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Welcome to Kindergarten

March 2025 | Overland Trail Elementary (2025-2026)

Welcome toKindergartenMarch 2025 | Overland Trail Elementary (2025-2026)
Greetings,


Welcome to Overland Trail Elementary (OTE). We hope this newsletter helps keep you informed as you prepare for your child's learning journey at OTE, which is in the district's Blue Valley North feeder. This newsletter includes important information regarding registration for the new school year, school supplies, and PickUp Patrol, our dismissal system used at OTE.


I recommend that you keep the link to this newsletter accessible, as I will update it as I receive new information to share. Our team is ready to support you; please don't hesitate to call the office at (913) 239-7000 or email OTEOS@bluevalleyk12.org for questions.


Thank you,

Erica McDonald

Principal

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

  • Incoming Kindergarten Dates
  • Classroom Input for Incoming Kindergarten Students
  • A Family's Guide to Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten Kick-Off | April 11, 2025
  • Chinese Immersion
  • Kindergarten in Kansas
  • Registration Information
  • Health Corner
  • Arrival and Dismissal
  • PickUpPatrol
  • Transportation Services
  • Y-Care (YMCA)
  • Helpful Links

Incoming Kindergarten Dates

Classroom Input for Incoming Kindergarten Students

Classroom Input for Incoming Kindergarten Students
Parents and Caregivers, as we prepare to create class lists for 2025-2026, we'd like to collect your feedback on what attributes you feel will positively influence your child's personal and academic success.

A Family's Guide to Kindergarten

A Family's Guide to Kindergarten
The guide linked here will provide some background information on general information about Kindergarten in the Blue Valley School District.

Kindergarten Kick-Off | April 11, 2025

You are invited to our upcoming Kindergarten Kick-Off event at Overland Trail Elementary! Students will experience the kindergarten classroom with teachers, and guardians will tune into valuable information regarding registration and school preparation during the one-hour event. We are excited to welcome our newest group of Cougars on Friday, April 11, 2025.


Kindergarten Kick-Off: Sessions | Friday, April 11, 2025

We will have two sessions that will last about an hour; please choose one session to attend based on your last name.


Session 1 (A-M): 9:00-10:00

Session 2 (N-Z): 10:30-11:30


Our staff is ecstatic and ready to welcome your children into the Overland Trail Elementary family.

Chinese Immersion

Chinese Immersion

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? Watch this video that provides a glimpse into an immersion classroom.

📹 Watch a video that provides a glimpse into Chinese Immersion classrooms


Application process

Online applications for the program opened February 28 with a lottery system determining participation in the program. All applications will be entered into the lottery, with up to 50 percent of spots in the lottery reserved for students residing in the Blue Valley Southwest and Valley Park Elementary attendance areas. Selection is based on a random lottery, with no preference for early submissions. Siblings of current immersion students will have preference.


Immersion program

Immersion is an approach to second language instruction in which teaching and learning of core content occurs in a language other than English. Blue Valley’s program is a dual language immersion model in which students are co-taught by two full-time classroom teachers, spending about half of the day in Chinese and about half in English. For more information on the immersion program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/immersion.

Kindergarten in Kansas

Kindergarten in Kansas

Kindergarten in Kansas booklets


These are the most current electronic versions of the Kindergarten in Kansas booklets.


Kindergarten in Kansas English (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas Spanish (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas Arabic (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas Burmese (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas Swahili (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas Vietnamese (PDF)

Registration Information

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open.


🌎To read this email in a language other than English, click here.

We are excited to welcome your new kindergarten student for the 2025-26 school year.

Please review and complete the steps below. Your timely registration will ensure our team is prepared. In a future message, we will send more information about Kindergarten Kick-Off (formerly known as Kindergarten Round-Up).

Step 1: Please watch this school welcome here.

Step 2: Do you have questions about kindergarten programs in Blue Valley? (Click on the blue links below)

Step 3: Is there another language spoken in your home?
If so, please complete this form. Otherwise, move to step 4.
Note: If your family speaks English in addition to another language, you will still need to complete the form.

Step 4: How do I register my child?

🌎 To view registration instructions in a language other than English, click here.


To begin the registration process for the 2025-26 school year, simply go to www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration and click New Student Registration in the Useful Links. Families new to Blue Valley will be asked to create an online parent account. Online registration will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and it is an important step in getting your student started in kindergarten! You will be asked to pay fees later this spring.


Please note: If your child is currently enrolled in the Blue Valley early childhood program, you will not complete online registration at this time. Families transitioning from early childhood to kindergarten will be able to verify the information and complete the registration process later this spring.

To make Blue Valley’s Online Registration process smooth and convenient, please have the following information available:

  • Student proof of identity (birth certificate)
  • Emergency contact name(s) and phone number(s)
  • Doctor, dentist, and preferred hospital contact info
  • Immunization record and health assessment (physical)
  • Proof of residency (purchase contract, lease, or current utility bill)
  • Custodial documentation (if applicable)
  • Previous school records and contact info
  • IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable)

Tip: As soon as your child’s registration is complete, you will receive all school communication items that will help welcome you and your family into the school community.

If you have any questions, please call the Overland Trail Elementary office at 913-239-7000.

Important Dates for Kindergarten Families

  • Kindergarten Online Registration Begins | Tuesday, February 18
  • Kindergarten Kick-Off Sessions | Friday, April 11
  • Kindergarten Orientation Sessions | Wednesday, August 13
  • First full day of school for Kindergarten | Thursday, August 14

Health Corner

All forms that you may need are listed here on the Blue Valley Health Services website.

Arrival and Dismissal

Arrival and Dismissal

Start Time: 8:40 AM

End Time: 3:45 PM


Students may arrive no earlier than 8:25 AM. At 8:25, students will be allowed to enter the building in preparation to begin their school day.

PickUpPatrol (PUP)

PickUp Patrol

Please look forward to an invitation to PickUp Patrol (PUP) at the start of the new school year this August. This platform enables us to manage dismissal for the various ways students leave school daily. PUP eliminates the need to write notes or make phone calls when changing your student's dismissal plans. Please click the tab below for more information about what to expect this coming August.
PickUp Patrol
Please click here to learn more about starting with PUP at the start of this upcoming school year.

Transportation Services

Transportation Services
Please click here to read more about bus services provided in the Blue Valley School District. This website will be updated as we get closer to the new school year.

Y-Care (YMCA)

Y-Care is before and after-school care offered by the YMCA at Overland Trail Elementary. It is a separate entity from the school district. It is available starting at 7:00 AM, and the latest pick-up is 6:00 PM. You must sign up and register before school starts. You can sign up here.

Helpful Links

School Supply List
Please look for more information soon about ordering school supplies for the 2025-2026 school year.
Nut-Safe Approved List
We are a nut-safe school, only allowing nut-free foods during daily snacks and celebrations. The Nut-Safe List is revised each year. You can expect a revised and approved list to be shared at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Office Staff

  • Robin Warren, Administration Assistant/Bookkeeper
  • Yolonda Merritt, Registrar
  • Debby Alexander, Attendance

Email: OTEOS@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.og/OTE
Location: 6225 West 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-7000
Twitter: @OTECougars

Erica McDonald
Erica is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters