SMN Parents and Students –

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

As we begin another week of continuous learning, please continue to engage with your teachers. Reach out to them if you are in need of assistance, have questions, want to raise your grade, etc. There is still time to get those grades up to the level that you want!

We hope that each of you has a great week of learning. Please continue to check your email for updates. And above all, continue to stay safe, stay healthy, and we will get through this together!

The Shawnee Mission School District is committed to providing students with meaningful learning experiences for the remainder of this school year. The Shawnee Mission School District has developed opportunities to engage in continuous learning, as required by the Kansas State Department of Education. Teachers will use this plan as their roadmap for the remainder of the school year. Parents and guardians may learn more about and support the Continuous Learning plan by reading this guide. You may also learn more on the website here.

It is designed to support students in their learning through the end of this school year.

Learning will look different. In almost every case, it will occur away from the school. Principals and teachers will provide information on how instruction will occur along with the materials and digital solutions used to support student learning. Because internet access at home is not universal for all students, schools are making accommodations in lesson design.

From Dr. Fulton - “SMSD is a strong, kind, and caring community committed to the wellbeing of every child, be safe, stay home, stay well.”

SMSD Families,

As we begin another week of Continuous Learning, we hope you are finding a routine in your days and your week. The district has received several requests for support with Continuous Learning at home. We hope this video will give you some resources and ideas to help you in this process. We encourage you be flexible and patient as we all work through this new learning model together.

We appreciate your partnership and know our community is strong because we work together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren Dennis
​​​​​​​Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Due to the school closure, SMSD is not able to host the in person R&D Forum this year.

To honor the innovative spirit that first fueled the R&D Forum and with our new continuous learning from home model, we are launching a Virtual R&D Forum. We invite students and families to engage in activities that support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math or STEAM activities.

This year, we are calling on our SMSD community to share and showcase any STEAM related activities students are creating at home by posting on Twitter under the hashtag #SMSDRandD.

For more information please read the Research & Development Forum 2020 – Going Virtual Flyer.

Thank you for sharing your learning experiences and helping us honor the legacy and tradition of the R&D Forum!

Resources from the SM North Social Workers:

• SMSD Food Distribution Info: Click here
• SMSD Food Distribution Info (Spanish): Click Here

• Community Resources: Click here

• Food Pantry Finder: Click here

• Free WiFi: Click here

• JoCo Coronavirus Info: Click Here

• Johnson County Mental Health Center: Click here

Please feel free to email the SM North Social Workers with any concerns or questions or complete the form below.

Family Assistance Form

Emily Dorothy (student last names L-Z) - emilydorothy@smsd.org

Gwyn Hedrick (student last names A-K) - gwynheidrick@smsd.org

All students that are in need of a new device, most likely due to the device being damaged or not working properly, will NOT be able to get help until further notice due to the fact that the district has suspended all access into the buildings. Students or parents are still invited to email associate principal Dustin Jamison (dustinjamison@smsd.org) to be put on a list so when the buildings are opened back up, he can contact you to schedule a time to get a new device.

1. Visit support.smsd.org to submit an online help desk request.
2. Call (913) 993-8880 Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

During continuous learning, many of your teachers may choose to utilized WebEx Meetings or WebEx Teams if live feedback and/or live lessons are to be held. Follow these simple steps to ensure that you are ready if/when the time comes.

SMSD Parent/Student Access Guide

How to Download WebEx Teams and WebEx Meetings

WebEx Meetings Quick Start Guide for Parents

The results from our free February ACT have been uploaded to student Skyward accounts under Test Scores for those juniors who tested on February 25th. We have not yet received test score reports for those students who received accommodations during testing but will upload these scores when we are able.

All students will receive a mailed copy of their score report to the address students entered during test pre-administration.

Students wishing to register for a future ACT test should use their ACT ID listed on their score report to create an online account at https://www.act.org/.

If you have questions please email jenniferfontaine@smsd.org .

Good morning students,

I’ve already heard from a few of you that you would like to cancel your exam. Below is how I will be processing cancellations…

1. There will NOT be a fee for cancelling their exam which means you will get all of your money back.
2. Refunds will NOT be processed until June (reasoning is below).
3. If you are 100% sure that you want to cancel your exam, you need to JUST email me and let me know.leahmurray@smsd.org

Reasoning for late refunds:

1. If you cancel now, you will still be sent a credential to login to the exam based upon your registration through our College Board order that was already submitted.
2. This extra time gives you time to process all of this new information. Your initial gut reaction may be to cancel but may regret that in a few weeks. This allows you to still change their mind if you want to.
3. There are lots of great resources and live AP classes that College Board and your AP teachers are putting out that could put your mind at ease about the exam and this would give you time to go through those resources and make a more solid decision about taking the exam.

When the time comes for you to take your exam, if you choose NOT to take it, all you need to do is to NOT log in. They will send you another credential for the June makeup session and again, you just need to NOT log in. After the Makeup testing window is closed, College Board will let me know which of you didn’t take the exam and I will be able to refund money at that point. I STILL NEED FOR YOU TO EMAIL ME IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE THE EXAM THOUGH.

Make sure you know which of your emails College Board is using so that you can receive the credential… that credential is your ticket into the exam. So, if you can’t find your credential, you can’t log into the exam!!!

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or your AP teachers. They have also received all of the information that you have gotten from me and from College Board.

Thank you,

Leah Murray

Counselor (E-K)

Shawnee Mission North High School

913-993-6935

leahmurray@smsd.org

Updates to general testing information:

• Exams will be given from May 11-22.
• Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1-5. Only approved students can use this window. Email me at leahmurray@smsd.org for approval.
• If you want to cancel your exam, there will be NO cancellation fee at all.
• The refund process is still being determined and refund information will be given to those that request a cancellation.
• Students will take exams at home.
• If you need mobile tools or connectivity, you need to contact College Board directly at cb.org/tech by April 24, 2020.
• Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
• Here is a link to the full testing schedule: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/ap-exam-schedule?SFMC_cid=EM294654-&rid=30307179
• This link provides information about testing dates & times, descriptions of the exams, exam features, scoring, and security.
• AP exams will still be scored on a 1-5 scale and scores are expected to be released around their usual July timeframe.

Updates to how exams will be administered:

• Shortly before you exam, you will receive a credential from College Board that will enable you to get into the exam. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH EMAIL THEY ARE SENDING THINGS TO.
• You are expected to take the exam during the May 11-22 window unless I have given you the approval for a late exam. You need to contact me at leahmurray@smsd.org for that approval.

• Most exams will have 1 or 2 free-response questions and each question will be timed separately.
• Exams will be 45 minutes long plus an additional 5 minutes for uploading.
• Students need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
• It is of the UTMOST importance that you WATCH YOUR TIMING on these exams! If you do not submit during the time allowed, your exam will NOT be scored!
• Computer Science Principles, Drawing, 2D Art, and 3D Art will use portfolio submissions and will NOT have a separate online exam. All deadlines for portfolio submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.
• World Language and Culture students will complete 2 spoken tasks and will NOT be required to do written responses. More details will come from College Board about this later.
• There will be multiple layers of security to prevent fraud, impersonation, and plagiarism.
• There will be steps that you have to go through before the exam that will be part of your identification validation.
• Colleges that you are sending scores to WILL be notified if you are caught cheating.

Again, make sure that you are checking your emails as most of your future communications at this point will be coming from College Board.

AP Update Website

If your students is enrolled in a College Now (CN) course, JCCC is requiring completion of course objectives for the remainder of the school year. These objectives will be communicated by the high school teacher.

Students have TWO CHOICES:

1. The student may continue with the CN course and complete all academic work for the remainder of the school year earning a college grade/credit in the course.
2. The student may drop the course by May 1st. The student’s transcript will show a “W” on their JCCC transcript.

If the student wishes to continue with the course – the only thing needed is to continue communication and course work virtually with his/her high school teachers.

If the student wishes to drop the CN course – he/she will need to do the following:

• Last day to drop a Fall 2019 Yearlong and Spring 2020 College Now and Quick Step Plus College Algebra courses has been moved to May 1.
• Students can drop online by logging in to MyJCCC and select Fall 2019 to drop their College Now Yearlong or College Algebra course, or select Spring 2020 to drop their spring College Now courses. For additional questions, students can email registrar_office@jccc.edu for questions.
• Students who drop at this point in the semester will be dropping with a ‘W’ on their JCCC transcript.

Tuition and Fee Refunds:

• Students can visit www.jccc.edu/drop2020 for information on tuition and fee refunds.

The May 2020 in-building examinations as scheduled between 30 April and 22 May for Diploma Programme candidates will no longer be held. Students will not sit for those two days of exams. However, assessment will continue through the submission of students’ independent investigations that will be sent for adjudication to the International Baccalaureate Organization. The deadline for these to be submitted to course instructors is April 7.

Teachers will continue to communicate with students and facilitate preparations to finish this year successfully as well as provide development in preparation for next year. Be cognizant of deadlines and continue to learn and grow in addition to demonstrating your learning and understanding. While IB deadlines may change, we will continue to coordinate with the school and district calendar for guidance.

We know guardians and students will have many questions. The IB website at www.ibo.org will continue to update and share additional details and FAQs with us.

For further information on the IB program, please contact

Jon Durham, IB Coordinator (913) 993-7138

jondurham@smsd.org

Leah Murray, Student Services OR (913)993-6935

LeahMurray@smsd.org

Please continue to encourage students to complete steps in their college preparation process. Ms. Debes is available by email to communicate with students for help with applications, FAFSA, scholarships, and more. laurendebes@smsd.org

Congratulations to the new 2020-2021 Pep Club Executive Board!

President: Glory Obi

Vice President: Luke Cramer

Secretary: Aubrey Bell

Treasurer: Connor Bell

Publicist: Tyson Sheets

Congratulations to the following seniors who were voted into the 2020 Spring Court Top 22:

Mystika Allison-Barnes

Sydney Blake

Dallas Drakulich

Keegan Edwards

Dolores Hernandez

Haley Howard

Bianca Melchor-Gudiel

Madi Merritt

Lilian Pingleton

Sophia Ridnour

Alexa Silva

D’Angilo Allen

Hasanain AlSaid

Brian Blood

Taylor Brown

Zach Nelson

T.J. Oni

Thomas Parnell

De’Aric Quinn

Tybalt Teague

Jayden Vazzano

Elijah Whisler

Voting will be held next week via link in students’ email. You can follow @SMNPepClub on Instagram or Twitter to read about each candidate and see their photos.

Honor your SMN Senior with a Legacy Brick!

Celebrate the tradition of Shawnee Mission North. Legacy Bricks are a great way to honor students, alumni, and staff! For a tax deductible donation of $45, an engraved brick will be added to the Legacy Brick Courtyard, located just outside the SMN stadium entrance. Please complete a separate form for each brick ordered. If you have questions, or need additional information, please email smnboosterclub@yahoo.com.

The schedule for meal distribution is changing. Beginning Wednesday, April 15 the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Pickup and Go Meal sites will distribute breakfast and lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays. There will be no meal distribution on Thursday, April 16 or Friday, April 17.

This means families will be picking up:

On Monday- two days of breakfast and lunch meals

On Wednesday- three days of breakfast and lunch meals

This change in service allows families and community members less human interaction, providing an additional measure of support in following current Stay at Home Orders, and limiting travel in the community.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Dates: March 24, 2020 - May 22, 2020

Location(s):

• Comanche Elementary, 8200 Grant St., Overland Park
• Rosehill Elementary, 9801 Rosehill, Lenexa
• Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W. 75th St., Shawnee
• Hocker Grove Middle School, 10400 Johnson Dr., Shawnee

Children must be present to receive meals.

• No reservations are needed.
• Meals will be available for pick up outside the school front drive.
• Meals will be placed on a table for individual pick up.
• An adult accompanying children may pick up the meals for each child without all children needing to exit a vehicle.
• Please follow social distancing and avoid crowding when coming to the table.
• Students are allowed to walk to school to pick up a meal. Parents are not required to bring the students.

Meals are prepared by District Food Services staff and distributed following food safety and sanitary practices.

These meals are funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Contact the Food Services Department with any questions at 913-993-9710 or foodservice@smsd.org. Visit the foodservice webpage here.

Menus will be rotated and posted. Menus are subject to change due to availability. See menus here.

Each breakfast meal includes these components: fruit, grain, and milk

Each lunch meal includes these components: protein, fruit/vegetable, grain, and milk