The West Weekly
Week of: Sept. 30-Oct. 4
Contact Information
8800 W. 85th Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66212
Phone: (913) 993-7800
Fax: (913) 993-8099
Report an Absence: (913) 993-7845
Follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Important Numbers
Main Office – 993-7800
Student Services Office – 993-7830
Attendance Hotline – 993-7845 Please call this number to report an absence
Spanish Interpreter – 993-7840
Oficina Principal – 993-7800
Oficina de Los Consejeros – 993-7830
Línea de Asistencia 24 horas al día – 993-7845 Por favor,
Intérprete de español – 993-7840
Attendance
You can leave a message at anytime. Staff listens to messages and processes them in the order that they are received, so it is suggested to allow at least 30 minutes of time before you need your student released.
Students need to stay in their class until the pass is delivered to them.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Gracias a aquellos de ustedes que están llamando a la línea de asistencia al 993-7845 para reportar una ausencia.
Puede dejar un mensaje en cualquier momento. El personal escucha los mensajes y los procesa en el orden en que se reciben, por lo que se sugiere que permita al menos 30 minutos de tiempo antes de que necesite liberar a su estudiante.
Los estudiantes deben permanecer en su clase hasta que se les entregue el pase.
Gracias por su cooperación.
Bell Schedule
Below you will find an image of our Bell Schedule.
-Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 7:40am-2:40pm school day.
-Thursdays are Late Start Thursdays 8:40-2:40 school day.
Busses run normally on late start days - there is no change in the pick up times on late start days.
Students will arrive to school and will be directed to go to the bridge, the gym or the cafeteria until the 8:30 bell rings. All students will then be released to their 2nd block classes that will begin at 8:40am.
Important Upcoming Dates
10/1 - Senior Class Meeting during seminar 9:55am.
10/7 - Odd Block Schedule
10/8 - Even Block Schedule
10/9 - Odd Block Schedule
10/10 - Late Start/Even Block Schedule
10/11 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day
10/14 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning Day
10/15 - Odd Block Schedule
10/16 - All Class Schedule (10th and 11th - National Testing option - all other students regular schedule
10/17 - Late Start /Even Block Schedule
10/16 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5-8pm
10/18 - No School for Students - Conferences
Our SM West calendar is linked in the smswest.smsd.org website under "Calendar."
NEW INFORMATION THIS WEEK!
Transportation - DS Bus Lines - ROSTER CHECK
Dear Parents/Guardians,
During the week of October 7th, DS Bus Lines, the district’s transportation service provider, will implement roster checks in order to verify accurate counts of riders registered and receiving transportation services. For any student riders not yet registered for transportation, please note that parents will be contacted by school offices to arrange alternative (parent provided) transportation.
To arrange bus transportation for your child, please contact DS Bus Lines at 913-384-1190.
Thank you!
Blake Revelle, Principal
Estimados padres / tutores,
Durante la semana del 7 de octubre, el proveedor de servicios de transporte del distrito DS Bus Lines, implementará controles de lista para verificar los números exactos de los estudiantes inscritos y que reciben servicios de transporte. Tenga en cuenta que para cualquier estudiante que aún no se haya registrado para el transporte, las oficinas de la escuela se comunicarán con los padres para organizar el transporte alternativo (proporcionado por los padres).
Para organizar el transporte en autobús para su hijo, comuníquese con DS Bus Lines al 913-384-1190.
¡Gracias!
Sign up for Textcaster Alerts here to receive text messages when a bus is delayed more than 10 minutes. This is very convenient during times of bad weather.
Contact DS Bus Lines at 913-384-1190 with any questions.
El pago debe ser recibido antes del 22 de julio de 2024 para recibir el descuento.
Regístrese aquí para recibir alertas deTextcaster Alerts here para recibir mensajes de texto cuando un autobús se retrase más de 10 minutos. Esto es muy conveniente en tiempos de mal tiempo..
Comuníquese con DS Bus Lines al 913-384-1190 si tiene alguna pregunta.
Attendance
Did you know that students who have missed more than 10% of the total number of school days in a school year (at any given point during the year) are considered “chronically absent?”
Our school has a goal to decrease our chronic absenteeism percentage from 37.5% of students to 30% or less this school year. Please help encourage your students at home to attend school each day unless out for an excused, board of education approved, absence. The Attendance Works organization’s website is a good resource to help individuals understand both the issue, and the potential solutions, surrounding chronic absenteeism.
Homecoming Week Festivities
It’s been a fantastic week of Homecoming festivities. As we wrap up the week, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and X for more pictures, videos, and daily SMW activities!
Senior Class Meeting - Tues. Oct. 1 - 9:55am
There will be a mandatory Senior Class Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1 during seminar beginning at 9:55am.
A representative from Josten’s will be in attendance to share information about ordering graduation cap/gowns, announcements, and other items to celebrate this occasion. If your student is at the CAA during that time, please encourage them to watch for emails about the meeting and ordering directions.
Josten's will offer an abundance of graduation items. The only REQUIRED PURCHASE is the $35 Cap/Gown/Stole and Tassel combination.
Here is a specific message from our Jostens’ representative:
Senior Parents,
Welcome to Jostens. We will be working with your school next week to help seniors order graduation products. Please watch the short video for important info and a schedule of events.
GRAD ORDER DUE DATE: Wednesday, October 16th!
Congratulations, Seniors…see you next week!!
Grad Info and Schedule of Events: https://teamjostens.com/smw-8414
Everything you need to be ready for graduation!
Jeff Heline
Jostens of NE Kansas
785-843-2967
Yearbook senior tributes…early bird price deadline is Oct. 4!
Yearbook senior tributes…early bird price deadline is Oct. 4!
As the parent of a senior, you have the special opportunity to place a congratulatory tribute for your son or daughter in the 2025 yearbook. Even though the book doesn’t come out until May, now is the time to prepare your senior tribute.
Click HERE to find detailed information about ordering your senior tribute. Deadline for the Early Bird price is Friday, Oct. 4 and for the regular price is Friday, Nov. 1. You can order and pay for tributes HERE.
Elementary school groups are part of the senior ad section. A student or parent from that school should coordinate taking a photo, collecting the money and paying for the tribute.
Please contact amymorgan@smsd.org with any questions!
Notes from Nurse:
If you received an email about needed immunizations, please get the vaccines completed and the record from your provider to the Nurses Office by October 16th, 2024.
JCDHE is hosting an immunization clinic for the following:
7th and 11th graders who need:
Tdap
MCV
· Any student needing Hepatitis A
Friday, October 11 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Olathe office. Students are not in school this day.
You can send the immunization record in with your student to turn into the Nurses Office or email them to amyhall356@smsd.org
We will be doing Vision Screening for the Sophomores on Monday November 4th, 2024. Please let the nurse know if you would like to opt your student out of the screening.
Seniors from Overland Park Elementary
Class of 2025 Seniors who attended Overland Park Elementary: Group picture to be taken on Thursday October 3. Meet at 7:20AM in the Overland Park Elementary parking lot. We’ll assemble in front of the building and take pictures at 7:30. Please bring $5 per student to help pay for the yearbook ad. Please share with all SMWest Class of 2025 Seniors who attended Overland Park Elementary.
SMW PTSA Membership Drive
Students - now is the time to join PTSA - This stands for Parents, Teachers, and Students association.
Why would a student join PTSA? Well, you must be a member to apply for the senior scholarships that PTSA awards to seniors each year.
It is also a great way to show your support for SM West -
Memberships help pay for senior scholarships, teacher/classroom grants, finals snacks, teacher appreciation and so much more
Tell your neighbors/friends..... There is an upcoming SM West Cheer Camp.
Still Relevant From Previous Weeks:
SAIL TUTORING IS STARTING
Parking Spot Fundraiser for Senior Sizzle
SMW Senior Sizzle is raffling off two prime student parking spots each month of the school year starting in October! The two parking spots are by the band/orchestra rooms with a Senior Sizzle parking sign. Anyone can purchase lottery tickets for their SMW student with an SMW parking pass.
Each raffle ticket is $5. The money raised goes to support Senior Sizzle, a drug- and alcohol-free celebration for our seniors as they graduate high school.
Two names will be drawn on September 29th, and the winners can pick up their October parking pass from the office on September 30th. Your student can park in the prime parking spot the entire month of October.
OP Police Department - Explorer Program
Students, do you have an interest in the criminal justice system? Have you ever thought of becoming a police officer? Do you love watching “On Patrol Live" or Live PD???? The Overland Park Police Department has an Explorer program that will give you an insight into the world of law enforcement and criminal justice. Please join us at our open house, Thursday, September 19th at the Overland Park Police Department.
The open house will be located at 12400 Foster Street and will begin at 6:30 PM. Please see your School Resource Officer for more details.
Scholarship Shawnee Mission
Join the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation for an informational
come-and-go gathering about Scholarship Shawnee Mission!
October 1, 2024
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Center for Academic Achievement
This information session will allow you and your student to learn more about the scholarships they received during Scholarship Shawnee Mission. You’ll have a chance to hear from Edward Marquez, SSM Program Officer, and meet with college reps involved in the program.
SMW “Clean Out Your Closet” Clothing Drive
Multiple Clubs at Shawnee Mission West will be hosting and promoting a clothing drive to help update our West Wardrobe and help the SMSD Clothing Exchange for all students of the district.
It will be held from September 30th-October 4th and each day a different group will collect the clothes in Time Square each morning! Please help support, bring clothes from baby all the way to adult sizes. Thank you for helping out!
SM West Yard Sign Sale
Now is the time to order your SM West Yard Sign.
View the flier and use the QR code. Wooden Yard signs and riders for sale as well as vinyl banners. This fundraiser is offered by PTSA.
Community Mental Health Forum
Thursday, October 10 5:30pm SMW Library
Let's Talk: A Community Mental Health Forum
You're invited to attend Let's Talk: A Community Mental Health Forum. This semi-annual gathering is designed to create an open and supportive space for discussing mental health topics that matter to our community.
Technology and social media can profoundly impact teen mental health. While these tools can connect and empower, they can also lead to anxiety, comparison and isolation. On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024, we will come together to talk about technology and its multifaceted impact on teen mental health. This conversational event will include a moderated discussion panel of teen and adult advocates, followed by a series of round-table discussions between teens and community members.
Please save the date and join us in conversation. Let's Talk about mental health together!
This event is FREE, but please RSVP to save your spot!
Thank you to Shawnee Mission West and the Shawnee Mission School District for allowing us to host our community forum in the Shawnee Mission West library. They are dedicated advocates for mental health and suicide prevention initiatives across our community and have been champions of Zero Reasons Why from the very beginning. We couldn't be more excited to partner with them for this event!
~ ~ ~
Zero Reasons Why is a teen-led storytelling and community mobilization campaign to remove the stigma of mental health and prevent teen suicide. Learn more about the campaign at zeroreasonswhy.org
Student Services - Find them on Social Media
Follow Student Services on Facebook, Instagram and/or X for up to date events regarding your student’s career and college planning, social emotional learning opportunities, college/military recruiters coming to West, plus so much more!
PTSA Dine to Donate
Dine to Donate at Jason's Deli for PTSA.
Wed. Oct. 16th from 10am-8pm
Performance Arts Newsletter
Here is the most recent issue of the Performing Arts September Newsletter.
Senior Sizzle Fundraiser
The Flock is back! Where will they land? For only $20, you can pick where they should land! Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior? The Flamingos are not picky!
For $100, you can buy Flock Insurance to ensure they won't land at your house!
Proceeds support the Class of 2025 Senior Sizzle Grad Night.
Donate to Send the Flock: https://smwest.givebacks.com/store/items/1078138
Yearbook Information and Senior Tribute Orders
Yearbook orders and senior tribute orders
FOR ALL PARENTS- yearbook orders
Make sure you have reserved your student’s copy of the 2025 Saga yearbook! Yearbooks are $55 and you can pay with your school fees, or you can order online HERE. After Feb. 14, the price will increase to $70, and they will be available on a first-come, first-serve until we run out. Order now if you would like to be guaranteed a yearbook!
Yearbooks will be distributed in May.
FOR SENIOR PARENTS- senior tribute ads
As the parent of a senior, you have the special opportunity to place a congratulatory tribute for your son or daughter in the 2025 yearbook. Even though the book doesn’t come out until May, now is the time to prepare your senior tribute.
Click HERE to find detailed information about ordering your senior tribute. Deadline for the Early Bird price is Friday, Oct. 4 and for the regular price is Friday, Nov. 1. You can order and pay for tributes HERE.
Elementary school groups are part of the senior ad section. A student or parent from that school should coordinate taking a photo, collecting the money and paying for the tribute.
FOR SENIOR PARENTS- senior pictures
Senior portraits for the yearbook will be taken Sept. 10-11. Students will go to the library with their ELA class to have pictures taken. Senior portraits are traditionally a bit fancier than normal school pictures, so we encourage students to dress up a bit!
Parents and students will receive a proof from Inter-State Studio via email with ordering information.You do not have to order pictures to be included in the yearbook.
Retakes for all grades will be Oct. 28.
FROM OUR STUDENT SERVICES OFFICES
SM West PTSA Membership!
Please remember to help out our PTSA by purchasing an annual PTA membership. Your membership helps our SMW students, staff, and also helps support the teaching and learning in the classroom.
Access to signups, PTSA information, and more, can be found by clicking here.
Add a t-shirt to your membership to show your support of our Viking community!
All Sports Season Passes are now on sale through the Go Fan website. An All Sports Season Pass will allow Shawnee Mission West fans free admission to all home athletic events during the 2024-2025 school year. Current SM West students do not need to purchase an All Sports Season Pass, as they already receive free admission to all athletic events with their student IDs. Please click on this link to purchase your 24-25 All Sports Season Pass now.
Parking at SM West
Parking Stickers are available to be picked up NOW at the front security office from Officer Lanning. Students should bring the completed Parking Registration Form as well as proof of purchase of the parking pass through fee payment portal.
Students are encouraged to visit the officer before or after school as well as during passing periods.
Sticker should be placed on the inside of the back car window in the lower left corner. Please read all guidelines for parking and be aware of all of the guidelines.
Permit applications can be picked up in the front office or use this link to print one for you to complete:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uj-Dy6QXVKz7IVynOCzhMe655PqQiCsl/view?usp=sharing
Technology and MacBook Help
If your student has an issue with technology we ask that you FIRST try to do some independent problem solving.
1) Try going to the SM West Website to look at the Technology Rescue Site. This google site has many solutions that students can do at home to problem solve their tech issues.
2) Go to the "Lifesaver" icon on your browser bar. This takes you to the SMSD Help Desk to complete a Help request.
3) BE PATIENT. Please wait for a staff member to call you down to the library for assistance. Please be assured that staff are working very hard to meet the needs of all of our students.
Español:
El 16 de agosto, el personal y los voluntarios distribuyeron MacBooks a los estudiantes. Si su estudiante no recibió un MacBook, por favor sea paciente. Nuestro personal de tecnología está trabajando continuamente para resolver problemas y solucionar problemas técnicos para que todos los estudiantes tengan un MacBook que funcione.
Si su estudiante tiene un problema con la tecnología, le pedimos que PRIMERO intente resolver algunos problemas de forma independiente.
1) Intente ir al sitio web de SM West para ver el sitio de Technology Rescue Site (Rescate de tecnología). Este sitio de Google tiene muchas soluciones que los estudiantes pueden hacer en casa para resolver sus problemas de tecnología.
2) Ve al icono "Salvavidas" en la barra de tu navegador. Esto te llevará al Servicio de ayuda de SMSD para completar una solicitud de ayuda.
3) SEA PACIENTE. Espere a que un miembro del personal lo llame a la biblioteca para pedir ayuda. Tenga la seguridad de que el personal está trabajando muy duro para satisfacer las necesidades de todos nuestros estudiantes.