Summer Snapshot
Important dates and helpful reminders
We hope you’ve had a wonderful school year and are enjoying a relaxing start to summer! My name is Dr. Kelley Capper, and I’m honored to serve as the Principal of Indian Hills Middle School. This year, we’re excited to welcome a new 7th-grade Associate Principal to our team, Ms. Chanelle Dieckmann. They come to us from Shawnee Mission East, as a former Math Teacher, and an Admin Intern for SMSD Summer School. We are also thrilled to welcome back Ms. Caitlin Thompson, 8th-grade Associate Principal. As a dedicated learning community at Indian Hills, we are honored and excited to support your student on their educational journey during the 2026–2027 school year.
As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we encourage you to carefully review the information provided in the following pages. We hope this document answers many of your questions about the start of the school year. Keep an eye out for a special-edition newsletter, which will be sent out during the last week of July and will include important Back-to-School details.
For planning purposes, please save the date for our first community event of the 2026-2027 school year: the IHMS Knights’ First Look on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. This event has changed from previous years to specifically focus on schedule walkthrough, locker practice, and athletics. Additional event information will be shared with families closer to the date.
On behalf of the Indian Hills learning community, we wish you a relaxing and enjoyable summer. We are looking forward to seeing every one of you next school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelley Capper
Principal
Ms. Chanelle Dieckmann
Associate Principal - Grade 7
Ms. Caitlin Thompson
Associate Principal - Grade 8
Indian Hills offers a variety of sports teams, after-school clubs, and activities for both 7th and 8th grade students. Information and schedules can be found on the school’s athletics and activities website.
To participate in athletics, student athletes must have a current KSHSAA physical dated after April 1, 2026. All physicals must be submitted through the Bound platform/app no later than 48 hours before the first day of tryouts or practice. Please note that physical forms require up to 48 hours for approval before a student may participate.
Click here for more athletic information about KSHSAA physical requirements.
- July 21: Skyward Verification Process Opens
- July 31: Online Fee Payment Opens
- July 31: Student Schedules Posted in Skyward - 8:00 am
- August 4 : Knights’ First Look - 2:00-5:45 pm
- August 4 : Fall Athletic Information Night - 6:00-7:00 pm
- August 12: 7th Grade Reports (Knight Initiation)
- August 13: All Students Report (Knight Initiation)
- August 14: Picture Day
- August 27: Back to School Night - 5:30-7:30 pm
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has the following immunization requirements for the 2026-2027 school year. KDHE requires one of each required dose before entry to a grade level. Without documentation of the required Tdap, meningococcal, and at least one dose of the hepatitis vaccine, your student WILL NOT be allowed to attend past the annual exclusionary date (normally beginning of October). Notice will be provided via phone and email if your student’s vaccination records are not up-to-date and/or are out of compliance.
Tdap:A single dose of Tdap is required for entry to 7th grade. Please ensure you have provided the school nurse with documentation for the Tdap vaccination before the first day of 7th grade.
Meningococcal: Two doses are required. First dose before the first day of 7th grade and second dose prior to 11th grade. Please provide documentation to the school nurse or nurse’s aide.
Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses are required for all students in grades 7, 8, and 9. Doses must be 6 months apart.
Every middle school student will be issued a MacBook at the beginning of the school year. Both the student and parent/guardian must complete Skyward verification on or after July 21, 2026.
If the required verification forms are not submitted by Labor Day, the student’s device will be collected and held until all forms are completed and submitted.
There is a new Kansas law that states personal electronic devices cannot be on campus. Please be on the lookout for additional communication from SMSD.
Fees may be paid online or in person. Required fees for the 2026–27 school year total $112 and include instructional, student ID, and activity fees. Please note that some elective courses may require an additional fee.
While online payment is preferred and the most convenient option, directions for all payment methods are listed below. Please complete fee payment on or after July 31.
Online fee payment: Visit www.smsd.org, hover over the “Families” tab, and select “Pay Fees.”
On-site fee payment: Cash, check, or card payments may be made during office hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) from August 3–7, 2026.
Additional Information regarding fee payment:
All fees must be paid, or a payment plan established, prior to the first day of school.
For questions or concerns regarding school fee payments, please contact IHMS Bookkeeper Veronica Rodriguez at veronicarodriguez@smsd.org.
Fee waiver information for 2026-2027:
Instructional resource and ID card fees may be waived if one of the following circumstances apply:
- If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals, then 100% of the fees will be waived. If the student meets the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for reduced meals, then 50% of the fees will be waived.
- Applications for Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for free meals (free/reduced lunch) will go live after July 1st, 2026, and will be located on the district’s nutrition services webpage.
- We will need a copy of the documented confirmation letter delivered to veronicarodriguez@smsd.org.
- Proof that the student is in the custody of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (foster care program) is provided to the school office, or the student receives services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act.
This list represents only the basic school supplies needed to begin the school year. Individual teachers may request additional supplies for their specific classes during the first week of school.
4 Boxes of Kleenex (Delivered To Knight Time Teacher)
Multi-Pocketed Trapper Keeper Or 2-3” 3-Ring Binder
Spiral Notebook or Wide-Ruled Paper
Pencils/Pens
Colored Pencils
1 pack (4) Dry-Erase Markers (Delivered to Math Teacher)
Highlighters
Glue Stick
Pencil/Pen Bag
Headphones with In-Line Mic (3.5mm Plug-In)
P.E. Clothes: White T-Shirt, Dark Bottoms
Please review your family’s address, phone number, email, and emergency contact information in Skyward for accuracy. Make any necessary updates, and notify the office of any changes in address, marital status, or custodial arrangements.
The Parent/Guardian designated as Family 1 in Skyward must complete verification on or after July 21, 2026.
Student schedules will be available to view in Skyward on July 31, 2026. Students will also have an opportunity to walk their schedules and practice locker combinations during the Knights’ First Look event.
Due to a limited number of lockers in our building, we are offering students the option to share a locker with a peer. A Google form will be sent in late July to sign up if interested.
Transportation service (busing) will be provided by Zūm Student Transportation Services.
Please refer to the Transportation Page on the SMSD Website for further information.
Students who reside more than 2.5 miles from Indian Hills are eligible for free busing. Students who live within 2.5 miles are eligible for paid busing.