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 Friday, August 9th at 4:00pm, classroom teachers will send an email introducing themselves as your child's teacher. You can also access this information in ParentVue.

We will have class lists posted on classroom doors during Popsicle Pop-In.

As a reminder, we are having a Kindergarten Camp for incoming kindergarten students. You will find out classroom teachers on Sunday, August 18th.

Please join us on Monday, August 12th from 5:00-6:30 for Popsicle Pop-In! Bring your school supplies to leave in classrooms, meet your teacher and enjoy a frozen treat on the playground provided by the PTA. PTA will also be hosting an information fair on the playground.

Classrooms will be open from 5:00-6:00. This is the time to take pictures with teachers and any other yearly pictures! We will also have light-up IVE letters outside the front office for picture opportunities.

Kindergarten students will NOT bring supplies on this night. Please bring supplies on Monday, August 19th.

Families new to Indian Valley, please join me in the library from 5:00-5:30 on Monday, August 12th. I will share information about Indian Valley and logistical information. You will then have time to go to classrooms and join the PTA on the playground.

We are so excited to see all of our school community back on campus soon. Back to School events are just around the corner and we would like to share our plans for welcoming everyone back and keeping everyone safe and secure.

Popsicle Pop-In - Monday, August 12
Popsicle Pop-In is on Monday, August 12, from 5:00-6:30. This is the event where you will have the opportunity to walk your child into the school, see their classroom, meet their teacher, take pictures, and see our learning spaces. This is not a required event, but it will be a great opportunity for adults to enter the building with their child. This would be your opportunity to take a picture with your teacher.

First Day of School (Grades 1-5) - Tuesday, August 13

On the first day of school Tuesday, August 13th, all elementary schools in Blue Valley will follow our normal safety procedures at arrival time and only let students into the building at arrival. Feel free to come to campus and plan a goodbye, hug, and/or first day photo with your child on our front lawn before wishing them well on their first day. Thank you for understanding the importance of secure, controlled access during arrival.

Kindergarten Orientation - Tuesday, August 13
Kindergarten families will receive a separate email with instructions for the Kindergarten Orientation sessions on this day. We will have a specific safety plan for Kindergarten guests during these sessions.

General Reminder for Visitors During the School Day:

We welcome visitors into our buildings and would like to share a general reminder that all elementary schools in the district utilize the buzz-in entry system for visitors during the school day. Visitors will need to come to the front of the school. At the front entrance, visitors will press the buzzer, show a government issued photo identification, and state the purpose for their visit each time they visit the school. We ask that guests do not hold the door open for another visitor once you have been buzzed-in. Instead, allow the door to close for each visitor to go through the procedures. Thank you for your support of our safety procedures.

Students should not arrive earlier than 8:25 in the morning. No supervision is available before 8:25. YMCA provides before- and after-school care for parents needing extended day care (see below for information).

Arrival: Doors open at 8:25. Tardy bell rings at 8:40.

• K-1st grade students (and their older siblings) will be dropped off at the back (south gym) doors on the playground.

• 2nd-5th grade students will be dropped off at the front (north) doors of the building.

• Please pull as far forward as possible; do not leave gaps between cars.

• During drop-off, please watch for directions from the staff on duty. Students need to be ready to exit the car. Please do not get out of your car. All students must exit on the curb side.

Dismissal: Dismissal is at 3:45pm.

• K-1st grade students (and their older siblings) will be dismissed through the back doors on the playground.

• 2nd-5th grade students will be dismissed through the front doors.

• Students will wait in the pod or the gym to be dismissed for pick-up at the end of the day. Students will be called to the loading area via hand-held radios by a staff member on duty. Students will not be waiting outside.

• It is mandatory that all drivers place a sign in the window with the last names and grade levels of all students in the carpool to expedite the dismissal process. Templates will be available at Popsicle Pop-In and in the office.

• All drivers must remain in their cars during pick-up. Do not attempt to park in the parking lot and cross the car lane on foot to pick up your child.

Walkers

Students walking home will be escorted out the front entrance of the school in grade level bands. A staff member will walk the students out the front door and up to the marquee on Knox St. The staff member can assist students in crossing the parking lot. A city crossing guard will assist students in crossing Knox St.

Change in Dismissal Plans

On occasion a student’s transportation method for dismissal may change due to a variety of reasons. This should be an occasional occurrence, not daily.

• Please communicate these changes in writing (email works well) to both the teacher and the school office staff (IVE-IndianValley-OfficeStaff@bluevalleyk12.org).

• If a change of transportation occurs during the school day, parents are asked to call the office by 3:00 to communicate the change.

We will be excited to welcome visitors to our lunchroom again this year. As a reminder, we ask that you and your child enjoy your lunch at the Visitor's table.

We will start visits to the lunchroom after Labor Day, on Wednesday, September 4th. We will take the first weeks of school to learn and practice lunchroom routines and procedures. Thank you for understanding and waiting to enjoy lunch with your child until then!

Lunch menus can be found online here: Lunch menus

You can also download the Nutrislice app for easy access for daily/weekly menus.

School Supply lists are on our school website. You can also click the button below.

We are taking a food-free approach to birthday celebrations at IVE again this year! This has been our practice for several years. We have found that our kids have plenty of sweet treats in their lives, and we have had an increase in the number of food allergies in our community. Therefore, we will find other ways to celebrate each student’s birthday.

School Birthday Celebration Rituals:

• Name and birthday will be announced on Studio 83

• An in-person morning visit by the student Birthday Crew to the birthday student’s classroom to give a sticker and a pencil

• Classroom privileges unique to each class, chosen by the birthday student. Some possible examples include:

• Special chair in the classroom

• Extra recess time for the class

• Special class game

• Birthday hat, button, or sash

Please do NOT send in edible birthday treats. Thank you!

The 2024-25 school year is an exciting time in Blue Valley Schools as we have the opportunity to look to the future while refreshing our strategic plan.

Your input is invaluable as we prioritize the goals and initiatives that will guide us through 2030. This survey is your chance to voice what you believe should be our top priorities, ensuring that our plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.

💻 2025-30 Strategic Plan Survey (3-5 minute survey)

The survey will remain open through Aug. 21. For more information about the strategic planning process, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/strategicplan.

If you wish for your child to be a bus rider, please visit the bus website to sign them up:

Durham Bus Services

You can also sign up for text messaging for alerts for your student's bus.

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 12

Backpack Night, 5:00-6:30

• frozen treat on the playground
• information fair on the playground

Want to stay up to date with all the latest PTA News? Please find us and like us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/IndianValleyPTA