The Scoop!

It's hard to believe that we are wrapping up our first semester and 2024. There are so many things to celebrate and be thankful for within the Cedar Hills community. It truly does take effort and engagement from all parts of our community -- parents, guardians, grandparents, staff, PTO, etc. and I continue to be thankful for everyone that touches CHE and our students. It's been a great 2024, but I'm excited to make 2025 an even better year!

One celebration that I'd like to share with everyone is that we have made progress on the intersection of 165th and Hayes. The city should be installing a crosswalk as soon as they can. At the same time, OPPD is working to staff that crosswalk with a guard. They hope to have the crossing guard by time school starts again in 2025! This is fabulous news for our community!

We are excited to see our students back in school on January 6th.

Have an amazing, safe break!

-Cade

I huge congrats to Kate McGill and Reyansh Samudrala. Kate was our first place finisher and will move on to the Johnson County Spelling Bee. Reyansh was our second place finisher and will be our alternate for the JOCO Bee if Kate cannot compete.

Also, a big thank you to Dr. Northup, Ms. Schwabauer, Mrs. Auvigne, and our custodial staff for putting on another great Spelling Bee.

Sphero Indi Robots

In library this week, students celebrated Hour of Code week by coding with the Sphero Indi Robots. If you would like to learn more about these robots, visit this website or ask your child about the robots! Many were asking about how they could get their own at home. CHE received these Sphero Indi Robots through a Blue Valley Educational Foundation Grant this fall.

Winter Break Fit and Lit Bingo

We are excited to have a reading and fitness incentive for over Winter Break. A blue Fit & Lit Bingo paper will be going home with your student the week before break. We are encouraging each student to challenge themselves to see how many boxes they can mark off throughout Winter Break. Can they get a BINGO or even a BLACKOUT? If your student is more comfortable reading or listening to books with an adult, that is just fine. Students should bring their paper back to school by Friday, January 10th. They will each receive a small prize. The names of the students that got a Bingo will be announced on the CHE news show.

Thanks for your support of this great school-wide program!

-Miss. Schwabauer

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!

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!

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