Trail Talk Newsletter

Happy Spring, SFT Community! Did you hear the singing and laughing coming from the American Legion on Saturday?! What an incredible evening of socializing and playing trivia in our favorite 90's outfits with our special SFT community. Official report from the committee below. We aren't stopping there, we have so much more fun in store for you this spring. We hope you will support our SFT kiddos as they shine in the talent show Wednesday, March 6. Next, you can catch up with all of the SFT staff at the Open House on Thursday, March 7. Then we will come back from Spring Break ready to shop till we drop at the Spring Book Fair!

Stay connected through Facebook, Instagram and on the SFT PTA Website

• Gold Sponsors: McAnany Construction, Delta T Heating and Cooling, The Harvest Group & Rubin and Brown

• Silver Sponsors: Polsinelli &Agency Of

• Friends and Family: J&B Blinds & The Martz Bros.

Thanks again to everyone involved!

Order your SFT Yearbook today! If you would like to donate a yearbook for a family who might not be able to cover that cost themselves, please add another book to your order and enter "Donate" as the first name and the last name. Thank you!

Order Now

The March Why Cook Wednesday will be on March 20 at Chick-Fil-A in Mission! Eat out and support SFT from 5-7 pm.

Congratulations to SFT 6th grader Brooklyn Jenkins for finishing in 2nd place in the Shawnee Mission School District-level Citizenship Essay Contest. Brooklyn won the Santa Fe Trail contest in the essay category with her essay centered on the theme "I will lift others up by...". She is pictured here receiving her award ribbon from SMSD superintendent Michelle Hubbard. Way to go, Brooklyn!

SFT's Spring Scholastic book fair will be held April 1-5 in the library. Make sure to swing by to find books to read over summer break! As always, adult volunteers will be needed to make the book fair run smoothly. Each volunteer will receive one free book! Sign-up to volunteer today!

Mark your calendar: The SFT Spring Carnival is set for Friday, May 3. This fun family night out will include bouncy houses, rides, treats and more. If you love this night as much as we do, consider chipping in to help make it happen. Here are a few ways you can assist:

• Plan to sign up for one or more 30-minute time slots to work a station.
• Gather supplies and prizes, come April.
• Join the committee and help with the behind-the-scenes prep!

The committee's next meeting will be after spring break. Contact Shae Paradise at shaestark@gmail.com or 913-575-7505

SFT Families,

Believe it or not, it’s already that time of year when we begin thinking about class placements for next year. The staff at SFT will spend a great deal of time and thoughtful effort in creating class lists for the 2024-2025 school year. Right now, it looks like we will have two classes for each grade level kindergarten - 6th grade. Classes are constructed in such a way to meet the following criteria:

• Even mix of males/females in all classes at a given grade level
• Combining and placement of students academically to best meet their needs
• Combination of social/behavioral levels in all classes
• As near equal class sizes as possible in all classes at a given grade level

Beyond that, we look at students with clearly exceptional learning or behavioral needs and see if there is one particular teacher’s style or strengths that would benefit that student more than another. We also look at the social dynamics between certain students, and if our experiences tell us that two or more students have a negative influence on each other when they are together in the classroom, then we may ensure they are placed in different classrooms. When placement decisions are made, it is a combination of the classroom teachers, special teachers, parent input, and building principal.

If you, as parents, have specific information to share about your child’s needs, please share them in writing with me by March 31st. An email would be fine. You may include information such as: strengths or special needs; learning style; other students who may present distractions; qualities you seek in a teacher. I will not take teacher requests. However, I will take into consideration any previous experience you may have had with a staff member and reasons why you would prefer not to have that person as your child’s teacher. Our hope is to let students be notified of their classroom placements in Skyward or at Back-to-School Night where they can meet their teacher and bring their supplies.

Educationally yours,

Ms. Leiker

The Next Great Idea Competition Extended!

The deadline for students to apply for the Next Great Idea Pitch Competition has been extended to March 8, 2024. Please encourage students to apply for a chance to pitch their great ideas for professionals and win prize money that could help them advance their ideas!

Here is a link for more information

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.

All Star Nomination Form

Legislative Season has begun. The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA Legislative Coordinator has provided a summary of topics they are watching. Each of these items are among the legislative priorities for Kansas PTA and SMSD. You can get more information by visiting the website or following along on social media.

6th grade graduation is quickly approaching! Help us send off our grown-up kiddos in style. If you are interested in assisting with the 6th grade graduation day festivities, please join our committee that will meet when we return from spring break.

Reach out to Shae Paradise 913-575-7505 shaestark@gmail.com

Help PTA earn cashback donations by shopping brands and restaurants you love. It's simple! With Givebacks, when you shop and dine at participating stores and restaurants, those merchants automatically donate a percentage to the cause of your choice. To make sure you're all set up to give, register for a Givebacks account and securely link your credit card. Then, select Santa Fe Trail as the cause of your choice. https://www.givebacks.com/join/sft

2024

Mar. 06 --> SFT Variety Show 6pm

Mar. 07 --> SFT Open House 6-7 pm

Mar. 08 --> No School; Teacher Workday

Mar. 08 --> Next Great Idea Deadline

Mar. 11-15 --> No School; Spring Break

Mar. 18 --> Beginning of 4th Quarter

Mar. 20 --> Why Cook Wednesday at Chick-Fil-A

Mar. 27 --> 6th Grade Musical 6pm

Apr. 1 - 5 --> Book Fair

Apr. 10 --> General PTA Meeting SFT Library 6pm

Apr. 16 --> SFT Skate Party 6-8 pm

May 03 --> SFT Carnival

May 10 --> Field Day

Email: sftptapresident@gmail.com
Location: 7100 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS, USA
Facebook: SFT Trailblazer Connection | Facebook

Website: www.sftpta.org