PSE Weekly Howl

Incoming Kindergarten Information

We are so excited to start the process of welcoming our Kindergarten families for the Fall of 2025. Children who reside in Blue Valley Schools and turn 5 years of age by August 31 are eligible to attend kindergarten that school year. If you live in the PSE boundary area and will have an incoming Kindergarten student this fall, please click on this link to pre-register:

Pre-Registration form Kindergarten 25.

More information will be shared with you at the end of February, including welcome videos, online registration instructions, and information about Kindergarten Kick-Off on April 11.

Please pass this message/link on to neighbors who might not have a student in our system and might not yet receive our weekly emails!

It's time for our January session (1/14) of the PSE STEM Club for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders! We will dive into the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math through fun, hands-on activities that challenge your student to think outside the box. Our session will run from 3:45 - 5:00pm with Mrs. Bonner and Mr. Ramsey. Reminder that these sessions are dependent from one another. You must sign up for each individual session to attend STEM club.

Pick up will be at 5pm in front of the building. Parents/Guardians must pick up in person - carline is not an option for this event.

Thanks!

Prairie Star staff is excited to continue Late Night at the Star! Late Night at the Star classes are after-school enrichment programs offered to the students here at Prairie Star.

Each Friday night class costs $50 and will run from after school until 6:30. If you enroll in Late Night, you will not need to pick up your child until 6:30. Please assume that your child is enrolled in each class that they have requested unless you hear from the office.

Camp scholarships are now available. Please get in touch with Mrs. Sperry for more information.

To enroll in camps, please see the website link: https://prairiestarpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home. Registration closes the day before at 6:00 pm.

All Late Night at the STAR questions go to Melissa Bonner. Her email is mabonner@bluevalleyk12.org.

With the holidays around the corner, we know personal electronic devices, like cell phones, may be on some wish lists. As a reminder, Blue Valley elementary schools are committed to keeping classrooms focused and distraction-free during the school day.

If students bring devices to school, they must remain silenced and stowed away in backpacks at all times. If your child needs to contact you, they can use a classroom or main office phone, and we ask families to call the main office if they need to reach their child.

Thank you for helping us create a positive, distraction-free environment where students can thrive.

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.

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. You can view your child's report card on January 10th after 4:00 pm.

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.

It's that time of year again! Time to start sending in your yearbook candids that you have been collecting. This year, we have a direct link to upload to: Photo Share: Be in the yearbook more. A lot more.

Photo Share: Be in the yearbook more. A lot more.

When you get to the site, you will enter your guardian info and email and will receive a verification code. Then you can upload your images and tag with your student's name and grade. The events we currently need are: Movie Night, Sneak-a-peek, First Day of School and Wolf Walk/Spirit Week.

Throughout the year if you have pictures of extra curriculars like sports/recitals/competitions/community service/scouts we would love to include those as well. No playdates, vacations or parties, please! Thanks in advance for helping to make our yearbook!

Questions? Email us at prairiestaryearbook@gmail.com.

Sally Groesbeck, Abbie Moles & Amy Warren

Yearbook Co-Chairs

South Area 5th Grade Families,

We’re very excited to give your student an opportunity to start out on an exceptional experience next school year – Beginning Band in 6th Grade!!

Many of you have seen the most visible parts of our BV Band program by watching the BV Tiger Band at football games. This year, we’re excited to offer your family an opportunity to become a part of the great South Area tradition of joining band!

BAND “Try-It " NIGHTS!

You and your student are invited to participate in one of our Try-It Nights where you can meet your band teachers, try instruments, and get excited for band in 6th grade!

January 28 @ Prairie Star Middle School 6 – 8:00pm

January 29 @ Blue Valley Middle School 6 – 8:00pm

RSVP to let us know which Try-It Night you will be attending!

We look forward to meeting you at our Try-It Nights - See you soon!

Questions? Let us know:

Julia Janda: jjanda@bluevalleyk12.org - BVMS, PSMS, BVH

Paul Aubrey: paubrey@bluevalleyk12.org - PSMS

Mark Adair: mjadair@bluevalleyk12.org - BVMS

Paul Bessetti: pbessetti@bluevalleyk12.org - BVH

BV South Area Band Team

Join friends for a great adult night out with live music, a silent auction, a wine and bourbon pull and more! Proceeds from this annual fundraiser support music and performing arts programs throughout the district, and YOU can be part of the fun! Check out our new location at Fiorella’s event space in OP for a great over-21 night out. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and YOU choose the “Best of Blue Valley” live band when the competition wraps up at 10 p.m. Bands are made up of BV parents, teachers and staff and funds provide significant funding for performing arts programs including band, orchestra, choir, theater, debate and competitive speaking. Get tickets today at Event Details.

Can’t make it to the event in person? No worries! Visit Silent Auction to start your bid on incredible auction packages and see what your school submitted. Check back frequently as more items are added to the offerings every week. The auction will close on Friday, February 21 at 8:45 p.m. and you do not have to be present to win!

You can also vote by donation for your favorite adult school-affiliated band, and the winner receives a $1,000 grant to their school of choice. The 2025 band names, order of performances and school representations are as follows:

Young Medicine- Lakewood Elementary

Modern Thieves- Mission Trail Elementary, Leawood Middle, Blue Valley North

KC Prime- Leawood Elementary and Leawood Middle

Hope to see you Friday, February 21, 2025, as we Rock the Valley for BV Schools!

Do you know a Blue Valley educator who goes above and beyond to inspire, engage and innovate in the classroom? Help the Blue Valley Educational Foundation (BVEF) recognize their extraordinary impact by nominating them today for the BVEF annual Innovative Educator Award! This BVEF award recognizes two exemplary teachers (one elementary, one secondary) who creatively apply innovative teaching methods, foster critical thinking skills and ignite a passion for learning in their students. Honorees will receive a $1,250 grant for their classroom. To nominate a teacher, fill out the 2025 BVEF Innovative Educator Award form by Monday, February 3.

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.