The Scoop!

It was a full week of learning and extra curricular activity this week at CHE! Our week kicked off with a PTO sponsored field trip for all of our Kindergarten classes to the Wilderness Science Center. Our 5th grade had a very musical week that started with a middle school band instrument "try out" session on Wednesday. Then on Thursday they performed the most creative, artistic representation of a musical piece I've ever seen in an elementary school or middle school. Kudos to the entire grade level, teachers, and Mrs. Bowden -- it was a great show! We wrapped up the week with our Spelling Bee. Stay tuned for official results and pictures.

We are excited to finish the week strong and head into winter break on a positive note!

Have a great weekend!

-Cade

Reminder:

One major change for our back walkers or bike riders will be a change in path. We will not be able to access the back at all for arrival or dismissal. Below you will find a finalized map for this adjustment. I realize this will not be ideal and some will decide to change their arrival or dismissal to car riders.

We need to ask for your help in ensuring that all students arrive and depart safely. We know that the changes during construction have presented challenges, concerns, and possible adaptations to your plans at home. We are continuing to work with the city and Blue Valley employees to ensure all precautions are in place. We continue to put safety at the forefront of everything we do, so please read through the bullets carefully.

• The intersection of 165th and Hayes is one of great concern. Please drive slowly, stay aware, and follow all traffic laws to ensure our students are as safe as possible. The city of Overland Park is evaluating the need for a crosswalk and/or crossing guard there. You will see city employees and/or Overland Park police in that area for some time.
  
• Do not drop off students at intersections, crosswalks, etc. to then walk to school. If you park and walk your student, please ensure you are getting them to a sidewalk. Our students should not cross moving traffic on school grounds or crosswalks unless accompanied by an adult.
  
• At the same time, we need to remind our car line to not enter CHE until after 3:10. Even parking in the circle prior to that can cause safety concerns amongst PRMS and CHE. Coming prior to 3:10 also presents fire lane issues and confusion during the PRMS pick up. If you have an early pick up or school business need, please just identify that need with whoever is helping navigate traffic at our entrance and they will gladly let you through.

I realize there will be disruptions to our norm due to construction and plans may have to change if we learn that something is not working. Safety and minimizing disruption are at the heart of every decision that we are working on. We just ask for some grace and understanding during this time.

This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during school breaks. Click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for out of the country travel. Canvas, ClassLink, and email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it. We do not recommend BV Devices leave the country

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.

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.

We are thrilled and honored to relay that Ms. Schwabauer is being recognized for her dedication and commitment to all of CHE. At the December Board of Education meeting, she received Blue Valley's Excellence in Education award. This award is reserved for those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the district’s mission and strategic plan while demonstrating a positive attitude, professionalism, dedication, and respect for all. We are proud of her!

As a reminder, students should bring coats, hats, gloves, etc. to school during the winter months. We still value time to get outdoors and move our bodies, unless the temperature is below our guidance, and having appropriate clothing is important for student safety.

If you need help acquiring those items, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or use the Hug fund information found below.

Last week our staff was able to gather for teacher-professional collaboration time. This time continues to allow our educators adequate plan and collaboration time that benefits our students in the long term. These plan and collaboration days have proven beneficial for our staff to ensure they can prepare for their students and lead them to greater academic success.

Our staff focused on our safety plans during construction and observations from current plans, collaborating with support staff and grade levels, and strategies to support all students and staff at CHE through out their day.

We've been discussing additional support for those in need with our PTO for the past few years. We are thrilled to relay that we can do our best to help with those needs. If you don't have funds to purchase coats, hats/gloves, shoes, clothing, food, book fair books, gifts, etc., our amazing PTO has established methods to possibly help fulfill those needs. We understand asking for help can be hard, so you can reach out to any of the contacts listed below and request assistance. Your identity, the need, or any other particulars will be confidential.

Cade Chace, Principal - ccchace@bluevalleyk12.org

Kelly Northup, Asst. Principal - knorthup@bluevalleyk12.org

Sara Maddox, Counselor - sfmaddox@bluevalleyk12.org

Denise Stutey, Social Work - dastutey@bluevalleyk12.org

Thank you to our outstanding community and PTO for the additional support!

With a sight delay, we will now ask that ALL lunchroom visitors sign up in advance to attend lunch with their student. We will have a link that allows you to sign up and provide notice in advance. This small change will help us tighten safety and security while ensuring we have enough seating for all involved. While this will be a change for all of us, it will greatly reduce concerns and logistical issues for all of CHE. Thank you for your support!

Lunch Sign Up

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.

December 17th: Pizza Hut Spirit Night

December 18th: Staff Holiday Cookie Carryout

December 20th: Winter Parties @ 10:30am, 11:45 dismissal -- beginning at normal our 11:30 time

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