Jaguar Journal
August 19, 2022
Here is your weekly update from the JUNGLE!
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
COUNSELING
ATHLETICS NEWS
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
High School Safety Message
Safety and security reminders for the 2022-23 school year
As we look forward to another school year, we know that safety and security is top of mind for students, staff and families. Making sure our school is as safe as possible during the school day is a responsibility we take seriously.
At BVW, and high schools across the district, we have a variety of measures and practices in place to foster a safe and secure learning environment. Three safety measures, while not new, are essential for students and families to understand this year:
1. Paid food delivery services: We do not accept food from paid delivery services during the school day. Food delivery services require a signature. Students leaving class to sign for food disrupts the learning environment and poses potential security concerns. Orders arriving from food delivery services will be refused. Students returning from appointments or CAPS/Career Ready Programs are encouraged to enjoy their food purchased off-site before returning to the school.
2. Learning experience: We know that most students learn best when they are engaging with their peers and teachers in the classroom. When students leave class for excessive amounts of time, this poses not only a safety concern but also the possibility of destructive behavior. We understand that students may need to occasionally miss short amounts of class time to take care of a health need, use the restroom, etc. However, we encourage students to utilize passing periods to take care of these needs when possible. If a teacher notices that a student is missing excessive class time, skips class or is found wandering the school, we will reach out to you.
3. Secured school building: After school starts, all students, families and visitors are asked to show an ID to be buzzed in through the secured front entrance. In order to keep our campus secure, we cannot have doors propped open for anyone during the school day. Students who violate this policy will receive a safety violation. Violations may lead to a series of disciplinary consequences which may include conversations with parents, suspensions and/or $25 tickets issued by Blue Valley SROs.
Thank you for supporting these measures so every student and staff member can feel safe and focus on learning each day when they come to West.
Welcome Back-Quarterly News
Welcome to the Blue Valley West 2022-2023 school year.
Please refer to the following link for Dr. Bonnema’s Quarterly News to prepare for a successful start!
Canvas Information
Nurse's Message-11th and 12th Graders
Attention parents of 11th and 12th grade students. All 11th and 12th grade students (16 and older) are required to have obtained their second dose of Meningitis A (Meningococcal A,C,W,Y) vaccine for the start of the school year. Please check your child’s latest vaccine paperwork to see if they are up to date. The first dose is given at 11 years old. The second dose is due at 16 years old. If you are unsure if your child’s vaccine has been turned in, please check with Mrs Yeokum, School Nurse. Phone: 913-239-3719
School Photo Make-Up Date
October 6, 2022 will be our make-up date for school photos from 11:15-1:15. Please mark your calendars if you have not taken your photo.
Seniors-This date is your last chance to have your photo taken for the yearbook. It won’t be the same without you, so please do not miss it!
Parking Passes
Student parking passes are ordered and will be distributed during lunchtime by Officer Stock once they arrive. Citations will not be issued during the first month of school. If you would like to order a parking pass, they are available at Parentvue.
FATHER'S CLUB 2022-23 Launch
Calling all BV WEST DADS! First meeting is coming up on August 23, 7 pm at the BV West Commons.
Jungle Jam and Pizza Dance Tickets
Come hang out with us at the BV West Commons for pizza and dancing!
Tickets are available for $5.00 here.
Back To School Night
Welcome back Jag Family! We are excited for you to join us for our annual Back to School Night!
Monday, August 29, 2022. 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
National Honor Society Applications
Applications are due Sept. 9th
Applications to join the Blue Valley West National Honor Society are now available at this link. Membership is open to juniors and seniors with a 3.500 or above GPA (weighted or unweighted) and 25 hours of community service completed during their high school career. Applying is not a guarantee of acceptance. All NHS members inducted last year who were in good standing at the end of last school year are still considered members for this school year and do not need to reapply.
Pre-Medical Seekers Meeting
Pre-Medical Seekers Club will be holding their first meeting of the school year.
Date: September 1, 2022
Time: AST 12:45 pm-1:15 pm
Location: Fixed Forum
Theatre Ice Cream Social and Play Information
ICE CREAM SOCIAL sponsored by BVW Theatre! On Monday, August 22 at 3:00 pm, come to the Courtyard/Outdoor Forum to enjoy the free sundae bar and find out how you can be involved in Theatre at West this year. Hang out with friends and learn about being part of the cast and crew for our productions.
BVW Mainstage Play INHERIT THE WIND-- Participation/Information meeting--Tuesday, August 23rd in the Little Theatre, 3pm. Any BVW student wishing to audition for the cast or apply for the crew of this year's mainstage play INHERIT THE WIND should plan to attend this meeting. All BVW students are eligible to participate. Auditions will be August 29-31.
BV West Band Mattress Sale
Help support the BV West Band as the trek to London for the New Year’s Day Parade this coming winter!
If you or someone you know is looking to replace a bed, now is the time! Blue Valley West Band is excited to announce they will be hosting a one-day Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday August 28th, from 10am to 5pm at the high school. There will be 25+ different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost up to 50% less than suggested retail. In addition to beds, there will also be premium pillows, luxury sheets, and even adjustable power bases!
Visit the event Facebook page to click INTERESTED or GOING, INVITE your friends, and SHARE all of our posts. https://fb.me/e/2yjWEH4c8
Attendance Information
Every day BVW opens its doors to students for a day filled with learning. When a student does not arrive at school, or unexpectedly misses a portion of the school day, we are concerned and want to make sure you are aware that your child is absent.
Beginning August 18th, BVW will be notifying families of unexpected absences through email, phone, text and optional push notifications. BVW families can expect automated attendance messages by email, phone and text at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. if a student is absent and his/her absence has not already been reported by a parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the school to report an absence, report the absence online or reply to the automated email or phone message.
Reporting absences can be done by calling 913-239-3701 or by emailing attendancebvw@bluevalleyk12.org
Families who would also like a push notification can download the ParentVUE app and manage their notifications. If a student has an unreported absence when a teacher submits attendance, then a push notification will immediately be sent to the parent/guardian's mobile device. Push notifications will continue throughout the day until the student’s absence is reported/excused, meaning a family could receive multiple push notifications as attendance is typically taken with each class period.
Interested in push notifications? Simply download the ParentVUE app (iTunes app store or Google Play), enable push notifications in device settings and select attendance notifications through in-app settings.
Communications Matrix
Do you have a question or concern? We want to help.
If you have a question or concerns, we want to help! Many times by starting at the building level, you will work with the person who is closest to the situation and will usually have the most information. If you feel further discussion is warranted, the following chart can be used as a guide for whom to call when questions arise on the most common topics.
Fostering a Safe Environment
SENIOR NEWS
Senior Yearbook Photos-Last Chance Date!
October 6, 2022 is the last chance date for seniors to have their photos taken for the yearbook. Photo location will be in the Commons Faculty room. Please do not miss this opportunity. The yearbook will not be the same without you!
Class of 2023 Senior Year Events & Checklist
Click here to view deadlines, important information, upcoming events, and your to do list!
Counseling
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!
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