NORTH NEWS August 31, 2020

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

Below this announcement you will find the daily schedule that all students at SMN will be following to begin the school year. Following this schedule will help students and families organize their day by aligning time throughout the day with students schedules/periods.

In an effort to promote consistency among all of our classes, every class period will begin with teachers hosting a live class session via WebEx. As an example, 1st hour begins at 7:40AM on Monday morning, so at 7:40AM students should make their way to the live class session with their first hour teacher. The length of this live class session will be dependent on each teacher, their lesson design for that day, and their instructional expectations. Information on accessing WebEx will be provided prior to the first day of school.

Along with WebEx, the Canvas learning management system will be utilized by all teachers to help facilitate and organize the learning process. Here is a link to a Canvas webpage with an overview video of what Canvas looks like from the student view: Canvas Video. Please spend some time with your student familiarizing yourselves with Canvas.

Finally, we do encourage families to check your students district provided device and make sure that it is operating properly. Proper functioning of the device will be critical as we operate in this remote learning environment. Addressing technology issues now allows families and the school to troubleshoot issues before the school year begins and will allow students to begin accessing their courses on first possible day. If you have technology issues, please submit a heat ticket or contact them by phone at 913-993-8880

Tuesday, Sept. 8 - 9th grade and 12th grade only - 7 Period Day

Wednesday, Sept. 9 - all grades, Hours 1,2,3, Seminar, 4

Thursday, Sept. 10 - all grades, Hours 5,6,7, Seminar

Friday, Sept. 11 - all grades, 7 Period Day

All classes will meet remotely. Additional information about the rest of the month will be provided in the coming weeks

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Please contact the Attendance office if your student will not be attending one or more of their classes. Direct line to Attendance is 913-993-6945, leave a message with your name, your students name, grade and the reason for their absence.

If you are student currently enrolled at SMN that does NOT have a MacBook checked out to him/her. Please sign up for a scheduled time slot to check a device out on the Sign-Up Genius link below. Scheduled appointments will take place in the front entrance of SMN. Please be advised that a mask will be required to enter the building to check-out a device. Please be on time as we will be booked with appointments throughout the day and want to avoid any backup.

All freshman that came from Hocker Grove will be keeping the MacBooks that they received from Hocker Grove. The device you currently have will stay with you through your time at North.

Available time slots before the 1st day of school are the following dates:

Wednesday, Sept. 2nd from 12:20pm to 3pm

Thursday, Sept. 3rd from 8am to 11:20am

Friday , Sept 4th, 12:20pm-3:00pm

MacBook Distribution Sign-Up Genius

1. Click on the link

2. Find the date and time that you want to sign up for

3. Click “Sign Up” in the box on the associated date and time, then click “Submit and Sign Up” on the bottom of screen.

4. Type the student’s first and last name in the My Comment box. Then click on “Display an alternate name on the sign up” and again type the first and last name of your student.

5. Each time slot has either 2 spots available. If all spots are filled, please choose another time slot

6. Lastly, if your student brings his/her Student ID number, it will make things go faster, but not mandatory. We can look it up during the appointment.

All freshman MacBooks have been transferred with the student to SMN, meaning that incoming 9th grade parents and students DO NOT need to return the device to Hocker Grove. The device you currently have will stay with you through your time at North.

In order to start laptop distribution, schedules and rosters need to be “turned on” in the Skyward system. Normally, this would not be a problem, as those schedules and rosters would have been completed and entered. However, we are working on a different timeline than usual for the start of school. Please Note: Although rosters and schedules may be visible in Skyward in the coming days, please know they are NOT correct and that they could easily change between now and the start of school. We are still making last minute adjustments with scheduling and staffing to meet the needs of our students. We are targeting September 4 to have all schedules and rosters ready to go for our first day of school on September 8, 2020.

1. Make sure your student's MacBook is functioning correctly!!!

• Make sure they can log into the MacBook and access the internet. If student's haven't logged into the MacBook since the spring they could run into log in issues. Call the Help Desk if they are having login issues. 913-993-8880
• Make sure your student has their computer updated to the latest software: macOS Catalina, To check this, click on the Apple (top left), click on “About this Mac” If not updated it will view, macOS Mojave. If updated, it will view macOS Catalina. Currently, we have over 1,000 students who have not updated. The link for directions on how to update their computer are here. Updating your Mac to macOS Catalina

2. Log into Skyward and complete the online verification for each of your students. In most cases, the parent username is the first and last name separated by a dot. For example: patrick.mahomes. For password issues, click on the link "Forgot Password" enter in a valid email address and Skyward will send you a password reset link email.

3. Pay Fees online beginning September 4th, See Directions Below

4.Join PTSA and Booster Club (highly encouraged, but optional): Parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members: Your membership helps support your student and his/her school!

Transportation for the 2020-2021 school year will look a little different due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In an effort to transport students in the safest way possible, the following are a few of the measures that will be followed for transportation of students by bus and passenger vehicles in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Enrollment

New this year, we are requiring ALL that want to receive bus service to enroll online. This includes those that qualify for free busing.

• For those who qualify for free busing (residing over 2.5 miles from school) Click here to enroll: Shawnee Mission Bus Registration .
• For those enrolling in Parent Pay Busing (where routes are offered): Click here to enroll: https://dsbuslinessm.revtrak.net/-school-bus-parent-pay#/list

Bus fees will be prorated for the days that district is in remote attendance per JCDHE gating criteria. Additional information may be found on the SMSD transportation webpage:

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Buses

Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned between bus routes. Sanitizing & disinfecting will occur at the end of each day using CDC approved disinfectant.

Required Masks

Masks will be required of all bus riders for the entire time they are on the bus. Failure to wear a mask may result in loss of privileges to ride the bus for a period of time up to the remainder of the semester. Masks will be available on each bus should a student forget or lose their mask in the transition to and from school. State guidance permits bus drivers to remove their mask for safety reasons while operating the bus. Drivers will wear a mask while students are entering and exiting the bus.

Assigned Seats and Daily Roster Checks

All buses will have assigned seating and drivers will instruct students on where they are to sit and will attempt to distance students when possible. Students residing in the same household will be seated together. Any student not enrolled for transportation and attempting to ride the bus will require alternative transportation arrangements home from school (parents contacted).

Staggered Dismissal from Bus & School

Students will be released to enter the school one bus at a time upon their arrival. Dismissal will be done in a similarly staggered fashion which will allow students to travel to their bus with as much distance as possible.

Bus Stops

Social distancing between students is recommended at all bus stop areas. This will require parents to help communicate this expectation with children.

For more information go to the District Operational Plan for Reopening Schools.

2019-2020 Spring Semester Transportation Credit Information

We are asking all parents to pay fees ONLINE this year.

• The Online fee payment portal will be open on September 4th. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online" to find out if it is available. The site can also be found at this link. https://www.smsd.org/families/pay-fees

• If you need to pay by check, You will need to go to the pay fees online portal to find out your students fees. Please Make your check payable to SM North, Mail your check with your students ID number listed to SM North, attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66204

• All payment plans and KanCare can be completed over the phone or email. Please contact our bookkeeper, Shelle Lewis for help with this. Shellelewis@smsd.org or 913-993-6910.

• optional fees - parking, literary magazine, yearbook, pep club, class dues - a student does not want or need will automatically be deleted from the student's account if it is unpaid at the end of first quarter. The online system will allow parents the option to not pay these fees.

One thing is for certain with 2021, you will want to celebrate your senior's graduation with a Senior Ad in the 2021 Indian.

The first deadline is Oct. 2

There are three due dates for ads, with prices increasing after each deadline.

After the first deadline on Oct. 2, the prices increase.

The best way to purchase a Senior Ad this year is online.

To pay with a credit card and/or submit all your photos go to www.yearbookforever.com. Choose SM North. You can upload all of your photos and pay here.

If you don’t want to upload, no problem, you can also drop off the form (click on the button below), photos and payment at the SMN front office or mail them to SM North, attn. Becky Tate.

After you send your Senior Ad in, you will receive a proof via email by Feb. 9. Not all will be done by then, but a majority will be. If you haven't seen yours by then, please call 913-993-7012 or email notate@smsd.org and check on the ad. Photos will be returned in late April.

Thanks so much for supporting the Indian yearbook. We look forward to designing your senior’s ad.

If you have any questions, please contact yearbook advisor Becky Tate at 913-993-7012 or at notate@smsd.org .

On Friday, August 28, The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors took action that could impact Fall sport options. The BOD approved (vote) for an alternative Fall Sports schedule that would start in mid-spring. What that means for SM North and our sister schools is unclear. At this time, we are not sure whether a Fall alternate schedule will be played. The vote on Friday allowed the Fall alternate scheduling to occur if more than half of 5A/6A schools seek to move at least one sport from Fall to Spring. There are 36 teams in each class, so 37 schools would have to elect to play at least one sport in the Spring. Those determinations don’t have to be made until September 26 for Golf, Tennis, or Gymnastics; October 10 for XC, Soccer, and Volleyball; and October 17 for Football. At this point I have no feel for which schools, if any, will seek to move at least one fall sport to the spring. If there are 37 schools that elect to compete in at least one Fall sport in Spring, the Fall alternate schedule will begin on March 1. The Fall sports will not compete for championships and will play a truncated schedule. Spring sports would begin on March 28, and all spring sports teams will compete for State Championships as regularly scheduled. Those championships will be played in June, with state championships being the weekend of Friday, June 25.

Fall sports have been suspended at this time. We will update you when that changes. Please contact your coach with any questions.

Football - Andy Walter

Boys Soccer - Jaime Velez Acosta

Cross Country - Aaron Davidson

Volleyball - Crystal Foss

Girls Golf - Walter Mansfield

Girls Tennis - Jon Durham

Gymnastics - Sarah Gregg

All students that will be providing their own transportation or will be taking other students to games or matches will need to have the Transportation Release form on file. Parents and students must sign the form. Please turn the form in to your coach/sponsor. English and Spanish forms can be downloaded below.

If you are a Senior or Junior interested in joining NHS, the application deadline has been extended to September 2, 2020. The Google Classroom code for the application is: nfzrat6. Students will need a letter of recommendation from a teacher, supervisor, coach or other member of the community. Recommendation letters can be sent via email to: nopogore@smsd.org. If you have any questions concerning the application, please feel free to email Mrs. Pogorek at nopogore@smsd.org.

If you are a current Senior member of NHS or a Junior who has already filled out the application, you do not need to apply again.

Due to the late start of many K-12 schools, JCCC is extending the enrollment deadline for College Now and Quick Step Plus courses to October 16. Enrollment guides for College Now and Quick Step Plus can be downloaded below.

Please be sure to complete all steps in the enrollment process. If a student obtains a placement waiver, student will still need to log in to MyJCCC, register for the course, and pay tuition.

More information can be found by clicking here

Hi everyone! Welcome to the 20-21 school year! My name is Monique Wesley and I will be your College Advisor. I know things look a little different this year, but I know we’ll make the best of it.

Listed below are the dates for the upcoming College Rep Visits. Since we are not able to have outsiders come to campus, we will be virtually speaking with reps to find out the necessary information about the Universities. I will also attach a printable PDF with the info you see here. A few of the visits require you to sign up before you’re able to join the call. Take a look below and register for any that you’re interested in. I hope this gets you thinking about your post-secondary plans!

I will also be sending out an introductory email with the necessary information for Seniors very soon, so please be on the lookout for that. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at moniquewesley@smsd.org or call (913) 993-6943. Thank you and let’s have a great year!! NOTE: SMSD does not support zoom. When you’re ready to join the zoom call please open it in your web browser, as zoom may not be downloaded on your devices.

Zoom Links for College Exploration (September)

12:00pm for all dates

1. Northeastern University (9/15/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://northeastern.zoom.us/j/95431712959?pwd=RDVocndkdkN6emdJQVFEWUdXbkxPZz09

2. Boston University (9/16/20)

(Please click link to sign up prior to meeting):

https://bostonu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUlcuCgqD4pHNAgy-sLomkOQQycVGGvfISh

3. University of Minnesota (9/17/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://umn.zoom.us/j/3438585717

4. University of Alabama (9/18/20)

(Please click link to sign up prior to meeting):

https://uasystem.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0of--vrzIuG9Aj7WdKtU2XSnzdOJbiqxTV

5. Augustana College (9/21/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://augustana-edu.zoom.us/j/98133624047?pwd=SWJxdHhpUVVaM0ZJY002UVltTGs4UT09

6. University of Chicago (9/22/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87231751677?pwd=S3ArZXRFZ2dJZ0VjcXhFZHBRMUtqdz09

7. Johnson & Wales University (9/23/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://jwu.zoom.us/j/94151533101?pwd=Q0hOR09VTHJZRUgyWm9rNVJldG5RUT09

8. University of Missouri-Columbia (9/24/20)

(No need to sign up, click link when ready):

https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/99475961663?pwd=L2NyMlA0U1MxOXc4d0NTRWNKdTlGUT09

9. Vanderbilt University (9/25/20)

(Please click link to sign up prior to meeting):

https://myappvu.vanderbilt.edu/register/?id=b6134802-2951-42aa-9c8e-549a78403342

Our school district has adopted Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS) that will allow students to manage all of their respective class expectations, assignments, feedback and grades. This will be the one place students will go for course information. Once school opens, we will provide you directions on how to set-up your Canvas parent account. Teachers will provide instructions for students on how to navigate each of their classes in Canvas. Here is a link to a Canvas webpage with an overview video of what Canvas looks like from the student view: Canvas Video.

• If students are having issues with their MacBook (damaged or not working properly), continue to contact the Technology Help Desk (913-993-8880) until further notice.

• The district has purchased a new internet filtering application called Lightspeed. This will replace the VPN from last year. The update to Lightspeed will take place in the background once the device connects to district wifi. If you are having internet issues, it is advised to go to any SMSD school and get close enough to the building to connect to the wifi and then restart your computer. Open up the Manager app and wait 3 to 5 minutes. If you run into issues, again you may call the Help Desk for assistance. (913-993-8880)

• Notification to all students that the district is now blocking all audio/video streaming (Including Netflix) and social media websites (excluding Pinterest) during school time hours (7am to 4pm). This is to help minimize potential distractions during learning time.

• Download Webex Teams and WebEx Meetings:SMSD classes will use Webex products for video conferences and classes this school year. ZOOM is not supported by district for a variety of reasons. Open up Manager on your MacBook and then select Webex Meeting and Webex Teams to initiate the download.

• Canvas: Our school district has adopted Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS) that will allow students to manage all of their respective class expectations, assignments, feedback and grades. This will be the one place students will go for all course information. Initial login will be provided later this week. Here is a link to a Canvas webpage with an overview video of what Canvas looks like from the student view: Canvas Video.

• Spotify- Start Up Helper Issues: If you have the Spotify app installed on your computer you may be getting an error pop-up preventing students from using their device? Here is are the directions to fix it. Fixing Start up Helper

• Student Support Tech Link: Lastly, if you have not already, please have your student check out the Black SMSD Icon in the dock next to the life preserve (Hep Desk) icon. This Student Technology Support link will direct you to helpful information and be a reference when troubleshooting your MacBook during remote instruction. Student Tech Support Reference

  
  

1. Visit support.smsd.org to submit an online help desk request.
2. Call (913) 993-8880 Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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