The West Weekly
Sept. 16-20
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
9/23-9/27 - Homecoming Week
9/26 - Powder Puff Football Game 10am - Parade 1:15pm
9/27 - Pep Assembly 10am, Football Game 7:00pm
9/28 - Homecoming Dance
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
10/16 - 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!
Women in Leadership
Women in Leadership is back, and the application is open on Canvas. If you are interested in collaborating with other women, growing as a leader, and making positive change within our community then this is the group for you. Applications are open until next Friday, September 20. If you have any questions, reach out to Miss Buenger or Mrs. Guinto.
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.
City of Overland Park Fall Festival
The City of Overland Park is hosting their annual FALL FESTIVAL.
See the flier for more information.
If you are a student looking to earn community service hours, you may use the link below to volunteer your time.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CAFAA2EA4FFC61-50903571-2024#/
Still Relevant From Previous Weeks:
Inviting a Guest to Homecoming?
Homecoming Guests
West students who want to invite a non-West student to a school dance, must complete the Dance Guest Form.
Steps:
-Use the link below to print the form, or pick one up in the front office.
-West students complete the top portion.
- If the guest is no longer a student - then West student will complete the form and then turn it in along with a copy of their guest’s ID.
-If the guest is still in school, the guest will need to take the form to THEIR administrator at their school to complete.
-West student should then return the complete form to the front office or sometimes the guest’s school will fax/email it to jennifersilverstein@smsd.org.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KLErVYHUyEk4Yi9J9TkR8HUTMbcxp2Mk/view?usp=sharing
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.
Multilingual Community Resource Night
West will be the host for the 4th multilingual community resource night!
September 16th from 5-7 on the Bridge
We will have community partners like the JoCo Mental Health, the Health Partnership Clinic, the Sunflower House, Parents as Teachers, SM Foundation, and so many more!
Every partner is bringing Spanish speaking staff, and we will have interpreters available in Dari and Arabic!
Here are the flyers.
We would like families to register, but it is not a requirement to come.
West será el anfitrión de la cuarta noche de recursos comunitarios multilingües.
El 16 de septiembre de 5 a 7 en el Bridge
¡Contaremos con socios comunitarios como JoCo Mental Health, Health Partnership Clinic, Sunflower House, Parents as Teachers, SM Foundation y muchos más!
¡Cada grupo traerá personal que hable español y tendremos intérpretes disponibles en dari y árabe!
Aquí están los carteles.
Nos gustaría que las familias se registren, pero no es un requisito para asistir.
Looking for English Classes?
Looking for English Classes?
West is partnering with LitKC to support language acquisition in our community
We will have an information session on Sept 23rd from 6-7pm in the Cafeteria.
Can’t make it but are still interested? Please fill out our survey.
West está trabajando con LitKC para apoyar la adquisición de inglés en nuestra comunidad
Tendremos una sesión informativa el 23 de septiembre de 6 a 7 p. m. en la cafetería.
¿No puedes asistir pero aún estás interesado? Completa nuestra encuesta.
FROM OUR STUDENT SERVICES OFFICES
September is Suicide Prevention month
SM West values the worth of every student. That’s why our staff takes any mention of self- harm or suicide seriously. We work closely with parents and caregivers to create a plan to keep your student safe and feel supported. Please take a few minutes to look at this helpful information from NAMI on how to play an active role in your teen’s mental wellness. Please contact your student’s social worker or counselor if you have questions or want to discuss this information.
https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BTS-Suicide-Warning-Signs.pdf
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.
Transportation - DS Bus Lines
You will find an image of where busses load and unload below.
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.
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.