Jaguar Journal
December 20, 2022
Here is your weekly update from the JUNGLE!
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Winter Break Dec. 21-Jan.3
Jags, your BVW Family wishes you a fun and safe winter break! We’ll see you on Jan. 4, 2023!
Jan. 4th, ODD- 7:40 start
Jan. 5th, EVEN-8:40 start
Jan 6th, ALL-7:40 start
Yearbook Photo Galleries
The yearbook photographers LOVED taking pictures of all of the first semester sports, activities, assemblies and classes. Photo galleries of these events are housed on bvwnews.com. Visit the galleries and download any photos for free. (Mac users should be able to simply pull them onto their desktops.) There are no watermarks or fees-the staff wants students' families to have them. Enjoy!
KCTC Student Survey
Current Blue Valley students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades are invited to take the Kansas Communities That Care student survey in January 2023.
Blue Valley has participated in this survey for many years, and continued participation allows our staff to understand yearly trends, measuring the effect that our prevention and responsive programming has on our students.
The Kansas Communities That Care student survey is offered by schools across Kansas and is supported by Greenbush Education Service Center and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. The survey is built on a framework of prevention to support effective, evidence-based strategies in Kansas communities. The survey is voluntary, and parents or guardians must complete a form granting permission for their student to take the survey.
Questions for the Kansas Communities That Care Survey (KCTC Survey) can be found on the district website under “useful links.” Questions are related to substance use, school climate, bullying, depression, and suicide. The survey is completely anonymous, and no identifying student personal information is collected. The Blue Valley School District receives data summarized by school and our overall district results.
Permission for the Kansas Communities That Care survey can be entered in ParentVue until December 16, 2022. For questions related to the Kansas Communities That Cares survey please contact Mindy Wells, Coordinator of Student Support Services at mmwells02@bluevalleyk12.org or Adam Wade, Director of Academic Achievement & Accountability at awade@bluevalleyk12.org.
Library Reminder
Please check your cars, bedrooms, kitchens, etc. for any library books that are overdue and return them to the BVW library before winter break! Thank you!
Blue Valley 2023 Bond
All registered Blue Valley voters will have an opportunity to vote in a no tax rate increase bond election in January 2023. Bond projects include investments in facilities, safety and technology that will benefit staff and students for years to come.
Here are a few ways to learn more about Bond 2023.
Listen to a podcast: Take time to listen to two 15-minute podcasts about Bond 2023 & Facilities and Bond 2023 & Safety.
Watch a video: Watch a short video that breaks down how bond funds can be used. Want to learn more? Watch an informational video that highlights the opportunity to invest in facilities, safety and technology projects through Bond 2023.
Review the Bond 2023 website: The Bond 2023 website includes information about voting, answers to frequently asked questions and more.
Register to vote: All registered Blue Valley voters will automatically receive a mail ballot around January 11. Not a registered voter? Register online.
Assessments and Academic Success
BVW Science teacher Heather Hall is highlighted as an example of using a student's formative assessment data to inform instruction in this edition of the district’s Learning Connection story. Blue Valley assessments are divided into two buckets: formative and summative. Formative assessments, described as assessments for learning, provide teachers with information on how they can help a student grow. Summative assessments, characterized as assessments of learning, occur after instruction takes place. Check it out here.
Activities and Athletics Message
Blue Valley Families,
We are excited to have your families come to support our high school activities and athletics this school year. It is great to see the entire community at these events. It is imperative that our parent community partner with us as we work to encourage a positive atmosphere for our high school games or events.
Sportsmanship/officials: We want to give our student athletes the opportunity to play as many games as possible and we need officials to make those games happen. With a local and national shortage of officials, we want to make sure officials continue to choose to work Blue Valley events. The number one way we can create a welcoming environment is for spectators, coaches and student athletes to be courteous and respect the official’s decisions.
Tailgating: Tailgating before games has become a tradition for many students and families. We love to see our community gathering together to enjoy food and tailgate games in our parking lots. As a reminder, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed on district property including parking lots.
Thank you for your help in making our district events a great experience for all who attend. We hope to see your family cheering for our Blue Valley teams this school year.
Fostering a Safe Environment
SENIOR NEWS
Cap and Gown Purchase Link
Seniors, please purchase your Cap and Gowns with the following link.
Once your order is complete, please save your receipt to refer to once spring and Graduation season arrive.
Announcement Orders
Graduation planning is in full swing, and if you are interested in ordering your senior’s graduation announcements, please order by Nov. 30th. You can view announcement packages here. Announcements will be delivered and distributed at BVW after Spring Break on March 29-30.
Cap and Gowns will not be distributed until Class Day rehearsal on May 18, 2023.
Class of 2023 Senior Year Events & Checklist
Click here to view deadlines, important information, upcoming events, and your to do list!
Counseling
Pre-ACT 9
PreACT 9 score reports for freshmen were handed out through advisory classes. If you took the PreACT9 and did not receive your test score, please stop by to see Ms. Landa in the counseling office and she will be able to assist you.
PSAT 10/11 Scores
To check your PSAT/NMSQT scores, you will need to log in to your College Board account here or create a College Board account here . Please note if you have taken the PSAT 8 or an AP class you probably already have a login created for College Board. If you have trouble logging in or creating a new account, you will need to call College Board at 866-315-6068. Students will need to be in the room with the parent if they are calling on their behalf. Counselors are not able to call or reset College Board accounts for students. If you would like to learn more about how to interpret your school report you can read about it here or watch a video here. If after troubleshooting you are still having difficulty, please contact Laura Taylor at LTaylor@bluevalleyk12.org
Social Media Updates
The BVW Counseling Department is now on social media! Please follow us to stay up to date on important information.
Facebook - Blue Valley West Counseling (Links to an external site.) –
Instagram - @BVW_Counseling (Links to an external site.) -
Twitter - @BVWCounseling
The Parent Seat: Beyond the Scoreboard
Boys Volleyball Meeting
Join us for our upcoming meeting!
PTO NEWS
Please consider joining our PTO - we have open positions and will be needing to fill many key leadership roles next year. Get involved now so you are poised to help us in future years!
Jaguar Blankets
Finish up your holiday gift giving for your student with a Blue Valley West Jaguar blanket. They are on sale for $60.00, a savings of $10.00 when you purchase now through Sunday, December 18th. We have them in stock so you can get it before the school holiday break.
Purchase a BVW Yard Sign for your student
Celebrate your student's sport, club or activity with a BVW Yard Sign! Check out the BVW PTO Website for all of the details to order!
Amazon Smiles
Donate to Blue Valley West High School PTO, at no cost to you! Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/48-1246215 (add Blue Valley West High School PTO as your charity) and AmazonSmile will donate to Blue Valley West High School PTO, at no cost to you. Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to Blue Valley West High School PTO —no fees, no extra cost.
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