SMN Parents and Students –

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

As we begin another week of continuous learning, please continue to engage with your teachers. Reach out to them if you are in need of assistance, have questions, want to raise your grade, etc. There is still time to get those grades up to the level that you want!

We hope that each of you has a great week of learning. Please continue to check your email for updates. And above all, continue to stay safe, stay healthy, and we will get through this together!

https://youtu.be/XgbGf4hxo-4

Queen: Dallas Drakulich

1st Runner-up: Sydney Blake

2nd Runner-up: Madi Merritt

King: D’Angilo Allen

1st Runner-up: Jayden Vazzano

2nd Runner-up: Zach Nelson

To all the SMN students: The teachers and staff miss you so much. Please click on the link below to see just how much!!! We hope that you are doing well and staying safe!

https://www.smsd.org/about/news-post/~board/district-news/post/class-of-2020-high-school-graduation-information

Seniors and Senior Parents/Guardians,

First off, we’ve got you! Please know we are going to celebrate your Graduation and we will all remember the class of 2020 for years to come!

You should have received an email recently that provided information about our SMSD Graduations and the new “plan(s)”. If you missed that email, here is a quick recap:

Plan 1: In-person ceremony, scheduled as follows:

Shawnee Mission North - July 15th @ North (8PM)

Plan 2: Video produced ceremony, which would take place the same week.

We do not know when guidance will be provided regarding the possibility for large in-person gatherings in July. We also do not yet have a date set for distributing caps and gowns.

In order to produce a successful video production of graduation in support of Plan 2, work must begin now, even as we wait to see what specific guidance we receive from state and local authorities on large in-person gatherings. We will hold out hope for an in-person graduation, but need to make a decision by June 15, 2020, at the latest, on what form graduation will take.

As we gather more information, we will continue to keep you informed. Meanwhile, know that we are thinking about you.

Now, we need to start thinking ahead and planning for both the in person and video side of things. There are several items that we want to share with you today. We hope you find this information helpful and know we are thinking of you and will be sharing more soon.

Items for you to consider:

1. Academics: Please make sure you are completing all necessary requirements for graduation! You may reach out to your counselor if you are needing any requirement clarifications. You must be within 1 credit of completion in order to participate in Graduation.

2. Skyward Fees: Please visit your Skyward account and pay all current year fees. To receive your cap and gown you’ll need to have your current year fees paid. Those who owe fees will also receive a separate email on Friday. To make payments you’ll need to visit your Parent Skyward account, find the fee management tab and complete a credit card payment. Please have current year fees paid no later than Friday, May 8th.

3. Senior Speaker: If you are interested in being the senior speaker we need you to get that speech written and submitted by email to kentglaser@smsd.org by Friday, May 8th. A committee will then narrow the list of submissions to several finalists and those finalists will deliver their speech in an online audition for the SMN Administrators. Mr. Glaser will be contacting finalists to schedule the auditions for the week of May 11th and/of May 12th.

4. Senior Vocalist Solo: If you are interested in singing for Graduation and are a current Choir member, be on the lookout for more information from Administration and Ms. Morton to communicate the selection process.

5. Caps and Gowns, device check in, diploma distribution, yearbooks are all being discussed and plans will be communicated ASAP in these regards.

Stay Safe, Stay Strong, Stay Focused Class of 2020. We Love You ALL.

Sincerely,

SM North Administration

SMSD Families,

As we begin another week of Continuous Learning, we hope you are finding a routine in your days and your week. The district has received several requests for support with Continuous Learning at home. We hope this video will give you some resources and ideas to help you in this process. We encourage you be flexible and patient as we all work through this new learning model together.

We appreciate your partnership and know our community is strong because we work together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren Dennis
​​​​​​​Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Due to the school closure, SMSD is not able to host the in person R&D Forum this year.

To honor the innovative spirit that first fueled the R&D Forum and with our new continuous learning from home model, we are launching a Virtual R&D Forum. We invite students and families to engage in activities that support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math or STEAM activities.

This year, we are calling on our SMSD community to share and showcase any STEAM related activities students are creating at home by posting on Twitter under the hashtag #SMSDRandD.

For more information please read the Research & Development Forum 2020 – Going Virtual Flyer.

Thank you for sharing your learning experiences and helping us honor the legacy and tradition of the R&D Forum!

All students that are in need of a new device, most likely due to the device being damaged or not working properly, will NOT be able to get help until further notice due to the fact that the district has suspended all access into the buildings. Students or parents are still invited to email associate principal Dustin Jamison (dustinjamison@smsd.org) to be put on a list so when the buildings are opened back up, he can contact you to schedule a time to get a new device.

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.

During continuous learning, many of your teachers may choose to utilized WebEx Meetings or WebEx Teams if live feedback and/or live lessons are to be held. Follow these simple steps to ensure that you are ready if/when the time comes.

SMSD Parent/Student Access Guide

How to Download WebEx Teams and WebEx Meetings

WebEx Meetings Quick Start Guide for Parents

Resources from the SM North Social Workers:

• SMSD Food Distribution Info: Click here
• SMSD Food Distribution Info (Spanish): Click Here

• Community Resources: Click here

• Food Pantry Finder: Click here

• Free WiFi: Click here

• JoCo Coronavirus Info: Click Here

• Johnson County Mental Health Center: Click here

Please feel free to email the SM North Social Workers with any concerns or questions or complete the form below.

Family Assistance Form

Emily Dorothy (student last names L-Z) - emilydorothy@smsd.org

Gwyn Hedrick (student last names A-K) - gwynheidrick@smsd.org

The results from our free February ACT have been uploaded to student Skyward accounts under Test Scores for those juniors who tested on February 25th. We have not yet received test score reports for those students who received accommodations during testing but will upload these scores when we are able.

All students will receive a mailed copy of their score report to the address students entered during test pre-administration.

Students wishing to register for a future ACT test should use their ACT ID listed on their score report to create an online account at https://www.act.org/.

If you have questions please email jenniferfontaine@smsd.org .

AP exams are quickly approaching. Students need to do the following…

#1 – Students HAVE to log into their College Board account to make sure that their email is correct. If it is incorrect, they need to put in a correct email so that they can receive their credential to login to the exam on their test day. School email is not recommended because the College Board emails could be blocked from their student accounts. They need a personal email that they get into on a regular basis.

• The email is how they will send students their credential for logging into their AP exam. Without it, students cannot test.

• If a student doesn’t remember their login, they have to contact College Board, I don’t have that information and won’t be able to help them with that.

#2 – Students have received an email from College Board/Advanced Placement Program (around April 13th) entitled “Your Personalized AP Exam Schedule”. Within that email, students should click on “Confirm Your Exam”.

AP Update Website

Thanks,

Leah Murray

Counselor (E-K)

Shawnee Mission North High School

913-993-6935

leahmurray@smsd.org

Good morning students,

I’ve already heard from a few of you that you would like to cancel your exam. Below is how I will be processing cancellations…

1. There will NOT be a fee for cancelling their exam which means you will get all of your money back.
2. Refunds will NOT be processed until June (reasoning is below).
3. If you are 100% sure that you want to cancel your exam, you need to JUST email me and let me know.leahmurray@smsd.org

Reasoning for late refunds:

1. If you cancel now, you will still be sent a credential to login to the exam based upon your registration through our College Board order that was already submitted.
2. This extra time gives you time to process all of this new information. Your initial gut reaction may be to cancel but may regret that in a few weeks. This allows you to still change their mind if you want to.
3. There are lots of great resources and live AP classes that College Board and your AP teachers are putting out that could put your mind at ease about the exam and this would give you time to go through those resources and make a more solid decision about taking the exam.

When the time comes for you to take your exam, if you choose NOT to take it, all you need to do is to NOT log in. They will send you another credential for the June makeup session and again, you just need to NOT log in. After the Makeup testing window is closed, College Board will let me know which of you didn’t take the exam and I will be able to refund money at that point. I STILL NEED FOR YOU TO EMAIL ME IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE THE EXAM THOUGH.

Make sure you know which of your emails College Board is using so that you can receive the credential… that credential is your ticket into the exam. So, if you can’t find your credential, you can’t log into the exam!!!

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or your AP teachers. They have also received all of the information that you have gotten from me and from College Board.

Thank you,

Leah Murray

Counselor (E-K)

Shawnee Mission North High School

913-993-6935

leahmurray@smsd.org

If your students is enrolled in a College Now (CN) course, JCCC is requiring completion of course objectives for the remainder of the school year. These objectives will be communicated by the high school teacher.

Students have TWO CHOICES:

1. The student may continue with the CN course and complete all academic work for the remainder of the school year earning a college grade/credit in the course.
2. The student may drop the course by May 1st. The student’s transcript will show a “W” on their JCCC transcript.

If the student wishes to continue with the course – the only thing needed is to continue communication and course work virtually with his/her high school teachers.

If the student wishes to drop the CN course – he/she will need to do the following:

• Last day to drop a Fall 2019 Yearlong and Spring 2020 College Now and Quick Step Plus College Algebra courses has been moved to May 1.
• Students can drop online by logging in to MyJCCC and select Fall 2019 to drop their College Now Yearlong or College Algebra course, or select Spring 2020 to drop their spring College Now courses. For additional questions, students can email registrar_office@jccc.edu for questions.
• Students who drop at this point in the semester will be dropping with a ‘W’ on their JCCC transcript.

Tuition and Fee Refunds:

• Students can visit www.jccc.edu/drop2020 for information on tuition and fee refunds.

The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Shawnee Mission North is a two-year college preparatory program with a comprehensive academic program designed to address the needs of challenge seeking junior and senior students. These rigorous courses facilitate productive struggle as an element of a growth mindset and students seek to demonstrate risk-taking, reflective involvement and resiliency through coursework and personal development. In IB courses, students formulate experiments, conduct their own studies, examine perspectives, and research independent papers.

This year, the in-building examinations that are typically scheduled between April 30 and May 22 will not be held for Diploma Programme candidates. However, students have continued working diligently and developing. Students have been working on individual investigations and have now submitted these to the International Baccalaureate Organization for external adjudication.

In this issue of the Community Newsletter, we will highlight some of the IB student investigation topics in the IB Chemistry and Math courses.

Chemistry-

Our chemistry students spent part of their year working with students in Hyderabad, India on a collaborative project. This provided a good foundation to launch their individual investigations which were grouped around the theme of WASTE TO WEALTH.

One investigation looked at the possibilities of waste replacing gasoline. Others investigated such topics as the use of banana peels for use as sustainable plastics, using household items to look at liquid chromatography, and rust reduction using oxalic acid.

Math-

In the field of math, choice was broad, and students were able to follow interests as they pursued deeper understandings. Applicability across disciplines was apparent as research skills, analysis and conclusions underscored the value of an integrated approach.

Math investigations included topics such as Mathematical Modeling: The Math Behind Weather Forecasts, History’s effect on attendance at Yosemite National Park, The Exact Amount of Adjustment needed to Correct for Tuning for Every Note on a Flute, The Correlation Between Weather and Sales at a Coffee Chain Location, and a mathematic approach to Judging a Book by Its Cover.

IB Staff will continue to communicate with students and facilitate preparations to finish this year successfully as well as provide development in preparation for next year. Students will need to be cognizant of deadlines and continue their efforts to learn and grow.

We know guardians and students will continue to have questions. The IB website at www.ibo.org will continue to update and share additional details and FAQs with us. Changes that will profoundly impact North will be communicated in a timely manner to guardians and students.

For further information on the IB program, please contact

Jon Durham, IB Coordinator (913) 993-7138

jondurham@smsd.org

Leah Murray, Student Services OR (913)993-6935

LeahMurray@smsd.org

Please continue to encourage students to complete steps in their college preparation process. Ms. Debes is available by email to communicate with students for help with applications, FAFSA, scholarships, and more. laurendebes@smsd.org

Congratulations to the new 2020-2021 Pep Club Executive Board!

President: Glory Obi

Vice President: Luke Cramer

Secretary: Aubrey Bell

Treasurer: Connor Bell

Publicist: Tyson Sheets

Honor your SMN Senior with a Legacy Brick!

Celebrate the tradition of Shawnee Mission North. Legacy Bricks are a great way to honor students, alumni, and staff! For a tax deductible donation of $45, an engraved brick will be added to the Legacy Brick Courtyard, located just outside the SMN stadium entrance. Please complete a separate form for each brick ordered. If you have questions, or need additional information, please email smnboosterclub@yahoo.com.

The schedule for meal distribution is changing. Beginning Wednesday, April 15 the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Pickup and Go Meal sites will distribute breakfast and lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays. There will be no meal distribution on Thursday, April 16 or Friday, April 17.

This means families will be picking up:

On Monday- two days of breakfast and lunch meals

On Wednesday- three days of breakfast and lunch meals

This change in service allows families and community members less human interaction, providing an additional measure of support in following current Stay at Home Orders, and limiting travel in the community.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Dates: March 24, 2020 - May 22, 2020

Location(s):

• Comanche Elementary, 8200 Grant St., Overland Park
• Rosehill Elementary, 9801 Rosehill, Lenexa
• Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W. 75th St., Shawnee
• Hocker Grove Middle School, 10400 Johnson Dr., Shawnee

Children must be present to receive meals.

• No reservations are needed.
• Meals will be available for pick up outside the school front drive.
• Meals will be placed on a table for individual pick up.
• An adult accompanying children may pick up the meals for each child without all children needing to exit a vehicle.
• Please follow social distancing and avoid crowding when coming to the table.
• Students are allowed to walk to school to pick up a meal. Parents are not required to bring the students.

Meals are prepared by District Food Services staff and distributed following food safety and sanitary practices.

These meals are funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Contact the Food Services Department with any questions at 913-993-9710 or foodservice@smsd.org. Visit the foodservice webpage here.

Menus will be rotated and posted. Menus are subject to change due to availability. See menus here.

Each breakfast meal includes these components: fruit, grain, and milk

Each lunch meal includes these components: protein, fruit/vegetable, grain, and milk