Thankful to be a Trailblazer!
Today (Tuesday) is a busy day around here! Voting (for SMSD School Board and more)...day two of the SFT Fall Book Fair...the first meeting of the SFT Spring Fundraiser committee...tacky outfit day for SFT Spirit Week... Pick one or do all four!
Fall is always a busy time for our school community. Big thanks to our PTA committee chairs and volunteers for making October fun--and for all the fun that's yet to come this month! We hope to see you at the next PTA meeting: November 15 at 6 pm in the SFT Library. Stay connected with the SFT community on Facebook.
Vote for your School Board Today!
Our schools are the backbone of our communities, and each of us individually can make an impact in keeping our school district one of the best in the region. We all must use our voice at the ballot box to ensure the district remains strong. Here are the key details:
- TODAY (Tues., Nov. 7) is Election Day
- Polling locations are open 7am-7pm
- Four races in SMSD means everyone who lives within the district boundaries will have a school board race on their ballot.
- Everyone will vote in the at-large race. In our area (Shawnee Mission North), we will have an additional race on our ballot.
- Review your sample ballot before going to the polls — myvoteinfo.voteks.org
Spring Fundraiser Planning
SFT's biggest (adults-only) party of the year is less than 4 months away--and that means it's time to get crackin' on the planning! Not only is the Spring Fundraiser and Party super-fun, it's also a really important fundraiser for our school. A huge chunk of the PTA budget is funded through this one event, so we need a dedicated committee to make it successful.
Our first committee meeting will be TONIGHT (Tues., Nov. 7). It will be a short meeting starting promptly at 6:30 in the SFT conference room, located across the hall from the school library. This is a great way to get involved and get to know other awesome SFT parents, guardians and community supporters. Hope to see you at the meeting!
Click on THIS LINK to find out more and to sign-up.
And mark your calendars for the event: March 2, 2024, at the American Legion Event Space.
Your Co-Chairs: Angie Bright, Jennifer Harms and Emily Beecher
Inagural Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day: Nov. 14
When the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Topeka Board of Education was decided nearly 70 years ago, public-school segregation was ruled illegal. To commemorate Kansas' position at the epicenter of the national conversation about desegregation, Gov. Laura Kelly has proclaimed November 14, 2023, as Kansas Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. The day is named in honor of the young Black girl credited with breaking the segregation barrier in 1960. Today, Ruby Bridges' story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together, one step at a time.
So, next Tues, Nov. 14, gather your SFT neighbors and join students across the country in walking to school, symbolizing elementary students' important role in continuing the movement to unify our communities. If you post pictures of your Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day group on social media, use the hashtag #RubyBridgesKS. For more info, visit: https://rubybridges.foundation/#sign-up
PTA Meeting Nov. 15: All Welcome!
Please join us for the next PTA meeting: Wed., November 15 at 6 pm in the SFT Library. All SFT adults--parents, guardians, teachers, staff, community supporters--are welcome to attend. To participate in any voting that may happen during the meeting, you must be a PTA partner. Join today for only $5!
Speaking of voting, we have been gathering nominations for ideas of a special high-cost purchase for the school. To take part in the voting for this expenditure, we'll see you at the meeting! If you can't join in person, participate online at the link: PTA Meeting Webex Link
Ms. Leiker's Letter
SFT Families,
Thank you to everyone who made the time to conference with your child’s teacher(s). We appreciate you joining us to work as a team to support your child on their learning journey. Thank you to the PTA for providing a great dinner for staff who worked with students all day and then conferenced all evening on the 19th. Please remember that staff members are available to talk or meet with you at any time, not just during these scheduled conferences. If you have issues accessing your student’s grade card in Skyward, please talk to Ms. Jones in the office. I also want to thank the PTA for celebrating me during Principal Appreciation Month with a gift that included cards made by students, flowers, and a gift card. Thank you for making me feel so special.
Educationally yours,
Ms. Leiker
Junior Master Gardeners Club Update
We had a fabulous time learning about trees in early October! The garden club kids are so enthusiastic and respectful. Below are a few pictures from our meeting.
- Arborist Jackie Palmer from Arbor Masters taught students about her job.
- Garden club students made bark rubbings.
- Students learning about the Santa Fe Trail trees.
Attendance Reminder
- Please call the school by 8:30 am to report your child’s absence or late arrival.
- The Attendance Line is available 24/7 at 913-993-5088. You may also email brigettejones@smsd.org to report an absence.
- This number applies to ANY and ALL absences. It is not necessary to call the nurse unless you have a specific question about your child.
Clothing Reminder
Recess is an integral part of the school day and proper outdoor clothing is essential. Please see that your child is prepared for abrupt weather changes at times of the year when the weather may take a sudden turn for the worse.
- Send a jacket for cool weather; be sure to put student names on outerwear.
- Students must wear gym shoes during PE classes.
- Students should not wear flips flops, slides, platform shoes, sandals or loose shoes to school. This is a safety precaution for recess.
Inclement Weather
As the winter months approach, it is especially important for our community members to be aware of inclement weather procedures and how to receive an alert if plans for building closures are announced. If conditions make it necessary for SMSD to close schools, the district will implement one of three plans: A, B, or C. Click here to view the plans and other additional resources.
Citizenship Writing Program
Each year, Kansas PTA sponsors a themed writing contest for students in grades 5-12. If your 5th or 6th grade SFT student is interested in participating in the contest, she or he will write a self-reflective essay or poem based on this year's theme: I Will Lift Others Up By...
Entries are due by Wed., Dec. 6. Winners can earn local prizes and may qualify to move on to the regional level. Student entry forms and more information will be available in the school office and with the 5th and 6th grade teachers.
Send entries to lisa.a.bauman@gmail.com by Dec. 6, or contact Lisa with questions before then.
Variety Show
Erin and Glenn Shipps, Variety Show Co-Chairs
Recognize an SFT Employee!
Do you want to recognize a fabulous SFT employee? Nominate them for the Shawnee Mission School District's All Star Award! The SMSD All Star review committee meets monthly to complete the selection process for submissions in advance of the Shawnee Mission Board of Education meetings. It's easy! Fill out the form at the link below and show the district that SFT teachers and staff are the best! The form includes basic information about the employee and three questions.
Call for Carnival Crew
Want to be part of making our beloved Spring Carnival the best it's ever been? We will be holding our first Carnival Planning Committee meeting in late November or early December. If you are interested in helping plan this event, please contact Shae Paradise (shaestark@gmail.com). We are still looking for a co-chair and committee members to make this fan-favorite event a success! The Carnival will be held on Friday, May 3.
From the Nurse & Social Worker
If anyone would like to donate a package of healthy pre-packaged snacks like cereal bars, goldfish, or granola bars, it would be greatly appreciated. Some students are coming into the nurse’s or social worker’s office and stating they are hungry and do not have a snack for the day. Occasionally, providing a snack can help a student focus on learning, so having items on hand allows us to help. We will divide up any donations we receive. Thanks so much!
Cold & Flu Season
Now that we've entered the season when respiratory viruses start increasing, here are a few reminders and notes from Nurse Clark:
- If you need a COVID-19 home test, please contact Nurse Clark.
- Keep students home when they are sick.
- If your student shows signs of illness, such as a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, he or she is required to stay home for 24 hours until symptoms subside without the use of medications.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes, and practice frequent hand washing.
If you have questions regarding illness or exclusion, contact Nurse Clark at KellyClark@smsd.org or 913-993-5002.
SFT Calendar
2023
Nov. 14 --> Walk to School Day
Nov. 15 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Nov. 15 --> WCW Buffalo State Pizza 4-8
Nov. 20 --> No School for Teacher Facilitated Professional Learning
Nov. 21 --> No School for Teacher Parent Contact Flex Day
Nov. 22-24 --> No School for Thanksgiving Break Offices Closed
Dec. 05 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
Dec. 06 --> Citizenship Essays Due
Dec. 20 --> Winter Sing-along and Class Parties
Dec. 20 --> Early Dismissal 12:30; No Pre-K
Dec. 21 - Jan. 05 --> Winter Break No School
2024
Feb. 20 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
Feb. 21 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Mar. 02 --> Spring Fundraiser
Apr. 10 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Apr. 16 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
May 03 --> SFT Carnival
May 10 --> Field Day
