SMN Parents and Students –

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

It was great seeing and hearing about the connections and learning that occurred during week 1 of our continuous learning process. I know that more of the same is in order for week 2! Please continue to check emails on a regular basis as that will be a primary way for teachers to communicate information about their classes. Students, please continue to engage with your teachers and the learning activities that have for you. Regardless of your grade, the learning never stops!

In an effort to consolidate information and resources related to continuous learning, the SMN community newsletter has taken on a slightly different feel. In the newsletter, parents and students will now find resources to help manage learning at home, technology related resources, and general announcements from SMN. Additionally, this newsletter will now be distributed on a weekly basis to help ensure everyone has the information they need.

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.”

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

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

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

JCCC College Now Courses

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

SMSD Serves “Pickup and Go Meals” for Children Starting March 24

Beginning March 24, 2020, free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages 1 to 18 at four school sites in the Shawnee Mission School District. Students must be present to receive breakfast and lunch.

• 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.
• One breakfast and one lunch meal will be given for each child present.
• 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.

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.

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

Dates: Beginning March 24, 2020

Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Monday through Friday.

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

Menus will be rotated and posted on the serving line the day of service. Menus are subject to change due to availability.

Each breakfast meal includes these components: Fruit, Grain, and Milk

Each lunch meal includes these components: Protein, Fruit/Vegetable, Grain, and Milk

This information is available on the SMSD website: https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service/smsd-pickup-and-go-meals