Message from Dr. McLean...

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. 

• Graduation will be held Thursday, May 16^th, at Shawnee Mission South District stadium at 7:00 pm.  There is no limit on the number of guests that may attend the ceremony if the ceremony is held outside.
• In case of inclement weather, each family will receive five (5) tickets for admission to the gymnasium.  Extra seating & closed circuit TV for guests who do not have tickets will be available in the auditorium.
• Graduation announcements will be distributed on the bridge during lunch periods on March 27^th.  Students should pick up their orders during this time.
• Tryouts for Graduation Speeches will be Thursday, April 18^th, after school, in the Little Theater.  Please sign up outside Room 15.  You will need to provide a copy of your speech to Mrs. Benge by the Monday before tryouts, April 15^th. 
• Tryouts for Readers of the Roll will be Thursday April 25^th, 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.
• Finals for seniors are scheduled for May 8^th (blocks 3, 5 and 7), May 9^th (blocks 2, 4 and 6) and May 10^th (block 1).  A mandatory graduation rehearsal will immediately follow the block one final.  This day will include graduation practice, yearbook distribution, the senior panoramic picture and picnic.  Caps, gowns, and tickets will be distributed at the practice.  If you have not ordered a cap and gown, contact Balfour at 913-549-3076.

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  

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.

Full requirement details along with the online application can be found at http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA_EMS.html#  for NCAA Division I and II schools and at http://www.playnaia.org/ for NAIA institutions.

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.  Our school code is 172-773.

The next ACT test date will be September 21, 2013.  The registration deadline will be during the summer months (August 2013).  Class of 2014 students should plan on taking this ACT to improve scores for college admission and scholarship purposes.

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:

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.  The cost this year has been $100 per credit hour.  Both of these classes are 3 credits.  Mrs. Neely can also answer questions about the concurrent credit program options with Baker University.

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

During the week of February 25 - March 1, our school has been promoting Mental Health Awareness.  Topics addressed were:

Depression & Self Harm

Anxiety

Suicide Prevention

Bullying

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.  Our goal is discussing these topics 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 be more knowledgeable about anxiety disorders.
• To reduce bullying.
• 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 AWARENES

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 

PTSA News 

PTSA Thanks Volunteers at WPA

 WPA/Sweetheart Volunteers

Hope your student had a great time at the Sweetheart Dance!  The Vikings danced the night away amidst the Candyland themed decor.  StuCo did a great job decorating the hallways and the bridge and the new props were a big hit during picture taking. 

PTSA wants to acknowledge all of the volunteers who helped at the dance. We couldn't have done it without you!  Bruce La Londe, Mary Beth Brown, Tammy Nation, Lori Stamm, Steve Becher, Greg Harper, Wanda Vaughn, Art Neely, Teri Kelly, Judi Derks, Randy Vance, Susan Eck, Becky Martin, Jane Snyder, Rochelle Hole, Renee Harper, Susanne Neely, Cindy Wiscombe, Cindy Neely, Melinda LaLonde, Connie Banning, Jona Vance, Karen Tevault, Gina Brewer, Meganne Leighton, Stacy Youngwirth, Caroline Becher, Tammy Songer, Martin Fajardo, Paula Dougherty, Val Barth, Cliff Derks.  

Additionally, Teri appreciated the decorating help from Jackie Barth, Kathy Klema, Lori Stamm and NJROTC volunteers: Thomas Boykin, Erin Riley, Noah Madmon, Brian Moran, Brian Reyes, Zach Evans, Natalie Adams, and Andrea Smith.

Reflections Winner Announcement

Congratulations to the 2013 Shawnee Mission West PTSA Reflections contest winners Molly Dolan and Cole Lawrence. The 2012-2013 theme was "The Magic of a Moment".

Department News 

The SM West Art Department is proud to announce the following awards for Regional Scholastic 2013:

Hailey Savage - Honorable Mention  Painting

Hailey Savage - Honorable Mention  Watercolor

Jessi  Sailer - Honorable Mention  Watercolor

Matt Wilkinson - Honorable Mention Photography Art Portfolio

Marlie Gomez - Honorable Mention Painting

Marlie Gomez - GOLD (will compete in Nationals)

SMW FCCLA Success at District STAR Events

Students from the Shawnee Mission West - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter participated in the district FCCLA meeting and STAR events competition in McClouth, KS on February 13, 2013. 

 Four students earned the right to compete in the State FCCLA STAR events competition and State Leadership Conference, which will be held in Wichita, KS on April 7-9.  If these students win at the state level, they will earn the right to compete at the National FCCLA Conference in Nashville, TN this summer.  In addition, two students were elected as District EEast FCCLA officers, and senior Jaime Hay is completing her term as a District EEast FCCLA officer.

Bailee McCracken - judge for Focus on Children

Blake Peterson - earned a Silver Award for Job Interview and was elected as a FCCLA district officer

Kayla Xiong - state qualifier for Recycle and Redesign Occupational  

Essence Crain - state qualifier for Recycle and Redesign Senior

Amber Yeasin - elected as a FCCLA district officer

Jaime Hay - earned a Gold Award, is a state qualifier for Leadership and is a current FCCLA distinct officer

Alyssa Rushing - state qualifier for Teach and Train

Ciyara Mills - judge for Focus on Children

Well, snow has not deterred the excellence of the Vikings band musicians.  Four band members were selected to State Band: 

Senior Kirk Kennedy, trombone

Senior Ben Hower, trumpet and  

Sophomore Preston Thomas, timpani.

Congratulations!

We also had a great evening with the chili dinner where all bands performed, including the Thundering Herd with many parents and Alumni picking up their instruments. Thanks to all who helped and attended.

Despite appearances on the ground, Spring is around the corner and that brings us to our Percussion concert to be held on March 26^th, 2013, in the West auditorium. This is always a fun concert. Tickets go on sale soon.  

Talk to your favorite Band member or check out our website at:  http://www.bandaides.org/

Also, keep up with the band by attending the next Band Aides meetings on March 12^th and April 9^th 2013 at 7pm in the band room.

Clubs 

GRADUATING SENIORS!!!!! CLASS OF 2013!!!!

Please plan to come to the annual

SMW SENIOR SIZZLE

May 10, 2013!!!

The celebration will be at Power Play in Shawnee

 11:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m.

Tickets will go on sale after spring break!!!

Lots of food, games, prizes and fun!!!!!

Order your Senior Banner now

 

Order a banner today ($40 March 1 through April 15) to announce your child's graduation from SMW! Profits from the banner sales will support the Senior Sizzle event.

Click here for order form.