November 2009— 2009—Published OnOn-line Monthly Shawnee Mission Public Schools East Lancers 51 Years
Lancer Newsletter Shawnee Mission East High School www.smsd.org/schools/smeast
Inspiration from a 59-Year-Old Professional Golfer ever, there is a message in this story final hole, Tom had regained his onewhich can be inspiring to all of us as shot lead over the field as he had parents, regardless of our age. started the day. His drive off the 18th tee was nothing short of perfect We will begin by setting the stage. (center of the fairway) and as he The 59-year old golfer in question lofted the ball in the direction of the (many of you already know) is our green on his second shot, many felt own Kansas City native Tom Wat(including Tom as he later stated to son. In late July of this year at the the media) he was about to win the Professional Golf Association’s British Open. Unfortunately, the ball (PGA) British Open in Scotland (one hit in front of the green and shot Key Dates: of four major tournaments in the 11/5 9th/10th Grade College Planning world of professional golf) Tom al- across the grass surface and landed in the light rough behind the hole. for Students and Parents most pulled off the greatest feat in Catching an unfortunate break he the history of golf, or for than matter 11/10 LATE START 9:40am putted too far past the hole on his in professional sports. After three 11/12 College Connection 7-9pm third shot and fail to sink his par putt terrific opening rounds, Tom found 11/16 Winter Sports Begin (fourth shot) for the win. This left himself alone at the top of the leader 11/17 EARLY DISMISSAL 1:10pm Tom tied with Stewart Cink which board. Names such as Tiger Woods, 11/18 Parent/Principal Coffee 9am forced a 4-hole playoff. Fred Couples, and Kenny Perry 11/18 College Financial Aid Evening (along with other accomplished golf- In the playoff, Tom Watson did not 7-8pm ers, some less than half Tom’s age) play well and ultimately lost by six 11/20 Progress Reports Sent Home were no where to found. shots. At the news conference, Tom 11/23 Winter Sports Meet Coach Night did not point the blame at anyone or As the week began, and certainly 11/25-11/27 NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving at anything for why he failed to win throughout the days that followed, the tournament during regulation. 12/1 LATE START 9:40am the media questioned whether or not No question he was heart-broken and 12/1 PTA General Membership Tom Watson at the age of 59 could upset as were all of us who watched Meeting 9am really compete with the youngsters at the sequence of shots on television. 12/17 Semester Exam Hour 1, a major golf tournament. In fact the For a lot of us this moment brought followed by hours 2-7 last time Tom won a major tournasome tears to our eyes. We all 12/18 Semester Exams Hours 2, 3 ment was 26 years earlier. wanted Tom to win. On the days Early Dismissal As the final round began on Sunday, following the tournament, Tom kept 12/21 Semester Exams Hours 4, 5 it appeared Tom would wilt under the loss in perspective. Early Dismissal the pressure and fade away like the 12/22 Semester Exams Hours 6, 7 In a story printed in the Kansas City other great names in the game. DeEarly Dismissal Star on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 spite some early disappointing holes, 12/23-1/1 NO SCHOOL, Winter Break Tom was grateful for the experience, Tom found a way to fight back into 1/4 SCHOOL RESUMES (Continued on page 2) contention. As he approached the Message from the Principal Some of you might be wondering from the title what kind of pertinent and relevant information can a message from the principal about a 50year old golfer have to do with education, let alone SME. The answer is really simple – there isn’t anything relevant to school or education; how-
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but he said the loss does not even compare to what is important in life. He talked about the military troops he had visited in Iraq a few years earlier and the heartaches and pains they were dealing with personally and with their families. Tom mentioned you have to keep moving forward in the face of disappointment, however big! There are really a couple of things we can take away from the Tom Watson story. First, we have to move forward in the face of disappointment by keeping things in perspective. If we are really able to do this, the disappointments we face (whether at work or at home) will not keep us from achieving our future goals. We all know we cannot change the past, but at the same time we are in control of the future both in what we do and how we feel. Don’t ever question your worth or your confidence. Do the same with your children, realizing there will be disappointments and setbacks. Keep motivating them and more importantly, stay positive. Second, we are never too old to do anything. One of the things the commentators talked about was how Tom Watson is role-modeling what we as adults need to be doing. Maybe, we need to think about getting back to doing some of the activities we did when we were young or maybe we need to start doing something which we never ever considered doing in the past. Changing our behavior, just might help motivate our kids to consider doing something at school they never considered doing before. History was not made on Sunday, July 19, 2009, however for those who were watching there will forever be a lasting memory of a 59-year old man who left us motivated and inspired to take on the world. Karl R. Krawitz, Ed.D Principal
Upcoming SME Performances Choir Events
11/3, 7:00 p.m. East Area Choral Festival (Choraliers) at SME 11/24, All Day Chipotle Tour (Varsity & Choraliers men) at Area schools 12/8, 7:00 p.m. Holiday Concert (all choirs) in the Dan Zollars Auditorium
Theater Events
11/2, 11/3, 3:00 p.m. Rep Theatre plays in the Little Theatre
11/12, 11/13, 11/14, 7:00 p.m. The Grapes of Wrath, a drama in the Dan Zollars Auditorium.
11/20, 3:00 p.m. Frequent Friday production by director Kelsey Summers in the Little Theatre
12/4, 3:00 p.m. Frequent Friday production by director Kaevan Tavakolina in the Little Theatre
12/11, 3:00 p.m. Frequent Friday production by director Annie Slaughter in the Little Theatre.
12/14, 6:00 p.m. Advanced Rep Theatre show in the Little Theatre
12/15, 3:00 p.m. Advanced Rep Theatre show in the Little Theatre.
Band Events
12/16, 7:00 p.m. Band Concert
Orchestra Events
12/5 KMEA District Concert at Olathe South High School
12/10, 7:00 p.m. Winter Concert
If you know of a performance that should be included in this feature, please contact Joan Beahm at jmbeahm@hotmail.com or 913-341-3725.
SME Newsletter - November 2009
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SME Art Show The Visual Arts Department proudly presents our SME Art Show. This showcases the art work of semester one art students and will be judged with awards given. The show goes up on November 30 and is open for viewing December 1 to December 5 in the hallways and showcases of SME. The opening reception will be Thursday, December. 3 from 6:008:00 p.m. with awards given in the cafeteria starting at 8:00 p.m. Come out and see the talent of SME.
Student Council Please support the Johnson County Christmas Bureau in November with donations of nonperishable food, children’s toys, toiletries, paper goods and gently used coats.
SHARE PACKAGES Finals will be here before we know it and a SHARE Package filled with energy boosting treats makes studying a lot more tolerable! You can order a SHARE Package for your student by completing the form found in the SME front office, the hall rack outside the SHARE office (room 463), or on-line at www.smeshare.org. and returning it with $10 cash or check by Friday, Dec. 4. Make checks payable to SME SHARE. Please use a separate order form for each student. Send your order to: SHARE, Shawnee Mission East High School, 7500 Mission Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 SHARE Packages will not be delivered. Please let your student know that one has been purchased. Lists will be posted around the building and packages may be picked up in the SHARE office Dec. 8 - 11.
Schmitz from the Copy Center who all! assists from 10:00-2:00 each day. The media centers also welcomed six We are also very fortunate to have lab aides this semester: Zoe Brian, our special parent volunteers! A big Brandon Burch, Jaeda ChristenThe Christmas Bureau is a non-profit “thank you” to our volunteer coordi- sen, Julia Gilmore, Charlie agency that assisted over 2000 John- nator Terri Orr who recruited this Mcgraw, and Madison Weaver. We year’s volunteers: Margaret Ash, son County families last year, The really appreciate these students’ willJanet Bates, Betsy Bautz, Julie Beragency relies on schools to provide ingness to give of their time and talnard, Laura Cook, Carrie Craig, food for these families. Monetary ents to help out their school! donations are welcome so the agency Sally Dannov, Cathy Dean, Leesa Duby, Sallie Gilmore, Leslie Har- The freshmen class and the Library can purchase meat and produce; Media Center are joining together to ris, Joan Kennedy, Laurie Kirby, checks can be made out to SME. sponsor a book drive to benefit the Paula Longan, Ellen Murphy, Students will volunteer to help at the Dena Sneed, Patty Soltys, and Johnson County Christmas Bureau. “shop” they set up The goal is to provide children in Jackie Wolf! From helping order in early December, need with a good book. From Octobooks, creating bulletin boards, upand any food that is dating book lists, to inventorying the ber 26 to November 20, there will be left is donated to collection and covering the check-out a contest among seminar classes to Harvesters. desk, the additional staff and volun- see which classes can donate the most teers have gone above and beyond to new or gently-used children’s books. Freshmen student council members ensure the library runs smoothly this The Library will provide treats for the will be collecting new and gently used children’s books during the last year! We couldn’t do it without you winning seminar groups! week of October to donate to the Johnson Country Christmas Bureau. SME Newsletter Publication Guidelines Please help us by reminding your • The SME Lancer Newsletter is published monthly (electronically) during the students to donate to this worthy school year except for a combined November/December edition. cause. • Deadline for submissions is the 1st Friday of each month with newsletter dis-
Library News
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Thanks a million to our administration for providing additional help in the library this year! New to the library media center is Kelli Kurle • who covers the desk during fourth • block to provide a planning period for librarian Chris Larson, and Toni SME Newsletter - November 2009
tribution occurring on the last Friday of the month. Submissions in Word are preferable. You may also send articles in other word processing formats or graphically as a pdf or jpeg. Electronic submissions are best, but hard copy material can be placed in the “Newsletter” folder located in the PTA mailbox. Your submissions may be edited due to space considerations. Questions? Contact Heather Royce, SME Associate Principal at 993-6600, earoyce@smsd.org; or Joan Beahm, PTA Newsletter Editor at 341-3725, jmbeahm@hotmail.com. Page 3
SHARE News As part of the Village Food Pantry SHARE project, a toiletry drive will be held November 2-6 at East. Barrels will be located by the main office and the counseling office. Please bring the following products for the Donations for Dignity drive: Bar soap ,dental floss, diapers, feminine hygiene products, hair care products for all ethnicities, lotion, shampoo and conditioner (travel sizes too), toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper. Supplies of all of these items are frequently running low at the pantry. Please help to support this worthwhile cause! Donors for Toner/Green Bean/ Dodgeball Tournament will be held November 10 and 11 after school. The Dodgeball Tournament was started to raise awareness of the need for people to sign their driver’s license and agree to be organ donors. Toner was the nickname for one of our own SHARE folks who needed an organ donation. Two years later we heard of a need for green beans for a soup kitchen in Kansas City, Kansas. Now, for a team to play in the Dodgeball Tournament, we ask that each player agree to sign the donor form and also donate a can of green beans. Last year our green beans served over 1,000 people!!!!!!! Just a reminder…..The Garage Sale is April 10, 2010. SHARE Package order forms are online at www.smeshare.org. SHARE packages are a little treat for your students during those arduous finals!!! It’s never too late to volunteer. Have your student drop by the SHARE office (463) or e-mail me at PatKaufman@smsd.org with their cell phone number and e-mail and we’ll get them signed up. Pat Kaufman, SHARE Director Room 463 PatKaufman@smsd.org 913-993-6820 SME 913-677-1839 Home SME Newsletter - November 2009
SME Choirbooster News Many thanks to all of the families that have joined Choirboosters. A complete list can be found at www.smechoirboosters.com. It’s never too late to join and support our choir students Visit www.smechoirbooster.com for list of members, membership form, and information The SME Choirbooster Newsletter is now online---be sure to check out our calendar and welcome notes from Ken Foley, choir director; Alison Coulson, Choirbooster president; and the two Lancer Coat of Arms students. FUNDRAISING: Choir students will begin selling cookie dough and cake in November—please support our students !
Theatre News Don’t miss the SME fall production of The Grapes of Wrath, a drama, on November 12, 13, and 14 at 7 pm in the Dan Zollars Auditorium. The cast is directed by Brian Cappello, with technical direction by Tom DeFeo. Admission for the play is $7; $5 for students with ID; and free for SME students in theatre classes (with SME ID). Tickets will be sold November 9-13 on the south ramp during lunch. Auditions for Footloose, the musical to be presented in February, will be held November 17 and 18, with callbacks November 19. Students should check the callboard outside the Little Theatre to confirm audition times. Check out a complete list of upcoming performances on page 2 of this newsletter. Our next Theatre Boosters meeting will be December 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre. All families of students interested in theatre are encouraged to attend. At the meeting you will hear from teachers about class activities and Footloose – the Theatre department’s spring musical scheduled for February 4, 5, and 6; get your questions answered; and have the opportunity to volunteer. If you’d like to join Theatre Boosters, please contact Pat Latshaw at platshaw@kc.rr.com or 341-5725. More information and a list of new members can be found on our website at http://www.smetheatreboosters.org.
BPA Poinsettias For Sale Large, beautiful, red poinsettias for the holiday season are now on sale! Only $10.00 a piece! Please make checks payable to SME BPA and send to 7500 Mission Road, PV, KS 66208 Attn: Jennifer Hair If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Hair at jenniferhair@smsd.org
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2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions by Students, Families and School Personnel From the National Association of School Nurses 10/08/09
Why should I get myself or my child vaccinated against seasonal or H1N1 flu – we never get sick? H1N1 Flu is easily spread – especially at school. If you decide not to be immunized and you do get the virus, you risk exposing someone who has a chronic disease, who has special needs, is pregnant, or at high risk for other reasons and could become severely ill and maybe die. What can you do to stay healthy? Stay informed – follow advice from your local health department and the CDC regarding prevention tips, vaccine information, and school closures and vaccine information. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person to person through coughing or sneezing. Cover your nose & mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cough into the bend of your arm if no tissue available. Wash your hands often with soap and water, and after you cough or sneeze. Use alcohol based hand cleaners, as recommended by the CDC. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. STAY HOME if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Talk to the school nurse. . Call 1 800 CDC INFO or visit www.flu.gov for more information. Now that the H1N1 vaccine is available, who does the CDC recommend should receive it? Pregnant women (because pregnant women account for a disproportionate number of deaths) People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age (infants cannot receive the vaccine) Health care & emergency services personnel People 6 months through 24 years of age People 25 through 64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Who will receive priority for the H1N1 vaccine, as the vaccine is being released? Pregnant women People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age Health care & emergency services personnel Children 6 months through 4 years of age Children 5 through 18 years of age with chronic mediSME Newsletter - November 2009
cal conditions. After meeting the demand for vaccine among the five initial target groups, vaccination with H1N1 should be expanded to all persons ages 25 through 64. Why aren’t adults age 65 and older included as a priority group for the H1N1 vaccine when they are usually included in the high priority group for seasonal influenza? Studies suggest there is some degree of preexisting immunity for those 60 years and older, probably from previous exposure to this virus when they were younger. People 65 years and older who would be given the H1N1 vaccine include those who live or care for infants younger than 6 months or are a healthcare or emergency services provider. Will there be enough H1N1 vaccine? Everyone who wants that vaccine will get it, but perhaps not when it’s first available. The distribution of the vaccine is complex, and some agencies will get their vaccine before others. Is the H1N1 vaccine safe? Vaccinations are among the safest medications. The H1N1 vaccine has been made just like the other seasonal flu vaccines. The “recipe” changes every year for the regular seasonal flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is just another “recipe” change – all other conditions for making the vaccine are the same. Is the H1N1 vaccine experimental? No. The vaccine is made in the same manner and by the same manufacturers as seasonal flu vaccine is made every year. Just like seasonal flu vaccine, the H1N1 will be available in an inactivated injectable formulation and live attenuated nasal spray. What are possible side effects of the H1N1 vaccine? Similar to regular seasonal flu vaccine, the most common side effects are soreness, redness, and tenderness or swelling where the vaccine was injected. The potential benefits in preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death outweigh risk of these potential side effects. What is the risk of getting Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) (a rare paralyzing condition) from the H1N1 vaccine? In the 1976 mass immunization for swine flu, there was approximately 1 case of GBS for every 100,000 persons vaccinated. Studies since show a small risk with seasonal flu vaccine: 1 case of GBS for every 1 million persons vaccinated. (Continued on page 5 6) Page
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Scientists continue to watch carefully for any signs of this problem. The vaccine in 1976 was a whole virus vaccine; vaccines today are split virus vaccines, which decreases risk. How serious is the flu? Most persons have a self limited, non severe illness. There are some who are at higher risk for complications from the flu. Every year, about 36,000 people in the United States die from seasonal influenza; typically, 50 100 pediatric deaths. The number of deaths from H1N1 in the U.S., as of August 2009, is 477; 36 were pediatric deaths. Do I need both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine? Yes. The seasonal flu vaccine provides protection from our usual winter flu. H1N1 vaccine provides protection from flu caused by this single new strain of virus. Can the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time? Yes, in most cases. You can receive the inactivated seasonal (TIV) and inactivated H1N1 flu vaccine at the same time (separate syringes and sites); or at any time before or
after each other is administered. You can receive the inactivated seasonal (TIV) and live H1N1 (nasal spray) flu vaccine together; or at any time before or after each other is administered You can receive the live seasonal (LAIV) and inactivated H1N1 flu vaccines together; or at any time before or after each other is administered. Receiving the live seasonal (LAIV) and live (nasal spray) H1N1 vaccine together is NOT RECOMMENDED. If only the live vaccine is available, separate the doses by at least 4 weeks. Could this just be a government conspiracy to inject everyone with an unknown substance? H1N1 is a global health problem – that is why the World Health Organization calls it a pandemic. Public health experts from around the world –not just the US are tracking, testing, and educating the public about the H1N1 virus that emerged April 2009. The Federal Government responds to the recommendation of public health experts. For other questions please call SME School Nurse, Susan Varner, RN 913-993-6616
PTA Adds Evening Meetings to Accommodate Parent Schedules With the creative leadership of our co-Vice Presidents of PTA Programming and the ambitious planning of our Parent-Principal Coffees Committee, the SME PTA is proud to announce that it is scheduling more evening gatherings this school year to help accommodate the schedules of working parents. Several Parent-Principal Coffees have been moved to 7:00 p.m. to allow more parents the opportunity to participate in these monthly resource-sharing and social gatherings. The February General PTA Membership meeting has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will include a special program on family relationships. Studies show that when parents are involved in students’ education, those students have higher grades and test scores, more consistently-completed homework, better attendance, higher graduation rates, and greater enrollment in postsecondary education. Those are good reasons to broaden opportunities for parents to get involved! Future PTA Meetings and Coffees November 18, 9:00 a.m. Parent Principal Coffee, SME Library December 3, 7-10:00 a.m. PTA Holiday Open House &General Membership Meeting, SME Library February 2, 7:30 p.m. PTA General Membership Meeting, Location TBA February 17, 7:00 p.m. Parent Principal Coffee, SME Library, Subject to change March 2, 11:30 a.m. PTA General Membership Meeting, Village Presbyterian Church April 6, 11:30 a.m. PTA General Membership Meeting, Village Presbyterian Church April 21, 9:00 a.m. Parent Principal Coffee, SME Library May 4, 10:00 a.m. PTA General Membership Meeting, Village Presbyterian Church General PTA Membership Meetings typically include a short business meeting with committee reports, a valuable update from Principal Karl Krawitz and an informative program about events and initiatives at SME. PTA Parent-Principal Coffees are more informal gatherings with no business meeting. They typically include a give-and-take update from Principal Karl Krawitz and an informal program (with lots of discussion) on valuable resources and opportunities for students and families at SME.
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Counseling Office News— News—www.smecounselor.org College Applications Students must check with individual college websites and/or application materials to determine what is required to complete an application folder. All colleges require an official student transcript, which must be mailed by the high school. Although the school mails the transcript, a student must request this service in writing 4 weeks prior to the application deadline. Starting last year, the counseling office will NOT require envelopes and postage from students for mailing transcripts.
Deadlines for Transcripts and/or Letters of Recommendation Applications due November 1, 2009: Requests must be made in the counseling office by October 2, 2009. Applications due November 15, 2009: Requests must be made in the counseling office by October 16, 2009. Applications due December 1, 2009: Requests must be made in the counseling office by November 3, 2009. Applications due December 15, 2009: Requests must be made in the counseling office by November 3, 2009.
Some schools also require letters of recommendation from a counselor. If a letter of recommendation is reApplications due December 31, 2009 through January quired, the student must complete (1) a Personal Data 5, 2010: Requests must be made in the counseling Sheet, (2) a Parent Information Form, and (3) a typed office by November 20, 2009. resume. Copies of these forms may be found in the counseling office or on the counseling website, Attention Parents of Freshmen and www.smecounselor.org. These items should be comSophomores pleted and turned in to the student’s counselor 4 weeks prior to the earliest deadline. At that time, the student The Counseling Department would like to share informamust also make an appointment with the counselor to tion and answer questions about college planning for the discuss the letter of recommendation. parents of freshman and sophomores. Times have changed since way back when college planning meant Students are asked to mail a paper copy or submit an saving money and taking college prep courses. Come to online student section of the college application themthis evening seminar to learn what is included in college selves. The counseling department will mail a Shawnee admissions decisions and how students and parents can Mission East Secondary School Report, transcript and prepare for these decisions in time to make a difference. letter of recommendation separately. If a teacher recommendation is required, the teacher will mail the Teacher Report separately. Students must provide envelopes and postage for teacher recommendations.
The seminar will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the SME library on Thursday, November 5, 2009. We will be looking forward to seeing and meeting all of you!
Students applying to colleges that are Common Application members, are required to submit all documentation online. A brief outline of the process is below:
Enrollment
1. Identify the high school you currently attend in the Academics section
We are currently planning for next year’s enrollment. The process will begin in January with enrollment presentations for each grade level. The enrollment presentation schedule will be:
2. Click on the School Forms link, allowing you to identify your counselor and teachers
January 11 Current 9th Grade
January 12 Mission Valley and Indian Hills
3. Click on “Invite”
January 14 9th Grade Enrollment Information Night—7:00 p.m. for incoming freshman
4. Complete the School Official Details page filling in your counselor’s name and email address (be sure to January 19-20 Current 11th Grade use the “ea” email address for your counselor) January 25 Current 10th grade 5. Click “save” The presentations at the high school will be conducted An email will then be sent to your counselor requesting a through English classes and will be held in the Library. recommendation At that time, students will receive updated copies of the If you have any questions about the Common App proc(Continued on page 8) ess, please contact your alpha counselor. SME Newsletter - November 2009
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Shawnee Mission High School Program Planning Guide, a list of classes offered at SME for their grade level, as well as a copy of their graduation requirement worksheet (high school students only). It is not too early to be talking with your student about what classes he or she would like to take next year. An electronic copy of the Program Planning Guide can be found on the district website, select the public info button, then the district department button, and then select curriculum on the left hand side. We will finalize enrollment by holding individual conferences on the following dates:
January 21
Indian Hills
January 22
Mission Valley
January 26
Private School students
January 28-29
Current 9th Graders
February 2-3
Current 10th Graders
February 4-5
Current 11th Graders
Second Quarter Grades Second Quarter Progress Report Cards will be handed out Hour 3 on November 20. Students who attend Broadmoor and do not have a third hour class, can pick up their progress reports in the Counseling Office. Quarter 2 grade cards will be mailed home on January 8.
2009 Financial Aid Evening This year the 2009 Financial Aid Evening will be held at Shawnee Mission Northwest on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in their auditorium. The format will be different than previous years. Perry Diehm, MidAmerica University will be making the presentation. For additional information, call Dr. Marybeth Green at 993-7238.
Computer Competency Exam The district will continue to administer the computer competency exam. It will be offered at Shawnee Mission South on February 12, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 256. The test will consist of five sections (Written, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access). Students may only take the exam once. Students must register with their high school counselor at least ten (10) days prior to the test. They should bring identification on test day. If you have questions regarding this exam or about the district’s computer competency requirement, please contact your counselor.
Private School Shadow Days We will once again host Private School Shadow Day. The following days have been selected for November: November 9 and November 16. If you have a student who attends a private school and is thinking of coming to SME Newsletter - November 2009
Shawnee Mission East as a freshman next year, please contact the counseling office—Julie Curry at 993-6630. The Private School Shadow form is now on the Counseling website: www.smecounseor.org. You can download the form from the website, fill it out and return it to Lili Englebrick (993-6634), Counselor Coordinator. You can also fax the form to our office at 993-6886.
“Successful Study Skills Strategies that Stick” Middle School and High School
Jennifer Owens and Cindy Swarner S.M. South Teachers Practical tools will be shared on how to develop a partnership between student, parents and teachers. Time management, note taking and test preparation will be discussed to help make the educational experience more successful and positive, both at school and home for middle school and high school students. Please plan to bring your son/daughter as we plan to meet separately and then come together at the end of the session. Date: Time: Location:
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 6:30 – 8:00 Conference Rooms Arrowhead Administrative Center 6601 Santa Fe Drive Cost: $10.00 per family 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 The Parent Resource Center sponsors numerous other classes throughout the year. Contact them for more information.
Save the Date: Annual Feast for East Fundraiser Saturday, February 27, 2010 Milburn Country Club
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Lancer Athletics
Jim Ricker, Athletic Director
Winter Sports Start Soon – Are You Coaches for Winter Sports The head coaches for the winter sports are listed below. Ready? Winter sports begin on November 16, 2009. Be sure to Please contact the appropriate coach for any information regarding a sport. keep the following information in mind as you prepare for boys and girls basketball, wrestling, boys swimming, Wiley Wright, Boys Swimming and coed bowling. 913-288-7607 wwright@kckcc.edu A physical exam form must be on file with the AD Secretary before an athlete can try out or practice. The physical must have taken place after May 1, 2009. Chip Ufford, Wrestling If you have already turned in a physical form for fall 913-993-6657 sports, you have already met this requirement. eaufford@smsd.org A blue participation packet must be filled out completely and signed by the athlete and parent each year. There are required signatures on the following pages: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These forms are all available in the office at East or can be downloaded at www.smesports.com. If you have any question about whether or not you have these forms on file, please check with the AD Secretary at 993-6602 or eamurdoc@smsd.org. If you are turning in paper work before the first day of tryouts/practice November 16, please bring them to the AD Secretary. If you are turning forms in on November 16, please give them directly to the coach.
Fall Buffer Week and Holiday Break Moratorium Buffer week is November 9-15, 2009. Buffer week means that there shall be no athletic practice, off-season conditioning, informal basketball shooting, working out on wrestling mats, etc. in school-owned facilities. The gym shall not be open to students during this week outside of school hours. This, however, does not eliminate football practice for those high schools that qualify for play-offs.
Shawn Hair, Boys Basketball 913-993-6662 eahair@smsd.org Rick Rhoades, Girls Basketball 913-993-6656 earhoadr@smsd.org Patti Kennedy, Coed Bowling 913-993-6668 eakenned@smsd.org
Looking Ahead….. Before we know it, spring will be here and with that, the start of spring sports. These sports include boys golf, boys tennis, track and field, baseball, softball, girls swim/dive, and girls soccer. Spring sports will begin on March 1, 2010.
The “no-practice” dates over the holidays have been set by KSHSAA. These dates are December 23-27, 2009. This holiday moratorium means there shall be no interschool activities and no group interscholastic activity practice on or outside school premises under supervision of school employees.
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SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA Thank You’s
SME Lancer Time Capsule
So many PTA committees are working feverishly on projects and events to support SME families, teachers, and students. Thank you to all committee chairs and committee volunteers who have donated their time, expertise, and energy for many valuable programs. This month a special “shout out” to Donna Fischgrund who directed another wildly successful College Clinic with hundreds of college exhibitors and thousands of student and parent attendees. This was the 47th annual College Clinic for SME (I attended them in ‘75 and ’76). Great job!
Calling ALL Parents & Teachers of SME Students. The PTA needs YOUR help adding items to the box that you think might be good keepsakes for the SME Archives.
Speaking of college, here’s this month’s trivia question. Which state has the most public colleges or universities? (Answer at end of this report) Additional thanks go out to Barb Haviland and her crew for an outstanding College Connection event in September; Shelly Kirkpatrick who is updating the PTA website with useful contacts, forms and scheduling information; Becky Johnston for a successful Culver’s night; and Kimberly Reene and the landscaping committee for their continued outdoor beautification. Trivia Answer: California has 399 degree-granting colleges or universities with New York at 307 and Pennsylvania at 260. The US Department of Education reports that there are 6,062 colleges and universities in the US, while the Digest of Education Statistics says there are 4,216 degree-granting institutions in the US. Cathy Bennett, PTA President
PTA Instructional Grants Your PTA membership fees and other activities help to fund small grant requests from staff throughout the year. Grants approved in September and October will pay for:
We are compiling a 2009/2010 SME/Lancer Time Capsule/Saving Box! This Time Capsule/Saving Box will be the Designated Site for anything that you think might be great Keepsakes for the SME Archives that Highlight Happenings from the 2009/2010 School Year for all classes Freshman through Senior. This time capsule will act as our Scrapbook/Historian Box for Future Review. It will be the designated place to go when someone asks "What happened during the 2009/2010 school year?" Examples of things the PTA will include will be:
The Yearbook
Copies of the Harbinger & PTA Newsletters
Booster Board Sports Books
We need YOUR Help because we would also like to include items like:
Pictures of SME Events & Happenings
Programs & Playbills from Plays & Concerts or End of Season Banquets
Rewards and Recognition Listings
Videos or Newspaper Clippings about SME Students or Events
AND ANYTHING ELSE that YOU think might help to tell the story of the 2009/2010 school year as a keepsake or special memory for future review. Drop off your additions/ contributions at the Collection Site/Savings Box located in the OFFICE on Top of the Mailboxes. If you have trouble finding it ask Gayle O'Grady to point you in the right direction.
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A computer, monitor and printer for French and other language classes that will help students prepare for oral college entrance, AP and IB exams.
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Books about professional learning communities that will help department coordinators meet a district goal Any questions please contact Mary Lucas PTA Correof increasing collegial collaboration among departsponding Secretary/Historian at 913-269-8222 or mluments. cas@kc.rr.com Recycling bins and liners for classrooms that will improve the Recycling Club's collection efforts.
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A field trip to an urban farm that will teach students about local, organic food production.
SME Newsletter - November2009
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East Fund Grants Provide Significant School Support The Shawnee Mission East Educational Excellence Fund (East Fund) has granted 44 requests totaling nearly $263,000 over the last six years. If you are looking for a significant way to support education at SME, this is it! The four projects funded to date this year (at a cost of $16,900) will:
provide a cart of laptops in the English department to support higher achievement in our special education population; provide conference room projectors for administrative and counseling offices; hire a late bus to run two days a week to support tutoring programs; and underwrite construction costs for a student apparel shop to supply spirit wear and enhance learning of marketing/DECA students
More grant requests will be reviewed later in the year. Check our website at www.theeastfund.org for more information. Past grants have supported most every department including math, science, fine arts, industrial arts, library, drama, music, English, special education. Donations are accepted any time. Make your check payable to the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation with “The East Fund” designated in the memo line and send to The East Fund, SM East High School, 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. *The East Fund relies on donations, depositing contributions into the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, a 501c(3) tax-exempt organization, so all contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. The East Fund retains control of all donations and disbursements.
The East Fund Needs You! If you or someone you know is interested in a leadership position with The East Fund, the Nominating Committee would like to hear form you. Send nominations to Julie Foster at jjf@att,net or mail to 6516 Sagamore, 66208. The following positions will be slated in April: Communications: Oversees all forms of communication, such as the website and Lancer News articles; Development: Oversees fund-raising efforts; Feast for East: Plans the annual party that is the primary fund-raiser; Grant Review: Studies all grant applications to make sure criteria are met. (The committee members are slated as well as the chairman.); Post-Grant Evaluation: Evaluates the implementation of grants previously awarded.; Partnerships: Looks for ways to interact with the outside community in order to increase the Fund’s impact.; Volunteer Management: Oversees the volunteer program.; and Nominating Committee Member: Slates the positions listed above.
Finish Your Holiday Shopping
A benefit for the SME Visual Arts Department SME Newsletter - November 2009
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