T-Bird Times
February 8, 2024
Indian Valley Elementary
Indian Valley Website
Location: 11600 Knox Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913 239 6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IVEThunderbirds/
Twitter: @IVEThunderbirds
Upcoming Events
As a reminder, any visitor (parents included) must show a government-issued photo id to enter the school. Thank you for having yours ready each time you come to school!
Join us for Family Engagement Night Thursday, Feb. 22!
RSVP Via the Button Below
Valentine's Day Parties
- All visitors must show a photo id and be listed in Synergy for the student to be admitted to classroom parties. Visitors will be released to classrooms at 3:00 pm. Classes are still learning prior to this time.
- No siblings at parties - these parties are a celebration for the students in the classroom. Thank you for not bringing older or younger siblings.
- The focus during this time should be the students. Your role as a volunteer is to assist in making the party a success.
Chinese Immersion info meeting set for incoming kindergarten families
Are you interested in providing your child with an immersive educational experience that broadens horizons, enhances cognitive skills and teaches second language skills? Would you like to learn more about Blue Valley’s Chinese Immersion Program?
Prospective Chinese Immersion Family Information Session
🗓 Monday, Feb. 26, 2023, @ 5 p.m.
🖊 Register for the information session online
📍 Zoom link provided upon registration
📹 Watch a video that provides a glimpse into Chinese Immersion classrooms
Online applications for the program will open Feb. 26 with a lottery system determining participation in the program. For more information about the immersion program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/immersion.
Every Child Can Read Act
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.
BVEF Innovative Educator
Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond to inspire, engage, and innovate in the classroom? Now is your chance to recognize their outstanding contributions! Nominations are officially open for BVEF’s annual Innovative Educator Award. This prestigious honor celebrates two classroom teachers (one elementary and one secondary) who creatively apply innovative teaching methods, foster critical thinking skills, and ignite a passion for learning in their students.
Each innovative educator will receive a $1,250 grant for their classroom. Applications are due March 1st. Click HERE to learn more and nominate a deserving educator. Thank you!
Community Celebrations and Observances - to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley families.
Some February Celebrations & Observances:
- Black History Month - created to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritages of African Americans. Black History Month highlights the triumphs and adversities that have helped shape the United States.
- World Hijab Day - February 1 - this day recognizes the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. Inviting women of all identities to wear the hijab for one day, it promotes understanding of other cultures and personal freedoms of religious expression.
- Lunar New Year - February 10 - celebrated by families of Chinese and other Asian heritages, some people celebrate with religious ceremonies honoring ancestors, giving and receiving red envelopes containing small amounts of money, lighting colorful lanterns, and eating traditional foods such as dumplings and sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity.
- Ash Wednesday - February 14 - a Christian holiday signifying the first day of the Lenten season, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading to Easter. Some families will attend religious services and receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead.
- Magha Puja Day - February 24 - an important Buddhist festival celebrating the gathering between Buddha and his first disciples. Some families will attend temple, meditate, listen to teachings, perform giving alms, and hold candlelight processions.
Incoming Kindergarten Information
We are so excited to start the process to welcome our Kindergarten families for the Fall of 2024. Children who reside in Blue Valley Schools and turn 5 years of age by August 31 are eligible to attend kindergarten that school year. If you live in the Indian Valley Elementary boundaries and will have an incoming Kindergarten student next fall, please click on this link to pre-register: 24-25 Incoming Kindergarten Student Information.
More information will be shared with you at the end of February including welcome videos, online registration instructions, and information about Kindergarten Round Up in April.
Please pass this message/link on to neighbors that might not have a student in our system and might not yet receive our weekly emails!
Special note about boundary/neighborhood changes for Indian Valley Elementary:
Our Indian Valley community will be impacted by some neighborhood boundary changes. We will be welcoming some amazing, new families to our school this year. At the June 2023 Board of Education meeting, the board adopted boundary adjustments that address elementary school enrollment and building capacity issues. These will begin for the 2024-25 school year. The following neighborhoods are impacted:
Autumn Park (Arcadia), Villages of Overland View and Executive Hills boundaries will be adjusted to attend Indian Valley Elementary. This adjustment will also include a change in feeder pattern to Oxford Middle and Blue Valley Northwest.
Deer Creek boundaries will be adjusted to attend Overland Trail Elementary.
Sandstone Creek, Savoy and Plaza Gardens boundaries would be adjusted to attend Harmony Elementary. This adjustment will also include a change in feeder pattern to Harmony Middle and Blue Valley Northwest.
Villas of Carrington Square Area boundaries will be adjusted to attend Heartland Elementary.
Glen Abbey & Villas of Chapel Green, and Highland Villas and Highlands Creek boundaries will be adjusted to attend Prairie Star Elementary. This adjustment will also include a change in feeder pattern to Prairie Star Middle and Blue Valley High.
Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all of our schools. Through the convergence of physical and intellectual security measures, we are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.
PTA News
Donuts with Grownups
Join us in the IVE cafeteria on March 1st from 8-8:25am for donuts with grownups!
Cultural Arts
We are fast approaching our annual Children of the Cultural Arts Day at IVE! For an exciting afternoon your student will be transported to different countries and regions across the globe through hands-on cultural, musical and artistic workshops showcasing diverse cultures and traditions. We believe that exposing our students to the arts is not only enriching, but also helps to foster creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking skills. We have many volunteer opportunities - If you would like to help, please email us at IVECulturalArtsDay@gmail.com.
Yearbook
Please help our yearbook committee by sharing your school event photos! Email us at indianvalleyyearbook@gmail.com. Please include the event name and Teacher/Class information in the subject line.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday Feb. 17th - 7am-11am - Feb. spirit event at Kolaches & Coffee
Friday March 1st - 8-8:25am - Donuts with grownups
Tuesday March 5th - Culver's spirit event.
Friday March 22nd - Children of the Cultural Arts Day
Please find us on social media to stay up to date
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianValleyPTA
Instagram: ive.bv.pta