From the Principal 

Welcome Back!  It is with great joy that I welcome you to another year at Leawood.  This year I begin my 11th year serving you in this capacity and each year I re-commit to giving the very best I have for this incredible community. I continue to feel extremely blessed to have the privilege of working alongside such hard-working, dedicated, knowledgeable teachers and staff.  They continue to hold high expectations and raise the bar for themselves, their colleagues, and our students. I'm so enjoying connecting with all of your children again and being a small part of their lives. Like the desires I hold for my own four children, I want the very best for each of yours. 

Leawood encourages all families to be involved in and stay informed about your child’s education! One way to establish positive connections and a greater impact is by joining our Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) and/or our School Accountability Committee (SAC.)  Our first SAC meeting is Wednesday, Sept 8th from 6:00-8:00pm via Google Meet. See this flyer for more information about Accountability. Our first PTSA meeting is Wednesday, Sept 15 from 6:00-7:30pm on Google Meet as well. Our new format for PTSA meetings starts with updates and how you can get involved, and then the bulk of the meeting is a Parent Learning Night.  See the PTSA page in this newsletter for more information. Links will be sent out right before the meetings, so check your emails. Please refer to our school website for more information including meeting agendas. 

PTSA has been a driving force in getting classroom technology, raising money for our new marquee, providing additional supports to our teachers, and supporting our school beautification initiatives. This year, we are so excited to roll out our new interactive devices, Mimio Boards, partially funded by PTSA. We can't wait to show you all they can do. Check out some of their videos here: Mimio Success Stories. 

This year, some of SAC’s accomplishments include: healthy school initiatives, setting academic goals based on our data, traffic and parking lot safety, student-based budgeting recommendations, and improved school to home communication, particularly when it comes to student social emotional health.

Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts regarding your child’s school success. Your concerns, ideas, and positive comments are appreciated and respected. Communication is vital to their success and to our overall growth and sense of community here at Leawood. Several years ago, Accountability worked to create this Leawood Concern Flow Chart of where to turn when you have concerns.  Please print it out and access it in times of need.  My door is always open and I'm happy to meet with parents at any time.  We want to be proud of our school and our students. 

For lots more information, be sure to check out our website at www.leawoodlions.us  and like us on Facebook HERE

Warmest Regards,  

Mrs. Shehan

Staff Out this Month

We've made the collaborative decision to get all staff teaching reading IMSE Orton Gillingham "OG" trained this year. The IMSE approach allows teachers to incorporate the five components essential to an effective reading program into their daily lessons: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. 

The approach is based on the Orton-Gillingham methodology and focuses on explicit, direct instruction that is sequential, structured, and multi-sensory. Research shows that this approach of gradual method of learning phonics-based skills effectively helps students with dyslexia achieve progressive mastery of these critical language skills. We also know it is a highly effective strategy that works for all students.

It continues to be our mission that all children must have the ability to read to fully realize their potential. This week long training is essential as we continue to grow as teachers of reading. I am committed to providing teachers and paras with the knowledge and tools regarding reading instructing to prepare future minds.

PreK-2 teachers and paras will be out all this week, Sept 7-10

3-5th grade teachers and paras will be out Sept 20-24

Please check in with your student during this time. We know that subs in the building can sometimes be discomforting and challenging for some students. We'll do our best to have consistent subs and be sure learning and routines continue as usual.

Ginny Simank is our OG trainer during these weeks.  She'll also join us in November to do some observations and side-by-side coaching as well. She is coming in from Texas and is highly regarded as a reading specialist, also serving on the national board of directors for the Learning Disabilities Association. We are honored to be receiving our training from her.  She wrote this article below to support parents in ways to help their readers: Tips for Parents of Struggling Readers

Columbine High School Welcomes Cheezo from the Jeffco Sheriff's Department

Wednesday, September 22, 6:00-7:00pm in CHS Auditorium

Members of the Cheezo unit will discuss common social media sites and applications for smart devices, hidden apps, ghost apps, privacy settings, location services, and technology addiction. Experts will also offer suggestions for setting limits on technology use and curfews. Cheezo has investigated cases of sexting in youth as young as 5th graders, and recognizes the importance to educate early. 4th grade students and up are encouraged to attend with their parents.  For more information, see this FLYER

LEAWOOD CROSSING GUARDS

CALLING ALL WATCH DOG DADS AND MARVELOUS MOMS

If you are interested in being a Leawood Crossing Guard, Jefferson County requires all staff and volunteers to take a crosswalk training before they can report for duty. View the training presentation and then take the test here: Link to test  You must score at least an 80% to be qualified, so please inquire your score before signing up.  You can review the presentation and take the test as many times as you'd like.

Remember to arrive in the office around 8:40 in order to get your vest and walkie talkie for crosswalk duty, and be in your assigned crosswalk by 8:50. Your student(s) may not be in the crosswalk with you.  Have them wait on the grass in front of the school.

All crossing guards are required to sign a Workers Comp Waiver as well.  Please leave with the office staff.

We're still looking for a Magnificent Mom to head up our new Marvelous Mom volunteer program.  Please let us know if you're interested. Top Dog, Matt Goman, continues as lead of our Watch Dog Dad Program.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Monday, September 6: NO SCHOOL, Labor Day

• Tuesday, September 7: Leawood Eats @ Chick-Fil-A, 4 - 8 pm

• Tuesday, September 7: Track team practice begins, 3:45 - 5 pm (more info on the Track Permission Form)

• Wednesday, September 8: Accountability Meeting, 6:00-8:00 pm. We'll send out a Google Meet right before the meeting

• Monday, September 13: Bus Safety Presentations

• Wednesday, September 15: Parent Learning Night, sponsored by PTSA, 6:30-8:00pm. Topic: The Maker Space

• Friday, September 17: PTSA Fall Fundraiser, Fun Run Kick Off. Look for lots of information coming home in this day's Friday folders.

  • • 2:15-2:45, PreK-2 Assembly

    • 3:00-3:30, 3rd-5th Assembly

• Wednesday, Sept 22, 6:00-7:00pm: Cheezo Presentation on Internet Safety at Columbine High School.  Flyer HERE

• Thursday, Sept 30 - Wed Oct 6: Fun Run Spirit Week

• Friday, October 1 - Fall Picture Make Up Day

• Wednesday, October 6 - Fun Run: Wellness - Mind, Body, & Soul

From Our Principal

From the School & Office  

From Our Teachers

From PTSA/Accountability  

From the District/Community

Student, Family, & Community Supports