Trick or Treat Trailblazers!
October only brings treats to SFT! We have skating, Chipotle, Monster Mash Fall Bash and fall parties all coming up! Read to the end of this jampacked edition of Trail Talk so that you have all of the information you need to participate and volunteer in fun fall events.
Stay connected with the SFT community on Facebook!
SFT Family Directory
If you are interested in participating in an optional SFT family directory, please use the link below to fill out the opt in form. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Oliva erinpoliva@gmail.com.
PTA Support Report
Fun Run Results
Wow! SFT Community, your generosity is overwhelming! We have gone above and beyond our 2023 Fun Run goal of $10k with donations exceeding $12k! All of these donations will be put to excellent use in support of our students, teachers and school. We hope your student enjoyed participating in the Fun Run and that they love their SFT shirt! The SFT community is something special! We are so proud of the kids and the community for their enthusiastic participation and SFT support. Thank you again for the many ways you love our school!
Jill Hrabe and Jenny Behrens, Fun Run Chairs
SFT Special Purchase Nomination
The SFT PTA is in a position this year to purchase a few larger "wishlist" items for the school beyond our annual support because of the generous giving of the SFT community. If you are a PTA member, teacher, parent or guardian with an idea, please fill out the following form with as much detail as possible. Projects will only be considered if all sections of this form are completed, and the project is approved by school leadership. Projects must be at least $500; smaller items may be discussed through a different revenue stream, such as classroom teacher grants or staff appreciation.
Qualifying projects will go up for a vote at the November 15 PTA meeting. In order to vote, you must be a 2023-24 PTA member and must present at the meeting either in person or via WebEx. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, October 31. (If you haven't joined PTA this year, you can do that HERE for just $5.)
Ms. Leiker's Letter
SFT Families,
I cannot believe we are almost to the end of the first quarter of the school year. October 11th is the last day of the quarter. Teachers will complete grade cards that will be viewable by the end of the day on October 19th in Skyward. If you have issues accessing your student’s grade card in Skyward, please talk to Ms. Jones in the office.
Please plan to attend a conference (in-person, WebEx, or phone) with your child’s teacher. Scheduled conference days are planned for Thursday, October 19th from 4:30-7:30 p.m. or Friday, October 20th during school hours – there will be no school on this day. Please remember that staff members are available to talk with you at any time, not just during these scheduled conferences. Teachers will be able to share information on beginning of the year benchmark testing done with students in the areas of math and reading along with how the student is doing on the priority standards.
We appreciate everyone’s assistance with arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you for having students at school on time so they can be in their seats by 8:10. The first few minutes of the day are very important. Students who arrive punctually have a personal advantage with regard to the school day. They have opportunity to complete the morning assignment, greet classmates, put away personal items, understand the agenda for the day, hear the morning announcements, etc. When students are tardy, both the class and the individual miss out on some important beginnings.
Educationally yours,
Ms. Leiker
*Attendance Reminder*
- Please call the school by 8:30 am to report your child’s absence or late arrival.
- The Attendance Line is available 24/7 at 913-993-5088.
- You may also e-mail brigettejones@smsd.org to report an absence.
- This number applies to ANY and ALL absences.
- It is not necessary to call the nurse unless you have a specific question about your child.
Clothing Reminder
Recess is an integral part of the school day and proper outdoor clothing is essential. Please see that your child is prepared for abrupt weather changes at times of the year when the weather may take a sudden turn for the worse.
- A jacket is often needed in the mornings as fall approaches. Please put student names on outdoor wear.
- For safety reasons, we ask that each child wear gym shoes during physical education classes.
- No flips flops, slides, platform shoes, sandals or shoes that do not fit snugly to the foot are to be worn to school. This rule is in place as a safety precaution for your children. Students need appropriate footwear for recess each day.
Recognize an SFT Employee!
Do you want to recognize a fabulous SFT employee? Nominate them for the Shawnee Mission School District's All Star Award! The SMSD All Star review committee meets monthly to complete the selection process for submissions in advance of the Shawnee Mission Board of Education meetings. It's easy! Fill out the form at the link below and show the district that SFT teachers and staff are the best! The form includes basic information about the employee and three questions.
Reflections Contest: Enter by Oct. 19
This year's theme is "I am hopeful because..." Send submissions to lisa.a.bauman@gmail.com by October 19. For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at PTA.org/Reflections/Awards.
Monster Mash Fall Bash: Oct. 27
Also, if you are planning to attend, please consider donating a little bit of your time to help pull off this event. Adult/teen volunteers make this SFT party happen, and most time slots are just 30 minutes. Sign up at the link below, and thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D44A8AA28AAF94-44824424-monster
Costume Parade and Fall Class Parties
On October 31, the SFT costume parade will be at 1:45, followed by fall class parties at 2:00-2:45 pm. Parents and guardians are welcome! Costumes are optional. If your student is planning to wear a costume, here are the guidelines:
- Students should bring their costumes in a bag to change into before the parade. Students will wear their costumes over their school clothes, if possible.
- Please have young students practice putting on their costume. Please save the fancy, complicated costumes for outside of school.
- No make-up, or colored hair.
- Costumes should be culturally and socially sensitive. Respect for all individuals and groups needs to be demonstrated.
- Costumes should not suggest violence in any manner. No weapons can be implied (such as swords, knives, guns, light sabers, etc.)
- Students are encouraged to use their imagination in creating their costumes.
- A good rule of thumb would be to keep from wearing anything that would scare a kindergarten student.
- Parents/guardians who attend the class party may take their student home after the parties are over. The front drive must be cleared by 2:50 for dismissal.
Want your student to learn another language?
How cool would it be for our kids to be fluent in another language by the time they complete elementary school?! That's a reality for some students across the metro, but this dream hasn't yet come to fruition in our school district, SMSD. The volunteer group Dual Language SMSD is working to change that!
Dual Language SMSD is a grassroots, parent-led effort to get our district to establish a dual language program.
"What's a dual language program?" you ask? Great question! This type of program could take one of several forms: a language immersion program, a world-language offering added to the specials rotation, or some combination or variation of these. Regardless of the specifics, the objective is the same: offer young students the opportunity to start learning a world language in elementary school when that learning tends to be most natural and impactful. Dual language programs are offered by most of the major school districts surrounding SMSD -- Olathe, Blue Valley, KCK, KCMO -- but this is not available in SMSD...yet. Thus, a small, determined group of parent and teacher volunteers formed Dual Language SMSD in an effort to petition SMSD to add this valuable program to our curriculum. In order for this to even be considered by SMSD leaders, they need to know that there is a groundswell of support for this type of program, at which point it might be considered during the district's 5-year strategic planning process, kicking off in December.
So, here's where you come in. If the potential for your child to become bilingual is something you think is valuable, here's how you can help:
- CONNECT: Join the Dual Language SMSD Facebook group to learn more about the effort, read the research about the tremendous value of bilingualism, and be notified of easy action steps.
- CHIME IN: Take a short survey, developed by Dual Language SMSD, to voice your support.
- VOLUNTEER: If bilingualism is a passion for you, consider giving some of your time to this effort. At the moment, we are in spread-the-word mode, so we need more typing-hands and talking-mouths to help get the word out to others in our own school community and around SMSD.
- VOTE: In January, SMSD leadership will begin the district's 5-year strategic planning process, which includes asking for input from us, the families of SMSD students. If you receive a message asking what you think is important in the district, typing "dual language program" in the survey will let leaders know you want them to explore this valuable option for our district.
If you are interested in volunteering or want to learn more, contact Mary Birkel, SFT PTA's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) chair: marydeantaylor@gmail.com.
SFT Calendar
2023
Oct. 11 --> Why Cook Wednesday: Chipotle Mission 4-8 pm
Oct. 12 --> No School K-6 Teacher Professional Development
Oct. 13 --> No School K-6 & End of First Quarter
Oct. 17 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
Oct. 19 --> Parent Evening Conferences 4:30-7:30 pm
Oct. 19 --> Reflections Entries Due
Oct. 20 --> No School K-6 Conferences
Oct. 27 --> SFT Monster Mash Fall Bash 6-8 pm SFT Gym
Oct. 31 --> SFT Fall Parade at 1:45 and Parties from 2:00 to 2:45
Nov. 15 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Nov. 20 --> No School for Teacher Facilitated Professional Learning
Nov. 21 --> No School for Teacher Parent Contact Flex Day
Nov. 22-24 --> No School for Thanksgiving Break Offices Closed
Dec. 5 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
2024
Feb. 20 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
Feb. 21 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Apr. 10 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6:00 pm
Apr. 16 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm
