Shawnee Mission West High School

"50 Years of Excellence and Viking Pride"

1962 - 2012

School News  

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 be made, forms are available in the counseling office. 

• All Students MUST purchase a Cap and Gown to participate in the Graduation Ceremony - total cost $30. If you have not ordered your cap and gown, contact Gary Waldrup at Herff-Jones, 913-952-5132.  
• Graduation will be held Wednesday, May 16th, at Shawnee Mission North District stadium.  The ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m.  There is no limit on the number of guests that may attend the ceremony unless there is inclement weather and the ceremony is moved inside.
• In case of inclement weather, each family will receive five (5) tickets for admission to the SM North gymnasium.  Extra seating & closed circuit TV for guests who do not have tickets will be available in the SM North auditorium.
• Graduation announcements will be distributed on the bridge during lunch periods on March 2nd.  Students should pick up their orders during this time.
• Tryouts for Graduation Speeches will be held on Thursday, April 19th.  Students must sign up in advance with Mrs. Benge in room 15.
• Tryouts for Readers of the Roll will be held on Thursday, April 26th, after school in the Little Theater.  Watch the announcements for the dates and times for sign-ups.  Sign-ups will be in the front office.
• Final Exams for seniors are scheduled for:
• Wednesday, May 9th; blocks 3, 5 & 7;
• Thursday, May 10th, blocks 2, 4,& 6;
• Friday, May 11th, block 1 (followed by mandatory graduation practice, yearbook distribution, senior panoramic picture and picnic. 
• Graduation practice will be held on May 11th, the last day of school for seniors after their Block 1 final exam.  The day will include graduation practice, yearbook distribution, the senior panoramic picture and picnic.  Attendance is required for all seniors.  Caps, gowns, and tickets will be distributed at the practice.   
• Seniors should be sure ALL FEES and FINES have been paid prior to graduation.  Students will NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony with an outstanding balance.  Students may check with the bookkeeper to determine what is owed.
• Seniors will keep their caps and gowns after graduation.  

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.

FOOD SERVICE...Did you know...  

Did you know that breakfast is available each day at your student's school?   

Breakfast is a good indicator of doing well at school.  New research from the Food Research and Action Center shows that school breakfast:
*    decreases risk of food insecurity;
*    may protect against childhood obesity;
*    improves children's academic performance, whereas skipping breakfast and experiencing hunger impair development and learning

If it is difficult to fit breakfast into your morning routine, breakfast is available in 31 elementary schools and all middle and high schools.  A student must choose a full portion of at least three of the four components to receive a reimbursable school breakfast.  The components include:  entrée, toast, fruit/juice, and milk.  If your school does not have a breakfast program, crackers and milk will be available to any student, regardless of ability to pay, who is hungry upon arrival at school in the morning.  These items will be available at the child's school.

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

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. 

www4.smsd.org/SMWCounselors  

AP testing will take place the weeks of May 7^th and May 14^th in the Shawnee Mission West library.  The cost for each test is $87 and the payment deadline is March 8^th.  This is a firm deadline as tests must be ordered ahead of time.  Please note that some AP tests are scheduled after the seniors' last day. Cancellations PRIOR to the test day may qualify for a partial refund. Any cancellations on the day of the test will not qualify for any refund.

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)

Any athlete who wishes to receive an athletic scholarship or even participate in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I, Division II or an NAIA School must receive initial academic clearance from the respective eligibility center. It is recommended to begin the application process at the start of the student's junior year in high school.  

• Register for college exams.  Take the ACT or SAT at least once, preferably twice this semester.
• Visit college campuses.  Talk to graduates and current students from schools to determine where you will want to apply next fall.  Explore colleges you are interested in attending on the internet.  You should settle on 4 or 5 schools you will be applying to next year.
• Work hard on your grades; junior year grades are extremely important for college admissions.  Your grade point average at the end of your junior year will be used as a determining factor in your ability to be admitted to colleges.

Juniors should be taking the ACT (if they have not already taken at least one ACT this year) to begin preparation for college admission. There are two test dates still available this spring. Register at www.actstudent.org.   If a student is on free or reduced lunch, a fee waiver is available from the Counseling Office.

• 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.

• 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.

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   

The week of April 2nd, Shawnee Mission West social worker, counselors, and trained students will meet with all English classes to discuss suicide prevention.  As you know, the teen years are marked by a roller-coaster of emotions.  It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double.

In order to address this issue, Shawnee Mission West is offering suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs Suicide Prevention program.  This program has been used by thousands of schools over the past nine years and is being implemented district-wide.  It has proven successful at increasing help requests by students concerned about themselves or a friend.   

Our goals in participating in this program are: 

• To help our students understand that depression is treatable
• To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression
• To provide students training in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend
• To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your student's counselor. 

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

Student Council 

Activities

SPRING SHOW

Golden Girls Dance Team Spring Show

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 7pm

WPA Sweetheart Dance - Thank You

PTSA News 

PTSA Student Scholarship    

The Shawnee Mission West PTSA is a volunteer organization seeking to unite home, school, and community in promoting the education, health and safety of children, youth and families.  

We are an organization that strives to promote spirit, inspire creativity and make a positive difference in the lives of students and faculty here at SMW.

In line with this, the SM West PTSA annually grants scholarships to seniors that are student PTSA members.  Complete an application form (click here for PTSA Scholarship Application Form ), and submit the completed application containing sponsor signatures along with a resume listing the items requested with all documentation by April 1, 2012, to the PTSA mailbox in the office or by mail to Katy Crow 15624 W. 80th Terr., Lenexa, KS 66219.

For questions, please contact Katy Crow, 913-599-1999 or e-mail stampinkaty@gmail.com 

PTSA Membership Contest - Join PTSA  

If you haven't yet had a chance to join SM West PTSA - now is an excellent time!  The Kansas PTA is having a membership contest from now through March 19.  They are giving prizes for the school with the most members signed up during this time period, and also for the school signing up the highest percentage of members.  They will give out both a first place and second place prize for each category.  WE CAN WIN THIS!!! 

1st PLACE PRIZE -  A motivational banner customized for our school ($200 value).

2nd PLACE PRIZE - A  panoramic picture of our school, students and staff framed for our hallway ($125 value).

This is a wonderful opportunity to show that SM West still has the best parent/student/teacher involvement in the state!  Please sign up you and your student today.  All memberships received by March 19 will count.

Send your membership (click for membership form) to the school:  SM West PTSA Membership, 8800 W 85th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.

Questions?  Contact Paula Dougherty (pkdougherty@aol.com) or Ann Foster (cafoster1@att.net)

PTSA Life Membership Award    

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond the normal requirements of their job?  Either their volunteer job or their paid job? 

How about nominating that individual to receive an
SM West PTSA Honorary Life Membership Award? 

This award is the highest honor that a PTSA can give an individual.  It is a significant way to recognize a worthy person in the SM West community who has given outstanding service  to our youth and worked hard to promote the goals of PTSA.

Look around you.  Who do you see that deserves this honor?

Pick up a nomination form from the SM West office or click here for the form

Submit your nomination byMarch 8, 2012.  

Questions?  Contact Ann Foster at cafoster1@att.net 

PTSA 2012 Reflections Winner Announcement    

Congratulations to the 2012 Shawnee Mission West PTSA Reflections contest winner Haley Sedlacek. The 2011-2012 theme was "Diversity Means..." Haley's visual art entry entitled, "The Path to Diversity" received an Award of Excellence at Shawnee Mission West and will now be judged in the district competition.
 

Citizenship Update

Katherine Riedel, who was the Shawnee Mission West and SMSD Award of Excellence winner in the 2011-2012 Citizenship competition, has also been awarded the Award of Excellence by Kansas PTA. The theme was "I Should Volunteer in my Community because . . ." Congratulations, Katherine!

District News 

"The IEP for Transition-Aged Students" 

Maureen Markland, Secondary Special Education Coordinator and

Kelly Chapman, Secondary Transition Facilitator

Transition is the movement from one place or stage to another.  The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that beginning at age 16 (age 14 in Kansas), the IEP must focus on meeting our students' Post-Secondary Goals.   The IEP is a plan for preparing the student to successfully move from school to post-school education, work and adult living.  Becoming familiar with the specific IEP requirements related to transition will enable you and your student  to be active participants in the transition planning process.

Guiding Students to Success 

Date:   Wednesday, April 12, 2012

Time:   6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Conference Room - 125
              Arrowhead Administrative Center
              6601 Santa Fe Drive

Cost:      FREE

To Enroll: Call the Shawnee Mission Parent Resource Center at
               913-993-9315

Sponsored by: 

The Parent Resource Center  

6601 Santa Fe Drive  

Shawnee Mission, KS 66202-3925
913-993-9315 

Department News 

Visual Arts department ...

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.  Seventeen Shawnee Mission West students competed against over 450 other students from Kansas.

Of the 17 students, 15 were recognized at the awards ceremony and 10 have qualified to go on to the National Leadership Conference which will be held in Chicago, IL in April. 

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

Mitchell Kelly (National Qualifier) 

4th Place-Integrated Office

Megan Underwood (National Qualifier)

3rd Place-Database Applications
4th Place-Administrative Support Team
                       
Diamond Wells (National Qualifier) 

4th Place-Basic Office Systems
                           
Jordan Hairgrove (National Qualifier)     

4th Place-Legal Office Procedures
4th Place-Administrative Support Team
 
Quinn Harrold (National Qualifier)         

5th Place-Integrated Office
Top Ten-Business Meeting Mgt. Open Event
                           
Brandon Braun (National Qualifier)     

2nd Place-Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications
                             
Brianna Hale (National Qualifier)         

2nd Place-Integrated Office Applications
5th Place-Interview Skills

Hunter McTarsney (National Qualifier)     

1st Place-Interview Skills
Top Ten-Prepared Speech
 
Kaylee Miller (National Qualifier)         

5th Place-Desktop Publishing
                                            
Tyler Riggs (National Qualifier)         

3rd Place-Desktop Publishing
4th Place-Administrative Support Team

Paige Logan                     

6th Place-Human Resource Management
7th Place-Database Applications

Natalie Harding                     

9th Place-Database Applications

Brian Smith                      

7th Place-Fundamental Accounting
Top Ten-Management/Marketing Open Event

J Geracie                          

10th Place-Banking and Finance
Top Ten- Management/Marketing Open Event

Kayla Kroenlein                     

6th Place-Graphic Design Promotion 

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

Spring sports begin Feb. 27th. 

In order to be able to participate in tryouts, a complete physical form and a concussion and head injury information release form must be on file in the athletic department prior to tryouts. No student can participate without these documents being handed in. 

For Information on conditioning for fall sports contact those coaches.  Check the district virtual community bulletin board for summer camps, or feel free to contact the coach.   

Make plans to get your sports physical for next school year. A physical for next year can be obtained May 1, 2012 or after. Fall Sports will begin August 13th. Physicals for fall can be mailed to the athletic office anytime over the summer or hand delivered during office hours or during fee payment.    

Spring Coaches

Fall Coaches

Winter Coaches

West 50th Anniversary

Clubs 

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

Click here for the form - drop off 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

SM West Booster Club

Spring Mulch Sale

Spring is just around the corner and it is time to begin sprucing up our yards.

Please look at the attached order form (Click here for order form) and see how SMW Booster Club can help with your spring mulching needs. Your neighbors and friends will love how your yard looks and the athletes and coaches at SMW will appreciate your support with the athletic programs here at West.   

Profits from this program are  used to support athletics, pep club, cheer, and dance teams at Shawnee Mission West.  Orders are due no later than April 7, with delivery planned for April 22.

Thanks for supporting your Shawnee Mission West Vikings!

Questions can be directed to Jeri Braun at braun@everestkc.net or913-894-2131.

The Little Viking baseball camp will focus on the basic fundamentals of baseball with the exception of pitching and catching. The camp will also include situational work and defensive alignment using the SM West system.  There are a limited number of spots, so sign up early!semester course offered for grades 9 -12 who are just learning about graphics and tools on the web.

Future Lady Viking Soccer Clinic

Friday, April 20, 2012 

 

Girls' Soccer Clinic- put on by the SM West Varsity Lady Vikings Soccer team

For:       Future Lady Vikings, Grades 1st-8th 

When:   Friday, April 20th 

Time:    6th-8th graders 5:00-6:30
            1st-5th graders 6:45-8:15 

Where:  SM West High School
            Turf Soccer/ Football field behind tennis courts- If outside
            SM West Wrestling Room-If inside (bring indoor shoes or running shoes) 

What to wear: T-shirt, shorts, shinguards, socks, soccer cleats, and a ball 

Cost:    $20
(Includes: The clinic, Clinic t-shirt, One free pass for a SM West Girls' Varsity Home Soccer Game)

Click here for registration form

Cash or checks accepted
Checks payable to: SMW Girls' Soccer 

Contact for questions:  

Coach Sarah Gonzalez  

at sarahgonzalez@smsd.org or (913) 486-5258