The Cougar Connection
Weekly Update for Families - October 17, 2024
SMNW
Office Hours 7 AM - 3:30 PM
913.993.7200
Attendance
Attendance Hotline 913.993.7245 (All Day)
Attendance Office 913.993.7242 (Partial Day)
Email: lisagruman@smsd.org
Website: https://smnorthwest.smsd.org/
Location: 12701 W 67th St Shawnee, KS
Phone: 913.993.7200
X (Twitter): @smnw_office
Instagram: @smnwoffice
A Note from Principal, Dr. Gruman
Dear Northwest Community,
We were so excited to see so many families join us for conferences on Wednesday night. We also had a great day with our testing on Wednesday and were excited to share the Xello login opportunities for our parents to view their student's Individual Plans of Study.
From the Recap of the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, we would encourage parents to share their thoughts at the link in the second paragraph below:
Thought Exchange on Action Item 4.1.3: The Shawnee Mission’s Strategic Plan Cycle II work is off and running. Action teams scheduled to begin meeting in quarter one of this year have started their work. One of the new strategy areas in this plan, adopted by the board in June, is technology. It has been a priority of the district for technology action team 4.1.3 to dig into their work immediately. This team’s work is focused on creating a developmental guide related to age-appropriate usage of technology (to include the use of personal devices) with consideration for students who may require individualized support.
This action team’s work is challenging, and they are working to thoroughly gather research and critically important feedback from our school district community. To assist in the process, a ThoughtExchange is being launched to gather community feedback. The action team has developed a question prompt that will be shared through ThoughtExchange, which allows the district to receive input through comments from the community. Individuals are also able to rate thoughts that have been submitted to provide further insight. The topic of age-appropriate use of technology, including the use of personal devices, is of great interest and concern in our community, so the community engaging in this action step process is appreciated. “We are committed to bringing forward a thoughtful recommendation to the board as early as we are able,” Dr. Schumacher added. Click here to participate in the ThoughtExchange related to age-appropriate use of technology.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Lisa Gruman
Mark Your Calendar
October 18, 2024 - No School, Parent Teacher Conferences
October 22, 2024 - Picture Retakes!
October 24, 25, 26, 2024 - Fall REP Mainstage
October 29, 2024 - Chamber Orchestra Concert - 7pm - NW Auditorium
November 1, 2024 - No School
November 14, 2024 - NW Area Choral Festival - 7 pm - NW Auditorium
Parent - Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences Counselors will also be on-hand. We hope to see you all there!!
Conferences on FRIDAY will be scheduled through Skyward. Any questions, contact stefanieforbes@smsd.org or Stefanie at 913.993.7356.
Conferences times will be available for Friday in Skyward beginning on Monday, October 7. Scroll past the English for instructions in Spanish.
Link to Instructions for Skyward Conferences on the app
School Pictures
Fall Picture Day has passed. Picture Retake Day is Tuesday October 22.
To view and/or order fall pictures, please click here. Use Code 86985K.
For those of you who have ordered, please have your student check in with their 1st hour teacher.
Online Absence Reporting
Online Absence Reporting
This option is for reporting all day absences and late arrivals only.
When requesting an early dismissal please call 913-993-7242 or email jamieprosser@smsd.org
From our Northwest Counselors
Zach Cash A-D zacharycash@smsd.org
Barb Legate E-J barbaralegate@smsd.org
Katie Cole K-Pe katherinecole@smsd.org
Jessica Andrade Pf-R (ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org
Jordan Landis S-U jordanlandis@smsd.org
Erica Jablonski V-Z (RWL) ericajablonski@smsd.org
Financial Aid Info Night @ SMNW, October 30th at 6pm.
Join us for a presentation from the UMKC Financial Aid Office on the FAFSA and the different forms of financial aid that can help your student pay for school!
**There will be Spanish interpretation available. Email jailynstewart@smsd.org with any questions
COLLEGE CREDIT DEADLINES
Please see the SMNW STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE for more information on the following Real World Learning events!
PTSA Updates
Visit the PTSA website for the October PTSA Newsletter!
Fall Spirit Wear Sale
Our fall spirit wear sale is going on now through November 1! Check our our great selection of hoodies, crews, tees, hats, pants, outerwear, accessories, and more. Get your order in and show your Cougar spirit! Don't forget - NW gear makes great holiday gifts! Find the link on the PTSA website.
Painting with a Twist
Don't be GRINCHY this holiday season! Join us at Painting with a Twist on November 15 for apps, drinks, fun, friends, and PAINTING - all supporting After Prom '25! Visit the PTSA website for full details and get signed up today!
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our October staff appreciation dinner! This week we provided an amazing Italian feast prior Wednesday's evening conferences. We are grateful for the support in showing appreciation to our hard-working SNMW staff!
PIES PIES PIES
Our annual pie sales will begin this Friday! Order pies for November Staff Appreciation and/or your family's Thanksgiving feast! Details and links will be available on the PTSA website.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
The Trailridge PTA is inviting SMNW families and staff to their upcoming event, :Navigating the Teen Years" with special guest speaker Kori Bloom Lautisen. This is an adult event that will focus on better ways to communicate with our teens, tips to decipher their behavior, and stories to share so that parents understand they are not alone in this bumpy journey through the teen years. See the flyer below, check out Kori's website https://www.cncbykori.com/ for more info, and see the Facebook event HERE.
NW Athletic Links
ALL-SPORT PASSES NOW AVAILABLE FOR 24-25 SMNW ATHLETICS
All Sports Passes are now available for purchase! All ticket sales including the All Sports Pass are available digitally through GoFan!
All Sports Passes are ONLY available in the digital format. You will have access to your All Sports Pass through the GoFan platform throughout the entire school year. There are two types of individual sports passes:
(1) Individual Sports Pass–Adult: Admits one adult with the cost being $75
(2) Individual Sports Pass–Student: Admits one person, who is not a SMNW student (with valid ID) to get into games. Please remember that all individuals grades K-12 are considered students. Cost is $50
The Shawnee Mission Northwest All Sports Pass allows you to pre-purchase your admission to Shawnee Mission Northwest regular season home regular season athletic events. This convenient option can allow for quicker access by eliminating the need for cash at the entrance gates. The All Sports Passes are not valid for KSHSAA post-season events and regular season tournaments hosted by Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.
In summary, two different passes available:
Individual Pass–Adults are $75.00
Individual Pass–Students are – $50
See below to order your individual passes today. For questions contact the SMNW Athletic Office at 913-993-7400 or email angelogiacalone@smsd.org
Note from Athletic Director, Angelo Giacalone
As fall sports start to wind down, and winter starts to come into season, we want to keep our parents, athletes, and others throughout the community informed.
The playoffs for football are around the corner and many questions are being asked about winter sports. We are hopeful that you enjoy our latest edition for the EveryDay Champion Newsletter. Keep up with all the schedule information and other pertinent areas to “keep you in the know.” If questions regarding athletics/activities you can reach out by emailing Mr. Giacalone, angelogiacalone@smsd.org, or Mrs. Alvey, victoriaalvey@smsd.org or you can reach out by phone at 913-993-7400.
You can click the link below for the week of October 21, 2024
EveryDay Champion Newsletter Week of Oct. 21
Northwest Passage Subscription
Subscribe to Shawnee Mission Northwest’s national award-winning student-run newspaper, the Northwest Passage! A $20 year-long subscription will get you an issue delivered directly to your house every month and will help cover the cost of printing and operations of the publication. The newspaper, which has been publishing for 54 years, covers all things Northwest, from sports to the arts to classes and everything in between. The paper is routinely a NSPA Pacemaker Winner, naming it one of the top 15 student newspapers in the country.
To subscribe, sign up with this Google Form: https://forms.gle/L4DESESc5b5sLdx26
For any questions about this, please email adviser Chris Heady at christopherheady@smsd.org.
Senior Parents: Senior ads are open for purchase right now. We will close them off early in the second semester. Here is the link to purchase and upload photos and text for us to design:
https://yearbookforever.com/school-store/LaBX1JdcUsjybDQKQlVUKd7B
A Word from Nurse, Wendy Woods
Your SMNW student may be missing KS state required immunizations. These may include any Meningitis ACWY for Juniors 16 years or older (this is a 2-dose shot and the first should have been received in 7th grade) or they may be missing other state required immunizations. If this is the case please see the attachment for an upcoming immunization clinic at the health department.
Thank you, Nurse Wendy Woods
Please provide proof of vaccination to the nurse aid or I. You can email this to myself at wendywoods@smsd.org or the nurse aid Brenda Renteria at brendarenteria@smsd.org.
Please turn any athletic papers to the athletic secretary in the main office.
I would also like to introduce our new health office nurse aid Brenda Renteria; she will be helping with vaccinations, paperwork and everyday office needs.
Feel free to email or call with any questions or concerns about your student’s health or vaccine needs! You can reach me, Wendy Woods (nurse) at 913-993-7216 or Brenda Renteria (nurse aid) at 913-993-7606.
Thank you,
Wendy Woods, RN, BSN, MSN
NW Nurse
Medications at School:
Immunizations and Physicals: