NORTH NEWS Jan 23 2024
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
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
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Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
Mother Nature threw another wrinkle at us yesterday, but we are glad to be back! Despite last week also being a short week, we had some great things going on for Shawnee Mission North. We were fortunate to have two groups (Strolling Strings and NJROTC Color Guard) showcased as guests at Dr. Michelle Hubbard’s Superintendent of the Year luncheon and recognition. We had a great week of winter sports with great individual performances in bowling, swim and dive, and wrestling. Girls’ and Boys’ basketball also picked up victories, with the boys finishing 3rd in the Topeka Invitational.
This week we have all groups competing again, in addition to the North Area Band Festival taking place tonight at the Field House. The week finishes up with the 10th annual SMN Trivia Night on Saturday. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the PTSA. Let’s have a great week Bison!
Student and Staff of the Week
Student of the Week
This week’s Student of the Week is Laurel Hansen! Laurel was nominated for "putting 100 pages of the yearbook together and comes in at any spare time she has to work on it out of class time. (That includes Saturdays.)"
Congratulations!
Staff of the Week
This week’s Staff Member of the Week is Nik! Nik was nominated for " going beyond the call of duty daily to support the students at North and the staff who serve them." Plus, he has literally the best laugh in the world!
NEW INFORMATION
FAFSA NIGHT January 25
Please join us for FAFSA Night - January 25th starting at 6 PM in the cafeteria.
Learn more about the updates and changes to the FAFSA form for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Faculty from JCCC will be here to present about the FAFSA and to help with any questions you have.
Bring your students laptop if you would like 1-1 help.
There will also be a presentation and translation services offered in Spanish.
ACT 2/27/24
All students who signed up for the state-funded ACT on 2/27/24 have received a confirmation email. Guardians have also received the confirmation message by email. If a student or guardian did not receive their confirmation email and believe they did sign up (in November), please email laurabrogdon@smsd.org.
The Jones Project- rescheduled
We’re so excited to have an amazing local speaker, Coach Damon Parker from The Jones Project, come to Shawnee Mission North during seminar on 1/23 for 10th and 12th graders and 1/30 for 9th and 11th graders! Many of our Student Council members have been inspired by his impactful speech relating to issues that many teenagers today suffer from but don’t speak of. It is so important for our North community to know that they don’t stand alone. We can’t wait to have Coach Parker come to SMN and have our school community benefit from him! If you have any questions about this program, please contact one of the North School Social Workers
After School Tutoring Update
Tutoring begins on Wednesday 1/24/24. This will be in the Learning Commons from 3:00pm-4:20pm on Monday’s and Wednesday’s. Content teachers will be available to assist students with homework or reviewing course material. FREE meals can be picked up in the cafeteria between 2:50 and 3:00 if they are staying for tutoring. Students can ride a FREE bus home at 4:30pm with a pass from a teacher.
Kindness Week
SMSD is recognizing Kindness Week January 22 -26. We will be joining nearly 19 million youth in 115 countries to help create a kinder world! Students will be given the opportunity each day to show kindness at SMN and we encourage families to join in the Great Kindness Challenge as well. Click here to check out The Great Kindness Challenge website for ideas and history.
Holiday Thank You
Wow! What an amazing community we have at SMN! During this holiday season, we were able to support 88 North families with food, gift cards and gifts thanks to the incredible network of current and former staff members, clubs, teams, individual community members, SMN alumni, churches and community organizations. Thank you to each of you who supported the families of SMN this holiday season!
Previously released information, but still important to know
Last Chance for yearbooks at discounted price
Last chance to get a yearbook at the $50 price – until Jan. 31. Order them at www.yearbookforever.com and use the coupon code snowday15 .
ACT courses available
SM North students are welcome to attend ACT classes in your area in February:
KU in Lawrence Feb. 10: http://actprep.info/ku
K-State Olathe Feb. 17: http://actprep.info/kstate
School Pictures
Students and Parents – it’s not too late to order school photos from this year’s picture day.
If your student is in grade 9-11, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/2ndSMN23
If your student is a senior, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/Senphoto
If you have any questions, please contact Rolland Studios here: https://www.rollandkc.com/contact
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.
Staff Member of the Week
SMN Booster Club/PTSA
10th Annual SMN Trivia Night!
VOLUNTEER AT TRIVIA NIGHT!
Not into Trivia, but want to support SMN? We NEED YOU to help with check-in, selling raffle tickets, bartending, & more! Click on the link below for more info:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-46989347-trivia#/
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 10th Annual SMN Trivia Night is co-sponsored by SMN PTSA and the SMN Booster Club. All proceeds will be used to support SMN students, staff, and programs!
For more information contact SMN PTSA at smnorthptsa@gmail.com or SMN Booster Club at smnboosterclub@yahoo.com
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!
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
Coming Up!
February 5-9th tickets for Winter Formal will go on sale. They will sell for $10 per person, and that price will go up at the door, so students should plan ahead. We will be sending out a sign up for anyone that would like to help chaperone that dance. The dance is February 10th from 7-10pm.
Currently, Seniors are helping narrow down a list of candidates for Northman. The game on February 9th, Northman will be recognized at halftime of the boys varsity game!
Additionally, February 12-16th will be HUG Week. HUG Week stands for Have Unlimited Goals—this is where we ask students to recommit to their goals for the semester and we do a lot of fun fundraisers that are themed around Valentines Day but that help us pay for things like Prom and Senior activities.
More information about ALL of this will come in next week’s North News!
Sophomore Stuco is having a Bake Sale during Hug week (Feb 12-16). Students or parents can make baked goods to participate in a friendly contest where students will vote for the best good during that lunch. To participate in the contest click the Google form or use the QR code
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0_FmTXIelM7crtq20gX-o4pWmYlgJAq2MZfBRYDL1JkMOPw/viewform <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0_FmTXIelM7crtq20gX-o4pWmYlgJAq2MZfBRYDL1JkMOPw/viewform>
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News from Student Services
Enrollment for 2024-2025
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year began in January 2024. Academic Counselors will meet with students by grade level in seminar starting January 9th. 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.
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
Job opportunity
Let's Grow Preschool
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Bison Athletics and Activities
Shawnee Mission North Athletics
Lady Bison picked up win number four this season with the victory over Christ Preparatory Academy. Sophomore Tamiah Washington led the way with 15 points. Junior Nicole Mendez added 12 points and Freshman Genesis Juarez scored 6 points. Bison are away next Monday vs BVNW. Lady Bison fell to BVNW Monday evening. Senior Rosjai Curtis played key roles on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor. The Lady Bison are back in action tonight at Harmon. Tip-off is at 5:30pm.
The Varsity boys basketball team secured 3rd place in the Topeka Invitational Tournament with a 55-43 victory over Lansing. SMN was led statistically by Alex Casares- 17 points, and 4 assists, Liam Dalley, 13 points, and Aziz Jagne with 8 points, and 13 rebounds. In the second round, SMN lost to undefeated Highland Park, 52-67. Alex Casares, 17 points and Dailan Holman, 6 points and 6 rebounds paced our team. The Bison defeated Topeka West in the first round of the Topeka Invitational Tournament on Thursday evening. North was led by Caden Kermoade- 20pts, 4rebounds and Alex Casares, 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assist
Shawnee Mission North Girls Wrestling fought hard this last weekend against some of the best wrestlers from all around the state of Kansas. The girls learned a lot and are looking forward to getting back on the mat later this week at our Duel against Turner on January 25th.
We had a fun day of wrestling at De Soto. We took some younger athletes and had some success on the day. Joey Piasecki took 2nd place at 157 lbs. weight class. Zack Kier battled his way to an 8th place finish, and Ruben Garcia got on the mat for the first time this year and placed 6th at the 190lbs. weight class. The boys will be back in action on Saturday, January. 27, at the Shawnee Mission North Invitational.
North had another snow day competition. The team was at Park Lanes versus Olathe West, Olathe North, and host Mill Valley. The JV boys finished 4th and Jack Yuan led the team with a 444 series. Varsity boys finished 4th and were paced by Aaron Salvino with a 571 series. In the girl’s competition the varsity girls finished in 4th. With a move up from JV Sarah Nielsen had the high series for North with a 381. The JV girls finished in 2nd place overall with Annaleese Bryan rolling a 255 series. The Bison will be bowling Friday in our first home meet at Mission Bowl in Olathe.
Bowling was in action for our first home meet of the season at Mission Bowl in Olathe. The meet included Olathe Northwest and Shawnee Mission South. The junior varsity boys finished third and were led by the 394-pin series by senior Rhett Lane. The JV girls finished 2nd overall. Their high scorer was Stella Hart. Who’s 303 series placed her in fifth overall. The varsity girls were second place in the meet with senior Lily DeBoe having a 395 series. Varsity boys also finished in second place. Aaron Salvino was the overall winner of the competition with a 625 series. Tuesday the Bison roll again on Tuesday and will be celebrating the senior members on Friday.
The North Swim and Dive team competed in the Shawnee Mission Invitational on Saturday and we had some great results! 4 of our divers, including freshman Cullen Bartlett, made it into the top 16, and we were the only school to do that!!!! Congrats divers!! We also had a new school record, as Jonathan Guild broke his own 100 Backstroke record to finish 4th with a 54.83. He also had a top 10 finish with a P.R. (personal record) in the 100 Butterfly. Charlie Brooks also had two outstanding swims, placing top 16 in both the 100 Fly and 100 Back, and just barely missing State Qualifying cuts in both races.
The 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle Relays, consisting of Guild, Brooks, Cash Olberding and Zak Kohoutek also had season-best times to finish 10th and 13threspectively. Many of our other swimmers also had personal records, including some fantastic time drops! Our new swimmers continue to get better each week as we begin the final month of the season.
We are excited to introduce Sarah Wallace (link) as our girls varsity soccer coach. Sarah served as our varsity assistant coach last spring and her daughter, Maya is a North alum, Class of 2023. Matt Jacobsen has agreed to serve as our varsity assistant soccer coach. Congratulations!
Save the date for the SM North HOF game on Friday, February 2nd vs Gardner Edgerton. Sara Goodburn and Aaron Sawyer will be inducted at half-time of the varsity boys game.
Spring Sports: Most coaches have already held or will schedule pre-season meetings for spring sports. If you have specific questions please email the varsity coach directly (see below). Prior to try-outs a student must complete the following:
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
If you have question please email the coach directly
No practice until athlete meets the criteria
Varsity Baseball Coach
Rusty Jones
Twitter: @SMN_Baseball
Varsity Girls Softball Coach
Julie True coachtrue22@gmail.com
Twitter: @SMNorthSoftball
Varsity Tennis Coach
Steven Acala
Twitter: @SMNtennnis
Varsity Golf Coach
Walter Mansfield
Twitter: @SMNboysgolf
Varsity Track and Field Coach
Mike Pope
Twitter: @SMNTrack
Varsity Girls Swim and Dive Coach
Kailey Morash
Twitter: @SMNGirlsSwim
Varsity Girls Soccer Coach
Sarah Wallace
Twitter: @smngirlssoccer