North Notes

• A Letter from Your Administrators

• BVN Parent Teacher Conferences

• First Semester Course Fees due 10/1

• Fall Activity Guide

• Bell Schedules

• Mark Your Calendar

• Counseling Updates

• Student Announcements

• October 12 Testing Day Info

• Parent Announcements

• Athletic Announcements

• Seniors-Info for Class of 2023

• Medical Messages

• The Mustang Club

• Durham Bus Information

Mustang Fam,

I’m excited to address everyone today! This is my first time writing in North Notes. As a parent of some Blue Valley children I also receive multiple emails and newsletters a week. I admit that I rarely open them unless a well-organized mom reminds me of something I need to do and the frantic search in the inbox begins. Thanks for reading this, I know time is valuable.

What I wanted to reach out about was sportsmanship and developing a culture of caring. Right now in high school sports across the country we are experiencing a shortage of workers. In all capacities. Officials are in the lowest numbers we’ve ever had. Lower level games are often officiated with one official or canceled altogether. In the new season of officiating we know that 20% of officials will quit after their first week. Parents and fans are the number one reason given when someone walks away from the game. Every week my administrative assistant begs people to work games. We are often short workers, which means the ones we have are doing multiple jobs. There are always openings on our custodial crews, meaning that post game clean-up is harder than it has ever been before. Hiring and retaining coaches consumes a lot of my day to day. The money has never been the reason why a coach agrees to coach. It’s the passion for the game and the love of kids. It’s also equally as hard to find debate judges, music adjudicators, and the list goes on and on. But, we can make their jobs a little less hard.

Why am I telling you this? I need your help. Your actions have a direct effect on our officials, custodians, and coaches. I need North to be a welcoming environment so that when officials are choosing games they choose us. Our students are getting better every day at leaving no trash behind--I need our parents to assist in that as well. If our events are cleaner then we are more likely to have custodians stay in our building. And if we are the caring and supportive community that I know we are, we will be able to attract and keep the best coaches in the metro. Thank you for all you do to support North and all the athletics and activities we offer. The way the Mustangs take care of each other is the reason why I love to call this place home.

Mustang Proud,

Kelli Kurle

BVN teachers are looking forward to Parent Teacher Conferences on September 26-29. Conferences will be after the school day is over, by appointment on Monday, Tuesday and/or Thursday, via Zoom. In-person conferences will be on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 4:00-7:30 p.m. in the BVN Gym/Commons/Flex Space with no appointments necessary. Due to the after-school conferences the last week of September, there will be no school on Friday, Sept. 30.

The teachers want to speak with as many parents as possible, but time slots are always at a premium. We encourage you to talk to your child and decide if a Parent-Teacher conference is necessary. If you and your child are happy with how things are going and with their progress in class, a conference may not be necessary at this time. Feel free to drop the teacher an email with any extra questions that you might have.

Dates:

• Monday, September 12: Signups opened
• Friday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m.: Signups are closed
• Monday, September 26: Email sent out with Zoom Links and Passwords
• Monday, September 26: Virtual Conferences via Zoom by appointment
• Tuesday, September 27: Virtual Conferences via Zoom by appointment
• Wednesday, September 28: IN-PERSON conferences at BVN, no appointment is needed. Maps will be available at the entrance to help find the teachers you are looking for.
• Thursday, September 29: Virtual Conferences via Zoom by appointment
• Friday, September 30: No school

If you signed up for a conference via SignUpGenius, you should have received a confirmation email and then you should also receive a reminder email one day prior to your conference.

Preparing for your Zoom Conference:

If you have never used Zoom on your device, consider the following 3 options:

1. Prior to the conference time, download the Zoom Client and use the meeting link
2. If you don’t want to download: When joining the meeting, use this link https://zoom.us/join and enter the meeting code. The meeting code is in the Zoom link found in your Confirmation email. In the image shown below, the code would be 990946439.
   
3. Consider using your student’s MacBook. Your student may need to update Zoom (Directions)

Attending your Conferences

You will need a Zoom link and passcode to attend each conference. These can be found from the information on the teacher's SignUp or by "View Sign Up" in the confirmation email. Zoom links and passcodes will also be emailed to all parents during the day on Monday September 26th (the first day of zoom conferences).

Please be sure to check you have completed paying your student’s course fees. Remember, course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment. Take a moment to log in to ParentVUE to see if any course fees were assigned.

Please note:

• Not all courses will have associated fees. To check if your student is enrolled in a class with associated course fees, log in to ParentVUE.

• Course fees are posted for the first semester only.

• If your student dropped a course after the course drop deadline, August 19, they are responsible for paying any fees associated with that course.

• The deadline for first semester course fees is October 1, 2022.

If you have any questions regarding course fees, please contact our BVN Bookkeeper, Lori Freeman, at (913) 239-3007.

Thank you for your continued support of Blue Valley North High School.

Please take a look through the BVN Mustang Club's Fall Activity Guide! Here is a link to the on-line edition: https://anyflip.com/qzkqi/pcpe/

This is a great way to see photos of the athletic teams & performing arts students, find out more about their coaches and directors, and read a greeting from the BVN Principal & the Mustang Club Presidents. Please take time to see the advertisements from our corporate partners and give them your business whenever possible. We thank them for their support of the Mustang Club and our Blue Valley North students. Enjoy!

September 12-23:

Monday-Wednesday are Odd Hour Days

Tuesday-Thursday are Even Hour Days (*School begins at 8:40 a.m.)

Friday-Schedule Change 7-Hour Day with Assembly Schedule (see below)

September 26-30:

Monday-Wednesday are Odd Hour Days

Tuesday-Thursday are Even Hour Days (*School begins at 8:40 a.m.)

Friday: NO SCHOOL due to after school conferences

October 3-7:

Monday-Wednesday are Odd Hour Days

Tuesday-Thursday are Even Hour Days (*School begins at 8:40 a.m.)

Fridays are Traditional 7-Hour Days

October 10-14:

Monday is an Odd Hour Day

Tuesday is an Even Hour Day (*School begins at 8:40 a.m.)

Wednesday is Testing Day for Underclassmen/Senior Outreach google form link coming soon

Thursday-SCHEDULE CHANGE-is a Traditional Day (*School begins at 7:40 a.m.)

Friday: NO SCHOOL/End of Quarter 1/Professional Learning for Teachers

*On late start Tuesday/Thursdays, Durham buses will run their normal pickup times. Students can eat breakfast in the commons, study in the flex space or in the library.

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 2022-23 Blue Valley School District Calendar.

September 30 - No School due to Parent-Teacher Conferences after school Sept. 26-29

October 1 - 1st Semester Course Fees due; Check ParentVUE > Fees

October 12 - Testing Day for underclassmen/No School for Seniors

October 13 - Schedule Change - Traditional Schedule

October 13 - Vision & Hearing Screening for 9th, 11th and new students

October 14 - No School/End of 1st Quarter

October 31 - No School/Professional Learning for Teachers

Click Here For BVN's Counseling Webpage for information about:

• The deadline to request a schedule change for Fall 2022 has passed. Only level changes and drops to a study hall are now permitted. 2nd semester changes will be accepted through December 9th. Students may request these changes any time prior to December 9th.
• Counselors visited with Seniors in ELA classes to discuss the college application process last week. More information can be found here - Counseling Canvas page/Senior College Planning
• Counselors will visit with Juniors in ELA classes to discuss the college and career exploration process in Naviance on September 28/29. More information can be found here - Counseling Canvas Page/Junior College and Career Planning.
• Junior parents are invited to a college planning night at BVN on October 6, 2022, 6-7pm. RSVP here - Junior Parent College Planning.
• Testing Day is October 12, 2022. See email sent 9/16 for details. PSAT registration deadline: September 28, 2022.
• College visits are back in person this year! Juniors and seniors are welcome to sign up to meet with visiting admissions representatives on Naviance->Colleges->College Visits. Login here - https://student.naviance.com/bluevalleynhs
• AP exam registration is open. 1st semester registration deadline – October 28th. See details here - Counseling Canvas Page/AP Testing
• Check out School year and Summer Opportunities - Opportunities

• Visit the Counseling Virtual Calming Room
• Visit the Counseling Home Page to find additional resources or contact information for Counselors and other Student Services staff.

Questions? Contact Sarah King @ (913)239-3016 or SKing@bluevalleyk12.org .

Food Drive:

Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat is the International Thespian Society’s annual nationwide community service initiative to collect food for the hungry. The Blue Valley North International Thespian Society is joining forces with the other four Blue Valley High Schools’ Thespian Troupes to magnify our impact. Donations will be collected through October 14th through Mrs. Cain. We will gladly take on-campus donations from BVN students, staff, and families to help those in need in our community. If you have any questions or would like to donate any items to our campaign, please contact Mrs. Cain by email at: rmcain@bluevalleyk12.org

National Honor Society Info for 2022-23 School Year

Mandatory induction practice is Monday, November 7, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. and the mandatory Induction Ceremony is Monday, November 7, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Feel free to reach out to Ms. Cornelius (acornelius@bluevalleyk12.org) or Mrs. Stein (sistein@bluevalleyk12.org) with any questions.

October 12th, 2022 is a district-wide testing day for all high school students in the 9th, 10th, & 11th Grade. On this day, students will take the Pre-ACT, Practice ACT, or PSAT. Below is important information regarding this day that all parents and students need to be aware.

PSAT/Practice ACT Considerations:

All colleges will accept either ACT or SAT for admission consideration. PSAT is a practice SAT. The junior year PSAT is also the National Merit Qualifying Exam, which identifies the top half of the top 1% of all juniors in the country for entrance to the National Merit Scholarship Program. . All students registered for PSAT should have received a prep guide in advisory this week. If you did not receive a guide, or you registered after September 12th, you may pick up a guide in Student Services. PSAT registration will be available until midnight on September 28th. Paying the optional $21 PSAT fee on Parentvue automatically registers the student. If a student has paid for the PSAT and would like to switch to practice ACT, please contact Vicki Petersen at vpetersen@bluevalleyk12.org by end of school day on September 28th.

Testing Room Assignments: All room assignments will be posted on the exterior walls of Student Services the week before the tests.

Testing Day Schedule for Students:

• Buses will run on their regular AM schedule, and buses will take students home at 12:15 pm.

• If your student is taking the PSAT with extended time – Busses will not be waiting for those students, and transportation accommodations need to be made. Please reach out to Cory Cox: ccox@bluevalleyk12.org with questions.

• Students should be in their assigned testing room at 7:45 AM

• Students will be admitted to the testing room if testing has not begun. Once testing has started, students will not be admitted to the testing room.

• All testing should be completed by 12:00 pm and students will be dismissed following their exam. Parents are not permitted to call students out of testing

• BVN will be serving a grab-and-go lunch to students following testing. It is not required for students to stay and eat.

11th Grade PSAT at KU EDWARDS CAMPUS:

• Students will provide their own transportation to campus and should be in their assigned testing room by 7:45 AM.

• Students will not be admitted to the testing room once testing begins.

• Address: 12600 S Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213, BEST Hall

• If transportation is an issue, please contact:

• Mr. Cox: ccox@bluevalleyk12.org

• Ms. Petersen: vpetersen@bluevalleyk12.org

What to bring on Testing Day:

• Sharpened wooden #2 pencils

• Calculator

What NOT to bring on Testing Day:

• Cell phone

• Any other electronic device not needed for medical purposes

• Paper or other school supplies

October 13th: Thursday October 13th will be a traditional day with no late start.

October 14th: No school for all students, end of first quarter.

Questions may be directed to Mr. Cox at ccox@bluevalleyk12.org. PSAT questions may be directed to Ms. Petersen at vpetersen@bluevalleyk12.org.

North Needs Coffee

The BVNorth coffee shop needs a coffee maker. The machine we have is broken. We also need an espresso machine. No coffee shop, in today's world, is a coffee shop without espresso.

Do you have an old coffee maker or espresso machine sitting in the basement, or in the garage, that you would like to get rid of? Can you donate (or purchase) a coffee or espresso machine for the school coffee shop?

The mental benefits of coffee are scientifically proven. Grades are at stake! (and teacher sanity!) Please, help!

World Language Credit Transfer --- 9th grade parents ACTION NEEDED by October 3

This information is only for students who have completed the Middle School world language sequence and will seek to transfer two world language credits to their High School transcript.

If you would like to transfer 2 middle school world language credits to your child’s high school transcript, please fill out this credit transfer form. This form will be open until October 3, 2022, and credit will not be applied to the HS transcript until after this time frame. Please allow at least two weeks for processing after the close of the form. If you have any questions, please reach out to your building registrar or counselor. You may also reach out to Rachel Benson, World Language Coordinator (rlbenson@bluevalleyk12.org).

ParentVUE URL updated -- Action Needed

Over the summer the URL for ParentVUE changed. Click here for the new URL: ParentVUE

Parents will need to have the new URL or they won’t be able to login to ParentVUE or request a password reset. The Blue Valley School District website and the BVN website have both been updated with the new URL so the parents can access the link from Parent>ParentVUE.

In addition, this also impacts the ParentVUE app. Parents will need to update their device to the correct link.

Student Digital ID Cards

Students have a new digital student ID card on their phones. If you paid for a Student Activity Pass, it should say that on the ID and students will show this to get into games. They can save their ID on their home page on an iPhone, or it can be saved as a favorite page on an android phone. If students were absent on Picture Day or if they have any trouble loading the ID, they can come to Student Services for help.

School Photo Orders

Picture Day was Friday, Aug. 19 at BVN. If your student’s picture was taken and you placed a pre-order for photos, the picture package was delivered to your student in their Advisory class on Thursday, September 8. If you did not pre-purchase a packet, your student was given a proof sheet with information about purchasing prints from their website, www.rollandkc.com.

Family Activity Passes

All Family Activity Passes and Adult Individual Passes have been distributed. If you paid for your Family Activity Pass by the end of the day on September 13 but haven't received it yet, the cards were sent home with your student last week. If you purchase a pass after September 13, you need to contact Lori Freeman to obtain your cards.

Are you moving? Have you moved?

Please contact the BVN Registrar, Suzy Doherty, by email at sdoherty@bluevalleyk12.org .

Baseball New Family Informational Meeting (updated)

Who: New families to BVN who are interested in the baseball program

When: 6:30-7:15 p.m. on 10/3 (date & time changed from 10/4)

Where: Blue Valley North Library

If a family is unable to attend, email Coach Dudley directly for information (mdudley@bluevalleyk12.org )

Student-Athletes Action Needed for 2022-2023

Starting July 1st, the Blue Valley School District is moving to an online format to submit all paperwork, including a new physical completed, signed and dated May 1, 2022 or after, by a physician. This paperwork is required for students involved in athletics and activities at the high school and middle school levels. The online system can be accessed directly through this link: https://bvnathletics.com/2022/06/30/new-online-physical-and-paperwork/ .

Winter Sports start on November 14

Is your student participating in a Winter Sport: Boys' Basketball, Girls' Basketball, Boys' Swim and Dive, Bowling or Wrestling? Physicals and all completed athletic paperwork must be completed and uploaded by Friday, November 11. Get your students' physicals scheduled now! If your student participated in a 2022 fall sport, their physical and paperwork is already on file. Thank you!

BVN Athletics' Questions?

Please contact Stevie Gibson, BVN Athletics Administrative Assistant, at (913) 239-3011 or SGibson@abluevalleykk12.org .

The Graduation date for the Class of 2023 has been announced. Put Saturday, May 20 on your calendars! Commencement will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the District Activity Center (DAC) at 135th & Switzer.

Cap, Gown & Tassel for Graduation: It's time to order your Cap & Gown and any other graduation supplies you need. Just go to www.Jostens.com or ORDER HERE!

Senior Tribute Ads: Oct. 6 is the regular deadline to purchase and submit materials for senior tributes for the class of 2023! See below for informational images that explain pricing, deadlines, and frequently asked questions about submitting materials for senior tribute ads in the 2022-23 Yearbook. Start planning yours now!

ACTION NEEDED: Our diplomas will be ordered at the end of the first semester 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

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For the most up-to-date info, please bookmark our SENIOR INFO page! You can also find info about picking up your parking pass and download the parking permit application.

Questions? email Mrs. Miller at lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org

Did your student forget to take a daily morning medication before leaving for school?

If your student ever forgets to take a daily morning medication before coming to school, the parent may bring the medication to the school’s front office and the parent may dispense and give the student the medication. If the nurse is to give the medication it must be in the original prescription pill bottle accompanied by the signed physician’s medical order ( https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/cms/lib/ks02212623/Centricity/Domain/4486/Medication-Authorization.pdf ).

Parents of 11th Graders

Thank you to all who have sent in their updated immunization records. All records received have been updated. Students who still show missing the 2nd 16-year-old meningococcal immunization have been mailed a notice of immunization record deficiency in the mail that should have arrived this week.

Per the state of Kansas Immunization guidelines, your current 11th grader needs to have their 16-year meningococcal (MCV4) immunization for entry into the 11th grade. Please E-mail Nurse Collichio your 11th grader’s updated MCV4 immunization record to ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org, Thank you.

BVN 9th, 11th, & All New Students: Hearing & Vision Screening on Thursday, October 13

Please mark your calendars and remind your students to bring their glasses to school with them for an accurate vision screen.

Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2022-23 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492 or contact them via email at admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.

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.

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!

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 .

Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The office will be closed on Monday, September 5th for Labor Day, and on Friday, September 30, due to Parent-Teacher Conferences after school Sept. 26-29.

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