The Cougar Connection

Weekly Update for Families - March 30, 2023

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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

Please Note the Adjusted Schedule for Next Week!

March 30 - Concert Band Festival

March 31 - Senior Announcement Delivery (tomorrow)

March 31 - Spaghetti Showcase


NEXT WEEK: (Odd / Even/ Odd / Even)

April 3 / Monday - Odd Block

April 4 - Orchestra Festival

April 7 - No School

April 10 - No School

SENIORS 2023

Jostens will be distributing senior announcement orders on Friday, March 31 from 11:00 am - 1:00pm. If you ordered announcements or special items from Jostens, please remind your student to stop by their table during their lunch. The announcements must be paid in full before students can pick them up. (Cap and gown are distributed at rehearsal) They can pay online or bring a check, cash or money order on the day the announcements are here.

NW Grad Link

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

Student Services Dept.

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.

Upcoming Theatre Events

Upcoming Theatre Events:
Spaghetti Showcase March 31st @ 6pm in the mall. Enjoy pasta and some original scenes by Intro Theatre students. $10/plate, $5/ Children until 12 and free for kids 3 and under.

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!

PTSA Link

Follow this link to purchase items, support fundraisers, volunteer or become a PTSA Member! Please see the link below for JUNIOR families:

Staff Appreciation

SOPHOMORE FAMILIES: You're up for March Staff Appreciation! PTSA is organizing an Ice Cream Sundae bar for staff. Please click the link here to donate supplies OR chip in for the purchase of the ice cream. THANK YOU for helping provide a sweet treat to our staff!

NW ATHLETICS LINK

Victoria Alvey - 913.993.7400

NW Athletic Links


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.


CAA/CTC bus schedule