Students and faculty are enjoying a great start to the 2012-2013 school year.  Currently we have 1,815 students enrolled at SM West.   The Class of 2016 has been a great addition to our school.  The class is adapting to the high school setting and appears to have many good leaders and academically gifted individuals.  I also want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership from the Class of 2013.  I am proud of the way our seniors are stepping up with the Freshmen Mentor Program (FMP), STUCO and our many athletic and music squads. 

Viking Voice is GREEN.  This is the fifth year of our newsletter being shared with our community via e-mail.  I want to thank the PTSA leadership for their courage and foresight to continue and support this form of communication within the SM West community.  Last year, we used over 4 million pieces of paper at SM West.  The administration and faculty are committed to reducing that number in order to save our natural resources. Last year, the faculty reduced the consumption of paper by 26%.  We will continue to look for ways to reduce paper consumption this year and also to find ways to reduce the use of electricity at SM West.

Last spring our 10th and 11th grade students took the State of Kansas Math (10) and Reading (11) assessments.  Also, as part of the Kansas Assessment program many of our students took a competency test in science and social studies.  I am proud to announce that Shawnee Mission West DID make AYP for the 2011-2012 school year.  This year we will continue to work hard to improve our performance on the state assessments by developing a building wide plan that will be implemented as we progress through the year.  Our teachers have accepted the challenge and are committed to work with each student in their class to have the skills needed to become a positive and productive adult.  

SMW parents are one of the keys to SM West's success.  A couple of issues I want to encourage you to discuss, or be aware of, as we start school are texting and driving and the economy.  Please have a conversation with your teen driver about the risk of texting and driving.  Research shows that individuals' texting and driving are 23% more likely to have an auto accident.  Please stress with your student the need to shut the phone off while driving. The economy - there are a large number of families in our community that are facing some very difficult times during this economic down turn.  Please talk with your students and help them to learn about family finances and the strain this economy might be putting on the family.  This is an excellent time to be teaching your child about the good and bad aspects of the economy.  Help them to be sensitive to the situations their peers might be facing. 

School News  

October 24th and 26th

We strongly urge ALL parents to participate in parent teacher conferences regardless of your child's course grade status.  We have two convenient formats available.

The OPEN conference format is held in the gymnasiums, bridge and cafeteria.  There is no need for appointments for these conferences.  Plan to spend 7 - 10 minutes per teacher.  If a parent and/or teacher would like to continue the conference past the allotted time, they should establish an appointment for a conference time on Friday afternoon allowing for a more private conversation.

If a parent cannot attend the October 24^th or 26^th scheduled conference time, they should contact the teacher directly by phone or email to establish an appointment for an alternate time.

Wednesday evening, October 24th (5:00 - 8:00 pm) 

All teachers will be available for conferences.  Appointments are not required.  Teachers will be located in the main gym, auxiliary gym or bridge.  A map will be provided.

Friday, October 26th (7:30 am - 3:20 pm) 

Communication between school and home is a vital piece of academic success for students. 

SM West will be using email as a primary mode of communication to distribute important information related to all aspects of SM West High School, i.e. counseling updates, school wide information, schedule updates and changes, etc.

Please verify that SM West has correct parent/guardian email information on record.  If you have not received emails announcing Back to School Night or other information from SM West by email this year, please contact the Counseling Office, 913-993-7809, to verify and/or update your email address or other basic student information. 

Ms. Lauren Yonkey - language arts

Ms. Reta Toliver - kitchen manager

• When dropping off your student in the morning, pull forward past the main canopy and stop along the curb so other vehicles can get off 85^th Street.
• Drop your student off while parked along the curb and not when you are still in traffic.
• Do not stop on 85^th Street and let your student out of the vehicle or pick them up.  This is a violation of the traffic ordinance and could result in a ticket from Overland Park Police.
• After school, the busses depart at 2:47pm (or seven minutes after school has been dismissed).  Pick your student up after the busses have left the campus.
• Slow down and be alert for pedestrians and vehicles when you are on campus or near the school.

If you have any questions regarding school traffic, please contact a police officer at the school.  Thank you for your cooperation and assistance!

Homework Coaches are at the Central Resource Library to help!

Fall 2012 dates:

Sept. 4-Dec. 14

Fall 2012 times:

Monday: 4-7 p.m.

Tuesday: 4-7 p.m.

Thursday: 4-7 p.m.

News From The Nurses Office

Parents...here are some great internet links with helpful ideas, but please view the internet link before directing your child to the resource.  These sites may not be suitable for all ages.

 At the beginning of the new school year many parents have questions about the Health Information required for student enrollment and the necessary immunizations.

SMSD Health Service Web Back Pack has the details that will answer your questions.  Please look at the Immunizations and Illness and Absences sections.

It is especially important to consider the recommendations for Teen Immunizations. Now is the time for important "boosters" such as Pertussis as well as some recently recommended vaccinations for meningitis and HPV.  Exclusion for summer announcement is in October so please be sure to get caught up on all those immunizations.

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default.htm

This year the over the counter medication forms may be found in your student's planner on Page 19. All other medication administration forms are on my webback pack see the link below. www4.smsd.org/wandavaughn/

Unfortunately the leading cause of eye injuries in school aged children are sports related.  Most eye injuries can be prevented through wearing the proper eye protection. Please view this web site for helpful information and advice.

http://www.preventblindness.org/leading-cause-eye-injuries-school-aged-children-are-sports-related

 

As school starts in August, many students become involved in school sports.  This Web Site has some great ideas to ease muscle discomforts and to decide when to get a doctor's advice. 

Visit http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/sports_injuries.html

  

"But Mom/Dad- I can still study with music through my headphone, while 'texting' on my cell phone, with instant messaging on my computer and my favorite TV show in the background. It is called MULTI-TASKING!" 

News From The Counseling Dept

Check Out Our Website!!!

The Shawnee Mission West Counseling Department is always adding new information to our web backpack.  Keep checking it regularly.  If you need information regarding tests, career options, college applications, scholarships and financial aid, log on to:  www4.smsd.org/SMWCounselors  or the Shawnee Mission West website and click on "Counseling Home"

Counselor assignments for the 2012-2013 school year

*Please note that counselor assignments in the student planner are incorrect.  We are fortunate that we were allowed to hire one additional counselor over the summer.

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 school history - 53 students were recognized for their performance on AP Exams.  

AP Scholar honors are given in recognition of achievement on Advanced Placement exams, which are administered after the students have completed AP courses.  Students can earn college credit from most colleges and universities by taking the AP courses and performing well on the exams.  In 2012, 244 students took 392 exams at Shawnee Mission West.  Congratulations to the all of these students!

National AP Scholar (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):

Connor Henderson

Megan Smith

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):

Nathan Bahnmaier

Yuanxiang Feng

John Gaumnitz

J.B. Geracie

Connor Henderson

Christine Hruska

Spencer Jones

Erin Lanigan

Sierra Lekie

Brooke Lohman

Danielle Neighbour

Erin Newman

Molly Norburg

Megan Smith

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):

Madeline Bjorklun

Kacey Brown

Meagan DeMeulmeester

Ryan Fajardo

Megan Gardner

Jonah Heng

Cole Karsten

Cesar Luna

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

Anthony Balas

Layne Bozick

Madalynn Bryant

Moses Burkhart

Maria Donado De Castro

Dillon Fuchsman

Nicole Howard

Benjamin Hower

Claire Hug

Erica Hui

Blake Hunter

Karthik Kailash

Charles King Hagen

Daniel Kostroske

Alexandra Marschman

Megan Matthews

Lauren Metzler

Maggie Meyer

Landon Ochsner

Ami Purohit

Seaera Sander

Jeb Stewart

Michael Tahmasian

Hannah Teicher

Andrew Trogden

Ryan Trueblood

Abigail Ulrich

Garrett Viets

Layne Viets

Jackson Wallace

Jacob Yankovich

Congratulations!

SENIORS and College Planning

Has your senior taken the ACT yet?  Has your senior decided on a college or career path yet?  Now is the time - our office recommends that seniors take the ACT for the last time in October or December of the senior year. (October for scholarship purposes at KU and K-State since they have November 1^st scholarship application deadlines.)

So what else needs to be done?

• Pull the applications together.  Seniors need to narrow their lists of colleges to five or so and review those with their academic/college counselor.  They need to check application due dates and financial aid requirements from the colleges themselves.

• Do the student "brag" sheet (found on the Counseling web backpack).  We'll use this in the Counseling Office to write recommendations for college and scholarships.  The Parent Brag Sheet is also very helpful in preparing letters of recommendations.

• Put together a master calendar of all the application due dates are and tests being taken.

• Complete the online applications whenever possible, especially for our state universities (KU, K-State, Wichita, Emporia, Pittsburg, Ft. Hays).

• Sign up to take the ACT and, if necessary, the SAT.  

• Check out the FAFSA4Caster and establish your pin number for the FAFSAA:  go online to www.fafsa.gov .

• Scholarships:  Check the web backpack regularly for updates.

• Check out Kansas Career Pipeline on the Counseling Web Backpack to do career research and interest assessments.

ACT CHANGES

This year there are changes to the ACT procedures that everyone should be aware.  The main change is that students must upload a picture into the system and then upon arrival at the testing center of the day of testing, that picture is checked with the student's photo ID (they are not mandating this on the September test, but it will be required from that point forward). 

Students will be required to have the following items in order to take the test (no exceptions):

• Admission ticket (in the past they did not have to have it), after the student registers they will be prompted to print their admission ticket;
• Photo ID, school ID or driver's license; (no personal recognition anymore or yearbook photos)
• Students will be required to take the ACT test at the location that they are registered.  Test center locations changes will not be allowed.

PTSA News 

50 The prize money given to the winning essay and $50 to the winning poem in this year's citizenship contest which is open to only freshmen. Great way for your freshman to earn some spending money and something to put on those college applications! Details will be available through your student's English teacher.

September 17 - Big Booster will be a guest speaker along with a couple of student groups

November 19

January 14

February 25

April 22

Thanks to all of our parents, staff, and students

who have already joined SM West PTSA this year.  

Our enrollment is a little behind where we were  

last year at this time, so we really need your help

to meet our 2011-2012 goal.    

The PTSA does not conduct fund raisers, so membership dues are how we fund the programs that benefit students and teachers.  These programs include all School After Parties, Teacher and Staff appreciation functions, Teacher Grants, Senior Scholarships, Heart of the West Week, Landscaping and much, much more.

Remember, at high school level, the students also join PTSA.  

Through PTSA, students can receive volunteer hours for helping with events like Registration, Landscaping, Party Prep, etc.  Student PTSA members are also eligible for scholarships their senior year.

The membership form is also available on the SM West PTSA website at: www.smwestptsa.org. 

You can mail the form to the SMW office (address on the form), bring it into the SMW office, or we will be accepting memberships at the PTSA meetings.

Thank you for your support of SMW PTSA!!

Paula Dougherty

1^st Vice Presidents - Membership

PTAs and PTSAs know the value of fathers' involvement in the education of our children -- and has from its earliest days.

Membership in PTSA is open to anyone who is concerned about the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. When speaking of fathers and father involvement, we are referring to the involvement of not only biological fathers but stepfathers, adoptive fathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, family friends, and other male role models. All men can offer valuable contributions to schools, PTAs, and children's lives.

The National PTA has some guides to offer suggestions and ideas for men interested in getting involved in the lives of their children through PTSA membership.

Click here for these resources: 

Million Hours of POWER

PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement)

Promoting Father Involvement

About PTA

PTA comprises more than 5 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools.  PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

Helping Others 

Join us in the fight against cancer.

6th All Youth

Relay For Life

9/28/2012

Shawnee Mission West

American Cancer Society

www.cancer.org

1-800-ACS-2345

American Cancer Society Partners with Shawnee Mission West for the sixth year to host Relay For Life

The American Cancer Society is looking forward to partnering with Shawnee Mission West and many student volunteers to host the 6th All Youth Relay For Life held at Shawnee Mission School West on Friday, September 28th, 2012.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is a great way for students to get involved in their community in a fun event and help save the lives of those with cancer.  Students who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, are making a commitment to the fight against this disease and letting the community know that you can beat cancer.

Please encourage your student to get involved in this amazing event.  Students can start forming teams of 10- 14 people.  Each participant will be asked to pay a $10 commitment fee upon registration.  Each participant is asked to raise additional funds from donations.    All participants, regardless of age, must have a Permission Form signed by their parent or legal guardian.  In addition, the Relay For Life will be an outdoor, lock - in environment for the entirety of the event. 

The festivities will get underway at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening and conclude at 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment, and lend their support in any way.  Needless to say, we need your support to make this event successful.

We are searching for survivors of cancer to participate in the opening ceremony lap. If you are interested, please fill out the attached form and return before September 10^th. 

If you would like to purchase a luminaria in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of someone who passed away due to cancer, please fill out the attached form.

If you would like to more information, please contact Jeannie Wilde with the American Cancer Society at 816-218-7273.  Mary Lea Kieffer is the faculty sponsor and can be reached at 913-993-7836 or wekieffer@smsd.org.  you can also find more information and students can register teams online at www.relayforlife.org/shawneemissionyouthks. 

SMW students may apply for the Presidential Service Award by tracking their service hours on the sheet available from the counseling office or on the SM West website.  

The hours must be completed over a twelve month period beginning 4/1 and ending 3/31.  

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.  Click here for tracking form.

Forms need to be turned in by 4/3/13 in the Counseling Office.  The committee chair then compiles the information necessary for submission of the students for the award.  The awards are applied for on line 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.

Make a difference in the life of a student as a school-based mentor

In as little as thirty minutes per week, you can make a difference in the life of a student.  Become a YouthFriends mentor and choose from a range of in-school activities to assist students, including serving as a lunch buddy, sharing special talents or career interests, tutoring in math or reading, or simply being a good friend who listens.  

YouthFriends accommodates your busy schedule and allows you to select a school close to work or home.  To complete an application, go to: 

www.smsd.org/youthfriends  

For more information, contact your YouthFriends building connector, Mary Lea Kieffer, at 913-993-7836, or district volunteer and community partnership coordinator Rachel Larsen at (913) 993-6447 or volunteer@smsd.org.  

Get involved and impact the life of a student today! 

Student Council 

Student Body Officer elections were held at the end of the 2012 school year, and the results shown on the left.

Student Council ended the 2011-2012 school year with the annual District Dodgeball Tournament as well as a successful teacher appreciation breakfast. The District Dodgeball Tournament was a huge success, with students from all Shawnee Mission schools competing and a large turnout from West. At the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, members of the Student Council Executive Board were given the opportunity to give back to their teachers.

StuCo elections will be held on August 31 with campaign week beginning on August 27. The incoming freshman class will be electing student body officers as well as representatives, while the sophomore through senior classes will be electing only representatives as their classes student body elections were the year prior.  Student Body officers and representatives will represent their classes during the 2012-2013 year.  The results of these elections will be posted on August 31 at 3:00. 

Student Council looks forward to exciting events this year, such as Homecoming, which will be held the week of October 8^th - 13^th. Themes and ideas for this years Homecoming are in the works. As this new year begins, we are excited for the new possibilities it brings!

Activities

Department News 

Class of 2013 - yearbook senior pictures

DeCloud Studios is our official yearbook photographer.   In order to be included in the senior section, you need to have your picture taken by DeCloud.  The last chance to have your photo taken is Aug. 30, from 7:30-3:30 in the library. The sitting fee $5, but you are not obligated to buy any photos.

Daniel Beeler, Mark Majewski and Misael Bernal, Shawnee Mission West High School students, represented the state of Kansas and earned the Gold Award in the Culinary Arts STAR event at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL this July.  For earning the Gold Metal they were awarded $12,000 to the Art Institutes, $4,000 to Johnson and Wales University, $16,000 to the Culinary Institute of America, and a full ride tuition scholarship to Le Cordon Bleu.   

The Culinary Arts STAR event is a team event that recognizes participants enrolled in occupational culinary arts/food service training programs (like the Broadmoor Technical Center) for their ability to work as members of a team to produce a quality meal using industrial culinary arts/food service techniques and equipment.  These students earned the Top Gold Award at the state level in order to advance to the national competition.

            In addition to the STAR Events competition, these students also participated in the National FCCLA (Family, Career & Community Leaders of America) Conference.  This year's student-originated theme for the annual national meeting was "#realitycheck." Throughout the five-day convention, participants examined and discussed several critical issues, including family, school and community violence prevention, physical as well as financial fitness, future career exploration and countless community service projects.  A number of relevant youth issues, such as the changing roles of men and women in the home and workplace, leadership, and obesity prevention were also explored at the meeting through presentations, workshops, and youth sessions.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.  FCCLA has over 200,000 members and over 6,500 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.

            FCCLA:  The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members.  It is the only career and technical in-school student organization with the family as its central focus.  Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.  Out of 87,994 students from across the country, 55% of students believe that FCCLA has a positive impact on their academic performance.

            For more information about SMW FCCLA contact Jenny Choquette, FCCLA Advisor, at jenniferchoquette@smsd.org.

Shawnee Mission West Orchestra

Concert Information

The SM West Orchestras invite you to their concerts during the school year.  The students and Director work hard and the concerts are a great way to enjoy their musical skills.   The concerts are open to everyone in the West family!

The Orchestra will also provide the music for the musical - Guys and Dolls - January 31 - February 2, 2013.

Annual Orchestra End of Summer Picnic

Good food + good times +good people = Annual Orchestra Picnic

PRESTO, the parent support group for the SM West Orchestras, held the annual 'end of summer' picnic on Saturday, August 19^th at Shawnee Mission Park.  The activity was held at the new shelter in the park and was a huge success.   From the fantastic grill cooks to the awesome cooks that brought side dishes and desserts - there was a variety of items to sample.  New students/families to the West Orchestra programs to long time families attended the picnic and enjoyed pleasant weather and each others company.

The students and their siblings participated in some fun activities - people pretzel and tug of war....by the way, did the Jr/Sr group pull the Frosh/Soph group over the line?  Or vice versa?   A water balloon fight helped to cool everyone off after the tug of war variations.   The activities ended with the prize drawings.

Thanks to committee that organized the picnic and the Orchestra student offices for the games!

Clubs 

PRESTO - Parents Really Enthusiastically 

Supporting The Orchestra

Memberships now available!

SPOTLIGHTERS

Support SMW Choir and Theatre Departments!

Join SMW Spotlighters! 

Right after the next PTSA meeting, September 17th, all parents interested in helping with Senior Sizzle are invited to stay for a quick meeting so we can fill the rest of the spots we need to make this senior sizzle the best ever for our kids.  We still need some more support and it should be a quick meeting.

Click here for order form 

Complete and mail it with your check payable to SMW Cheer Booster Club to the address on the order form.  Look for the Cheerleading table at the first Home Football Game or visit the SM West Cheer web site at

www4.smsd.org/westcheer/html30619.htm