Cougar Connect

Good afternoon,

Thank you, room parents and volunteers, for working flexibly to give students a fun and memorable celebration. I enjoyed walking the building and seeing the warm smiles, big energy, and fun activities. The OTE staff is beyond grateful for your contribution.

On Tuesday, registration for incoming kindergarten students opened. As we enter a season of enrollment, please look for information next Friday that will enable parents and guardians to provide input on your child's classroom setting for the next school year.

We look forward to a FULL (Yah!) week of learning next week. I wish you a great weekend, families.

Best,

Erica McDonald

Principal

Recurring News:

• Save-the-Date
  
• ✨Unity Squad Spotlight ✨
• Community Celebrations and Observances
• Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) News

Recent News:

• Welcome to Overland Trail Elementary | Mandy Kohler
• Virtual Conferences | Wednesday, February 26
• Student Attendance Day | February 28
• Kindergarten Registration | 2025 - 2026

Repeat News:

• Growth and Development | Grade 4 & 5 | Thursday, March 13
• BVEF Champion for Students Award
• Starting Strong | Kindergarten - Grade 2
• Starting Strong | Grade 5
• Blue Valley North Summer Volleyball Camp
• Securly Home
• Sunflower House
• Incoming Kindergarten Pre-registration (2025-2026)
• 13th Annual Battle of the Bands

• Teacher Collaboration Days
  
• Nut-Safer Guidelines
• Helpful Links (i.e., School Supply Lists, Family Handbook, etc.)

February

Monday, February 24: Unity Squad Meeting; 4:00-5:00 PM

Wednesday, February 26: Virtual Winter Conferences; 4:00 PM-7:40 PM

Friday, February 28: PTO Yearbook Sales Open

March

Monday, March 3: BLT Meeting; 4:00 PM-5:00 PM

Monday, March 3- Friday, March 7: Cultural Week

Thursday, March 6: Classified Staff Meeting; 8:00 AM-8:20 AM

Thursday, March 6: First Grade Music Program; Dress Rehearsal 2:30 PM; Performance 6:00 PM (OTE)

Thursday, March 7: All Staff Meeting; 8:00 AM-8:20 AM

Friday, March 7: PTO Board Meeting; 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Friday, March 7: Cultural Night; 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, March 14: No School | End of Quarter 3

Monday, March 17-Friday, March 21: No School | Spring Break

Monday, March 24: No School | Professional Learning

Monday, March 31: PTO Online Auction Opens

The PTO is already in full swing for the year ahead. Follow these simple steps to ensure you don't miss any of the fun!

otepto.org

Due to inclement weather, we rescheduled the Unity Squad meeting for the third quarter. Please plan to join us on Monday, February 24 to learn more about Overland Trail Elementary while contributing to enhancing school-wide efforts.

Save the date for OTE Cultural Night on Friday, March 7th, and join us in celebrating the incredible diversity of our community! This family-friendly event will feature music, dance, art, and traditions from around the world, along with vibrant cultural displays, delicious food, and captivating performances. Students will enjoy exploring the event with their own "passports," collecting stamps and learning about different cultures for a chance to win a prize. To make this celebration unforgettable, we need your help! Sign up to host a table or perform and share your culture or talents with our community. Click below for more details and the sign-up form—we can’t wait to see you there!

Cultural Night Information and Sign Up: https://www.otepto.org/cultural-night

Live from Overland Park, it's Saturday Night! Ready to bring the laughs and test your trivia skills? Register now for our Trivia Night and Auction! Whether you gather your own cast of characters and register as a team or sign up solo and join forces with fellow fans, this is your chance to shine under the spotlight. Assemble your Spartan Cheerleaders, Coneheads, or Weekend Update anchors and compete for the ultimate bragging rights—all while supporting our school. Don’t wait—spaces are limited, and you won’t want to miss this night of comedy, camaraderie, and fundraising!

Register at https://www.otepto.org/trivia.

For a complete list of all upcoming PTO events, visit Overland Trail Elementary PTO - Upcoming Events (otepto.org)

Due to inclement weather, we are sorry we will miss our evening virtual conferences on Wednesday, February 19. If you were planning to meet with one of our teachers on Wednesday, February 19, these virtual conferences will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 26, during your already scheduled time. Contact your child's teacher if you need to reschedule due to a conflict on February 26. As a reminder, all conferences on Wednesday, February 26, will be virtual.

Blue Valley families,

This winter has brought an unprecedented number of inclement weather days — eight so far — exceeding the five built into our 2024-25 school calendar. While keeping our students and staff safe remains our top priority, we must also ensure we meet the state’s required instructional time. To put our district in the best position to meet these requirements and maintain our long-standing goal of ending the school year by Memorial Day, we are making the following adjustments:

• Friday, Feb. 28 – The scheduled elementary teacher professional collaboration day will now be a school day.
• Early March high school late start changes – There will be no late start on March 4, 6, 11 or 13. School will begin at the normal time on those dates.
• Friday, April 25 – The scheduled professional learning day will now be a school day for all students.

We recognize that changes to the calendar present challenges for students, families, and staff alike, and we appreciate your flexibility as we navigate these adjustments. Our focus remains on keeping students learning while meeting state requirements.

While these changes address our current situation, we will announce the last day of school after Spring Break when most winter weather events have passed, allowing for a clearer decision.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we work through this challenging winter together.

Blue Valley Schools

Tonya Merrigan

Superintendent

Dear Families,

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

🌎To read this message 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)

• What do kindergarten students experience during a typical day?
• How can I learn about the Chinese immersion option?
  
  

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

Thank you,

Erica McDonald

Principal

Do you know a Blue Valley educator who goes above and beyond to cultivate a learning environment where relationships are the cornerstone, where kindness and compassion are guiding principles, and making a profound difference in the lives of young people is not just a goal but a lived reality? Help the Blue Valley Educational Foundation (BVEF) recognize their extraordinary impact by nominating them today for the BVEF annual Champion for Students Award! This $2,500 BVEF award recognizes three exemplary teachers (one elementary, one middle, and one high) whose impact extends far beyond the learning environment, shaping the trajectory of their students’ journeys and leaving an enduring legacy of excellence.

Any member of the Blue Valley Schools’ Community (e.g., school administrator, student, family member, staff, etc.) is welcome to submit one nomination on behalf of an educator (any staff member in Blue Valley Schools - teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, kitchen manager, etc.). The application window will open on February 10th and close on March 7th.

To nominate an educator, complete the 2025 BVEF Champion for Students Award form by Friday, March 7th.

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?

Prospective Chinese Immersion Family Information Session

🗓 5 p.m. Feb. 25

🖊 Register for the information session online

🔗 Zoom link provided upon registration

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

Online applications for the program will open Feb. 28 with a lottery system determining participation in the program. For more information about the immersion program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/immersion.

OTE is excited to welcome Sunflower House to our school on February 24th, 25th and 26th to teach our students about safety. Kindergarten and First grade will learn about personal safety from Happy Bear! 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will learn about safety from a trained Sunflower House educator on the Think First and Stay Safe: Safe and Healthy Boundaries curriculum. By talking with our young children about these important safety issues, we will create a safer community for all children If you would like your child to opt-out of the presentation, please fill out the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-tjvayiJ0jLwnp0tLhNz417x68994ZgMjy10u5FWTHqzuBg/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you have questions, please reach out to Emily Harsch at eharsch@bluevalleyk12.org

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!

As we kick off the 2024-25 school year, I want to remind families about the teacher professional collaboration days designed for teacher plan and collaboration time. These eight days, which occur throughout the school year, are non-student attendance days for K-5 students. These days are vital to ensure the best possible preparation for our elementary students and key to quality teacher retention.

The following days, which can be found in the 2024-25 calendar on the district website, have been designated as teacher professional collaboration days:

• August 30

• September 27

• November 1

• December 6

• February 28

• April 11

• May 2

Reminder: November 1st is a K-5 non-student attendance day for teacher collaboration time. During this time, elementary educators will be in their buildings and classrooms working to ensure the best possible preparation for our elementary students and supporting student learning outcomes.

School will be back in session on November 2nd.

At OTE, we have a wide variety of food allergens and restrictions. To remain safe and to prevent exclusion, we don't accept food, including items from the Nut-Safe List, to serve in school or send home with students for birthday celebrations. This complies with our non-edible birthday celebration. Essentially, we must remember that sending food home is a risk for children as they transition between school and home, putting our families in an undesirable position when they cannot eat what is provided.

Blue Valley (BV) School's Nut Safer Guidelines for daily snacks will be implemented throughout the school year.

· Classroom snacks must be from the Nut Safer list.

· Nut Safer seating is available in the café during lunch.

We appreciate your support as we work to be more preventative with food safety measures to enhance student and staff safety.

The complete list of nut-safe foods and BV Guidelines can be found here.

Email: ECMcDonald@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org/OTE
Location: 6225 West 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 239-7000
Twitter: @OTEMcDonald

Email: ARAnderson@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org/OTE
Location: 6335 West 135th Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 239-7000
Twitter: @OTEAnderson

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

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