Shawnee Mission West High School
Viking Ship with V the Viking Voice  
"Home of the Vikings"
8800 West 85th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone (913) 993-7800
Volume 18, Issue 3   October 8, 2013
In This Issue
Senior Class Meeting
Message From Dr. Crain
Upcoming Schedule
Parent & Teacher Conferences
SAIL
Transfer Request Procedure
Food Service
Attendance Information
Counseling News
Viking Alerts
National Merit Scholars
Testing Wednesday Oct 12th
College Fairs
Academic Awards Program
College Financial Aid Night
College Admission Testing
Pre-College Checklist
2014-2015 Enrollment
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Defense Training
Red Ribbon Week
Social Hosting
Meet SMSD Superintendent
PTSA Membership Update
Nurse's Pantry Needs Your Help
Safe Trick or Treat
West After Parties
News from Journalism Department
Snack Sacks
Band Update
West After Parties
Sr. Sizzle 2013 - meeting
Fall Sports Programs
Next Viking Voice Newsletter Deadlines
Quick Links
Attention Seniors
  Graudation Cap and Diploma
Senior Class Meeting at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 31st in the Auditorium. 

Informatio
n on caps, gowns and announcements will be sent home with students at this time.

 

Balfour representatives will be at SM West to take orders and answer questions on:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 12th from 5:00-7:00 pm on the bridge
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13th during all lunches
  • Thursday, Nov. 14th during all lunches

 

All students MUST purchase a cap and gown to participate in the graduation ceremony.

 

Announcements and other purchases from Balfour are optional.
Your newsletter from Shawnee Mission West, part of
the award-winning Shawnee Mission Public Schools. SMSD Logo

Message from Dr. Crain...
 

Our West Family Mourns

 

It is devastating to our family when we lose a member of our student body.  The support we have seen and felt from our community, our sister schools, other schools and students around the country, and all those associated with this tragedy has been wonderfully overwhelming. It's hard to understand death, especially for young people, and why death comes when it does. Take solace in your wonderful memories of Andre Maloney, West senior. Also, please be patient in your grief and your student's grief. Be aware of each other and the needs of your student. Remember, people handle grief in so many different ways: some are quiet, some openly cry, some may make fun of situations and tell jokes because they don't know how to grieve. Parents, please let us know if we can help with your student individually. The West Family sticks together in death and success.

 

Rollin' rollin' rollin'
 

As we roll into fall and the end of the first quarter Oct. 11, students and parents have shifted into fifth gear and are rolling along smoothly for the semester.  Please keep 'in tune' with your student's academics and well-being as they juggle friends, activities and academic workloads. 
Good luck to our Homecoming Candidates and Teams!
 

Congratulations to our National Merit Semi-Finalists Hannah Wilhelm and Amber Yeasin.
 

Amber is planning on majoring in a computer science field then specializing in video game design.  She is looking in to attending Stanford, UCSF, Berkeley or UCSC.  At West Hannah has been involved in many activities over the last four years:  choir, theater, radio-tv, FCCLA, NHS, Mock Trial, debate, forensics and more.


Hannah is interested in nuclear engineering and its applications in terms of clean energy and advanced medical technology.  Hannah is an AP Scholar with Distinction for having multiple high scores on a variety of AP tests, and she is also a Kansas Honors Scholar this year. She has earned academic letters, is part of NHS, and participates in Categories, Model United Nations, and Academic Decathlon.
 

Congratulations are also in order for our seven National Merit Scholarship Commended Students.  Our commended students are Jenny Brown, Austin Clum, Robert Dallas, Lindsey Eck, Claire Hug, Samantha Schluter-Pascua and Elizabeth Thomas. 

 

 

2013 Kansas Assessment Results and Accreditation Status

 

Last spring, students participated in the same state assessments that have been administered since 2006 while our teachers transitioned to teaching new curriculum aligned to the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards.  This year, results from that assessment will be reported as four Annual Measureable Objectives (AMO's) rather than Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  AMO reports will be released for public review after the Kansas State Board of Education meeting in November.  The AMO report will provide information on the performance of our students on these assessments from four perspectives: Growth in Overall Achievement, Gap Reduction, Individual Student Growth, and Reduction of Non-Proficient Students.  During this transition time, the Kansas Board of Education also decided to hold harmless our accreditation status for three years.  This means that Shawnee Mission West High School is fully accredited under the Kansas Quality and Performance Accreditation system. 

 

Looking forward, the United States Department of Education is encouraging Kansas to take the necessary steps toward a new assessment system in 2015.  Kansas is taking advantage of this flexibility by changing the reading and math assessments for this year.  This spring, 11th-grade students who have not previously "banked" a passing Kansas assessment score will complete a transitional assessment that measures their progress in the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards in mathematics and English/Language Arts.  Other 11th-grade students as well as students in grades 10 and 12 may also be asked to participate in this new assessment so that we might garner initial feedback on our progress in the new standards.  We are looking forward to reviewing results of this new transitional assessment in the spring.

 

During this time, we are writing our School Improvement Plan by reviewing ACT Data, Kansas Assessment Data, behavioral data, attendance data, drop-out data and other curriculum-base assessment data.

 

 

 

 

Julie Crain

Principal
SMW Dr Crainwhere we
SEEK AND DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE

WestTrainingPoster 
Looking for the Upcoming Schedule?
  
  
Calendar selectionCheck out the complete West and SMSD calendars online at: smwest.smsd.org or click for West's calendar
  

School News  

Parent Teacher Conference
Parent & Teacher Conferences

October 23rd and 25th

 

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 allowing for a more private conversation.

 

If a parent cannot attend the October 23rd or 25th scheduled conference time, they should contact the teacher directly by phone or email to establish an appointment for an alternate time.

 

Wednesday evening, October 23rd, 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 25th, 7:30 am - 3:20 pm

All teachers will be available for conferences.  Appointments may be scheduled but are not required.  Teachers will be located in their classrooms.  A map will be provided.

Viking Students Acquiring Individualized Learning (S.A.I.L.)

 

What   

  • An exciting opportunity for all students to receive tutorial help during and after the school day.

Why

  • Learning is our business at SM West. We are here to learn!

Who

  • All students are encouraged to take advantage of S.A.I.L. time.

When:

  • Mondays and Thursdays after school in the library. Snacks will be provided and a late bus will run at 4:00.

How it works: 

  • Any student needing help in any core academic subject is welcome to take advantage during any tutoring session.
  • 9th grade students with one or more F's in core academic classes:
    • During the school year, students with F's should attend S.A.I.L. until the end of the next grading period (progress report or quarter).
    • Students are recommended to attend at least two sessions each week; attendance at additional sessions is encouraged.
    • Students will work with peer tutors and/or teachers that are experts in the area in which they need help.

 

How parents can help their students:

  • Check Parent@School online to see and discuss grades and upcoming assignments with your student weekly.
  • Encourage students to monitor their own grades online with Parent@School.
  • Communicate concerns with teachers and counselors.
  • Encourage your student to use S.A.I.L. time or other intervention time (see below) for any academic needs.

Don't forget these powerful learning supports available for all students at SM West:

  • Academic Seminar - Students may visit with their teachers for extra help on Thursdays from 1:15-2:30 with a pass from that teacher.
  • Teachers are available before and after school (7:20-7:40 and 2:40-3:20).
Transfer Request Procedures 
 

Students may request to transfer to another Shawnee Mission high school.  The application deadline is January 5, 2014, to request a transfer for the 2014-2015 school year.  Requests will not be honored after that date. Transfer request forms may be obtained from any school office in the district.  Students must re-apply when changing levels - elementary to middle school and middle school to high school. Requests for transfers need not be renewed annually once a student is attending a school, but shall be made subject to annual review. 

 

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

 

Breakfast 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. Research 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;
  • can decrease visits to the school nurse;
  • often improves behavior in school

 

If it is difficult to fit breakfast into your morning routine, breakfast is available in all schools. A student must choose a full portion of at least three different items to receive a reimbursable school breakfast. One of the three items must be ½ cup of fruit or juice. Breakfast items include: entrée, grain, fruit/juice, and milk.

 

Don't forget - if your child receives free or reduced meals, they are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch per day as part of this benefit. All breakfast and lunch meal choices are available for all students regardless of eligibility status.

 

The school breakfast menus, lunch menus, and other nutrition information are available on the district's website at foodservices.smsd.org

 

 

Attendance Information

 

Attendance is extremely important to a student's academic success. Only by attending classes can a student receive the full benefit of instruction. Shawnee Mission West is accountable for enforcing the Compulsory Attendance Laws, conducting weekly reviews of all students attendance, and notifying parents via mail of their student's attendance record after a student has been absent from school at least five (5) times, excused or unexcused, in at least one block.  We are dedicated to continue to provide all of our students with a quality education. By doing so, we need your help and support in making sure your student is in attendance.

 

There are academic and legal consequences for excessive absences that you need to be aware of:

 

  • Shawnee Mission Board Policy mandates a minimum of eighty-five percent (85%) attendance for eligibility of credit in a course. This policy does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. [Credit would thereby be potentially lost after the tenth (10th) absence in a semester.] Also stated in the policy is the loss of academic credit in a class if the student is inexcusably absent more than four (4) times in a quarter. At the end of the semester an appeal process is available for students whose absences are a result of circumstances clearly beyond the control of the student. Documentation (i.e. doctor's notes) will be needed to waive excessive absences.

 

  • According to Shawnee Mission School Board Policy, a student must be in attendance at least 85% of the time to earn credit. Under the laws of Kansas, all students between the ages of seven and eighteen years (21 for special education students) must be in regular and continuous attendance at school unless lawfully excused therefrom. The law in Kansas (K.S.A. 72-1113) states that students are truant when they are inexcusably absent for three (3) consecutive schools days, five (5) or more school days in one semester, or seven (7) days in a school year. This includes partial day absences.

 

In the event that your student must be absent, contact the Attendance Center Hotline at 913-993-7845. It is important for contact to be made before noon on the day of absence, so that teachers are notified of excused absences.

 

When appointments are scheduled at the last minute, please call the Attendance Center so that a pass may be delivered to your child. Students who leave without checking out through the Attendance Center will be unexcused and possibly assigned disciplinary consequences. It is hoped that you and your student will be able to mutually make suitable and necessary adjustments that will enable him/her to obtain the maximum benefits of the educational opportunities provided by the Shawnee Mission School District.

 

In addition, an appeal process is available to students whose absences are a result of circumstances beyond the student's control. Waivers will be available in December and the deadline for waivers returned to the office is December 12, 2013. You and your student should complete an absence waiver from the Attendance Office and return that to the office with documentation supporting reasons for the absences. Please contact the attendance office at 993-7847 for more details if you believe your student qualifies for an attendance waiver.

News From The Counseling Dept

Counseling Department Update

     

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 

 

SIGN UP for a VIKING ALERT for 12th Grade Information

     

 

Go to SM West website. Click on Parent Involvement. Then click on Viking Alert. Then choose "12th Grade Information" in the All General School Information area. We will be sending out reminders and important information through this Viking Alert for SENIORS!!

or just Click Here to get started

  

Students Honored in the National Merit Scholarship Program

  NationalMerit

Congratulations to the following students for their performance on the 2012 PSAT/NMSQT test last October. The semi-finalist students continue in the competition for scholarship consideration.

 

National Merit Semi-Finalists

Hannah Wilhelm

Amber Yeasin


National Merit Commended

Jenny Brown

Austin Clum

Robert Dallas

Lindsey Eck

Claire Hug

Samantha Schluter-Pascua

Betty Thomas

Wednesday, October 16th is Testing Wednesday

 

Juniors:  11th graders who choose to register and pay ($17) to take the PSAT may do so.  Registration materials were distributed to students through English 11 classes in early September.  Registration will stay open through Thursday, October 10th, register in the Counseling Office. Students who are testing need to report to school at the regular time (7:40 a.m.) to begin testing.  All other juniors will need to report at 11 a.m. when classes begin that day.

 

TestDay

Sophomores:  All 10th graders will take a practice ACT-PLAN on this testing day.  There is no charge to the student and students do not need to register.  All sophomores need to report at the regular time on this day for testing and will be directed to their testing room.  After testing, students will participate in a program focused on career planning.

 

Freshmen:  All 9th graders will take a practice ACT-EXPLORE on this testing day.  There is no charge to the student and students do not need to register.  All freshmen need to report at the regular time on this day for testing and will be directed to their testing room.  After testing, freshmen students will listen to a Suicide Prevention program.  

 

Seniors:  12th graders do not have any testing on this day and will need to report to school at 11 a.m. when classes begin.

 

Sophomores can also take the PSAT for practice:
On Saturday, October 19th, 10th graders may take the PSAT for practice at Broadmoor Technical Center - cost is $20.  Registration happens in the Counseling Office through Wednesday, October 16th.  Students should check to see if they have a school activity conflict before registering for the test. 

 

College Fairs (three options below)

 

KC Metro College Expo CollegeFair

At the Overland Park Convention Center

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

 

College Clinic

At Shawnee Mission East High School

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Click here for Flyer

 

Register atwww.gotocollegefairs.com for KC Metro College Expo & College Clinic 

 

 

NACAC College Fair

At the Kansas City Convention Center

Thursday, October 10, 2013

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

and

Friday, October 11, 2013 (No schoolon this Friday)

8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

 

Register atwww.gotomyncf.com for NACAC College Fair

Academic Awards Program

 

Monday, October 28th, 7 p.m., Auditorium

 

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

Financial Aid Overview Night
at SM Northwest
Wednesday, November 13th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Auditorium of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

Junior and senior students and their parents if you want assistance in helping to understand financial aid for post-secondary education,  Shawnee Mission Northwest High School  is  offering a Financial Aid Evening on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

 

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

 

Mark your calendar today because this is an event you don't want to miss.  Any questions please feel free to contact Angelo Giacalone, counselor at Shawnee Mission Northwest. He can be contacted by phone at 913-993-7233 or email at nwgiacal@smsd.org

 

Click here for a flyer 

College Admission Testing  
  

ScanTronTest-ACTTaking the ACT and/or the SAT is an important step in the college admission process.  Juniors should begin looking at test dates and determine when they will take the tests during their junior year.  The next two tests dates are listed here but all tests dates for the year can be found at each website.

 

ACTDecember 14th at SM West
Registration deadline: November 8th 
Register on line at: www.actstudent.org 
February 8th at SM West
Registration deadline:  January 10th 
Register on line at: www.actstudent.org
SATDecember 7th at SM East & other schools
Registration deadline November 12th
Register on line at www.collegeboard.org  
January 25th at SM East & other schools
Registration deadline December 27th 
Register on line at www.collegeboard.org  
 

 

checklist
Pre-College Checklist for Seniors

 

November/December: 

  • If you are applying to KU or K-State (and many other colleges), do so before November 1st to qualify for scholarships.
  • Look at college deadlines for admission, housing, and scholarships.  Are you meeting all the deadlines?  This should for the most part be done before the winter break.
    • Send transcripts and test scores to colleges.
    • Contact schools to make sure they have received all records.
  • Some colleges require a "counselor form" to be filled out as well as the application. If they do, students should provide those to their counselor as soon as possible.
  • Retake the ACT if necessary.
  • Keep your grades up!
  • Collect information for the Financial Aid Application

 

January:

  • Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1.  You will need parents' 2013 income tax information.
  • Complete individual college financial aid forms if required.
  • Submit Mid-Year Reports to private colleges if required.
  • Continue to apply for scholarships.
 

 

Enrollment for 2014-2015

 

Choosing classes for next year is just around the corner. In January, students will be given enrollment materials according to the following schedule. Students have about one week to look over the materials with parents and then have them ready to return when their class visits the Counseling Office. Students should begin thinking about enrollment, asking teachers questions, and speaking with their counselors in November or December if they want help in planning for enrollment.

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help!

A Note to Exhausted Parents of Challenging Teens...

 

Don't give up!  Avoiding the issues is not going to help either!  Parents of consistently difficult teens ride an emotional roller coaster that frequently dips into confusion, frustration, anger, pain, guilt and exhaustion.  Ask for help during difficult times of trouble or even to PREVENT serious difficulty.  Find out what your options are.  Mary Lea Kieffer, our school Social Worker, can help you get started.  For confidential advice you can call Ms. Kieffer at 993-7836

 

Other great resources are:

  

Johnson County Mental Health 913-826-1565 

Heart of America Family Services 913-342-1110

www.JoCoFamily.net 

www.mentalhealthkc.org 

  

Please see the SM West Counseling Web Backpack for a more detailed list of helpful community resources available to you.  

Red Ribbon Week

 

Did you know...

 

Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.

 

Shawnee Mission West will be promoting The National Red Ribbon Week campaign for students, parents, faculty, and community members to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse. Please get involved by making the Red Ribbon Pledge by going to www.redribbon.org.

 

Take the Red Ribbon Pledge now and be a part of the creation of drug-free America.

 

What's the pledge about?

 

  1.  As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
  2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
  3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
  4. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
  5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.

Social Hosting

 

Social HostingSocial hosting, or unlawfully hosting, is generally defined as providing and/or serving alcohol to a young person who is under the minimum legal drinking age. It can take place in a party-like atmosphere or by any adult simply providing alcohol to young people for them to drink. It can even extend to parents and homeowners who are not on the premises and/or did not provide the alcohol. The Kansas social host law was passed in 2004 as a result of the death of a Lenexa teen killed while driving home from a party, where he and other teens had been drinking.

 

If you are concerned about a party in your neighborhood that might involve underage individuals, contact your local police department or call 911.

                                                               

 Hosting Teen Parties

 

  •  Agree on a guest list  - don't allow party crashers.
  •  Discuss ground rules before the party.
  •  Gain support from a trusted friend and other parents.
  •  Brainstorm fun activities for the party.
  •  If a guest brings alcohol into your home, ask him or her to leave.
  •  If a guest arrives under the influence, call their parents.
  •  Serve plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
  •  Be visible and available-but don't join the party!
 

PTSA News 

Come meet SMSD Superintendent Hinson
  

PTSA everychild onevoice logo

SM West PTSA meeting
Monday, November 18, 7 p.m.
SM West Library   

 

 

Join us for the November 18 PTSA meeting and have the opportunity to meet the new SMSD Superintendent, Dr. Jim Hinson.
 
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the SM West Library. 
Susanne Neely
PTSA Co-president
PTSA Membership Update   

PTSA everychild onevoice logo

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Please join PTSA so we can make this year's budget number and continue to support the many student and teacher programs we provide throughout the year such as After Parties, Senior Sizzle, Heart of the West Week, Teacher Grants, Teacher Appreciation, etc.  Student members have opportunities for volunteer hours through PTSA and are eligible for PTSA scholarships their Senior year.

 

Shawnee Mission West is known for its high level of parent involvement.  Please sign up to once again make Shawnee Mission West PTSA the best in the state of Kansas.  We did it last year by having the support of parents, teachers, and students.

 

Click here for PTSA Membership form (English)

 

Click here for PTSA Membership form (Spanish)

 

 

The form can be dropped off at school, or mailed to SM West PTSA, 8800 W. 85th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.  You can also attend any of our PTSA meetings.

 

Kim Witters 

1st Vice President - Membership

Nurse's Pantry Needs Your Help

 
The Nurse's Pantry is in need of donations to serve students. Items such as female hygiene products and emergency food for diabetics are needed.

 

If you can help, please call Marilyn Mortimer for details, 913-993-7816.

Activities



Department News 

News from the Journalism Department

Have you ordered your 2014 Saga yearbook?

If you want one, now is the time. Dec. 13 is the deadline...we will not be selling yearbooks in May. Books are $55, and you may order online (fee payment section) OR bring cash or a check made out to SM West yearbook to the bookkeeper in the main office, or to Mrs. Morgan in room 11.

 

We do offer a payment plan (Click here for Yearbook payment plan form). Please include the payment plan form and the $30 deposit by Dec. 13. The final $25 is due by March 7. Deposits and payments are non-refundable, and you will not receive a yearbook until it is paid in full. We can only accept cash or checks made out to SM West yearbook for the payment plan. Payment plans should be submitted to Mrs. Morgan.

 

Questions? Please call 913-993-7911 or email amymorgan@smsd.org.

 

Epic and www.smwest.com advertising

Interested in advertising in the Epic or on www.smwest.com? We would love to work with your business. (Click here for West Advertising Ad packet).

Clubs 

Get a Snack Sacks for your Winter Finals ... 

 

 

SnackSackThe Dance Team is selling snack sacks for winter finals. 

 

For only $5.00 per sack your student will receive your words of encouragement and a bag filled with several snack items plus a drink. 

 

 

Orders are due December 9th

 

 Click here for an order form.

 

For questions, please call Lynita Rinne, 913-492-5853

SM West Pride Marching Band update...

 

marching band Dates to look out for:

 

Marching Festival - Lee's Summit - October 12th

Warrensburg Festival - October 19th

Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction - November 2nd

 

With the early morning rehearsals and an extra evening rehearsal, the students may have felt more like the characters when they performed music from the award winning musical "Les Miserable"   However, all those hours proved successful as they debuted a strong performance during the halftime show at the first home game on Sept 13th.

 

October will prove to be a busy month as they perform during two more home games, the Homecoming parade and three Marching Festivals.  The Marching band will showcase their halftime show at the SMSD Marching Festival on Oct 1st. Mr. Thomas will also lead the band into competition at Lees Summit North Midwest Invitational and Festival of Champions at Warrensburg MO.

  

21st Annual Spaghetti Dinner - November 2, 2013


Join us in the West Gym on November 2nd from 5:30 - 9:00pm for Scrumptious Spaghetti, Silent Auctions and Music to Serenade you with.  Tickets go on sale soon.  Talk to your favorite Band member or check out our website at http://www.bandaides.org/. 

 

If you are interested in promoting your business while supporting music education in your community please donate an auction item or service.
  

If you have any questions or would like us to pick up your donation, please call Jennifer Morris at 913-515-5980 or please send an e-mail confirmation to morrisbrood@earthlink.net of any donation by October 10th, to allow for adequate publicity for special items.

SMW Choir and Theatre Departments!

 

Spotlighters 1Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year!

 

Have you had a chance to join Spotlighters?

 

We are now accepting Membership to Spotlighters, the parent-run organization that supports these two award-winning departments at West.  We assist Mrs. VanLeeuwen and Mr. Reiff with concerts, shows, and activities throughout the year.  Membership dollars go towards helping the teachers achieve their goals, as well as towards several scholarships for seniors. Get involved and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at our awesome concerts and productions. 

 

Spotlighters 1Go to the Spotlighters website for the Spotlighters membership form and up-to-date information about choir and theatre.  

 

The October Meeting will be Monday, October 7th @ 6pm in the Choir Room.

 

SM West Viking License Plates:

  • We still have a few License Plates available for purchase - Show your SMW Viking Pride!
  • Please contact Denise Riedel at riedelfive@yahoo.com if interested.

Here are a few dates of interest:

 

  • 10/10/2013        Fall Choir Concert                              Auditorium
  • 10/22/2013        Spotlighter Preview Night                   Auditorium       
  • 10/24-26/2013    "Radium Girls" Fall Play                     Auditorium                   
  • 10/29/2013        West Area Choral Festival                   Gym    
  • 11/4/2013          Musical Info Meeting                          Auditorium
  • 11/4/2013          Spotlighter Meeting                            Choir Room
  • 11/6/2013          Musical Auditions                               TBA by Audition           
  • 11/7/2013          Musical Call backs                              Choir Room
  • 11/16/2013        KMEA District/State Auditions              Olathe East
  • 12/2/2013          Spotlighter Meeting                            Choir Room
  • 12/5-6/2013       Rep. Theatre (TBA)                            Auditorium
  • 12/7/2013          NE District Choir Festival                    SMNW
  • 12/9/2013          Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal          Auditorium
  • 12/10/2013        Winter Choir Concert                          Auditorium

2013-2014 Officers:

    • President - Julie Lawrence
    • Secretary - Michelle Morales
    • Treasurer - Theresa St. John
    • VP of Membership - Jill Connell
    • VP of Programs - Denise Riedel
    • VP of Publicity - Tim Keltner

 

2013-2014 Committee Chairs:

    • Banquet Chair - Deb Martin
    • Concession Chair - Melodie Strausbaugh
    • Cuisine (Theatre) Chair - Monica Ferrin
    • Flower Chair - Lynn Lowry
    • Front of House Chair - Jane Herbers
    • Hospitality (Choir) Chair - Lori Arndt
    • Picnic Chair - Lynn Lowry
    • Poster Distribution Chair - Open
    • Press Release Chair - Tim Keltner
    • Senior Gifts (Choir) Chair - Jennifer McNichols
    • Tickets Chair - Karla Capper
    • Volunteer Coordinator - Denise Riedel
    • Website Chair - Open

 

We still have a couple of open positions, plus all committees can use assistance through the year, so just let us know if you are interested in any of these great opportunities.

 

Website:         www.smwspotlighters.com

Facebook:       SMW Spotlighters

 

Have a great FALL!

 

Julie Lawrence

Spotlighter President

2013-2014

jdl8428@gmail.com

Sr. Sizzle 2014VIKING.HEAD.WHITE

 

SM WEST SENIORS!!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!  

SENIOR SIZZLE MAY 9, 2014!!!

 

What is Senior Sizzle?             

Senior Sizzle is a Drug and Alcohol Free Graduation

Tradition celebrating the Senior Class of 2014

 

Graduating senior students will have the unique privilege to attend a wonderful celebratory event on May 9, 2014.  This late night of fun, games, food, large prizes and gift bags for all that attend, is a drug and alcohol-free SM West tradition called "Senior Sizzle."

 

Additional information and ticket pricing will be announced at a later date. The following Senior Sizzle Fundraisers are being held to support this great event:

 

Pop & Candy Sales

ON SALE NOW each Wednesday during lunch on the SMW bridge! Senior Parents who could donate items to sell please email Jacqui at thehiggins@kc.rr.com or Bobbi at bobbichambers@kc.rr.com or Laura at kinghagan@everestkc.net about donations.

 

Price Chopper Coupon Books - ON SALE NOW at home football games and upcoming teacher conferences. 

 

Mr. Viking Contest - This annual event will be held in February 2014 -- proceeds support Senior Sizzle!! 

 

Thank you for your help in making Senior Sizzle 2014 a HUGE success!!

Your 2014 Senior Sizzle coordinator Tara Wakefield can be reached at booandash@hotmail.com or 913-484-8483.

Shawnee Mission West ItAllCounts program
  
  

We are excited to announce the Launch of the Shawnee Mission West/ItAllCounts program!

 

The program is FREE to join and earns you money for your personal "ItAllCounts" account and at the same time earns Shawnee Mission West money twelve months a year 24/7. Our program has over 700 Retailers and growing and through their generous contributions it's a WIN for the SMW community. By shopping on-line you support SMW and help change the lives of our students.

 

 

Example of how the program works: When you shop online at Kohl's and you spend $100.00 and Kohl's gives back a 5% contribution/Rebate, $2.50 goes to your personal account and $2.50 goes to SMW PTSA. The prices and discounts/Coupons are the same as you normally pay. When you click on the link below there is a 3 ½ minute video that explains the program in detail.

 

Every $1 counts, our students count! Please click on the link below, take a few seconds, and join for free!

 

www.ItAllCounts.com/SMAC/SMW

 

Thank you for your support

Look for the next edition of the Viking Voice

  

in October.

  Submit your articles by December 5, 2013 to:    

westvikingvoice@gmail.com    

The next publication is scheduled for December 12, 2013.

 

We are looking for YOU to volunteer as the

next editor of the Viking Voice.

Current editor, Todd Crow, needs to start training

a replacement during the December 2013 issue.

2013EditorWanted

Please send a note to

 westvikingvoice@gmail.com

if you are interested.

 

Upcoming Viking Voice dates:

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE DATESNEWSLETTER PUBLICATION DATES
12/5/201312/12/2013 
2/20/20142/27/2014
5/27/20146/5/2014
 

Thank you.