North News November 10, 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

11/4-11/14 - Canned Food Drive

11/11 -PTSA meeting in Learning Commons from 6pm-8pm

11/14 - Booster Club meeting in Learning Commons at 6:30

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 are excited for our North Week this week! We have a ton of events planned, and our canned food drive will continue throughout the week, culminating in our pep assembly on Friday! Check in to our school event calendar to see the events going on!

Schedule this week

We will run a normal bell schedule on Monday-Wednesday, and then we will run a Modified Block Schedules on Thursday and Friday for our assembly.

Data Report

This past week, we ran our data report for the first week of November. Our progress on our goals can be found in this link. We are starting to trend in the right direction!

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 Ed Tovar. His nominator said, “Mr. Tovar is a great teacher who is always connecting with students. He was also recently named an ECKMEA award winner for success in music education!

Students of the Week

Elite of North- . Our award winners this week are Amelia Diaz, Macey Heikkila, Elizabeth Westermayer, and Hyancinth Jahnke. Their nominator said, “This group of young ladies did an amazing job designing and painting our feeder pattern mural in Times Square! I am so proud of them.
Heart of North- Our award winner this week is Jack Honeywell. His nominator said “Jack is one of the kindest students and he makes sure to always say hi to all of his teachers in the hallway. He shows kindness to all of his classmates as well. He is just a total delight to have in class!”
I am North- Our award winner this week is Ben Tatschl His nominator said, “Ben is an honor student and performed an incredibly good deed to help someone in need this past weekend!”

Amelia Diaz, Macey Heikkila, Elizabeth Westermayer, Hyancinth Jahnke

Jack Honeywell

Ben Tatschl

2026 FREE ACT at SMN for Juniors

The free ACT will be on Tuesday, February 24th at Shawnee Mission North High School at 7:40am. All interested juniors should sign up through THIS GOOGLE FORM. Deadline to sign up is December 3, 2025. This is an official version and will be sent off to be scored and put in play for college admissions and scholarships. This is for Juniors only.

9th Grade PreACT Results:

Attention 9th grade students and guardians! The score reports are ready from the PreACT assessment that was given on October 22nd. Students will receive their individual score report along with their testing booklet from the assessment a few weeks ago. We encourage students and families to view these results and the additional information provided.

Shawnee Mission North STATE ECOMEET CHAMPIONS!

Kayla Nelson, Zoey Osborn, Coach Evan Brandt, Claire Adams, Kailey Stokes

North took 1st place at the 25th annual Ecomeet State championship competition held in Junction City Kansas on Thursday, November 6th. They scored 318 out of 400 points to notch North's first ever state win. Second place was taken by Blue Valley CAPS, 3rd place was Goddard team A, 4th place was had by St. John's Catholic High School, while SM North's B team took 5th place overall with a score of 302.33.

The champs scored 1st place in the Interpretive event with their skit "Who's Your Daddy," 2nd place in both the Scavenger Hunt and the Wetland Aquatics test, and 4th place overall in the Invertebrates test. Claire Adams had the top overall score in the Wetland test.

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.

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

In this month of Thanksgiving, if can donate a yearbook ($50) -- or money for part of a yearbook — the yearbook staff will make sure students who can't afford a book will be able to receive it. Donate at https://yearbookforever.com/scho.../2N74jyO9Ig964ye7tqiu9qdj . Scroll to the bottom to the donate link. Or and mail a check (made out to SMN) to the attention of YEARBOOK, at SM North, 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS. 66202. Make sure and tell us it’s a donation.

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,

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.

Final Reminder for AP Registration

All students interested in taking the AP Exam need to make sure they complete registration. First, indicate on College Board which Exams you are taking. Next, sign in to https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/172000

And select your exam and make a payment. Payment must be received by Friday, 11/14 otherwise you will receive a late fee. Thank you for taking care of this to ensure your student the opportunity to take the AP Exam and earn College Credit!

This weeks Activities

Shawnee Mission North has a proud history of celebrating our Hall-of-Fame inductees and this year will be no exception. The three candidates for the 2026 HOF ceremony scheduled for Friday, February 6th at half-time of the boy’s basketball game vs Gardner Edgerton are Master Sergeant Celia Grayless (meritorious service), Gene Wayneberg, JR (athlete) and Paula Woolsworth (athlete). Congratulations to the class of 2026!

The conclusion of the fall sports program has brought post-season honors from the Sunflower League coaches.

The Varsity Boys Soccer program recipients:

First team:

Kieran Gaughan: Senior, Forward, #10

Second Team:

Patrick Blass: Senior, Midfielder, #8

Cody Guzman: Senior, Midfielder, #2

Honorable Mention:

John Gasca Senior, Defender, #3

Anthony Muñoz: Senior, #7

Jason Navas: Senior, #6

The Varsity Girls Volleyball program recipients:

Sloan Gordon, Sophomore, honorable mentions

Amaya Thi, Junior, honorable mention

SM NORTH WINTER SPORTS TRYOUT INFORMATION 2025-2026 - please share with your students or review the information in case one of your students asks for your advice.

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

North Activities Week Nov. 10-14:

Hunger Games Assembly

Buff Puff Volleyball - male volleyball matches coached by the volleyball team @ 3:00pm in AG on Wednesday, November 12.

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

Canned Food Drive

Root Beer Floats (Lunch)

Dirty Soda’s (Lunch)

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!

Assist with SMN Booster Club Spirit Wear Sales - no experience necessary!

Multiple shifts are available for each event. Click on the corresponding link below to learn more and sign-up!

Thursday, Dec 4 – In the cafeteria during lunch

Friday, Dec 5 - In the cafeteria during lunch

More dates to come soon for Basketball Game Spirit Wear Sales

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

· $1,150 for We Are North hallway wall graphic.

SMN Administration – Building Culture

· $1,000 for SMN Bison wall graphic.

Wrestling

· $320 for ankle bands needed for matches.

DON'T FORGET TO STOCK UP ON NORTH GEAR!!

SHOP 24/7 AT OUR ONLINE STORE…

https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/