The Scoop!

We came back from break strong and had a great short week. It felt so good to get our kiddos back in the building. We are excited to have started the 4th quarter strong and will continue to help our students take steps forward in their work. This last piece of the year will go fast!

Next week, we are celebrating kindness. We have synergized and combined the 7 Days of Kindness with our CHE traditional kindness week. Each day will focus on a different method of spreading kindness. Throughout the entire week we will be gathering coins to help support a local charity, Gift of SOLE. Thanks to the PTO, CHE Cares, and Ms. Maddox for this interactive opportunity to support those in our community and focusing on learning about how we should treat others in the world. Check out the blurb below for more info! (A flyer and handprint also came home with students last week about this.)

Also, take a peek at the Twitter post to see some progress on our construction! They've made a LOT of progress quick.

Have a great week!

-Cade

The CHE Cares Committee is excited to be a part of next week's Kindness festivities! As has become tradition, we will be collecting Kind Coins throughout the week, so grab your piggy banks and start checking those couch cushions. Each day we will focus on a different coin:

• Monday - pennies
• Tuesday - nickels
• Wednesday - dimes
• Thursday - quarters
• Friday - all coins!
  
  

In addition to bringing in coins, we hope your child will decorate and bring in the Kind Hand that was attached to the letter that went home on Friday. These hands and their kind messages will be used to decorate the PTO bulletin board. CHE Cares Committee members will be in the lobby each morning collecting both coins and the hands.

Thank you for helping to spread kindness!

This year all Blue Valley elementary schools are partnering with Sunflower House to discuss student safety. Sunflower House works to support students, staff and community in better mental health outcomes for kids with the opportunity to learn about personal safety and how to get help. The programs being discussed are:

• K-1: Happy Bear
• A research supported program, which discusses recognizing welcome and unwelcome touches, saying anatomically correct names for private parts using resistance skills, and identifying trusted adults to tell about inappropriate touches or pictures. The play incorporates humor and audience participation to allow children to teach Happy Bear about personal safety.
• 2-5: Think First and Stay Safe
• The research-based program reinforces personal & digital boundaries and emphasizes that bullying and sexual abuse are against the law. It hones instincts and critical thinking skills. It helps children identify trusted adults and assures them that bullying and abuse are never a targeted child’s fault. Students learn that they can play an important role in keeping their bodies safe.

These are taking place on Monday and Tuesday for all students. If you'd like to opt your student out of this, please email Ms. Maddox at SFMaddox@bluevalleyk12.org.

BV West feeder families are invited to participate in the Lakewood Middle School Multicultural Festival on Tuesday, April 15th, from 6:00-7:30 PM!

This exciting event is a great opportunity to celebrate and share your heritage with our BV West school community. Families can showcase their culture by bringing artifacts, clothing, games, information boards, instruments, music, dancing, food, or anything else that represents their background. Each participating family will have a table and chairs for their display and can also collaborate with others.

If you’d like to volunteer and host a cultural display, please sign up by Friday, April 4th using this link: Sign Up Here.

Not presenting? No problem! All BV West feeder families are welcome to attend this free event and enjoy an evening of cultural exploration and celebration. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Megan Holsapple, mholsapple@bluevalleyk12.org.

As we approach next school year, we would love to gather your input on class placement for your student. At CHE, we put a great deal of time and effort is devoted to class placement, and we will continue to follow a team approach when making these decisions. Our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible learning environment for every student each year.

With this team approach, input from teachers (classroom, specials, support staff, etc.), administrators, and families is considered. Our process does not allow for specific teacher requests, but rather gives input on learning style and the qualities a teacher my possess to promote the success of your student. Community input will be collected until 4/25 and any input after that date may not be used in class placement.

We are looking forward to your input and finishing this school year strong!

Reminder:
Requests for specific teachers (by name or other identifiable factors) are not accepted. Staffing is fluid each year and grade level teachers often fluctuate or change up until a few days prior to school starting. Thus, class lists are not released until August.

As part of the U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express)—a major initiative to improve traffic flow and safety—construction work will soon impact travel near 167th Street.

From March 6-9, one lane in both directions on U.S. 69 will be closed from 159th Street to just before 179th Street for bridge demolition at the 167th Street interchange.

From April-October, 167th Street at U.S. 69, including ramps, will be closed. U.S. 69 over 167th Street will be reduced to one lane each way. Additional information can be found on 69Express’ Road Closure Update webpage.

While not a school district project, this may affect travel for families. Any impacts to school transportation will be communicated by Durham School Services and All Point Transportation. Please plan ahead and consider alternate routes as needed.

Is your child ready to spark their creativity, explore new hobbies or discover the joy of science this summer? Sign your child up for Blue Valley’s Summer Explorations program. With hands-on experiences, these one-week sessions are designed to keep kids engaged and excited about learning. Enrollment opens 8 a.m. March 25 and closes 4 p.m. April 7. For more information about the Summer Explorations program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/summerprograms.

• The Nineteen Day Fast - March 1-19 - a time of prayer, meditation, and fasting, some adult members of the Baháʼí faith refrain from food and water from sunrise to sunset each day. This practice might include prayers of spiritual preparation for the new year.

• Ramadan - evening of March 1-30 - the holy month of fasting for the Islamic faith. For some Muslim families, it is a time for introspection, communal prayer, reading the Qur’an, and fasting between sunrise and sunset.

• Ash Wednesday - March 5 - a Christian holiday signifying the first day of the Lenten season, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading to Easter. Some families will attend religious services and receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead.

• Holi - March 14 - known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi honors the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of Spring. Some families will light bonfires, throw colorful powder called gulal, eat sweets, and dance to traditional music.

• Eid al Fitr - March 31 - marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Some families will celebrate the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” by joining in communal prayer and meals, visiting family, gift-giving, and charity.

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.

March:

14: NO SCHOOL (Professional Learning)

17-21: NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

24: NO SCHOOL

27: Sunflower House Parent Information Session - 6:00pm in the Library

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