North News October 14, 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

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 finished the first quarter in a strong way last week! We are proud of how our students finished the quarter, and we are eager to start the second quarter. We have a unique week with no school on Monday for professional development and no school on Friday for parent-teacher conferences.

We encourage you to utilize our parent-teacher conference time to connect with your student’s teachers. We have an open house format on Wednesday and conferences by appointment on Friday. Please reach out to the office if you have any questions on our conference format.

Let’s have a great week! Go Bison!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, October 16th, walk-In conferences from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

• Wednesday conferences, parents can walk in to see teachers at any time.
• Drop-in for a short conference (~5 minutes) to discuss your student's academic progress.
• If you need longer than 5 minutes for your conference time, please schedule a conference on Friday or a time outside of Fall conference times.
  
  

Friday, October 18th, scheduled conferences from 7:30 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.

• Friday Conferences will be scheduled at 15-minute intervals.
• All appointments are scheduled via Skyward Family Access here.
• Instructions and a tutorial for scheduling a conference through Skyward can be found here.
• If you would like a virtual appointment via WebEx, after creating the Skyward appointment, please reach out to individual teachers for their Webex links. Staff emails can be found here.
• If you need longer than 10-15 minutes for your conference time, please schedule a conference time outside of Fall conference times.
• Interpreters will be available on both conference dates.

Fall conferences are Wednesday, October 16th.

It is a very busy day for our SMN staff so PTSA provides a meal from 4:00 PM to 5:00 pm in the cafeteria.

We will be hosting an assortment of soups, baked potatoes and chili.

If you are able to assist by donating a packaged condiment, topping, dessert, crockpot of soup/chili or salad, please check out the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Donations can be delivered to the SMN office anytime on Wednesday, October 16th, before 3:00 PM. Please reach out if you need delivery assistance.

SMN is fortunate to have some amazing staff, so let's show them some love!! Thank you for your support.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-52185185-smnstaff#/

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These staff members are crushing it in our SLC. They are so great with kids and parents!

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!

These guys were both recognized as Commended National Merit Scholars this week! Congratulations!

Vaccination exclusion date is fast approaching. October 16th is the day.

Coming October 11th the Johnson County Health Department will be having a “last minute” clinic for those in need of state required vaccinations.

The hours will be 8am-2pm for those students in need of a Hepatits A or Meningococcal booster.

If you have received an email/letter stating that your student is needing either of these vaccines please take advantage of this convenient opportunity.

We are not in school that day, October 11th.

You will need a copy of your student’s vaccine record to take with you.

The location is the Olathe walk-in clinic

11875 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 300

Olathe, KS 66061

Please call the nurse’s office if we can help with anything.

Thank you!!

Nurse Kelly and Bella Lopez, CNA

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.

Trunk or Treat is right around the corner! We hope to see you at the front circle drive at Shawnee Mission North. It will be on October 29th at 5pm and end at 7pm!:)

Here is a google form for anyone who would like to do a trunk. It's open to any group of people who want to do it (they don't have to be a formalized club). Please fill out this form by October 21st.

It’s SWEATER WEATHER!!

Show off your SMN pride with one of our sweatshirts, jackets, pullovers, joggers or your favorite style of hat!

Proceeds from the SMN All-Activities Booster Club spirit wear sales go back to North in the form of grants to student clubs, groups and teams

Order online 24/7 at
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

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/

Friends of Shawnee Mission North -

Join us on Monday, October 21 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons at North for the next meeting of the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. Come meet other members of the learn about upcoming events and share with other members of our school community.

You can earn $$$ for your favorite group at North by attending Booster Club meetings. We offer Attendance Grants to any SMN club, group or team that sends a parent, student, or sponsor/coach to our meetings. If your team or group has a representative attend at least 4 Booster Club meetings a year, we will give your group a $100 grant - attend 6 meetings and receive a $200 grant!

BE A VOLUNTEER and support the SMN All-Activities Booster Club with one of the following:

11th Annual SMN Trivia Night Planning Team

Join us for our first planning team meeting on Tuesday, Oct 15 at 6:30pm in the SMN Cafeteria. This is a joint fundraiser with the SMN PTSA.

Assist with SMN Booster Club Spirit Wear Sales - no experience necessary!

Multiple shifts are available - Click on the link below to learn more and sign-up!

Friday, Oct 25 - Football Game

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAFA62FABF58-51788794-help#/

At the September Booster Club meeting, we awarded the following grants…

·$684.25 to SMN Stuco and Pep Club to purchase massive white boards and dry erase markers

·$900 to SMN Girls Golf for the purchase of 4 complete club sets

·$2,200 to SMN Girls and Boys Basketball towards the purchase of a shooting machine

·$895 to SMN Strength and Conditioning Classes for strengthening bands

·$389.64 to SMN Foods Class for the purchase of pie ingredients to bake and share pies with the community

·$1350 to SMN Volleyball to purchase backpacks

• 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!

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.

Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week

Tuesday(10/15) - Familia Peluche (wear your PJs)

Wednesday(10/16) - Vaquero Day (Western attire)

Thursday(10/17) - Abuelito Abuelita day (dress up like a grandpa/grandma)

Friday(10/18) - No school

Monday(10/21) - Quince Crowns vs. Sombreros

Tuesday(10/22) - Jersey Day (Hispanic Heritage Progam Day)

https://www.rollandkc.com/

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

To help students achieve their best and make schools safe and welcoming, we need more than just anti-bullying policies. CharacterStrong uses strategies that are proven to work and focus on key social and emotional skills. In the curriculum, students will experience a blend of anti-bullying methods with other important skills like empathy, communication, and resilience. This helps schools deal with bullying better while also teaching students to understand and care for each other. This approach makes it easier for schools to embrace bullying prevention strategies and build an environment of kindness and respect.

Class of 2025

Senior Workshops w/Student Services

Counselors have been meeting with seniors to complete activities in the college process, and we have a few sessions left. Please remind seniors to check their email to sign up to participate. Copies of the emails are below:

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

If you were unable to attend previous sessions, you still have time!

Before signing up for the next session, all seniors need to complete this form.

During session 5, we will be providing support as you start a college application.

If you would like to attend, please complete the Post-secondary Planning #5—College Applications form by Wednesday at 2:30pm, so we can send you an ePass on Thursday, October 3rd. We will be meeting in the Learning Commons at 10:25am. Don’t forget your computer!!

Forms must be completed by the student from their school email address.

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

AP registration is officially in full swing! If your student is currently enrolled in any AP Class, they can earn college credit by taking the AP Exam in May. AP Exams cost $106, however, you must be registered by November 5th to avoid any late fees. Once registration closes, students will have to pay $146 per exam, so do not delay! Students need to be registered on both their College Board account and will pay their test fees through TotalRegistration.net/AP/172000 .

Once students have paid their registration and have signed up through the College Board website they are good to go! If you have questions about the AP process please do not hesitate to reach out North’s AP Coordinator - Britt Sherer - BrittSherer@smsd.org.

North Basics- English

North Basics- Spanish

Post Secondary Planning- English

Post Secondary Planning- Spanish

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The North Bison Football played a hard-fought game on Thursday evening losing to Lawrence Free State 24-21. We play at SM South on Friday at 7:00pm.

The Lady Bison Volleyball squad dropped matches vs Olathe West at home and at Olathe South. North is back in action this week vs Olathe East on Tuesday evening. The JV/V will recognize staff members who have played a vital role in their lives between the JV and V match (approximately 6:30pm). They travel to SM East on Thursday evening and play in the Pembroke HIll Invite on Saturday.

The Shawnee Mission North boys soccer team dropped two matches last week; the Boys Varsity Soccer lost to Shawnee Mission Northwest 3-4. Great goal by Omarion Dilunga and 2 Great goals by Cody Guzman! On Thursday evening, we lost to Olathe Northwest High (5-1). ONW scored three goals late in the game to pull away.

The Lady Bison Tennis team completed their 2024-25 season with a busy final week. On Monday, October 7th the girls fought hard at SM Northwest but lost in match play 5-13. In doubles, Sadie Ruzich and Makayla Padilla came back from 3-7 to force a tie-breaker at 7-7, but lost 5-7. In singles play, Grace Morgan, Malia Knight, Lauren Trost and Haley Nunez all won their individual matches.

The following day, October 8th, the Lady Bison defeated Sumner Academy 11-1 on Senior Day. Seniors Sadie Ruzich, Carmen Castillo, Sarah Nielsen and Jose Yungeberg all won their doubles and singles matches along with Grace Morgan, Danica Bremenkamp and Katie Tucker. Senior Angie Hernandez won her first Varsity match in #4 doubles. And on Thursday, the Lady Bison tennis team finished the season playing in KSHSAA’s Mill Valley Regional. Mikayla Padilla had a great performance and won her play-in match 8-2 against Olathe North. After that, the tournament draw provided no favors as the girls all played girls who would qualify for the State Tourney. Danica and Grace lost to Olathe NW double’s team who would eventually finish 4th. Malia and Katie lost to the 3rd place team from SM East. In singles, Sadie was defeated by the 6th place Lawrence Free State player. And after Mikayla’s win, she drew SM East’s 2nd place finisher.

North Bison Golf Team finished the regular golf season with a 14th place finish at Paradise Point. Junior Sydney Epperson and Sophomore Jesenia Pena led the way for the Bison golfers. Jesenia posted a good score for her first Varsity Sunflower League tournament. It was Senior Lucy Kramers 1st Varsity event. Junior Haven Bauman continued to improve on her second Varsity event as the North golfers continue to improve their gameNext Tuesday regionals will be at Falcon Lakes as North attempts to qualify for the State tournament.

The Shawnee Mission North Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor former

student-athletes, coaches, administrators and patrons for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Shawnee Mission North athletic programs. Should the Shawnee Mission School District adopt formal district-wide rules regarding the Hall of Fame requirements of its member schools, those rules shall automatically be incorporated herein. Please use this link to submit a nomination.

2024 marks the 45th observance of National High School Activities. Mark your calendars for the month of October. The student-athlete leadership team (S.A.L.T.) in conjunction with SM North All-School Booster club will provide a light breakfast for coaches and sponsors on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:10 am in the Learning Commons

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: Gabby Royal

• Email: gabrielleroyal@smsd.org

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

Email: Robynbarreca@smsd.org

Click Picture to nominate a SM North Classrooms

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