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Nieman News
Back to School Edition
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Hello Nieman Fox Families!
I am so excited to send the first Nieman News for the 2023-2024 school year. For our new families, welcome! For our returning families, welcome back!
The Nieman News is a bi-weekly newsletter that will contain school updates, happenings and announcements, as well as any important district information. Once the school year begins the newsletter will come out on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, until then we will have our back to school edition that will be updated regularly with important time sensitive information.
We are so thankful for our PTA and our district for helping us beautify our school! Towards the end of last year and throughout the summer we have had a glow-up! The entire interior of our school was painted at the end of last year. Over the summer our parking lot and blacktops were updated per the current bond, we also had murals painted throughout the school that were a joint purchase by our PTA and district. I have included pictures below and we can't wait for you to see them at Sneak-a-Peek!
We are ready to do some outstanding GROWING this year! The entire staff is ready to get back in the building and welcome your children back with open arms!
Ready, set, GROW!
See you soon!
Principal Tenbrink
Our North Community
The nameless fox...
Commit to G.R.I.T
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/MemberHub- scan the QR code or visit the link below!
Important Dates for Families
AUGUST
Monday 14th: Sneak-a-Peek 4-6pm
Tuesday 15th:
- Classes begin- Early Release Grades 1-6 at 12:30pm
- PreK & Kindergarten Conferences
Wednesday 16th:
- Full Day Grades 1-6
Thursday 17th:
- First day PreK and Kindergarten
Tuesday 22nd:
- Meet the Principal Hosted by PTA 6:30pm Library
Back to School Info
Online Verification Forms and Food Service- Action Item
Dear Shawnee Mission School District Families,
We hope you are enjoying your summer!
It is time to prepare for the next school year. Back-to-school forms(Online Verification Forms) are now online, and they need to be reviewed and signed with an electronic signature.
Steps to fill out forms:
If you do not have a Family Access account, you may contact your child’s school office starting on July 26, 2023 to inquire about setting up account access.
- Under “Home” you will see “2023-2024 Student Annual Online Verification.”
There will be directions that walk you through the entire process.
The process includes permission forms, a health history review, and a medication permission form. For middle and high school students, there is also an athletic packet. The process should take only about 5 minutes to complete.
Please try to complete these forms as soon as possible. It is a mandatory step necessary for student materials checkout. Students cannot be assigned a computer/device until the forms are complete.
2023-24 - Child Nutrition Program Meal Benefit Application
Families are encouraged to complete an application for meal benefits – free or reduced priced meals – as part of the Online Verification. The link to the Child Nutrition Program Meal Benefit Application is available on Skyward or the online application is on School Cafe. Families do need to create a School Cafe account if they do not already have one - more information may be located on the SMSD Food Service Free and Reduced web page. Contact the Food Service office by calling 913-993-9710 for questions on the meal benefit application.
Potential Benefits of Filling out the Application
- Families, whose meal benefit application is approved for meal benefits, can receive a breakfast and lunch at the free or reduced price – depending on their qualifying benefit.
- Families who complete an application and qualify also generate additional state funds for our schools.
- Families who qualify for child nutrition meal benefits, may receive additional benefits such as free/reduced instructional resource fees, transportation fees, and Pre-k enrollment.
Consent for Disclosure and Eligibility
- Families are encouraged to complete a Consent for Disclosure form inSkyward which gives SMSD Food Service permission to share a child’s eligibility status information with the programs families designate on the consent form.
- Families who are receiving certain types of state assistance, a meal benefit application may not be necessary. If a family is directly certified for meal benefits due to state assistance, Food Service will email a notification of eligibility. If you receive state assistance and have not received a notification of eligibility, call the SMSD Food Service officebefore completing a meal program application.
- Families who are directly certified are encouraged to complete a Consent for Disclosure form in Skyward which gives SMSD Food Service permission to share a child’s eligibility status information with the programs families designate on the consent form.
If you have any questions, please contact your school office. School offices open on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Thank you for your quick attention to this important step of the enrollment process. We look forward to welcoming your student(s) to the 2023-2024 school year!
STUDENT FEES
Student fees have been assessed in Skyward. New for the 2023-24 school year there is an Instructional Resource fee for K-12 students, which replaces the previous Textbook fee. Elementary students will be charged $60; Secondary students will be charged $100. Fees can be paid online through eFunds (a $3 processing fee will be charged) or in the office by cash/check/optional credit card.
Free/Reduced Waiver
Parents are advised to complete their Free/Reduced application in SchoolCafe and their Consent for Disclosure form in Skyward’s Online Verification. It could take 2 weeks or more to process the application, consent form and reduce fees, so please have them completed as soon as possible. If approved for free/reduced meals please send your approval letter to JonelleCarter@smsd.org so she may adjust/remove the activity fee.
First Day of School
We are excited to welcome out 1st through 6th grade students back for their first day of school on Tuesday, August 15th. This is an early release day, we will begin dismissal at 12:20pm. See information below for how arrival and dismissal work.
PreK and Kindergarten: The first day of school is Thursday, August 17th. This is a full day of school. PreK and Kindergarten conferences are on Tuesday, August 15th. See below for additional information regarding conferences
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Kindergarten-6th Grade Arrival Procedures
PreK Arrival- back car loop
Car Tag Example
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.
School Supply Lists
If you need assistance with school supplies please email perlapenazayas@smsd.org with your children's name(s) and upcoming grade level. We have resources available to help with gathering supplies for students.
PreK and Kindergarten Conferences
Kindergarten- Teachers have already sent out email communication regarding conferences. Please make sure to check your email and sign up for a time to come in!
Attendance
We have seen a major increase in chronic absenteeism at Nieman. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% of their educational time. Please know that teachers and office staff will be in constant communication if your child starts to accumulate excessive tardies or absences.
Nieman Student Expectation Reminders
Please see below for some frequently brought up Nieman student expectations:
Toys- All student toys should be left at home and not brought to school. The only time this would be an exception is if a class earned a reward, then communication would come from the teacher.
Fidgets- Fidgets are great tools used to calm and deescalate students. So long as the fidget is being used in the following ways it will be allowed:
- As a tool and not a toy- for it's expected purpose of calming
- Silently (many fidgets can be disruptive to the learning environment so please ensure your child is capable of using their fidget silently before sending it in).
- It will stay in the classroom and not travel to other locations in the school.
- Must be smaller than a student's hand.
Phones- See the new district policy from the Student Handbook above. Phones may be brought on to school property. Once the student enters the school their phone should be turned off and kept in their backpack during school hours.
- With permission from the teacher a student may get their phone out to call parents. This is only common towards the end of the day if checking on dismissal or an after school activity.
- Personal phone use may start once students are off school property.
- If a students phone becomes a concern the first contact will come from the classroom teacher. After that contact, if the phone is still a concern, then administration will contact the family and a guardian will need to come up to the school to get the phone.
Hoods- Students are allowed to wear hoods, so long as they don't disrupt their learning or the learning of others.
Welcome New Foxes!
Emma Medlock- 1st Grade
Jennifer Ake- 2nd Grade
Jenny Meacham
Misty Miles- Admin Intern
It is with great excitement that I join the Nieman Elementary School community as your Administrative Intern. I am honored to be a part of the Fox family and I am looking forward to learning more about the many great things happening at Nieman!
In the 2023-24 school year, I will be beginning my 18th year of experience as a professional educator. The past thirteen years have been within the Shawnee Mission School District, where I served our students and families in a variety of roles. Throughout the course of my career, I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades as a general education classroom teacher, followed by roles as a reading interventionist, STEM-based librarian / Information Learning Specialist, and as an Instructional Coach. The last three years I have served as the Admin Intern for both Brookridge and Briarwood Elementary Schools. In addition to my classroom experiences, I have served as the principal for the SMSD Summer Enrichment program since 2015 and enjoy spending my summers working alongside the amazing teaching staff we have in the Shawnee Mission schools.
I believe that students grow and achieve more when they are surrounded by involved and compassionate adults, both within and outside the walls of a school building. As I move into this new journey as a Nieman Fox, I am ready to partner with you to give our students what each and every one of them deserve — an enriching, engaging, personalized learning environment that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success.
I look forward to a successful year of supporting students and teachers in their educational and professional endeavors, as well as getting to know each of you on as we work together to ensure our students' success.
Ronda Gratz- ELL Teacher
My name is Ronda Gratz, and I am excited to introduce myself as a new member of the Nieman community! I cannot contain my enthusiasm for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. This year promises to be a remarkable time filled with fun, learning, and growth for all of us.
Having served in the education field for 28 years, I bring both experience and a passion for teaching. For the past twelve years, I had the privilege of working at Rising Star Elementary as a first and second grade teacher, as well as a reading specialist. My background includes teaching in various districts across Kansas, as well as serving as an educator in international schools in both Egypt and Venezuela.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, family, and friends. You might find me immersed in a good book, strolling along with my two dogs, Buddy and Harley, or cheering fervently for sports, particularly soccer.
I genuinely believe that the key to a successful learning experience lies in creating a positive and engaging atmosphere where students feel valued, respected, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. I am excited to join the Nieman community as an ELL teacher and collaborate with others to shape a bright future for our students!
Special Guests at Sneak-a-Peek!
Free Money! Do you qualify?
Get $1,000 for each eligible student!
The Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) provides qualifying parents and guardians with $1,000 per eligible student to spend on approved educational goods and services. This could be used for Sylvan learning services, and many other educational opportunities for students. Check the website below to see if you qualify!
Repeated but Important 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.
Events from Student Services
- The Department of Student and Family Services will host a MVP training on August 15th from 4pm to 5:30pm in the CAA Board Room. Anyone from any attendance area is welcome to attend.
- The SMSD will host our 3rd Bilingual Back-to-School Community Event on Wednesday, September 6 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm at the CAA. All students and families are welcome! Flyer here.
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