Jaguar Journal
January 22, 2021
Here is your weekly update from the JUNGLE!
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Student Pictures can be picked up in Main Office until 4pm
ACTIVITY NEWS
COUNSELING NEWS
IMPORTANT LINKS
Durham Bus Company contact information: email admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com or call 913-681-2492
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Blue Valley Career-Ready Programs
Did you know that Blue Valley offers a variety of career-ready programs for high school students in partnership with Johnson County Community College? Through this partnership high school students have the opportunity to earn college credits at little to no cost, advance toward an associates degree, earn certifications and more!
Watch this video for an overview of current and future opportunities students have to learn real-world skills and practical knowledge with a career focus.
Click on anyone of the following programs being offered to find out more:
Construction Management Program Welding and Metal Fabrication Programs
This week we would like to highlight the Culinary/Hospitality
This program is for students who are academically very capable, who are highly motivated and who see the benefit in obtaining a dual diploma program because it is cost-effective. They’ll walk away from Blue Valley with a high school diploma and an associates degree at minimal cost or no cost to the student. They are students who have high ambitions for the future and financially see a reason that this benefits them.” - Katie Bonnema, Director of Career-Ready Programs.
Through the Dual Degree partnership with Johnson County Community College (JCCC), high school juniors and seniors can work toward earning their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously. The program provides students the opportunity to attend JCCC full-time, receive dual credit for their coursework and take an average of 15 credit hours each semester at no cost to the student. Careful course selection and ongoing communication with counselors at both JCCC and the student’s home high school is necessary to ensure coursework is aligned to achieving these simultaneous credentials.
Watch this video for an overview of the Culinary/Hospitality
Join us for our virtual Zoom information sessions dedicated to sharing details about individual programs. Unable to make a session? Recordings will be available for those who are unable to attend the live event.
If you are interested in the Dual Degree Program or other Career-Ready opportunities, let your counselor know. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Beren at sberen@bluevalleyk12.org or 239-4141 or visit the district website.
ACTIVITY NEWS
Pre-Medical Seekers Club Meeting Jan. 28th 3:10pm
Freshman Mentor Program
The Mentor Program is taking applications for new mentors for the spring 2021 semester. Applications are open to Sophomores and Juniors only. The mentor program focuses on developing connections between freshmen and BVW upperclassmen. Mentors must be available during ACU/Advisory time and willing to share some of their personal academic intervention time to help cultivate these relationships and support freshmen. Applications are due on February 5, 2021 and can be found here.
Debate Shout Outs!
State Debate Results:
Supta Das/Zakariya Ahmed—Octafinalists
Samuel Wang/Puneet Bagga—Double Octafinalists
Shishir Vargheese/Nathan Binshtok—3:3
Senior Mural Applications due January 29th
The mural is intended to be a representation of the Senior Class, its students--and their experiences with student life at BVW. This Mural is 4'x4' in size and hangs in the main office for a year before being moved to the classroom hallway. Artists begin working on it during the late winter/early spring months, and it is revealed at the Class Day Ceremony in May. It is a special tradition that the Senior Class enjoys every year.
If you are interested in submitting an application to be selected, please click here to download the fillable form.. You will need to complete, print, and return it to the main office at BVW. Please remember you will need to sketch your mural idea on the backside of the form. Please make sure that all applications are received in the main office by 3:15 on Friday Jan 29th.
This opportunity is open to all students (in-person or virtual), just as long as you are a member of the class of 2021!
Senior Shirts
Seal of Biliteracy for Seniors
Missing Cap and Gown Orders!! Hard Deadline Feb. 12th (no more extensions)
HARD DEADLINE is February 12th - no further extensions after this date. If you have not done so already, please order your Cap & Gown. These are custom ordered and will require a longer turnaround time. If you need financial assistance, please contact your counselor.
STEP 1:
Every Senior must Submit their contact information and sizing for their cap and gown. This does not place your order. You must make your payment.
STEP 2:
Step by step instructions to place your order and pay for your cap, gown, and tassel
ATHLETIC NEWS
Spring Sports
It is not too early to get your paperwork in for spring sports. The participation packet can be found on our athletics webpage, www.bvwestjags.com Spring sports begin Monday, March 1st. More information from head coaches will be coming soon.
Hometown Ticketing
The Blue Valley School District is partnering with Hometown Ticketing to provide digital ticket purchasing for all athletic events. This will allow our schools to be cashless at the gate AND to limit the number of spectators to the KSHSAA guideline of up to two parents/guardians at all events. Please contact the Athletics Office - 913-239-3771 if you have any questions.
NFHS Livestream Information
The Blue Valley School District has partnered with the NFHS Network to provide a livestream of all district athletic events in the high school main gyms. Our swim/dive meets will be streamed through YouTube, when possible. Links and additional information can be found on the athletic website, www.bvwestjags.com or go directly to www.nfhsnetwork.com and search “Blue Valley West High School. $11.95 a month will give you unlimited access to any game broadcast
EKL Calendar and Notifications
All athletic events can be found on our league website at www.easternkansasleague.org or on the school website, by sport. On the EKL website, you can subscribe to receive notifications of changes, updates or cancellations. It is a great way to find out about any changes as soon as they are made on the site.
Questions? Contact Cindy Roach - Athletic Director croach@bluevalleyk12.org or 913-239-3770.
COUNSELING NEWS
ACT Prep Class
prACTice! – Jan Berghaus, BVW teacher offers a prep class for the ACT test to optimize the
performance and reduce anxiety for our students. Her focus is on strategy that has been
developed by teaching an ACT prep course and compiling tips from students on what they wish they had known before taking the test. Students will become familiar with the ACT test and be given an edge on attack skills.
Due to COVID uncertainties, the class will not be held on site.
Students signing up for the class need to stop by room 301 to pick up an ACT booklet used to
develop strategies. The booklet also provides opportunities for practice.
Below are the dates for sign up. Mrs. Berghaus suggests that students take the class right before testing.
DATES:
Wednesday 1/27 for the February 6 test
Wednesday 2/10 for the free February 23 test given to all Juniors (test is scheduled by the State at this time, if postponed, your registration will be applied to the rescheduled class coordinated with new test date)
WHERE: a ZOOM link will be sent out at 3pm the day of the class
WHEN: 7:00 – 8:30pm
COST: $30 (total charge will be $32.23 as only credit card payment can be accepted this time and there is a surcharge) Sign up closes at 2pm the day of class. No refunds will be available, but payment will be forwarded to the next class offered. Google Eventbrite and look for prACTice! Or use the QR code below to sign up.
Suicide Prevention Presentation
2nd Semester Schedule Changes
Information about the schedule change process can be found on the counseling canvas page here.
Please note that schedules can be changed beginning on January 19th unless you have one of the following issues:
Missing a graduation requirement
Duplicate course (courses listed twice in error)
Missing a class
"See Counselor" listed in schedule
Any other requests will need to wait until January 19th.
Senior Shortened Schedules
Blue Valley West High School
Email: bluevalleywest@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/BVW
Location: 16200 Antioch Road, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-3700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westjags