Select Parents, School,  choose West under High Schools, then click on School Calendar.

 

We have a great website for students to find resources (books, databases and websites), organized by topics, to do their research and find help with their homework. 

 

More info at www.jocolibrary.org/homework. 

 

 

January
4 - Cheer Booster Club Meeting - 6pm
4 - Spotlighters Meeting - 6pm
5 - Band Aides Meeting - 7pm
6 - ACT PLAN Sophomore Workshop - 6:30pm
8 - After Game Party - 9:30pm
9 - Robotics Pancake Breakfast - 7am
12 - PRESTO Meeting - 7pm

Our website is filled with information about college counseling and scholarships, academic counseling, personal/social issues, and upcoming dates.  Please visit our Web Backpack often to keep current on important information for you and your student.  You can access it from the SM West homepage or the district website under students, then teacher web pages.

http://www4.smsd.org/SMWCounselors

Students Honored in the National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to the following students for their performance on the 2008 PSAT/NMSQT test last October.  The semi-finalists continue in the competition for scholarship consideration.

National Merit Semi-Finalists
Leigha Empson
Rebecca Martin
Daniel Neely
Emily Miller

National Merit Commended
Alexander Burnett
Kathryn Byrd
Kayla Eddins
Jessie Hardesty
Nathan Heng
Cory Newman

West students earn AP Scholars Awards
The College Board recently announced the AP Scholar awards.  Shawnee Mission West had the highest number of AP Scholars in recent history.  AP Scholar honors are given in recognition of achievement on Advanced Placement exams, which are administered after the students have completed an AP course.  Students can earn college credit from most colleges and universities by taking the AP courses and exams.  In 2009, 266 exams were taken at Shawnee Mission West.

John Karsten and Kayla Viets, both 2009 graduates, were named National AP Scholars.  This designation is awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction (awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams):

Karina Burda
Grace Gaumnitz
Jessie Hardesty
John Karsten
Chris Mehrer
Liam Reilly

AP Scholar with Honor (awarded to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams):

Andrew Birkinsha
Kirk Bodendistel
Logan Byers
Kayla Eddins
Robert Fuller
Jessica Miller
Katie Miller
Dane Mitchell
Matthew Vestal

AP Scholar (awarded to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams):

Alexander Burnett
Melanie Campbell
Thomas Forland
Kevin Garett
Jenna Gottschalk
Mintra Greer
Jacob Kupperman
Nicholas Lichtenberger
Brynn Martin
Hillary Martin
Rebecca Martin
Emily Miller
Mary Moncayo
Amanda O'Dell
Meghan Railsback
Linden Stirk
Adrienne Ward

Students who will be recognized at this year's program will receive an invitation in the mail in October.  Academic letters are awarded to students who earn at least six semester A's during the previous school year with no semester grade lower than a B and/or a 4.0 GPA or above.  These grades must be earned within the Shawnee Mission School District.  A list of all students who will be recognized is posted across from Room 102.  Contact the Counseling Office if you have any questions.

Junior and senior students and their parents - if you want assistance in helping to understand financial aid for post secondary education,  Shawnee Mission Northwest High School  is  offering a Financial Aid Evening on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

This worthwhile evening will be moderated by Perry Diehm, Chief Financial Aid Officer at Mid America Nazarene University.  Mr. Diehm will give an overview on the FAFSA.  The FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form the federal government uses to determine your eligibility for student aid.  This aid includes grants, scholarships, work study and loans to help pay for college.  The form collects financial and demographic information.  In some cases the form is required to fill out prior to receiving any other monetary funding.

Choosing classes for next year is just around the corner.  In January, students will be given enrollment materials according to the following schedule.  Students have about one week to look over the materials with parents and then have them ready to return when their class visits the Counseling Office.  If students and/or parents would like to meet with the academic counselor to discuss enrollment planning, appointments in November and December are encouraged as January is a very busy time for the counselors with enrollment presentations and visits to middle schools.

You and your sophomore student are invited to a sophomore workshop that will be held on January 6, 2010 (Wednesday) at Shawnee Mission West High School.  The workshop will be held in the cafeteria from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  No pre-registration will be required.

The workshop is intended to introduce students and parents to the career planning process.  The workshop will utilize the results of the students' ACT Plan assessment in addition to providing activities that assist students in identifying their vocational skills and interests.  By participating in this workshop, your student will gain valuable knowledge that may serve as a foundation for making informed career, educational and life decisions.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact me at 913-993-7834 or e-mail me at laurahicks@smsd.org.  We look forward to seeing you and assisting you and your student in the great adventure of career/life planning.

 

Beginning with the this school year, all high schools are open to transfers.  However, the application deadline is February 1, 2010, to requests a transfer for the 2010-2011 school year.  Requests will not be honored after that date. Transfer request forms may be obtained from any school office in the district.  Students must re-apply when changing levels - elementary to middle school and middle school to high school. Requests for transfers need not be renewed annually once a student is attending a school, but shall be made subject to annual review. 

Once a transfer is approved, students may remain at that school for the duration provided they are in good standing academically, behaviorally, and in regard to attendance.  A transfer may be rescinded at any time if a student fails to meet the requirements.  District guidelines require that students attending on an approved transfer must maintain satisfactory grades (for secondary students a minimum of 2.0 grade point average), maintain a minimum of 95 percent attendance record, and maintain an acceptable discipline record.

Have you taken the ACT yet?  The deadline to take the December 12th ACT test is Friday, November 6th.  Register at www.actstudent.org.  Juniors may also want to consider taking the ACT on this test date. 

November/December: 

If you are applying to KU or K-State, do so before November 1st to qualify for scholarships.

Signature Program Summit - Thursday, December 3rd

 

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Surviving the Holidays
Jennifer Levinson and Amy Quinley
Shawnee Mission Autism Specialists
Arrowhead Administrative Center
 
October 20, 2009
Free
11:30 a.m. -  1:00 p.m. 

CDDO
Services for Children & Adults
Rebecca Iveson, Coordinator
Community Developmental Disabilities Organization
Arrowhead Administrative Center
 
October 20, 2009
Free 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
 

 

 

THINK GREEN:  SAVE MONEY- LIVE BETTER
 
In these difficult financial times, we can pull resources together to help each other.  Throughout the school year we will be asking for donated items to be recycled for students in need.  You can drop items off in the Counseling Office and call for items if in need (913-993-7836). 
 
October- December:  WINTER COAT DRIVE
Donate gently used, clean coats that can be recycled for students in need.
 
January - March :  PROM DRESS DRIVE
 
May:  GRADUATION GOWN DRIVE:  If you know your graduating student will not want to keep their graduation gown- please donate it for students in need.  If you have graduation gowns you want to get rid of, drop it off anytime.

 

Second quarter is a time when Student Council helps those in need during the holiday season.  The annual Canned Food Drive will be held from November 2nd through the 20th and will help the Johnson County Christmas Bureau aid the people in need in the metro area.  Shawnee Mission West made a huge contribution last year and is looking forward to making an even bigger impact this season.  Send cans of food with your students during this time in November or make a monetary contribution.  Checks can be made payable to SM West and put "Food Drive" in the memo.  Students can contribute to the food drive by bringing cans, money, and enthusiasm.

 

This year our only blood drive will be held on Wednesday November 11th from 7:30 AM to 2 P.M. in the small gym at Shawnee Mission West High School.  People in the community, as well as Shawnee Mission West students who are 17 years of age or older, may give blood.  The blood drive will be managed by the Red Cross.  If you have not given blood in the last 56 days, come by the school, sign in at the office and come to the small gym to give blood. This is our only blood drive this year, and is for a good cause.

A special thanks to PTSA for helping Student Council put on a tremendous Homecoming celebration. The parade, game, and dance showed true Shawnee Mission West pride and spirit! Thanks to all who contributed to its success.
 
Remember: 

 

Students in grades 9-11 have one last chance for yearbook pictures. Retakes and makeup pictures are scheduled for Oct. 27, all day in the library.
 

YEARBOOK GROUP PHOTOS
Clubs and activities will have yearbook group photos taken Friday, Nov. 20 in the auxiliary gym.   A schedule will be published closer to that date.

Licensed Health Professional Volunteers Needed (H1N1)
 
The Shawnee Mission School District is collaborating with the Johnson County Health Department to host H1N1 vaccines in our buildings as vaccine becomes available to our community.  Vaccine will be administered based on prioritized need and dependent upon amount of vaccine available.  Parental consent will be required for vaccine administration.  The school district and licensed health professionals will be held immune from liability in assisting with these clinics per the Public Readiness and Preparedness Emergency Act.  If you are a Kansas licensed physician, dentist, physician assistant, or registered nurse and would like to assist, please contact Sue Miller at 913 993 6289 or admiller@smsd.org.  When contacting us, let us know your availability based on specific days of the week and times of the day.  Based on best predictions, we hope to begin clinics in mid November. 

 

 

SMW Junior, Sean Craig, said "The FCCLA leadership retreat was a great experience for me.  I learned many things about FCCLA and had fun too." 

This group has a variety of community service projects planned.  They include a focus on The Children's Miracle Network, which is the state and national FCCLA community service project this year.  The group is also planning a parade float and preparing for their STAR event competitions.

To learn more about FCCLA visit the state or national web page (www.fcclainc.org or www.ksfccla.org) or contact SMW advisor, Jenny Rohret.

 

Back - Sean Craig, Aileen McDaniel, Hailee Ohmes, Kaitlin Peak, Megan Matthews

Front - Jasmin Weber, Rachel Mahoney, Kate Snyder, Jayna Guerra, Brittany Templeton

 

Attn. Fall Ball

8800 W. 85th Street,

Shawnee Mission, KS 66212.  

 

Make checks payable to "Band-Aides West" or "BAW."  Tickets will also be available at the door and will be $25 for individuals and $35 for couples.
 

 

 

 

If you have questions, please contact Bill Thomas, Director of Bands at 913-993-7852, Kevin Hupe, Assistant Director at 913-993-8067.

 

 

 

By the time you read this, the Shawnee Mission West Orchestras will have performed their first concert of the year on October 8th.  The Fall Concert had performances from each of the three orchestras.

 

Each year, our wonderful orchestras provide us with exciting pieces from contemporary to classical and they are all wonderfully performed under the direction of Curtis Mulvenon.
 
Concert Orchestra made up of specifically of freshman orchestra students.  At the end of their freshman year, they audition for placement in one of the other orchestra blocks for their sophomore year.    Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphonic Strings vary according to size, musical development and type of music literature to be performed.  Both of these orchestras are made up of sophomore to senior students.  In addition, West has Viking Chamber Orchestra is a smaller group of student musicians and is the currently the only Chamber Orchestra in the Shawnee Mission district. 
 
Concert Orchestra performed Espana Cani by Macual Marquina Narro & Eric W. Knight: Night Train by Jimmy Forrest & John Caponegro; and Contrasts in E Minor by Francis L Feese.
 
Philharmonic Orchestra performed Suite for Strings - I.  Little March, II. Song, III. Scherzo by Robert Washburn; and Let it Be by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.  The orchestra was accompanied on drums by Tanner Rauter.  Jeff Dilley performed a solo on this piece as well.
 
Viking Chamber Orchestra performed The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, and as a chamber orchestra performs without a conductor.
 
Symphonic Strings performed the Mission Impossible Theme by Lalo Schifrin, arranged by Elliot Del Borgo; Serenade for Strings - III. Elegy, by Peteer Ilitch Tschaikowsky; and Incantations by Richard Meyer. Incantations included solos by  Sandahl Scarlett, Xivianne Matos, and Emily Miller.
 
The orchestra department is going green.  To reduce the amount of paper used, programs were not distributed for the concert. Program information for the concert was put into a slideshow and displayed in the auditorium prior to be beginning of the concert.  Special thanks to Meghan Railsback for creating the slideshow.  For parents, scrapbookers and students - the program can be found on Mr. Mulvenon's WebBack Pack in the documents section and the PRESTO website. 
 
Speaking of PRESTO (People Really Enthusiastically Supporting the Orchestra)  PRESTO would not be working smoothly and seamlessly without the guidance of the Co-Presidents this year - Steve and Sabrina Crooke.  They have worked tirelessly to ensure that Committee positions have been filled and that all activities flow smoothly.  And it is just the beginning of the school year!  Their dedication is evident throughout PRESTO and is much appreciated.  A special thanks to all the Committee Chairs as well, who volunteer their time and talents to help our orchestra students.  Your dedication is much appreciated!
 
Please visit the PRESTO website:  http://www.prestowest.org
Concert programs, photos, meeting minutes and more are available to view.   If you wish to join PRESTO, we encourage you to download the application from the website.

 

 

Nov 14, 2009 - District Auditions
Dec 5, 2009 - District Orchestra

Dec 10, 2009 - Winter Concert - SMW Auditorium

 

Nov 10, 2009 - 7 pm  Orchestra Room
Dec 1, 2009 - 7 pm  Orchestra Room
Jan 12, 2010 - 7 pm  Orchestra Room

The Golden Girls annual Dance Clinic for elementary girls was a success.  More than 45 girls from Apache, Bonjour, Comanche, Christa McAuliffe, Pawnee, Rising Star, and Sunflower Elementary Schools participated in the clinic held at SMW on Friday, October 16 from 9 - 2.  The Varsity Dance Team taught these young Vikings two dances, band chants, a fight song in addition to providing fun with games and competitions.  The girls enjoyed lunch and received a special t-shirt that they wore for their half-time performance at the SMW Senior Night football game that evening. 

 

Three of the varsity Golden Girls were nominated in the Top 12 for 2009 Homecoming Queen:  Megan Dobson, captain, Megan Goebel and Emily Miller, both officers.   The Queen was crowned at the Viking Homecoming game against Lawrence High School.

 

Susan Foley & Erin Hays

Directors/Dance Team

Tryouts for all winter sports begin November 16. Physicals dated May 1, 2009 or later need to be turned in prior to November 16 in order to be able to participate in tryouts.

Physicals can be turned in to the athletic secretary or the coach.

 

Winter sports programs include boys and girl's basketball, coed bowling, boy's swimming, and wrestling.

PLC Late Start Days
 
The Shawnee Mission School District has incorporated late start days into all secondary school calendars this year.  These days are set up to allow staff to participate in what are called Professional Learning Communities (PLC's).  This practice is research based and proven beneficial to student learning.  During these mornings, teachers are working in curricular teams in order to develop common objectives and formative assessments that become checks for understanding along your student's course of study.  This program helps educators to create the conditions to help students learn at higher levels.
 
West High School and the District continually works to better equip our teachers to provide the best educational opportunity for all students.

 

The SMW Band & Jazz Programs and Band-Aides, West invite you to a night of dinner and fun!
 
The Spaghetti Dinner includes spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, bread, dessert and drink. 

 

Ticket Price at Door: Adult $10; Children (Age 4-12) $5; Age 3 & under- free.
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
4:30 to 7:00 pm  Serving Line Open      
5:00 to 8:15 pm  Silent Auction
5:00 to 5:20 pm  8th Grade Jazz Band
5:30 to 6:15 pm  Jazz Lab
5:30 to 7:30 pm  Bingo & Cake Walk
6:30 to 6:45 pm  Drum Line
7:30 to 8:15 pm  Overland Express 

 

If you haven't had a chance to join yet, you can go directly to our SM West PTSA website and complete the PTSA Membership form at www.smwestptsa.org/ptsaforms.htm.

 

Come celebrate a Viking Victory at the next AFTER GAME PARTY!
 
Friday, October 23
9:30 pm - 11:30 pm
on the BRIDGE