Jaguar Journal
December 4, 2020
Here is your weekly update from the JUNGLE!
ACTIVITY NEWS
BVW Theatre Department proudly presents its first-ever all-virtual production!
Senior Year Checklist (view upcoming deadlines)
COUNSELING NEWS
IMPORTANT LINKS
Durham Bus Company contact information: email admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com or call 913-681-2492
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Need Tech Support?
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:
- Automotive Technology Program
- Construction Management Program
- Associates Dual Degree
- Welding and Metal Fabrication Programs
- Fire Sciences
- Culinary/Hospitality
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Program (HVAC
This week we would like to highlight the Automotive Technology Program:
Students in the Automotive Technology program spend half of the day at their high school and half of their day on campus at JCCC working toward an associate degree or certificate options in the field of Automotive Repair. Students may receive dual credit at no cost to the student for successful completion of JCCC coursework. Listen to what students in the automotive program have to say about their experience!
Watch this video for an overview of the Automotive Technology Program.
If you are interested in Automotive Technology 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.
BVEF Surprise Squad Awards BVW
As we are well aware, so many traditions have been hard to uphold this year, but BVEF’s Surprise Squad found a way to make this event happen… with a twist!
Instead of visiting each school in person to hand out teachers and building grants, on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the Blue Valley Educational Foundation invited representatives from Blue Valley West High School to celebrate at Hilltop Conference Center and our administration received a check for $2,000!
This year, BVEF is funding $178,000 on building and program grants, suicide prevention programs for middle and high schools and supporting a Career Tech Ed partnership for our students with JCCC. They have funded more than $6.2 million over the last 30 years.
Our building grant will be used to fund Excellence in Education Grant - Hybrid Instructional Sets, and the idea behind this grant is to purchase nine Hybrid Instructional Sets for teachers. Each Hybrid Instructional Set will contain a mobile standing desk at $62.49 per unit and a bluetooth amplifier microphone at $56.99 per unit. These sets will allow nine teachers to interact and instruct both the at home learners and the in person in a much more meaningful and relevant way.
“This is one of the best days to be an educator in the Blue Valley district,” says Dr. Potts. “We couldn’t continue to be on the forefront of education without support from BVEF and I’m so grateful that they found a way to continue to support our Blue Valley West High School students and teachers even though they couldn’t visit our school.”
In addition to our grant funding, Blue Valley West High School also received a beautiful, matted print of a painting by BV alum, and world-renowned artist, Jeff Hanson, which we will proudly display for everyone in the building to enjoy!
To see all the special moments captured on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, visit #BVEFGrants and the BVEF website at www.Fundbv.org.
December 2020 Remote Calendar
College Application Deadline to add material to Naviance is December 11, 2020.
ACTIVITY NEWS
Auditions for Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Hello, BVW Theatre Fans and Families!
It's official--we are holding auditions for our 2021 BVW Musical "Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID" next week, Dec. 7-10. We will be following strict mitigation strategies throughout the production process, from auditions to strike. While the performance dates are not set yet, we want to get started with the production as soon and as carefully as we can.
Everything you need to know, all the participation/audition forms and sign-ups, audition materials, etc. can be accessed through this ONE-STOP SHOP Little Mermaid Production Information document. Be sure to read it and if auditioning, sign up for a vocal audition time slot on the audition form for Monday!
Participation forms for cast should be completed by Monday, December 7 at noon and for crew by Friday, December 11 at noon.
If you have any questions after reading all the information and following all the links, feel free to contact Mr. Uthe (ruthe@bluevalleyk12.org ) or Ms. Modelsky (kamodelsky@bluevalleyk12.org).
We're excited to move forward on this production! BREAK A FIN!
BVW Theatre Dept. proudly presents Help Desk by Don Zolidis
Our first-ever all-virtual production will be available for viewing via YouTube for 48 hours only, between December 11th at 7 p.m. until 6:59 p.m on December 13th. (link to video will be sent in the Dec. 11 Jag Journal).
"When you call the help desk, you're looking for a solution - but your problems might just be beginning. Whether you're getting shamed about your inability to log in, giving your credit card information to a scammer, or having serious conversations with a clown, customer service calls spiral into absurdity for the customers and employees alike in this hilarious comedy." --playscripts.com
National Art Honor Society
If you enjoy art and are looking for a way to be involved in an honor society, apply to join NAHS where we use community service to make our area a more beautiful place. NAHS service includes creating murals for school dances, pairing up with the BVW LIFT program and grade schools to organize a variety of art activities, Toys for Tots, School Carnival, Cards for hospitals and much more. The requirement is that you have taken two or more visual art classes with a GPA of 3.5 in those classes. 3.0 overall GPA. Fill out this google form if you are interested. Please direct any questions to Mrs. Carla Roberts. croberts@bluevalleyk12.org .
Support BVW Crimson Cats Dance Team!
Join us for a fundraiser to support Blue Valley West Dance Team. Come in to the Chipotle at 8301 W 151st St in Overland Park on Wednesday, December 9th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Blue Valley West Dance Team.
Senior Checklist
Here is your Senior Checklist Class of 2021!
College Application material submission DEADLINE is Dec. 11th.
Please read this checklist weekly as it is continuously being updated as information becomes available.
BVW Ornaments for the Holidays
Commemorate a most unique year for your high school with a special ornament this holiday! Ornaments are $12 each tax included. Orders will be accepted through December 15th. Your order will be processed as soon as the payment has been received and you will be notified by email for pick up location/times. All proceeds from the ornaments will go to the BVW Band Program. Thank you! Click here to order.
Computer Science Education Week (December 7-13)
As you know, computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet. We want to make sure students are introduced to computer science and see it as a viable option in high school and beyond. To support this, high school students from the Blue Valley West Computer Science Honor Society (CSHS) will be leading two virtual Hour of Code events for students during Computer Science Education Week (December 7 - 13).
Tuesday, December 8th - 4 PM
Virtual Kickoff of our Cyberstart Challenge for BVW Students.
No prior knowledge of computer science is required. There are over 200 challenges across different cybersecurity disciplines including cryptography, social engineering, steganography, and Python programming. Prizes will be awarded for the most challenges completed by Friday, December 11th at noon.
Thursday, December 10th - 4 PM
CS Virtual Hour of Code Event is for BVW feeder students in grades 4-8.
This virtual event will include computational thinking activities in which students learn about how computer science helps us communicate and stay connected with people around the world.
Please see our website for more information.
ATHLETIC NEWS
Girls’ Bowling
Any girls interested in trying out for Girls’ Bowling team should plan on attending a Zoom meeting on December 9th at 3:00 pm with Mrs. Young. Email Mrs. Young at dyoung@bluevalleyk12.org to get the Zoom link. In addition, the Blue Valley Participation Packet and the Covid Questionnaire must be submitted to the athletic office prior to tryouts, which will be on December 18th and 21st. These forms are available on the athletic webpage, www.bvwestjags.com. If you have any questions about the participation packet, please contact the athletics office at 913.239-3771.
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
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
College Application Deadlines
Attention Seniors! This is a busy time of year when it comes to college applications. Please pay close attention to your materials submission deadlines. This includes requests for transcripts and recommendation letters. The Counseling Department is asking that you have ALL requests for December and January materials entered into Naviance by December 11th. This will allow us time to get your materials submitted prior to winter break.
PTO NEWS
Invest in West by becoming a PTO member or single contributor!
Successful students make successful schools— which make thriving communities. Everyone benefits when you support students!
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