The Cougar Connection

Dear Northwest Community,

Spring brings an energy and warmth to our learning spaces that makes our time together even more productive! April is a busy month both in the classroom and beyond. This week's big event is Prom and After Prom! What a wonderful night full of great memories and fun for our juniors and seniors. A time they will always treasure.

We do need some additional volunteers for our After Prom hosted by our awesome PTSA! Please use the link below to sign up for this event. Students need to arrive at Northwest by 12:30 am for entry to After Prom! We are excited for this event next weekend!

After Prom Link for Sign Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948AAA923A5FA7-61818974-after#/

All the best to our outstanding musicians on their KSHSAA Large Group Festivals on April 16th. We are so proud of the beautiful music they make and how they represent NW!

Have a wonderful weekend!

All the best,

Lisa Gruman

April 16 - PROM Guest Forms are Due!

April 17 - No School - PLC Day

April 18 - PROM

April 21 - STUCO Rep Elections

May 4 - Honors and Awards Night

May 21 - 2026 Graduation @ SMN Stadium - 7pm

This option is for reporting all day absences and late arrivals only.

When requesting an early dismissal please call 913-993-7242 or email jamieprosser@smsd.org

Zach Cash A-E zacharycash@smsd.org

Barb Legate F-K barbaralegate@smsd.org

Katie Cole L-Re katiecole@smsd.org

Jessica Andrade Rf-So (ELL) jessicaandrade@smsd.org

Jordan Landis Sp-Z jordanlandis@smsd.org

CTC, CAA and RWL - Please reach out to Jenia Vanhorn

Social Workers

Tina Clark A-K tinaclark@smsd.org

Melissa Osborn L-Z melissaosborn@smsd.org

SMSD eSchool:

https://www.smsd.org/academics/eschool/enrollment-information

*Typically used for credit advancement but can also be used for credit recovery.

Cost: $180

SMSD Summer Academy:

https://www.smsd.org/academics/summer-programs/summer-academy

*Core classes are for credit recovery only. Sessions correspond to the semester that must be recovered. Session 1 = Semester 1 & Session 2 = Semester 2

Cost (Unless Otherwise Noted): $180

Steps to Enroll:

Contact the academic counselor to discuss appropriate course(s) and for help registering for classes.

click to sign up here for upcoming rep visits!

https://sites.google.com/smsd.org/smnwstudentservices/college-planning?authuser=0

See the SMNW Website under the College Planning Tab

Attention Seniors & Parents!

FAFSA is OPEN!

The FAFSA is the first step in applying for federal and state financial aid.
Both the student and one parent will need to create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov/fsa-id

When: Sunday May 31st through Saturday June 6th, 2026
Where: Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS

Application Deadline Thursday April 30, 2026
Refund Deadline: Friday May 15, 2026

Check out their website for all the information and application: www.ksbstate.org

Important Reminder -
Be sure to complete all steps in the enrollment process. If you obtain a placement waiver, you still need to log in to MyJCCC, enroll in the course, and pay your tuition.

We have attached the College Now Enrollment Guide for High School Students to help you get started. Check out the College Now website with FAQs to answer all your questions.

Need to drop a course? All course drops must be completed by dropping the course online through MyJCCC or by emailing registration@jccc.edu to obtain a schedule change request. JCCC does not allow courses to be dropped over the phone once the semester has begun.

AP English Language and Composition-
AP English Language and Composition score of 3 or higher can be used to place into Composition II for students who have not received College Now credit for Composition I.

JCCC requires an AP score report to capture the students' complete first and last name. Here are instructions on how to retrieve your AP score report.

1. Go to www.collegeboard.org and click on the Sign In link, then click on the Student link.
2. Log in to your AP Portal using your email and password you set up with College Board.
3. Select AP Scores or View Your Scores from the main page. Select the option to Download Score Report and a PDF will open in a new window.
4. Save this PDF so that you can easily upload the complete score report when you are ready to submit your waiver request.

Students who did not request their AP score report to be sent to JCCC, can go to College Now Placement Information. Click the Upload Test Scores button to upload a copy of your AP Score Report. The Records Office will enter a waiver that will allow you to enroll in English Composition II.

April 15 is the last day request pass/fail grade option or to withdraw with a ‘W’ for a College Now Spring semester course.

Need to drop a course? All course drops must be completed by dropping the course online through MyJCCC or by emailing registration@jccc.edu to obtain a schedule change request. JCCC does not allow courses to be dropped over the phone once the semester has begun.

Greetings NW families!

While our District Clothes Closet serves most clothing needs for families, we do have a small clothing closet at NW to serve students who are in crisis and need immediate access to clothes. Lately, we are short on items that most benefit these students. We would be most grateful to our NW community if you could help to re-stock some of these items.

We are seeking NEW or NEARLY NEW

Sweatpants (sizes XS-XXXL unisex)

Sweatshirts/Hoodies (Sizes XS-XXXL unisex)

socks

women's underwear (all sizes, especially sizes 14 and up)

men's athletic shorts (all sizes)

A small number of plain t-shirts (all sizes, neutral colors, unisex)

Tennis Shoes/Sneakers (all adult sizes)

Please keep in mind that while donations are appreciated, well-loved and soiled items may be better suited elsewhere as students who need these items are wearing them right away and may not have access to wash them.

In addition, NW spirit wear is helpful!

Thank you for supporting ALL of our NW students!

ATTENTION FRESHMAN FAMILIES!

Coming up in May is our final Staff Appreciation event of the year - a lunchtime cookout provided by Freshman families. Please see the sign up here to make a monetary donation, provide food/drink items, or volunteer to help. This is a staff favorite and a great way to thank them for all they've done throughout the year! CLICK HERE.

ONE WEEK UNTIL WE SET SAIL!

After Prom is NEXT WEEK! Can you deal blackjack? Run a carnival game? Help with prizes? In order to have this event running at 100%, we still need 49 volunteers and 20 snack/drink sign ups filled. It truly takes our entire SMNW community coming together to make sure this important tradition happens this year and for years to come! Please join us for an unforgettable night at sea as we SAIL AWAY ABOARD THE CRUISE SHIP NORTHWEST! CLICK HERE

Class of 2026 Grad Signs

Celebrate your upcoming graduate with a BIG yard sign! A limited number are available and when they're gone, they're gone! CLICK HERE to see full details and buy today!

Please reach out to Vicki Alvey with any questions - 913-993-7400 or nwalvey@smsd.org

Secure your All-Sport Passes now for significant savings on all SMNW events. Adult passes are $75 and Student Passes are $50. We look forward to seeing our community support everything SMNW for the upcoming seasons. Go Cougars!

Please turn any athletic papers to the athletic secretary in the main office.

Feel free to email or call with any questions or concerns about your student’s health or vaccine needs! You can reach me, Wendy Woods (nurse) at 913-993-7216.

Thank you,
Wendy Woods, RN, BSN, MSN

NW Nurse

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/illness

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/medication

• https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/health-services/immunizations-physicals