North Notes

Parents, please check your ParentVUE to assure all your student's fees have been paid. If you have questions, please reach out to Torrence Kelley, BVN Bookkeeper, at 913-239-3007. Thank you!

Food Drive – BVN Room 602 -- Deadline Tuesday, 11/14

IR Connections classes are doing a food drive to benefit the Blue Valley Food Pantry! We appreciate your support in keeping our shelves stocked. From March 2023 to August 2023, the BV Food Pantry has had over 750 visits. Your donation will have a big impact in our community! There are items listed above to help make a chicken & wild rice casserole meal-kit.

After BVN's food drive to help, the students will visit the BVSD pantry in mid-November and deliver these donations. If you are able, please drop off your donations to room 602 so students will have lots of food to share. Questions? Email Carla Wolters or Michael Allen. Thank you for your support!

American Education Week Staff Breakfast -- Donations needed for Thursday, 11/16

We still are in need of food donations for next Thursday, November 16th!

Our BVN Mustang Club (our version of PTO) is excited to provide breakfast for our staff next Thursday to celebrate them for American Education Week! The event starts at 7:30 a.m. and is a big THANK YOU for all that they do for our children.

With your help, we plan to celebrate them with a bountiful breakfast buffet! Please sign up to bring an item for our hard-working staff on the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D49AAA622A02-45788308-american

Items can be dropped off items at the BVN the main office, on Wednesday or Thursday, Nov. 15th and 16th. If you are bringing a breakfast casserole, please bring it by 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, the morning of the event. Thank you in advance from the Mustang Club!

Congratulations to Erin Nathan, Math Teacher, Carla Wolters, Speech Path & Abby Cornelius, Librarian, for writing a grant & receiving their grant from the Blue Valley Education Foundation on November 9th. Let's give a huge thank you to Erin, Carla and Abby for all they do for our students!

BVN Athletic Signing Day

The Mustang Family celebrated our student athletes that have signed to continue their athletic career at the next level. Congratulations to these awesome students! We are so proud of you!

Dance Team

NDA KC Regional Champions for their Varsity Game Day routine with Superior Showmanship. Congratulations on all your hard work!

Science Olympiad

On October 21st, there was a Science Olympiad competition called Georgia Scrimmage. We are pleased to announce the following results.

Anatomy and Physiology

3rd Place: Maddy Hall

7rd Place: Dilsha Chebolu

Codebusters

4th Place: Sriram Kalki and Ellie Lim

6th Place : Ajay Nandula and Lucas Tian

Disease Detectives

3rd Place: Caleb Deng and Maddy Hall

Dynamic Planet:

6th Place: Aiden Juhl

Ecology

4th Place: Edward Mu and Aiden Juhl

Forensics

3rd Place: Ellie Lim and Edward Mu

National Honor Society

On Monday, November 6, we inducted 157 new members into the Blue Valley North National Honor Society. Congratulations to all of these students who achieved this accomplishment. Their induction reflects their dedication to the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character.

Theatre Students Spread Sunshine

Repertory Theatre students performed The Day The Crayons Quit for the Valley Park Elementary 1st and 2nd graders.

AND! There’s more! We will host a Theatre Clinic for future Thespians on Jan 20th. Registration will open in December.

If you need to look ahead, you can see the plan for Odd/Even/All schedules for every month of the school year here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UcH1E-EQn0PxZ--P4-SbtgjfL2voHyfk/view?usp=sharing

November 13 - Winter Sports begin

November 20-24 - No School / Thanksgiving Break

December 18-20 - Final Exams

December 21-January 2 - No School / Winter Break

January 3 - No School / Professional Learning for Teachers

January 4 - School Resumes

January 15 - No School / Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 26 - Sweetheart Game

January 27 - Sweetheart Dance

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 2023/2024 Blue Valley School District Calendar.

Some November Celebrations & Observances:

• Native American Heritage Month - celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples.

• Military Family Appreciation Month - honors the military family by recognizing their sacrifices and commitments.

• Day of the Dead - November 1 - celebrated by some with Mexican heritage, a joyful time to remember and honor deceased loved ones.

• All Saints Day - November 1 - celebrated by some of the Christian faith, this solemn, holy day honors the saints of the church.

• Diwali - November 12-16 - the festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the human ability to overcome observed by some Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others. Some will decorate their homes with lights and rangoli art, exchange gifts, dress in colorful clothing, feast with family, and/or go to temple.

Testing is an integral part of the curriculum. Summative final exams are required at the end of the semester in every course that is taken for credit. The staff of BVN has developed a finals schedule that is most conducive to students doing their best on the tests so we can truly assess what students have learned. Any deviations from the schedule shown below must be approved by Dr. Cory Cox, Assistant Principal, and must be agreed upon before Dec. 15.

To request a modified final exam schedule, have your student pick up the Alternate Finals form from Mrs. Miller in Student Services.

The Fall 2023 Final Exam Schedule is as follows:

Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 Hours 1, 2 & 3 Finals

7:35-8:55 am - Hour 1

9:05-10:25 am - Hour 2

10:35-11:55 pm - Hour 3

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 Hours 4 & 5 Finals

7:35-8:55 am - Hour 4

9:05-10:25 am - Hour 5

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 Hours 6 & 7 Finals

7:35-8:55 am - Hour 6

9:05-10:25 am - Hour 7

Girls/Boys Bowling Team 2023-24

Coach Nathan is still recruiting for the Girls and Boys Bowling Team! Please consider trying out for this great team! You can sign up here: https://forms.gle/CrUrLmaxm4hdgmMG8

See Mrs. Nathan in room 242 if you have questions or need more information. Thanks!

Boys' Swimming and Diving Team

Mark your calendars: Tryouts begin November 13th-16th, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.; practices start Friday November 17th. Attention New Families and any new swimmers/divers interested in Boys' Swim & Dive this winter! Please email Kristen Lopez @ kristenjlopez4@gmail.com to get set-up on Team Snap! Contact Coach Rob Cole for info at coachrfc2@gmail.com .

Girls' Soccer Team

There will be a Girls' Soccer Interest/Informational Meeting on Wednesday, January 10th, at 3:00 p.m. in the BVN Library. If you have questions, please contact Coach Skylar Roush at sklarroush@gmail.com .

NCAA/NAIA | NCAA Information Night

For student athletes pursuing athletics on the collegiate level, visit this website for information: the BVN Athletics website has NCAA/NAIA information under the section titled “More”.

JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES | There have been several jobs, volunteer, and leadership opportunities posted for students on the BVN Counseling Canvas Page. You can find these opportunities on the BVN Counseling Website.

10 AND 11 GRADES | JCCC Career Ready Programs Community-Wide Events

• Fire Science on Tuesday, Jan. 16th at 6:00 pm at the Fire Training Center at 12401 Hemlock
• Dual Degree on Wednesday, Jan. 17th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Nerman Museum
• Industrial Arts on Wednesday, Jan. 24th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Hugh Libby CTEC building
• Cybersecurity and Culinary & Hospitality on Thursday, Jan. 25th at 6:00 pm at the JCCC in the Wylie Culinary building

OPPORTUNITIES | The Femineer Program was created to empower K-12 female students to develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue majors and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. It has since expanded to include other under-represented individuals in these fields. Applications can be found under Opportunities on the BVN Counseling Website and are due Nov. 13th.

BOGO ACT Test Registration! | For a limited time, ACT is offering students the opportunity to get a free ACT registration. The student must register and pay for the December 9 test date. The student then will receive a discount code to be used for a free registration. The code must be used by January 31, 2024 to register for February 10, April 13, June 8 or July 13. The following link has all of the details. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/register-for-the-act.html

College Fairs are posted to the BVN Counseling Canvas Page!

Important Travel Outside of the USA Information

This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during the school year. Please click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for Out of the Country travel. Blue Valley resources such as Canvas, Classlink, and school email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it.

BV Changes to Student Assessments: FASTbridge

There are some changes to student assessment in Blue Valley this fall. As a result, you may notice a change in some of the tests your student is being asked to take this year, such as:

We have replaced our previous reading screening assessment, the SRI with the Fastbridge FASTtrack reading assessment. The benefits are:

• Fastbridge testing provides comparable student results with fewer questions.
• Teachers get information that is easier to act upon.
• Fastbridge is endorsed by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
• Families will get a printed student report.

Additionally, KSDE has changed the requirements for high school reading screening. Starting in Fall 2023, districts must screen:

• 9th graders in the fall
• New students
• Students whose scores from the previous test indicate below level performance

Online ATHLETIC PASSES and Individual Event Tickets

Fans can purchase single-game tickets online through the GoFan app, as well as Student or Family Athletic passes. (This Athletic Pass takes the place of the former Activity Pass that was sold through ParentVue.) Here is the BVN GoFan link: Blue Valley North High School Events and Tickets by GoFan

Are you moving? Have you moved?

Please contact the BVN Registrar, Ann LaGrange, by email at ALLaGrange@bluevalleyk12.org.

If your child is not feeling well please refer to the Disease & Symptom Exclusion Recommendations /Regulations: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/cms/lib/ks02212623/Centricity/Domain/4486/disease%20exclusion%20recommendations%202022.pdf

Student Well-Being Support Resources:

https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34318

Immunization Documentation Needed

Thank you, all parents, for working so diligently to have immunization records turned in to the nurse. The Kansas Requirements are: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34370

• All 9th grade students are required to have their Hep A series
• 11th grade students are required to have their second dose of meningococcal immunization.

If your student is non-compliant, you will be contacted by a district exclusion letter. Please contact Amanda Collichio, BVN School nurse via ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or fax at 913-239-3038 with up-to-date immunization certificates or documented appointment date and time.

Flu, COVID and the masking recommendation

This is not a requirement; for further info please visit https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/36106.

Update Medical Orders for 2023-2024

If your student has medical orders please be sure the school nurse is kept up-to-date. Authorization for Medication Administration Forms must be signed by the prescribing physician and returned preferably by e-mail to Nurse Amanda Collichio at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or faxed to 913-239-3038. Medications may be dropped off to the nurse by appointment.

The Graduation date for the Class of 2024 has been announced! Mark your calendar for May 19th at 1:00 p.m. Commencement will be held at the Switzer District Activity Complex, 135th & Switzer in Overland Park. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to the BV West gymnasium, same date & time.

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

Order your cap & gown now from jostens.com . . .
IF YOU ORDER:

• Senior items: (like shirts, hats, keychains, etc.): they will be shipped to your home
• Announcements: they will be shipped to the school and seniors will be notified when to pick them up (sometime in March)
• Cap, Gown & Tassel: they will be shipped to the school and handed out at grad practice in May

Questions? email Mrs. Miller at lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org and bookmark our Senior Info page.

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/piwj/

Printed copies of the guide will be sold for $5. Contact Heather Glenn or Georgina Greenyer if you’d like to purchase one. Email: bvnpbcpresident@gmail.com.

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!

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.
• We would love for your company to be featured in our Activity Guide. It is printed 3 times each year and would be a wonderful way to promote your business to the North community. Email mustangactivityguides@gmail.com now! To see last year's spring guide, click here.
• Show your love and mustang pride for your student by purchasing a Spirit Ad in the Activity Guide! go to www.bvnmustangs.com on the Order form page.

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!

We are excited to announce the first Johnson County Educator Fair on Friday, November 17th, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Hilltop Conference Center in Overland Park, KS.

We are fortunate to have some of the best school districts in the country in Johnson County. To help attract and streamline access for potential candidates, we have partnered with Blue Valley to provide an opportunity for those interested in working in education to learn more about job opportunities, degree programs (undergraduate and graduate) in the area, receive information about licensure directly from consultants at the Kansas State Department of Education, and hear about all the perks of living and working here. In addition, there will be plenty of opportunities for on-the-spot screening interviews.

With award-winning districts, competitive compensation packages, affordable housing options, and plenty of opportunities to meet people, engage in recreational activities, and form social networks, we hope you will encourage your (insert students, candidates, etc.) to attend. We can’t wait to meet them!

The fall event is on Friday, November 17th, from 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.. The event location is Hilltop Conference Center at 7700 W. 143rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66223. No advanced registration is required. Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested. Thank you!

Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2023/2024 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492 or contact them via email at admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.

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 .

The BVN Main Office is opened Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The BVN Offices will be closed November 20-24 for Thanksgiving Week.

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