North Notes
Blue Valley North's Parent Newsletter - October 13, 2023
A Note From Your Principal
Mustang Community,
I want to thank everyone for a great first quarter! Yesterday, I made the following announcement to the entire student body:
Hello Mustangs, I want to acknowledge that there are many in our community experiencing anxiety and pain as a result of the horrific incursion in Israel over the last week. There are a number of BVN staff and students who have personal and family connections to those impacted by these attacks. If you are struggling processing this, please go to a teacher, counselor, coach, sponsor, or administrator so we can support you. I also want to remind us all to support one another by showing kindness and respect to each other. Remember that any negative words or actions against another student in terms of religion, race, or cultural background either in person or over social media is considered harassment and our expectation as a school is that it is not tolerated and will be met with building consequences. Mustangs, let’s support one another and please reach out if you need any help.
The events that we have witnessed on the news is very painful. Please reach out if your student needs support as we want to help in any way we can.
On a separate note, I am proud to announce that Band Director, Dan Freeman, is officially the Blue Valley Secondary Teacher of the Year! He will now advance to the state level to be considered the Kansas Teacher of the Year. If you have interacted with Mr. Freeman, I’m sure you know what he is one of the best educators and band directors that you will ever find. We are very proud of Dan and he is a GREAT representative for the phenomenal teachers that we have in our building.
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you in the 2nd quarter!
Remember to Check ParentVUE for Outstanding Fees
Parents, please check ParentVUE over the long weekend for any outstanding fees. If you have any questions, call Torrence Kelley, BVN Bookkeeper, at 913-239-3007. Thank you.
Kudos and Celebrations
Unified Bowling is in its 3rd year at Blue Valley North-- 13 Athletes and 13 Peers- Each team is made up of 2 Athletes and 1 Peer Mentor. We have enjoyed watching students of all abilities participate in the joy of bowling in such an inclusive and supportive program. Fostering friendships and understanding have been goals for our program, and we have loved seeing the students thrive.
Girls' Golf Team took 3rd at Regionals and are headed to State!!
Fundraiser & Food Drive
The holidays are right around the corner and BVN Cheer is here to help you get ahead on your shopping! Stop by Kendra Scott October 14th – October 16th and mention BVN Cheer to help support your favorite supporters! Can’t make it? No worries! Order online and use the code GIVEBACK-EVDWL at checkout!
Food Drive thru November 14 – room 602
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. If you are able, please drop off your donations to room 602. Questions? Email Carla Wolters or Michael Allen. Thank you for your support!
Bell Schedules and Schedule Changes
Bell Schedules for Odd, Even and All Classes
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
Mark Your Calendars
October 13 - No School / End of 1st Quarter
October 18 - Junior College + Career Planning Parent Info Night (new date)
November 1 - No School / Professional Learning for Teachers
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.
Community Celebrations and Observances (new)
Some October Celebrations and Observances to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley families:
Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month - celebrates those with Down syndrome and raises awareness of their abilities and accomplishments. The colors blue and yellow symbolize support for the Down syndrome community.
Learning Disabilities / Dyslexia / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness Month - raises awareness and encourages the sharing of resources to support students who experience learning disabilities and attention issues.
Filipino-American Month - celebrates the heritage and achievements of the second-largest Asian American population in the U.S.
World Blindness Awareness Month - educates and raises awareness of the realities of living without sight and advocates for what is needed to live equitably.
International Day of the Girl - October 11. Adopted by the United Nations in 2011, this day promotes girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
Student Announcements
Boys Basketball Tryout Meeting (new)
- All boys interested in trying out for basketball need to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, October 19 in the main gym at 8:00 a.m.
- Players should see Coach Phifer for the information if they can’t attend the meeting on October 19.
Boys' Swimming and Diving Team (new)
Coach Rob Cole will host an informational meeting for parents and swimmers November 8th from 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the BVN Library.
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!
Counseling Department
11th GRADE | College + Career Planning Information Night on Wednesday, October 18th in the PAC for all junior parents to learn about postsecondary planning, Xello, the college application process. Please fill out this GoogleForm if you plan to attend.
10th GRADE | Applications for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar for current sophomores is now open. Applications are due November 3rd. Please click the link for information on HOBY and the application process.
AP STUDENTS + MAY EXAMS | If your student plans to take an AP exam in May, enrollment and payment for the exams are due Nov. 1! Please go to the Counseling Canvas Page for more information on how to enroll, pay, and questions.
College Fairs are posted to the BVN Counseling Canvas Page!
Parent Announcements
Middle School to High School World Language Credit Transfer
9th grade students and families only - This information is only for students who have completed the full MS world language sequence in a BV middle school and will seek to transfer two (2) world language credits to their HS transcript. To apply for the credit transfer, please fill out the form found here by October 13. This link was also sent to all 9th graders and their parents/guardians via email during the week of September 4, 2023.
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
As seen in the annual assessment notice shared last week, 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. Here is a little more detail on these changes.
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.
Nurse Notes
Immunization Documentation Needed
Thank you, all parents, for working so diligently to have immunization records turned in to the nurse. If you have not done so and your student is non-compliant
Per the Kansas Requirements (https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34370 All 9th are required to have their Hep A series & 11th-grade students are required to have their second dose of meningococcal immunization.) 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.
Update Medical Orders for 2023-2024
If your student has medical orders please be sure to up-to-date medical orders with the school nurse before August 16, 2023. 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 starting August 7th – August 15th. We can coordinate having your student drop off medication the first week of school as well if needed.
Nurse Amanda Collichio Will have access to e-mail starting August 7th and can correspond with you regarding any questions or concerns the week of August 7th before school starts on August 16, 2023.
COVID and the masking recommendation
This is not a requirement; for further info please visit https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/36106.
Seniors--Info for Class of '24
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
You can now order your cap & gown 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 February)
- 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.
BVN Concessions -- Volunteers Needed!
They say it takes a village and that is certainly true with concessions and we want you
to be in our village!! Come volunteer with BVN Concessions! You get to see all the kids
in their element and hear parents cheering for their players and marching band
members and cheerleaders and dance team and color guard and all of the other kids
who participate in Friday Night Lights. And - you get to hang out with great volunteers
and help serve your school and community. And we welcome siblings, parents, and
grandparents!
Here is the schedule for the year and the links to sign up: CONCESSION SIGN-UP
Below each date, you will see which organization has been assigned to volunteer for each event. Please note there is a new shift this year that is for only 1 hour the day before each game to help with set up. Also if you just want to be on our volunteer list - just let me know and we will get you added! Send any questions to Shelley Mathews at smathe2@icloud.com
Thank you in advance for all of your support and help raising funds for the BVN Students through the Mustang Club Concessions!
BVN Fall Activity Guide
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!
Educator Recruitment Fair
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 Bus Riders
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.
We are Mustang Proud!
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.
Blue Valley North High School
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