Dear Northwest Families,

Thank you for all of your support during our enrollment process! We are excited to start creating our master schedule.

Please see the information below about some upcoming opportunities through our SMSD Research and Development Forum.

Pitch Finals Competition- Info Session on Feb. 2

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 February 2

• Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12

• What: 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, March 3, 2023. 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 29, 2023, 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 2023. 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 24, 2023.

About the R&D Forum

The Shawnee Mission Research and Development Forum celebrates its 61st year in 2023. 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 61 years of generous support for the SMSD R&D Forum.

Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions.

Have a wonderful week!

All the best,

Dr. Lisa Gruman

Counselors are finishing up with enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. If your student was absent during this process or does not currently have an ELA course they will meet with their academic counselor the week of Feb. 6th to discuss courses for next year.

*Mr. Cash (A-D) zacharycash@smsd.org

*Mrs. Legate (E-J) barbaralegate@smsd.org

*Mrs. Cole (K-PE) katherinecole@smsd.org

*Mrs. Andrade (PF-R, ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org

*Mrs. Landis (S-U) jordanlandis@smsd.org

*Mrs. Jablonski (V-Z) ericajablonski@smsd.org

Vaccination FINAL Exclusion Date 2/6/23

The exclusion date for vaccinations is approaching quickly. Please email verification of a completed MCV4 vaccine (meningitis ACWY, not meningitis B) for all juniors; this also includes any missing immunizations that you have received an email about. A dose for the meningitis ACWY is required at 16 years of age (11th grade) (regardless of receiving this same vaccine in middle school). Email up-to-date vaccination records to stacielaney@smsd.org.

Yearbooks are no longer available to purchase through the office.

However, we can place your student’s name on the wait list. Students on the wait list will be the first called to purchase books on yearbook distribution day for $70 cash.

Questions? Email Susan Massy (nwmassy@smsd.org).

Looking for an event? Sunflower League

• Visit our Athletics Website for schedules of upcoming events: https://smnwcougars.com/

NW Letter Jacket:

Below is the link for students and/or parents wanting to purchase letter jackets.

Questions? Call Jostens at 785-843-2967

SMNW Letter Jacket through Josten's