Hello North Community!

Our students did a great job of managing a unique week last week, with National Day of Testing on Wednesday, and no school on Friday. I think we had some students close the first quarter well, and we are looking forward to a great second quarter. This week's schedule incorporates parent-teacher conferences, with night conferences on Wednesday night, and no school on Friday with conferences available during the day. We urge you to reach out to your student's teachers and make contact on how your student is progressing during the course of the year so far.

Looking ahead to next week, we start a string of four consecutive "typical" weeks prior to the Thanksgiving break. We hope this gets our students in a good flow for the second quarter! Thank you for all you do for our kids! Let’s have a great week, and go Bison!

Remember that this week is parent/teacher conference week, and that all parent teacher conferences must be scheduled in Skyward prior to attending. Read below for more details on how to sign up and when the conferences are taking place. If you are unable to find a time slot available that works for you, simply email the individual teacher(s) you want to meet with to set up a date/time outside of conferences.

Parents and Guardians,

Please be aware that in conjunction with the end of the 1st quarter this Friday, Shawnee Mission North will be hosting two opportunities to touch base via face-to-face or WebEx with teacher’s about your student’s progress thus far in their classes. The first available conference time is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20th from 5pm to 8pm. The second opportunity to conference with teachers is Friday, October 22nd from 7:30am to 3:20pm. Both conference times are by appointment only for 20 minute time slots.

Parents will schedule conferences through Skyward. Directions on how to do this are included here.

Directions to Sign Up:

1. Log into your parent account in Skyward. https://skyward.smsd.org/

2. Click on “Conferences” on the left hand navigation

3. Click on “All Conferences”

4. Click on “Select a Time” for the class you would like to schedule a conference for

5. Find the time slot that works for you to have the conference and click “Select” and then “Save”

6. You will repeat this process for each conference you would like to schedule.

7. You will then receive an email for each time slot you select for your student.

The intent of parent-teacher-student conference is to provide positive dialogue between parents, students, and teachers to help our students succeed here at North. Please make sure you bring your student with you to conferences. If they absolutely can’t attend, please have a conversation with them beforehand so you have some background information about the class you are having a conference.

NJROTC members will be around SMN to guide and direct parents and patrons to the correct location; Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available both days to assist families. Spanish-speaking parents that need assistance signing up for conference via Skyward, please contact Maria Diaz-Lorenzana at 913-993-0277 or email her at marialorenzana@smsd.org.

Thank you,

SMN Administration

Food Deliveries from Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. are not allowed at SM North. Please encourage your student to refrain from ordering food for delivery. The delivery drivers will be turned away due to not having proper approved identification and this becoming a logistical issue. We appreciate your help in this matter.

Trunk or Treat: 10/28 5-8 pm

Location: SMN Circle Drive and Front Lawn

Trunks - Circle Drive

Haunted House - Tennis Courts

Games - Front Lawn

For kids of all ages!! There will be games, spooky stories, a chilling performance from SMN Orchestra, a Haunted House. And of course...Trunks of Candy!

Have a great week North, it’s Best to be a Bison!

• Please do not park in the row along the construction fence in the parking lot on the east side.
• Students are not allowed to park in the front circle. We reserve this area for our visitors to the building.
• Please make sure your student is bringing a mask to school each day. We only have a limited supply of extra masks for students, and we cannot provide masks to every student.

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

• October 18 - Booster Club Meeting, Library 6:30pm

• October 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00

• October 22 - NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences (by appt ONLY).

Second Yearbook Ad Deadline Extended To Oct. 22

Some senior parents have asked for assistance with getting their senior ads turned in. Because of this the second yearbook ad deadline is extended until next Friday, Oct. 22.

Mrs. Tate, the yearbook adviser, will be available to assist any parent with their ad during parent conferences on Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. or on Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. You can meet in person or via webex. If you would like to do this, just email or call and set up an appointment with Mrs. Tate.

Her email is notate@smsd.org and her phone number is 913-993-7012.

You may also go ahead and purchase your ad online if you don’t need any assistance or have any questions.

To purchase an ad before the last (most expensive) deadline in November, go to yearbookforever.com. Choose Shawnee Mission North. You can upload your photos and pay there.

Remember, If you need help scanning to make the photos digital, or getting things uploaded, please call Mrs. Tate and she will assist you.

Thanks in advance for supporting the SM North yearbook. We look forward to designing your senior’s ad.

Invitation from SRO Covington: The Overland Park Police Department is hosting a community Trunk or Treat event on Saturday October 23. Come bring the family or sign up to host a decorated car. See the information below.

1. We have been uber busy in the nurse’s office collecting vaccinations from our SMN students! The year’s first exclusion date is fast approaching. We want to thank everyone who has responded to our emails and phone calls about missing vaccine records.Please send any updated vaccine information to valsnow@smsd.org or maryalicekelly@smsd.org. We do not want to exclude any students from school. Please notify us by email if we can help you with this process. Or call us at 913-993-6907 or 913-993-6916 and let us know what we can do to help! Thank you for investing in your children’s and our students’ health here at SMN

2. COVID Management for the 21-22 school year

• SMSD COVID Team will notify JCDHE of all positive cases.
• JCDHE will manage all contact tracing and quarantine related to exposure to a positive case.

In order to keep all students and staff safe at school please help us with the following:

• Report all positive cases of COVID-19 to the school nurse.
• Keep your student home when they are ill and get a PCR test.
• PCR Testing – SMSD only accepts PCR COVID tests
• SMSD offers free PCR testing Monday- Friday 8am-4pm when school is in session by calling 913-993-6218
• Free PCR testing is also offered at community testing sites such as www.gogettested.com/kansas, CVS, Walgreens, etc.
• If you or your student have a known exposure to a positive case of COVID-19 outside of school/school-related activity, please contact JCDHE at 913-715-2819 for instructions.

Jan. 10 is last chance to purchase yearbook for $48

The last chance to purchase your 2022 yearbook for $48 is Jan. 10. A check made out to SM North can be taken to the bookkeeper by January 10. If you would like to pay with a credit card, payment can be made at www.yearbookforever.com. Choose SM North. There is a $2.25 service fee if you choose to pay online.

After Jan. 10, only 65 extra overstock supply of yearbooks will be available for $65. These will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they are gone, none will be available.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact yearbook adviser, Becky Tate at 913-993-7012.

Some career paths can’t be mapped in a straight line. Whether you’re interested in a two-year degree or no degree at all, there are rewarding jobs waiting. Garmin invites students to learn about the different career paths for electronic and engineering tech, product support, manufacturing, customer repair and circuit board design during this free virtual event.

At the end, we will be discussing Garmin's application process and taking questions from the audience.

Date: Thursday, October 21st, 2021

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CST

Our session will be hosted on Mircosoft teams, register here!

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Other RWL News:

AP Courses – Sign up for the AP Exam! Talk to your AP Teacher or Mrs. Sherer with any questions or help needed. Sign up by October 29th to avoid late fees.

Questions - Contact Britt Sherer brittsherer@smsd.org

Hi all-

Welcome to the 21-22 school year! We're excited to have some College Representatives visit us (virtually) this Fall.

Each week during seminar we will reserve the Conference room in Student Services to learn more about select colleges! Please keep in mind, this is a first come, first serve basis so be sure to sign up early.

There will also be Rep visits after school starting at 3:15pm, where I will provide a zoom link to join.

NO COLLEGE VISITS THIS WEEK. Please participate in the following:

• Monday (10/18): Applied to college? Fill out this form and have your name entered in the Raffle

• Tuesday (10/19): College Rep Panel! KU, K-State, Wichita State will virtually visit us during Seminar. Sign up here

• Wednesday (10/20): FAFSA day! Need help with your FAFSA? Come down to Student Services anytime during the day to receive help!

• Thursday (10/21): College Application Day! Come down to the Learning Commons (11am-1pm) and apply to select Kansas Colleges for free! We'll have Counselors ready to help you apply so come on down.

Be sure to wear your gear Monday & Thursday.

Attend any of these events and have your name entered in the raffle

(No College Visits this week)

If you're interested, please email me to get signed up: moniquewesley@smsd.org

October 1st is the first day to file FAFSA for the 2022-2023 school year. Please be sure to complete your FSA ID before October 1st! One parent, and each student will need their own ID.

Need help filling out your FAFSA?

Johnson County Library is holding a Virtual FAFSA Night Thursday, October 14th 6:30-8pm (Register here)

Johnson County Library Presents Step-by-Step through the FAFSA (virtual)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the federal application necessary to get free and low-cost money for college. Join us as Jason Anderson, CPA, CFP®, Managing Member and Senior Consultant at Gradmetrics, as he walks line-by-line through the FAFSA form, using it to explain the ins-and-outs of the college admissions, and financial aid process.

Click on the link for more information about Scholarships.

https://studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php

Scholarship Database

Student Scholarships

Genesis Health Club - Kids Club Attendants - Click here to apply

Quick Trip - 913-362-3700 or apply online at QuikTrip.com/Jobs

Countryside Child Development Center - email Jesse at countrysideCDC@gmail.com

JoCo Parks and Rec - appy at JCPRD.com/jobs or call 913-826-3054

Loft - click here to apply Search 1710 to apply

Jose Pepper's - Immediate openings

New Wingstop in Mission - click here to apply

Kansas City YMCA - click here Lifeguards needed

Hollisters/Ambercrombie & Fitch - Click here to apply

Steve's Precision Dental Lab - Part time work - 913-432-6951

• The SMN boys’ varsity football team had a tremendous come-back in the 4th quarter vs SM West. Although we came out on the losing end of this one, we’re all super proud of our team’s effort and determination. The team rallied around one another and gave themselves a great opportunity to win. The team plays Shawnee Mission West at MV on Friday evening at 7:0pm.
• The girls Volleyball team dropped a dual to SMNW on Tuesday evening and bounced back for big victories vs Topeka Highland Park and KC-Turner. They traveled to Emporia on Saturday to compete in the Emporia Invitational and dropped four matches. They finished the regular season 9-19 and will play in the first round of KSHSAA sub-state playoffs.
• The boys’ soccer team secured a 4-0 victory vs Olathe North on Tuesday evening and played a tremendous first half on Thursday vs Mill Valley; North led 1-0 for most of the game. MV scored and North lost in OT 2-1.
• Anahi Grady will represent SMN at the KSHSAA Gymnastics State Championships at SM West. Anahi will compete in the balance beam.
• Our Cross-Country competed at the SFL Championships at Rim Rock Park - Micah Blomker paced the boys with a 2nd place finish and the team finished in 7th place. The girls team was led by Brenna Murphy - 15th place & Josie Tyrell - 16th place and overall finished 6th place. North will compete in the KSHSAA regional championship on Saturday at JCCC.

For more information, please see sport-specific twitter feeds &/or websites: @NorthBisonFB; @smnorthxc; @SMN_Volleyball; @SMNorthCheer

A few years ago we established the Student Athlete Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.). Potential student-athlete members (recommended by the coaching staff) were emailed this past week to gauge their interest in serving this year. We will have our first meeting of the 2021-22 school year on Thursday (late start) at 7:45am in the MPR. Please note we were on hiatus last year due to the pandemic

As we wind down the fall sports season, the winter season is coming upon us. Please note the following requirements for our winter sports season: All students participating in athletics must have a KSHSAA Physical Form AND Concussion Form on file in the office prior to the first tryout/practice. Per KSHSAA, the annual history and physical examination shall not be taken earlier than May 1 preceding the school year for which it is applicable. Lastly, student athletes must have passed 5/7 classes from the preceding semester to be eligible*** Only exception is incoming freshmen.

● 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

● 2021-2022 Transportation Release Form- HS Only - English (Corrected May 2021).pdf

● 2021-2022 Transportation Release Form - HS Only - Spanish (Corrected May 2021

● 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)

SMSD Mitigation Spectator Guidelines - please take time to review the SMSD mitigation guidelines.

High School Sports Information

● High School Sports - Athletic Schedules

● SMSD Athletic Stadium and Athletic Complex Locations

● 2021-2022 High School Athletic Director-AD Secretary Contact List

● Kansas State High School Activities Association

Live Eligibility

Daily eligibility reports will be monitored and students that are involved in a Fall Sport must be passing 5 classes, or they will not be allowed to participate in the game that day.

Coaches will be aware of the status of their students each morning. If students are on the ineligible list, they will have an opportunity to turn work in. We will work to monitor their status and potentially clear them for participation.

A friendly reminder to purchase a season fast pass through the booster club!!! The monies help support North Athletics and activities. Booster Club will not host any tailgate meals this fall however, we will host concessions. Ticket prices are set by the Sunflower League and as such tickets are $7.00 adult and $5.00 K-12.

SMSD COVID mitigation protocols require a mask for indoor events; Please make sure you bring one with you to our home volleyball matches.

For more information please see sport-specific twitter feeds &/or websites:: @NorthBisonFB; @smnorthxc; @SMN_Volleyball; @SMNorthCheer

SMSD Mitigation Spectator Guidelines - please take time to review the SMSD mitigation guidelines.

We look forward to seeing everyone this year at athletics and activity events. A great opportunity to purchase advance tickets to events is through the North Sports Fast Pass. *Flyer below*

Sports Calendar can be found at www.sunflowerleague.org

The PBIS team asked teachers and staff to nominate students who have demonstrated positive behavior. We specifically focused on the core value, belief. Please take a moment to congratulate these students for believing in themselves and others. Way to go students!

-PBIS Team

Shawnee Mission North High School and Shawnee Mission North PTSA recognize and encourage student and community volunteer efforts in conjunction with the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Find more information and a service log sheet below

• Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead - email FarmsteadVolunteer@opkansas.org
• The Overland Park Arboretum is looking for volunteers for their upcoming events, “Enchanted Faire”, “Terra Luna”, and “Luminary Walk”. Multiple times and activities are available for each of these events. Please contact Liz Hazell at liz.hazell@opkansas.org for more information.

For SMN PTSA/Booster Club news and updates like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter....

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402

https://twitter.com/SMNorthBooster

https://twitter.com/SMNorthPTSA

Thanks for your continued support of the SMN Booster Club!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the annual SMN TRIVIA NIGHT - Saturday, January 29 at St. Pius X Church in Mission. More information will be available in the next few weeks.

Did you know that each year the SMN All-Activities Booster Club supports student clubs, groups and teams by funding grant requests from coaches and club sponsors for expenses that are not funded by the school district? Since our organization began, we have given over $150,000 in grants to clubs, groups & teams at North! We raise funds for our grants through our spirit wear sales, tailgates/concessions, Trivia Night and annual Golf Tournament. Thanks for your continued support!

Join the Booster Club and check out the SMN BISON spirit wear at our online store - https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

For SMN PTSA/Booster Club news and updates like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter....

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402

https://twitter.com/SMNorthBooster

https://twitter.com/SMNorthPTSA

Dear Families,

School Lunches

If you follow our Food Services menus, you know we have posted information about the possibility of menu changes and substitutions, which could happen with little advance notice. This is because of issues along the entire supply chain (how food comes from where it is produced to our cafeterias.) Because of these challenges, Food Services has had difficulty in receiving products - both food and paper supplies. Transportation is also a significant part of the problem, as companies complain about not being able to find staff to load trucks and drive those trucks to deliver products to schools and school districts.

Employment Opportunities

Please understand that we are working hard to ensure students have the support services necessary to focus on their education. We continue to seek qualified and caring applicants to join our district team as well as our partner transportation contractors.

Families are encouraged to complete the Household Economic Survey (HES) as part of the Online Verification available on Skyward. The purpose of the HES form is to assist families and our district in the upcoming year.

All students will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at no cost this year. However, the HES form generates additional state funds for our schools.

If your family qualifies, the district will receive funds to help support programs providing additional support for learners with a variety of needs. Additionally, qualifying on the HES provides other benefits to eligible families, which may include free/reduced transportation fees and Pre-k enrollment. If families do not complete the HES, the district will not be able to receive state funding for which it is eligible.

Do not complete the HES form if you are Directly Certified to receive free meals. If you receive state assistance, call the SMSD Food Service office before completing the HES form.

Eligibility determination will be made according to the guidelines established by the Kansas Department of Education. Please contact the SMSD Food Service office with any questions.

• 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.