The Scoop!

While we had a short week, there was a lot of amazing learning and engagement happening across all of Cedar Hills. We continue to focus on our shared expectations and an understanding of what is expected of each Cheetah in all settings. This is directly tied to our Student Code of Conduct found below. I would highly encourage you to review the link below in the Code of Conduct section.

We are making a small shift in communication. In order to reduce the content in this communication and allow translation of communication to languages other than English, we needed to shrink the character count of emails and this document. The PTO is going to be sending their own newsletter and updates. You should have received this earlier this week and it came directly from them. This is a change and will be an evolving process, but our goal is clear and consistent communication in all home languages.

As we begin the school year, we would like to remind you to review the updated Blue Valley Student Code of Conduct. It can be found on our www.bluevalleyk12.org under the “Student Quick Links” section at the bottom main home page. It can also be found on our school website home page.

Student Code of Conduct

• We have seen an increase in food arriving from paid delivery services during the school day (ex: Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, etc.) or drop offs of outside food/drinks without adults staying to have lunch with their student.
• Food delivery services create a disruption to the learning environment and pose a potential security concern. A variety of doors have been utilized and most delivery service providers have been unfamiliar faces which are difficult to verify.
• We will not accept meals delivered by paid delivery services during the school day for students. These deliveries will be refused.
• If you want to bring outside food or drinks in for your student during lunch, you must stay to have lunch with them. Outside drinks are not allowed in the classroom as they may not meet our nut-safe priorities.

At Blue Valley Schools, student safety is our top priority. Our approach to safety blends proactive prevention, fostering strong adult-student relationships and maintaining robust physical security measures. Central to our strategy is understanding and addressing potential threats.

What Constitutes a Threat?

A threat includes any expression of intent to harm, whether spoken or written. Identifying and responding to these expressions is crucial to the safety of our school community.

The Role of Threat Assessments

Blue Valley’s comprehensive threat assessment process has two primary objectives:

• Preventing Violence: We work to intervene before potential threats escalate.

• Resolving Underlying Issues: By understanding the reasons behind a threat, we can resolve conflicts and provide necessary support.

Structured, Evidence-Based Approach

Blue Valley Schools follows the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), a nationally recognized, evidence-based program. This approach ensures that we not only prevent violence but also support individuals in need.

Since the fall of 2023, Blue Valley building leaders have been trained in and actively using this Threat Assessment approach. This consistent use of CSTAG has equipped leaders with a common vocabulary and protocol, enabling them to resolve situations more effectively when threats arise.

By staying committed to this structured and compassionate approach, Blue Valley Schools ensures that students and staff are supported, safe and able to focus on what truly matters–learning through extraordinary educational opportunities.

More information about Blue Valley’s threat assessment process is available on the district website.

Did you know? Families can select “Religious Holiday” as an option for a child’s absence in ParentVue, when applicable. This notation could be helpful to our school staff so they can plan accordingly for your student’s absence.

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.

One thing that has been a point of discussion for a large amount of time are the mobiles at CHE. We are fortunate to receive support through the 2023 BV Bond to address our mobiles. The building will be receiving two separate additions to our 2nd/3rd grade pod and our 4th/5th grade pod. These will provide the space to have all of our school community in the same building and help us address the needs of our students and staff.

We are very excited to begin this process and we expect construction to begin later this fall. There will be more information coming, but for now we are thrilled to share the designs and renderings of the new spaces. Please see below!

Please refrain from bringing your pets to the entrance of the school at arrival/dismissal. Please keep pets away from the front circle and no closer than the service road in the back. Some students are very allergic, and others are afraid of animals. Even the friendliest pets can get anxious around a large number of students. We appreciate your help and support with this request.

Families can expect automated attendance messages by email, phone, and text if a child is absent and their absence has not already been reported by a parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to report an absence or reply to the automated email or phone message.

What is the purpose of attendance notifications?

We realize that students may occasionally need to miss school for planned absences, illnesses, and appointments. However, when a student does not arrive at school or unexpectedly misses a portion of the school day, we are concerned and want to make sure you are aware that your child is absent.

How can I get push notifications?

Families who would also like a push notification can download the ParentVUE app and manage their notifications. If a child has an unreported absence when a teacher submits attendance, then a push notification will immediately be sent to the parent/guardian's mobile device.

Interested in push notifications? Simply download the ParentVUE app (iTunes app store or Google Play), enable push notifications in device settings and select attendance notifications through in-app settings. Once the app is downloaded, these instructions will help you complete the set-up.

We are thankful for the ongoing partnership and support we experience in our school community. Working together we ensure the best possible student experience allowing them to realize personal success. There are times, however, when issues arise which require our continued collaboration to resolve. Families may utilize the matrix linked on the district website to best address questions and concerns that may arise throughout the course of a school year. Finally, all staff and visitors should conduct their business free from intimidation, harassment, or bullying. The district’s Board of Education states expectations regarding civility within Policy 6341. Again, thank you for your partnership in helping to maintain a safe school community environment for all.

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.

11: 3rd grade social 4:15-5:00 (rainout 9-12)

11: Andy’s Custard spirit night

12: PTO board meeting 9:00-11:00

18: Dad's club carline

18: School photos

18: 4th grade social 4:15-5:00 (rainout 9-19)

25: 5th grade social 4:15-5:00 (rainout 9-26)

26: Board, chair and room parent meet and greet 9:00 am CHE lunchroom

26: Five Guy’s Spirit Night

27: No school for teacher professional collaboration

Email: CedarHillsElementary@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/che
Location: 9100 West 165th Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 9132393300
Twitter: @cedarhillselementary