IHMS Weekly News
January 22 - 29, 2021
Upcoming IHMS Events:
01/25: Teacher Work Day (No School)
01/26: Semester 2 learning begins
01/26: Group A Hybrid Learners - in person
01/27: Group B Hybrid Learners - in person
01/28: Group B Hybrid Learners - in person
01/29: Group A Hybrid Learners - in person
=============================================
Section 1: Important For This Week
=============================================
Returning to Hybrid Learning - Important Information
Please pay special attention to the group A and B schedules the weeks of 1/25 and 2/15 as they deviate from the typical hybrid weekly schedule.
In addition, we want to reiterate the importance of daily Knight Time attendance during hybrid learning each day of the week (regardless of in person or remote). Please ensure that your student checks in daily with their Knight Time teacher on remote/virtual learning days (typically W/TR for A group and M/T for B group). On remote/virtual days, your student's check in with their Knight Time class at 8:45 a.m. This check in will serve as their attendance record for the entire day.
- If your student checks into Knight Time, they will be marked present for the day.
- If your student does not check into Knight Time, they will be marked absent for the entire day.
Regardless of the day (in person or remote), when you plan to be absent for a Board of Education approved absence, please continue to call our attendance line at (913) 993-0412 or email our attendance secretary, Debra Hohly at debrahohly@smsd.org.
=============================================
New to Hybrid? No Worries!
=============================================
Student Canvas Course Cards
- On Monday, once your teacher publishes the second semester Canvas course, students will be able to see their second semester course cards populate in Canvas.
- Students will be able to see their 1st semester Canvas course cards until Wednesday, January 27. Therefore, there will likely be 14 or so student course cards populated in Canvas for approximately a 48 hour period.
- On January 27, a student's previous course cards will only be available through the historical courses section.
=============================================
2021 Mail-In Bond Referendum Due 12:00 p.m. Tuesday!
Ballots for the 2021 SMSD bond referendum are due by noon on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Voters can deliver their ballots to any of the following locations:
- Johnson County Northeast Offices – 6000 Lamar Ave.
- Shawnee Library – 13811 Johnson Drive
- Central Resource Library – 9875 W. 87th Street
- Johnson County Election Office – 2101 E. Kansas City Rd.
One of the most frequently asked questions from our community is: “Why is the district holding an election now?” The answer is that work to achieve our goal cannot wait.
Our goal is: The Shawnee Mission School District will continue to be ranked among the finest school districts in the nation employing exceptional educators who work in state-of-the-art facilities where learners achieve their full potential. This is our goal now and well beyond when the pandemic is over. To help each of our students achieve their full potential, we can’t let today’s challenges get in the way.
The proposed bond has been strategically outlined through multiple years of community study and planning. The district is ready to act on its next proposed steps. Shawnee Mission residents are making a decision on a proposed $264 million bond proposal. There are two main areas this proposed bond will impact. They include improving facilities and hiring additional teachers. The cost of this bond to residents would be about $8 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
About Facilities
With $750,000 in identified facilities needs, this proposed bond would provide lasting improvements and necessary maintenance. Click here to read about improvements proposed for across the district.
About Hiring Additional Teachers
The other area of impact will be seen in our secondary schools. This bond provides a way for funds to be moved so that the district can hire additional secondary teachers in order to better support student learning. Click here to see a video about this plan.
Our community developed a Strategic Plan over the course of several years. The proposed bond was built to address our community’s expectations and put those plans into action. We thank every voter for considering this proposal.
For more information about the bond proposal, click here to watch a video. We thank everyone working to keep us #SMSDStrong. For more information about the proposed bond: https://www.smsd.org/bond-2021 Are you unable to find your ballot or do you have questions about the voting process? https://jocoelection.org/
=============================================
SMSD/IHMS Kindness Week: 01/26 - 01/29
January 26-29 is Kindness week in the Shawnee Mission School District. Each year, Indian Hills participates in this important week, and this year, we are having a Spirit Week!
Although things look different right now, kindness to one another and to ourselves is more important than ever. Please encourage your students to participate in our Kindness Week Spirit Wear Days, and please visit thegreatkindnesschallenge.com for more information on how to spread kindness in the community!
Spirit Week Schedule:
Tuesday 1/26: Group A *dreaming of kindness - pajama day*
Wednesday 1/27: Group B *dreaming of kindness - pajama day*
Thursday 1/28: Group B *team kindness - IH spirit or sports team day*
Friday 1/29: Group A *team kindness - IH spirit or sports team day*
=============================================
Updated 8th Grade Enrollment Information and Timeline
SME is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2025! We have pushed almost all dates back one week and more information can be found directly on the SME Student Services Webpage dedicated to 8th grade enrollment.
Enrollment Timeline:
- Tuesday, Jan. 19: Enrollment resources will be available on the SME Enrollment Resources website. Click the “Class of 2025” button. Students and parents may begin reviewing these materials and discussing course options.
- Thursday/Friday, Jan. 28/29: During their Knight Time class, students will review enrollment materials and learn how to complete and submit their freshman course request card online.
- Tuesday, February 2: Completed Course Request Card must be submitted to Canvas by the end of the day. Note: Courses entered on the Course Request Card are not “locked in,” and may be changed when students meet with their SME counselor, but the form still needs to be completed fully and submitted on time to ensure the process works smoothly.
- Friday, February 5: Students will meet individually with their SME Counselor via WebEx during their Social Studies class. Students will be able to ask questions, discuss options, and change their course choices during this meeting. For an optimal experience, students should ensure they have fully completed and submitted their Course Request Card no later than February 2.
SME is hoping to host incoming freshmen and their parents for an evening welcome event sometime later this semester. Information will be provided as soon as it’s available.
We understand this process can be complicated and that you may have questions! Please consult the Frequently Asked Questions on the SME Enrollment Resources website. It includes the process for contacting SME counseling staff if you have questions that aren’t addressed in the materials on the Enrollment Resources website. Thank you!
=============================================
IHMS 7th to 8th Grade Enrollment
Enrollment Timeline:
Thursday/Friday, Jan. 28/29: During their Knight Time class, students will review enrollment materials and learn how to complete and submit their course request cards.
Friday, February 5: Students enroll in their courses through Knight Time.
=============================================
=============================================
Section 2: Relevant From Previous Weeks
=============================================
Middle School Athletic Clinics: Overview
Middle schools in the Shawnee Mission School District will resume all athletics, except wrestling, during second semester, once the district has transitioned back to the hybrid learning model. Middle school athletics will not take place while in the remote learning model.
To help keep our students safe during this time, middle school sports will not be competitive, but instead, will run clinics focused on skill-building, rules and game strategy. There will be safety protocols in place in accordance with the Shawnee Mission Athletic Department, the Johnson County Health Department, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. To see these protocols and guidelines, click here. An important part of these protocols involves maintaining cohorts, which means students will only participate in clinics on the days they attend school in-person.
If a child is a part of the remote-learning model, the days they will attend the clinics will be based on their last name.
Mondays & Tuesdays: Group A - Student last name begins with letters A-Lamb
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Group B - Student last name begins with letters Lamc - Z
Clinics will be held directly following the school day, running from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm. Transportation to and from clinics will not be provided. Any student who would like to participate in the clinics will need to have a current physical on file, along with the Concussion & Head Injury Release signed. These can be found HERE (Spanish). These forms can also be found on each middle school’s website under Activities & Athletics or picked up at your child’s school.
Tentative Athletic Timeline: (subject to change due to learning module change or revision to the 20-21 SMSD school calendar. Camps will be cancelled when IHMS is in a remote learning model.)
Boys Basketball :
February 1 - February 26
7th & 8th Grade
Girls Basketball:
March 1 - March 26
7th & 8th Grade
Volleyball:
March 29 - April 30
7th & 8th Grade Girls
Cross Country:
May 3 - May 28
7th & 8th Grade Boys & Girls
Wrestling:
Cancelled until the 21-22 School year
============================================================================
Middle School Athletic Clinics: Logistics
Is your student interested in participating in a skill-focused athletic camp at Indian Hills Middle School? If so, click here to register.
FAQs:
Does my student need a physical to participate in the school athletic clinic?
- Yes. All participants need a physical completed by a physician on file that has also been verified by our nurse for proper completion.
- Verification will take up to 48 hours from the day the form is submitted.
- Click here for the electronic physical packet
- You have two Options:
- Email completed electronic copy/scan of the physical packet to Erinn Vogts @ ErinnVogts@smsd.org
- Submit the completed physical packet to IHMS.
- Submit between now and January 22nd to the sport clinic turn-in containers at the building front entrance vestibule
- Submit on or after January 26th to the sport clinic turn-in containers in the front office
- Yes. Since this is a sport-specific clinic that is focused on building the skills and game knowledge of the participants it does not conflict with any league rules or KSHSAA competition rules.
- Click here for more information.
=============================================
Section 3: Mainstay News
=============================================
IHMS Peace Corner
The IHMS Student Services team has created a virtual calming room (click link) for students, staff and families to access in times of need.
We know that stress and anxieties are high right now in our community. This IHMS Peace Corner has videos and activities to help manage stress, calm down strong feelings and build resiliency. We hope that this will be another resource for our families to navigate this unusual school year. You can also find this page on our Student Services tab at https://indianhills.smsd.org/ or in your student’s Knight Time course in Canvas, under the Student Services button.
=============================================
Mental Health Support Option
Parents and Guardians, if your student is in need of mental health support, and you are unable to pay, there may be relief available to you. Please visit the following link to see if you could qualify for assistance from COVID Cares Act relief funds through Johnson County Mental Health. https://jocogov.org/dept/mental-health/accessing-services/covid-19-relief-funds
=============================================
No More Snow Days?
In some extreme weather cases (causing power outages, etc.), school could still potentially be cancelled.
If your student is unable to attend remotely on a "snow day," normal daily attendance procedures apply.
=============================================
1-800-CHILDREN
=============================================
20-21 PTA Membership: Please Join Us!
=============================================
Library Book Checkouts Available to Students
Students can put physical books on hold through our library site. On the “Books & Stuff” → Destiny Discover page is a video on how to reserve a library book as well as check out our eBooks.
Once students have put a physical book on hold, it will be ready for them to pick up from a cart in the front office.
=============================================
Previous Editions of IHMS Weekly News
Return to Hybrid Learning Information
October 23-30 (Major Hybrid Learning Updates)
September 18 - 25 (Canvas pairing instructions)