The Cougar Connection
Weekly Update for Families - September 21, 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)
Email: lisagruman@smsd.org
Website: https://smnorthwest.smsd.org/
Location: 12701 W 67th St Shawnee, KS
Phone: 913.993.7200
Twitter: @smnw_office
From Dr. Gruman
Hello Northwest Community,
We have settled into a great week of learning with our students! Our activities are busy, and we are so proud of how our students are representing NW! We have an Orchestra concert this evening to open the fall concert series, followed by Choir on October 3rd and Concert Band on October 5th with 7 pm times for each event. Our debate team is gearing up to host a big tournament and we wish them all the best!
Below are some upcoming items for your reference and calendars:
- Homecoming week starts on September 25th! Spirit Club has posted the days for Spirit Week, and we hope students will participate and show their school spirit!
- Monday is Odd Block Day
- Tuesday is Even Block Day
- Wednesday is Odd Block Day
- Thursday is 7-Period Day with Late Start (8:40), Assembly, Parade, and Football Game at 7 pm that night.
- Friday is Even Period Day (with a regular seminar)
- Wednesday, October 11th is our College and Career with Early Dismissal at 1:10
- Freshmen will participate in activities for their Individual Plans of Study, Career Exploration, and an update on Market Value Assets.
- Sophomores – Most will take the Pre-ACT while a smaller group participating in the PSAT
- Juniors – Most will take the Practice ACT while a group of students will sign-up to take the PSAT/NMSQT.
- Seniors – activities with our College Advisor or students submit a form to go on a college visit or job shadow.
- Please know, if students arrive late on this day and the testing sessions have begun for Pre-ACT and PSAT (usually within first 10 minutes), then the students will not be able to participate in the day’s event and parents will be notified.
- Thursday, October 12th is Professional Learning Day (No School for Students)
- Friday, October 13th is a Teacher Work Day to close 1st Quarter (No School for Students)
- Students participated in a grade check today during Seminar. This allows them to monitor their progress so far this quarter. We encourage you to talk with your student to see what they noticed – areas for celebration and potential areas for improvement.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lisa Gruman
Mark Your Calendar
- Homecoming Parade Thursday 9/28 - 1 pm
- Homecoming Football Game Thursday 9/28 - 7 pm
- Homecoming Dance Saturday 9/30 at 8pm in Northwest Cafeteria
- Both Tuesday and Friday will be Travel days in Seminar
From our Northwest Counselors
October Test Day is coming October 11th!
Freshman will complete the YouScience (Aptitude Test). This test is a 90-minute aptitude test that will give students valuable insight into their future. YouScience then connects these aptitudes to careers and educational pathways designed to help students find relevance in school and confidence beyond. Freshmen Activities and Rotations for National Test Day 2023:
- YouScience Aptitude Test
- JCCC presenter topics: Resume Writing and Interview Tips
- Xello Individual Plan of Study Session
- Career Fair!
Sophomores will be taking the PreACT
Juniors will be taking the Practice ACT
Seniors will be given the option of being off campus for the day and planning their own college campus visit, a vocational school or job shadow day (permission slip coming soon). Those students who come to campus will be working with our college adviser on FAFSA applications, resume building, or completing college or scholarship applications.
Sophomores or Juniors with questions about testing, please reach out to your academic counselor
Zach Cash A-D zacharycash@smsd.org
Barb Legate E-J barbaralegate@smsd.org
Katie Cole K-Pe katherinecole@smsd.org
Jessica Andrade Pf-R (ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org
Jordan Landis S-U jordanlandis@smsd.org
Erica Jablonski V-Z (RWL) ericajablonski@smsd.org
Save the Dates!
Scholarship Night-Hear from KC Metro Area Scholarship Foundations
Oct. 4th, 6PM-8PM at SMW
Shawnee Mission College Clinic (Fair)
Oct. 11th, 6:30PM-8:30PM at SME
Please see the link below for JUNIOR families:
PTSA Updates
Visit the SMNW PTA website for details on all upcoming events and activities
Homecoming Donations / Volunteers needed - Snack donations and volunteers are needed for the Homecoming Dance on September 30! See the sign up here
THANK YOU to all of the Junior families who provided items for this month's staff appreciation! This past late start Thursday, staff were able to swing by to hep themselves to a great assortment of snacks and drinks! In October we will be providing a taco bar on the night of conferences - watch the next Cougar Connection and the PTSA website for the link to sign up!
Interested in Helping out the Community but don't know where to start? SMAC PTA Clothing Exchange wants your Clothing!!
NW Athletic Links
Parents, athletes, and others throughout the community, here is the latest edition of “EVERYDAY CHAMPION” Newsletter We hope you enjoy. You can click the link below for the September 25, 2023
EveryDay Champion Newsletter Sept. 25
- 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
Shawnee Mission School District 2023-24 Busing
- Bus registration may be found at the following link: DS Bus Lines registration
- 2023-24 bus fees will remain the same as the prior year.
- $185/semester/student or $370/year/student
- Any student attending their home school and living 2.5 miles or more from the school qualifies for free busing. Registration is required.
- Students who qualify for the Child Nutrition Meal Benefits – free and reduced priced meals may also qualify for free transportation, and enroll to ride existing routes. When registering, please provide a copy of the Child Nutrition Meal Benefits Eligibility letter to DS Bus Lines to complete the enrollment process. SMSD families can apply for Child Nutrition Meal Benefits after July 1st on School Café - https://www.schoolcafe.com/SHAWNEEMISSION.
- Transportation changes put in effect during the 2022-23 school year will remain in effect for the 2023-24 school year. This includes limiting high school routes to students residing over 2.0 miles from their school.
- Bus routes and stop locations will be determined based on those who register for busing. A minimum number of registrations (50 paid) is required in order to offer a route.
- Annual transportation registration is required for students to receive bus service.
For more information on Shawnee Mission School District transportation, please visit https://www.smsd.org/families/transportation or call DS Bus Lines at 913-384-1190.