North Community,

We had a great first full week of school last week! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend as we transition to our second week of the semester. We are hoping we continue this strong start to the second semester with our students! Please read the information below related to new initiatives for the second semester, enrollment information, and ACT prep opportunities>

Tardy Sweeps and Tardy reduction incentives

Why: Data suggests that we have a significant number of students who are not making it to class when the bell rings and we want to increase students’ opportunities for success. A vast majority of these students are only missing 5-7 minutes of class when they are tardy. However, that time added over several block periods in a week can lead to a substantial loss of instructional time.

In an effort to provide structure for additional support and enhance the learning opportunities as well as safety in our building, moving forward we will be implementing periodic “tardy sweeps”. We are also offering some incentives for students who consistently get to class on time to continue to do so.

How: We will randomly conduct tardy sweeps during the course of the weeks. Once the sweep is announced, students in the hallway will be escorted to the cafeteria. At that point, they will complete a brief Google form and then be sent to class. Guardians will receive email notifications when your student has been a part of a tardy sweep. Once a student is involved in a third tardy sweep during one quarter, graduated disciplinary action steps will be taken.

When: We plan to initiate tardy sweeps beginning the week of 1/23-1/27.

Tardy reduction initiatives: In addition to implementing the tardy sweep policy, we also want to offer a positive reinforcement incentive to those students that consistently get to class on time. Students with a limited number of tardies in the quarter (10 total or less), will have an opportunity to have their name placed in a drawing grand prizes! More information on this initiative (including specific prize opportunities), will be released at a later time.

Please help!:

Music begins playing in the hallways two minutes prior to the bell sounding to begin class. Students should be on their way to class when the music starts rather than waiting until the music starts or bell sounds. Please encourage your student to be in their seat when the bell sounds so that they may achieve maximum benefit from the class time.

Parents there are a few yearbook ad spaces for your senior left If you would like to purchase an ad for your student the LAST chance is Jan. 10. Purchase your ad on www.yearbookforever.com

The attached contracts have more information – contact yearbook adviser Becky Tate with any questions.

ACT Prep class in Overland Park at the Blue Valley School District's Hilltop Conference Center on Wednesday, February 15th and Thursday, February 16th from 6:30pm to 8:55pm. This class is open to students from any high school.

The early-bird price for this two-night workshop is $85.

ACT Test Prep Class - Greater Kansas City Area — Power Prep (powerprepinc.com)

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.

One of the most important things to help decrease the spread of illness is for those who are not feeling well to stay home. If your child has a temperature of over 100.0 or has vomited or has had diarrhea, they must stay home. Students may return to school when they have been free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours.

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 home. If in doubt about sending your child to school, contact the school nurse or your child’s doctor.

Each year, we have been blessed enough to have generous folks who come forward to sponsor a Shawnee Mission North yearbook for a child who otherwise wouldn't be getting one.

In the last few weeks, I've had children approach me about how to get a Shawnee Mission North yearbook when they can't afford to get one.

It's for this very purpose that our Shawnee Mission North Yearbook Angel program exists. You can purchase a 2023 yearbook and we will get it into the hands of a deserving student.

To become a yearbook angel simply:

1. Go Online at www.yearbookforever.com
2. For Yearbook Angel sponsorships, enter “Yearbook” for student first name, “Angel” for last name, and “Staff” for grade. We will make sure it goes to a deserving student.

If you have any questions, please contact yearbook adviser Becky Tate at notate@smsd.org

Please always check the school calendar for the most up to date schedule SMN Calendar

Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year will begin in January 2023. Academic Counselors will meet with students by grade level in seminar starting January 10th. Each student will receive an Enrollment Card and a Course Listing Sheet and will be encouraged to take them home and talk with their parent/guardian about classes for next year. Counselors will then collect Students’ enrollment cards the following week during their English class. Please make sure your student’s enrollment card is in their backpack.

LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT:

Advance Auto Parts - Click here to apply

Charlie's Car Wash - Two Overland Park locations - stop by or go to charlies.com

Creative Carnivals & Events part time help. Email kevin@carnivallady.com

Crown Center Ice Terrace - click here to apply

Freddy's - freddys.com/careers

Jefferson's - Hiring Kitchen staff - call 1-785-727-3000

Overland Park, City of - apply at recruit.opkansas.org

Papa Murphy's on Shawnee Mission Parkway - 913-638-4552

Stretch Lab - Leawood and Overland Park locations hiring - Click here

UPS - Lenexa, KS email - sford@ups.com

Tidal Wave Auto Spa - Click Here

Go to student services for more information.

We look forward to seeing incoming 9th graders and their families on Wednesday evening. Stop by the cafeteria and visit with current students, coaches and sponsors about our athletic and activity programs.

SM North is pleased to announce Steven Acala as varsity boys tennis coach. Steven will serve as rule 10 coach; he works for Johnson County court services.

SMN Boys and Girls Wrestling teams finish 5th at SM St. Mary’s Wrestling Invitational. Ke’Juan Blake took 1st @ 215 lbs, Diego Juarez took 2nd @ 175lbs, Jack Taylor took 3rd @ 190lbs, Josiah Blomker took 5th @ 275lbs. The girls competing and placing: Aniah Grady took 3rd @ 140lbs and Genessa Gillespie took 5th @ 145lbs.

SMN Girls Varsity basketball team beat Mill Valley 27-22. The Lady Bison were led by Senior Jessica Brown with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist. Senior Lidia Mojica and Junior Iliana Garcia combined for 11 steals on the night. The Lady Bison were back in action on Friday January 13th at Shawnee Mission South. The raiders secured the win. The girls travel to LFS this evening JV @ 5:30 and varsity at 7:00 pm

Boys basketball team played solid team basketball vs Mill Valley but fell short in the closing minutes of the game. Mike Smallwood scores 22, Randall Boldridge adds 21, and Nate Doolin pulls down 10 boards. On Friday, North lost to SM South, 44-34. The team is back in action this week in the Topeka Invitational Tournament. First game is Thursday at 3:30 versus Highland Park.

The North Bison Swim and Dive team competed on Monday and had a convincing victory against the Northwest Cougars 117-56. The Bison won 10 of the 12 events, and have a brand new State Qualifier in Diving in junior Henry Duff!! Congrats to Henry as he scored 229.10 points to earn a spot at State for the second straight year! He joins Luis Guzman, Ollie Goering and Jack Eaton as diving State Qualifiers! It appears that this is the first time in at least 25 years (maybe all 54 years) that North boys have qualified 4 divers to State. What an accomplishment!! Race and event winners included all three of the relays, Zak Kohoutek in the 200 Free (State Consideration time) and 100 Free, Jonathan Guild in the 200 IM and 100 Back, Henry Duff in Diving, Jack Nely in the 100 Butterfly and Gage Chapman in the 500 Free. Porter Lee swam a personal record 25.20 in the 50 Free and just missed winning that event. Other guys who had season-best swims included Kohoutek, Jack Dunker, Sawyer Manirath, Miguel Tapia-Becerra, Michael Wheat, Sahid Anzures, David Herrera-Rosario, Adam Baker, Vince Gutierrez, Brandon Bandelier, Wyatt Crane, Asher Hallagin, Ollie Hillman, Henry Duff and Josh Green.The Bison’s next meet will be the Shawnee Mission Invitational for Varsity swimmers and divers on January 20-21 at the district Aquatic Center.

If you need to reach out to one of our varsity winter coaches please contact:

Varsity Boys Basketball Coach:

Email: patrickdenney@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNBoysBB

Varsity Girls Basketball Coach:

Email: MatthewJacobsen@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNLadyHoops

Varsity Bowling Coach:

Email: annamonteer@smsd.org

Varsity Swimming Coach:

Email: codyfothergill@smsd.org

Twitter: @smnboysswimdive

Varsity Wrestling Coach:

Email: ConanMccormack@smsd.org

Twitter: @SMNwrestling

Varsity Dance Coach

Email: victoriahilger24@gmail.com

Varsity Cheerleading Coach

Email: asteele1219@gmail.com

Please check the school calendar so you can continue to support students participating in our athletics and activities programs.

JOIN OUR 3&2 BASEBALL UMPIRE ACADEMY

3 & 2 Baseball Program / JOCO Recreation is recruiting baseball umpires: REGISTER HERE https://bit.ly/3FSVn2U or call 913-401-6000 &/or email 3and2UIC@gmail.com

Live Eligibility

• Reports will be provided to coaches daily from skyward. We use the canvas platform which must be synchronized with Skyward; due to syn issues;

• Eligibility reports are Bi-weekly process

• 1st and 3rd Monday of the month

• If a student shows the AD between reports, he/she improved their grade then he/she is immediately reinstated.

• If a student does not improve and is on the next report they become ineligible for contests until they can show they are passing 5. They regain eligibility as soon as they can show proof and the process starts all over again.

SM North subscribes to Core Course GPA. If your student is interested in participating in collegiate athletics please visit the website and begin the registration process. SMSD will host a college eligibility informational session in late fall. It’s never too early to begin this process.

CoreCourseGPA.com now makes it easier than ever to educate your student-athletes and families on various aspects of NCAA/NAIA initial-eligibility and recruiting. Just click on the 1-Minute Recruiting Webinars below:

NCAA Core Course GPA vs Cumulative GPA

What are the NCAA D1 Initial-Eligibility Requirements?

• KSHSAA Physical Packet- PPE (Rev. 3-20), Concussion Info Release Form, Transportation Release Form- HS - English [Required Athletic Forms for High School Students]

• KSHSAA Physical Packet- PPE (Rev. 3-20), Concussion Info Release Form, Transportation Release Form- HS - Spanish [Required Athletic Forms for High School Students

• 2022-2023 SMSD Concussion & Head Injury Information Release Form

• 2022-2023 SMSD Concussion & Head Injury Information Release Form - Spanish

• 2022-2023 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form

• 2022-2023 SMSD Student Transportation Consent and Release Form - Spanish

• Parent Information and Consent Form- Cross Country Guidelines-Distance Training Off Campus for MS and HS Athletes (English)

• Parent Information and Consent Form- Cross Country Guidelines-Distance Training Off Campus for MS and HS Athletes (Spanish)

• Voluntary Student Accident Insurance (Managed by K&K Insurance)
  Our school district has selected the Student Insurance Plan from K&K Insurance Group to make reliable coverage available to parents. If you don’t have other insurance, this plan may be a resource to consider. Additionally, even if you have other coverage, this plan can help fill expensive “gaps' ' caused by deductibles and copays. Coverage may be purchased at any time during the school year.

High School Sports Information

• High School Sports - Athletic Schedules

• SMSD Athletic Stadium and Athletic Complex Locations

• Kansas State High School Activities Association

• SMSD one page calendar

• SMSD HS Activity Handbook

• SMSD Athletic and Activities Webpage

THE 9TH ANNUAL SMN TRIVIA NIGHT IS COMING UP ON SATURDAY, JAN 28TH - DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FUN!

Register A Team!

We have 5 team spots left and the DEADLINE to register an 8-person team has been EXTENDED to Friday 1/20/23. See attachment for more info or click on the memberhub link below top register.

This year, we are excited to announce that we have a JuJu Smith-Schuster autographed KC Chiefs jersey for our "Big Ticket" raffle!! These tickets are $20 each. You do not have to be at Trivia Night to win - ANYONE can purchase these tickets, but don't wait, there are only 100 tickets available!!

Trivia Team registrations, raffle ticket packages & Jersey raffle tickets can be purchased using this link:

https://smnorthptsa.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Donate An Item For The Trivia Night Raffle!

Gift cards, hand crafted items, gift baskets, etc make great raffle items - or you can sign up to provide a gift card using this link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0849afa92ba4fa7-trivia5?fbclid=IwAR06ene95OAhO51s1fESfEP7-PLx4jvmEkSk1RWqFUct1rqOmhSTodbDwsM#/

Volunteer At The Event!

We need help with set-up, raffle ticket sales, serving food & beverage, and more! Click on the link below for info and to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0849afa92ba4fa7-trivia6?fbclid=IwAR0_0bMoqnKg6w70jOeMS0Ar12vQmc2ANkST-lyrtclJ2wVkGoT2jAlRfu8#/

Questions?

Contact Paula Blood at pdblood@sbcglobal.net

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AshLdvDQc8CUiQhWjdqZCqTqDNl6

• Join PTSA (optional, but highly encouraged): Parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members: You can now become a PTSA member. Your membership helps support our students and their school!

Check PTSA out on Twitter @SMNorthPTSA or https://twitter.com/SMNorthPTSA

Check PTSA out on Facebook @SMNorthPTSA or https://www.facebook.com/SMNorthPTSA/

Check the PTSA Website http://smnorth.smsd.org/Pages/parent-involvement/PTSA.aspx

Join the PTSA Here - https://smnorthptsa.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

As the winter months approach, it is especially important for our community members to be aware of inclement weather procedures and how they can be alerted if plans for building closures are announced.

Procedures

If conditions make it necessary for the SMSD to close schools, the district will implement one of three plans: A, B, or C.

Click here to view the plans.

Inclement Weather Announcements

If plan A, B, or C is announced, this information will be shared broadly.

Staff and families can receive direct emails, texts, and voice messages.

Families can sign up to receive alerts in the manner that works best for them.

Click here for details on how to sign up for alerts.

Additional Resources:

The main page of the district website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Local radio and television stations

24-hour information line at (913) 993-7380

No announcement will be made when schools are to remain open.

• ** Please Note- If you have an account from previous years (even Hocker Grove), there is no need to create another account.
  
• New users: Download the Canvas Parent App from the App Store or Google Play store.
• Follow the prompts to create your account. Create a username and password.
• Search SMSD (Shawnee Mission School District) > Shawnee Mission North > Eventually it will ask you for a “Pairing Code”
• To find your student’s “Pairing Code”
1. In your student’s Canvas account have your student click on “Account” (Top Left)
2. Click on “Settings” > then click on “Pair with Observer” (Right side)
3. Enter this “Pairing code” when prompted in your Canvas Parent App.
• Note that each parent needs a different code, therefore repeating this process to generate a different code. If more than one student, you will be prompted to “add student” on the app. Repeat the process to generate their observer code.
• If your student will not provide the code to you, please reach out to the school to get the Pairing Code. 😊
• Additional Canvas gradebook information can be found here.
• Canvas has the most up-to-date grade information for your student, if you have questions about missing assignments, please contact your student’s teacher.

Skyward

To get information about your login information for your Skyward parent account please contact Student Services at 913-993-6930. Skyward helps parents keep track of attendance, pay school fees, view national and state test scores, complete the online verification process and much, much more.