North News September 23, 2024

Office Hours 7AM - 3:30PM

913-993-6900

Attendance Hotline (24 hours)

913-993-6945

Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS

Building Mission, Commitments, and Goals

Our building mission, commitments, and goals are at the forefront of all that we do in our building. As we get further into the school year, we will provide updates on our data on our goals.

October

11-No School - Teacher Workday

14.-No School - Professional Learning Day

16 -District Night Parent Conferences Grades 7-12

18-No School Pre-K - 12, Parent Conferences

November

1- No School - Professional Learning

North Community,

We had an amazing Homecoming Week last week! Our school spirit was off the charts and our kids had a great time! We have three weeks left until the end of the first quarter. Please keep emphasizing achievement and engagement with your student! Let’s have a great week! Go Bison!

Our Staff Member of the Week is Kate Miner! Kate is everywhere! She serves on several committees in our building and does so much for our kids. She also did a phenomenal job orchestrating our first evening Homecoming Parade!

Jordi is phenomenal! He currently has straight A’s, zero absences, and zero tardies. What a great student!

Greetings to everyone from the Nurse’s office.

Fall /Seasons changing can bring up some symptoms that might look like a cold or flu even.

Sometimes it’s allergies that make our head’s ache or our noses itch/run.

Please encourage your students to bring a refillable water bottle to school every day!

Most of us don’t drink enough water!

Lastly, our first exclusion date for state required vaccinations is approaching in October.

Emails will be sent for those students missing any required vaccines.

They may have gotten them but we haven’t received a copy of the updated vaccine records.

Please give us a call if you receive an automated email from the nurse/health aide, and believe you’ve received it by mistake.

We will happily help find out what’s missing and update your student’s health records in Skyward.

We are here to help and don’t want anyone missing classes for a missing vaccine.

Our vision screening date is fast approaching also.

Sept 30th the local Lion’s club will be here to assist with doing vision screenings on our 10th graders.

Some may have opted to not have your student screened. It’s not too late to opt out.

Please call us and we will remove your student from our screening list if you so choose.

If your student fails the screening you will receive a paper report from us stating that.

Nurse Kelly and Ms. Lopez(our new health aide!)

Our phone numbers are 913-993-6916 and 913-993-6907 respectively.

School Fees for 2024-25 are now DUE!!

***Families with unpaid fees will be receiving an email reminder from the district business office on Friday, September 6th . Please check this to see if any additional fees have been added, such as fees for new students or wood shop project fees from last year. Students who dropped courses have had their accounts updated. If you only have optional fees, you don’t want then please ignore the email. Optional fees will be removed from the accounts later in the year to give families more time to pay them. ****

• Please use the online fee payment portal. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online".
• Add lunch money online using “Optional Fees”. Create an account or use the Guest option with the student’s ID number and last name.
• If you are interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, please use this link.
• Fees are needed for teachers to buy supplies for classes and to cover other expenses for the school year.
• The following fees are required: instructional resource fee (classroom materials), participation fee (admission home games/theatre/activity buses, etc.), ID card and course fees.
• Optional: Yearbooks are $50 until January 10, 2025 and then they go up to $65. Parking permits are available for 10th graders and up throughout the year and prorated by quarter. Literary Magazine is done by our creative writing club. Class dues and pep club are also optional but help with school parades and other activities.
• If you need to pay by check, please mail or bring your check with your student’s ID number in the memo to SM North, Attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66202.
• If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, email a copy of your food service benefits letter to shellelewis@smsd.org. Free lunch students receive a $105 fee waiver & reduced receive $52.50.
• For payment plans and questions, please call 913-993-6910 or email shellelewis@smsd.org. Unpaid fees may be sent to collections, so please make payment arrangements.

Shelle Lewis

SMN Bookkeeper

shellelewis@smsd.org

913-993-6910

Parents and guardians: Each year you must go to Family Access to complete the Annual Online Verification for each of your students. Through this process you will update student and family information, become familiar with and consent to important SMSD policies, and make any necessary changes to your students' health information.

Click here to find instructions to complete these forms.
Haga cliq aqui para obtener instruccionies en Español a completar estos formularios.

If you have any questions contact:

Beth Giles

913-993-6909

BethGiles@smsd.org

1. School starts at 7:40am. Please consider having your student to the building by 7:30 to ensure they are in their first class of the day on time. Busses will drop off in the East lot while car riders need to arrive in the circle drive and get out only on the curb.
2. Lunch is between 11:00 and 1:00. The only students allowed to leave campus for lunch are seniors with prior approval.
3. 2:40pm is when the final bell rings. Busses will depart at 2:47pm from the East Lot. Car Riders can be picked up in the Circle Drive. 3:00pm is when students need to be settled into activities or off campus.
4. Shawnee Mission North is in restricted access between 7:40 and 2:40. Anyone entering the building between these times must come through the main doors (#1) from the circle drive.
5. To excuse a student between 7:40 and 2:40, please call 913-993-6945 and leave a message. Please allow 30 minutes after you call for your student to be released, and you must call prior to 2:00pm on the same day to ensure the office has time to process your request.

Attendance Reminder
“As a reminder: Please remember to contact the attendance hotline, (913) 993-6945, whenever your student is absent. Without a call, absences will be marked as unexcused, and multiple unexcused absences may lead to additional steps being taken to support your student’s attendance.

Additionally, after 10 absences, any further absences will need to be accompanied by documentation that aligns with the following reasons:

• Personal illness. (Doctor/Dental/Medical appointments) The school may, with notice to the parent, require verification from a physician of absences due to reasons of health.
• Serious illness or death of a member of the family.
• Obligatory religious observances of the student’s own faith.
• Emergency situation requiring immediate action.
• Participation in a Kansas State High School Activities Association activity, a district-approved function, or a school-sponsored activity.

If documentation is not provided, the absence will be considered unexcused.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!”

1. For everyone’s safety, drivers need to follow the car loop guidelines for drop off and pick up at SMN. Picture of SMN Circle Drive
1. The red curb should be the only place cars stop to unload/load students.
2. The middle lane should be continually moving at no more than 5mph with cell phones put away.
3. The farthest lane from the building is reserved for visitor parking and SMN staff members. If you park during drop off or pickup, please make sure your student crosses at the center crosswalk to get to and from the building.
2. On August 14th and August 15th, SMN completed safety drills in the areas of: Fire, Severe Weather, Lockdown, and Evacuation. Students and staff did an excellent job with these drills! While we don’t like thinking about challenging situations like these, we will be best prepared if we have thought and practiced through them if we have practiced ahead of time.
3. The two most important safety rules at SMN are that we do NOT open exterior doors for anyone, and we do NOT prop open doors at school for any reason.

RENEW or PURCHASE your $15 SMN All-Activities Booster Club Membership for 2024-25 (receive a FREE t-shirt while supplies last)

and SHOP for North Gear 24/7 at our online store… https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

• The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) is a great way for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!

• Join PTSA by clicking on this link!

Varsity cheer will be hosting their annual Bison Cheer clinic from 5:30-7:30pm in the Stadium on Tuesday, October 8th. Registration begins at 5 at the main entrance to the stadium. Snacks will be provided. Please make sure your participant has a water bottle and is dressed accordingly. On Game Day: Thursday October 10th - We will meet in the Field House at 6pm, the game begins at 7pm. PreK-6 will cheer 1st quarter, 7-8 grade will cheer 1st and 2nd quarter. Cost is $30.

10 DAYS LEFT TO MAKE FALL BREAKFAST RESERVATIONS

The Shawnee Mission Education Foundation is excited to be hosting the annual Fall Breakfast on October 9, 2024 at the Overland Park Convention Center, starting at 7 a.m.

If you are interested in sponsoring a table or making an individual reservation, please visit www.smef.org/breakfast24smsd. The Foundation is proud to offer once again a discounted rate of $50 for individual reservations and $500 for table sponsorship for SMSD schools, departments, PTAs, and SMSD employees. After October 1, individual reservations will be $75 and table sponsorships will begin at $1,750. Please note that this link should ONLY be shared and used for those within SMSD schools, departments, PTAs, and SMSD employees.

Any questions about the Fall Breakfast can be directed to Rachel Shuck (rachelshuck@smsd.org).

On Mondays and Wednesdays in the Learning Commons from 2:50 to 4:20

After School Tutoring begins September 16th

Free Food- Available in the cafeteria from 2:50-3:00.

Free Bus-Buses will leave from the cafeteria doors in the front loop at 4:30. Students must have a pass from a staff member to ride the free bus.

Join the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation for an informational come-and-go gathering about

Scholarship Shawnee Mission!

October 1, 2024

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Center for Academic Achievement

This information session will allow you and your student to learn more about the scholarships they received during Scholarship Shawnee Mission. You’ll have a chance to hear from Edward Marquez, SSM Program Officer, and meet with college reps involved in the program.

Are you a pickleball enthusiast looking for a fun and competitive experience?

Join us for our exciting Pickleball Tournament and Community Fundraiser!

Details:

• Date: Saturday, 9/28/24
• Time: 12:00 Arrival Time
• Location: SMN Tennis Courts

How it works:

Team up: Form a co-ed team of 3-4 players.

Register: Pay a pre-registration fee of $40 per team.

If you wait until the day of the event, it is $50 per team.

Compete: Enjoy a warm-up game followed by a bracket-style tournament.

Win: The winning team will receive (4) $10 gift cards and T-shirts of choice!

Not playing? No problem!

Spectate: Enjoy the action for just $2.

Dine: Indulge in delicious street taco platters for only $10 with two tacos, rice, beans, cookie and water.

Volunteer: Help out with payments, food service, and setup for a good cause.

Let's come together for a great cause and have some fun!

No refunds provided and know this a fundraiser that will be split evenly between our football and volleyball teams.

Visit these links to get walk away with exactly what you want:

Register your team here: https://www.smnfootballboosterclub.org/footballbisonstore/p/pickleballtournament

Get spectator seats here: https://www.smnfootballboosterclub.org/footballbisonstore/p/pickleballspectatorfee

Pre-order your taco platter here: https://www.smnfootballboosterclub.org/footballbisonstore/p/streettacodinnerplatter

Make a monetary donation to help out here: https://www.smnfootballboosterclub.org/pickleballdonation

Sign-up to contribute or volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054BABAD2EA20-51074801-help

Questions?! Reach out to:

Amber at: webmaster@smnfootballboosterclub.org

Or

Carly at: carly.martz@gmail.com

This is a reminder that parents and community members who are volunteering in a capacity where they are directly responsible for students who are not their children (field trip chaperones, volunteers for classroom activities where they oversee their own group, etc.) need to go through a District MVP Training and complete a background check every 5 years.

On-Site School MVP Training:

Trainings last about an hour. No reservations are needed. Prospective volunteers may train at any location.

Please Note: Future MVP Trainings are updated weekly and will be offered throughout the entire school year.

https://www.rollandkc.com/

https://rollandonline.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=275008

September is Suicide Prevention Month and a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception and stigma, this month is also used to spread hope to people affected by suicide. Our goal as a district is to ensure students, staff and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line: text HELLO to 741-741
• The Trevor Project (support for LGBTQ teens): text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386
• Johnson County Mental Health Center Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
• Call 911 immediately if there is a risk of someone harming themselves or someone else

• Other links for Suicide Prevention Month:

• https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/
• https://jasonfoundation.com/get-involved/suicide-prevention-month/
• https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-month/
• https://sprc.org/wp-content/uploads/SPM-Ideas-for-Action-2024_v2.pdf

Career & College Expo 9/27

The SMSD is hosting their annual Career & College Expo on Thursday, September 27th for Juniors and Seniors. Students are encouraged to attend and explore possible career pathways and learn from different colleges about their programs. Students should be prepared to talk with and network with a variety of business partners! A paper resume is encouraged but not mandatory. Students must use their district student email to access the sign-up link. Questions – email BrittSherer@smsd.org

Advanced Placement Registration Open

AP registration for Shawnee Mission North High School has officially opened. Students who are currently enrolled in an AP Class have the option to register for taking the AP Exam. Students who take the AP Exam could earn college credit through the exam. AP Exams take place in May and cost $106 per exam. Students must register and pay for their exams through www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/172000

Please reach out to Britt Sherer with any questions – BrittSherer@smsd.org

Class of 2025

Thanks to those students who were able to attend the Class of 2025 Post-secondary Planning session last Thursday to learn more about testing requirements.

During session 4, we will be providing more details about scholarships and financial aid.

If you would like to attend, please complete the Class of 2025 Post-secondary Planning session 4 form by Wednesday at 2:30pm, so we can send you an E pass on Thursday, September 26th. We will be meeting in the Learning Commons at 10:25am.

Don’t forget your computer!!

We will be offering some additional college-related sessions October 3rd and 10th during seminar. Keep an eye out for more google form emails in the coming weeks.

Also, we will have an event for Kansas Apply Free Days on Monday October 7th. Start doing some research and make sure you sign up for a time to complete some free college applications!

The new school year is off and running! As the Real World Learning Counselor at SMN, it is my goal to provide opportunities for students to explore, experience, and engage in events that will help them discover a pathway they can pursue after they graduate high school.

While students engage in these events and activities, students will also be engaging in many great classroom activities that North has to offer. Some of these classroom activities are called Client Connected Projects. These projects offer students the opportunity to connect with professionals and develop essential skills that will help them beyond the classroom and into the workforce. Not only do students earn a grade for client connected projects, but it is also a way for students to earn a Market Value Asset. A Market Value Asset can be defined as an industry valued and recognized skill students gain while in high school to make them more marketable beyond high school. These skills are essential as students navigate their lives beyond their four years of high school.

I want to share some upcoming events that students may have the opportunity to attend. Students are highly encouraged to check their email for more details and information about sign ups. Some events are grade level specific while others are intended for the entire building.

Please follow the RWL Upcoming Events Link for a list of opportunities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Real World Learning Counselor, Britt Sherer at BrittSherer@smsd.org

Starting the week of September 16th, college admission representatives will be visiting with students throughout the year during school hours. Students need to be in good standing and have permission from their teachers to attend these meetings. Here’s the link to see which colleges will be here and to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesRDVYjHT5xuQNjUoWecwNfr-aBDzOYtV053wt8ldjIqbKPw/viewform

North Basics- English

North Basics- Spanish

Post Secondary Planning- English

Post Secondary Planning- Spanish

Dear Families, We are so grateful you are a part of the school community this year. One of the aims at our school is to equip young people for all the realities of today’s world. With that in mind, we have partnered with CharacterStrong - an organization that provides training for educators and social & emotional learning curriculum for students. Their work in grades 6-12 focus on 3 main outcomes: increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community.

Here’s what the data tells us:

• • A sense of belonging in school is one of the most important conditions for learning and a fundamental support for social and emotional well-being. Nearly ⅓ of all students report a weak sense of belonging in their schools. Roughly half of 6th - 12th grade students say they don’t enjoy coming to school most of the time.
• • Mental health challenges for teens have been increasing and 7 out of 10 teens in the U.S. (between 13 and 17 years old) have named anxiety or depression as a major problem among their peers.
• • Student engagement drives learning and supports school success.

This curriculum was created to support school communities as they engage in the work of preparing young people to thrive in the 21st century. The research supports the effectiveness of social & emotional learning in schools to increase student’s academic success and college & career readiness. The lessons focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, and increasing empathy for people and communities who have lived different lives than us. The curriculum helps students think about things they want to improve in their school, their relationships, and their world and then provides tools for them to work individually and in teams to close the gaps they’ve identified.

One of the key parts of nearly every lesson is the “CharacterDare” for Middle School students and the “To Be List” for High School students. These are invitations near the end of most lessons to put the content that they are learning into action in the real world. If you ever want to play an active role in the CharacterStrong curricula, simply ask your student about the most recent CharacterDare or To Be List challenge. Maybe they’ll invite you to try one yourself!

To learn more about CharacterStrong, check out characterstrong.com to discover other resources for students and families.

Looking forward to a great year!

Help Wanted

• The varsity football team captured their first victory of the season vs SM West. The Bison dominated the game and won 35-21. North was excited to celebrate with our Brick House Bound Bison and their families from BlueJacket Flint, Nieman, Crestview, Rushton, Rosland, East Antioch, Merriam Park, and Santa Fe Trail Elementary schools!!! A special thank you to our Booster Club for purchasing the Brickhouse Bound T-shirts for our little Bison! The pre-game festivities were awesome and a shout-out to our S.A.L.T. leaders who visited our elementary schools throughout the week.

  
  

  The Boys varsity soccer team played LFS and Olathe North this past week. The Bison dropped both games, 2-0 and 4-1. They are back in action on Tuesday at Olathe East.

  
  

  The varsity volleyball team lost both duals this week to Lawrence FS and Lawrence HS. They compete against SMW on Tuesday and SMNW on Thursday. On Tuesday, they will host Lil Bison Night (K-8 students are admitted free). However, parents must purchase a game ticket. The Hocker Grove 8th grade A1 team will throw out
  Gifts” to fans.

  
  
  
  

  The girl's golf team is off to Lawrence Country Club on Monday 9/23 for the final Varsity tune-up prior to the Sunflower League tournaments next week. The Bisons are led by Juniors Sydney Epperson, Reesa Avalos, Genesis Juarez, and Mallory LaBrasca.

  Girls Tennis: Varsity squad traveled to Paola last week while the JV/Developmental squad faced Lawrence Free State at home. The Varsity squad played competitive matches across the board with Paola, but lost 4-14 in match play with Sadie Ruzick, Katie Tucker and Lauren Trost getting singles wins and Trost/Carmen Castillo winning in singles. The JV/developmental squad played hard, but lost in every match to a more-experienced Free State squad.

  
  

  The XC team participated in the Baldwin City Classic. Gavin Williams placed 9th and for the girls team Brittany Bettencourt placed 5th and Emily Miller finished 11th. For team results please check https://ks.milesplit.com/meets/633840-baldwin-invitational-2024/results

  
  

  Varsity cheer will be hosting their annual Bison Cheer clinic from 5:30-7:30pm in the Stadium on Tuesday, October 8th. Registration begins at 5 at the main entrance to the stadium. Snacks will be provided. Please make sure your participant has a water bottle and is dressed accordingly. On Game Day: Thursday October 10th - We will meet in the Field House at 6pm, the game begins at 7pm. PreK-6 will cheer 1st quarter, 7-8 grade will cheer 1st and 2nd quarter. Cost is $30.

The Shawnee Mission North Wrestling program is excited to host the YES - Try It Wrestling Clinic on Wednesday, October 9 from 5:30-7:00 pm at Hocker Grove Middle School.

Fall Sports

If you have students inquiring about Fall Sports programs please have them contact the sport-specific coach:

• Varsity Football Coach: Andy Walter

• Email: andrewwalter@smsd.org

• Varsity Soccer Coach: Jaime Velez

• Email: jaimevelezacosta@smsd.org

• Varsity Coach Girls and Boys Tennis Coach: Scott Mcdonald

• Email: ScottMcdonald@smsd.org

• Girls Gymnastics Coach: Sarah Hink sarahhink@smsd.org

• Assistant Coach: Janice Baker, Bergen Cooper & Brooklyn Beck (@ SMNW)

• Varsity Girls and Boys Golf Coach: Walter Mansfield

• Email: waltermansfield@smsd.org

• Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach: Taszia Roseberry

• Email: tasziaroseberry@gmail.com

• Unified Bowling (begins in mid-September) - Robyn Barreca

Email: Robynbarreca@smsd.org

Click Picture to nominate a SM North Classrooms

We would like to provide the opportunity for families and students to nominate a staff member for Staff Member of the Week. Please use this form to nominate someone and we will try to honor as many nominations as we can!

Bison and Family,

Welcome back to the 2024-2025 School Year! As we get started, SMN Journalism would like to share an important message with all of you! Did you know that SMN Journalism has social media accounts? Our Facebook and Instagram accounts are great avenues for parents and students to connect, find information about SMN and find great photos!

Seeing these photos is also a great way to save memories, these four years go by fast!

Check out our accounts linked below or scan the QR code! Go Bison! We wish everyone luck this year and hope everyone enjoys all they can from our accounts!

Instagram Account: @smnjournalism https://www.instagram.com/smnjournalism/

Facebook Account: @Smnjournalism https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556805605266