The Scoop!

We've entered the hustle and bustle of the spring season! We've wrapped up state testing for 3-5 grades and are looking towards finishing the year strong. This week we have had three different major field trips thanks to our PTO and their Educational Enhancement Fund. 3rd grade went to Ernie Miller and immersed themselves in their science curriculum. 5th grade grade also focused on science outside of the walls of CHE with a visit to the Wilderness Science Center. Our 5th grade also was able to begin to celebrate the end of their time at CHE by visiting Main Event to share moments of joy and create memories during their last year in elementary school. These events wouldn't be possible without the support of our community and the PTO -- thank you all!

As a community we are making an adjustment to our Front Walker practices for the safety of all. That is detailed out more below. We appreciate the support and focus on safety by all who are connected to CHE!

As a reminder, there is a link below for feedback. I believe firmly in honest reflection and continual progress, but the only way that we can do that is with your help. Please take a few minutes to let us know what we are doing well and where we can take step forward. This input will be shared back out to the community once the window closes on 5/1/25.

Have a great weekend!

-Cade

Last week, our Front Walker families received the email below. This will go into effect on Monday. We will have administrators, law enforcement, and other support staff out in the area to ensure the safety of this area.

Email:

We wanted to reach out to get your help addressing a safety concern that has grown to a point of impacting others and putting students and adults in unsafe situations. During the last four years at Cedar Hills, picking up students with cars that are leaving CHE as front walkers from parking in the PRMS or CHE parking lot has not been part of our protocol or practice. But there has been a small group that has done this each year. Over the years, this practice has grown and grown. It’s become a large concern for staff, OPPD, and other families as we have students walking through traffic, adults double parking, and has created some very large safety concerns for all.

Unfortunately, we’ve hit a point where we will have to ask that you not drive and park at PRMS or CHE to pick up your student if they are a front walker any longer.

• If students are front walkers, they should be walking home or meeting an adult that has walked up to school to meet them and ensure they are getting home safe. We will have staff in the area helping remind adults of this over the next few weeks.

• If you still want to pick up your student with a car, you are more than welcome to update their status in PickUp Patrol to a car rider and join the car line.

I realize that this will not be a welcomed change and it will frustrate most that have used this practice, but the reality of the safety concern is very real. We’ve observed students almost being hit by cars, venturing into traffic on their own, being left without an adult for 15-45 minutes, and various other situations that put our students’ wellbeing or the safety of others in the community in jeopardy. We need to make this adjustment for the safety of all.

We appreciate your support in making sure our entire community is as safe as can be.

Beginning May 1, ACH/e-check payments will no longer be accepted as our payment processing system offers limited support for this payment method. Any ACH or e-check recurring payments will be disabled after April 30.

Families still have multiple payment options:

• Cash or check— Your child can bring cash or a check to school. Please make checks payable to “BVFNS” and include your child’s full name and student ID number on the memo line.

• Credit Card via LinqConnect — If you haven’t already, visit https://linqconnect.com/main to set up an account and make payments via credit card. A $3 transaction fee applies each time you use a credit card.

If you have questions, please contact studentnutrition@bluevalleyk12.org.

To ensure you continue receiving important Food and Nutrition Services updates, please add noreply@linqconnect.com and noreply@titank12.com to your email contacts to prevent messages from going to your junk or spam folder.

• Allergy season is in full swing! Gentle reminder to please ensure your kiddos are taking their allergy medicines in the morning. If you find they are not working as well as last year, there are quite a few options out there to try. I encourage you to talk with your medical provider about what would be the best option for your kiddo.
  
  
• Reminder that elementary students may not carry medicines or medicinal products on them at school. If you would like to have a particular over the counter medication- please complete OTC medication form (on our school website under Health and Well Being) and send with the medication in its original packaging to school. Medication will be kept in the nurse’s office for dosing. If your child has a prescription medication needed at school, please have your medical provider complete the Prescription Medication form (also found on our school website) and return to school with the medication in its original packaging with script attached. It will be kept in the nurse’s office for dosing as prescribed.
  
  **Controlled substances must be brought in by an adult only**

Elementary school registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open for current students. Registration is required annually and is the time to update your child’s information and pay fees. Completing registration confirms that your child will attend school in August and helps the district appropriately staff classrooms. Thank you for taking the time to complete this important step. For more registration information, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration.

The district’s #BVUnmuted series continues with Superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan joined by Dr. Tyson Ostroski (Blue Valley North Principal), Scott Roberts (Executive Director of School Administration) and Jeff Breedlove (Blue Valley North Teacher) to discuss an update on the implementation of the district’s personal electronic device policy this school year.

🎙️ To listen to the podcast episode, visit www.tinyurl.com/BVDevices.

Each grade level has specific requirements for school supplies, which help the teachers and your student have the best classroom experience possible. It is not always easy to find those specific supplies, but your PTO has you covered. Simply purchasing a box will give you all the supplies you need, and they will be ready and waiting for your child on the night of Sneak Peek! Purchasing for school supplies closes June 5th.

Reminder: Headphones are provided by the home. If you need support with funding that need, please let us know.

All items can be found and purchased here!

Great Wind Festival, a free, family-friendly event celebrating STEM, creativity, and the wonders of wind, taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Ironwoods Park Amphitheatre in Leawood, starting at 2:00 PM.

The Great Wind Festival is an annual community scouting event open to all families within the Blue Valley School district. The festival will feature:

• Hands-on STEM activities, including kite-making and wind energy demonstrations
• Live music performances by local musicians and bands
• Interactive stations and games for all ages
• Depending on the weather, we are also planning on having a hot air balloon, a helicopter, City of Leawood Police and Fire Departments and the National Guard.

The link below goes to a Google folder. This will house all area summer camps that are shared with us. Even our own specialists, Summer at the Hills, is coming back. There is just a small with for them due to construction they will be at Aspen Grove this summer. Please note, these camps are not associated with CHE or BV and are operated by private individuals or groups.

• National Arab American Heritage Month -recognizes the achievements and contributions of Arab Americans to society, culture, and American history.
• Deaf History Month - celebrates the history, culture, and accomplishments of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Day of Silence - April 11 - a national, student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies take a vow of silence to protest the silencing and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools.
• Passover - evening of April 12-20 - a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Some families will observe the holiday with a special meal, called a Seder, eating foods of symbolic significance and reciting traditional prayers.
• Holy Week and Easter Sunday - April 13-20 - includes the Christian holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Some families will attend church services to commemorate the week leading to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

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.

MAY:

1-31: Charlie’s Car Wash Spirit Night (full month opportunity to support CHE!)

2: No School (Teacher Professional Collaboration)

5-9: Staff Appreciation Week

9: Field Day (rainout 13)

15: Fifth grade farewell (rainout 20)

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