T-Bird Times

Where Community, Character and Learning Come Together

Website: https://district.bluevalleyk12.org/schools/elementary/ive/Pages/home.aspx
Location: 11600 Knox Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913 239 6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IVEThunderbirds/
Twitter: @IVEThunderbirds

I have noticed that there are a lot of students outside the front doors unsupervised before school. This is unsafe. Please make sure students are not exiting cars or arriving to school before the doors open at 8:25!

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held at the following times:

Tuesday, September 26th 4:00 - 8:00 pm - via Zoom ONLY!

Wednesday, September 27th 4:00 - 8:00 pm - Zoom or In-person

Thursday, September 28th 8:00 am - 3:00 pm - Zoom or In-person

We are so excited to schedule time with each of our families to talk about their students and their learning.

To sign up, please enter the following web address into your browser window:

https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Indian_Valley_Elementary_1

Parents, please indicate under Special Request whether you want Zoom or in-person on 9/27 and 9/28. Teachers will send out a Zoom link a few days before conferences.

If you would like a conference with a specialist, please contact them directly to schedule an appointment.

Hillary Saffels (art) - HSaffels@bluevalleyk12.org

Mikaela Hult (Spanish) - MHult@bluevalleyk12.org

Kathryn Meehan (music) - KMeehan@bluevalleyk12.org

Lew Rowe (PE) - LRowe@bluevalleyk12.org

Angela Guinn (library) - AGuinn@bluevalleyk12.org

Kadi Kneib (counselor) - KLKneib@bluevalleyk12.org

Bailee Greenhaw (school social worker) - BGreenhaw@bluevalleyk12.org

We value your partnership in the education of your child and look forward to meeting during the week of September 26th!

The sign-up will close on Monday, September 25th!

Halloween is just around the corner! I have many Halloween costumes that have been donated. If you are up at school for conferences and wanting to see what we have I will have the costumes organized by size in the flex classroom B16. This classroom is across from the 4th grade classrooms. If you are not able to attend conferences in person and are still interested in a donated costume, please reach out to me by email.

Thank you,

Bailee Greenhaw, School Social Worker

Bgreenhaw@bluevalleyk12.org

On July 1, 2023, the Every Child Can Read Act went into effect in Kansas. The intent of this legislation was to address literacy initiatives with a target of ensuring students reach grade level benchmarks by third grade. In Blue Valley, we prioritize partnership with families in conjunction with high quality, evidence-based instruction rooted in the science of reading. This has been and remains a large area of focus for professional learning. Rather than limit conversations about reading progress to 3rd grade, it is our practice to do so at each grade level. KSDE has provided a summary of this Act which can be found here. Our teachers look forward to talking with you about your child during Parent-Teacher conferences.

Indian Valley will be celebrating Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 4th. Mark your calendars to walk to school. There will be a celebration on the playground starting at 8:00am. Parents are invited to join. No dogs please!

We will have some music, snacks provided by K-State Extension, materials from Johnson County Department of Health and Education, Bike KC information and a banner to sign. The event will end at 8:40 when students go to class.

Please follow the map below. And thanks to the JCDHE, IVE PTA and Watch Dog Dads for supporting this event!

Peace Week is coming soon! We look forward to learning about how we can be up-standers who stop bullying when we see it. We will work to spread kindness and make sure everyone feels like they belong!

Join us in spreading peace through the theme days!

Our district’s Diversity Team has produced a series of monthly Community Celebrations and Observances. Please include the linked graphics in your newsletters for the next few months starting the week of September 25. The Diversity Team will provide another set for the second semester in December.

Indian Valley Elementary School has been identified as an official Title I school, based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch benefits. Title I is a federal program where select schools receive targeted funds to provide additional reading support.

Federal guidelines mandate that Title I schools provide parents with a “right to know.” As a parent, you have the right to know information regarding qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers. This information can be found at https://appspublic.ksde.org/TLL/SearchLicense.aspx.

As a parent, you also have the right to view both district and building report cards, which can be found by going to www.bluevalleyk12.org, scrolling down to “District Quick Links” and selecting “Accountability Reports.” Parents also have the right to request access to students’ state assessment scores. These will also be shared via the KITE Parent Portal around the end of the school year.

We have had a lot of outreach about after-school care for students. Currently our after-school Y-Care program is full (We do have openings for before-school care). Those spots fill up quickly, so in the future we suggest signing up as soon as possible when registration opens. We will let you know in the spring when registration will open for next school year. If you are still in need of after school care, Childcare Aware is an organization that can help you find the child care that meets your needs.

Indian Valley Elementary utilizes the BIST philosophy when working with students. BIST uses grace and accountability to teach students life-long skills to help them be successful.

The life goals are:

I can make good choices even if I am mad (or have an overwhelming feeling).

I can be okay even if others are not okay.

I can do something even if I don't want to (or if it's hard).

As part of the school's partnership with BIST, the BIST consultants are offering free parenting sessions via Zoom. See flyer for details. We hope families will take advantage of these opportunities!

1. Go to http://BIST.org

2. Use the dropdown menu “My Account.” Click Log In/Log Out.

3. Create a username by clicking “Click Here” under the large LOG IN heading. If you already created a username by previously enrolling in a BIST class, just log in.

4. Enter your information (Name, Email, and a Password). This will register you on the website, but not for the class.

5. Select the class you wish to attend. Click “Register” to the right of the class name.

6. Follow the instructions.

a. Be sure to select “Pay Later via PO” under the Payment Method. This Parent Class is free, but you must select the “Pay Later via PO” option in order to register.

b. Select your child’s District and School from the dropdown menus.

c. Select your position as a Parent unless you are a school staff member. If you are both a parent and a school staff member, you may select either.

7. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link for the training sessions.

a. If you do not receive a confirmation email by noon on Monday, September 18th, please contact our office at bist@cornerstonesofcare.org for assistance.

Thank you to everyone for their efforts this week to make our walk-a-thon a success!

Upcoming Events:

October 3 - All Pro Dad breakfast - RSVP required

October 4 - Walk to school today!

October 10 - October Spirit Night at Culver's

October 21 - Trunk or Treat and Spooky Schoolhouse! Be on the lookout for candy donations and decorated trunk sign ups!

November 13-17 - IVE Book Fair! Watch for volunteer sign ups to help with set up, working the sale, and break down.

Help Wanted: your PTA board is excited about the upcoming year but we need your help to make it successful. Please email us (bluevalleyive.pta@gmail.com) if you are interested in volunteering your time. We have a variety of needs and would love to talk with you about your interest!

Please find us on social media to stay up to date

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianValleyPTA

Instagram: @IVE.BV.PTA