Nieman News
January 5, 2024
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Happy New Year!
Welcome 2024! We hope you all had an amazing winter break with your families and had some time to rest and celebrate together. We are excited to welcome back students on Monday, January 8th. Remember school starts at 8:10am and tardies start at that time. Please make sure to take some time this weekend to get back into a routine and schedule with your kiddos. We are ready to have an amazing 2024 together! Please make sure to review inclement weather procedures (included below) as we have the potential to welcome some snow this weekend. Also, please ensure that your children are dressed appropriately for the winter weather as we will still go outside for recess so long as it is within our district recess guidelines.
School Information
10 Facts About School Attendance
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. Read more...
Chronic absence appears to have doubled by the end of the 2021-22 school year. We estimate that it now affects nearly one out of three students (or 16 million vs. 8 million students in the 2018-19 school year). Read more...
Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. Read more...
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back. Read more...
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. Read more...
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. Read more...
Students who live in communities with high levels of poverty are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care. Read more...
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating. Read more...
Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students. Read more...
Most school districts and states don’t look at all the right data to improve school attendance. They track how many students show up every day and how many are skipping school without an excuse, but not how many are missing so many days in excused and unexcused absence that they are headed off track academically. Read more...
Arrival and Dismissal
Please help us help you get your children to and from school safely while also getting you to work or home efficiently.
It is an expectation that cars pull up as far as possible for arrival and dismissal. This allows us to get more cars in, more students unloaded/loaded safely, and then keep the flow of traffic consistent.
Thank you for your assistance in this!
PTA Information and Updates
Sonic Drink Help for Teachers
Every month Sonic graciously provides all staff free drinks. Where we need the help is getting them delivered. If you are available from 9:25am-9:50am on the 1st Friday of the month, we would love to have your help! You only have to sign up for 1 shift at a time to share the deliveries. We could use your help from March 1st thru May 3rd. Here is the link for signups: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044FAEAD2AA02-first2
Pictures Needed!
Are you a picture taker? Did you go on your child’s field trip? DId you attend a class party, or go to the skating party? Would you like your child to be in the yearbook??? PTA would love to share your photos in the yearbook. If you have some candid or fun photos of your child and would like to share them with the school please send them to the following email for consideration: All pictures are greatly appreciated and will help make this years' yearbook a success! To purchase your yearbook please use the following link or QR code:
PTA has so many ways for you to get involved, connect with one another, and support Nieman.
Become a PTA member through Givebacks- scan the QR code or visit the link below!
3rd Grade Stock the Lounge!
Third grade families, it's not too late! Our stock the lounge has been such a huge hit with staff this year and we are so thankful that you are willing to support us with some goodies throughout the year! January is 3rd grade's month, we are still accepting drop offs anytime next week starting January 8th! Thank you all!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054AA4A929ABFC1-46182327-nieman
Stock the Lounge Schedule
January- 3rd Grade
February- 2nd Grade
March- 1st Grade
April- Kindergarten/PreK
May- PTA Provided
Papa Murphy's Dine Around
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2024, 11:00 AM
12272 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS 66216, USA
Important Dates for Families
REMINDER NO SCHOOL FROM THURSDAY DECEMBER 21-JANUARY 7
January
Monday 8: PreK and Kindergarten Enrollment Opens Today
- Choir 3:15-4:15
Wednesday 10:
- Student Council 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics 3:15- 4:00
Thursday 11:
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
Monday 15: NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday 16:
- PTA 6:30 Library
Wednesday 17:
- Student Council 3:15-4:15
- Mathletics Competition Blue-Jacket Flint 4:00-5:00
Thursday 18:
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
Monday 22: Kindness Week Begins!
- Choir 3:15-4:15
Wednesday 24:
- Mathletics 3:15-4:00
Thursday 25:
- Movement Club 3:15-4:15
District Information
PreK and Kindergarten Enrollment 24-25
Please mark January 8, 2024 on your calendar as the kick-off date for online enrollment for Pre-K and Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year. Online enrollment will open at 8 a.m. on January 8, 2024. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.
Join the Strategic Planning Process in January 2024
The Shawnee Mission School District is updating its Strategic Plan. The entire community is encouraged to engage in the process and now is the time to apply for the Steering Committee.
Apply here! Click here for the application.
The application window for the Strategic Plan Steering Committee will be open from January 4, 2024 to January 12.
About the Steering Committee
The steering committee will be comprised of about 30 stakeholders representing a broad range of groups from the school and district communities, including:
- Parents
- Students
- Classified staff
- Certified staff
- PTA members
- Business leaders
- City leaders
- Community service representatives
Steering committee members will be representative of the district’s demographic profile and will work with a hired consultant to engage in the strategic planning process.
That process will include:
- Overseeing the work
- Reviewing the district’s mission statement, beliefs, objectives, and strategies
- Supporting continuous improvement
Members of this committee will need to commit to attend scheduled meetings. Those selected to serve on the Steering Committee must be able to commit to participate in Steering Committee meetings from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 20 and 21, 2024 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 6, 2024.
About the Strategic Plan Cycle II Update
The Shawnee Mission School District is updating its current strategic plan. This updated document will serve and guide Shawnee Mission for 2024-2029. The success of this plan relies upon broad community input, as well as individuals willing to serve on committees and action teams. Shawnee Mission’s strategicplanning process reflects an ongoing commitment by our community to support student success.
Click here for more information about the Strategic Planning process.
Strategic Plan Update Engagement
Click here to watch a video about the Strategic Plan update.
Additional opportunities to engage in the Strategic Planning process will include:
ThoughtExchange input opportunity in January
Action Teams (to be established in early March 2024)
Inclement Weather Procedures 2023-24
As the winter months approach, it is especially important for our community members to be aware of inclement weather procedures and how to receive an alert if plans for building closures are announced.
Procedures
If conditions make it necessary for 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
Local radio and television stations
24-hour information line at (913) 993-7380
No announcement will be made when schools are to remain open.
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Procedimientos de Inclemencias Meteorológicas 2023-24
A medida que se acercan los meses de invierno, es especialmente importante que los miembros de nuestra comunidad estén al tanto de los procedimientos de inclemencias del tiempo y cómo pueden ser alertados si se anuncian planes para el cierre de edificios.
Procedimientos
Si las condiciones hacen necesario que SMSD cierre las escuelas, el distrito implementará uno de tres planes: A, B o C. Haga clic aquí para ver los planes.
Anuncios de inclemencias del tiempo
Si se anuncia el plan A, B o C, esta información se compartirá ampliamente. El personal y las familias pueden recibir correos electrónicos directos, mensajes de texto y mensajes de voz. Las familias pueden inscribirse para recibir alertas de la manera que mejor les convenga. Haga clic aquí para obtener detalles sobre cómo registrarse para recibir alertas.
Recursos adicionales:
La página principal del sitio web del distrito
Estaciones de radio y televisión locales
Línea de información las 24 horas al (913) 993-7380
No se hará ningún anuncio cuándo las escuelas permanezcan abiertas.
SMSD Mic'd Up!
Shawnee Mission's premier podcast, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard and Dr. Jeremy Higgins, Secondary HR Director. New episodes drop every other Thursday wherever you download your podcasts!
Episode 9: Chronic Absenteeism- what it is and why is it important.
6th Grade Night at Hocker Grove Middle School
Community Resources
BIST Parenting Series
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of ongoing support for families, your child’s school is offering a series of classes for parents and guardians through a partnership with the Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST). These training sessions are designed to provide ways you can support your child’s developing academic and behavior skills, as well as increase consistency between home and school.
BIST Virtual Parenting Series
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM Enter Zoom Room
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Informational Session
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM Questions and Answers
- January 30th: “Less is More: Are Kids Struggling to Manage All the Things?”
- February 6th: “I Love You Enough to Let You Fall”
- February 13th: “Your Words Hurt My Ears: The Art of Using Cues and Visuals to Avoid Meltdowns
These classes are designed to:
- Create consistency between school and home
- Provide language for adults to use when redirecting children
- Share ways to problem solve to increase your child’s success
- Increase generosity and kindness in your children
- Bring a sense of calm to your home
Please join us for any or all three sessions!
How to Register for Free Training
These virtual classes are provided free of charge, however, we do ask that you please register through our website on or before Friday, January 26th. Instructions for registration are on the page below.
We are excited to offer this opportunity to you!
Sincerely,
Marty Huitt, Director
Behavior Intervention Support Team/Cornerstones of Care
8150 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64114
@MartyHuitt
To register for this class:
1. Go to https://bist.org/
2. Use the dropdown menu “My Account.” Click Log In/Log Out.
3. Create a username by clicking “Click Here” under the large LOG IN heading. If you already created a username by previously enrolling in a BIST class, just log in.
4. Enter your information (Name, Email, and a Password). This will register you on the website, but not for the class.
5. Select the class you wish to attend (Parenting with BIST)
6. Follow the instructions.
- a. Be sure to select “Pay Later via PO” under the Payment Method. This Parent Class is free, but you must select the “Pay Later via PO” option in order to register.
- b. Select your child’s District and School from the dropdown menus.
- c. Select your position as a Parent unless you are a school staff member. If you are both a parent and a school staff member, you may select either.
7. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link for the training sessions.
- a. If you do not receive a confirmation email by noon on Monday, January 29th, please contact our office at bist@cornerstonesofcare.org for assistance.
Repeated but Important Information
Changes in Dismissal Routine
Student safety is of the upmost importance to us. Please know that frequent changes in dismissal routines causes safety concerns. We ask that you have a regular dismissal routine and communicate this with the classroom teacher at or before Sneak.
If a change has to occur the safest way to ensure the change is communicated is to email the classroom teacher BEFORE school starts and then ALSO call the office BEFORE 2pm. Teachers have different plan times and lunches, and they are not regularly able to read email. Any dismissal change received after 2pm is NOT GUARANTEED. We will do our best, but the end of the day is a very hectic time in a school. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety of your child.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Our Shawnee Mission Student Handbook provides information on our philosophy of education, code of conduct and a of variety policies and procedures. Students and parents can read this handbook to better understand the behavior expectations of Nieman Elementary and also the Shawnee Mission School District.
Please note specifically the updated cell phone policy that was approved summer 2023:
- SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Cell phones and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during the day in order to respect the educational environment of the classroom. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
Principal Tenbrink
Email: kileytenbrink@smsd.org
Website: https://nieman.smsd.org/
Location: Nieman Elementary School, West 67th Street, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-4000
Twitter: @Tenbrink512