Shawnee Mission School District: News Post

Press release from the Shawnee Mission School District:

July 16, 2021

With a parent in the medical field, Tobi Oyetunji was interested in exploring a possible career in healthcare. Oyetunji, an eighth grader at Indian Hills, got the chance this summer as he attended Camp CARE at the Center for Academic Achievement.

The camp was part of Summer Enrichment’s Satellite Classes, offering opportunities for incoming middle school students to explore Shawnee Mission’s Signature Programs. This class focused on Shawnee Mission’sMedical Health Science program.

“It’s been pretty fun,” Oyetunji reflected. “It broadens your experience. I thought this class would be one thing and it was a lot more than I expected.”

Students responded to simulated emergencies in the medical science lab, practiced emergency response skills, and heard from professionals who visited the classroom. They learned about geriatric patients and aspects of aging and healthcare. On another day, they studied a canine skeleton and welcomed a dog from Unleashed Pet Rescue to learn more about the veterinary field and compare and contrast animal bodies to human bodies. They also learned aspects of sports medicine.

During the week, students also heard from graduates of Shawnee Mission’s Medical Health Science Signature Program. Tristan Mowry, a nurse who cares for newborns and moms in the Kansas City area, spoke to students about her college and career path. She spoke about the education she pursued, her typical days on the job, and answered questions from the students.

Even if students do not decide to pursue medicine like Mowry did, teachers Connie Gandy and Kevin Stalsburg, who instruct Medical Health Science students during the school year, taught the class with overarching goals to help students hone their interpersonal skills. Most activities required students to practice verbal and nonverbal communication, empathy, and compassion. In at least one emergency simulation, students practiced communicating as a patient and as a responder, asking questions like “What is your name?” “What are you struggling with?” “When was the last time you ate?” The activity required teamwork among the students.

“These exercises help students understand that quality care takes more than one person,” Gandy said. “These are philosophies that will train students well for whatever they choose to do.”

Another goal of the week’s activities was to help students gain confidence in responding to emergencies. Several of Gandy’s Signature Program students have found themselves in real-life emergencies and have been able to assist because of their classroom training.

That was one of the lessons Reagan Estes, Trailridge seventh-grader said she would take away.

“I hope I remember a lot of these skills so I will be able to help other people who need help,” she shared. “I definitely would try to help while I also call for someone who can respond.”

Would you like to help students in our community achieve their personal best?

You can do that by joining the SMSD Custodial Services Team.

The Shawnee Mission School District is currently seeking custodial team members.

These positions offer benefits such as:

Day and evening shifts (Operations and Maintenance employees are all on 260-day contract)

• 13 paid holidays
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Uniforms provided
• Paid sick leave

To learn more about these positions and how to become a part of the SMSD team, please visit: https://www.smsd.org/human-resources/job-opportunities

This week, I had the privilege of being joined by two Shawnee Mission North students as I achieved a dream I never thought possible.

I was invited to fly with the US Navy Blue Angels in an F/A 18 Super Hornet jet!

Click here to see a video.

Jalen Juan, junior, and Owen Dooley, senior, in the Shawnee Mission North High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, joined me at the New Century AirCenter as I took the flight of a lifetime. I’ll admit I was nervous, but I pushed through it. I knew the flight would be amazing and I was grateful to share this learning opportunity.

Jalen and Owen have considered becoming pilots in the future. Both were able to meet the pilot for this flight, Blue Angel #7, Lieutenant Julius Bratton. Lt. Bratton knew from the age of five that he wanted to fly planes. The students also got to see an incredible team, from mechanics to air traffic controllers, working together to support the fighter pilot.

Having dedicated my life to education, this was a new experience for me. Honestly, I was still working through some of my fears as I buckled in. I received training before taking off from #7 Crew Chief, Nathan Lyons, and knew that if I remembered what I had learned and stuck together with Lt. Bratton, we would accomplish something amazing.

Once we were finally in the air, it was incredible! At one point, we were traveling at almost the speed of sound. We did barrel rolls and loops, something I never imagined doing in a plane. This experience went beyond my wildest imagination!

It’s my hope for Jalen, Owen, and for every Shawnee Mission student, that they get the chance to achieve their dreams. Whether they are like Lt. Bratton, knowing from age five what they want to be, or a high school senior figuring out their own personal learning plan, I want every student to dream big.

I do want to extend a special thanks to the US Navy Blue Angels and Lt. Bratton for this opportunity, and to Jalen, Owen, and their teacher, Dennis Grayless for sharing this experience with me.

I am truly honored to begin my role as Superintendent of Shawnee Mission Schools this week, achieving another personal dream. On behalf of the Board and Shawnee Mission Leadership Team we are excited to officially begin the 2021-2022 school year. As we work as a community, I know that by sticking together we can achieve greatness and help every student, no matter their personal path, achieve unlimited possibilities.

--Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Superintendent

Students at Rushton Elementary celebrated National Bike Month in May with a “Rolling for Rushton” bike rodeo, where bike safety and fun were the number one goals.

Through Caring for Kids, the school partnered with BikeWalkKC for the event. BikeWalkKC provided bikes for use during the event for children of all sizes. New helmets were gifted to each participant provided by Rushton PTA, Casey’s Auto Repair and BikeWalkKC. As students registered, they learned the proper fit for their new helmet.

Participants ranged from beginner riders to experienced riders and included some that had not ridden a bike before.

“This is a great opportunity for students to learn, gain experience, and become more comfortable and confident in bike riding” shares Laura Steele, director of education for BikeWalkKC. “They learn about riding for transportation, recreation, fitness, and fun.”

Bike safety education, led by BikeWalkKC, began with the ABC’s of bike safety checks prior to riding. Students learned: A to always check the air in tires, B to evaluate brakes, and C to check the bike chain. Students joined a discussion about the importance of exercise and activity, with bicycling being a positive way to begin the day. They then made their way through a series of obstacle courses.

BikeWalkKC works closely with community officials to create safe bike routes to school and plans that enhance quality of life. The students were educated in bike safety as transportation with Nilo Fanska, Community Development Coordinator for the City of Mission. With the newly added bike lanes along Lamar, students ended the event with a short community bike ride.

The Kansas City Star announced the top 2021 high school Scholar-Athletes.

“The caliber of nominees is always staggering and we don’t take lightly the responsibility of the review,” wrote Jeff Rosen.

Here is a look at the SMSD students recognized for their academic and athletic skills:

SM East

Sarah Bingham, Shawnee Mission East has a 4.45 GPA and earned four varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Bingham is two time all-state and all-conference in volleyball and is a career blocks leader in basketball. Sarah is in National French Honor society.

The Star also recognized nominees Caden Nicholson and Hanna Robinett.

SM North

Trevor Maxville from Shawnee Mission North has a 3.78 GPA and earned four varsity letters in track and field and cross country. Maxville is the record holder at Boulder Run in cross country, a state qualifier in track and field, and participated in DECA and mathletics.

The Star also recognized nominees Kiara Williams and Dayton Moody.

Shawnee Mission Northwest

Ty Black has a 4.02 GPA and earned three varsity letters in football, two in basketball, track and field and golf. In 2020, Black was named a Gatorade Kansas player of the year and Simone Award finalist. Black served as a peer model and participated in the Student Leadership Committee.

The Star also recognized nominee Julie Johnson.

SM South

Max Close has a 4.2 GPA and earned four varsity letters in basketball and three in football and track and field. Close was selected to play football in the Shrine Bowl, served as team captain in basketball, and placed 12th in state in shot put. Close participated in National Honor Society and DECA.

The Star also recognized Natalie Payne and Chloe Wannamaker.

SM West

Olivia Morris has a 4.59 GPA and earned four varsity letters in soccer and two in basketball. Morris was on the 2018 conference championship team and received all-conference honors in 2019. She was in student government and National Honor Society and dedicated time to helping individuals with disabilities.

The Star also recognized nominees Aiden Moxness and Spencer Schade.

Scholar athletes were nominated by coaches and educators at their school. They were reviewed by KC Star staffers and members of the community. The evaluations were based as follows:

45% for athletic prowess and accomplishments

25% for academic achievements

10% for participation

10% for overall impact on their school environment.

This is the 38th year the Star has recognized high school scholar athletes.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.kansascity.com/article251982828.html

This press release was produced by the Shawnee Mission School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.