North Notes
Blue Valley North's Parent Newsletter - January 22, 2021
In this Newsletter …
A Letter from North Administrators
January and February Schedule
Kudos and Celebrations
Parent Booster Club Spirit Wear Sale
PBC Winter Activity Guide
Tips for Students and Parents
Mark Your Calendar
Counseling Updates
On Call with Dr. J Podcast
BV Career-Ready Fire Sciences and Culinary/Hospitality Programs
BVN Athletics
- KSHSAA Update
- Senior Class of 2021
Parent Announcements
Student Announcements
Mustang Medical Messages
A Letter from North Administrators
Hello Blue Valley North Community,
It has been so great having our students back in school! They have been working hard and are diligent about staying safe and following guidelines.
Per the BV District Office communication, February will continue in the hybrid learning mode. The February and last week in January calendar, along with the bell schedule, is in this newsletter.
One of the biggest concerns about hybrid has been the lack of intervention time for students to get help from teachers and allow time to work on coursework during the school day. We have repurposed minutes during the day to provide time for students to work on homework, meet with teachers (either in person or via Zoom), and/or make up missed tests. This intervention time (aka “North Time”) will be added onto 3rd hour on ODD days and 2nd/4th hours on EVEN days. While students will not be able to roam the building like we previously did during North Time, teachers will set up office hours during those times to schedule either Zoom or face to face meetings with students. Our goal is that students get the help they need during the school day (whether they are at home or in-building). Teachers have provided more information to students about this new intervention time.
Zoom cameras must be on. Thank you for checking with your students that their cameras are on when participating in live Zooms with their teachers. This expectation assists with engagement, monitoring of students as learners, benefits student to teacher connections, and creates increased accuracy when taking attendance. Teachers will be clear with students regarding this expectation. If you have a question or concern about this, please contact your student’s administrator. Call (913) 239-3000 to get the name of your student’s assigned administrator if you do not know it.
Your student can view their first semester grades using the Canvas website in the Past Enrollments section. 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.
We look forward to having a great 2nd semester!
Blue Valley North Administration
Kudos and Celebrations (new)
Boys' Basketball Team
The Varsity Boys' Basketball Team was named the HyVee Team of the Week by KCTV 5! They were recognized on February 21, on KCTV 5 during the 10:00 p.m. news with an interview and presentation of their award. Mustang Proud!
Science Olympiad Team
Congratulations to the BVN Science Olympiad team! The Science Olympiad Team competed on January 16, at the University of Chicago Science Olympiad Tournament, a national invitational tournament, with 100 teams. The BVN A team placed 23rd overall, and several members will receive medals for their high accomplishments (top 10 placements) in these events.
Congratulations to all team members! We look forward to great results at regionals and state!
Chemistry Lab: 1st place by Luke Chen and Natalie Swerdlow
Machines: 7th place by Hugo Yu and Damon Henderson
Forensics: 9th place by Ella Chiu and Luke Chen
Geologic Mapping: 9th place by Hugo Yu
Other events with very high placements:
Ornithology: 12th place by Rishi Palit and Aiden Juhl
Sounds of Music: 14th place by Hugo Yu
Write it Do it: 16th place by Prishita Manna and Miles Kim
Circuit Lab: 18th Place by Richard Koulen and Damon Henderson
Anatomy and Physiology: 19th place by Natalie Swerdlow and Luke Chen
Experimental Design: 20th place by Luke Chen, Ella Chiu, and Hugo Yu
Dynamic Planet: 20th place by Hugo Yu and Aiden Juhl
BVN Student Launches COVID Support Program
Blue Valley North student, Rima Chavali, along with other Community America interns partnered with the Girl Scouts and Children's Mercy Hospital to design, develop and launch the 'Stay Strong--COVID Support Program' to help younger students struggling during the pandemic. This free program was created to provide kids, ages 5-15, with specific strategies and tools to feel better and improve their mental health. Over 1,000 people have watched the videos, and hundreds of Girl Scouts have already participated. Given this success, the program is now opening up to all kids across the KC area. Here is a link to the article about the program in the Kansas City Star: STAYSTRONGCOVIDSUPPORT . Well done, Rima!
Girls' Bowling Team
The Girls' Bowling Team started their season out strong, finishing in 2nd place in their first meet! Team members include: Justyna Hayslett, Megan Meyer, Olivia Miller, Megan VanderLeest, Xante Venter, Ashley Curtis, Eva Lehane, Katie Noll, Sarah Allen, Tatum Wintory, and Bella Holtorf. Way to go, Mustangs!
Debate Team
The state debate tournament was last weekend, which marked the end of the season for most of our students. State went very well for us. In debate, KSHSAA had seven trophies that are shaped like the state of Kansas up for grabs. BVN won three of the seven; no other school took more than one. Aarthi Toniappa (11) and Selin Ulusarac (11) and Lizzie Place (10) and Lily Ren (10) each reached the semi-finals of 6A 2-speaker, earning 3rd place in a field of 72 teams. In 6A 4-speaker, seniors Firas Batrash, Kelsie Fisher, Grant Mao and Anushka Valsan finished in 2nd place, defeating everyone but Washburn Rural. They were state championships last year and runner-ups this year for Kelsie and Anushka.
In addition to our trophy winners, Brenna Coleman (11) and Rishit Chilappa (12) reached the elimination rounds (top 32,) and Rima Chavali (10) and Milenka Eterovic (11) narrowly missed. Each school is allowed to enter four qualified teams, or six if they have a 4-speaker team qualify through regionals. The maximum number of students we can have compete at state is 12. This year we had 41 students enrolled in advanced debate and 37 of them qualified for state. Brian Box, BVN Debate Teacher states, “I cannot praise our kids enough for the resiliency and commitment they showed this season when most of the fun parts of debate were gone. I am just so incredibly proud of them.”
The weekend prior to that was the Sunflower Novice State Invitational. It’s not actually state, but it is a season culminating cross-classification tournament of the best first year debaters in the state, and the 9th graders really like it when you tell them they’re going to STATE. In this field of 89 teams, Cacia Hunnicutt (9) and Wazeen Hoq (10) reached the elimination rounds (top 16) and Suditi Challa (9) and Eddie Mu (9) finished in semi-finals, placing 3rd.
Finally, Kelsie and Anushka, and Lizzie and Lily will continue debating this semester, as they earned both national qualifier spots from our district in December. Our district is one of the toughest in the country. Lizzie and Lily are the first BVN sophomore-sophomore team to qualify to nationals or win a state trophy. "It has been a long and tiring semester of staring at computer screens all weekend, but these kids could not have handled it better," emphasizes Brian Box. Bravo to these fabulous students!
PBC Happy New Year Mustang Spirit Wear Sale
Enjoy some new Blue Valley North spiritwear sponsored by the BVN Parent Booster Club. Once you place your order through the PBC website at www.bvnmustangs.com , you will receive an email that will give you a home address for pickup. Thank you for your support! Go Mustangs!!
Tips for Students and Parents
Report Student Absences via ParentVue
Did you know you can report your student's absence in ParentVue? This is an easy, efficient way! Once you sign into ParentVue, you will see your student's name and a blue button titled "Report Absence." It takes you to a screen where you can select the start date and end date and the reason code. There is also a box titled "Note" for additional information. Don't forget to hit the "Save" button. If you have questions, please call Rita Mouber, BVN Attendance Manager, 913-239-3001.
You can still call Rita Mouber, 913-221-3001, to report an absence. If no one answers, she's talking to another parent so please leave a message. Rest assured, Rita will get your student's absence recorded.
Students! Check Your Student Email Daily
Students, it is important that you get in the habit of checking your school email frequently. We recommend checking it three times a day (morning, lunch, and the end of day). Thank you!
News from the BVN Library
The library website is now accessible from all Canvas pages. In the navigation list on the left side you should see Library. Or: Click here to visit the BVN Library website . From the library website, students and staff can now chat with the librarians during school hours. Look in the upper right corner. No question is too big or small!
Mark Your Calendar
Jan. 19-29 - Hybrid Schedule
February - Hybrid Schedule
Feb. 15 - No School/President's Day
Feb. 25-26 - No School/Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 15-19 - No School/Spring Break
March 22 - 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
Click here for the revised 2020-21 Blue Valley School District Calendar.
Counseling, Academics & Testing (new)
Click Here For BVN's Counseling Webpage for information about:
2nd Semester Schedule Change Requests
Visit the Counseling Virtual Calming Room !
Senior College Application Information
AP Test Information and Deadlines
Virtual Counselor Appointments
Questions? Contact Theresa Gonzalez @ (913)239-3016 or tgonzalez@bluevalleyk12.org
“On Call with Doc J” Episode 2: COVID-19 vs. Flu
The latest episode of Blue Valley's newest podcast, "On Call with Doc J," is now available. In this episode, Blue Valley's Dr. Chris Jenson is joined by Jenna Miller, MD, FAAP, from Children's Mercy Hospital to discuss the differences between COVID-19 and the flu, how these viruses can affect us, the amount of time they can continue to affect us, and how the vaccines are produced to stop them. Click here to listen to the podcast.
BV Career-Ready Fire Sciences and Culinary/Hospitality Programs (new)
Career-Ready Fire Sciences and Culinary/Hospitality Programs
Are you interested in learning real world skills that you can use to get a good job - potentially right after graduation? If you like working with your hands, getting college credit, and doing it for FREE, talk to your counselor about the Career-Ready Programs.
Taught by Blue Valley teachers, Johnson County Community College professors, and Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD) firefighters, this two year program will teach you about becoming a first responder, recognizing different medical emergencies, performing First Aid and CPR, understanding public safety, and, of course, learning about the science of fighting fire. The first year focuses on the broader skills of a first responder; the second year requires an internship with the OPFD. This strand of courses requires a commitment to mental and physical wellbeing.
Students in the Hospitality & Culinary program spend half of their day at their high school and half of their day on campus at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) working toward a certificate or associate degree in five available areas. Coursework includes both classroom instruction preparing for multiple facets of the industry and hands-on laboratory work using industry-standard equipment and supplies in JCCC professional kitchens.
Certificate and Degree options available for students to pursue through this partnership include:
Chef Apprenticeship AAS
Dietary Manager Certificate
Food & Beverage Management AAS
Hotel & Lodging AAS
Pastry & Baking Certificate
If you are interested in Fire Sciences, Culinary/Hospitality 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.
BVN Athletics
Tennis Conditioning (new)
Attention Freshman Boys: Are you interested in trying out for the upcoming tennis season? If yes, the tennis team captains are holding conditioning after school.
Time: 3:15 - 4:45
When: Every Wednesday after school
Where: BVN Tennis Courts
Attention BVN Boys' Golfers and Parents (new)
If you are considering trying out and playing for the Blue Valley North Boys Golf Team for the 2021 season, please plan on attending a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 26th at 7:00 PM. We will be discussing tryout preparations along with a tentative schedule for the 2021 practice and tournament season. Please e-mail Coach Turrentine at mturrentine@bluevalleyk12.org to get a response back with the Zoom log-in information. You can also direct any other questions to Coach Turrentine at the same e-mail address.
Updated KSHSAA guidance for Families
Throughout this year we have been dedicated to offering students activity and athletic opportunities when it is safe to do so. This dedication also comes with a commitment to adjust our plan when new or updated recommendations and guidelines come from professional organizations.
As you may be aware, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) recently updated their guidance on spectators at winter activities and athletic events. Blue Valley began implementing these recommendations on December 11, including:
- Interscholastic activities will allow for attendance of up to two parents/guardians per participant(s) family as allowed by local board of education or health department restrictions. This ensures the capacity to appropriately social distance both home and visiting team spectators and minimizes the risk of exposure while still providing opportunities for students.
- Mandatory universal masking for all spectators.
- Updated spectator recommendations apply to middle and high school activities and athletics.
- The NFHS Network will continue to livestream events from the main gymnasiums of our high schools.
- School information about guest lists and protocols will be shared soon.
As always, the district will continue to review appropriate measures and adjust again if necessary to ensure the health, safety and well-being of students, coaches and sponsors and spectators.
Senior Info for Class of 2021
Mark your calendars! The Blue Valley North Commencement Ceremony will be Sunday, May 23, at 4:00 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium, 301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. If KCMO makes changes to their event sizes and gatherings, we will have a backup plan to host in one of our stadiums at a date to be determined.
We have a new Canvas page for all Senior information!
Check here regularly through the year: SENIOR INFO
This canvas page currently has links to:
- A countdown to graduation! Only 120 more days . . .
- Order a senior tile from the PBC--deadline is coming up soon on Jan. 31!
- An info video from Balfour about how to order your cap & gown and announcements
- A link to authorize the release of your student's transcript when he or she applies to colleges
- Info about the new Seal of Bi-Literacy
We will update this Canvas page as new info becomes available. You no longer have to wait for Friday to get updates from North Notes--you can check the Canvas page any time.
Questions? Contact BVN Activities: Lisa Miller @ lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org .
Parent Announcements
CAPS Program (new)
The CAPS program will holding a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 3, at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There will be 3 identical sessions during each open house to allow the opportunity to visit multiple classes. For information on CAPS and instructions on how to register for the Open House, visit the bvcaps.org website under the enrollment tab.
Virtual 8th Grade Enrollment Night
In January, BVN will have a virtual 8th grade enrollment night available for parents and students. Information on how to enroll as well as explanations of all BVN programs will be provided via video. We don't have an exact date of availability, but it will be in late January. Updates and the video link will be in North Notes.
High school in-person/VirtualED course fee payment for the 2020-21 school year is open and online now. Your ParentVUE login and password are required to pay course fees.
Course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment.
Course fees are assigned for the first semester only.
Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to our BVN Bookkeeper, Linda Kaphingst, email: lkaphingst@bluevalleyk12.org .
Student Announcements
BVN Class T-shirts Pickup on January 22 at The Stampede (new)
All Class Shirts will be available for pick-up starting on Friday, January 22, in The BVN Stampede School Store during hybrid business hours which are Monday – Friday when school is in session for 15 minutes before school starts and 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.. The store is also open during 5th hour on Odd days. T-shirts are for all grades including Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
National Honor Society (new)
Is your current sophomore or junior a potential candidate for induction for National Honor Society? The four pillars of NHS are Service, Leadership, Character and Scholarship. Do they have a 3.5 or higher GPA? Do they enjoy giving back to the community? Are they in good standing with regards to their character? Do they demonstrate leadership?
There is a parent AND student meeting on Wednesday February 10, 2021, at 7:00 .pm. on Zoom. Co-Sponsors, Abby Cornelius and Sheryl Stein, will discuss the induction process that will take place in the fall, the computer program that tracks hours, and will answer questions that parents and students may have.
We look forward to seeing both parents and students at this meeting. Students should bring their computer to get set up in the program.
Students need to log onto Zoom through their BV accounts.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bluevalleyk12.zoom.us/j/3401012228
Meeting ID: 340 101 2228
See you in February!
Abby Cornelius acornelius@bluevalleyk12.org
Sheryl Stein. sistein@bluevalleyk12.org
BVN NHS Sponsors
BVN GSA
GSA meets virtually every Wednesday during North Time. Please contact Ms. Moran at smoran@bluevalleyk12.org if you would like to join the meeting.
KAY-Mustang Community Service Club
Join KAY- Mustang Community Service Club! We have an exciting community service project you can do from home. We are creating BVN Storytime, a read aloud library for K-2 students. We also have a couple of other service possibilities. Click this link to join the club. Click this link , then “enroll in Course” to see the Club’s Canvas page where club news and information is posted. Questions? Contact Club president Tanu @ tsakaray@bluevalleyk12.net
Student Technology Help
On the Canvas Course card titled BVN Student Hub 2020-2021 there is student support information. After looking at the information in the BVN Student Hub, if you are struggling with technology, there is help.
- If your computer is broken please submit a BVCARE ticket and someone from I.T. will reach out to you. A link to BVCARE can be found on the BVN Student Hub or at www.bluevalleyk12.org / I would like to… / BVCARE- Technology help
- If you are having problems with a specific assignment or course in Canvas, always reach out to your teacher first.
- If you have questions about instructional tools (Canvas, Google Drive, Zoom…) or something is not working the way it should, there is a daily Student Help Zoom during North Time. To access this Zoom, open Canvas / Click on the BVN Student Hub 2020-2021 Course Card / Click on Zoom / Join anytime between 10:40-11:10am on Odd days, and between 12:25-1:20pm on Even days. If you are in the building and need help, you can bring your laptop to the library during North Time for tech help.
Meal Pick-up
Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in distance learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district, including Blue Valley North High School. This service has started back up again in 2021. You can find more information on this link Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page .
Mustang Medical Messages
Free COVID Test resource:
https://www.gogettested.com/kansas
COVID Communication (new)
The safety of Blue Valley North students and staff continues to be a top priority. In an effort to keep our school community informed when we have a positive case, families can expect the following:
- Families will be contacted directly if through the contact tracing process conducted by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and the district's health professionals' team:
1. your child was identified as a low-risk exposure of a student or staff member
who tested positive for COVID-19.
2. your child was identified as a high-risk exposure/close contact of a student
or staff member who tested positive for COVID-19.
- If your child’s proximity to or nature of the interaction with the positive individual did not indicate a low or high-risk exposure, then you will not be contacted.
NOTE: Positive cases by school are reflected on the BV COVID Dashboard. The dashboard is updated every Friday with information from the prior week (Wednesday to Wednesday).
Protect yourself from COVID-19
Wash or sanitize your hands regularly, Avoid touching your face and mask, maintain 6 feet distance from others when possible, wear a CDC recommended mask in public settings. Cover your cough with your elbow, enjoy the great outdoors, keep social contacts limited, if you're sick, stay home and consider getting a test.
Planning any travel for Spring Break?
Consider looking over Kansas Travel Exposure Related Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines:
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail Amanda Collichio, BVN Nurse, at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org. or call at 913-239-3013.
New Auxiliary Gym Construction: November through July
Durham Bus Riders
Durham has decided to not use the Hybrid stop times and instead only use the All in School stop times regardless of what learning mode the District is in. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492.
Note that it is best to call outside of route times, between 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or email 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 . Thank you!
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