Dear Vikings,

From March 2nd through March 5th we hosted the boys and girls sub state.  I would like to thank all of those who helped in staging this successful event.  The teachers who worked the scorer's table and the ticket takers were professional and polite.  The coaches and players gave tremendous effort and even though the boys came up short, their heart and fight was never in question.  Congratulations to the girl's team and coaches.

The pep band, dance team, cheerleaders and JROTC created an environment that was electrifying.  The students, parents and fans came out as always in their support of everyone's performance. 

We know and often say "West is Best", but as we all know actions speak louder than words.  What the West community demonstrated during this tournament spoke volumes as to why that is true.  Again, thank you for your part in making the West Sub State a memorable event. 

Sincerely,

Don A. Perkins 
Athletic Director

SHAWNEE MISSION WEST HIGH SCHOOL

May, 2011 Final Exam Schedule

1st Day of Finals - Tuesday, May 24th
Block 1 Final Exam  7:40 - 9:10
Block 3 Final Exam  9:20 - 10:50
Block 5 Final Exam  11:00 - 12:30
Lunch    12:30 - 1:05
Buses Depart   1:10

2nd Day of Finals - Wednesday, May 25th  
Block 2 Final Exam  7:40 - 9:10
Block 4 Final Exam  9:20 - 10:50
Lunch    10:50 - 11:20
Buses Depart   11:25

3rd Day of Finals - Thursday, May 26th   
Block 6 Final Exam  7:40 - 9:10
Block 7 Final Exam  9:20 - 10:50
Lunch    10:50 - 11:20
Buses Depart   11:25

District policy states that a Final cannot be administered early for any student.  A Final may be taken after the scheduled date in cases of exceptional circumstances.  Every exception must be approved in advance by Dr. McLean.  Should a request need to be made, forms are available in the counseling office.

News From The Counseling Dept

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

Summer School and E-school Enrollment

Summer School enrollment has been available since February 14th.  Online enrollment can be completed on the district website at www.smsd.org then click on the "Parents" followed by a click on "Summer School".  If a student enrolls in person at Broadmoor, a signed form from the counselor is required.  Some classes can fill up so students should not delay in enrolling for summer school if they know they need to attend.  Students who have failed an English class should definitely plan on attending summer school.  Summer school will be held at Shawnee Mission North this summer.  Each semester of summer school costs $160. 

Students who are interested in doing Health or American Government through e-school need to enroll by Friday, June 3rd.  The cost for taking a course through the district's online school is $160.  Information is on the district website under "Parents" followed by a click on "eSchool".

Senior Academic Awards Assembly

The Spring Senior Academic Awards Assembly will be held on Monday, April 25th, at 7 p.m.  This program is for seniors and their parents.  Information will be sent out in April to recipients of awards.

AP Testing 

AP testing will take place the weeks of May 2nd and May 9th in the Shawnee Mission West library. The cost for each test is $87 and the payment deadline was March 10th. This is a firm deadline as tests must be ordered ahead of time.

There are several reasons students should consider taking AP tests:

• The AP test must be taken to receive the AP designation on the transcript
• Earn college credit and/or advanced placement at most colleges and universities depending on the score received
• Earn consideration for AP Scholar Awards
• Gain valuable experience in rigorous exams (SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT)

FAFSA and Scholarship Information

Remember that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed as soon as possible.  Some schools in Kansas had a March 1st deadline, but you can still file.  Even those students receiving scholarships should file the FAFSA.  You can file the FAFSA by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.   If you have questions about the Student Aid Report that comes from your student's college, you should first contact the financial aid officer at the college where your student plans to attend.

ACT Test for Juniors

Juniors should be taking the June ACT (if they have not already taken at least one ACT this year) to begin preparation for college admission.  The registration deadline is Friday, May 6, 2011.  Register at www.actstudent.org.   If a student is on free or reduced lunch, a fee waiver is available from the Counseling Office.

The next ACT test date will be September 10, 2011.  The registration deadline will be during the summer months (August 12, 2011).  Class of 2012 students should plan on taking this ACT to improve scores for college admission and scholarship purposes.

Playing Sports in College

Any athlete who wishes to receive an athletic scholarship or even participate in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I or Division II level must receive initial clearance from the NCAA's Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.  This is required and must be done on or after April 1st of the junior year for eligibility for the freshman year in college. Further information about eligibility can be found at:  https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common.

Presidential Service Award 

We want to recognize your student for their dedication of services to our community!

SMW students may apply for the Presidential Service Award by tracking their service hours on the sheet available from the Counseling Office (click here to print it now) or on the SM West website.  The hours must be completed over a twelve month period beginning 4/1/10 and ending 3/31/11.  The students self report the service hours and at the completion of the tracking period return the completed service hour form to the Counseling Office to be submitted for the award.

Forms need to be turned in by 4/6/11 to the Counseling Office.  The committee chair then compiles the information necessary for submission of the students for the award.  The awards are applied for online on the Presidential Service Award website, www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

The awards will be delivered to SMW and the Counseling Office and administration will determine how and when recognition will be scheduled.

Guidelines for the Exemption of Finals

            
Senior Final Exam Exemption (SENIORS ONLY)

• A student can elect this option for a maximum of three classes.
• A student must have earned a 90% or grade of "A" in the class.
• A student cannot have any in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
• A student cannot have any unexcused absences in any class.
• The exemption option is not available for College Now classes if the student is taking the class for College Now credit.
• This option is only available for the second semester.

Advanced Placement Final Exam Exemption (any student) 

• Any student enrolled in an Advanced Placement class may utilize the exemption policy.
• Students can exempt out of each class final for which they take the formal AP test. Proof of AP registration and participation in the AP test is required.
• A student must have earned a 90% or grade of "A" in the class.
• A student cannot have any in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
• A student cannot have any unexcused absences in any class.
• The exemption option is not available for College Now classes if the student is taking the class for College Now credit.
• Seniors may use both the senior exemption policy and the AP exemption policy.
• Students must take the AP test if they want the AP designation on their transcript.

Participation in exam exemptions are options that are to be available to ALL students who qualify for one or both of the options.

College Now

College Now is a program through Johnson County Community College where students can earn college credit by taking certain classes at their high school. College Now is a concurrent credit program, so your high school enrollment stands separate from your JCCC enrollment. State statute limits the number of College Now credits a student can earn to 24.  Courses at Shawnee Mission West where students can also earn college credits through JCCC include:

Spanish 4 

AP English 12 

Physics 1 H
AP Spanish 5 

AP US Govt. & Politics 

AP Biology 2
French 4 

AP Micro/MacroEconomics 

AP Chemistry 2
AP French 5

AP US History 

AP Statistics
German 4 H 

Programming in JAVA Adv. 

AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC

Visit www.jccc.edu/collegenow (click "Admission and Enrollment Information") for detailed instructions on how to receive college credit for your classes.  The cost per credit hour for next year is expected to be $80, but the JCCC board of trustees has the right to change the cost per credit hour without notice.   Mrs. Neely in the Counseling Office can answer additional questions about College Now.

College Now deadlines cannot be extended. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the process early (for example, applying and taking the COMPASS test over the summer). College Now students are considered students of JCCC and are afforded the same privileges as on-campus students - access to the library, tutoring, gymnasium, etc. College Now students are also subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Visit www.jccc.edu and search FERPA for more information on this federally-mandated privacy law. JCCC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; therefore, a majority of the credits will transfer. It is the student's responsibility to check with the admission or advising office at the institution one may wish to attend to ensure transferability of courses.

We also have an agreement with Baker University to offer credit for AP Psychology and the Teacher Education Program.  More information about this option will be presented to the students in that class.  These credit hours are separate from the 24 credit limit for JCCC. 

Promoting a Safe Prom 

High school proms are very expensive affairs. The prom dresses and tuxedos, prom tickets and pictures, limos, extravagant dining, flowers, and those special hairstyles and manicures can add up quickly for one special event that they want to remember the rest of their life.   

For parents, however, the primary prom-related concerns aren't financial. Parents' biggest prom worries are the risky behaviors associated with proms, most specifically driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and unsafe sex. Prom night always seems to be linked with drunken-driving injuries and deaths, date rapes, pregnancies and STDs.  Don't let this happen to your child. The following tips may ease your prom anxieties, while helping to keep your kids as safe as possible:  

Prom Safety Tips  

Talk, talk, talk -- Tell your children that you want them to have a wonderful, memorable prom. Keep that wish as a central focus. They need to give you their complete itinerary for the evening, including whom they will be with, where they'll be going after the prom and the phone numbers where you can contact them. "We'll just be driving around" is not an acceptable response. Come to a fair decision on a curfew, based upon your children's past level of responsibility in this area. Express your concerns about their health and safety and explain to them why prom night makes it more difficult to make safe and smart decisions. Don't be vague -- discuss drinking, drugging, driving under the influence, and sex. Ask them how they plan to keep safe and avoid actions they will regret. Reinforce your belief in their character and in their ability to act responsibly.  

The Ride -- If they're not driving themselves, you must know who'll be driving them. Regardless of how many times you have talked about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, emphasize that these dangers are particularly high on prom night. Your children cannot drink or take drugs and drive. They also must be driven by someone who has not drunk alcohol or taken drugs. You need their promise on these rules. These rules are non-negotiable.  

The Connection -- If your children are not returning home right after the prom, you need to be able to contact them at all times until they return home. You also need to be reachable at all times as well. There can be no doubt where your kids will be and with whom throughout the evening and morning. If they're going to other kids' houses after the prom, check ahead of time with these children's parents. You also have a right and a responsibility to ask if these parents are going to allow drinking in their homes. Many parents believe that as long as they "take keys" in a situation like this that underage drinking is permissible in their houses. You must answer the question, "Do I want my kids at after-prom parties where parents aren't present?" Post-prom, parent-child check-in calls make sense. Establish a couple of mandatory call-in times with your kids.

The Offer -- Give your children the unconditional option of calling you at any time for help or advice. That includes picking them up at any time of day or night, with a promise not to shame or humiliate them in front of others. Assure them that you always welcome being part of their making smart and safe decisions. This unconditional offer of help and advice should be an outstanding offer throughout their lives.  

Parts of article adapted from Carleton Kendrick, LCSW

TEENAGE SUICIDE AWARENESS

WARNING SIGNS

The following are some of the warning signs of the suicidal teenager: 

SUICIDAL THREATS - Veiled, disguised threats like "sometimes I just want it to be over with" - "I can't take it any more".  Specific desire to die statements - "I am going to kill myself". 

SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR - Includes changes in eating behaviors - sleeping patterns - dress - personal appearance - changes in friends - academic failure - skipping school or not attending- activities that were once important are no longer meaningful- substance abuse- inability to deal with pressures. 

DEPRESSION - With depression comes isolation, withdrawal from their worlds - persistent boredom. 

GIVING AWAY PRIZED POSSESSIONS - I know what I am going to do and my friends should enjoy what I most enjoy. 

A LOSS IN THEIR LIFE - Death of family member or friend, break-up with boy/girlfriend - a loss of an ability they once had, but no longer can perform. 

ACTS OF AGGRESSIONS, REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOR, DISOBEDIENCE,
- All these behaviors for no apparent reason.

COMMUNICATE LESS AND LESS - More isolated, says out loud and feels inside they are worthless - loss of self esteem.

WHAT TO DO

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS!  If you suspect someone is at risk of committing suicide, take the signs seriously. 

ASK the TEEN DIRECTLY if he/she is considering suicide.  Listening with no judgment or criticism- get all the information you can. 

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY!  Get them professional help.

RESOURCES

• Take to emergency room for evaluation if immediate danger.
• Contact School Social Worker (Mary Lea Kieffer 993-7836) or your student's counselor (993-7830) for referrals/resources.
• JOCO Mental Health: 913-831-2550.  After hours: 913-384-3535
• National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
• Emergencies:  call 911

What is the Take Me Home program? 

The Take Me Home program is a database maintained by the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Communications Division and is only accessible to law enforcement personnel.  The system includes a picture, disability, physical description and emergency contact information for all registered individuals.  If a person in the Take Me Home program is encountered alone by a police officer, or is reported missing, the officer can access the database by the person's name or description to locate their information.  With this information at hand, the officer can appropriately assist the person.

There are several ways to enroll an individual.

1. Contact the Communications Division at 913-782-0720 to request an appointment with a program administrator.
2. Visit the Sheriff's Office website at http://www.jocosheriff.org/ and click on the link for the Take Me Home program.  At this time, you may either choose to leave a message via e-mail to be contacted by a representative of the program, or you may download and print the registration packet.
3. Attend an open, walk-in enrollment for the program.  Dates will be announced on the Sheriff's Office website.

 
To find registration information and additional information about the program, go to:
http://www.jocosheriff.org/
 
Look for the Take Me Home logo.

News From StuCO

Dates to Remember

Class Officer Elections Signups - March 28 to April 1
Class Officer Campaign Rules Meeting - April 1
Campaign for Class Officers - April 4 to April 8
Great Scrub-Up Event - April 4 to April 12
ISC Luncheon - April 12
Class Officer Elections - April 8
Big StuCo Meeting - April 26

Shawnee Mission West Student Council hosted the new MORP dance on January 15, 2011. A total of 187 students attended, which was a strong turnout for the new event. Student Council donated all proceeds from ticket sales, which amounted to $800, to Children's Mercy Hospital.

All proceeds from Matchmakers, a school-wide survey that pairs students up according to compatibility, were also donated to a charity. The charity chosen by the Student Council was SMAC, which helps students in the Shawnee Mission School District with basic clothing needs; $400 was donated to SMAC from Matchmaker proceeds. The Sweetheart/WPA dance occurred Saturday, February 12, 2011. A total of 515 people attended the dance.

Signups to try out for the Executive Board end March 11, with interviews for the candidates occurring the week after spring break. The interviews for Executive Board will be conducted by next year's Student Body Officers, which consist of: Amy Hocker, Ava Clark, Connor Henderson, Danielle Neighbour, and Sierra Miramontez.

Heart of the West Week ran from February 7th to February 10th. Shawnee Mission West saw many students participate during the week.

The themes for each of the days were as follows:
Monday - Twin Day
Tuesday - Decade Day
Wednesday - Superhero Day
Thursday - Jersey Day

The next big event for Student Council is the Great Scrub-Up. Student Council will work with elementary schools and middle schools to collect personal care items and toiletries which will be donated to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. The event runs from April 4th to April 12th.

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS 

Shawnee Mission West High School does not sponsor or approve an activity called "Senior Skip Day".  Please do not allow your student to participate in any such activity.

Students participating in extra curricular activities need to be aware that participation in a "Senior Skip Day" will result in non participation on that day and could result in further disciplinary consequences.

UNSUPERVISED STUDENTS 

Parents are reminded that students should arrange to leave campus as close to 3:00 p.m. as possible unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher or coach.  This is a safety issue, and everyone's cooperation is needed.  Students who continue to loiter in the building or on campus will be subject to discipline.

Order a SNACK SACK today!!!

So your student can enjoy tasty treats during Senior finals or 9-11 grade finals. 

For only $5.00 per sack your student will
receive your words of encouragement
(personalized message included on order form) and a bag filled with several snacks items plus a drink.

ORDER BY: May 6th

Drop the form in the office or mail to:

Betsy Ring
14537 W 91st Pl 
Lenexa, KS  66215
Any questions - please call 913-522-8983

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:  SM WEST DANCE TEAM BOOSTER CLUB

Viking Baseball

2011 Viking Baseball Camp

2011 Viking Boys Soccer Camp

SM West Students Make State Orchestra!

In the last edition of the Viking Voice, the list of orchestra students who made District Orchestra was announced.  Two of those students have been selected and will be representing SM West at State Orchestra! 

Congratulations to Julia Marquez, Cello and Xivianne Matos, Viola, on this wonderful accomplishment!   They will be participating with the State Orchestra practice and performance in Wichita, KS.  

Attention:  SM West Senior Orchestra Students and Families

It is that time of year for Senior orchestra students to start thinking about applying for a PRESTOScholarship.  

A few words about the PRESTO Scholarship:

Goal: to provide financial support for post-secondary education and promote appreciation and continue exploration of Orchestra and Instrumental Music.

Eligibility:  applicant must be a Senior Orchestra student graduating SM West in the current year and continuing their education by attending a College or University. Must be in good academic standing with SM West and show a continuing interest in Orchestra and/or Instrumental Music.   It is NOT a requirement of the scholarship to be a Music/Orchestra Major.

Amount:  $500 - one scholarship (and up to two $250 scholarships depending on the number of applicants and available funding)

To obtain the PRESTO Scholarship form - please go to the scholarship link on the PRESTO website: http://www.prestowest.org/4.html

DUE DATE:    Friday, April 15, 2011

TURN IN TO:  Marcela Gonzalez in the Counselors Office at SM West

The form has been updated, so please be sure the form you download has "Revised 030111" in the lower right hand corner. 

Orchestra Current and Upcoming Events

Current Event 

The Annual Collage Concert was held on March 10th in the SM West Auditorium.  The collage concert is a fun event in which students from the West area elementary schools and Westridge Middle School are encouraged to attend to see how the orchestra program works and encourages them to continue in the orchestra program.   Prizes are given away in drawings throughout the evening to lucky students.  It is also a fun event for the families and students of SM West and is followed by a reception.

The following groups performed at the Collage Concert:
West Strings
Concert Orchestra
Symphonic Orchestra

In addition, Helen Paolo performed a vocal solo and Julia Marquez performed a piano solo.

Upcoming events 

April 5 - Pre-State Concert - block 2 only - SM West Auditorium
April 13 - State Large Ensemble Festival - BV North High School
April 14-17 - Heritage Festival Competition in San Francisco, CA
April 26 - West Area Orchestra Festival - Gymnasium
May 5 - Orchestra Banquet and Program - SM West Auditorium/Cafeteria

SM WEST BPA STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL COMPETITION

This weekend the Shawnee Mission West Chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) competed in the state business competition in Wichita, KS.  The competition lasted three days and students were able to compete in a variety of events pertaining to business and computer technology.  Nineteen Shawnee Mission West students competed against over 400 other students from Kansas.

Of the 19 students, 13 were recognized at the awards ceremony and 12 have qualified to go on to the National Leadership Conference which will be held in Washington, D.C. in May.  

This is a great honor and extremely difficult to achieve.  Below are the results of the competitions:

Brett Neely (National Qualifier)

2nd Place-Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications 
3rd Place-Desktop Publishing

Megan Underwood (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Database Applications
      
Andrew Franchett (National Qualifier)

4th Place-Advanced Spreadsheet Applications
8th Place-Banking and Finance
       
Jordan Hairgrove (National Qualifier) 

2nd Place-Legal Office Procedures
 
Yuqi Hou (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Presentation Management Individual
1st  Place-Entrepreneurship
Top Ten-Administrative Support Concepts Open Event

Jamie Wilt (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Integrated Office Applications
4th Place-Human Resource Management
Top Ten- Administrative Support Concepts Open Event
 
Alex Hollister (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Administrative Support Team
                
Tom Karlin (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Administrative Support Team
3rd Place-Database Applications
 
Spencer Lundquist (National Qualifier) 

1st Place-Administrative Support Team
3rd Place-Integrated Office Applications                    

Bri Hale (National Qualifier)   

2nd Place-Integrated Office Applications
9th Place-Database Applications

Bret Niese (National Qualifier)  

1st Place-Administrative Support Team
 
Kaylee Miller (National Qualifier)  

4th Place-Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications
                         
Izzy Lee       

6th Place-Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications

All of the students should be congratulated for their efforts and their accomplishments. 

West Band Program Featured in National Publication

The West band program was featured in a national publication recently - The Instrumentalist Magazine.  It is a monthly publication for directors of middle school, high school and college band and orchestra programs across the United States.  Band director Bill Thomas wrote the article detailing how the local band booster organization, Band-Aides West is organized to help support the students and directors of the West bands.   It speaks to the numerous committees and organizational structure that allows the parents to fundraise, provide equipment, volunteer personnel and moral support for the numerous events that make the West Bands the power-house program that it is.  Band-Aides West has monthly meetings, normally the first Tuesday of the month, open to all band parents and supporters of the West bands. 

Upcoming Jazz Event To Be Hosted by Shawnee Mission West

April is recognized as National Jazz Appreciation Month.  Shawnee Mission West is recognizing this national event by hosting our annual Jazz on the Bridge concert on April 15th.  The event begins at 5:30 and will conclude at 10:00 p.m.  

Groups will perform on the Bridge and cafeterias.  We have fifteen bands from Westridge, Trailridge, SM North, SM South, SM Northwest, BV Northwest, BV North, KC Youth Jazz Orchestra, KC All-Star Big Band, and of Course SM West!
 

Our own Overland Express will perform with guest soloists Kevin Hupe (trumpet, assistant band director) and Brandon Draper (percussion instructor, professional percussionist).  The event is free of charge.  Dinner and snacks will be served throughout the evening.

FOOD SERVICE....Did you know............

Did you know that nearly all Americans consume more sodium than they need?  Sodium, one of the two ions that make up salt (sodium chloride), is an essential ingredient for life.  It helps keep the body's fluids in balance, and is necessary for proper functioning of nerves and muscles.  In ancient times and before refrigeration became available, salt was important in food preservation.  Today we know that it enhances flavor and color and serves as a stabilizer of foods.  However, as essential as this substance is for life, we only need a small amount.  Too much salt and sodium are linked to high blood pressure.  Reducing dietary sodium can lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.  Often we don't know how much sodium we are getting.  Taste alone may not tell us which foods are high in sodium.  Table salt (sodium chloride) isn't the only source of sodium.  Look at ingredient lists for other sources, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda, baking powder, disodium phosphate, sodium alginate, and sodium nitrate or nitrate. 

Children's taste for salt is a learned habit.  By gradually reducing the salt and sodium in meals, their tastes can change.  Try offering lower sodium versions of favorite meals and recipes at home.  They may hardly notice the difference.  In order to reduce sodium in school meals, the Shawnee Mission School Food Services has gradually made these changes:

• Steamed vegetables without added salt or margarine
• Reduced sodium sliced cheese
• Uses dry spices in place or chili and taco seasoning mixes (reduced taco recipe by 414 mg sodium)
• Unsalted tortilla chips for nachos

The school breakfast menus, lunch menus, and other nutrition information are available on the district's website at http://www.smsd.org/parents/foodservices.htm.