February 2010

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Lancer NewsletterLancer NewsletterLancer NewsletterLancer Newsletter Shawnee Mission East High SchoolShawnee Mission East High SchoolShawnee Mission East High SchoolShawnee Mission East High School

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ParentParentParentParent----Teacher ConferencesTeacher ConferencesTeacher ConferencesTeacher Conferences————Friday, February 12Friday, February 12Friday, February 12Friday, February 12 SM East High School will be holding their Spring Parent-Teacher Confer-ences Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12. The Thursday night conferences will be an open-forum format. These conferences will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 .p.m. with the teachers available in their individual class-rooms. You will not schedule appointments, but will just move from teacher

to teacher as they become available.

If you feel that you need a more in-depth conference with a teacher, you can do this on the morning of Friday, February 12. To schedule a Friday ap-pointment call the school at 913-993-6630 sometime before Friday, February 5or contact the teacher directly after February 5. Please note, teachers will not be available during lunchtime. We look forward to seeing you on

Thursday or Friday.

Illness at SchoolIllness at SchoolIllness at SchoolIllness at School If a student becomes ill while at school, he/she must come to the nurse’s of-fice and a parent must be contacted before he/she can leave the building. If a student leaves without checking out through the nurse’s office, the absence will be considered unexcused. Please review the Johnson County Health Department guidelines for keeping your student home found under the head-ing of HEALTH LINKS on the nurse’s web back pack page. Information

about the H1N1 virus can be found at www.flu.gov

Student Citizen Police AcademyStudent Citizen Police AcademyStudent Citizen Police AcademyStudent Citizen Police Academy Attention Parents of Juniors and Seniors: The Prairie Village Police Depart-ment is offering a Student Citizen Police Academy for all Shawnee Mission East High School Junior and Senior students. The Academy will cover vari-ous topics about Law Enforcement including, traffic enforcement, Kansas laws, crime scene investigations, Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) demonstration, weapons and equipment displays, shoot/don’t shoot scenar-ios, and day-to-day police operations. The Academy will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for 6 weeks starting on March 23,

2010. Please contact Det. Brady Sullivan #131 at [email protected]

or 913-993-6767 for more information or to register your student.

Library NewsLibrary NewsLibrary NewsLibrary News The Friends of the Library Committee is ready to roll and plan the Book Drive among the English classes as one of our Read across America activi-ties in March. We are also preparing for the Used Book Sale which will be held in conjunction with the SHARE Garage Sale on April 10. We are now ready to receive donations of books, CDs, videos/DVDs that you are no longer using. Please consider recycling these items to our Library as you’re

Key Dates: 2/2 PTA General Meeting, 7:30pm 2/6 ACT Test Date 2/8 AP Registration Begins 2/9 EARLY DISMIISSAL, 1:10pm 2/11 Parent Teacher Evening Conferences 2/12 NO SCHOOL, Conferences 2/15 NO SCHOOL, President’s Day 2/16 LATE START, 9:40am 2/17 Culver’s Night Fundraiser 6-8pm 2/17 Parent Principal Coffee, 7pm 2/20 Sweetheart Dance, 8-10pm 2/24 Junior College Planning Parent Meeting, 6:30pm 3/2 LATE START, 9:40am 3/2 PTA General Meeting, 11:30am 3/4 College Connection, 7-9pm 3/10 AP Registration Deadline 3/12 EARLY DISMISSAL, 1:10pm 3/15-3/19 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break 3/22 NO SCHOOL, Improvement Day 4/2-4/3 Used Book Sale 4/6 LATE START, 9:40am 4/6 PTA GeneralMeeting, 11:30am 4/10 ACT Test Date 4/17 Earth Fair 4/19 8th Grade Athletic Orientation Night, 7pm 4/20 EARLY DISMISSAL, 1:10pm 4/21 Parent-Principal Coffee, 9am 5/4 LATE START, 9:40am 5/4 PTA General Meeting, 11:30am 5/14 Senior Day 5/17 Graduation 5/24-5/27 Final Exams

SME Newsletter SME Newsletter SME Newsletter SME Newsletter ---- February 2010 February 2010 February 2010 February 2010 Page 2 Page 2 Page 2 Page 2

Upcoming SME Performances

Choir Events

3/1 The Advanced Repertory Theatre class will present A Celebration of Dr. Seuss at 6pm in the Little Theatre. 3/5 Masterworks Concert (Choraliers) Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral 3/9 District Choral Festival (Choraliers) 4/5 Pre-Festival Choir Concert (no Freshman)

5/12 Spring Concert SME Auditorium, 7pm

Theater Events

2/4-2/6 Footloose at 7pm, Dan Zollars Auditorium 2/6 Footloose at 2pm, Dan Zollars Auditorium

2/19 Frequent Friday production directed by Kylie Morrow at 3pm in the Little Theatre.

Band Events

2/9 Jazz Band Concert, 7pm 2/23 Band Concert, 7pm 3/31 District Band Concert, 7pm

5/4 Band/Orchestra Concert, 7pm

Orchestra Events

3/10 Collage Concert 7 pm 4/6 SM District Large Ensemble Festival (Symphony Orchestra) 7 pm at SM South 4/8 Ensemble Festival at Blue Valley Northwest 4/24 Solo Festival at SM East 4/27 Spring Fling; East Orchestra Festival at 7 pm in Gym

5/4 Band/Orchestra Concert, 7pm

If you know of a performance that should be included in this feature, please contact Joan Beahm at

[email protected] or 913-341-3725.

thinking about spring house cleaning. You can bring them to the Library any school day between 7:00 in the morn-

ing and 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon All funds from the Used Book Sale will go to purchase materials for the Library!

The Library Media Center is delighted to welcome 9 lab aides this semester: Hailey Allen, Augie Borchers, Beth

Capps, Kale Justice, Allison Kirby, Charlie McGraw, Sam Stewart, Molly Tidrick, and Shannon Tuttle. Thanks a million to these wonderful students who want to help out and give back to their school!

SHARE NewsSHARE NewsSHARE NewsSHARE News SHARE needs your soup!!! We’re doing a soup drive in conjunction with the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s actually part of the Souper Bowl of Caring, a national drive sponsored by 10 NFL teams. Please drop off soup in the containers outside the front office and the counseling office on Super Bowl week February 1 – February 5. All contributions

will be given to the Village Food Pantry.

January 27, February 3, and February 17 we’re doing Freshmen Connection Blankets for Babies. We’ll be mak-ing fleece blankets for Children’s Mercy after school in the library from 2:40 – 3:40 p.m. If your freshman wants to come, please ask them to sign up on the SHARE door (463 in the stairwell on the North end of the building). They

can come for one or all of the sessions.

Our Downs Dance is February 10 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Any student at East is welcome to come

and help. It’s a wonderful, inspiring evening with some pretty interesting karaoke.

As always, please contact me with any ????s or ideas, It's Great to be a SHARE Lancer,

Pat Kaufman, SHARE Director, Room 463, [email protected], 913-993-6820

Parent Principal CoffeeParent Principal CoffeeParent Principal CoffeeParent Principal Coffee————February 17, 7:00 p.m.February 17, 7:00 p.m.February 17, 7:00 p.m.February 17, 7:00 p.m. Join us in the Shawnee Mission East Library at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17 for a special program about “Getting Your Student BACK ON TRACK” If your high school student is challenged with grades below par, social difficulties, illness or depression resulting in long absences or problems which can crop up in four years of a teenagers life...take heart! You can help them get back on track. Becky Wiseman, our school social worker, repre-sentation from local community agencies and services, and a parent who knows the territory will help your family

navigate the difficulties and even turn adversity into advantage.

Lancer Dancer Receive Honors at Kansas Spectacular CompetitionLancer Dancer Receive Honors at Kansas Spectacular CompetitionLancer Dancer Receive Honors at Kansas Spectacular CompetitionLancer Dancer Receive Honors at Kansas Spectacular Competition Congratulations to the Lancer Dancers for their wonderful results at the Kansas Spectacular competition. The JV Lancer Dancers received a Division One ranking, a Judge's Award for their jazz routine, and the highest overall GPA

Award with an overall GPA of 4.06! Congratulations, JV Lancer Dancers!

In the soloist category, Megan Nass, Margaret Peterson, and Elizabeth Rodgers received high honors in the Win-ner's Circle, and for their duet, Margaret Peterson and Elizabeth Rodgers also ranked in the Winner's Circle. Con-

gratulations girls!

The Varsity Lancer Dancers received a Division One ranking for all three dances, as well as a Gussy Nell-Davis Award. They were placed in the Winner's Circle and received a "Best of the Best" ranking. The Varsity girls re-ceived Judge's Choice Awards for their jazz and hip hop routine, and they earned high honors in the categories of technique, precision, performance, and choreography. Finally, the Varsity Lancer Dancers received recognition for

highest overall GPA in the Varsity category with an overall GPA of 3.85! Congratulations on a job well done!


Come SHARE THE LOVE at the

SME February General PTA Meeting When: Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: SME’s Little Theater

What: Brief Business Meeting

with updates from Dr. Karl Krawitz followed by a

Special Valentine Program

Our speaker, East mom Mary B. Lucas, will share the heart-felt story of how she became an "Accidental Author" after her Father's passing in 2004. Her book Lunchmeat & Life Les-sons is filled with the wit & wisdom that her Father shared with her and that now years after his passing readers around the world are taking to heart. Join us as Mary shares a few of her Father's Life Lessons and we guarantee you will walk away inspired and motivated to SHARE THE LOVE or at least the “Comeback Sauce”!

A wonderful program for all parents, teachers & students and a terrific time for Dads to join us at a PTA meeting as a re-minder of how much influence they have over their children with their own wisdom!

Opportunity to Share YOUR Love

Representatives for the SME Love Fund (provider of financial assis-

tance to needy SME families managed by Social Worker Becky

Wiseman) will be on hand to sell orders for carnations for $1 each.

All carnations will be delivered to a student/students of your

choice along with your special Valentine message on Thursday,

February 11 in honor of Valentine’s Day.

SME Newsletter Publication GuidelinesSME Newsletter Publication GuidelinesSME Newsletter Publication GuidelinesSME Newsletter Publication Guidelines

• The SME Lancer Newsletter is published monthly (electronically) during the school year except for a combined November/December edition.

• Deadline for submissions is the 1st Friday of each month with newsletter dis-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, [email protected]; or Joan Beahm, PTA Newsletter Editor at 341-3725, [email protected].


Theatre News

Don’t miss the SME musical production, Footloose, on February 4, 5, and 6 at 7:00 p.m. and February 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dan Zollars Audito-rium. 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

February 1 - 5 on the north ramp during lunch.

A Frequent Friday production will be presented February 19 by direc-

tor Kylie Morrow at 3:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre.

Auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace, the spring play to be presented in April, will be held February 17 and 18. Students should check the call-

board outside the Little Theatre to confirm audition times.

The Advanced Repertory Theatre class will present A Celebration of Dr. Seuss on March 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre and will take

their production on tour to several elementary schools March 2.

If you’d like to join Theatre Boosters, please contact Pat Latshaw at [email protected] or 913-341-5725. Information is also available at

www.smetheatreboosters.org.

SME Choirbooster News

Congratulation to John Meyer for making State Choir! John will be per-

forming in Wichita with other high school choral students in February.

Don’t miss the musical, Footloose! Performances are: February 4 at 7pm,February 5 at 7:00 p.m., and February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.. The cast includes Jake Parelman, Lois Wetzel, Sarah Are, Micah

Patterson, Will Carey, Emma Marston, Julie Choufont, Emily Wal-

ter, Samantha Bartow and the chorus.

March 5 is the Masterworks concert being performed at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Choraliers will sing the Schubert Mass in G. This is a free concert and will showcase some of the music that the Choraliers

will be singing in Europe this spring.

The East Fund Gifting Party

Celebrating the gift of a SME education and

gifting back to preserve it

Saturday, 2/27

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

�Sign up for sensational

themed parties

�Buy chances to win coveted Lancer items &

events

�Savor yummy appetizers

�Sip complimentary beer &

wine

�Delight in brilliant

company & conversation

Invitations will be

mailed soon.

Visit

www.TheEastFund.org

for more information about this

event

and

The Shawnee Mission East Aca-

demic

Excellence Fund

Registration for AP (Advanced Placement Program) Exams Registration for AP (Advanced Placement Program) Exams Registration for AP (Advanced Placement Program) Exams Registration for AP (Advanced Placement Program) Exams Begins Monday February 8 2010Begins Monday February 8 2010Begins Monday February 8 2010Begins Monday February 8 2010

What is it?

The Advanced Placement Program includes college-level coursework taught within a high school.

Which colleges accept AP exam results for college credit?

Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores. Go to www.collegeboard.com to determine which colleges participate in the AP Program and the scores required for col-lege credit or advanced standing. On the website, type a college name in the “College Quickfinder” box, click on

“AP” in the menu at the top and then scroll down until you have reached the section on AP.

Who may take the AP exams?

Students who have been preparing for the exam by taking the corresponding course may register for and take the exam. Course enrollment is not required for testing but students who have prepared for the exam by taking the

course score much higher.

What is the cost and how does a student register for the exams?

Each exam costs $86.00. Registration starts Monday, February 8 and ends Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Come to the Counseling Center for the registration form. College Board and the State of Kansas provide a reduced exam fee for

families with acute financial need.

When are the exams? The exams are only given over a two-week period of time each year. Administration of each exam is assigned a spe-cific morning or afternoon during those ten days. These assignments are made by The College Board and are fol-

lowed nationwide.

How will students enrolled in AP courses know about the exams and registration procedures?

The teachers of the AP courses will be distributing copies of the AP Bulletin and discussing the exams before regis-

tration begins on Monday, February 8. Students may listen to the daily announcements as well.

Questions?

Additional information about the AP Program or exams may be found on www.collegeboard.com and/or by contact-ing Deanna Griffey, Counselor, at 913-993-6635 or [email protected]. You can find the schedule on her Web

Back Pack at http://www4.smsd.org/SMECounselors/html27558.htm.

College Planning for Parents of JuniorsCollege Planning for Parents of JuniorsCollege Planning for Parents of JuniorsCollege Planning for Parents of Juniors The SME Counseling Center proudly presents a program designed for parents of juniors.

On Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. University of Kansas, Johnson County Community College, and St Louis

University will each present the admissions process for their respective University.

There will only be two sessions and parents are invited to attend one or two of the sessions of their choice. The first

session will run from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. and the second session will run from 7:20 – 8:05 p.m..

More information about this evening event will be given to your student to bring home on February 22.

Call the Counseling Center at 913-993-6630 for additional information. See you then!

College Goal SundayCollege Goal SundayCollege Goal SundayCollege Goal Sunday Sunday, February 21, 2010Sunday, February 21, 2010Sunday, February 21, 2010Sunday, February 21, 2010————2:00 2:00 2:00 2:00 ---- 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. No matter whether your child plans to attend a traditional college, community college, or vocational or trade school, high school seniors and their parents receive free advice on filling out financial aid forms at College Goal Sun-day. Financial Aid Counselors will be available to help you apply for a Department Of Education Pin and/or com-plete your 2010-2011 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Attend for a chance to win a $500 schol-arship. College Goal Sunday will be held at the JCCC Success Center, 2nd Floor, Student Center Building, 12345

College Boulevard. For more information and to find out what you need to bring, visit www.collegegoal.org.

Counseling Office NewsCounseling Office NewsCounseling Office NewsCounseling Office News————www.smecounselor.orgwww.smecounselor.orgwww.smecounselor.orgwww.smecounselor.org



Jim Ricker, Athletic Director Lancer AthleticsLancer AthleticsLancer AthleticsLancer Athletics

Spring Sports Begin March 1, 2010Spring Sports Begin March 1, 2010Spring Sports Begin March 1, 2010Spring Sports Begin March 1, 2010 Spring sports are just around the corner with practice/tryouts beginning on Monday, March 1, 2010. Sports offered in the spring include boys’ and girls’ track and field, girls’ soccer, boys’ tennis, boys’ golf, baseball, softball, and

girls’ swimming. Please contact the head coaches with any questions.

Track and Field Brie Meschke 913-993-6690 [email protected]

Girls’ Soccer Jamie Kelly 913-993-6670 [email protected]

Boys’ Tennis Sue Chipman 913-993-6778 [email protected]

Boys’ Golf Ermanno Ritschl 913-993-6716 [email protected]

Baseball Jerrod Ryherd 913-993-2468 [email protected]

Softball Deon Slemp 913-302-9198 [email protected]

Girls’ Swimming Rob Cole 816-808-5248 [email protected]

Prepare Now for Spring SportsPrepare Now for Spring SportsPrepare Now for Spring SportsPrepare Now for Spring Sports Now is the time to begin planning for the spring athletic season. Please keep the following in mind as you begin

preparations:

Before an athlete can practice, we must have a physical exam on file. If you have already turned in a physical exam for fall or winter sports, you have already met this requirement. The exam must have taken place on or after May 1, 2009, and must be signed by an MD (medical doctor), DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine), DC (chiropractor), or RPA (registered physician’s assistant). A physical may be performed by an RNP (registered nurse practitioner), but the physical must be co-signed by a physician. An athlete will not be allowed to practice or try out unless it is co-signed. Specific forms may be obtained from the office at SME or downloaded from www.smesports.com. This is

a KSHSAA requirement.

Winter Sports Banquet DatesWinter Sports Banquet DatesWinter Sports Banquet DatesWinter Sports Banquet Dates Please note the following dates for our winter athletic banquets:

Boys’ Swim /Dive Thursday, March 4, 2010 Cafeteria

Wrestling Thursday, March 11, 2010 Cafeteria

Boys’ Basketball Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Cafeteria

Girls’ Basketball TBA Homestead CC

Bowling TBA TBA

College Visits for AthletesCollege Visits for AthletesCollege Visits for AthletesCollege Visits for Athletes If you are planning to play college sports and are invited on an “official” visit during a season you are involved with

a school activity, you need to do the proper paper work.

In-Season visits need to be cleared with your current school coach in advance and you must fill out an absence form with parent and teacher signatures prior to the day you are leaving if you intend on participating that same day in

your activity.

If you are not participating in a school activity the day of your visit, you still need to complete the absence form

with parent and teacher signatures, but you do not need to clear it with a coach.

If you do a college visit and it is not an “official” visit during a season you are participating in, I will not clear you to

participate that day in your activity.

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Ricker, AD, at 913-993-6643.

Jim Ricker, Athletic Director

913-993-6643

SME Parents Learn There are No Easy Answers to School Funding for SME Parents Learn There are No Easy Answers to School Funding for SME Parents Learn There are No Easy Answers to School Funding for SME Parents Learn There are No Easy Answers to School Funding for Shawnee MissionShawnee MissionShawnee MissionShawnee Mission Ninety-six parents and Shawnee Mission district patrons met with district officials and legislators at a special meet-ing January 20 at SME to learn more about how the state’s financial shortfalls will likely impact area schools. The group heard from the SME PTA Legislative Liaison Teresa Throckmorton and SMSD Committee for Excellence Chair Fred Logan who discussed options for maintaining adequate school funding in future years. Logan told the group that, even with Governor Mark Parkinson’s proposed sales tax increase, SMSD schools will still be forced to cut their budgets and will likely remain in the bottom 10 percent of all Kansas school districts based on authorized

per pupil spending.

Throckmorton said that the Kansas PTA was focused on maintaining adequate funding for all students in the state and presented an informative slide show that showed how Kansas ranked very high in the region for test scores, graduation rates, and college degrees. State Senator Terrie Huntington and Representatives Pat Colloton and Bar-bara Bollier told the audience that one of the ways Shawnee Mission was getting hurt was in special education fund-ing. Colloton said that under the current education funding formula Shawnee Mission was receiving state funding for about 67 percent of the cost to education special education students while some other Kansas districts were re-ceiving over 200 percent of the cost for their special education students. Parents were urged to stay abreast of the issue and communicate with their legislators about their concerns for adequate funding for public education and eq-uitable funding for Shawnee Mission schools. This link will take readers to a January 23 Kansas City Star article describing the current funding situation and its impact on local schools: http://www.kansascity.com/340/

story/1703235.html.

Cathy Bennett, PTA President

PTA Funds Project for Community SupportPTA Funds Project for Community SupportPTA Funds Project for Community SupportPTA Funds Project for Community Support The Shawnee Mission East PTA Instructional Grants Committee approved a request in December to purchase materials for the Level 1 Sewing Class to create 60 pillowcases for local women’s shelters. These grants are funded by your membership fees and other activities.

Citizenship Contest WinnerCitizenship Contest WinnerCitizenship Contest WinnerCitizenship Contest Winner Ninth-grader Ian Crawford placed second in the district with his essay about the importance of the historic inaugura-tion day, January 20, 2009. He expressed that because an African American man was elected president, it might mean people would become more aware of old prejudices, and work to eliminate them. He used the example of a member of congress from South Carolina publicly showing disrespect for the President to show that maybe nothing

has changed. Congratulations to Ian for his efforts!

Special Thank You to PTA VolunteersSpecial Thank You to PTA VolunteersSpecial Thank You to PTA VolunteersSpecial Thank You to PTA Volunteers Thank you to Teresa Throckmorton and Fred Logan for helping to educate area parents about the Kansas school funding crisis and what the shortage of funds for K-12 education will mean for the Shawnee Mission School Dis-

trict. Both of these SME parents have been tireless advocates for our schools and students.

Thank you to Mary Lucas and her thoughtful team for orchestrating a get well card signing shindig to support

Dr. Krawitz’s recovery and recuperation.

Thank you to Nonie Newman for coordinating another great Student Art Fair showcasing the work of our first

semester art students.

Thanks to all SME parents who volunteered to help with

H1N1 vaccinations

Thanks to Lori Sherk and Julie Sykes for directing this

year’s carnation sales to support the SME LOVE Fund

SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME PTA SME


SME Night At Culver’s Wednesday, February 17

7953 State Line Road

5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy a great meal

& support SME!

Culver’s will donate 10% of all sales

Documents

February 2010