SME NEWS AND EVENTS
Friday December 20, 2024
SME Community, PTSA, and so many other individuals....THANK YOU!! You are a constant source of joy and strength to our school!
12/20/2024
Lancer Families,
Thank you to our amazing PTSA for providing cookies this week for all SME staff and BBQ sandwiches for many of our students as they finished finals.
To all students, staff, and families…thank you for a wonderful first semester! This semester seemed to fly by and now we find ourselves at the halfway point. If you are traveling, please travel safely. We look forward to seeing you all again on January 6th when school resumes.
Please enjoy this break with your family and friends and have a wonderful holiday season!
Upcoming Events:
December 23- January 2nd- School closed for Winter Break (Offices are closed during break).
January 3rd- No school (Teacher Professional Learning), Offices open
January 20- No school, MLK Day
January 21- No school, Teacher Professional Learning
January 24- 8th Graders visit East
January 28- 8th Grade Information Night 6-8pm
February 5th- Teachers Conferences Evening
February 7th- Teachers Conferences During the Day
Take care,
Jason Peres
SME High School Principal
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY CHANGE REMINDER🏂⛄🎿
Winter weather is here and we want to be sure families are as ready as possible for possible schedule changes or inclement weather cancellations. As of December 5, 2024, the Shawnee Mission School District has updated its inclement weather plans to include Plan C- which includes a 2-hour delay option. This new option aligns us with our neighboring districts in Johnson County and will facilitate common decision-making with regard to inclement weather. Please review the district’s inclement weather procedures on this website: https://www.smsd.org/families/weather
This webpage also includes information about how you can be informed about any inclement weather announcements from the Shawnee Mission School District.
DEBATE PROGRAM-2 Teams Qualify for NCFL and NSDA and 1 Team for Tournament of Champions!!
The SME debate program has had a very successful season! We have just a few post-season tournaments remaining, but here are some exciting results from the last couple months. Specifically, we have 2 teams qualified for both national tournaments (NCFL and NSDA), and 1 team qualified for the TOC (Tournament of Champions). We still have regionals, DCI (Debate Coaches’ Invitational), Novice State, and KSHSAA State to close out the regular season.
Please congratulate any of these debaters!!
December 13-14, 2024
EKNSDA Policy Debate Qualifier @ Shawnee Mission North
- Ishaan Home / Jaxson Terreros- 1st (4-1), NATIONAL QUALIFIERS!
- Sophie Leonard / Lucy Pace- AUTO NATIONAL QUALIFIERS (for placing 5th at last year’s nationals)
EKNSDA Novice Championship @ Shawnee Mission North
- SME 1st in Sweepstakes!
- Bridget Dean / Hannah Rosemann- 2nd (4-1)
- Parker Drennon / Hudson Terreros- 5th (4-1)
- Mia Cross / Libby Morris- 6th (4-1)
- Charlie Foster / Sarah Kate Macfee- 8th (4-1)
- Best Ballot Awards: Eliza King, Sophie Leonard, Mira McInnes
December 6-7, 2024
KCKSNCFL Policy Debate Qualifier @ Shawnee Mission South
- Sophie Leonard / Lucy Pace- 1st (5-1), NATIONAL QUALIFIERS!
- Ishaan Home / Jaxson Terreros- 5th (4-2), NATIONAL QUALIFIERS!
- Hank Dodderidge / Gray Snyder- 8th (3-3), 2nd Alternates
- SME 2nd in Sweepstakes!
- Danny O’Connor / Paxton Weaver- 3rd (4-1)
- James Laubscher / Gaddiel Sanchez- 7th (3-2)
- Cullen Shaw / Ford Winkler (3-2)
- Holland Baldassaro / Harper Newton (3-2)
- Alexandria Fraley / Mia Wimer- 4th, Novice (3-1)
- Jovian Akers / Gideon Lareau- Novice (3-1)
- Miles Oliver / Henry Workman- Novice (3-1)
- Brynn Bettenhausen / Luciana Mendy- Open (3-1)
November 22-23, 2024
- Sophie Leonard / Lucy Pace- Double Octofinals, Varsity (5-3)
- Hank Dodderidge / Gray Snyder- 5th / Quarterfinals, Varsity (4-2)
- Jordan Head / Ben Lewis- Open (4-1)
Bishop Miege Novice
- SME 1st in Sweepstakes!
- Jackson Gentry / Yabo Wang- 2nd, Open Novice (4-1)
- Sarah Kate Macfee / Mia Wimer- 7th, Open Novice
- Charlie Foster / George Leonard- 4th, Novice (4-1)
- Jack Sinatra / Jackson Wood- 5th, Novice (3-2)
- Arri Janzen / Ford Winkler- 6th, Novice (3-2)
- Jacob Achatz / Gabe Sherry- 8th, Novice (3-2)
November 15-16, 2024
- SME 1st in Sweepstakes!
- Alex Benditt / John Gagen- 2nd, Open (4-0)
- Anna Nazar / Merryn Rupp- 6th, Open (3-1)
- Eliza King / Ellen Lund- Open (3-1)
- Preston Hooker / Jamie Wilborn- Open (3-1)
- Alexandria Fraley / Mia Wimer- 1st, Novice (4-0)
- Mia Cross / Libby Morris- 3rd, Novice (3-1)
- Robby Neuman / Will Thelen- 5th, Novice (3-1)
- Bridget Dean / Hannah Rosemann- 6th, Novice (3-1)
- Owen Rook / Jackson Wood- Novice (3-1)
November 9, 2024
Novice Winning Records
- Jack Fitzpatrick / Tully McCoy (3-2)
November 1-3, 2024
- Sophie Leonard / Lucy Pace- 3rd/Semi-finalists, Varsity (8-2)*TOC Bid!
- Ishaan Home / Jaxson Terreros- Octo-finalists (Top 16), Varsity (5-3)
- Hank Dodderidge / Gray Snyder- 2nd/Finalists, 2nd Year Breakout (5-4)
- Lucy Pace- 5th speaker, Varsity
- Sophie Leonard- 9th speaker, Varsity
- Parker Drennon / Hudson Terreros- Octo-Finalists (Top 16), Novice (4-3)
- Jamie Wilborn- Best Ballot, Novice Judge
- Jude Koertner / Ben Lewis- 5th, JV (3-2)
- James Laubscher / Gaddiel Sanchez- 6th, Novice (4-1)
Novice Winning Records:
- Simon Shawver / Christian Matthys (3-2)
- Connor Geary / Alex Rose (3-2)
Novice Winning Records:
- Eoghan Nevinger / Alex Medley (4-1)
- Robby Neuman / Will Thelen (3-2)
- Alyssa Crain / Sarah Reardon (3-2)
Trey Witt,
Teacher and Director of Speech and Debate
Shawnee Mission East
Thanks to everyone who purchased Finals Fuel Cards!!!
Thanks to everyone who purchased Finals Fuel Cards for their students or students in need! After reimbursing the coffee shop (and generating new business for them) we used your donations to buy generous gifts for over 30 people through Jewish Community Services’ Hannukah Project and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. In addition, we were able to donate $1500 to SMSD’s Food Services program to pay off negative lunch balances. Best wishes to your students as they take their finals and Happy Holidays to all!
Erin Billingsley
SHARE co-coordinator
Shawnee Mission East High School
913.993.6820 (office)
913.488.7354 (mobile)
Indian Hills/Mission Valley/Meadowbrook - YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE!
CORRECTION TO ARCHIVE YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE - Info from Erinn Vogts -SECRETARY - MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Indian Hills Library is tidying up their archives section and have duplicates of many of the past Indian Hills yearbooks (as well as some Mission Valley and some Meadowbrook). Please see the SignUp Genius link below if you wish to claim one. All claimed yearbooks need to be picked up from the IHMS front desk.
Fair warning: some have been signed, written in, or otherwise altered.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAAAC2AA2FFC16-51959377-excess
JENNIFER ROBINSON-SME Librarian does NOT have any yearbooks or information, so please use the above LINK to information!
Sorry for the confusion!
SME PTA-2025 AFTER GRADUATION PARTY PLANNING- BEST YEAR YET! DONATION REQUEST
For the past 13 years, the SME PTA and the parents at Shawnee Mission East have put on a safe, drug and alcohol-free graduation party at SME following the graduation ceremony. It is intended to be a well-deserved celebration of our seniors’ achievements and acknowledgement of the years of hard work they put into completing their high school education.
The After Grad party has a 99% attendance level by the Senior Class and the event includes dinner, games, various entertainment and raffle items. To ensure that the After Grad Party is a success, and with a long-standing tradition, we are relying heavily on the generosity of our local community as well as families at Shawnee Mission East.
Below are the levels suggested per class, but any donations would be greatly appreciated.
$25.00 Freshman Families
$35.00 Sophomore Families
$40.00 Junior Families
$50.00 Senior Families
Please consider supporting us in the following ways and reference “After Grad Party” in your notes:
1. Venmo @SMEPTSA
2. Credit card at https://form.jotform.com/242844618223154
3. Mail a check payable to SME PTSA to Lindsay Peattie, 3220 W. 83rd Ter, Leawood KS 66206
We are also looking for gift cards to place in our Senior Raffle and would appreciate any donation. All raffle donations may be sent and/or dropped off to
Betsy Ballard, 8021 Ensley Lane, Leawood KS 66206. Or... please watch for our Amazon WISHLIST coming out in February that will enable you to choose your donation online.
THANK YOU for your generosity. The Class of 2025 greatly appreciates your support.
SME 2024 After Grad Co-Chair Betsy Ballard
913.634.1228 SME 2024
After Grad Co-Chair Lindsay Peattie
913.710.9348
Announcement: Senior Tiles are Available for Purchase!
The EAST FUND is proud to announce the 10th installation of the Lancer Legacy - Senior Wall Project. Senior tiles are now available for parents to purchase that display your senior's name and activities on the Class of 2025 Tile Wall. Each tile will be mounted on a dedicated wall as a permanent fixture at SME. All proceeds will go directly back to the Class of 2025 for the After Grad Party and senior signs. Online orders only....order by January 31 for discount pricing!
Tis The Season!!
We understand attending regularly during the winter months can be hard (i.e. illness), but it is important to partner with the school and keep the lines of communication open.
Here’s a few tips:
- Check-in with your Teachers regularly
- Reach out to your School Counselor and/or grade level Principal
- Touch base with our Attendance Specialist – tabithastout@smsd.org
Important Information
- Spring Sports Begin February 26th
- Cheer Tryout Information for 2024-2025 school year
- Official Athletic Website of the SME Lancers: smelancers.com
- Become an Athletic Department Business Sponsor!
- Become a 2024-2025 All Sports Booster Club Member
- Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! @SMEastLancers
- All Sports Passes
- Purchase Tickets Online Through Go Fan
- Photos: If you take photos at Athletic events please feel free to share them with the Athletic Department. We are always searching for quality content for our website and social media platforms. Please email our Athletic Director, Ryan Johnson, if you are interested in sharing.
Please see the Athletics Website HERE for details about all upcoming events!
IN HONOR OF CAMPAIGN
The IN HONOR OF Campaign is a great way for parents and students to honor a Teacher, Coach, Administrator or Volunteer at SME.
Your donation to this campaign recognizes their hard work and dedication to our SME Community. The Recipients of this recognition will receive a certificate and your donation will go to support the SME PTSA.
To learn more about this campaign, please go to the SME website at https://smeast.smsd.org/families/in-honor-of-campaign
Donations will be taken here https://form.jotform.com/230814440580147
Questions. Please contact Heather Kimmel @ hkimmel1@me.com or 816.516.0908.
STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
Student Services has a Canvas Page that contains valuable information.
Check it out at:
Student Services & Counseling Update
From the AP Coordinator
Advanced Placement Information:
AP Test Registration: Additional Exams may be ordered after Nov 15 on a case-by-case basis but will incur a $40.00 late fee. Please visit with the AP coordinator for more information. Follow the steps below to join your classroom, indicate that you are taking the exam, and pay for your exam. If you have questions or missed the deadlines, please visit with the AP coordinator.
- join their AP classroom. If you have taken AP classes in the past, you should be able to log in with your username and password. If this is your first AP class, you may need to create an account first. Teachers will have your join codes.
- You need to then go to Total Registration to pay for your exam. If this is your first exam, you will need to create and account with Total registration. (TR will provide your join code. If you have not joined your AP classroom, you can use that join code to do at https://myap.collegeboard.org/ soon and indicate that you will be taking the exam.
- AP Exam payment options: For those families that enrolled in a payment plan make a partial payment, all partial payments must be made in full by March 7th
- Refunds: If you have decided to cancel your exam, you may still receive a partial refund. You must cancel your exam by 31 December. A refund will be issued, however $40 per exam will be subtracted from the refund to offset the cancellation cost.
Want to learn more about Digital AP testing? Your AP teacher now has information on what to expect! Talk to them soon.
College Campus Study/Dual Degree program: Are you ready to add to your high school experience by attending college either online or in person while you are still in high school? Would you like to earn your high school diploma and associate’s degree at the same time? If the answer to this is YES! then visit me, Mr. Dusek, your RWL counselor in student services to find out if either of these paths are right for you! You can also send me an email at jamesdusek@smsd.org
Real World Learning Corner
Don’t forget to check out the Real-World Learning Link on Student Services Canvas Page or see the various RWL opportunities and jobs posted for students.
Careers in the Spotlight:
Have you thought about the Career Technical Field? Johnson County Community College offers a variety of options for Juniors and Seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in Automation, Automotive Technology, Construction Management, Electrical, HVAC through the Excel in CTE. This is a state initiative that allows JCCC to waive Tuition cost to students that enroll in certain career technical education courses. Seats are limited. Visit with your counselor or Mr. Dusek the Real-World Learning counselor to sign up for the JCCC Orientation night on January 29th and 30th
Apprenticeships: Did you know that many companies offer paid registered apprenticeship programs (RAP) to build their own workforce? This is a great opportunity to begin training in a field of your choice without a student loan, or debt while receiving a competitive hourly rate. To find out more, see your Real-World learning Counselor, Mr. Dusek in counseling and visit https://ksapprenticeship.org .
Career Exploration Opportunities:
Criminal Justice: During Spring Break, KU Criminal Justice program is offering a FREE, by-application only event, “The Jayhawk Justice League – Spring Break Edition” for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Professor Misty Campbell is leading this event. More details and the application information will be available after the break. The camp will be March 17-20 from 9am to 4pm at the KU Edwards (Overland Park) location. Details will follow from Professor Campbell. More information to follow soon!
Internships/Summer Programs:
ProX. Make you summer an experience to remember! And add a Market Value Asset and elective credit while you are doing it! ProX, operated by Real World Initiatives, connects Kansas City area high school students with real-world learning experiences through paid summer internships and work-based projects. ProX is accepting applications beginning Jan 1, 2025. You can also contact Mr. Dusek for more information at jamesdusek@smsd.org
Juniors and Seniors, If you are interested in looking for an internship opportunity for next semester, now is the time to visit with Mr. Dusek, your Real-World Learning Counselor about possibilities. Please get your name on the list using this link: Request Internship Information
Individual Plan of Study
Parents, I encourage you to review your students Individual Plan of Study (IPS) with them. YOU NOW HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR STUDENT’S XELLO ACCOUNT! There is an invite in your email (Check Junk or Spam folder). Follow the directions to access your student’s account. Students throughout the year have various activities in Advisory that they are asked to complete to help them develop and build the components of their IPS. This week Freshman have been using YouScience for career exploration. YouScience offers career guidance for students that's based on aptitudes to align students with in-demand career. Throughout the year, students will continue building their IPS through goal setting, planning and finally creating their own electronic portfolio in Xello. This is a great tool to be used for college and career planning while also linking their studies in high school to obtain these goals. Sophomores through Seniors will also be asked to review their IPS in Xello, make changes as their interest grow, or record future plans and goals.
Mr. Jim Dusek
Academic Counselor (JE-LO)
AP Coordinator
Real World Learning Coordinator
Shawnee Mission East High School
7500 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS 662089
The SME Art Gallery is dedicated to providing creative opportunities and building community through the arts. Exhibitions include both student and professional artists. Funds solicited will be used for general gallery upkeep and improvement including mobile wall units, lighting, hanging materials and paint. We are also soliciting funds to provide honorariums to visiting artists for gallery talks, workshops, classroom presentations, and other activities engaging students and the public. If you'd like to contribute, please click here. Any questions, please contact AdamFinkelston@smsd.org.
For news and service opportunities from SHARE, the East student volunteer organization, please see the bulletin here, or our website here.
INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN EXCHANGE STUDENT?
Families interested in hosting an exchange student coming to East should email emilylopez@smsd.org for more information.
Join the Lancer Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) to support students, teachers, parents, and school staff. Your membership makes a difference, allowing for school-wide programs that enhance the Lancer community. *Teacher Instructional Grants *College Clinic *Link Crew *After Graduation Celebration *Career Connection *Diversity & Inclusion *School Landscaping *After Finals Celebration *Faculty Appreciation *Educational Seminars *LOVE Fund *Reflections & Citizenship *SMAC Clothing Center + MORE Purchasing a full-family membership allows for parents and students to be involved and maximizes program funding.
Established in 2003, The East Fund provides innovative and educational grants that directly affect students and staff. In the 2022-2023 school year, with the help of generous donors, The East Fund funded 14 grants worth over $82,000. Those grants supported a variety of areas within the school, including the art department, science department, English department, social skills classes, athletics and more. We need YOU as an East Fund sponsor to continue financially supporting student and staff needs at SME! Make A Donation To Support The East Fund www.theeastfund.org
Parents/Guardians
If your student has texted you to go home, please call attendance at 913-993-6646 for dismissal from their classroom. Do not send your student to the nurse’s office to be called out. We will contact you if your student is sick and needs to go home.
Illness Guidelines:
Medications at School:
https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/healthservices/medication
Immunizations and Physicals:
https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/healthservices/immunizations-physicals
Stephanie Ptacek, BSN, RN
Nurse, Shawnee Mission East
7500 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Office: 913-993-6616
Fax: 913-993-6897
SMSD is hiring in our building! If you or someone you know would like to work in our community high school, please click the link here!
It's Always Great to be a Lancer!