The Cougar Connection

Weekly Update for Families - December 1, 2022

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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)

From Dr. Gruman

Dear Northwest Families,


We have enjoyed welcoming our students back this week and look forward to our Not So Late Night Assembly to kick-off our winter sports season at 7 pm this evening (Thursday).


This is a great time to remind your students to check Canvas and make sure they have completed essential coursework. We have Academic Enrichment after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:50 to 3:50 pm. A late bus is available for students that need transportation. If your student has missing assignments to complete, this is a great opportunity to get additional support from teachers.


We are grateful for the gift card donations we have received thus far. Please see below for additional information if you would like to contribute to the gift card drive.


Please see below for the Winter Finals Schedule as you plan your December calendar. Please remember there are very limited reasons that qualify for students to take a final exam early. If you have a special circumstance, please reach out to your child's administrator through our assistant, Colleen Lauer at 993-7203.


All the best,

Dr. Lisa Gruman

Mark Your Calendar

December 5 Winter Choir Concert

December 7 PTSA / SITE Mtg.

December 8 Winter Band Concert

December 13 Festive Winter Concert

Holiday Gift Card Drive

Our PTSA and SMNW Student Services department are teaming up this year for our gift card drive. This drive is for SMNW families. The last two years we have been able to help around 40 families receive gift cards. All gift cards are welcome, however those from Target, Walmart, and Amazon are particularly helpful for parents to complete their holiday shopping. Please deliver gift cards by Monday, December 5th. Donations can also be given through this link provided by PTSA Here is the link. Thanks in advance for supporting our NW families.
Student Services Dept.

Lisa Jones 913.993.7230

From Our College Adviser

Reminder to Seniors & parents: My general advice for college deadlines is to have all applications and FAFSA (if filing) completed by winter break.

  • K-State Bound Seniors: Wabash Cannonball Scholarship due TODAY! Students can find this in their seminar canvas pages.
  • Today, 12/1, is the priority deadline for applications to KU & K-State. This is not a hard deadline, but it is one to pay attention to. Please get your applications done ASAP!
  • The Rudd Scholarship is due FRIDAY, December 2nd.


Ms. Connor Davis (she/her)

College Adviser | SMNW Cougars

Dual Degree Info

Future Juniors can work toward earning their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously through partnership with JCCC. The program provides students the opportunity to attend JCCC full or part-time, receive dual credit for their coursework, and take an average of 15 credit hours each semester. Careful course selection and ongoing communication with the RWL counselor and JCCC is necessary to ensure coursework is aligned to achieving these simultaneous credentials. Students in this program will need to plan carefully to meet eligibility for KSHSAA activities/athletics.

Note that this opportunity is best suited for students who are responsible and motivated. Students must pay their own tuition and be able to drive to JCCC for classes.

To being the process, please have a conversation with your student first, then have your student contact the alpha counselor if he or she is genuinely interested. Questions about program details can be directed to the RWL Counselor, ericajablonski@smsd.org.

Senior Cap and Gown

Graduation link: https://view.vidreach.io/q/vy4YWI9L

Josten's Contact: Carla @ 785.843.2967


Josten's is extending the cap and gown order deadline until December 12th. Students should still order the cap and gown to meet this deadline even if they can’t pay until later to avoid the sales tax. Cap and gown orders taken after the holidays will be $30 + 9.6 sales tax. Everything from announcements to jewelry and apparel will also include the sales tax. Cap and gowns will be delivered on date of rehearsal. Announcements will be delivered to the school. All other orders will be shipped to the students home. Parents are encouraged to contact Jostens with questions and to make orders over the phone at 785-843-2967.

Yearbook Senior Tribute

Hey Senior Parents - This is your last chance!

The FINAL deadline for senior tributes is December 20.

You can order your senior tribute online at www.yearbookforever.com. If you haven't purchased a 2023 yearbook, you can do that while you are there.

Information about the tributes can be found here: bit.ly/3CKFr30 or scan this QR code:

Academic Enrichment

Academic Enrichment is open to ALL students grades 9 - 12 on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Library. Teachers are available to support students in Math, English, Science and Social Studies from 2:50 - 3:50 pm. The late bus will depart at 4:00pm.


Academic Enrichment Dates 22-23

From the Nurse

Keeping our Students Healthy

    • You may have recently heard news reports about increases of illness this fall, as is typical with this time of year. In SMSD, we have begun to see increases in absence due to illness; with a few physician diagnosed illnesses and many generalized symptoms.
    • Your child may also be ill, but without these symptoms. They may have a sore throat, headache, cough, or generally not feel well. If you suspect illness, please keep your child at home. If in doubt about sending your child to school, contact the school nurse or your child’s doctor.


Nurse Woods

School Fees

Check fees in Skyward and contact the bookkeeper with questions.

2022 - 2023 Online Fee Payment:

NW ATHLETICS LINK

Victoria Alvey - 913.993.7400

NW Letter Jacket:

Below is the link for students and/or parents wanting to purchase letter jackets.

Questions? Call Jostens at 785-843-2967


SMNW Letter Jacket through Josten's


Looking for an event? Sunflower League


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.