

August 19th- Fall Sports Begin (7-8th Volleyball, 7-8th Cross Country, 8th Football)

Your student-athlete must have a current KSHSAA physical, dated after May 1st, 2024. The physical paperwork needs to be turned in to the IHMS front office no later than 48 hours before the first day of practice. All physical forms will take 48 hours to approve for play. An email will be sent to the parent/guardian, either confirming that the athletic form requirements have been met and that your student-athlete is ready for play or information detailing which requirements are still needed.

Find Required Physical and Concussion Forms HERE

Click here for more athletic information about KSHSAA physical requirements.

Please see the image below for Drop off and Pick up directions. More specific information will be provided on Monday, August 12th regarding drop off and pick up. This does not impact specialized transportation arrangments.

7th graders and 8th graders will begin the school year on different dates:

7th graders only: Tuesday, August 13, 2024:

• 7th grade students will report for a full 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. school day.

• No school supplies

• 7th grade students will receive a printed class schedule at the beginning of the day.

• This date is a 7th grade Knight Initiation (orientation) day only that includes hallway navigation, walking class schedules, staff introductions, locker help, lunchroom orientation, team building, etc.

All students (7th and 8th): Wednesday, August 14, 2024:

• 7th and 8th grade students will report for a full 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. school day.

• Students should have all school supplies.

• This date is an all-school Knight Initiation (orientation) - teaching and reviewing what it takes to be a successful Knight.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has the following immunization requirements for the 2024-2025 school year. KDHE requires one of each required dose before entry to a grade level. Without documentation of the required Tdap, meningococcal, and at least one dose of the hepatitis vaccine, your student WILL NOT be allowed to attend past the annual exclusionary date (normally beginning of October). Notice will be provided via phone and email if your student’s vaccination records are not up-to-date and/or are out of compliance.

• Tdap: A single dose of Tdap is required for entry to 7th grade. Please ensure that you have provided documentation to the school nurse for Tdap vaccination prior to the first day of 7th grade.

• Meningococcal: Two doses are required. First dose prior to the first day of 7th grade and second dose prior to 11th grade. Please provide documentation to the school nurse or nurse’s aide.

• Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses are required for all students in grades 7, 8, 9. Doses must be 6 months apart.

Backpacks are to be placed in lockers before school begins and retrieved after school concludes. Bags carried in hallways should be no larger than a standard-sized fanny pack.

Students will receive their lunch assignments on the first day of school.

Food Service will continue to offer healthy and appealing breakfast and lunch options for all students next school year. Meal prices, along with more information, can be found by clicking here. Parents can access School Café and sign up/link to their student’s lunch account to check their student’s order history. Reminder phone calls for negative or low balances will automatically take place for all middle school students. If students want to purchase a la carte items, parents can add money to their student’s lunch account via eFunds for schools. Your student may bring their lunch if they would like but they may not have delivery service (i.e. Door Dash).

MacBooks

Skyward verification should be completed by parents and students on or after July 22, 2024.

• If the verification forms are not completed by Labor Day, then the device will be taken away until forms are completed.

• Every middle school student will be issued a MacBook on the first day of school.

Canvas

Canvas is the learning management system utilized by all teachers. Parents can join as an observer. Use the following links to learn how.

• Getting Started with Canvas (English).pdf

• Getting Started with Canvas (Spanish) .pdf

• What are the _basics_ of Canvas_ Family Support Document (SMSD Site).pdf

Fees can be paid online or in person. 2024-25 required fees total $112 (which includes instructional, student ID, and activity fee). In addition to these fees, some elective courses will carry an additional fee. Please make sure to check your student’s schedule in Skyward and pay only for the elective courses in which your student is enrolled.

Although online fee payment is easy and preferred, directions for each form of fee payment are listed below. Please complete fee payment on/after August 5th.

• Online fee payment: Navigate to www.smsd.org, hover over the “Families” tab, and click the link entitled “Pay Fees.”

• On-site fee payment: Cash, check, or card payment may be completed during office hours (8:00am – 4:00pm. M-F) from August 5th – August 12th, 2024

• Additional Information regarding fee payment:

• All fees should be paid, or a payment plan should be established, prior to the first day of school.

• Contact IHMS bookkeeper Veronica Rodriguez - veronicarodriguez@smsd.org - with any school fee payment questions and concerns.

• Fee waiver information for 2024-2025:

• Instructional resource and ID card fees may be waived if one of the following circumstances apply:

• If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals, then 100% of the fees will be waived. If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for reduced meals, then 50% of the fees will be waived.
1. Applications for Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals (free/reduced lunch) will go live after July 1st, 2024, and will be located on the district’s food services webpage.
2. We will need a copy of the documented confirmation letter delivered to veronicarodriguez@smsd.org.
• Proof that the student is in the custody of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (foster care program) is provided to the school office, or the student receives services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.

This list represents only the basic school supplies necessary for the beginning of the school year. Individual teachers, within the first week of school, may ask students to purchase additional supplies needed for their particular class.

• 4 Boxes Of Kleenex (Delivered To Knight Time Teacher)

• Multi-Pocketed Trapper Keeper Or 2-3” 3-Ring Binder

• Spiral Notebook Or Wide Ruled Paper

• Pencils/Pens

• Colored Pencils

• Dry-Erase Markers

• Highlighters

• Glue Stick

• Pencil/Pen Bag

• Headphones With In-Line Mic (Wireless Or 3.5mm Plug-In)

• P.E. Clothes: White T-Shirt, Dark Bottoms

Check your family’s address, phone, email, and emergency information in Skyward for accuracy. Make any changes necessary, and please notify the office of any changes in address, marital status, or custodial rights.

Both students and parent/guardian must complete Skyward verification on or after July 22, 2024.

Student schedules are live on August 2nd. Students will have an opportunity to walk their schedule and practice their locker combinations during the Ice Cream Social event. Due to construction, this is the only opportunity for your student to access the building prior to the first day of school.

Transportation services (busing) is provided through DS Bus Lines, Inc. Please refer to the Transportation Page on the SMSD Website for further information. All families interested in bus transportation must register through Shawnee Mission: Home | DS Bus Lines, Inc. Students residing outside 2.5 miles from Indian Hills are eligible for free busing. Students residing within 2.5 miles are eligible for paid busing.

• School Website

• District Website

• SMSD Middle School Handbook (English & Spanish)

• IHMS Student Handbook

• District Transportation Website

As you drive by, you’ll notice that construction is underway on the backside of the building. JE Dunn and Hollis & Miller are adding a new meeting space that will include a conference room and study rooms, with completion expected by January 2025.

During the Ice Cream Social, be sure to check out the new privacy bathrooms and the updated furniture in the classrooms and cafeteria. Additionally, the school district has improved our network wiring and replaced many of the old projectors with new TVs.

Our PTA is made up of hard-working parents and teachers who pool their talents to provide practical support for our school. Our mission is to advocate for our children and provide outstanding programs that empower our school community. The PTA supports school programs such as teacher grants, student mixer, Staff Appreciation, Color Run and more! Become a member today: https://indianhillspta.membershiptoolkit.com