North News May 11, 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
School Events
A monthly schedule of our events can be found here.
Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
I hope all of the Moms out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday! We are only seven days away from the end of the school year! Please work with your student to have them lock in for one final push.
Last week was an incredible week! We had an incredible Teacher Appreciation Week and then the week culminated with the North Relays. The North Relays is one of my favorite events of the year because it is so much more than a track and field meet. The event embodies all of the great characteristics of our community. From the volunteers in concessions and the meet, to the crowning of the Spring Court, it is a showcase of our tight knit community. It was a great event! Thank you to everyone who helped!
Our schedule for May 11-19 features block periods for the remainder of the school year. Final exams are incredibly important, and they are a great opportunity for students to show what they have learned.
Let’s have a great week! Go Bison! WE ARE NORTH!!!
Staff Members of the Week
Bison Standard Staff Member of the Week- Our Bison Standard Staff Members of the Week award winners this week are Stephanie Grgas and Jaci Huckabee. Their nominator said, “Jaci and Stephanie are constantly working to promote academic and personal success in our students. Both joined our recent Senior Decision Day. They encouraged kids to take part in games and activities during seminar, playing the games, helping students write notes of appreciation for all the things our staff does to support kids every day, and just enjoying some time outside the classroom with the class of 2026.”
Students of the Week
Elite of North-Our Elite of North award winner this week is Gregor White. His nominator said, “Gregor is an exceptional student who excels in many subjects at SMN. He is also an incredibly talented musician, who has had an incredible career at the Brickhouse!”
Heart of North-Our Heart of North award winner this week is Benny Herrera. His nominator said, “Benny is a rockstar in class. He works so hard to be the best version of himself academically. He even takes time to sit with other students and help them out if they are struggling. Benny is the best!”
I AM NORTH-Our I AM NORTH award winner this week is Noah Reid. His nominator said, “I walked into the restroom today and saw Noah picking up multiple piles of dirty paper towels that weren't his trash. He didn’t make a big deal out of it and probably didn't think anyone even noticed him doing it; he just cleaned it up without hesitation. It was really nice to see a student taking pride in our school.”
New Information
Senior Fees are Due!
Seniors need to have their school and lunch account fees paid to be able to receive their diplomas. Fees can be paid online, in-person or by phone. Contact Shelle Lewis, SMN Bookkeeper, at 913-993-6910 or shellelewis@smsd.org for assistance. Paying fees now will make the senior check out process faster and easier.
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
Hey North,
Check out this month's edition of the Belonging Newsletter. This issue focuses on Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month by highlighting an Asian Student Union leader, the AANHPI Heritage Program, and a Bison-owned business. It also provides recommendations on local Asian-owned restaurants and novels to check out, as well as information on influential Asian Americans. Go to this link to access the embedded hyperlinks.
News from Student Services
Bison Athletics and Activities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2026 League Sportsmanship Recipients Honored by the KSHSAA Topeka, Kan. – Promoting sportsmanship at all Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) events remains a priority for the association and its member schools. The inaugural League Sportsmanship Award gave each league/conference the opportunity to identify a KSHSAA Basketball Sportsmanship League/ Conference Champion. A total of 36 Kansas high schools were eligible for recognition, with one selected per league or conference by their peers. “The KSHSAA made a commitment to our member schools to continue emphasizing the value of sportsman‐ ship in education-based activities and athletic programs,” Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit Megan Hagaman said. “This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts to promote positive sportsmanship with our outstanding students.” Following the conclusion of the basketball season, the member schools voted to identify their respective League Sportsmanship Champion. School leaders evaluated sportsmanship demonstrated by the girls’ and boys’ teams (players and coaches), spirit squads, pep bands, and crowds based upon school performance throughout the season.
Winners and League or Conference Represented
· Andover Central – AVCTL I & II
· Andale – AVCTL III & IV
· Sabetha – Big East League
· Manhattan – Centennial League
· Hillsboro – Central Kansas League
· Medicine Lodge – Central Plains
· Ness City – Central Prairie League
· Blue Valley West – Eastern Kansas League
· West Franklin – Flint Hills League
· Bonner Springs – Frontier League
· Cimarron – Great West Activities Conference
· Wichita-Northwest – Greater Wichita League
· Berean Academy – Heart of America League
· Cunningham – Heart of the Plains League
· Southwestern Heights – Hi-Plains League
· Bishop Seabury Academy – Kaw Valley Conference
· Marais Des Cygnes Valley – Lyon County League
· Sumner Academy – Meadowlark Conference
· Trego Community – Mid-Continent League
· Chapman – North Central Kansas League
· McLouth – Northeast Kansas League
· Natoma – Northern Plains League
· Santa Fe Trail – Pioneer League
· Moscow – Santa Fe Trail League
· Burden-Central – South Central Border League
· Parsons – Southeast Kansas League
· Kiowa County – Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Assn
· Shawnee Mission North – Sunflower League
· St. Paul – Three Rivers League
· Fredonia – Tri-Valley League
· Washington County – Twin Valley League
· Turner – United Kansas Conference
· Liberal – Western Athletic Conference
· Weskan – Western Kansas Liberty League
· Centre – Wheat State League
“The lessons learned through activity participation are numerous,” Executive Director Bill Faflick said. “Of leaders have worked tirelessly for students and stakeholders to learn and grow in this area.” Each League/Conference Champion will be honored with a sportsmanship state championship trophy from the KSHSAA.
Congrats to the 2026 Governor's Scholars and thank you for your support of the 43rd annual Governor's Scholars Award program which was at Washburn University this past Sunday. 527 Kansas students have earned this distinction. Shawnee Mission North High School Principal: David Ewers; Students: Ashley Cummings Oreofeoluwa Oni Kathryn Russell Klaus Scharenberg
Congratulations to the following students who have earned a college athletic scholarship
Patrick Blas-Abascal Soccer Baker University Sports Management
Josiah Blomker Track & Field Pittsburg State University Finance
Maci Swob Dance Washburn University Elementary Education
New PPE Effective Date - April 1 is the new effective date for the KSHSAA pre-participation physical exam. Any PPE turned into a school with a date of April 1, 2026 or later is valid for the entire 2026-27 school year.
KSHSAA WEBSITES FOR POST-SEASON SPRING 2026
Save the Date:
Dance Team Show on Saturday, May 9 @ 6:00pm in the auditorium
Sports Physicals on Monday, May 11 from 6:00-8:00pm
Building closes on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 ???
Congratulations to the girls swim and dive team for an outstanding Sunflower League Varsity Champs this weekend, We moved up a spot in the team standings from last year and on Friday we set the water on fire with 5 State Qualifying Cuts and 2 more additional State Consideration times. All three of our relays swam season best times and earned medals with a 6th place finish and two 8th place finishes. These swimmers included Lauren Trost, Elli Brunsvold, Eileen Smith, Izzy Nely, Alanna Stallbaumer and Athena McCarthy. Lauren also qualified in the 200 I.M. with an 11th place finish and also qualified in the 100 Freestyle with a fantastic swim. Elli earned two State Consideration times in the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly. Other girls who qualified and swam in Finals on Saturday included Addie Miller, Harper Stallbaumer and Anais “Ah-nah-eece” Pichot “P-Show”.
SMN Booster Club
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==
Leave a lasting legacy at Shawnee Mission North! Legacy Bricks are a great way to honor graduating seniors, staff & alumni!
For a tax deductible donation of $55, a personalized, engraved brick will be added to the SMN Legacy Brick Courtyard, located just outside the SMN stadium/pool entrance.
Please print and complete the Legacy Brick Form for your brick order (Legacy Brick Form). Payment is due with your order and can be made to the SMN Booster Club by check or credit card. You can also go to our online store to order and pay for a legacy brick - https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site
If you have questions, please email Paula Blood at pdblood@sbcglobal.net
PTSA
🚨 Another Big Ask from the North PTSA 🚨
For the past several years, a very small group of people has been keeping the North PTSA running. While we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, the reality is that running on just a handful of volunteers leads to burnout. More importantly, it limits how much we can give back to our students, staff, and the North community.
With more people involved, we could do so much more!
More support for teachers, more opportunities for students, and more events that bring our community together.
It truly takes a village. If your schedule only allows you to help from a computer at home, that’s completely okay! There are many ways to contribute, big and small. Every bit of help makes a difference.
Right now, we are looking for board officers as well as committee chairs to help us move forward. There is also the option of Co Chairing a board position.
Please consider asking questions, learning about the open roles, and finding a place where you can jump in and help. Without the PTSA, the North community loses an important source of support and none of us want that.
♥️ Help make a difference for our students, staff, and community.
To Join PTSA: https://smnorthptsa.givebacks.com/shop
To learn more: https://smnorth.smsd.org/families/pta
Looking to purchase your student's photo
Student photos can be viewed and purchased at http://rollandonline.hhimagehost.com/ShawneeMissionNorth25
Job Opportunities
$250 sign on bonus available at Merriam location
