IHMS Weekly News
September 18 - 25, 2020
Section 1: New and Important This Week!
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Clarification on SMSD Learning Log Email Blast
The Shawnee Mission School District recently requested - via an email blast - that all parents acknowledge three assurances regarding remote learning. The request comes because the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recently changed its requirements for how we verify student learning and attendance. Although the message sent from the district this week was vague, it is something necessary for all IHMS parents to complete. Once you acknowledge the three assurances, we will no longer need to require that students complete and parents sign a daily learning activity log, which would have gone into effect once we entered hybrid learning mode. Your help and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Please log on to Family Access to complete the form.
En Español:
El Distrito Escolar de Shawnee Mission solicitó recientemente que todos los padres reconozcan tres garantías con respecto al aprendizaje remoto. La solicitud se debe a que el Departamento de Educación del Estado de Kansas cambió recientemente sus requisitos sobre cómo verificamos el aprendizaje y la asistencia de los estudiantes. Una vez que reconozca las tres garantías, ya no necesitaremos que los estudiantes completen y los padres firmen un registro diario de actividades de aprendizaje, que habría entrado en vigencia una vez que ingresáramos al modo de aprendizaje híbrido. Se agradece mucho su ayuda y cooperación.
Por favor inicie sesión en Family Access para completar el formulario.
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Important Remote Learning Attendance Information and Reminders
We are through the second week of school and are excited to have our students back and engaged in our learning community. We know there have been a few technical issues during the first weeks of school that have prevented students from accessing the remote learning environment. We are paying close attention to attendance so we can intervene and support students who need assistance.
As we gather attendance data, we notice a high number of single class absences taking place throughout the day. Students who miss four class periods within a day will be marked with an unexcused absence. Please see the 2017-18 Chronic Absenteeism Fact Sheet.pdf form more information about unexcused absences and truancy.
If your student needs to be absent for an appointment or illness, our practice for doing so is below:
- Call the IHMS attendance line at 913-993-0412 to leave a message for our attendance clerk, Debra Hohly.
- If your student is absent for an illness or doctor's appt. an email of the excusal note from the medical provider is to be sent to debrahohly@smsd.org.
- Please communicate with your student's teacher team that the student will be absent for the day or class period(s) they will not be attending.
We understand that there is a needed "back to school" transition period due to our current circumstances. Therefore, Monday, September 21st, will mark the first day that we will be recording unexcused absences in Skyward for whole day, partial day, or single class missed class periods. In addition, Monday, September 21 is also KSDE "count day" - making our accurate attendance numbers imperative. Please know that your student's attendance can be reviewed through the parent portal in Skyward.
We appreciate your patience, support, and commitment to a successful school year.
What to do if my student has technical difficulties?
Q. Have you visited our IHMS Remote Learning tab on our school website?
- If not, this is a great location to get the information your student needs in order to be successful in the remote learning environment.
Q. Was your issue able to be solved?
- If not, please put in a Hills Help Hub ticket to provide more information so we can better help you.
Q. What do I do if my technical issues have made me miss a class?
- First, you need to communicate with the attendance clerk (info provided above).
- Second, you need to email the teacher of the classes that you have missed to let them know and make plans for the next steps.
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Canvas Course Card Issue - Resolved!
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Canvas Parent Access Directions
Parents/Guardians can access observer accounts to view grades, resources, and activities posted in their child's course. There are two ways to access and interact with Canvas as a parent: 1) using the Canvas website from a computer or phone and 2) using the Canvas Parent App. (iOS, Android)
#1 Create the account
When creating an account, you will need to have your child's "pairing" code. The code can be retrieved by having your child log into his/her account and retrieve the pairing code. See directions in instructions pictured below.
# 2 Logging In
When visiting the URL, https://smsd.instructure.com/login/canvas, you will be asked to find your school. Begin typing Shawnee Mission and select parent/guardian. At the login page, select “parent of a canvas user-create account.” See directions in instructions pictured below.
Step 1: Creating pairing code (must be in student account)
Step 2: Create Account and Login
Congratulations! You're In!
You are now able to observe your student's assignments, due dates, grades, etc. Any additional information, help documents, etc. can be found on the linked SMSD Canvas website.
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Course Curriculum Begins Monday
On Monday, our course curriculum in each content area will officially begin, and students can expect to engage in each of their courses in a more content-focused way.
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Communication Protocol
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20-21 PTA Membership: Please Join Us!
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Section 2: Still Relevant
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Important: Complete the 2020-21 Skyward Online Verification
As is the case every year, we need 100% of our IH families to complete the annual Skyward verification process. Please do so following the directions linked below. For 7th grade or new to SMSD parents, these are the same links that are included in the MacBook rollout process.
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Remote Learning Tab on Website
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MacBook Software Update
MacBook Software Update
Catalina is the current operating system for macOS devices. We are encouraging all students to upgrade their device. Steps on how to perform the upgrade can be found on the Student Support Central. Staff can install the upgrade from System Preferences on their device.
Please also reference the Student Support Central for troubleshooting and more MacBook information.
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Library Book Checkouts Available to Students
Students can put physical books on hold through our library site. On the “Books & Stuff” → Destiny Discover page is a video on how to reserve a library book as well as check out our eBooks.
Once students have put a physical book on hold, it will be ready for them to pick up from a cart in the front office.
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Parent Reminder - Student Confidentiality
If you have specific concerns, you can reach out to the teacher via phone and/or email. These are uncharted waters for us all, and we will navigate them together!
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Section 3: Mainstay News
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Remote Learning Schedule
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SMSD Food Service Information
The food service department is pleased to announce that we will be offering FREE meals to all SMSD students regardless if they are learning remote, hybrid or in person. This includes breakfast and lunch meals. Meals that were picked up on Friday 9/4/20 will not be charged to the student’s account.
Meals are funded entirely by USDA as part of their Summer Meals Program extension. These free meals will continue as long as federal funding is available and could end prior to 12/31/20. We encourage families to continue to apply for free and reduced meals in the event the funding is no longer available by clicking here. Qualifying may allow for other support through the district so it is important to continue to apply for free and reduced meals.
- Meals will be available for pick up at all 47 SMSD schools.
- Pick up is on Fridays from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- No advance ordering is needed. (The online digital ordering system has been disabled.)
- Available only for students enrolled in SMSD.
- May pick up meals for all of your students at your most convenient location.
- At pick up, the student(s) SMSD ID number(s) will need to be presented. Please have this ready in advance. (Student ID may be found in Skyward.)
- Pick up will be just inside the doors of school. Pease wear a mask and follow social distancing.
During remote learning each week’s pick up will include 7 breakfast and 7 lunches for each student.
Menus are available on the district web page by clicking here and are subject to change due to availability. All entrées and sides need to be taken home and refrigerated or frozen until ready to heat or consume.
Each breakfast meal includes these components: fruit, grain, and milk
Each lunch meal includes these components: protein, fruit/vegetable, grain, and milk
When the district is able to move to the hybrid model, the students will receive their in-person meals at no cost during the two days they are in school. Meals may be picked up on Friday for the other 5 days of the week. Any extra ala carte purchases the students make while in-person learning will require money to be on their food service account.
Meals are prepared by District Food Services staff and distributed following food safety and sanitary practices.
Please contact the Food Service office with questions at (913)993-9710 or foodservices@smsd.org.
The school breakfast & lunch menus, digital pre-order information and other nutrition information are available on the district’s website at https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service.