NORTH NEWS Dec 4 2023

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

North Community,

We have two full weeks of school left before we take final exams and wrap up the first semester. We also have an action-packed week complete with winter sports, concerts, and additional school events. We are looking forward to a great week and finishing off the first semester the right way!

• Dec 8 - Last day to request schedule change for semester 2
• Dec 6 - Choir Concert
• Dec 7 - Band and Orchestra Concert
• Dec 14, 15, 16 Matilda the Musical
• Jan 27 - SMN Trivia Night

Junior students and parents - In the next couple of weeks, juniors will be asked to participate in an ELA 12 survey. This survey is to help us better understand which course offerings in the English department will be most requested to help build our schedule. Starting next school year, we will be offering Standard ELA 4, AP Literature, ELA 4 College Now Honors, U.S. Latino Literature and Contemporary Communications for those students enrolled in a Signature Program. We appreciate your time in completing this survey.

The last day to request a schedule change for second semester is THIS Friday, December 8.

Please see below for more information.

Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will begin in January 2024. Academic Counselors will meet with students by grade level in seminar starting January 9th. Each student will receive an Enrollment Card and a Course Listing Sheet and will be encouraged to take them home and talk with their parent/guardian about classes for next year. Counselors will then collect Students’ enrollment cards the following week during their English class. Please make sure your student’s enrollment card is in their backpack.

Students and Parents – it’s not too late to order school photos from this year’s picture day.

If your student is in grade 9-11, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/2ndSMN23

If your student is a senior, use this link to purchase their portrait photos. https://bit.ly/Senphoto

If you have any questions, please contact Rolland Studios here: https://www.rollandkc.com/contact

New Drivers, Bus traffic, School Dismissal, Student Foot traffic…one of these topics slows traffic.

All of them together means a community effort is needed to keep everyone safe. The Overland Park Police Department has received ongoing traffic complaints.

Officer Covington has been on Foster to "warn" drivers about stopping in "no parking" zones.

This will be considered the FINAL warning for vehicles parked on Foster at dismissal. The no parking signs apply to both sides of the street on Foster at Johnson Drive. There are plenty of legal parking spaces in the lower lot just east of the tennis courts. Our community residents who live in the area are having a difficult time getting to their driveways safely at dismissal time. OPMC 12.04.096 parking in violation of a sign is a $60 citation. Please pass this information along to anyone who picks up your student as we would like to avoid unnecessary parking fines and court costs to our school community. Please call Officer Covington at 913-993-6922 if you have any questions or concerns.

We will have tutoring for all subjects in the Learning Commons every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00-4:20. With this, we will have FREE meals for students who stay. These meals can be picked up in the cafeteria at 2:50 and must be consumed on campus. FREE late busses will also be available to bring students home anywhere in the North attendance area. Busses will leave from the cafeteria doors in the front circle drive at 4:30. Students must have a pass from a staff member to ride the free bus.

• • Please use the online fee payment portal. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online".
  • Add lunch money online using “Optional Fees”. Create an account or use the Guest option with the student’s ID number and last name.
  • If you are interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, please use this link.
  • Fees are needed for teachers to buy supplies for classes and to cover other expenses for the 2023-24 school year.
  • The following fees are required: instructional resource fee (classroom materials), participation fee (admission home games/theatre/activity buses, etc.), ID card and course fees.
  • Optional: Yearbooks are $50 until January 10, 2024 and then they go up to $65. Parking permits are available throughout the year and prorated by quarter.
  • If you need to pay by check, please mail or bring your check with your student’s ID number in the memo to SM North, Attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66202.
  • If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, email a copy of your food service benefits letter to shellelewis@smsd.org. Free lunch students receive a $105 fee waiver & reduced receive $52.50.
  • For payment plans and questions, please call 913-993-6910 or email shellelewis@smsd.org. Unpaid fees may be sent to collections, so please make payment arrangements.

We would like to provide the opportunity for families and students to nominate a staff member for Staff Member of the Week. Please use this form to nominate someone and we will try to honor as many nominations as we can!

SMN Spirit Wear makes a great Christmas gift!

Place your ONLINE order by December 15th for best selection and to guarantee availability!

Our online store is ALWAYS OPEN - just click on the link or QR code below!

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

North Students and Staff can stock up on their favorite Bison gear at the SMN Booster Club Spirit Wear Pop Up Shop!!

Come check out our selection of t-shirts, hoodies, joggers, ball caps, beanies, & more in the Cafeteria during lunch on Wednesday, December 6, Thursday, December 7, or Friday December 8.

Want to skip the lines?? Place an order on our website and we can have it ready for you to pick up!

It is time for our annual Gingerbread House Party! SMN PTSA invites you to join in the fun, and competition this year. The Gingerbread House Party event will take place Wednesday, December 6th, from 6 - 8 pm in the cafeteria. Reservations are required. Please RSVP using the SIgnUpGenuis link or QR code. To give everyone a chance to participate please limit your reservations to no more than two houses per family or group.We will have snacks, hot cocoa, and plenty of room to spread out and create your gingerbread house masterpiece from a free kit provided by PTSA. This year the Gingerbread House Party is returning to an all in person community event. All Gingerbread Houses will be decorated on site at North. This event is open to the entire North community. Spots are limited so reservations are required.

The gingerbread house creations are always *amazing* and we can't wait to see what everyone creates!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AFA92BA4FA7-46403340-gingerbread

Join in the fun at the 10th Annual SMN TRIVIA NIGHT!

Recruit your team of 8 to join us at St. Pius X in Mission, KS on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for costumes, competition, and a whole lot of cheer! **This is an adult-only event – no one under age 21 will be permitted**

The team registration fee is $280, but as always, $100 of your team fee will go directly to the SMN team/group/club of your choice!

The DEADLINE to register your team is January 19, 2024 – there are limited spots available, so get your registration in ASAP!

Team Registration is ONLINE - https://smnorthptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/958674

RAFFLE ITEMS NEEDED FOR TRIVIA NIGHT

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 19, 2024.

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 10th Annual SMN Trivia Night is co-sponsored by SMN PTSA and the SMN Booster Club. All proceeds will be used to support SMN students, staff, and programs!

For more information contact SMN PTSA at smnorthptsa@gmail.com or SMN Booster Club at smnboosterclub@yahoo.com

Purchase SMN Spirit Wear and Booster Club Memberships at our online store (click on the link or use the QR code below)

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

• The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) and the All-School Booster Club are great ways for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!

• Join PTSA by clicking on this link!

• Join Booster Club by clicking on this link!

• All proceeds raised by both organizations directly benefit SMN students!

Are you interested in working at the Brickhouse? SMN has a number of para-educator positions and an ELL Aide position available. If you are interested, please apply online at www.smsd.org or contact Mr. Dustin Jamison for more information. 913-993-6900.

If you are interested in food services positions in the SMSD, please see the image below.

For Second Semester

Students may request a schedule change for second semester by emailing their Alpha Counselor. The schedule change deadline is Friday, December 8.

There will be NO schedule changes in January.

Schedule changes will be prioritized based on the following criteria.

• Your schedule is incomplete, or missing a core course.
• A class is listed twice.
• You have already taken a class that is on your schedule.
• You are a senior and are missing a graduation requirement.
• You are missing a prerequisite for a course.
• Only half of a yearlong class is scheduled.
• You have a level change request (Honors/AP to regular or regular to Honors/AP)

You are not eligible for a schedule change IF…..

• You don’t have friends in your class.
• You want a different teacher.

Students qualifying for a schedule change as explained above can email their Alpha Counselor.

A – D & ELL Jeinny Morris jeinnymorris@smsd.org

E – K Leah Murray leahmurray@smsd.org

L – Q Jennifer Fontaine jenniferfontaine@smsd.org

R – Z Deanna Griffey deannagriffey@smsd.org

Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will begin in January 2023. Academic Counselors will meet with students by grade level in seminar starting January 10th. Each student will receive an Enrollment Card and a Course Listing Sheet and will be encouraged to take them home and talk with their parent/guardian about classes for next year. Counselors will then collect Students’ enrollment cards the following week during their English class. Please make sure your student’s enrollment card is in their backpack.

Juniors and seniors may sign up for the college admission rep visits. These visits are held during school hours. (Check weekly for updated college lists, dates, and times).

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn5kJr2FlCpNzF_Tu328IhA10mKWlhiAcnrZz2IOF4xD70wA/viewform

Girls varsity basketball team won 39-18 vs Wyandotte. North was lead by Sophomore guard Tamiah Washington (17 points, 8 steals, 3 assist). Senior Iliana Garcia added 8 points and 5 steals and Sophomore Ella Wilson scored 6 points. The Bison are back in action Tuesday December 5th at Ottawa.

Varsity Boys & Girls wrestling teams traveled to Leavenworth. Joey Piasecki took 3rd place and Josephine Rathsam took 2nd place. The Bison program host KC Wyandotte, KC Washington and Polo, Missouri Tuesday evening at 5:00pm in the FH

Our students would love your support at their activities and athletic events. Please check the Sunflower League schedule for updated game times and locations. You can also follow us on twitter and instagram: @SM_NORTH_HS

It is never too early to begin preparing for college admissions. If you are a student-athlete and have aspirations to compete in college athletics, it is important to sign up for the NCAA Core Course GPA. Please use the link below to get started or if you need additional assistance reach out to your students counselor or Annette Gonzales, AD and we can help you.