North Notes

All Sophomores and Juniors will begin taking the 2024 Kansas State Assessments next week. Below is the schedule of when students can expect to take content-specific assessments in their respective classes. This information will also be communicated to them directly from their teachers.

To access their Kansas State Assessments, students will need to enter a personalized username and password, which is located on a prepopulated registration ticket. This ticket will be emailed to your student's BV email address. Students will need to find and open this email to access their username and password on testing day.

Lastly, students will use their school-issued device for the Kansas State Assessments; please ensure that your student restarts and charges their device the night before each assessment to help alleviate any issues that may arise.

If you or your student have questions regarding the Kansas State Assessments, please feel free to contact Dr. Cory Cox, Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction, directly.

Tardy OR Leaving early for an appointment? (new)

• Write a note (student's name, ID#, reason, date & time of pick up, sign it, list your cell #). Student should give it to the attendance office (in main office) on their way into BVN.
• With 2 hours notice, email attendancebvn@bluevalleyk12.org with these details.
• Last resort, with 2 hours notice, call the attendance office at 913.239.3001.
• DO NOT enter appointments in ParentVUE or it will be counted as an all-day absence.

All DAY Absences reporting (new)

• Enter your student's all-day absence in ParentVUE.
• Email attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org with the details noted above
• Last resort, call BVN attendance office at 913.239.3001 (there can be up to 70 VM messages).

The district’s goal is to be out of school by Memorial Day weekend. In order to be compliant with the state's requirements, some adjustments have been made.

Monday, April 1st, will now be a school day instead of the previously scheduled teacher professional development day. We understand that this change may impact your plans, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. If your child will not be present on this day, please use our typical absence reporting protocols to report the all-day absence (Use ParentVue or email attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org)

In addition, the four Tuesdays after Spring Break will NOT be late arrival. Starting on the first day back from Spring Break, Tuesday, March 19th, students will report directly to their Advisory classroom at 7:35 a.m. After Advisory, students will follow the same EVEN block schedule that we have done all year. (see schedules below)

March 26 - Even Day Tuesday with NO Late Arrival

April 1 - Schedule change: it is now a school day / Odd Day

April 2 - Even Day Tuesday with NO Late Arrival

April 3 - Odd Day

April 4 - Even Day

April 5 - Traditional Day / All Classes

April 9 - Even Day Tuesday with NO Late Arrival

April 19 - NO SCHOOL / Professional Development for Teachers

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.

Blue Valley North Community, place your orders for mulch to support our Baseball Team! Orders can be placed here: BVNMULCH.com up until Thursday, April 4.. The BVN Baseball Team will deliver your mulch to your door, for a cost, on April 20 or you can pick up in the school parking lot on April 20. All varieties of mulch are available and are being provided by Westlake Ace Hardware. A portion of the proceeds go directly back to the BVN Baseball Program. Thanks for your support!

SUMMER ENROLLMENT | Summer class registration began March 18th and closes on April 3. Parents can enroll students in ParentVue in the Course Request tab. You can view the courses offered for summer enrollment on the BVN Enrollment Canvas Page.

Summer Opportunities | There are a ton of summer opportunities available to students! Information about summer programs such as Girls Who Code, Boys State, Girls State, US Sentate Internships, Pre-College Summer Programs, Science Days, and more! These opportunities can be found on the BVN Counseling Canvas page under Job Opportunities and Community Service.

Cheer Team Tryout Information (new)

Interested in trying out for the 24-25 BVN Cheer Team? Please fill out the following Google Form to gain information about the 24-25 Cheer Season and upcoming tryouts on Friday, April 26th! BVN Cheer Tryout Interest Form

Questions – Reach out to Coach Shoemaker at pashoemaker@bluevalleyk12.org.”

Color Guard Auditions (new)

Interested in performing, dancing, making new friends, and traveling? Come check out COLORGUARD, the visual performing ensemble of the Marching Mustangs! We will be holding clinic try-out auditions in April. We will teach you what you need to know! April 2nd, 3rd, and 4th from 6:00pm-8:30pm in the BVN Main Gym. Email Mr. McCarty with any questions-- pmmccarty@bluevalleyk12.org

MUSTANG MENTORS

Are you a current Sophomore or Junior interested in being a Mustang Mentor next school year? There will be a meeting during AST on Thursday, March 28th in the PAC. Please see Mrs. Dockendorf in Student Services or Ms. Salimbene in Room 413 with any questions.

Choir Auditions - April 3-4

Want to join choir? Awesome! We're excited to have you! For current 9-11th grade students, choir auditions/placements for next year will occur on April 3rd and 4th in the choir room (612). Students not currently enrolled in choir should email or come talk to Mrs. Krulik in person after spring break to set up an audition time. Current 8th grade students who request a choir class will be automatically enrolled in Concert Choir and do not need to audition. Questions? Contact Mrs. Krulik in Room 612, email: jlkrulik@bluevalleyk12.org

Streaming on District Devices (new)

In an effort to reduce distractions in the learning environment for all of our students, beginning on March 19, 2024, all high school students will have streaming services blocked on district devices (examples include: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video etc.). YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music will still be allowed.

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.

ASL Interpreter Available by Request

If you or a guest plan to attend class day or graduation and need an ASL interpreter, please email Lisa Miller at lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org by April 15. Please note that graduation will be livestreamed with live captioning.

Senior Speech Auditions

Seniors can sign up to audition to give a speech at Class Day and Commencement ceremonies
by submitting this google form. Senior Speech Auditions will take place April 1st - 4th. Submit the form and send an electronic copy of the current draft of the speech to Ms. Miller (lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org) by Friday, March 29.

Jostens Announcement Delivery

The Jostens rep will return to North on March 25 to deliver Senior Announcement orders. He can also help with Class Ring sizing, answer any questions, and take orders for rings or cap & gown.

Order your cap & gown now from jostens.com. Seniors can check the list at Mrs. Miller's desk to see if they still need to order their cap & gown. Please place your order ASAP.
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 --Jostens expects to have a distribution table set up at lunch on March 25.
• Cap, Gown & Tassel: they will be shipped to the school and handed out at grad practice in May

ACTION NEEDED: Please click on the link below and complete the Senior Transcript Form. Please complete as soon as possible. This form authorizes the release of senior transcripts for college applications. Click here: Diploma/Transcript Authorization

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

Project Grad is a long-standing tradition at BVN and provides a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free environment following Commencement for the entire senior class. This year’s PG event will be hosted at Chicken N Pickle-OP May 19 from 7PM- 11PM. We have a SUPER EASY way to support Project Grad – DONATE your gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. From March 25 – April 1 there will be a large storage bin in the BVN parking lot where you can drop off your items. It’s a great opportunity for spring cleaning while donating your items, PLUS we raise money to help fund Project Grad!!

Schedule of Final Exams -- May 22-24

The Spring 2024 Final Exam Schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Hours 1 & 2 Finals

7:35-8:55 am Hour 1

9:05-10:25 am Hour 2

Thursday, May 23, 2024 Hours 3, 4 & 5 Finals

7:35-8:55 am Hour 3

9:05-10:25 am Hour 4

10:35-11:55 pm Hour 5

Friday, May 24, 2024 Hours 6 & 7 Finals

7:35-8:55 am Hour 6

9:05-10:25 am Hour 7

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. Finals are given on assigned days.

Any deviations from the schedule must be approved by Dr. Cory Cox. If your student is unable to attend any of their finals, have your student pick up an Alternate Finals form from the Student Services office. Please email Dr. Cox (ccox@bluevalleyk12.org) with an explanation of the reason your student will need to be absent on any of the above dates.

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.

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.

Some March & April Celebrations & Observances:

• Ramadan - evening of March 10-April 9 - the holy month of fasting for the Islamic faith. For some Muslim families, it is a time for introspection, communal prayer, reading the Qur’an, and fasting between sunrise and sunset.
  

• Holy Week and Easter Sunday - March 24-March 31 - includes the Christian holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, and Good Friday. Some families will attend church services to commemorate the week leading to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

• Holi - March 25 - known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi honors the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of Spring. Some families will light bonfires, throw colorful powder called gulal, eat sweets, and dance to traditional music.

• World Autism Awareness Month - aims to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
  
• National Arab American Heritage Month - recognizes the achievements and contributions of Arab Americans to society, culture, and American history.
  
• Eid al Fitr - April 10th - marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Some families will celebrate the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” by joining in communal prayer and meals, visiting family, gift-giving, and charity.
  
• Day of Silence - April 14 - a national, student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies take a vow of silence to protest the silencing and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools.
  
• Passover - evening of April 22-30 - a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Some families will observe the holiday with a special meal, called a Seder, eating foods of symbolic significance and reciting traditional prayers.
  

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

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!

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.

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