The Cougar Connection
Weekly Update for Families - March 30, 2023

SMNW
Office Hours 7 AM - 3:30 PM
913.993.7200
Attendance
Attendance Hotline 913.993.7245 (All Day)
Attendance Office 913.993.7242 (Partial Day)
***Please direct dial the attendance office and allow 30 minutes processing time from phone call to release when requesting early dismissal for your student.***
From Dr. Gruman
Dear Northwest Families,
This week we had the opportunity to engage in some college and career planning with all of our students. Our counselors shared presentations with our juniors during seminar on Tuesday, preparing them for the upcoming exploration and decision making in senior year. Our teachers worked with students today in seminar to start their My Plan in Xello. This is part of their Individual Plan of Study. We use Xello as the platform to house that plan. We will spend a bit more time with our students to complete the My Plan later this quarter.
One part of their My Plan includes identifying a Market Value Asset each student would like to complete by graduation. A Market Value Asset includes one of the following: earning 9 or more hours of College Credit while in high school, completing an internship or client-centered project, earning an industry recognized credential, or validated work experience connected to their post-secondary goals. We encourage our parents and guardians to talk with your student to share their college and career plans in Xello.
We have many exciting events in the upcoming weeks. Our band, choir, and orchestra students have been engaging with their music to prepare for the upcoming KSHSAA large group music festivals in April. Each of our ensembles have or will participate in a festival with our other SMSD high schools. Our band students are working with a clinician from UMKC this Friday and our choir and orchestras will have those opportunities in the upcoming weeks. These are wonderful opportunities for our students to grow as musicians and for us to enjoy some outstanding performances!
Our spring sports are in full swing and we are excited to be a positive voice cheering our teams and sharing our Cougar Pride! We have so many student athletes representing our Cougar community and we are very proud of them.
Have a wonderful week!
All the best,
Dr. Lisa Gruman
SENIORS 2023
Summer School Registration is NOW open!
2023 Summer Academy is available for “in-person” courses.
Dates are June 12-30 for session 1 and July 10-28 for Session 2.
https://www.smsd.org/academics/summer-programs/summer-academy
2023 Summer eSchool is an option for “on-line” courses.
https://www.smsd.org/academics/eschool/enrollment-information
Lisa Jones 913.993.7230
Prom Dresses are available!
We will be hosting prom on Saturday, April 15th. If your budget is tight and your student could use a dress or suit, we have a fashionable selection in our SMNW clothing closet. Please have your student come to the counseling office to make an appointment.
Immunizations
- Please continue to send in any updated immunization information to the health office.
- If you have an up-coming 11th grader, then we will need proof of their 2nd Meningococcal ACWY immunization. This is usually given at the 16-year-old check-up.
- If you have an incoming 9th grader, then we will need proof that they have received two Hepatitis A immunization.
Send any immunization documentation to: stacielaney@smsd.org or wendywoods@smsd.org. This document will provide further information: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21272/2023-2024-School-Requirement-K-12-PDF
Thank you,
Nurse Wendy Woods
STUCO Garage Sale
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I DROP OFF ITEMS?
Anytime from NOW until Fri. April 21 in the main office at SMNW from 7 - 3:30 pm. Or in Sarah Dent’s classroom 230. Large furniture items can go directly into our storage – call the office at (913) 993-7200 and Mrs. Dent can arrange for students to unload after school!
IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Maybe. We cannot give you a tax-deductible form, but we can give you a receipt via email for your donated items.
I WANT TO DONATE MY LARGE ITEMS BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING THEM TO SMNW. WHAT DO I DO?
Please contact StuCo Sponsor Sarah Dent ASAP at nwdents@smsd.org to coordinate a pick-up time before Fri. April 8. We usually do most pick ups the two weeks before the sale as storage is limited. *There might be LARGE items we cannot take due to storage.
I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DONATE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HELP OUT IN SOME WAY. WHAT CAN I DO?
Feel free to shop the sale on Saturday, April 22, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Help us spread the word to your family and friends!
WHEN AND WHERE IS THIS AWESOME GARAGE SALE?!
SMNW Cafeteria on Saturday, April 22, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
WHY ARE YOU HAVING THIS SALE?
SMNW Student Council is trying to fundraise $8,000 to send approximately 20 students to leadership camps across the state and country this summer. Thanks for all of your help!
Follow this link to purchase items, support fundraisers, volunteer or become a PTSA Member! Please see the link below for JUNIOR families:
Victoria Alvey - 913.993.7400
NW Athletic Links
- Individual High School calendar: Sunflower League
- Combined High School calendar: https://www.shawneemissionactivities.org
- Visit our Athletics Website for schedules of upcoming events: https://smnwcougars.com/
- Check out the NW Track Results: MileSplit
DS Bus Lines
TRANSPORTATION
**All bus riders must register to ride the bus:
To register or pay for busing visit DS Bus Lines website.
Sign up for Textcaster Alerts here to receive text messages.
Contact DS Bus Lines at 913-384-1190 with any questions.