Office Hours 7 AM - 3:30 PM

913.993.7200

Attendance

Attendance Hotline 913.993.7245 (All Day)

Attendance Office 913.993.7242 (Partial Day)

Email: lisagruman@smsd.org

Website: https://smnorthwest.smsd.org/

Location: 12701 W 67th St Shawnee, KS

Phone: 913.993.7200

X (Twitter): @smnw_office

Instagram: @smnwoffice

Dear Northwest Community,

May has brought some beautiful weather and we are excited for the sunshine today! Our athletic teams are busy this week with some important contests, including senior recognition for baseball on Saturday morning, North Relays for track on Friday, girls' soccer hosting Mill Valley in soccer on Thursday. We also have band and orchestra concerts this week along with the spring repertory theater show - check out our calendar for more details.

Congratulations to our Northwest Journalism programs!! At the JEA/NSPA Spring Convention in Seattle, the Yearbook won 1st place in the Best of Show Competition for last year’s book, naming it the best in the country. The Lair has now won 1st place in Best of Show in 4 of the last 6 conventions for the last three Yearbooks, which spans two advisers. In addition, the Lair was named a Pacemaker Winner, the top honor in high school journalism, one of only 22 in the country and one of two in Kansas with that honor. The Lair has now won a Pacemaker 10 years in a row.

The Northwest Passage placed 3rd in the Best of Show Newsmagazine category. This ties for the highest placing in a Best of Show competition since 2013. The paper placed 8th in the Fall convention. The paper won for the issue that was distributed in March. The Passage was also placed 2nd in the Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City Sweepstakes

Important Notes for May:

• Planning ahead – Please reference the Final Exam schedule linked below. Our seniors’ last day is May 16. This includes their first hour final exam, Senior Breakfast, and Graduation Rehearsal. Students are expected to attend graduation rehearsal in preparation for that special occasion. The last day for our freshmen, sophomores and juniors is May 23rd and that day is an early dismissal.
• Graduation is Thursday, May 22nd at 7 pm at Shawnee Mission District Stadium North Location at SMN. Students will receive their graduation cap and gown as well as tickets at rehearsal that may be used for admission to the fieldhouse at SMN if there is inclement weather on that night.
• Please reach out to an administrator or counselor if any needs arise for your students.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa Gruman

May 15, 2025 - LAST LATE START

May 16, 2025 - Senior's Last Day - More Info to Come

May 22, 2025 - SMNW 2025 Graduation - 7pm @ SMN District Stadium

Senior Families! Please be aware that your students' account needs to be paid in full to ensure they receive their diploma after walking the stage at Graduation on May 22. These outstanding fees are to be paid in full by May 3, 2025. Cash/Check/Card are accepted, and fees are to be paid in person by the student or the student's parent. You can also pay on Skyward. Please no payments over the phone. Please reach out if there are any questions.

Wed. May 7 at 3:30 pm in Rising Star Library

Wed. May 7 at 3:30 pm Shawanoe library

Thurs. May 8 at 3:30 pm Ray Marsh Library

Tues. May 13 at 3:30 pm Broken Arrow Library

Tues. May 13 at 3:30 pm Benninghoven Library

Wed. May 14 at 3:30 pm Mill Creek Library

This option is for reporting all day absences and late arrivals only.

When requesting an early dismissal please call 913-993-7242 or email jamieprosser@smsd.org

Zach Cash A-D zacharycash@smsd.org

Barb Legate E-J barbaralegate@smsd.org

Katie Cole K-Pe katherinecole@smsd.org

Jessica Andrade Pf-R (ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org

Jordan Landis S-U jordanlandis@smsd.org

Erica Jablonski V-Z (RWL) ericajablonski@smsd.org

Information is now accessible on the district website! We have attached the information, but please check out the website for more detail if you are interested in taking a summer class or two.

SMSD eSchool:

https://www.smsd.org/academics/eschool/enrollment-information

*Typically used for credit advancement but can also be used for credit recovery.

SMSD Summer Academy:https://www.smsd.org/academics/summer-programs/summer-academy

*Core classes are for credit recovery only. Sessions correspond to the semester that must be recovered. Session 1 = Semester 1 & Session 2 = Semester 2

Cost (Unless Otherwise Noted): $180

Steps to Enroll:

1. Contact your academic counselor to discuss appropriate course(s).
2. Register for the class by stopping by the Student Service’s office, located in the main office area at NW.
3. Pay within 2 business days of registration.

RWL Career Exploration & Summer Opportunities

👉 Visit our website for flyers, deadlines, and application links.

• Youth Diplomats Program – Free global affairs program
• SevenDays® Kindness Youth Leadership Team – 2025–26 leadership opportunity
• JE Dunn Construction Internship – One-week paid summer program
• Garmin Engineering Camp – June 14–18 for incoming 9th & 10th graders
• Banfield Pet Academy Internship – Summer program for future vet professionals
• UMKC School of Pharmacy Camp – One-day summer camp on June 27 ($40)

These opportunities are great for building resumes, exploring passions, and preparing for life after high school!

- The cost to attend is $375, with $325 coming from a sponsor or Legion Post
- Who – Young men who are Juniors (preferred), or Sophomores in the 24-25
school year
- When – Sunday, June 1st through Saturday, June 7th, 2025
- Where – Kansas State University in Manhattan
- Why – To learn leadership skills in a learning-by-doing environment that
can be utilized in your school and community
- How – Apply at www.ksbstate.org
Bonuses – College Credit from K-State and Scouting Merit Badges can now be
earned for Boys Staters! There is also a college fair with over 40 college
and trade schools attending and the opportunity to earn scholarships from
$500 to $10,000! And opportunities for strength and conditioning for Fall
sports requirements.

May Northwest News: The FINAL edition of Northwest News is here! Click the link at the top of the website to make sure you know the end-of-year happenings at NW!

SENIOR BREAKFAST

The Senior Breakfast will be held on the seniors' last day of school, May 16. While the planning is done by a committee of Junior parents, senior families are asked to help by making a $10 contribution toward the event and/or helping serve breakfast that morning. Sign up HERE.

ATTENTION FRESHMEN FAMILIES!

To wrap up the year's grade level staff appreciation events, freshmen families will host a staff tailgate cookout on May 7. Please see the link HERE. Thank you in advance for showing appreciation to our awesome NW teachers and staff!

As the calendar changes to May springs sports is starting postseason in some areas while some are finishing up the final weeks of regular season.Congratulations goes to all of our coaches, student athletes and the community for the efforts, accolades, support that have been put in to allow the growth of our student athletes. Please keep up with all the action from our newsletter below. Good luck Cougars.

Also, remember to mark your calendar and get a head start on physicals for the 25-26 school year. Spring physical night is May 7th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for $25. Details on a post from early last week.

EveryDay Champion News Week of May 5

Please turn any athletic papers to the athletic secretary in the main office.

Feel free to email or call with any questions or concerns about your student’s health or vaccine needs! You can reach me, Wendy Woods (nurse) at 913-993-7216 or Brenda Renteria (nurse aid) at 913-993-7606.

Thank you,
Wendy Woods, RN, BSN, MSN

NW Nurse

SMSD Illness Guidelines:

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/illness

Medications at School:

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/medication

Immunizations and Physicals:

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/immunizations-physicals