NORTH NEWS Feb 5 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,
What an incredible week for SMN! We had an outstanding first full week of the semester and topped it off with a great weekend. Boys’ and Girls’ basketball both won highly contested games on Hall of Fame Night in front of an electric crowd in the Fieldhouse. On Saturday, our Boys’ Swim and Dive team placed 3rd in the Sunflower League Meet (highest team finish in over 20 years), wrestling had two athletes place at the Sunflower League Championships, and our NJROTC won the area championship for the 19th consecutive year! To top of the weekend, I found out yesterday that our journalism teacher, Becky Tate, was awarded the Linda S. Putney teacher inspiration award by the nation Journalism Educator Association. North is definitely on a roll right now, and we need to keep the momentum going!
We have another outstanding week coming up at the Brickhouse. We have a spirited theme for each day of the week. Check out the SMN Pep Club on Instagram for information on each theme. The week will culminate with the Northman game on Friday Night, and the Winter Formal on Saturday. And oh yeah…then there’s that game on Sunday that people might watch (Go Chiefs!).
We appreciate your support. It’s been an outstanding start to the semester, and our community is a big reason for it. Let’s keep the momentum rolling! Go Bison!
Important Attendance Reminder
Attendance Reminders from the Attendance Office
- Only guardians may report their student's attendance.
- Whether a student is coming in late, leaving early, leaving and coming back during a school day, or out for a full day, it is considered an absence.
- Our Administration asks for your assistance in helping with these procedures.
- If attendance is reported on Attendance line 913-993-6945, please make sure to leave student name, the reason, your name, also leave time student is arriving or leaving.
- Students and teachers will receive an email to leave class at the appropriate time.
- If student's do not have an email pass to leave class, the student will need to come to the Attendance office and we will call a parent or guardian.
- We understand last minute appointments or last-minute checkouts may be unavoidable. If this happens, please come directly to the Attendance office and we will get your student.
- Guardians may submit attendance in advance at 913-993-6945. Attendance line is answered 24/7. If you know there will be an appointment or other obligation in advance, you may always submit ahead of time and attendance will be recorded.
- Unreported absences will be recorded as unexcused, and you will receive an automated phone call at the end of the day.
- Please report attendance within 48 hours or we will require doctor documentation to excuse the absence per district guidelines.
- We will only release students to individuals listed in Skyward by the students' guardian. Please be sure you check your emergency contact list and put all potential individuals who may need to pick up in your absence and delete individuals that you do not want to pick up your student.
Student and Staff of the Week
Student of the Week
Kaleyce Majeed was chosen as Student of the Week! She is an honor student and was chosen to be part of the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy! One of only 100 students chosen nationwide!
Congratulations!
Staff of the Week
Mr. Ben Bartlett is our Staff Member of the Week! He was chosen for Helping lead & direct the student musical Matilda & taking time out of his winter break to chaperone Thespians to the Kansas State Thespian Conference
NEW INFORMATION
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parents and Guardians,
Shawnee Mission North will be hosting an opportunity to touch base with teacher’s about your student’s progress thus far in second semester. The available conference time is scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, February 7th from 5pm to 8pm. Please be aware that conference times are by appointment only for 10 minute time slots.
Parents will schedule conferences through Skyward. Directions on how to do this are included here.
Directions to Sign Up:
1. Log into your parent account in Skyward. https://skyward.smsd.org/
2. Click on “Conferences” on the left hand navigation
3. Click on “All Conferences”
4. Click on “Select a Time” for the class you would like to schedule a conference for
5. Find the time slot that works for you to have the conference and click “Select” and then “Save”
6. You will repeat this process for each teacher/class that you would like to schedule.
7. You will then receive an email for each time slot you select for your student.
8. WebEx conferences can be scheduled by corresponding with your student’s teacher(s).
The intent of parent-teacher-student conference is to provide positive dialogue between parents, students, and teachers to help our students succeed here at North. Please make sure you bring your student with you to conferences. If they absolutely can’t attend, please have a conversation with them beforehand so you have some background information about the class you are having a conference.
NJROTC members will be around SMN to guide and direct parents and patrons to the correct location; Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available to assist families. Spanish-speaking parents that need assistance signing up for conference via Skyward, please contact Maria Diaz-Lorenzana at 913-993-0277 or email her at marialorenzana@smsd.org.
Thank you,
SMN Administration
1st semester Honor Rolls
Congratulations to our students who earned their Fall Semester Honor Roll distinctions. Please see below for the criteria for each level.
Principal's Honor with All As is earned by students that earned all A’s and enrolled in a minimum of 2.5 credits per semester.
The Principal’s Honor Roll is earned by students that have a GPA of 4.0 or above and enrolled in a minimum of 2.5 credits per semester. The grades of A, B, C, D, and F will be used to calculate the GPA.
The 3.0 Honor Roll is earned by students with a 3.0 GPA to 3.99999 and enrolled in a minimum of 2.5 credits per semester. The grades of A, B, C, D, and F will be used to calculate the GPA.
The Honor Roll GPA is for SY24 Semester 1, not cumulative GPA.
For more information or questions, please contact the Registrar, Anne Viera, at anneviera@smsd.org or 913-993-6908.
PTSA Staff Conference Dinner
PTSA is providing dinner for the SM North Staff for conference night on Wednesday, February 7 and we need your help with donations of items and time. Please sign up to bring items on the SignUpGenius or give a monetary donation and we will do the shopping for you. Thank you for helping us support our amazing North staff!
SignUpGenuis:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-47454773-staff
Monetary Donation Link:
Jones Project Update
Damon Parker, from The Jones Project, presented to our students the past two weeks during seminar. His story is a powerful one with lots of hope and good resources. Coach Parker has created a QR code specifically for our North community- please check it out to see the resources available.
Previously released information, but still important to know
Parent Teacher Conferences Feb 7 5pm - 8pm
Hello Bison Families,
Parent-teacher conferences will be held at Shawnee Mission North on Wednesday, February 7th from 5:00-8:00pm. Conferences will again be scheduled in 10 minute sessions. Parents and guardians will be able to begin signing up via Skyward on Friday.
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.
HIspanic College Institute: Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University is proud to announce that their annual Hispanic College Institute (HCI), the only program of its kind in the state of Kansas, will once again be taking place this summer. HCI will take place June 5-8, 2024 on the Fort Hays State University campus.
HCI is a free, four-day, three-night residential program that prepares high school students to enter and succeed in higher education. The program is based on research and input from Hispanic educators and community leaders, and much of the content is delivered by Hispanic professionals who can relate to participating students' experiences and challenges. The program is open to current class of 2025 and 2026 high school students with a 2.5 GPA or above.
You can visit www.fhsu.edu/hci to learn more about this event.
After School Tutoring Update
After school tutoring is on Monday and Wednesday. 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.
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 PAST 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
Help Needed for Conference Staff Dinner February 7
Staff Conference Dinner
PTSA is providing dinner for the SM North Staff for conference night on Wednesday, February 7 and we need your help with donations of items and time. Please sign up to bring items on the SignUpGenius or give a monetary donation and we will do the shopping for you. Thank you for helping us support our amazing North staff!
SignUpGenuis:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-47454773-staff
Monetary Donation Link:
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
Northman Candidates 2024
Congratulations to our Top 11 Northman Candidates, who will be recognized at the all school assembly on Tuesday, February 6th.
The 2024 Northman will be named at the basketball game on Friday, February 9th during halftime.
YULE BALL (Winter Formal) February 10 2024
Yule Ball, our Winter Formal, is on Saturday, February 10th! Tickets are $10 each and will be sold February 5-9th during lunches. Tickets will also be sold at the door the night of the dance at $15 a ticket. If a student wants to bring an out of school guest, the forms are in the office and need to be completed and returned to SMN by 2/9.
HUG Week February 12 - 16
Following winter formal, HUG Week will occur February 12-16th. HUG Week stands for Having Unlimited Goals, and there will be Student Council led events that are meant to encourage students to succeed during the winter doldrums.
Class fundraisers during the week
Seniors will be holding a Valentine's Day Photo Booth on February 14th for $1, come take a picture with your friends during lunch!
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News from Student Services
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.
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
The Bison boys basketball team picked up a Sunflower League Win vs Gardner 48-45. They were led by Alex Casares with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists and Aziz Jagne with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks.
SMN boys fall to Olathe East 50-57. Statistical leaders: Alex Casares- 10pts, 6reb, 4ast; Quincy Bynum- 10 points and Julius Casares with 10pts.
Big overtime victory for the Lady Bison on Friday evening. Final score was 50-47. Team effort from top to bottom. Tough defense and making free throws down the stretch secured the win. Two Sophomores led the Bison in scoring. Tamiah Washington had 13 points and Haley Wieneke added 11 points. Senior Nicole Mendez contributed with 10 points. The Bison are back in action on Tuesday February 6th at Olathe West. Varsity tips off at 5:30pm.
The Lady Bison were defeated by Olathe East Tuesday evening. Scoring leaders for North were Junior Rebekah Joseph and Sophomore Tamiah Washington with 5 points each. Seniors Iliana Garcia and Carmen Duarte both had 6 rebounds each to lead the Bison. Next game is Friday February 2nd at home vs Gardner Edgerton. Varsity tips off at 5:30pm!
The Bison bowlers had a great tournament Friday at Mission Bowl. All four teams competed in the energetic and exciting Baker format–true team bowling. The varsity boys team of Jake Collado, Klaus Schrarenburg, Marcus Beccera, Aaron Salvino, and Max Johnson made it out of the pool as the 5th overall seed and earned a win in the first round of the bracket before falling in the semifinal. The varsity girls team of Sarah Nielsen, Kathyrn Russell, Nina Middleton, Kloe Ranes, Abigail Weding, and Lily deBoe were on fire in pool play, and earned the number two seed out of the pool before taking a close loss in the semifinals. The JV boys team of Norman Davis, Rhett Lane, Jack Yuan, and Auggie Miller earned the 4th seed out of the pool but came up a few pins short of advancing to the next round. The JV girls were split into two teams. One team of Josie Yungeberg and Ava Rynerson were paired with a bowler from Gardener-Edgerton and were 4th seed in the bracket before losing out. The other JV team of Stella Hart, Reesa Avalos, and Annaleese Bryan were seeded 2nd in the bracket and ran away from the competition to earn the 1st place and shiny gold medals. Way to go Bison
The Bison were in action for their second event of the week at Mission Bowl in Olathe. The teams competed against Bishop Miege and Chanute. The JV girls finished in 2nd overall as a team only four pins from winning the event. Three individuals placing in the top five. Reesa Avalos placed 5th, Josie Youngeberg was 4th, and Annaleese Bryan finished second for the meet. The JV boys also placed 2nd overall with Rhett Lane placing 2nd and Jack Yuan placing 3rd. The varsity boys were second overall with Max Johnson getting his first podium with 4th place and Aaron Salvino led the team with a 2nd place overall for the event. The girls’ varsity team like their JV counterparts missed 1st place by only four pins. Nina Middleton led the team with 4th place and Lily DeBoe finished in 5th place. It was a fine showing by the team in our final 10 pin only competition. The Bison will be at Mission Bowl again on Friday competing in the very exciting Baker team format.
North’s bowling team started our busiest week of the season with a trip to Lawrence to compete against Gardener Egerton and Olathe West. The JV boys finished in 3rd and were led by Rhett Lane. The JV girls finished in 3rd and as a team. Reesa Avalos placed 5th overall on the strength of her all-time high game. The varsity girls finished 3rd and were led by Abigail Weding and her 154 high game. The varsity boys placed 3rd. Aaron Salvino was the overall winner of the event. The team is in action again tomorrow at Mission Bowl in Olathe.
Wow, the boys swim and dive team had an amazing Sunflower League Championships this weekend.
We placed 3rd as a team, which is the highest team finish in the past 40 + YEARS!! It truly was a total team effort to accumulate 215 points, the most points EVER at League!!
Jonathan Guild is your new Sunflower League Champ in the 100 Backstroke, winning handily with a new school record of 53.56. Jonathan also placed 3rd in the 200 IM. Zak Kohoutek had a fantastic meet and placed 2nd in both the 50 Free and 100 Free. He missed a league title by 5 hundredths of a second. He was amazing in our relays as well. Charlie Brooks had a dominant meet, finishing 4th in the Backstroke and 9th in the 100 Fly with a State qualifying cut. Jack Eaton led a STELLAR effort by the divers, placing 3rd. Luis Guzman finished 9th, Henry Duff 11th and Oliver Goering 13th. Caleb Guild had two top 16 finishes in the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke. Porter Lee finished 14th in the 100 Fly and got a State Consideration Cut! Asher Hallagin finished 16th in the 500 Free to help North’s scoring. Our top 2 relays smashed their season best times to finish 5th and 4th, and the 200 Free Relay of Lee, Jack Dunker, Seth Culley and Cash Olberding swam an amazing race to move up 2 spots and claim 9th place with a State Qualifying cut of their own!
So much great swimming and diving for the North Bison!! We could not be more proud of the effort from the whole team. Now State is in 2 weeks!
On Friday, February 9, SMN will host BlueJacket Flint and Nieman Elementary students at the varsity girls and boys basketball games. Elementary students would be allowed in free and tickets for parents are $7.00 each. Please encourage our elementary students to wear their Brickhouse Bound white t-shirt. We do have some extra ones for those students who didn’t receive one in the fall. More excitingly, they would be allowed to help form a HIGH FIVE section along with our PEP Club, Dance Team, and Cheer Squad during team introductions.
SAVE THE DATE: National Letter Intent Signing date for all athlete’s is Wednesday, April 24 @ 3:00pm.
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
A note from the SMN Robotics Team
"Hello, the North community! We are the school's robotics team, we are Team 937, and it's our build season. Which means we are building a REAL robot! So cool right? Well, we have a competition called “Crescendo” where our robot has to collect “notes” and shove them into the “amp”, plus we get to hang on a chain! This is such a fun thing to be a part of. We will be sending out weekly updates on our robot! I hope you enjoy watching our robot grow with us, the team. Sincerely, your school's robotics team 937 (Nerd Herd)."
Football Mulch Sale
Our biggest Fundraiser of the year and we need all hands on deck!
For our football team, we have a team photographer, game meals, team dinners, family events, HUDL for game film, clothing, incentives and so much more.
Money from this fundraiser will be allocated for all of these things.
Each of our players for the 23' football season is REQUIRED to contribute some time into helping.
We would love for our incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) to join in as well! This is a perfect opportunity for them to get to know their fellow teammates as well as the coaches and others within our SMN Football community.
If you or someone you know can help or would like more information, please sign-up :) Breakfast and Lunch is provided.
Parents, we need drivers with trucks, food volunteers, donation request & helpers at the tent
Wheelbarrows, pitch forks and gravel rakes are needed
Questions?
Chiefs Kingdom ❤️💛
We're going to Superbowl and that means it's time to "fight for your right to party"‼️
Sweet Treats KC is back with a special for our community.
Choose a party pack and have it delivered the day of Superbowl for your friends and family or... Just you!
There is a limited amount so place your order early.
If you would like to place an order, send a direct message to chairperson@smnorthfootballclub.org
Or place your order directly through the link and pay the amount for the bucket you want:
https://donate.stripe.com/28o9BVfp80No4r66oV
Make sure your Bison bring in some cash or a card this Thursday!
Everything is only $1 and supports our SM NORTH FOOTBALL BOOSTER CLUB to support our Bison Football Teams.
Students can purchase for themselves or have delivered to their Valentines.
We will be set-up in the AM before classes start, during lunch period and right after school over by the Time Square and Student Center.