NORTH NEWS October 30, 2023
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS
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Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
We are finally having a normal schedule this week! I am sure our students will appreciate some consistency and structure as we wrap up the month of October. We have three weeks before the Thanksgiving Break and then three weeks after that until the end of the first semester! We need students to commit more now than ever before to our building expectations:
- Be where you are supposed to be.
- Do what you are supposed to do.
- Do it to the best of your ability.
Building Goals
Improve the social and emotional wellbeing of students by focusing on engagement and culture.
- Decrease the number of students chronically absent from 45% to 35% .
- Decrease the number of students with more than one office referral in a school year from 10% to 9%.
Increase student achievement and engagement.
- Increase high school graduation rate from 82% to 85%
- Increase students on pace to graduate (passing 6 of 7 classes) from 84% to 87%.
- Increase number of students with an MVA from 70 to 140
Current Building Goal Marks
- Chronic Absenteeism: 32%
- Students with more than one office referral: 2.5%
- Students with a referral that results in a suspension: 3.3%
- Students passing 6 or 7 out of 7 classes: 79%
Chronic Absenteeism: We have a building goal of having a chronic absenteeism rate of 35% or lower. We are currently at 32%. If your student is currently on pace to be considered chronically absent for the year, you will be receiving communication from our building soon. Please stress the importance of attendance with your student.
Students on pace to graduate: We currently have 79% of our students passing 6 or 7 out of 7 classes. We have a goal of having 87% of our students on that mark. Please stress the importance of performing well in school and gaining credits towards graduation with your student.
Student of the Week - Jourden White
CONGRATULATIONS...
Staff of the Week - Monica Morris
NEW INFORMATION
AP information
AP Information!
If your student is currently in an AP (Advanced Placement) course, they are eligible to sign up and take the AP Exams to earn college credit.
Sign up for AP Exams by Friday, November 3rd to ensure you avoid late fees.
Enroll for the exams through College Board and pay $105 through TotalRegistration.net/AP/172000
For more information reach out to BrittSherer@smsd.org
Shawnee Mission North Schedule Change Requests
For Second Semester
Students may request a schedule change for second semester by emailing their Alpha Counselor. The schedule change deadline is Friday, December 8.
There will be NO schedule changes in January.
Schedule changes will be prioritized based on the following criteria.
- Your schedule is incomplete, or missing a core course.
- A class is listed twice.
- You have already taken a class that is on your schedule.
- You are a senior and are missing a graduation requirement.
- You are missing a prerequisite for a course.
- Only half of a yearlong class is scheduled.
- You have a level change request (Honors/AP to regular or regular to Honors/AP)
You are not eligible for a schedule change IF…..
- You don’t have friends in your class.
- You want a different teacher.
Students qualifying for a schedule change as explained above can email their Alpha Counselor.
A – D & ELL Jeinny Morris jeinnymorris@smsd.org
E – K Leah Murray leahmurray@smsd.org
L – Q Jennifer Fontaine jenniferfontaine@smsd.org
R – Z Deanna Griffey deannagriffey@smsd.org
If your student is looking for a fun winter activity. Bowling is just around the corner. The preseason bowling meeting will be held at 2:45 pm in room 210 on Wednesday, November 1st. Tryouts for the team will be held December 12-13, and 15th. All interested athletes will need to have a physical form on file prior to tryouts. Everyone wanting to tryout will need to sign up for a time slot. The link to sign up can be obtained by attending the preseason meeting, speaking to Coach Sherwood, or using the QR codes will be available around the school after the preseason meeting. The team has 12 spots available for the girls team and 12 spots for the boys team. Our first practice is January 8th and the season runs until February 29th. If you have any questions please contact Coach Sherwood.
Previously released information, but still important to know
23-24 College Rep Visits - Sign up
Juniors and seniors may sign up for the college admission rep visits. These visits are held during school hours. (Check weekly for updated college lists, dates, and times).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn5kJr2FlCpNzF_Tu328IhA10mKWlhiAcnrZz2IOF4xD70wA/viewform
After School Tutoring Update
Message from NURSE
Greetings from Nurse Kelly:
We’ve been busy updating students’ vaccination records in our office.
October 23th is the exclusion date for those students who are not compliant.
Quite a few 9th graders are missing the required Hepatitis A vaccine.
We are still playing catch up with our 11th graders and their meningococcal vaccine compliance.
We will continue to work with our families to help them with this.
If you need assistance, please contact us at 913-993-6907 or 913-993-6916.
Thank you for your attention to this important announcement from the nurse’s office at SMN!
School Fees for 2023-24 are now DUE!!
- 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 2023-24 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, 2024 and then they go up to $65. Parking permits are available throughout the year and prorated by quarter.
- 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.
SMN Booster Club/PTSA
Each year the SMN All-Activities Booster Club supports student clubs, groups, and teams by funding grant requests from coaches and club sponsors for expenses that are not funded by the school district? Since our organization began, we have given over $250,000 in grants to student organizations & teams at North! We raise funds for our grants through our spirit wear sales, memberships, an Annual Trivia Night & Annual Golf Tournament.
At the October meeting of the SMN All-Activities Booster Club, we were pleased to award grants to the following groups –
The SMN Culinary Arts classes was awarded $400.00 to purchase the ingredients to make 65 pies to donate to members of the community.
SMN Robotics was awarded $2042.00 to be used towards the purchase of a new band saw and drill press.
SAVE THE DATE!!
The 10th Annual SMN Trivia Night has been scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024! Team registration info will be available in Mid-November - watch our social media for details!
Purchase SMN Spirit Wear and Booster Club Memberships at our online store (click on the link or use the QR code below)
Join PTSA and the Booster Club
The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) and the All-School Booster Club are great ways for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!
Join PTSA by clicking on this link!
Join Booster Club by clicking on this link!
All proceeds raised by both organizations directly benefit SMN students!
Staff Member of the Week
Senior Yearbook Ads
Celebrate your senior's graduation with a Senior Ad in the 2024 yearbook.
You will purchase your Senior Ad online.
To pay with a credit card and/or submit all your photos go to www.yearbookforever.com. Choose SM North. You can upload all of your photos and pay here.
After you send your Senior Ad in, you will receive a proof via email by Feb. 9. Not all will be done by then, but a majority will be. If you haven't seen yours by then, please call 913-993-7012 or email notate@smsd.org and check on the ad..
Thanks so much for supporting the Brickhouse yearbook. We look forward to designing your senior’s ad.
If you have any questions, please contact yearbook advisor Becky Tate at 913-993-7012 or at notate@smsd.org .
Please check out the Class of 2024 webpage: https://smnorth.smsd.org/students/graduation
Paraprofessional and food service positions are available
If you are interested in food services positions in the SMSD, please see the image below.
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STUCO NEWS
Canned Food Drive
The Canned Food Drive will be from now through November 10th. Winning groups will send tributes to participate in the optional assembly on 11/14 during seminar. Students that wish to attend will be asked to donate $1 or a can to attend the assembly. All proceeds will go to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau
Here is what JCCB needs:
* Canned Vegetables
* peanut butter
* Mac and cheese
* canned soup
* canned fruit
Monday 11/6--hosting 10-12 students from BVNW to shadow our Gold Council of Excellence and get good ideas
Yoga in the cafeteria after school with Ms. Sigler, money goes to Sophomores
Talent Show, 4-6pm in the Little Theater (see Canvas for google form “audition”), money to come watch goes to this year’s Prom
Tuesday 11/7—Bingo during incentive seminar, $1 cards to play with fun prizes. Money helps pay for senior activities
Volleyball tournament after school in the Field House, sign ups this week in the cafeteria, money goes to Freshmen class
Friday, 11/10—Regatta, the cardboard boat race, 3pm at the pool. Winners get to participate in Hunger Games assembly
SALT’s powderpuff game, 5pm on the field. Bring a can to come watch the juniors and seniors play powderpuff!
Dazzle in White, mixer from 7-9pm in the cafeteria. Pick your best all-white fits!
Trunk or Treat
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News from Student Services
AP TESTING Tid-Bits
AP Information!
If your student is currently in an AP (Advanced Placement) course, they are eligible to sign up and take the AP Exams to earn college credit.
Sign up for AP Exams by Friday, November 3rd to ensure you avoid late fees.
Enroll for the exams through College Board and pay $105 through TotalRegistration.net/AP/172000
Job Opportunities
Midwest Pool hiring for the 2024 season
Tomahawk Animal Hospital Click here for more information
YMCA: Part Time Youth Development Leader Positions Click here for more informationFreddys: Click here for more information
Montessori Asst. teacher
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Bison Athletics
Shawnee Mission North Athletics
SMN Boy’s Cross-Country team is the KSHSAA 6A 3rd place team. Micah Blomker is the overall 6A KSHSAA State Champion and his teammates Diego R (17th) and Gavin M (16th) finished in the top twenty to earn all-state honors. For the Girls Cross-Country team, Brittany B finished 26th. Congratulations to Coach Pope, Coach Porter and Coach Huckabee on a great season.
The Bison Football team played a competitive game versus Blue Valley West before the Jaguars pulled away in the 4th quarter.
This culminates the fall season for our KSHSAA Interscholastic sports programs. Thank you to all our fans, families, game management staff, student-athletes and coaches for making this a memorable fall season.
We’re super excited to begin the winter sports season. If you have interest in joining one of our winter sports teams - girls basketball, boys basketball, wrestling (boys and girls), boys swim and dive and bowling (boys and girls) then it’s time to make sure you have necessary information and required paperwork on file!. Being part of a team helps students make strong connections to our school community. Athletic programs are one avenue to become a part of something bigger than yourself. The time commitment, sacrifice, work ethic and loyalty in being a part of a team is second to none. The memories you create will last a lifetime. Last spring we had an athletic interest questionnaire for incoming freshmen if your student has not completed it; please feel free to do so. I know a lot of our incoming freshmen participated in summer camps &/or conditioning, however it was not required and if you still have an interest in participating please reach out to the varsity coach. It’s never too late to try out, high school athletes participate for a number of reasons: a few examples are to be part of a team, hang out with their friends, have fun and to compete.
Save the date: Winter practices begin on Monday, November 13, 2023. Please note there is a winter moratorium and students and/or coaches cannot use our athletic facilities the week of November 6-12 this includes the weight-room. STUCO and PEP Club have a number of school based activities this week please check the school calendar for details.
Boys Basketball Tryouts
Varsity Coach: Denton Hays
Email: dentonhays@smsd.org
Instagram: @smnhoops
Twitter: @SMNboysbb
Website: smnbison.com
Tryouts: Monday, November 13th & Tuesday, November 14th in the Aux Gym
So, Jr, Sr – 3:00-5:00
Freshman- 5:15-7:00
Players should be dressed in athletic clothes: T-shirt shorts, and basketball shoes.
Tryouts are for players only; parents/family members need to wait in the parking lot.
Cuts will be made Tuesday- Our coaching staff will personally talk to every player who tries out to inform them if they made the team or not.
Practice Times
Freshmen Team
16-18 players
Practice Days: M-F 5:00-7:00 & Sa 11:00-12:30
Sophomore Team
8-10 players
Practice Days: M-F 3:00-5:00 & Sa 11:00-12:30
JV/Var
18-22 players
o Practice Days: M-F 3:00-5:00 & Sa 9:00-10:30
Thanksgiving & Winter Break Schedule
We do practice over Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break. All players are expected to be in attendance. Please plan accordingly.
Thanksgiving Practice Dates: 11/20, 11/21, 11/22, 11/24, 11/25
Winter Break Practice Dates: 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/29, 12/30, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
SMSD is a member of KSHSAA as such the following requirements exists for a student Athlete to participate in interscholastic athletics.
Preseason Practice Requirements
PPE - physical
SMSD Online verification required by both student and parent
PPE - Requires the signature of the doctor on page 2. Student and parent must sign the front and back of form
Concussion release form
Additional paperwork is required for XC.
If you have question please email the coach directly
Athletes cannot attend practice until he/she meets the criteria
Important Links
Physical Examinations are required by all students who wish to participate in athletics in Grades 7-12 and Cheer & Dance in Grades 9-12. The Kansas High School Athletics Association recommends completion of this evaluation at least one month prior to the first practice to allow time for correction of deficiencies and implementation of conditioning recommendations. Instructions: Required forms must be completed and returned in its entirety to your school. We advise you to make a digital or hard copy for your own records.
Voluntary Student Accident Insurance (Managed by K&K Insurance) Our school district has selected the Student Insurance Plan from K&K Insurance Group to make reliable coverage available to everyone. If you don't have other insurance, this plan may be a resource to consider. Additionally, even if you have other coverage, this plan can help fill the expensive "gap" caused by a deductible and/or co-pay. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.
KSHSAA Concussion Guidelines
Kansas State High School Activities Association recommendations for compliance with the Kansas School Sports Head Injury prevention act and implementation of the National Federation sports playing rules related to concussions, Guidelines
High School Required Forms English and (Spanish)
ENGLISH FORMS:
REQUIRED: 2023-2024 Pre-Participation Physical Form
REQUIRED: 2023-2024 SMSD Concussion & Head Injury Information Release Form
2023-2024 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form
SPANISH FORMS:
REQUIRED: 2023-2024 Pre-Participation Physical - Spanish*
REQUIRED: 2023-2024 SMSD Concussion & Head
Injury Information Release Form - Spanish
2023-2024 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form - Spanish
High School Sports Information
Please save the date for the Annual Winter Sports Kick-off scheduled for Thursday, November 30.
S.A.L.T. is hosting the Junior/Senior Powderpuff football (flag football) game on Friday, November 10th at 5:00pm (the date has changed since the football stadium is available for use) in the district stadium. We look forward to making this a great event and we hope you will attend and support our students.
It is never too early to begin preparing for college admissions. If you are a student-athlete and have aspirations to compete in college athletics, it is important to sign up for the NCAA Core Course GPA. Please use the links below to get started or if you need additional assistance reach out to your students counselor or Annette Gonzales, AD and we can help you.