North Notes
Blue Valley North's Parent Newsletter - January 21, 2022
In this Newsletter …
A Letter from Your Principal
Final Yearbook Deadline is 1/21
Kudos and Celebrations
Counseling Center
BVN Bell Schedules
Mark Your Calendar
Athletics
Special Needs Resource Fair
Parent Announcements
Senior Information
Student Announcements
Girls State and Boys State
Medical Messages
Durham Bus Information
New Winter Activity Guide
Buckaroo Bash (Mustang Club Fundraiser)
A Letter from Your Principal
Hello Mustang Community,
While it is only January, we are already preparing for next school year! It was a great week as we welcomed 8th grade families Wednesday night to discuss next year’s enrollment. Counselors will begin meeting with 9th-11th graders regarding enrollment for next year’s classes. Look for information regarding our online enrollment process later this month. In the meantime, please check ParentVue for your second semester course fees. They have been assigned and need to be paid.
We appreciate students and families adhering to COVID risk mitigation strategies. As of publication of North Notes, we have not yet received our COVID absence percentage. Once we have that information, we will communicate with the community whether or not we will continue with our mask mandate next week. This information will be conveyed by email and text message this weekend.
We are also excited to share that the Kansas State Department of Education is once again paying for a full ACT for all 11th grade students. This year’s exam is on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. This is an opt-out testing event, meaning that unless you tell us otherwise, we will plan on testing your 11th grade student on this day. All students test at their home school, and Blue Valley Academy students test at BVA. Juniors will start testing at BVN at 7:40 on March 1st, and will be dismissed after testing (roughly until 11:30 or Noon). Please note that freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will not attend school on March 1st. This is a change from the original calendar published for the 2021-2022 school year.
If you wish to opt your student out of the March 1st free ACT, please contact Lisa Stolper at lostolper@bluevalleyk12.org or 913-239-3034.
Have a great weekend and GO CHIEFS!
BVN Yearbook Order Deadline is Friday, January 21
The last day to pre-order a 2021-2022 BVN Yearbook is Friday, January 21, 2022. Parents can purchase the yearbooks through ParentVUE for $50. Students will not be guaranteed a yearbook after this date. Any extra yearbooks will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis on yearbook distribution day, which is Friday, May 13, 2022.
Kudos and Celebrations
Bowling Team
Our bowlers had their first meet on January 20th with great results. Let's give a round of applause to the Varsity Boys Team for coming in second by 1 pin! Austin Rakkaew was 3rd overall. The JV Boys Team and Varsity Girls Team did awesome as well! Cam Silva placed 4th place overall.
Scholars Bowl Team
Congratulations to the BVN Scholars Bowl team for winning the Saint James Varsity Scholars Bowl Invitational on January 19th. The team went undefeated in their 9 rounds played! Congratulations to Luke Chen, Devereaux Knight, Lizzie Place, Wazeen Hoq, Clayton Mombello, and Eddie Mu for their achievement.
Science Olympiad Team
Congratulations to the BVN Science Olympiad Team in its accomplishments at the Pembroke Hill Invitational on January 8th. BVN placed 3rd as a team out of 23 participating schools, and the following students also achieved individual placements in their events.
· Anatomy and Physiology: Luke Chen - 1st place
· Astronomy: Anna Pearson - 3rd place
· Cell Biology: Luke Chen - 1st place
· Chemistry Lab: Luke Chen - 1st place
· Codebusters: Ellie Lim - 4th place
· Disease Detectives: Anna Pearson - 3rd place
· Dynamic Planet: Justyna Hayslett- 2nd place
· Environmental Chemistry: Justyna Hayslett- 4th place
· Experimental Design: Luke Chen, Ellie Lim, and Rahul Chavali- 1st place
· Forensics: Luke Chen and Caleb Deng - 3rd place
· Green Generation: Justyna Hayslett- 5th place
· Remote Sensing: Ellie Lim - 1st place
· Rocks and Minerals: Justyna Hayslett- 6th place
· Trajectory: Sriram Kalki and Shivram Venkatachalam - 1st place
· Wright Stuff: Caleb Deng and Sriram Kalki- 2nd place
Counseling, Academics & Testing (updates)
Click Here For BVN's Counseling Webpage for information about:
- The schedule change period for this semester has ended. Only level changes and drops to a study hall are now allowed. Students may pick up a schedule change form in Student Services to request these changes.
- Senior parents must submit the Diploma and Transcript Authorization Form before the school is able to send transcripts to colleges for your student.
- Junior College Planning Information here - College and Career Planning
- Visit the Counseling Virtual Calming Room
- Visit the Counseling Home Page to find additional resources or contact information for Counselors and other Student Services staff.
Questions? Contact Sarah King @ (913)239-3016 or SKing@bluevalleyk12.org .
2022-2023 Enrollment Important Dates
How to Have a Mental Health Check-In with Your Teen
BVN Bell Schedules ~ North Time cancelled on Fridays
When there are five days in the school week, the Bell Schedule will be Odd, Even, Odd, Even, Traditional Day. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, school begins at 7:40 a.m. On Tuesday and Thursday, school begins at 8:25 a.m. (see below). If you want a copy for home, ask your student to stop by the BVN main office. It's also posted on the BVN website. When there are schedule changes due to a shortened school week, during finals, etc., it will be announced in North Notes and listed on the EKL calendar, BVN’s school calendar.
Update: On Tuesday & Thursday, North Time is now called Academic Support Time (AST).
Here is a link to the Bell Schedule which is on the BVN website: BVNBELLSCHEDULE .
Mark Your Calendar
Jan. 24-28: Sweetheart Spirit Week
January 29: Sweetheart Dance, 8:00-10:00 p.m. at BVN
January 29: The Mustang Club Buckaroo Bash Fundraiser, 6:30-11:00 p.m.
February 14-17: Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 18: NO SCHOOL/due after school conferences
February 21: NO SCHOOL/Presidents' Day
March 1: ACT Testing for Juniors/NO SCHOOL for 9th, 10th and 12th
March 11: NO SCHOOL/Professional Learning
March 14-18: NO SCHOOL/Spring Break
March 21: NO SCHOOL/Professional Learning
Upcoming All School Events
All BVN events, activities, sporting events and additional calendar adjustments are found on the EKL calendar: www.easternkansasleague.org
BVN Athletics & Athletic Hall of Fame
BVN Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations Needed
The Blue Valley North Athletic Hall of Fame was established in an effort to recognize individual(s) who have significantly contributed to the traditions and reputation of the athletic programs at Blue Valley North High School. Individuals recognized will have exemplified the character and ideals promoted by Blue Valley North through the use of their talents, time, dedication and energy. The establishment of this Hall of Fame will hopefully encourage others to follow their example.
Blue Valley North High School will be accepting nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame through Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. You, as a community member, are entitled to nominate a former BVN athlete you feel is deserving of this honor.
The guidelines for selection are as follows:
- The candidate distinguished him/herself by outstanding achievement in a sport.
- The candidate displayed good citizenship, sportsmanship and leadership.
- Candidates should have attended BVN at least their junior and senior years.
- Candidates should have graduated between 2007 - 2017.
- Parents and other relatives may not submit nominations.
Please click on this link, print the form and complete it, BVN Athletic Hall of Fame Nomination Form , and return to Kelli Kurle at kkurle@bluevalleyk12.org. If you have any questions, please call 239-3011. Thank you!
Track and Field Team
BVN Track and Field pre-season workouts will take place after the new year at BVN. Please look over the PowerPoint for training info CLICK HERE. The workouts are 100% optional but will be beneficial for the upcoming season.
Please sign up for the Spond App. Anyone can join this group for track and field info by using the link https://group.spond.com/UGXMK
Any questions, students should see Coach Fancher, after school, in Mobile 1.
Softball Team
Girls' Softball is a spring sport, and pre-season conditioning has begun. The schedule is Tuesday & Thursday at 7:00 a.m., and Wednesdays at 6:45 a.m.! Please reach out to Coach Stevie if you have questions: stevierayegibson@gmail.com .
If you have questions, contact Teresa Anderson, BVN Assistant to the Athletic Director, at 913-239-3011 or by email, tanderson@bluevalleyk12.org .
Please take a look through the BVN Mustang Club's Winter Activity Guide! Here is a link to the on-line edition: https://anyflip.com/qzkqi/xqsn/
This is a great way to see photos of the athletic teams, activities & performing arts students, find out more about their coaches and directors, and read a greeting from the BVN Principal & the Mustang Club Presidents. Please take time to see the advertisements from our corporate partners and give them your business whenever possible. We thank them for their support of the Mustang Club and our Blue Valley North students. Enjoy!
Parent Announcements
Special Needs Resource Fair (see flyer above)
The Blue Valley Special Needs Resource Fair is returning (with safety precautions) on Thursday, February 10, 2022 between 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Hilltop Conference Center. Please take a look at this flyer for more information. There will be many representatives of camps, recreational opportunities, therapies, equipment, adult/transition services, financial/legal services, and so much more. The Special Education Advisory Council appreciates your support.
Student MacBook Update necessary
It is time for students to update their MacBooks! The update is necessary for student safety and network security. This applies to all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. 9th graders already have Big Sur.
During Homeroom on Thursday Jan 5 we had students watch a video that explained the process. Please feel free to go over these important details with your student:
- You must have at least 49GB of free space to update. There are directions and tips on the Student Hub for freeing up space if you don't have enough.
- Once you have the space and have backed up everything on your computer, set aside time after school hours to update. Plug in your computer and follow the steps. Detailed steps can be found on the BVN Student Hub.
- If you have any issues, sign up for an appointment to get help.
- Freshman already have Big Sur. No need to make an appointment.
- Sophomores and Juniors- It is important that we get this update done as quickly as possible. If you need help, make an appointment.
- Seniors- Upgrade if you can. If you are unable to upgrade and need help, hold off until further notice.
Fostering A Safe School Environment
Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all of our schools. Through the convergence of physical and intellectual security measures, we are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.
BV Career Ready Programs
The Career Ready Programs department is offering several exciting opportunities for Blue Valley students to earn college credit at little to NO cost to families through Johnson County Community College (JCCC). Students can earn an associate degree OR career-ready certification in high-demand, high paying fields. Areas include: Automotive Technology, Culinary & Hospitality, Cybersecurity, Electrician Technology, Electronic Technology, Emergency Management & Fire Science, HVAC, Nail Technology, Plumbing, and Welding/Metal Fabrication.
The information shared at these sessions will be most relevant for current sophomore and junior students and parents/guardians. We invite you to attend one of our community-wide family informational sessions in January:
January 25, 2022: Learn more about the Emergency Management & Fire Science program from our partners at the Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD) at the OPFD Training Center at 12401 Hemlock at 6:30 p.m.
January 27, 2022: Learn more about the career ready certification programs in the JCCC CTEC building lobby at 6:30 P.M. We will hear from JCCC Deans, Department Chairs, and Blue Valley students currently enrolled in these programs.
Questions? Please visit the Blue Valley Career Ready Programs website at https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/domain/5605 or please feel free to reach out to Sarah Beren, Liaison to JCCC for Blue Valley Career Ready Programs, at 913-239-4141 or sberen@bluevalleyk12.org.
Student ID Cards and Student/Family Activity Passes
If you've recently purchased a Student or Family Activity Pass or an Adult Individual Activity pass, you can have your student see Mrs. Miller in the Student Services office to request the cards.
Are you moving? Have you moved?
Please contact the BVN Registrar, Suzy Doherty, by email at sdoherty@bluevalleyk12.org .
Senior Information for the Class of 2022
Save the date for 2022 Graduation: Sunday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at the District Activity Center, 13310 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas 66213. Rain date is Wednesday, May 25 at 6 p.m. There are no tickets required and there is no limit on seating.
Senior Info page: Click HERE to access:
- Info about ordering your cap & gown--Seniors can check the list at Mrs. Miller's desk to confirm if they have/have not ordered yet.
- Info about the Senior Class Picture to be taken on February 22. Check the schedule on the Senior Info page.
- A link to authorize the release of your student's transcript for college applications
- Info about the Balfour shipping schedule
- Info about scholarships offered to seniors involved in specific activities
It’s not too late to order a senior wall tile to commemorate your student’s time at Blue Valley North! Orders will be accepted through January 31st on the Mustang Club website or through this link [https://bvnpbc.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/27490]. The cost is $37. We hope you will help us continue this fun Mustang tradition!
We will update this info page as decisions are made in the new few months.
Questions? Contact BVN Activities: Lisa Miller @ lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org .
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Student Announcements
BOYS STATE 2022 JUNE 5-11! “Boys State is a practical opportunity to learn leadership skills through role play civic exercise.” Applications are available for high school sophomores and juniors to attend Boys State 2022. You can find more information at https://ksbstate.org/. Boys State will take place on the Kansas State University campus. If cost is an issue, please contact the KS Boys State Main Office (see FAQs). Questions? Contact Catie Bosch, cbosch@bluevalleyk12.org .
COVID Close Contact Options updated (new)
Medical Messages
Is Your Child Sick? Please read on....
Winter, colds, flu, and other viruses often come together. Germs from colds and other illnesses make their way into our workplaces, schools, and homes. If you have a child who is sick, we ask for your support by keeping them at home. District protocol requires students stay home until they are fever free for a period of 24 hours and or at least 24 hours since symptom resolution. If your child has been diagnosed by a physician with Influenza, please keep them home for five days following onset of illness or for the duration of illness if the case is immune compromised.
As you know, the health of our students is important to us. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to keep our kids healthy and in school.
School Nurse Information and Clinic Hours
The Nurse's office is open M – F: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. It closes for lunch 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. except in the case of an emergency. Nurse Amanda Collichio is available to assist students with their health needs, first-aid and medical conditions. For help, contact Nurse Amanda at (913) 239-3013 or AJCollichio@bluevalleyk12.org .
Prescription Meds at BVN - Action Needed
This is reminder to parents: All prescription medications must be accompanied by this written authorization from a physician or other person licensed to prescribe medications, for the administration of that medication at school. All prescription medications to be administered at school must be in their original containers with the label intact. Students shouldn’t be self-carrying unlabeled prescription medications or any prescription medications. Questions? Email Nurse Amanda Collichio at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org.
JOCO COVID-19 Updates
Please follow this link to the Johnson County COVID-19 website for current information.
COVID-19 Testing and Resources for BV Staff, Students and Families
Throughout this school year, Blue Valley’s priorities have been the safety of our students and keeping students in school and in person as we know this is critical to their long-term success and well-being. MAWD Labs is offering a local COVID-19 testing option that is available for students, staff and their family members. This option is available through a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant provided directly to MAWD Labs.
Online scheduling and registration now available for COVID-19 Testing
Throughout this school year, Blue Valley’s priorities have been the safety of our students and keeping students in school and in-person as we know this is critical to their long-term success and well-being. MAWD Labs offers a local COVID-19 testing option available through a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant provided directly to MAWD Labs.
New! Online Scheduling and Registration for MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic
The MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic now can accept online appointments and registrations.
- Step 1: Book an appointment online (up to 6 people per appointment/car)
- Step 2: If you have not done so already, create an online account for parent/guardian. Please note that to login into the account in the future, username is the parent/guardian email address.
- Complete a form for the child needing COVID-19 testing and submit. Create forms for additional household members by clicking “Add Individual.”
- Receive a QR code via email for each family member needing testing. Keep this code as it will need to be shown upon arrival for each appointment.
- Call (913) 239-4371 and leave a message if you have questions. Calls will be returned in the order received.
- Due to the high volume of testing, only current household members of Blue Valley students and staff are eligible to test at the MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic.
MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic: 14950 Newton Drive, Overland Park, KS 66223 (Northwest of CAPS on the Blue Valley School District Campus)
- Hours of Operation
- Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Friday 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Inclement Weather Schedule
- The MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic will be closed whenever school is cancelled for inclement weather.
- MAWD Drive-In Testing Clinic will operate on regular hours if there is an emergency closing for other reasons, such as high staff or transportation absences.
Additional information about MAWD’s Drive-In Testing Clinic is available on the district website. General COVID-19 resources from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, community testing locations and vaccine information from Children’s Mercy can be found on the district website.
COVID-19 Resources
Blue Valley families can find a variety of COVID-19 resources on the district website including general COVID-19 information, community testing locations and vaccine information from Children’s Mercy.
Durham Bus Riders (updated)
Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2021-22 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492. The best time to call is between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. when more staff are available to answer questions.
Durham Bus Services has three helpful tools for families with bus riders. Registration is required each year for families as bus routes and participants change:
- Bus Tracker: The Blue Valley Durham location will be using the Bus Tracker mobile app that is available for iOS and Android devices. To use the app, users will create an account that is tied to an email address of the user’s choice. The tool will allow account users to follow the route of a specific bus. Durham is updating daily when a scheduled backup bus is being used for a planned maintenance activity. If a bus is replaced with a quick turnaround due to an unforeseen event, Durham dispatch will make the switch on Bus Tracker at their next opportunity to update the app.
- Text Messaging: Families are still encouraged to sign up for Durham Text Messaging. The system is designed to share the “why” as Bus Tracker is designed to tell the “where”. To sign up for Durham Text Messaging visit www.bluevalleydurham.com.
- E-Link: Allows for verification of a student’s transportation information (i.e., stop location, bus # and pick-up and drop off times) based on the input of grade and home address. To access E-Link, go to www.bluevalleydurham.com.
BUCKAROO BASH TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE for Jan. 29!
Do not miss the biggest and best parent-only party in the BVSD! Please join us at the 2022 Buckaroo Bash on January 29, from 6:30 - 11:00 p.m., at the Ironhorse Golf Clubhouse and mingle with other BVN parents while at the same time supporting The Mustang Club.
Tickets are LIMITED so buy ASAP for $60 or procrastinate and pay $75 later. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
The ticket price includes food, drinks, entertainment and auctions. All proceeds from this event go directly towards our children’s extracurricular sports and activities.
This fundraising event is a massive support for our students, and our hope is that this year’s event is an even bigger success than the last bash, which raised $28,000 to support our kids’ activities! Thank you for your support!!
We are Mustang Proud!
North Notes is published most Fridays during the school year. North Notes is a newsletter for the parents and students of Blue Valley North High School. If you have questions, please contact Janet Roush, Assistant to the Principal, at JRoush@bluevalleyk12.org .
BVN Main Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
Blue Valley North High School
BVN Twitter:
@MustangsBvn
@BVNOstroski
@TheKurle
@BVNCounseling
@MustangsOfBVN
@bvnnews
@BVNMustangsPBC
BVN Instagram:
@bvnmustangs
Email: Jroush@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org/BVN/
Location: 12200 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS, 66209
Phone: (913) 239-3000
Facebook: facebook.com/BVNMustangs/
Twitter: @bvnnews