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

On July 1, 2023, the Every Child Can Read Act went into effect in Kansas. The intent of this legislation was to address literacy initiatives with a target of ensuring students reach grade level benchmarks by third grade. In Blue Valley, we prioritize partnership with families in conjunction with high quality, evidence-based instruction rooted in the science of reading. This has been and remains a large area of focus for professional learning. Rather than limit conversations about reading progress to 3rd grade, it is our practice to do so at each grade level. KSDE has provided a summary of this Act which can be found here. Our teachers look forward to talking with you about your child during Parent-Teacher conferences.

Conference time is right around the corner! Our conferences are being held:

Tuesday, October 22nd from 4:00-8:00 pm - via Zoom only

Wednesday, October 23rd from 4:00-8:00 pm - via Zoom or in-person

Thursday, October 24th from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm - via Zoom or in-person

Families are invited to sign up for a time to meet with our teachers during conference hours. Please use PTCFast to schedule a conference to discuss your child’s progress. The electronic sign-up window is open as of today, Wednesday, 10/9. The window will close on Monday, 10/21. If you have questions or problems, please contact the school office at 239-6400.

Your school is using PTCFast.com to make signups as convenient as possible this year. Please enter the following web address into your browser window:

https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Indian_Valley_Elementary_1

Parents, please indicate under Special Request whether you want Zoom or in-person on 10/23 and 10/24. Teachers will send out a Zoom link a few days before conferences.

If you would like a conference with a specialist, please contact them directly to schedule an appointment.

Hillary Saffels (art) - HSaffels@bluevalleyk12.org

Mikaela Hult (Spanish) - MHult@bluevalleyk12.org

Kathryn Wright (music) - KNWright@bluevalleyk12.org

Lew Rowe (PE) - LRowe@bluevalleyk12.org

Angela Guinn (library) - AGuinn@bluevalleyk12.org

Kadi Kneib (counselor) - KLKneib@bluevalleyk12.org

Bailee Greenhaw (school social worker) - BGreenhaw@bluevalleyk12.org

We value your partnership in the education of your child and look forward to meeting during the week of October 21st!

• Students may wear partial costumes to school that day. Hats, wigs, masks, etc. may be put on for the parade, but not worn during the day.

• No face paint should be worn at school.

• When choosing a Halloween costume, please avoid horror characters and overly scary-themed costumes.

• Any type of weapons, real or toy (guns, rifles, knives, swords, martial arts weapons, etc.) are never allowed at school.

• Costumes should be lighthearted, happy costumes. This helps maintain a positive environment for all Indian Valley students.

This year, we are asking for 6 parent volunteers per class for class parties. These will be the only visitors allowed in for parties. No siblings are allowed at class parties.

We want the experience to be positive for all of our students, so limiting the number of parents in a room will help manage space and ensure that the focus stays on the students in the class.

Room parents will be sending out a sign-up to volunteer for the Halloween class party. Please note, priority for the next party will be given to families who have not yet volunteered.

We will have a Halloween Parade to show off our costumes. All families are invited to watch the parade along the parade route (see map below). There is no check-in for this.

On Thursday, 10/31, the parade starts at 2:45 and will last approximately 15 minutes.

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.

Important dates for families:

Please note: The dates are subject to change based upon calendar updates or technology needs.

• Down Syndrome Awareness Month - celebrates those with Down syndrome and raises awareness of their abilities and accomplishments. The colors blue and yellow symbolize support for the Down syndrome community.

• National Bullying Prevention Month and Bullying Prevention Day (October 2nd) raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

• Filipino-American Month - celebrates the heritage and achievements of the second-largest Asian American population in the U.S.

• Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year. The observance begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2, and continues through the evening of October 4. Some families will attend synagogue services, eat apples and honey for a sweet new year, and/or abstain from work, school, activities, and technology use.

• Yom Kippur - the Jewish day of Atonement (Forgiveness). The holiest day of the year starts at sundown on October 11. For some, families may fast for 24 hours, attend services at synagogue, and/or abstain from work, school, activities, and technology use.

Please take some time to read through the Family Handbook for Indian Valley Elementary. There's a lot of important information.

Dear IVE Families,

The holidays can be both a joyful and stressful time. We wanted to provide you with community resources that help alleviate some of that stress by providing assistance with gifts and meals. If you are in need of support, please contact the agencies as soon as possible. Many have an application process and may have limited resources. Also, feel free to reach out to Bailee Greenhaw, our school social worker, at bgreenhaw@bluevalleyk12.org if you have any questions or would like assistance. Your information will remain confidential.

Johnson County Christmas Bureau

Johnson County Christmas Bureau offers a 9-day Holiday Shop during the month of December. At the Holiday Shop pre-qualified clients shop by appointment. All clients are below 150% of the poverty level and reside in Johnson County, Kansas.

Johnson County Multi-Service Center (There are several)

There are multiple resources available through the Multi-Service Center. Some of those include.

Accessibility Services

Catch-a-ride

Food Pantries

Utility Assistance

Rental Assistance

Kansas City Medicine Cabinet

Catholic Charities of Johnson County

Family Support Centers

Address: 9806 W. 87th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66212

**Please note the dates to sign up for a free Thanksgiving meal are first come, first served. Applicants must apply in person at either Catholic Charities location and provide proof of residency such as a utility bill.

Salvation Army in Olathe

Location is 420 E. Santa Fe Olathe, Kansas 66061

Phone- 913-782-3640

Assistance is for families with children under the age of 15, including Angel Tree. Other support includes financial, free winter coats or boots, and the applications to Toys for Tots. This is first come first serve.

Free Toys for Tots - Johnson County KS

Children, infants and kids can get free Christmas gifts, that are unwrapped. Based on donations, there may be books, video or educational games, sporting goods, electronics, dolls, hot wheels care and more. There are also free Christmas clothes, winter coats and more from the program. Apply here at the link provided.

**The deadline for this resource is November 1st.

United Way of Greater Kansas City

From food and financial assistance to medical care and mental health resources, United Way 2-1-1 offers the help you need. This free service provides access to thousands of resources. Call 2-1-1 and you'll reach a trained, caring professional seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Get Help Here.

Mental Health Support

Johnson County Mental Health Center

After hours Emergency number: 913-268-0156

Olathe: 913-715-7700

Mission: 913-831-2550

Shawnee:913-826-4100

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call: 988

Crisis Text Line

Text: KS to 741741

If you are interested in finding ways to help support families this holiday season feel free to reach out to me as well. I will continue to update this list as new information and/or resources become available. Wishing everyone a warm and healthy holiday season.

Respectfully,

Bailee Greenhaw, LSCSW

bgreenhaw@bluevalleyk12.org

🎃 Spooky School House & Trunk or Treat
Date: October 26th
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: IVE Playground & Gym
This year, the Watchdog Dads will once again host the Spooky Schoolhouse in the gym—a FREE spooky walk-through experience! They are currently looking for volunteers to help with the Spooky Schoolhouse! If interested sign up here!

Our trunk spots are almost filled (thank you!), but we still need candy donations to make the event special. Please click the link below to sign up and contribute!👉 IVE Trunk or Treat - Candy Sign Up

📚 Book Fair
Dates: November 11th - 15th
More details to come soon but mark your calendars for the chance to stock up on some great reads!

🍩 Donuts with Grownups
Date: November 13th
Start your morning off right with some donuts and fun! More details will be shared as we get closer to the event.

🎉 Thank You: Culvers Night!
A HUGE thank you to all who attended our October Spirit Night at Culver's last week! I’m excited to share that we raised$580.00! WOOHOO! Your support makes a big difference!

If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to us at bluevalleyive.pta@gmail.com.