North Notes
Blue Valley North's Parent Newsletter-December 15, 2023
A Message from Your BVN Principal and Assistant Principals
Mustang Family,
The end of the first semester is here with finals scheduled Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Our students have had a great first semester of learning and we continue to see the positive impacts of our learning management system, Canvas, in our classrooms. As we gear up for the end of the semester, please take note of the important information below regarding final exams, grades and courses in Canvas.
Final Exam Schedule
Next week has three 1/2 days of finals. Please note the times below. Durham buses will pick up bus riding students after the last final each day. No lunch will be served next week.
Monday, December 18, 2023
Hour 1 7:35 - 8:55
Hour 2 9:05 - 10:25
Hour 3 10:35 - 11:55
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Hour 4 7:35 - 8:55
Hour 5 9:05 - 10:25
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Hour 6 7:35 - 8:55
Hour 7 9:05 - 10:25
End of Semester Information
At the end of the day on December 20, courses in Canvas will conclude and will no longer be visible on the Canvas Parent app. A concluded course is only visible through the Canvas Website. To view concluded courses, open Canvas in a web browser, log in, and click on the Courses tab. Click View All Courses and scroll down to find the past enrollments.
Final exam scores and other individual assignment grades can be viewed in Canvas. Semester grades reports will be published in ParentVUE on Friday, January 12.
Need some help?
Blue Valley has a variety of resources available for parent support on the district’s Canvas web page, www.bluevalleyk12.org/canvas.
Have a great weekend with your families!
Blue Valley North Administration Team
Thank You, Parents, for Your Donations!
We thank all the generous, kind parents who donated gift cards for our BVN families. We could not do this with your help and we are grateful for you. Thanks also go to those that supported our performing arts department food drive for the BV Food Bank. Our Blue Valley North families are always so supportive of our philanthropic projects. Thank you for being the Unspoken Heroes of North!
Raising Canes FBLA Night - Monday, December 18, 6 - 9 p.m.
On Monday, December 18, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Blue Valley North will be having FBLA Night at Raising Cane's 135th and 69 highway location. Make sure you let them know you are there for BVN FBLA and part of the proceeds will go to FBLA Team. Take the night off from cooking and support our incredible FBLA students! Thank you for helping our students!
Kudos and Celebrations
BVN Art Show Winners
Best in Show: Siena Masilionis (shown above)
Best 2D: Nicolas Martens
Best 3D: Rishika Vunnama
Best of Portfolio: Siena Masilioinis
Best of Ceramics I: Amelia Law
Best of Ceramics II: Kim Liu
Best of Digital Imaging I: Olivia Clifton
Best of Drawing I: Andrew Cox
Best of Drawing II: Addison Harrell
Best of Graphic Design 1: Alex Robertson
Best of Graphic Design 2: Emma Montecino
Best of Painting I: Julia Parker, Marin Runnebaum
Best of Painting II: Ivy Fischer
Best of Photo 1: Sophie Naronov
Most Creative/Unique: Leila Furse
Piece I want in my house: Marin Runnebuam
Best Figure/Portrait: Annabelle Crappell, Audrey Branner
Best Landscape: Marin Runnebaum
Best Social Statement: Alyvia Whigham
Best Use of Light: Maggie Goldberg
Best Use of Color: Emma Montecino, Muskaan Chandarana
Best Use of Movement: Lucas Bernal
Best Sense of Humor: Brayden Wasko
Place I would like to travel to…: Jada Farrington
BVN Robotics Team
Robotics competed in their 2nd competition on Saturday, December 9th. They made great improvements on their robot from the 1st competition and had a great time!
Woods Class Final Project
If you see any of these students, please let them know what a great job they did on their step stools. Let's give a round of applause to the following students on their impressive building project. Well done!! Howie Chen, Hattie Young, Kaylin Roberts, Sergio Yanez, Peter Gartelos, Edward Sayers, Amber Graue, Breydon Lynch, Caitlyn Scott, Quoc Dan Ho, Cesar Marquez, Shelby Lee, Declan Gebani. And a huge thanks to Mr. Tony Mixon, Engineering and Industrial Technology Teacher!
News from our Theater Department
Bell Schedules and Schedule Changes
Bell Schedules for Odd, Even and All Classes
If you need to look ahead, you can see the plan for Odd/Even/All schedules for every month of the school year here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UcH1E-EQn0PxZ--P4-SbtgjfL2voHyfk/view?usp=sharing
Mark Your Calendars
December 18-20 - Final Exams (see times below)
December 21-January 2 - No School / Winter Break
January 3 - No School / Professional Learning for Teachers
January 4 - Schedule Change / 7:35 a.m. School Resumes / All Classes
January 5 - All Classes
January 11 - Enrollment Night, Class of 2028
January 15 - No School / Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16 - Even Day
January 17 - Odd Day
January 18 - Even Day
January 19 - Schedule Change / Odd Day
January 26 - Sweetheart Game
January 27 - Sweetheart Dance
Upcoming All School Events
All BVN events, activities, sporting events and additional calendar adjustments are found on the EKL calendar: www.easternkansasleague.org
Click here for the 2023/2024 Blue Valley School District Calendar.
Community Celebrations and Observances
Some January Celebrations & Observances:
National Poverty Awareness Month - While the United States is considered the richest country in the world, 37.9 million people live in poverty, including 12.5 million children. National Poverty Awareness Month works to bring awareness to issues of poverty and increase access to resources and services. To help and or find support, visit Johnson County Outreach Services.
Maghi - January 13 - a Sikh celebration. Some Sikh families will celebrate with a recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in Gurdwaras - a Sikh place of assembly and worship meaning “Gateway to the Guru”.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15 - a day that honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Some families will participate in a day of service to their communities.
World Religion Day - January 21 - established by the Baháʼí Faith community in 1950. Now observed by people around the world, it seeks to find common values shared by different faiths, encourage tolerance and dialogue, and foster cooperation among religious communities.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27 - an annual day of commemorating the six million Jewish victims and millions of other victims of the Holocaust and Nazism.
Student Announcements
Girls' Soccer Team
There will be a Girls' Soccer Interest/Informational Meeting on Wednesday, January 10th, at 3:00 p.m. in the BVN Library. If you have questions, please contact Coach Skylar Roush at sklarroush@gmail.com
NCAA/NAIA | NCAA Information Night
For student athletes pursuing athletics on the collegiate level, visit this website for information: the BVN Athletics website has NCAA/NAIA information under the section titled “More”.
Counseling Department
EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES | Over Winter Break, if you or your student are in a crisis, there are several community resources available to families. You can call/text 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, Johnson County Mental Health has a 24/7 Crisis Center, or you can take your student for a mental health evaluation at local hospital Emergency Room.
SCHOLARSHIPS | Seniors, please make sure to review scholarship opportunities on Xello. There are several scholarships available specifically for BV students!
10 AND 11 GRADES | JCCC Career Ready Programs Community-Wide Events
- Fire Science on Tuesday, Jan. 16th at 6:00 pm at the Fire Training Center at 12401 Hemlock
- Dual Degree on Wednesday, Jan. 17th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Nerman Museum
- Industrial Arts on Wednesday, Jan. 24th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Hugh Libby CTEC building
- Cybersecurity and Culinary & Hospitality on Thursday, Jan. 25th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Wylie Culinary building
College Fairs are posted to the BVN Counseling Canvas Page!
Parent Announcements
Important Travel Outside of the USA Information
This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during the school year. Please click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for Out of the Country travel. Blue Valley resources such as Canvas, Classlink, and school email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it.
BV Changes to Student Assessments: FASTbridge
There are some changes to student assessment in Blue Valley this fall. As a result, you may notice a change in some of the tests your student is being asked to take this year, such as:
We have replaced our previous reading screening assessment, the SRI with the Fastbridge FASTtrack reading assessment. The benefits are:
- Fastbridge testing provides comparable student results with fewer questions.
- Teachers get information that is easier to act upon.
- Fastbridge is endorsed by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
- Families will get a printed student report.
Additionally, KSDE has changed the requirements for high school reading screening. Starting in Fall 2023, districts must screen:
- 9th graders in the fall
- New students
- Students whose scores from the previous test indicate below level performance
Online ATHLETIC PASSES and Individual Event Tickets
Fans can purchase single-game tickets online through the GoFan app, as well as Student or Family Athletic passes. (This Athletic Pass takes the place of the former Activity Pass that was sold through ParentVue.) Here is the BVN GoFan link: Blue Valley North High School Events and Tickets by GoFan
Are you moving? Have you moved?
Please contact the BVN Registrar, Ann LaGrange, by email at ALLaGrange@bluevalleyk12.org.
Nurse Notes
If your child is not feeling well please refer to the Disease & Symptom Exclusion Recommendations /Regulations: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/cms/lib/ks02212623/Centricity/Domain/4486/disease%20exclusion%20recommendations%202022.pdf
Student Well-Being Support Resources:
https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34318
Immunization Documentation Needed
Thank you, all parents, for working so diligently to have immunization records turned in to the nurse. The Kansas Requirements are: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34370
- All 9th grade students are required to have their Hep A series
- 11th grade students are required to have their second dose of meningococcal immunization.
If your student is non-compliant, you will be contacted by a district exclusion letter. Please contact Amanda Collichio, BVN School nurse via ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or fax at 913-239-3038 with up-to-date immunization certificates or documented appointment date and time.
Flu, COVID and the masking recommendation
This is not a requirement; for further info please visit https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/36106.
Update Medical Orders for 2023-2024
If your student has medical orders please be sure the school nurse is kept up-to-date. Authorization for Medication Administration Forms must be signed by the prescribing physician and returned preferably by e-mail to Nurse Amanda Collichio at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or faxed to 913-239-3038. Medications may be dropped off to the nurse by appointment.
Seniors--Info for Class of '24
The Graduation date for the Class of 2024 has been announced! Mark your calendar for May 19th at 1:00 p.m. Commencement will be held at the Switzer District Activity Complex, 135th & Switzer in Overland Park. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to the BV West gymnasium, same date & time.
Seal of Biliteracy for Seniors: Seniors received information about the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy via email communication on November 27. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please review the Seal of Biliteracy website for detailed information. If you would like to participate, the Seal of Biliteracy Student Intent Form must be submitted by the end of day Friday, Dec 15, 2023.
ACTION NEEDED: Our diplomas will be ordered at the end of the first semester (very soon!!) in order to have them for May graduation. Please click on the link below and complete the Senior Diploma/Transcript Form. Please complete as soon as possible. This form also authorizes the release of senior transcripts for college applications. Click here: Diploma/Transcript Authorization
Order your cap & gown now from jostens.com. We have over 150 seniors who have not done this yet! Please place your order ASAP.
IF YOU ORDER:
- Senior items: (like shirts, hats, keychains, etc.): they will be shipped to your home
- Announcements: they will be shipped to the school and seniors will be notified when to pick them up (sometime in March)
- Cap, Gown & Tassel: they will be shipped to the school and handed out at grad practice in May
Questions? email Mrs. Miller at lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org and bookmark our Senior Info page.
Our parent community has been integral in contributing to our status as one of the best high schools in the state of Kansas and a leading high school across the nation.
Please support The Mustang Club (previously known as BVN Parent Booster Club). The Mustang Club financially supports BVN's extracurricular activities (as our version of a traditional PTO/PTA), and over the last 7 years, The Mustang Club has granted over a half million dollars to support our school’s extracurricular activities, organizations, and athletic teams. We could not provide the depth and breadth of opportunities that are available without your participation through membership and donations of your time.
The Mustang Club needs your support! Membership is down and volunteers are in short supply. Here are some options for you to consider:
- Become a Mustang Club member at one of the five membership levels;
- Purchase spirit wear from The Mustang Club website (www.bvnmustangs.com);
- Volunteer on a Mustang Club committee to support a specific event or cause; and
- Take advantage of one of the many sponsorship opportunities available for those of you affiliated with companies that want to support BVN financially.
- We would love for your company to be featured in our Activity Guide. It is printed 3 times each year and would be a wonderful way to promote your business to the North community. Email mustangactivityguides@gmail.com now! To see last year's spring guide, click here.
- Show your love and mustang pride for your student by purchasing a Spirit Ad in the Activity Guide! go to www.bvnmustangs.com on the Order form page.
You can find everything you need to know about The Mustang Club & membership at www.bvnmustangs.com. As you know, this organization is completely run by parent volunteers so every dollar donated goes to benefit BVN students. Additionally, the organization is a 501(c)3 so your contributions are tax deductible.
Thank you for your support and consideration and GO MUSTANGS!
Durham Bus Riders
Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2023/2024 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492 or contact them via email at admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.
We are Mustang Proud!
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 .
The BVN Main Office is opened Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The BVN Offices will be closed December 21 - January 3 for Winter Break.
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