T-Bird Times

Website: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/IVE
Location: 11600 Knox Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913.239.6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IVEThunderbirds/
Twitter: @IVEThunderbirds

We consider it important for children to have an opportunity to play outdoors during the day. If a child is to remain inside for health reasons, we must have a note. Because of the role humidity plays in this area, it is difficult to give an exact degree setting at which we keep students in the building rather than outside for recess or Physical Education. Please dress children appropriately for the weather conditions. The following guidelines help us monitor student participation in outdoor activities:

It's that time of year... students will be creating their Valentine’s Day boxes in art class during the first week of February! The school will be providing the boxes for this activity. We would appreciate donations for decorating supplies. Examples might include stickers, wrapping paper, and various colors of pom poms. These supplies should be at school by Feb. 3rd. Thank you for your partnership in making this a creative and enjoyable experience for all of our students! ❤️

In the latest Blue Valley Schools’ BV Unmuted podcast episode, Superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan discusses the upcoming Kansas Legislative session and the district’s five priority positions with Board of Education members Gina Knapp and Jan Kessinger and Chief Financial Officer Jeremy McFadden.

🎙️ To listen to the podcast episode, visit www.bit.ly/BVPriorities.

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.

We are so excited to start the process to welcome 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 Indian Valley Elementary boundaries and will have an incoming Kindergarten student next fall, please click on the link below to pre-register.

More information will be shared with you at the end of February including welcome videos, online registration instructions, and information about Kindergarten Kick-Off (formerly known as Kindergarten Round Up) in April.

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

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.

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.

📸 Last Chance for Yearbook Photos

LAST CHANCE!! We’re looking for photos from all prior events this year, such as the Halloween Parade, Spooky School House, Walkathon, Walk to School Days, Donuts with Grownups, Book Fair, and more! If you have any great pictures to share, please send them to indianvalleyyearbook@gmail.com to be included in this year’s yearbook!

For more information about these events or anything else, feel free to email us at bluevalleyive.pta@gmail.com.