Knightly News
August 23-30 2024
Week at a Glance
Monday, August 26
- Student Council Campaign Week Begins!
Tuesday, August 27
- N/A
Wednesday, August 28
- N/A
Thursday, August 29
- Late Start 9:10AM
- Back to School Knight
Friday, August 30
- Junior Board Applications Due
- Student Council Election Day!
Important Upcoming Events:
Sept. 2: No School - Labor Day
Sept. 3: No School - Professional Learning
Sept. 9: Late Buses Start
Sept. 9: Volleyball @ Hocker Grove 5:00PM
IHMS Week Recap
This week we had over 350 students come out for Fall Sports: Cross Country, Football, & Volleyball! We are looking forward to seeing our students compete this season!
Also, thank you to Grace, Sasha, & Cooper for helping us pick our winning bulletin boards! Congrats to Art & ELA!
Athletics Update
Indian Hills Fall sports began this week.
7th and 8th grade Volleyball tryouts were conducted by Coach Laudemann.
7th and 8th Cross Country practice began under the direction of Coach Dailey.
8th grade Football practice was held for the first time in 40 years at Indian Hills under Coach Gagnon.
It is wonderful to have so many of our students participate in a sport this Fall!
The same characteristics that make great learners, make great athletes and performers. A few dispositions that we desire in the classroom and in athletics:
Perseverance- Hard Work- Self-discipline- Accountability- Teamwork- Communication- and more!
Check the Indian Hills Athletics site for competition schedule information.
Knights' Walk - October 10th*
The Knights' Walk: Our One and Only Fundraiser
October 10th!
*The date has changed from October 4th.
What is the Knights Walk???
The Knights’ Walk is our one and only fundraiser for the year, and it takes place during the school day so every student can participate. Students will walk in a designated route along the edge of school property while listening to fun music. There will be stations along the walk, including dunk tanks, an obstacle course, a selfie station, yard games, and snacks.
ALL students will have the opportunity to win small raffle prizes such as $5 and $10 gift cards to favorite spots like Starbucks, Chipotle, Summersalt, Goodcents, and many more! Your student can unlock additional chances at prizes through your donations. Starting at $25, students can receive additional raffle tickets for chances to win grand prizes.
Sign Up is easy! Just click HERE to register and choose your level of donation.
Money raised will be spent this year to benefit your student and IHMS teachers!
Attendance Hotline: 913-993-0412
You'll want to use this number when reporting:
Student Absences
Please notify the attendance hotline as soon as possible to report any student absences, including planned future absences such as vacations or sports travel.
Student Dismissals
To get a dismissal pass for your student, call the attendance line at least one hour before the checkout time. (You may also provide a note for your student to submit to the front office at the start of the day, if you prefer.)
Student Macbooks
Macbooks have been deployed and we are almost fully functional! If you have a student with a tech issue, please first reference this FAQ document. If that does not solve the issue, please fill out the Hills Help Hub request form.
If you have not filled out your Online Verification Form through Skyward for the MacBook (both student and parent), you need to have that done by next week. We will begin taking MacBooks back from students who do not have the Online Verification Form complete through Skyward. We will be sending out email reminders to those who do not have the form complete.
Battle of the Books
If your student is a voracious reader or just likes to compete…they might be interested in Battle of the Books!
This club will meet once a month during a Knight Time travel day. We will read, practice, and win the trophy at the district competition.
If interested, please sign the student up at: bit.ly/ihbob
Cell Phone Tips
Social media is great! Connect with people around the world, access to information and entertainment, keep in touch with family and friends. It’s great! Until it isn’t…
I often find myself distracted by social media when I am with others. I know I am not alone in this struggle. Setting boundaries is good practice for us adults. Let’s model this for our students. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!
Face to face interactions are a healthy way to make connections and grow friendships.
Are students always kind to others on social media, group chats, etc.? Of course not. We want all students to feel welcome at IHMS. It’s difficult to create a safe environment if students are using social media without supervision. Help us create a great place for all students to learn!
2023-24 Yearbook Delivery
8th graders who purchased a yearbook last year should have received their copy today during Knight Time. If your student was absent, they can pick it up the next time they are in Knight Time. Thank you to all of our students and families for their patience during this process.
Reminder: Drop-Off / Pick-Up Procedures
- Bus Riders: Front Loop
- Car Riders: South lot off Delmar (out back)
- School Issued Car Tag: Fire Station Loop (west lot off 63rd street)
iReady Math
This coming week, all students will begin completing the Math iReady Diagnostic screener to establish a baseline for student academic growth. Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest and starts the day with a healthy breakfast.
Scooter Safety
E-scooter safety is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all riders. Here are some key safety tips to keep in mind:
Wear Protective Gear: Always wear a helmet to protect your head in case of an accident. Consider wearing additional gear like knee and elbow pads for extra protection.
Check Your Scooter: Before riding, inspect your e-scooter to ensure it's in good working condition. Check the brakes, lights, and tires to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Obey Traffic Rules: Follow all traffic signals and signs. Use bike lanes or designated paths whenever possible and avoid riding on sidewalks where pedestrians are walking.
Stay Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep an eye out for obstacles, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Avoid distractions such as using your phone or wearing headphones.
Use Hand Signals: Communicate your intentions to other road users by using hand signals when turning or changing lanes.
Ride Responsibly: Avoid reckless behavior like speeding, weaving through traffic, or performing stunts. Stick to a safe and steady speed that allows you to react quickly to unexpected situations.
Be Visible: Use lights and wear bright or reflective clothing to increase your visibility, especially in low-light conditions or at night.
By following these safety tips, you can help ensure that your e-scooter rides are not only enjoyable but also safe for you and everyone around you.
For more information refer to the following website: OrthoKids Scooter Safety
Junior Board
Junior Board introduces students to the business of philanthropy through hands-on experiences and opportunities to meet the people committing their lives for the betterment of our community. Students learn what it takes to financially and physically feed, clothe, educate, and provide for those in need and learn first-hand from the clients receiving these vital services.
By being involved in Junior Board, Indian Hills students will learn about the nonprofit world. Junior Board is a student-driven foundation dedicated to helping local, not-for-profit organizations while enhancing knowledge about the “business” of successful philanthropy and stewardship. Stewardship is and always has been an important characteristic of Junior Board.
Schedule:
Junior Board will meet in-person on Wednesday mornings in the IHMS Library from 7:45 – 8:30. Our first Junior Board meeting will be on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Final Presentation Day will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Commitment:
Making each meeting is a responsibility that must be taken seriously and met, as students work together in groups and are relying upon each other.
Application:
Application forms are available in the school office. Completed applications should be returned to the office by Friday, August 30th .
Questions: If you have more questions about Junior Board, please feel free to contact Tiffany Lynch at tiffanylynch1966@gmail.com or 913-485-8993
Kansas Teacher of the Year Nominations
Nominations are now open for the Shawnee Mission Teacher of the Year. At the link below, you will find a presentation explaining the process.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kIKPobrAfb9SUl1QdmHx2aW-GdINYv-Qc_ojvDFh6MA/edit#slide=id.p2
Let’s continue to celebrate the outstanding educators in SMSD. The deadline for nominations is August 30!
Girls on the Run
Interested in GIRLS ON THE RUN?
This fall, Girls on the Run is launching an improved curriculum that better meets the needs of today’s girls! This exciting update was built with coach feedback to make it easier than ever to create a lifelong impact. A very special season is ahead, and your child can be a part of it!
Our evidence-based program will continue to consist of:
Joyful physical movement-based activities
Relevant group discussions that teach life skills and critical thinking
Teambuilding exercises and community impact projects that encourage a welcoming place for all
Learn more and register at www.gotrkc.org.
Join Our PTA!
Our PTA is made up of hard-working parents and teachers who pool their talents to provide practical support for our school. Our mission is to advocate for our children and provide outstanding programs that empower our school community. The PTA supports school programs such as teacher grants, student mixer, Staff Appreciation, Color Run and more! Become a member today: https://indianhillspta.membershiptoolkit.com
Renovation Sensation is a tour of four homes that have been renovated or are new builds in the Shawnee Mission East area. The tour benefits SHARE at SME, one of the largest student led, school based service programs in the nation. SHARE creates community service and leadership opportunities for students while benefiting the entire Kansas City area. Renovation Sensation takes place on Wednesday, September 18 from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm and we’d love to have you volunteer and join us on the tour!
Volunteers are needed in 2 1/2 hour shifts to greet and guide visitors at each home throughout the day. Helping at this event is a fun and easy way to connect with the SME community. Sign up via the link below! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9A92FA6FEC61-50269534-2024
If you’d like to enjoy the tour, tickets can be purchased at http://www.smerensen.com.