North News November 3, 2025

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

November

11/03 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning

11/4-11/14 - Canned Food Drive

11/24 - 11/28 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

December

12/19 - Early Dismissal

12/22- 1/02 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

January

1/05 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday

1/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK day

1/20 - NO SCHOOL - PL day

North Community,

We had a great full week of classes last week! Our students are doing a great job of getting into the groove of the second quarter. We have a shortened week this week due to staff development today, but we will have two full weeks of class before the Thanksgiving break at the end of the month.

Schedule this week

We will run a block bell schedule this week, because we do not have school today for staff professional learning. Students will see their even blocks on Tuesday and Thursday, and odd blocks on Wednesday and Friday.

First Quarter Class Competition Winners

We have been tracking progress on our goals throughout the course of the school year. We have taken our first quarter data and placed a point value based on place per class. For example, in our goal related to chronic absenteeism, the Freshmen earned 4 points for having the lowest percentage of students chronically absent, while the Seniors earned 1 point for having the highest percentage.

Our collective data has been posted in Times Square (see the image below). I am proud to announce that the winners of the first quarter challenge are the Juniors! As a result of their hard work, the Junior class will have access (with parent permission) to open lunch for the first two weeks of December (December 1-12)!!!

School Events

We are looking forward to a great week! We have multiple events happening this week, and our students would love your support! 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 Member of the Week- Our award winner this week is MaryAlice Kelly. Her nominator said, “She is always there to take care of the whole school whenever in need. From taking care of the students to being there for our staff. She is always here to listen and open arms whenever you need a hug or a hand to hold.”

- Students of the Week
  - Elite of North- Our award winner this week is Brittney Betancourt Her nominator said, “Brittany is one of the hardest working kids in our building. She has qualified individually for the State Cross Country Meet for all four years of high school, while also being an excellent student and working outside of school.”
  - Heart of North- Our award winner this week is Tristan McConkey. His nominator said Tristan is an honor student who is also an elite Fencing athlete. He has qualified for the Junior Olympics in fencing to be held in Kansas City in January!
  - I am North- Our award winner this week is Yuridia Stewart. Her nominator said, “Yuridia is an awesome student and presented an incredibly powerful message at our Hispanic Heritage Program last week!”

Tristan McConkey

Yuridia Stewart

Brittney Betancourt

The Shawnee Mission School District asks that you review and become familiar with the district’s Inclement Weather Procedures. These procedures include Plans, A, B, and C. Click here to review the Inclement Weather Procedures for the 2025-2026 school year.

Procedure Change Notice- In the past, the district included a procedure that would allow for remote learning during the day. Each year, our school board must adopt a policy to hold 1,116 hours of school in order to complete a school year. Recent changes to state law in Kansas have complicated the process for using remote learning to count toward those hours. Those changes have prompted SMSD to remove remote learning as an option for inclement weather days.

How Weather Decisions are Made- With each decision, SMSD leaders want to be sure all students and staff can arrive at school safely and return home safely each day. That safety standard must serve all of our students and staff who attend and work in schools across our 72-square mile district within 14 municipalities.

Some of the weather-related factors that must be considered include temperature, wind speed, anticipated precipitation, timing of anticipated precipitation, type of precipitation (rain, sleet, hail or snow), road conditions, staffing levels, and a host of other factors.

School closure decisions have a significant impact on students and families across our community. These are not decisions that are made lightly. Keeping students safe and learning in-person continues to be a priority for SMSD leaders, no matter what the weather forecast.

Where to Receive Announcements- As a reminder, if any plan is announced, information will be shared widely across the school district. Staff and families can receive direct emails, texts and voice messages. Families can sign up to receive alerts in the way that works best for them. An additional email will follow for staff outlining how they can make sure they can receive text messages.

Families, click here for information about how to sign up for alerts.

Additional Resources:

www.smsd.org

Facebook

Instagram

Local radio and television stations

24-hour information line at 913-993-7380

No announcement will be made when schools are to remain open

As the federal government shutdown continues, educators are closely monitoring potential impacts on staff, families, and students. There is concern that if the shutdown continues, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding will not be allocated to states in November. SNAP, the largest anti-hunger program in America, provides food benefits to families with low income to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.

With this knowledge, we share information about resources that may be helpful to people in our community at this time.

Student Nutrition Services

Student Nutrition Services is an important operation in the Shawnee Mission School District and a lot of that is because educators know students learn better when they have the food they need to stay healthy and grow. The Shawnee Mission School District will continue to serve breakfast and lunch in our schools to students.

Any family whose household income has changed recently due to unemployment, reduction in hours, or other financial shifts can still apply (or reapply) for free or reduced meals.

Click here to find out more information about the Shawnee Mission student nutrition program.

Click on the “Free & Reduced Meal” tab for information on applying for free and/or reduced meals.

Local Resources

The following links can help connect individuals to assistance in our county.

Johnson County Kansas Community Food Pantry List

Find Your Local Foodbank

School Social Workers If you or your family members are seeking assistance you may also reach out to your school social worker. Please contact your school building directly for school social worker contact information. Here is a directory of Shawnee Mission School District schools. Contact information for reaching out to your school is on the school webpage.

It’s time for cappuccino Friday!
Volunteers needed to help day of the event.
See signup and donation links below.
Thank you for supporting such a fun and delicious day for our students and staff!
♥️🦬🖤

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-59741083-cappuccino

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/982db2bf-9b9f-4043-8778-86a0213c471f/shop/items/1133148

High School Bowling Preseason Meeting
The high school bowling season for boys and girls is approaching! There will be a short informational meeting for perspective team members on Wednesday, November 5th, immediately after school in Room 210. Coaches will review tryouts, physicals, and other important details to help students prepare for the upcoming season.

Tryouts will be held the week of December 1st, and practices and competitions will begin after winter break on January 6th.

We’re looking forward to another great season—let’s get ready to roll, Bison! 🎳

Winter Sports Physical

Any student that is planning on going out for a winter sport, this is a reminder that you MUST have a physical on file BEFORE November 17th. This will be the first day of winter sports tryouts. If you should have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Tammy Rettig in the main office, 913-993-6902 or email - tammyrettig@smsd.org

Wrestling:

There will be an informational meeting for all students interested in wrestling after school on Oct 22nd, and Oct 28th in the Wrestling Room/Little Gym.
Alpha Weigh-ins will be after school on November 11th, 12th, 13th.
Wrestling Practices will start on November 17th.
Students must have a Sports Physical on file with the school to participate in sports.
Wrestling Picture Day will be November 19th.
Parents Meeting will be November 19th 6-7pm in the cafeteria.
SMN Wrestling Fundraiser will be November 19th at Chipotle from 5-9pm

6864 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS

Conan McCormack

Science Teacher, SM North

Earth Space Science and Physical Science

Head Wrestling Coach

Late Start Thursdays

If you have a student that comes to North early on late start Thursdays, we are advising you to have a conversation with them about going (or not going) to the nearby QuickTrip and Target. Both business’ have reached out to our resource officers and administrators notifying us that they are seeing an abundance of shoplifting by SMN students on Thursday mornings. The business’ informed us that they will begin to charge students for shoplifting from now on. Be advised and please inform your student that if they walk over to QuickTrip (or Target) on late start Thursday’s that they need to purchase any items that they desire.

Thank you. -SMN Administration and Resource Officers

Health Partnership Clinic at SM West Update:

Beginning next week, the clinic will be staffed every week and available for appointments on a new day
Beginning 10/15, the clinic will be open on Wednesdays from 8:30-12:30
We hope this new day will allow you to more easily refer students who are sick, and the hours will help families not have to fight the drop off crowds.
You will soon be receiving small wallet cards with info to hand out—in English and in Spanish. This is what they will look like:

Senior Parents,

Just a quick reminder that graduation orders are due next week on Wednesday, November 5th ! If you have already ordered.... Thank you! If not click the link below!

GRAD ORDER DUE DATE: Wednesday, November 5th!

ORDER HERE: SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH HIGH SCHOOL SHAWNEE MISSION, KS - Graduation | Jostens

Jeff Heline

Jostens of NE Kansas

Jeff.heline@jostens.com

785-843-2967

“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

College Admissions - Rep Visits – 1st Semester Visits

College admissions representatives have started to schedule 1st semester visits with juniors and seniors interested in attending their schools. Students need to be in good standing and have permission from their teachers to attend these meetings. Open the link to sign up. https://forms.gle/Ds6FETjnHFJRjocL7 . Check frequently for any rep visits added throughout the semester. Contact Pam Morris in Student Services with any questions.

This weeks Activities

The Cross-Country team competed in the KSHSAA 6A State Championships at Rim Rock Park on Saturday morning.

Congratulations Brittney on your 19th place finish! Four-time state qualifier is an incredible feat. Thank you for your dedication & commitment to the program. Congratulations to Junior, Emily Miller on her 36th place finish. She is a two-time state qualifier as well.

The varsity football team closed out their season in spectacular fashion saving their best play and effort for the last game of the season. The Bison played competitive football with the number one seed, Olathe West into the 4th quarter.

The Boys soccer team concluded their season with a tough matchup versus the number 2 seed, Blue Valley West Jaguars. The team gave great effort but came up against a strong opponent.

Save the Date: SM North Junior vs Senior Powder Puff Football game scheduled for Friday, November 14 at 5:30pm.

National Letter of Intent (NLI) now known as Athletic Aid agreements. We will host a spring NLI signing for ALL our student-athletes on @ednesday, April 22 in the FH. However, if a family wants to celebrate their student-athlete individually that is an option. In either situation families are responsible for hosting this event but we will help with set-up, student announcements, etc. It is imperative families provide the school at least two weeks advance notice if you host an individual signing.

We will provide the student-athlete with a placard with their picture and attending college. Families and student-athletes will provide decorations and any desserts or treats for friends and families.

Coaches have been provided questionnaires so we can communicate directly with our student-athletes who have already made a college decision. If you have questions you can call Annette Gonzales, AD at 993-6921.

SM NORTH WINTER SPORTS TRYOUT INFORMATION 2025-2026

Save the date: Winter practices begin on Monday, November 17, 2025. Please note there is a winter moratorium and students and/or coaches cannot use our athletic facilities the week of November 10-16 this includes the weight-room. STUCO and PEP Club have several school based activities that week please check the school calendar for details. Per KSHSAA, the annual history and physical examination must be on file prior to try-outs. Lastly, student athletes must have passed 5/7 classes from the preceding semester to be eligible*** The only exception is incoming freshmen.

Boys Basketball Tryouts

Varsity Coach: Denton Hays Twitter: @SMNboysbb

Email: dentonhays@smsd.org Instagram: @smnhoops Website: TBD

Tryouts: Monday, November 17th & Tuesday, November 18th in the Aux Gym;

So, Jr, Sr – 3:00-5:15

Freshman- 5:15-7:00

Players should be dressed in athletic clothes: T-shirt shorts, and basketball shoes.
Tryouts are for players only; parents/family members need to wait in the parking lot.
Cuts will be made Monday & Tuesday evening- Our coaching staff will personally talk to every player who tries out to inform them if they made the team or not.

Girls Basketball Tryouts

Varsity Coach: Trinity Hall Sr. Twitter: @SMNLadyHoops

Email: Trinityhall@smsd.org Instagram: @smn_girlsbball Website: TBD

Tryouts: Monday, November 17th & Tuesday, November 18th in the Field House Gym

Session 1 (Nov.17th) - 3:00-5:30 ( All grades)

Session 2 (Nov.18th) - 3:00- 5:30 ( All grades)

Practice begins (C-team-Varisty) (Nov. 19th) 3-5:30 in Field House

Players should be dressed in athletic clothes: T-shirt, shorts ( no sweat pants)b, and basketball shoes.
Tryouts are for players only; parents/family members need to wait for their student-athlete.
Final cuts will be made Tuesday after practice. There will be a list posted outside of Coach Hall's Office door Wednesday morning, any question as it pertains to the list he will be happy to answer.

Boys and Girls Wrestling

Varsity Coach: Conan McCormack Twitter: @SMNwrestling Website: TBD

Email: conanmccormack@smsd.org Instagram: @smn_wrestling

Early Alpha Weigh-ins

Nov, 11th, 13th, 3-4pm
Required before you can start practicing.

First Day of Practice Nov. 17th

Players should be dressed in athletic clothes: T-shirt, shorts, or sweatpants, athletic supporters and wrestling shoes. I have a limited number of old shoes that can be borrowed. No cuts, no experience needed.

Boys Swim and Dive

Varsity Coach: Cody Fothergill

Email: nofother@smsd.org Twitter: https://x.com/smnboysswimdive

Instagram: @smnboysswim_dive Website: TBD

First Day of Practice Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Swimmers and divers should bring their swimsuit, goggles, and a towel. Meet down at the pool right after school.
You will need a completed physical before you can practice.
No Cuts. No experience needed.

Bowling Boys and Girls

Varsity Coach: Jim Sherwood

Email: jamessherwood@smsd.org Website: smnbison.com

Tryouts: Athletes must have a physical form on file prior to tryout. Potential team members must sign for a tryout slot

Park Lanes, Shawnee
December 1st - 5th
3pm-5pm
There are spots for 12 girls team members and 12 boys team members this includes all varsity and Junior varsity

The season runs from January 5th until February 27th. The first day of practice is January 6th.

To check athletic and activity schedules please use this link: www.sunflowerleague.org

Friends of Shawnee Mission North -
Join us on Monday, November 17 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons at North 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.
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!

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.

DON'T FORGET TO STOCK UP ON NORTH GEAR!!
SHOP 24/7 AT OUR ONLINE STORE…
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/

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