North News January 20, 2026
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
Office Hours 7AM - 3:30PM
913-993-6900
Attendance Hotline (24 hours)
913-993-6945
Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS
“Attendance Calls – What You Need to Know
Getting automated calls about your student’s absence, even after reporting it? Here’s why.
Once a student reaches 10 absences, any absence moving forward will be marked unexcused and will result in an automated call unless documentation is provided.
We send two calls daily: one in the late morning and one in the afternoon. If a call is missed, it may be repeated.
You may receive a call if your student:
• Misses one or more periods
• Misses over half a class period
• Misses a full day that is considered unexcused
To excuse your student, please call the Attendance Hotline: 913-993-6945
Instructions in Spanish
Calendar
January
1/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK day
1/20 - NO SCHOOL - PL day
January
1/14 - Booster Club Meeting- Zoom meeting(log in info under SMN Booster Club tab)
1/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK day
1/20 - NO SCHOOL - PL day
School Events
A monthly schedule of our events can be found here.
Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
We have had a great start to our semester with two awesome weeks! We are hoping our momentum continues with a short but awesome week this week!
Schedule this week
We will have a 7-period day on Wednesday, a late start Even block schedule on Thursday, and an odd block schedule on Friday.
School Events
We are looking forward to a great week! A comprehensive schedule of our events can be found here.
Let’s have a great week! Go Bison! WE ARE NORTH!!!
Staff Member of the Week
Bison Standard Staff Members of the Week- Our award winner this week is Maria Lopez, from our nutrition services team! Her nominator said, “Both my parents made many scarifies to push for my siblings and I to get our education and to have a better life. Now that all my siblings and I are all grown up, she decided to go back to college (While working two jobs!). With hard work and dedication, she earned her certificate in Health Care Interpreting. My family and I are very proud of her!”
Students of the Week
Elite of North- Our award winner this week is Ali’Yonna Funches Her nominator said, “Ali’Yona somehow balances being an exceptional student with doing an amazing number of activities in our school. It’s almost easier to find something she is NOT involved in! Incredible young lady! ”
I AM NORTH- Our award winner this week is Ana Aquino Her nominator said, “Ana did a fantastic job representing and highlighting JAG-K on KCTV5 Wednesday morning! She was a great representative of our school!”
Heart of North- Our award winner this week is Cadence Burns. Her nominator said, “Cadence is a ray of sunshine in my class. She always come in to the classroom with the best attitude and truly does her best to contribute to class whether it is academically or by her attitude. I look forward to having her in class every day!”
New Information
The Shawnee Mission School District is looking forward to one of the biggest celebrations of the year taking place this April! The Shawnee Mission Research and Development Forum will feature a student showcase, district-wide open house, and The Next Great Idea Pitch competition. Here are a few ways to get ready:
First, save the date! The Student Showcase will take place from 4 to 7 pm. April 21-23 at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA). The Next Great Idea will take place at 9 a.m. on April 25 at the CAA.
Second, students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to save projects created and completed any time during this school year and submit them for the showcase! Applications are open now to submit entries for the showcase. Click here for more information and the application.
And finally, encourage students to think of a problem they would like to solve and pitch in The Next Great Idea competition. An info session will be held virtually at 6 p.m. on January 22 to find out more about this amazing opportunity. Top awards are $2,500, of which $1,500 are awarded as “build it” grants to support making the winner’s pitch a reality. Click here for the link to the information session.
Click here for more information about the R&D Forum. The Shawnee Mission School District thanks the Regnier Family for supporting the R&D Forum since it began in 1962.
Morning student drop off
The doors in the front circle drive that are open are the main entrance (Door 1) and the cafeteria (Door 48).
Please drop students as far forward as possible. Students should not be dropped off in the middle lane. This creates a safety situation as well as requiring cars in the drop off lane to keep waiting for students to pass. If you are arriving from the East, we recommend dropping students off in the East lot (Field House doors 41&42)
After School Tutoring
After school tutoring will begin on Wednesday, January 21st. Students are welcome to stay to get academic support from staff members certified in many content areas. In addition to tutoring, free after school meals will be provided to eat in the cafeteria at 2:50, and a free late bus to take students home anywhere in the North area that leaves at 4:30. Please encourage your student to stay for makeup work, additional help from teachers, or as a quiet space to do homework
"Boys Swim and Dive:
Congrats
to the boys swim and dive team for a successful meet last night at Olathe Northwest. North placed 3rd as a team, not far off of second place. We had an incredible 23 personal records as well as 5 of our Relays that hit personal bests for the season. Our divers, Cullen Bartlett, Dash Graves and Drew Herbert finished 2nd, 4th and 6th out of 14 divers, so awesome job! The Bell Bro’s, Lincoln and Silas, also had fantastic swims in a couple new events for them this season. Braydon Owens and Oscar Chamblin both swam a great 500 Freestyle in the most grueling event of the night. North had ten individuals finish in the Top 5 in races, including finishing 2nd, 4th and 5th in the 100 Backstroke. Again, great job last night swimmers and Divers!
DECA:
The North DECA team competed last week at the Eastern Region Competition and had some fantastic results. The biggest highlight was Jack Kronawitter, who placed 1st in the Sports and Entertainment category out of 38 students!! Great job Jack. The other top highlight was Oroefe Oni, who scored a perfect 100 on one of her Role plays! Navya Hegde placed 3rd overall and newcomer Avery Given placed 4th in her event! Audrey Statler and Payton Parrett teamed up for a 6th place finish in their team event. Congrats to all the DECA members on a great meet! "
Hello readers of North News! We are the SMN robotics club. We compete in FIRST robotics competitions as team #937, known as the Nerd Herd. We are currently in build season, which ends mid-March when we have our first competition. This year’s competition game is called “REBUILT.” If you want to learn more, visit the FIRST website: “https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/game-and-season”
Update of the week:
Last week in robotics club, we made phenomenal progress! After we watched the preview for the 2026 game, we came up with a fairly fleshed-out design for the robot we’ll be building this year. We’ve started to build prototypes for parts of the robot, and are deciding where the electrical and mechanical components are going to be placed in the design. We’ve also been working on building game pieces and locations on the field, like trenches we have to drive under or ladders we have to climb during competition. When building these prototypes, we take as many learning opportunities for new members as we can. Lots of our newer members have been working on building parts that come in the “kitbot,” a versatile and customizable robot kit that the competition provides us with. Our older and more experienced members are helping with odd jobs and are always improving our vision for the robot. Overall, it has been a great week!
Win an Xavier Worthy autographed Kansas City Chiefs Jersey (courtesy of the Chiefs Ambassadors) and support the SMN Booster Club and SMN PTSA!
$25 per ticket and ONLY 100 tickets available!!! Online purchases open through NOON on January 24, 2026 although tickets will also be available at Trivia Night.
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
Winner will be drawn at the SMN Trivia Night on Saturday, Jan 24, 2026. Do not need to be present to win. Winner will be notified by text and/or email to make arrangements for pick up of item at Shawnee Mission North High School. Shipping is NOT available.
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 12th Annual SMN Trivia Night
Be a part of the fun on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm! Join us at St Pius X Church (5500 Woodson Rd, Mission, KS) for costumes, competition, and a whole lot of cheer!
The team registration fee is $320 – this includes ONE mulligan* (free answer). Teams are a MAX of 8 people. *Additional mulligans (one per round) will be available at the event for $20 each
**This is an adult-only event – no one under age 21 will be permitted**
As always, we will give $100 of your team's registration fee to the SMN team/student group that you designate! All other proceeds will benefit SMN PTSA and the SMN All-Activities Booster Club to support students and staff at North.
We will contact team captains in January to get your Team Name, a list of your team members and your designated group for the $100 grant.
TEAM REGISTRATION IS ONLINE ONLY using the link below. The DEADLINE to register your team is January 16, 2026 - there are limited slots available so don’t wait!
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
RAFFLE ITEMS NEEDED!
Do you have a favorite business that you would contact to donate an item or gift card? Are you willing to team up with a friend to create a gift basket? Donate an item to our raffle and the business or individual(s) will be promoted at the event! Items are needed no later than January 16, 2026.
If you have an item to donate, contact SMN PTSA at smnorthptsa@gmail.com with information about the item. If needed, we can provide you will a donation letter from Shawnee Mission North for tax purposes.
The 12th Annual SMN Trivia Night is co-sponsored by SMN PTSA and the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. All proceeds will be used to support SMN students, staff, and programs!
For SMN Booster Club news & updates find us on...
Facebook https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402
Twitter https://twitter.com/SMNorthBooster
North Pride!
Maureen Kronawitter
Corresponding Secretary/Membership
Spring Semester Bus Fees Due January 17th
Dear Families,
This is a friendly reminder that 2nd semester bus fees are due. Payment of $185/student can be made to DS Bus Lines through their website or in person at DS Bus Lines, 5519 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 66203. Payment must be received by January 17th for your child to continue to ride the bus. If you have any questions, please call DS Bus Lines @ 913-384-1190.
Pago de transporte 2do semestre
Queridas familias,
Este es un recordatorio amistoso de que vencen las tarifas de autobús del segundo semestre. El pago de $185 por estudiante se puede hacer en DS Bus Lines a través de su sitio en línea en website o en persona en DS Bus Lines, 5519 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS 66203. Para que su hijo continúe viajando en el autobús, el pago debe recibirse antes del 17 de enero. Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame a DS Bus Lines al 913-384-1190.
Notes from the Nurse
A school-based health clinic is open to all Shawnee Mission students and their siblings (3-20 years old). Health Partnership Clinic at Shawnee Mission West High School is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the school, 8500 W. 85th St.
Families seeking an appointment can find out more information here. In person and virtual appointments are available.
This clinic can provide services for medical needs such as: illness/injury, immunizations (appointment required), yearly physicals (school/sports), well-child/teen checkups, mental and behavioral health services, prescription medicines
lab tests, COVID testing/vaccines, strep/flu tests, asthma care, and referrals.
The clinic can also provide services for behavioral health needs such as: anxiety, depression, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), grief/loss, adjustment and life transitions, stress, smoking cessation including vaping, nutrition/physical activity/weight management, parenting, behavior concerns, self-harm, Bipolar disorder, psychosis, alcohol/substance abuse, crisis intervention, poor sleep, relationship issues, trauma exposure.
This clinic is closed when school is not in session. Here is a link to Shawnee Mission School District calendars. To access the clinic, visitors must enter through the main door and check in with security.
Una clínica de salud está abierta en una escuela para todos los estudiantes de Shawnee Mission y sus hermanos (de 3 a 20 años). La Clínica Health Partnership en Shawnee Mission West está abierta los Miércoles de 8:30 a 12:30 p.m. en la escuela, 8500 W. 85th St.
Las familias que buscan una cita pueden obtener más información aquí. Hay citas presenciales y virtuales disponibles.
Esta clínica puede ofrecer servicios para necesidades médicas como:
enfermedad/lesión, vacunas (cita requerida), reconocimientos médicos anuales (escolar/deportes), revisiones de salud infantil/adolescente, servicios de salud mental y comportamiento, medicamentos con receta, análisis de laboratorio, pruebas/vacunas COVID, pruebas de estreptococo/gripe, atención al asma y referencias.
La clínica también puede ofrecer servicios para necesidades de salud del comportamiento como:
ansiedad, depresión, trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH), duelo/pérdida, adaptación y transiciones vitales, estrés, dejar de fumar incluyendo vapeo, nutrición/actividad física/control de peso, crianza, preocupaciones de comportamiento, daño a si mismo, trastorno bipolar, psicosis, abuso de alcohol/sustancias, intervención en crisis, no dormir bien, problemas de pareja, exposición a traumas.
Esta clínica está cerrada cuando no hay clase. Aquí tiene un enlace a los calendarios del distrito escolar de Shawnee Mission. Para acceder a la clínica, los visitantes deben entrar por la puerta principal y registrarse con el policía a la entrada.
STUCO
News from Student Services
Real World Learning
Bison Athletics and Activities
Winter Sports parents please take time to review the Winter Sports Information for 2025-2026
We look forward to a competitive season and a great experience for your student-athlete. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Our December Athletes of the Month are Dailan Holman and Tamiah Washington.
Shoutout to the following student-athletes who assisted at the Rushton Activity Night: Aniston Martz, Sydney Epperson, Cody Guzman, Sloan Gordon, Haley Wieneke, Noah Reid, Will Covington, Emma Uhrmacher, and Michael Wheat.
Thank you so much for helping set up the SALT students who came to our Game Night last night. The students at Rushton had an absolute BLAST playing and learning from the student athletes. The parents gushed about how special they made the night, so HUGE shoutout to those who came. Everyone had a really good time and we sincerely appreciate yours and their efforts on making a positive impact for kids in our community. Thank you again, and have a great day!!!
Bowling: On Tuesday, the bowling team competed in its first match of the season at Olathe Lanes East against Olathe West and Shawnee Mission West. For 16 bowlers, it was their first opportunity to compete in a high school bowling match.
Junior Ian Mattox led the boys JV team, posting a high game of 156 and the team’s top series with 390 pins. The JV girls were led by sophomore Marlene Alvarez, who recorded a high game of 119 and a series of 306.
Senior Jake Collado paced the varsity boys with a high game of 203 and a match-best series of 562. On the varsity girls side, freshman Lottie Nallia rolled a high game of 164 and led the team with a 437 series, which placed her fourth overall in the individual competition.
The Herd’s next match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence.
The BBB and GBB teams played SFL foe Mill Valley and SM South last week. Unfortunately we came up on the short side of the stick. SMN GBB will play Chris Prep and KC Sumner this week while the varsity boys BB team plays in the Topeka Invitational Tournament.
Please see the flyer for the Bison Dance Team Lil Bison Kids Clinic coming up in February! The QR code leads to the registration form. Payment can be taken either by venmo to @SMNDanceTeam or cash the day of the event. If you have additional questions please contact: Coach Michaela M Middleton
Kids Clinic Flyer 26
The Boys and Girls Wrestling Teams
Important dates/events:
Friday, February 6 HOF Induction Ceremony
Friday, February 13 Lil Bison Dance Performance
Tuesday, February 17 Northman Recognition
Tuesday, February 24 Senior Night / Elementary Youth Roundball Night
Please check our athletic and activity schedules at www.sunflowerleague.org
There are a variety of scholarships available for graduating seniors that have participated in the 3&2 program as either a player, umpire or an employee. Applications for these scholarships are due by February 14. The application form and more information for the above three scholarships can be found here.
3&2 Baseball Club Phone: 913-888-8055
For general inquiries, please contact your organization directly.
SMN Booster Club
Hello everyone!
We are excited for the 12th Annual Trivia Night on January 24th, hosted by Booster Club and PTSA. We are sold out of teams/tables, but we could still use some help.
First: Raffle prize donations
We’re still collecting donations for our raffle prizes! If you have an item to donate or know someone who might, please reach out to us at:
And, Second, but most important: Volunteers needed!
We need help with set-up, clean-up, raffle tickets, bartending and more. If you can lend a hand, we’d love to have you!
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-60871209-trivia#/
Thank you all for supporting SMN, we can’t wait to see you there!
For SMN Booster Club news & updates find us on...
Facebook https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402
See @smnorthboosterclub's profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smnorthboosterclub?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=M2M0Y2JmOTAyOA==
North Pride!
Maureen Kronawitter
Corresponding Secretary/Membership
Friends of Shawnee Mission North -
Join us on Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30pm on for the next meeting of the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. Come learn about upcoming events and share with other members of our school community.
Zoom link is https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72309006987?pwd=aU0bBYTWv3Se3KZBG2ryx1qyHbnMFr.1
Meeting ID: 723 0900 6987 Passcode: 5WsH2J
You can earn $$$ for your favorite group at North by attending Booster Club meetings. We offer Attendance Grants to any SMN club, group or team that sends a parent, student, or sponsor/coach to our meetings. If your team or group has a representative attend at least 4 Booster Club meetings a year, we will give your group a $100 grant - attend 6 meetings and receive a $200 grant!
BE A VOLUNTEER!
Assist with SMN Booster Club Spirit Wear Sales - no experience necessary!
Multiple shifts are available for each event
5:30 to 8:30 during basketball games
Friday, Jan 16 | Wednesday, Jan 28 | Friday, Feb 6
Friday, Feb 13 | Friday, Feb 27
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAFA62FABF58-61268541-booster#/
DID YOU KNOW… Each year the SMN All-Activities Booster Club supports student clubs, groups, and teams by funding grant requests from coaches and club sponsors for expenses that are not funded by the school district? Since our organization began, we have given OVER $250,000 in grants to student organizations & teams at North! We raise funds for our grants through our spirit wear sales, memberships, Annual Trivia Night & Annual Golf Tournament.
At the November Booster Club meeting, we awarded the following grants…
SMN Administration – Building Culture
· $2,000 grant for Motorized roll down American Flag for Fieldhouse Gym
DON'T FORGET TO STOCK UP ON NORTH GEAR!!
SHOP 24/7 AT OUR ONLINE STORE… https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
Win an Xavier Worthy autographed Kansas City Chiefs Jersey (courtesy of the Chiefs Ambassadors) and support the SMN Booster Club and SMN PTSA!
$25 per ticket and ONLY 100 tickets available!!! Online purchases open through NOON on January 24, 2026 although tickets will also be available at Trivia Night.
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
Winner will be drawn at the SMN Trivia Night on Saturday, Jan 24, 2026. Do not need to be present to win. Winner will be notified by text and/or email to make arrangements for pick up of item at Shawnee Mission North High School. Shipping is NOT available.
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 12th Annual SMN Trivia Night
Be a part of the fun on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm! Join us at St Pius X Church (5500 Woodson Rd, Mission, KS) for costumes, competition, and a whole lot of cheer!
The team registration fee is $320 – this includes ONE mulligan* (free answer). Teams are a MAX of 8 people. *Additional mulligans (one per round) will be available at the event for $20 each
**This is an adult-only event – no one under age 21 will be permitted**
As always, we will give $100 of your team's registration fee to the SMN team/student group that you designate! All other proceeds will benefit SMN PTSA and the SMN All-Activities Booster Club to support students and staff at North.
We will contact team captains in January to get your Team Name, a list of your team members and your designated group for the $100 grant.
TEAM REGISTRATION IS ONLINE ONLY using the link below. The DEADLINE to register your team is January 16, 2026 - there are limited slots available so don’t wait!
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
RAFFLE ITEMS NEEDED!
Do you have a favorite business that you would contact to donate an item or gift card? Are you willing to team up with a friend to create a gift basket? Donate an item to our raffle and the business or individual(s) will be promoted at the event! Items are needed no later than January 16, 2026.
If you have an item to donate, contact SMN PTSA at smnorthptsa@gmail.com with information about the item. If needed, we can provide you will a donation letter from Shawnee Mission North for tax purposes.
The 12th Annual SMN Trivia Night is co-sponsored by SMN PTSA and the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. All proceeds will be used to support SMN students, staff, and programs!
For SMN Booster Club news & updates find us on...
Facebook https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=403968853023402
Twitter https://twitter.com/SMNorthBooster
North Pride!
Maureen Kronawitter
Corresponding Secretary/Membership
PTSA
Hello everyone!
We’re getting excited for the 12th Annual Trivia Night, hosted by SMN PTSA and the SMN Booster Club, happening on January 24th! We have three big asks because hey, three times the luck, right?!
First up: Teams needed!
We’re still looking for a few more teams to join the fun. Grab up to 8 friends, grab a table, and see if you’ve got what it takes to bring home the big W!
Register your team here:
Next: Raffle prize donations
We’re collecting donations for our raffle prizes! If you have an item to donate or know someone who might, please reach out to us at:
And last (but biggest!): Volunteers needed!
We need help with set-up, clean-up, raffle tickets, bartending, and more. If you can lend a hand, we’d love to have you!
Sign up here:
Thank you all for supporting SMN, we can’t wait to see you there!
To Join PTSA: https://smnorthptsa.givebacks.com/shop
To learn more: https://smnorth.smsd.org/families/pta