Nieman News
September 29, 2023
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Happy October!
Is it just me or did September just fly by! We had a busy month getting our reading and math intervention groups up and running. During conferences you will receive a letter from your child's teacher if your child is receiving a tier 3 intervention in reading or in math. A tier 3 intervention means that your child is working on standards below their current grade level and need intensive supports from our teaching staff. Speaking of conferences, the home to school connection is a vital part of your child's success in school. Please ensure that you have signed up for a conference time with your child(s) teacher(s).
This coming Wednesday, October 4th, is Walk and Roll to school day! We are always encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and love to get kids moving! We hope that you will participate on this day with us!
Principal Tenbrink
Anti-Bully Awareness Week!
School Information
Halloween Costume Guidance
Costume Guidance
- No full face masks. We must see student and adult faces.
- Limit extra accessories that may become distractions or get lost.
- Be cognizant of anything scary or gruesome. That includes cartoon characters that send a negative or violent message.
- No play weapons or sharp objects.
- Students should bring in their costumes as we will do the parade in the afternoon.
- Students will be allowed to put their costumes on at school; please do your best to make it so students can put it on over the regular clothes.
PTA Information and Updates
PTA has so many ways for you to get involved, connect with one another, and support Nieman.
Become a PTA member through Givebacks- scan the QR code or visit the link below!
Help us help kids!
5th Grade Stock the Lounge- It's not too late!
5th grade families, it's not too late to help us stock the lounge for October. Please bring the goodies to the front office and we will add it to the goodies. There are still lots of slots open! Our teachers are amazing and we would love to be able to refuel their energy throughout the day! Thank you!
5th Grade Families- Sign Up Here!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054aa4a929abfc1-nieman1#/Stock the Lounge Schedule
November- 4th Grade
December- PTA Provided
January- 3rd Grade
February- 2nd Grade
March- 1st Grade
April- Kindergarten/PreK
May- PTA Provided
Important Dates for Families
October:
2 Monday: Anti-Bully Awareness Week! Stuffed Animal Day
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
3 Tuesday: Red, White, and Blue Day
4 Wednesday: Silly Outfit Day
- Choir 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics Competition 4:00pm
5 Thursday: PJ Day
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
6 Friday: Sportswear Day
9 Monday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
11 Wednesday:
- Choir 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics 3:15-4:00
12 Thursday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
16 Monday:
- Girls on the Run 3:15-4:30
- Choir 3:15- 4:15
17 Tuesday:
- PTA Meeting 6:30pm Library - we hope to see you there!
18 Wednesday:
- Choir 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics 3:15-4:00
- Student Council 3:15-4:15
19 Thursday: Parent Teacher Conference Night
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
- Conference Night preK-6
20 Friday: NO SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
District Information
Panorama
Panorama:
Parent information regarding the 1st Semester Panorama Survey below.
This school year (2023-2024) the Shawnee Mission School District is once again utilizing the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning survey to assess student’s perseverance, grit, determination, school culture and student-teacher relationships. The Panorama Social-Emotional survey takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete and will be administered during the first semester. The first survey window is scheduled for October 16 through November 10, 2023. Parents/Guardians must consent for their student(s) to participate in the Panorama survey; this would have been done during the 23-24 registration process. Survey data will be reviewed at the district and classroom level to determine areas of strength, as well as areas where more instruction and/or support is needed. Once survey results are returned, parents/guardians are welcome to see and discuss the results with their students’ teachers, social workers, and counselors. Sample survey questions can be found here and here.
We encourage you to visit the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) website to learn more about how Social Emotional Learning benefits your child and their environment. All data is maintained by SMSD and will remain confidential. Please visit this site for more information about the Panorama SEL survey.
SMSD Mic'd Up!
Shawnee Mission's premier podcast, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard and Dr. Jeremy Higgins, Secondary HR Director. New episodes drop every other Thursday wherever you download your podcasts!
Shawnee Mission Mic'd Up is an opportunity to meet our community in a unique medium and shine a light on the staff and students who make us ONE Shawnee Mission. This podcast will explore a variety of topics in every area of our district with a focus on transparency, candor and of course, humor.
Episode 4: Shawnee Mission Mic'd Up invites Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalist Michelle Tapkoe from Roesland Elementary to discuss her journey as an educator and mentor! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wr-h_xHyMU
Community Resources
BIST Parenting Series
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of ongoing support for families, your child’s school is offering a series of classes for parents and guardians through a partnership with the Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST). These training sessions are designed to provide ways you can support your child’s developing academic and behavior skills, as well as increase consistency between home and school.
BIST Virtual Parenting Series
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM Enter Zoom Room
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Informational Session
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM Questions and Answers
October 3rd: Cultivating Accountability to Grow Seeds of Empathy
These classes are designed to:
• Create consistency between school and home
• Provide language for adults to use when redirecting children
• Share ways to problem solve to increase your child’s success
• Increase generosity and kindness in your children
• Bring a sense of calm to your home
Please join us for any or all three sessions!
How to Register for Free Training
These virtual classes are provided free of charge, however, we do ask that you please register through our website on or before Friday, September 15th, 2023. Instructions for registration are on the page below.
We are excited to offer this opportunity to you!
Sincerely,
Marty Huitt, Director
Behavior Intervention Support Team/Cornerstones of Care
8150 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64114
@MartyHuitt
To register for this class:
1. Go to http://BIST.org
2. Use the dropdown menu “My Account.” Click Log In/Log Out.
3. Create a username by clicking “Click Here” under the large LOG IN heading. If you already created a username by previously enrolling in a BIST class, just log in.
4. Enter your information (Name, Email, and a Password). This will register you on the website, but not for the class.
5. Select the class you wish to attend. Click “Register” to the right of the class name.
6. Follow the instructions.
a. Be sure to select “Pay Later via PO” under the Payment Method. This Parent Class is free, but you must select the “Pay Later via PO” option in order to register.
b. Select your child’s District and School from the dropdown menus.
c. Select your position as a Parent unless you are a school staff member. If you are both a parent and a school staff member, you may select either.
7. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link for the training sessions.
a. If you do not receive a confirmation email by noon on Monday, September 18th, please contact our office at bist@cornerstonesofcare.org for assistance.
BIST Parent Recording
Please enjoy this recording with parenting with BIST meeting. The meeting was recorded.
Homecoming Week
SMN Block Party (family invitation above)
Wednesday, October 4
6:00-8:00 PM
Our lineup includes:
- Food trucks:
- Car Smash! – Fundraiser for Pep & Auto Tech program
- Games (free!)
- Coaches & players trash-talking our opponents.
- Cheerleaders chanting.
- Drummers drumming.
Homecoming Game & Coronation
Friday, October 6
Marching Band performance: 6:35
Game: 7:00
Coronation: Halftime
Hosted Elementaries: Bluejacket-Flint & Neiman
Come Meet our NEW mascot – BRICK the BISON
- North alumni Cedwan Hooks designed and built our new mascot
- Unveiling at our Pep Assembly Tuesday
- Follow our Instagram for updates and events @smnpepclub
We hope to celebrate with our future Bison and their families!
Friday Night Light- Nieman Night!
Faith and Blue
Faith and Blue is a national initiative to bring law-enforcement and faith groups together to help build community. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 AM to 2 PM in the front drive of Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W. 75th St. We're promoting this as a community picnic so there will be free hotdogs, chips, water, ice cream. There will also be bounce houses, police vehicles, etc. And we will have our Giving the Basics tent setup to give out free personal care products.
This event is being hosted by the Shawnee Police Department, Community Impact Church, New City Church, Cross Points Church, Community Life Church, Christ Community Church and 411 Impact.
The Shawnee Mission North Robotics club is holding our annual Robotics Day event and would love for your students to participate. Robotics Day is a day when the Shawnee Mission North Robotics Club (aka The Nerd Herd) hosts students from 4th to 6th grade to do STEM activities and serve lunch. Guardians can enroll their students through this Google Form (https://forms.gle/1BWkZk7fTDSyJ7ti6) or by scanning the QR code on the posters we bring to your school. We charge $50 per student which can be paid by check to our club to help fund our competitions and builds.
Repeated but Important Information
Changes in Dismissal Routine
Student safety is of the upmost importance to us. Please know that frequent changes in dismissal routines causes safety concerns. We ask that you have a regular dismissal routine and communicate this with the classroom teacher at or before Sneak.
If a change has to occur the safest way to ensure the change is communicated is to email the classroom teacher BEFORE school starts and then ALSO call the office BEFORE 2pm. Teachers have different plan times and lunches, and they are not regularly able to read email. Any dismissal change received after 2pm is NOT GUARANTEED. We will do our best, but the end of the day is a very hectic time in a school. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety of your child.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Our Shawnee Mission Student Handbook provides information on our philosophy of education, code of conduct and a of variety policies and procedures. Students and parents can read this handbook to better understand the behavior expectations of Nieman Elementary and also the Shawnee Mission School District.
Please note specifically the updated cell phone policy that was approved summer 2023:
- SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Cell phones and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during the day in order to respect the educational environment of the classroom. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
Principal Tenbrink
Email: kileytenbrink@smsd.org
Website: https://nieman.smsd.org/
Location: Nieman Elementary School, West 67th Street, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-4000
Twitter: @Tenbrink512