Hocker Grove Family Newsletter
January 23, 2023
SECTION 1: NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION THIS WEEK
2023 Research and Development Forum
Below is information on the R&D Forum and Next Great Idea Pitch competition. Students who are interested are encouraged to attend the Webex information session on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.
Spring 2023 is the 61st year of the Shawnee Mission School District’s Research and Development (R&D) Forum. This year's forum will feature a Student Showcase and a live-streamed Pitch Finals competition at the Center for Academic Achievement.
Pitch Finals Competition- Info Session on Feb. 2
A pitch competition for student innovators will be offered as part of the district’s annual R&D Forum. Not only can students win cash prizes for their Next Great Idea, but they can also receive additional funding to advance their idea.
An informational session will be held virtually:
• Time, Date, Place: Webex, at 6 p.m. on February 2
• Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12
• What: Learn more about the process.
• How to join: A link to the informational session can be found here.
• How to apply: Application information can be found on the R&D webpage. The deadline to apply for the pitch competition is Friday, March 3, 2023. Practice sessions with industry mentors will be scheduled for students who apply to compete.
Final Competition and Prizes:
Applicants chosen as finalists will pitch their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges during the morning of April 29, 2023, at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St. The pitch competition will be live streamed so friends and family can participate as well. Top awards are $2,500, of which $1,000 is a cash award to be used by the winner to pursue their passion and education and up to $1,500 will be awarded as "build it" grants to support making the winner's pitch a reality. A People's Choice category, determined by public voters, will be awarded a $500 prize. There will also be an Idea of Promise award with a prize of $500.
Student Showcase:
The R&D Forum student showcase, with display-only and competitive exhibits will be held in Spring 2023. Students, families, and staff members are encouraged to enter student-created projects, experiments, or art projects to share in this districtwide event. All submissions must be registered and information on how to register can be found online. The deadline to register for the showcase is Friday, March 24, 2023.
The SMSD community is invited to take part in this year’s 61st R&D Forum by attending the following events at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St.
SHOWCASE OPEN HOUSE RECEPTIONS
• April 25, 26, and 27, 2023 - 4:00 - 7:00pm – Entries on display at CAA with a reception for all entrants and families
NEXT GREAT IDEA LIVE PITCH
April 29, 2023:
• Morning - Finalists will present their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges; Public Voting to follow presentations
• Afternoon - Awards ceremony for Showcase Entries, Regnier Award winners, and the Next Great Idea Pitch Competition award winners
About the R&D Forum
The Shawnee Mission Research and Development Forum celebrates its 61st year in 2023. It is one of the SMSD’s biggest showcases of the year!
This annual event has always served as a celebration of student achievement and highlights innovative student projects and talent from across the district.
Sincere appreciation is extended to the Regnier Family for 61 years of generous support for the SMSD R&D Forum.
Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions.
Panorama Survey Information
Parents & Guardians,
The Shawnee Mission School District will administer the 2nd Semester Panorama Social-Emotional Learning Survey between February 10 and March 10. To ensure that your student participates in this important survey, parents/guardians will need to once again complete the consent process through Family Access in Skyward. The Skyward consent process must be completed by Friday, February 2, 2023. Directions for completing the process are below. For more information about the Panorama Social Emotional Learning Survey, including survey questions, please visit this site and/or reach out to your student’s teacher, principal, counselor or social worker.
First, click on the button “Panorama Survey Consent Form”
Next, click on the button “Complete Step 1 and Move to Step 2”
Finally, click on the button “Submit Panorama Learning Survey”
Character Education Presentations
SECTION 2: Previously Announced, Still Relevant, Information
Internet Hot Spots Available for Checkout
Hocker Grove continues to have Hotspots available for check out to students/families in need of internet support. Families with a demonstrated need may check out a hotspot for home access. The first step is to complete the application: http://bit.ly/smsdhotspot
Need is established by an inability to secure internet access in the home and one of the following:
National School Lunch Program qualification (District letter confirming qualification should be shown to establish this need.)
Academic need - the student is at risk of failing or at least 1 academic year behind peers for their age.
Children with Limited English Proficiency
Immigrant children/youth or Migrant Educational Program participant
McKinney Vento or Youth in Foster Care
Parent experienced recent job loss/unemployment/financial hardship
Checkout will be for a semester. If a device is not actively used, the district will request it be returned and reallocated to another student in need.
Hocker Grove's PTA
· Fund Teacher Grants Applications for materials not provided by the SMSD
· Provide support for school field trips
· Assist with events for student and family activities
· Host Staff Appreciation Events for our AMAZING faculty and staff
There is no wrong or right way to be involved – anything you can give, whether it’s time or money, will support your child’s potential. We invite you to join because we can do more together than apart. It only takes 5 minutes: https://hgms.new.memberhub.store/store
Hocker Grove Middle School
Email: ChrisKase@smsd.org
Website: hockergrove.smsd.org
Location: 10400 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-0200
Facebook: facebook.com/HockerGroveMiddleSchool
Twitter: @HockerGroveMS