Hocker Grove Family Newsletter
January 24, 2022
SECTION 1: NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION THIS WEEK
Parent- Teacher Conferences- February 3
if you would like to meet with a teacher, but all available time slots on February 3 are taken, please contact the teacher directly and we will find an alternative time to meet.
PTA Supporting Teacher Meals
Kindness Week
SMSD Research and Development Forum
Spring 2022 is the 60th 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 Jan. 27
For a second year, 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 January 27
Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12
What: Hear from past winners and to 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, February 25, 2022. 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 30, 2022 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 2022. 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 25, 2022.
The SMSD community is invited to take part in this year’s 60th R&D Forum by attending the following events at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL ART & ALL GRADES SCIENCE SHOWCASE
April 18-21, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00 - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
April 21, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00 - Reception for all entrants and families
ELEMENTARY ART & CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SHOWCASE
April 25-28, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00 - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
April 28, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00 - Reception for all entrants and families
NEXT GREAT IDEA LIVE PITCH
April 30, 2022
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 60th year in 2022. 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 60 years of generous support for the SMSD R&D Forum.
Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions.
Section 2: Previously Shared But Still Relevant
COVID-19 Guidance for Families
SMSD Student Panel on Screentime
We invite you to join us for a student panel discussing screen time and its influence on student life. There will be collaborative discussion to follow the student panel.
CAA Board Room
January 25, 2022
6:30-7:30pm
Vaccination Options
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) - Mission Clinic Location
An appointment is required to get a COVID-19 vaccine at JCDHE’s clinic, which is in Mission. Schedule an appointment or call 913-715-2819. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please arrive NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES prior to your appointment time.
Northeast Office Building, 6000 Lamar Ave., Suite 140, Mission, KS 66202
Additional Local Clinics, Health Systems, and Pharmacies offering the vaccine may be located at the following link provided by JCDHE:
https://www.jocogov.org/covid-19-vaccine
For more information about vaccines or to find a vaccine near you please visit:
Kansas Vaccine by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/
Vaccine Finder:
Section 3: Important Resources
Join The Hocker Grove 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
Headed North Scholarship Fund for Activities
Hocker Grove Student Announcements
School-based Health Partnership Clinic
Health Partnership Clinic has moved from Merriam Park to SMWest. It will be open Sept 2nd to serve all SMSD students and their siblings on Thursdays from 11am-3pm. Please see the flyers below in English/Spanish for more info. This is THE ONLY school based health clinic in Johnson County and we want to be sure our students to benefit from it.
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