FALCON FLYER
Back to School Edition
December 20, 2024
Click on the document to access translation.
Haga clic en el documento para acceder a la traducción.
Calendar
Friday, December 20
10:50 AM Early Release-School out at 10:50
End of 1st semester
Monday, December 23-January 3-No School Winter Break
Monday, January 6-School Resumes
2nd semester begins
3:00-5:00 First Practice and Try-outs for Boys Basketball
5:00-5:30 Parent Meeting for Boys Basketball in the gym
Tuesday, January 7
8th Grade - iReady Diagnostic Test (alternate schedule)
Wednesday, January 8
7th Grade - iReady Diagnostic Test (in math class)
Principal's Message
OTMS Families,
Thank you for a wonderful semester. We are proud of our students and staff and appreciative of the support from our community. Wishing all of you a wonderful winter break! We look forward to seeing the students return on January 6, 2025.
Dr. Trent Stern
Inclement Weather
When extreme weather conditions exist, the district may cancel school or utilize a two-hour delayed start when temporary adverse weather conditions exist. When possible, inclement weather announcements will be made the day before so staff and families can plan. When schools are closed, there will be no remote learning or teaching and decisions on activites will be made later in the day. There will be no announcement if school is in session. The superintendent makes the final decision by 6 a.m.
End of Quarter Information - Viewing Canvas Courses and Quarter Grades
At the end of each quarter, courses in Canvas will conclude and will no longer be visible on the Canvas app. However, a concluded course remains visible through the Canvas website by selecting ALL COURSES and then PAST ENROLLMENTS.
Important dates for families:
Please note: The dates are subject to change based upon calendar updates or technology needs.
How do I view my child’s report card?
Log in on ParentVue.
Select the student’s name
In the left navigation bar, choose Report Card
Each new quarter, classroom teachers will publish the next quarter’s Canvas course. As courses are published, students and families will again be able to see current courses on the Canvas app and Canvas website. For Canvas parent resources, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/canvas.
Boys Basketball-8th Grade
8th grade boys basketball season begins Monday, January 6th. Please see this link for detailed information from Coach Newell. This information will also be shared with any student interested in participating during a pre-season meeting on Monday, December 9th during FLEX time.
Please fill out the interest form as soon as possible, if interested. As always, the calendar is subject to change depending on the number of participants/teams and due to weather.
BVN Girls Basketball Youth Night
Attention Girls Basketball players! The Blue Valley North Girls basketball team is having a Youth Basketball Night on Jan. 14th! All Girls Basketball players are encouraged to come and watch the Varsity team compete at 7:00 pm. If any youth coaches want to email about bringing their youth team. I can have the team recognized at the game email Coach Ann Fritz, Head Girls Basketball Coach at Blue Valley North: afritz@bluevalleyk12.org
8th Grade "Give Me 20"
Parents of 8th grade students,
As part of the district’s suicide prevention program, we have an opportunity on January 14th to perform an activity with our 8thgrade students called “Give Me 20”. It is a program/ activity designed by two women in our Johnson County area who lost their children to suicide. The speakers will be Sylvia Harrell and BJ Thomas. It is designed to have students build a “Give Me 20” LIFEBOX in which students can go to when they are feeling sad, depressed, or blue. In the box will be meaningful activities for the students to complete and a meaningful letter that we are asking for parents or a family member to write that we can place in the box for the student to read. If you are unable to get the letter to us on time, you can add your letter when your student brings the box home. Please review and complete the google form that is provided at the link below. (NOTE THERE ARE 2 Sections of the GOOGLE FORM PLEASE HIT NEXT)
The presentation will happen at school on Tuesday January 14th, 2025 starting at 8am. Please check out this short news clip about the Give Me 20 program that was on the news. It provides a great explanation of the GiveMe20 program.
If you would like your 8th grade daughter or son to opt out of this activity, please let us know by Friday January 10th, 2025. If you have any questions, please call, or email Roxanne Quinn or Buomkuoth Lual. Thank you!
Roxanne Quinn, OTM School Counselor
913-239-5418
Buomkuoth Lual, OTM School Counselor
913-239-5417
8th Grade Families-Save the Date-Jan. 16
See below for information about enrollment night for 8th graders at BV North.
OTMS PTO News:
PTO Calendar – upcoming events:
09 January: Papa John’s Restaurant Fundraiser
10 January: PTO Board meeting at OTMS
16 January: Urban Air – OTMS spirit night Fundraiser
Save the Date – Papa John’s restaurant night
Come out and support the OTMS PTO on Thursday, January 9th at Papa Johns. Look for more details on how and when to order in the next newsletter.
Save the Date – Spirit Night at Urban Air
Beat the cold weather blahs and have fun on Thursday, January 16th from 4pm – 8pm at Urban Air. Tickets must be purchased at the door and mention you are there for OTMS spirit night. Urban Air will donate 20% of proceeds back to OTMS! Bring a friend, have fun and support your school! Urban Air is located at 14401 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park.
Spirit Wear notice:
Please note, all spirit wear ordered in November was delivered to your student at school this week.
Volunteers needed:
PTO is hosting another FAN night for the students on February 28th. We would love to have someone help coordinate this event. If you would like to learn more about how to pull off this fun night please email the PTO at bvotmspto@gmail.com.
Keep up to date with the latest events by following PTO on social media:
Instagram: overlandtrailmspto
Facebook: Overland Trail Middle School PTO
Community Celebrations and Observances to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley Families
Some January Celebrations & Observances:
National Poverty in America Awareness Month - raises awareness about the struggles millions of Americans face living in poverty. It encourages learning about the causes of poverty, supporting those in need, and working to create solutions that promote economic equality and opportunity.
World Braille Day - January 4 - a day to raise awareness and attention to accessibility for those with visual impairments and celebrate Braille's invention. This tactile writing system was invented in the 1800s by Louis Braille.
Lohri - January 13 - celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus, the festival marks the end of the winter solstice and harvesting of winter crops. Some families will sing and dance around a bonfire, exchange gifts with friends and family, and tell tales of bravery.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 20 - a day that honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Some families will participate in a day of service to their communities.
Lunar New Year - January 29 - 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.
Important Travel Outside 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.
Math Lab
Is your student needing extra math support? Math Lab is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year both before school and after school. Attendance is taken at every session.
Morning Sessions:
Tuesday (7:10 – 7:40 AM ) in room 25 (8th grade hallway) with Ms. Hilligoss email: lhilligoss@bluevalleyk12.org
Thursday (7:10 – 7:40 AM) in room 9 (6th grade hallway) with Ms. Lintz
email: pjlintz@bluevalleyk12.org
Afternoon Sessions:
Tuesday & Thursday (3:15-4:15 PM) in the library classroom with Ms. Carter, Ms. Mills or Ms. Miller . Students must provide own transportation home and be picked up by 4:15.
emails: clcarter@bluevalleyk12.org , tmills@bluevalleyk12.org , mjmiller05@bluevalleyk12.org
Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Do you have questions about student expectations? These are outlined in our student handbook and our district's Code of Conduct. These documents are linked on our school website and available for students via Canvas. You may also click here for the district's current
Student Code of Conduct. Please reach out to school administration with questions.Safe School Reporting
Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all our schools. We are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of situations. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.