Mustang Community,

The start of 2nd semester has definitely been unique as a result of our Snow Days. As the winter months continue, there is always the possibility of inclement weather. When extreme weather conditions exist, the district may cancel school or utilize a two-hour delayed start when temporary adverse weather conditions exist. When possible, inclement weather announcements will be made the day before so staff and families can plan. More information about inclement weather (including 2-hour delayed starts) can be found on the district website.

Have you ever wondered how to monitor your child’s usage on their Blue Valley device? We have parent tools that will allow you to receive notifications to ensure your child is using their device safely. School staff members monitor these devices during the school day and intervene, when necessary. However, parents can receive alerts if concerns arise when students use devices after school hours–including weekends and school breaks. Check out the Securly Home Parent Portal App here.

As always, thank you all for supporting BVN. Have a great weekend!

The final day to buy a 2023-2024 yearbook is Jan. 31. If you haven't purchased yours yet, log into your Parent Vue account, select the Fee option from the menu, select the yearbook option and make your payment. Contact Mrs. Van Wyhe with any questions. jlvanwyhe@bluevalleyk12.org

BVN Theatre department invites all the Mustang Family to our musical Spamalot! Purchase tickets via the QR code with the poster above in the GoFan app or website.

Don’t miss out on some very special cameo appearances by:

• Thursday, February 1st @ 7:00 p.m.: Dr. Tyson Ostroski
• Saturday, February 3rd @ 2:00 p.m.: Michael Hilbert
• Saturday, February 3rd @ 7:00 p.m.: Maria Worthington

We look forward to seeing you for the show in the BVN PAC! Thanks for your support!!

The Sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences is open! BVN teachers look forward to speaking with as many parents as possible, but time slots are always at a premium. We encourage you to talk to your child and decide if a Parent-Teacher conference is necessary. If you and your child are happy with how things are going and with their progress in class, a conference may not be necessary at this time. Feel free to drop the teacher an email with any extra questions that you might have.

Dates:

January 19, Friday - Conference sign-ups began

February 1, Thursday - Conference sign-ups conclude

February 5, Monday - In-Person conferences at BVN, 3:15 - 6:45 p.m. (by appointment only)

February 6-8, Tuesday - Thursday - Zoom conferences (by appointment only)

February 9, Friday - No School

To sign up for a conference, please click on this link for sign-up instructions: P-T CONFERENCES

After signing up for each conference, you should receive a confirmation email.

Spring Conferences are just around the corner! Because our hard-working and fabulous teachers will be hosting parents in person on Monday, February 5th, we are planning on treating them to a Trail Mix Bar so they can have snacks to fortify them during their long day. Please consider donating something to make our spread extra special! You can drop your donations at the front office February 2nd-5th.

Trail Mix Sign-up

Thank you so much for all that you do for our wonderful staff!

The Sweetheart Basketball Game is tonight, January 26, vs. Bishop Miege. Girls' JV plays at 4:00, Girls' Varsity at 5:30, Boys' JV plays at 5:30, Girls' C Team plays at 7:00 and Boys Varsity plays at 7:00.

The Sweetheart Dance is January 27th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. at Blue Valley North. The theme is Glow Party!! Tickets are $10 and have been on sale all week. You can purchase tickets with a credit card in the GoFan app. The deadline has passed to get an outside guest approved to attend.

Additionally, Student Council would love to offer beverages and snacks for students at the dance! Please consider making a donation of bottled water, canned sodas, or individually wrapped snacks. You can sign up here. Send your donation with your student the night of the dance!

Blue Valley North Boys Golf

If you are interested in playing golf this spring please fill out the information form below and see Coach Hedlund in room 231.

https://forms.gle/xNdUnRwV5zxW3UPb8

There will be a player informational meeting during AST on Tuesday, February 13th. in Coach Hedlund’s room 231. This will go over tryout information and getting everyone added to the group chat.

There will be a parent meeting via zoom on Wednesday February 21st at 6:30 p.m.

Tryouts will begin Monday February 26th and will run through Thursday February 29th.

9-10 GRADES | Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year has begun! Everyone can view information about enrolling for classes here.

• Freshmen forms are due Feb. 5th to advisories and meet with counselors Feb. 7-8
• Sophomore classes will meet with counselors Jan. 31-Feb. 1

SUMMER ENROLLMENT | Summer class registration begins March 18th. Parents can enroll students in ParentVue in the Course Request tab. You can view the courses offered for summer enrollment on the BVN Enrollment Canvas Page.

2024-2025 FASFA | You can access information about the FASFA on the BVN Counseling Canvas page or the JCCC FASFA Information page. JCCC is hosting a virtual FASFA Information Lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 31st; you can register here.

Questions? Contact Sarah King, Student Services: SKing@bluevalleyk12.org or 913.239.3016

Scholars Bowl

On January 17th, BVN Scholars Bowl swept the Saint Thomas Aquinas Scholars Bowl tournament. They went undefeated and won the tournament in its entirety. We are MUSTANG PROUD!!

FBLA District Results

If you see any of the following students, please congratulate them on a job well done at the FBLA District VI Competition held in beautiful Tonganoxie, KS.

Accounting 2: Molly McCartan - 3rd

Advertising: Kushal Reddy - 3rd

Business Communication: Caroline Place - 1st

Business Law: Jonah Freiden - 2nd

Business Management: Manoa Nicholson - 3rd

Economics: Max Masilionis - 2nd

Health Care: Malia Nicholson - 3rd

Hospitality: Anjali Kambhampati - 1st, Micaella Gamboa - 2nd

Human Resource Management: Sydney Anderson - 1st, Adele Van Lieshout - 2nd

International Business: Kushal Reddy - 1st, Landon Nelson - 2nd

Intro to Business Communication: Jonah Freiden - 1st

Intro to Business Concepts: Raahul Aravind - 1st

Intro to Financial Math: Hanny Batrash - 2nd

Journalism: Anjali Kambhampati - 3rd

Organizational Leadership: Jonah Freiden - 3rd

Personal Finance: Caroline Massman - 1st, Rishika Vunnama - 2nd

Public Policy: Max Masilionis - 1st

Securities And Investments: Gavin Nelson - 3rd

Sports Marketing: Ilyas Saadi - 1st, Malia Nicholson - 2nd, Isabel De Santos - 3rd

Broadcast Journalism: Madelyn Hall, Sophia Anderson - 1st

Business Ethics: Kushal Reddy - 1st

Data Analysis: Madelyn Hall, Sophia Anderson - 1st

Impromptu Speaking: Maryn Triplett - 2nd, Alexandria Robertson - 3rd

Job Interview: Caroline Massman - 1st, Gavin Nelson - 3rd

Sales Presentation: Caroline Massman - 1st, Micaella Gamboa, Anjali Kambhampati - 2nd

Social Media Strategies: Alexis Ballard, Maryn Triplett - 2nd

Business Management Presentation: Alex Robertson, Manoa Nicolson - 2nd

Hospitality and Event Management: Micaella Gamboa, Anjali Kambhampati - 1st

International Business: Kushal Reddy, Landon Nelson - 1st, Caroline Massman - 3rd

Sports and Entertainment Management: Malia Nicholson, Greysen Williams - 1st,

Isabel De Santos, Sydney Anderson - 2nd

The Kansas State Department of Education is again paying for a full ACT for all 11th-grade students on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. This is an opt-out testing event, meaning that unless you tell us otherwise, we will plan on testing your junior student on this day. All students test at their home school, and Blue Valley Academy students test at BVA.

We understand that the ACT might not be applicable for all students, as many colleges are moving to a test-optional format, and other programs such as JCCC and trade schools do not require an ACT score for admission. We strongly encourage you to contact the college, university, or trade school your student is considering attending after high school to receive the most current information. Your Blue Valley North Counselors are also a great resource to help you navigate these decisions.

If you decide to opt your student out of the February ACT, please fill out the Opt-Out form listed below. Please complete the form by February 1st.

OPT-OUT FORM

Juniors will start school at 7:40 AM on Tuesday, February 27th, and will be dismissed after testing (roughly until 11:30 or Noon).

If you have any questions, contact Dr. Cory Cox, Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction.

If you are a current sophomore or junior with a 3.5 or higher GPA, you are a potential candidate for induction for National Honor Society. The four pillars of NHS are Service, Leadership, Character and Scholarship. If you enjoy giving back to the community, are in good standing with regards to character, and you demonstrate leadership, then come to a meeting with your parents on Tuesday February 6, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the BVN PAC.

Co-Sponsors, Abby Cornelius and Sheryl Stein, will discuss the induction process that will take place in the fall, the computer platform that tracks hours, as well as answer any questions that parents and students may have.

We look forward to seeing both parents and students at this meeting. Students should bring their computer to get set up on the x2VOL platform which tracks hours.

Do you have winter clothing you no longer need? Please clean out your closets and ask your student to bring them to BVN for a winter clothing drive, through February 9th, for Uplift KC. By placing the winter items below in the boxes located outside of the PAC and Library, you could play a crucial role in assisting the homeless through this brutally cold winter.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 6 volunteers take one of the Uplift vans out through the city. While on the vans, volunteers serve the homeless with food, drink, and clothing needs.

Uplift’s requests include:

• Winter gloves
• Winter hats
• Coats
• Blankets
• Men’s and women’s underwear (new)
• Hot Hands/Hand warmers
• Candles
• Boots
• Hoodies
• Men’s jeans and pants (waist size 30-36)
• Long underwear/Thermals
• Socks”

If you have questions, please contact Johnny McMonagle at JWMcMonagle@bluevalleyl12.net .

If you need to look ahead, you can see the plan for Odd/Even/All schedules for every month of the school year here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UcH1E-EQn0PxZ--P4-SbtgjfL2voHyfk/view?usp=sharing

January 26 - Sweetheart Game

January 27 - Sweetheart Dance

February 1 -- ACT Opt-out deadline (see info above)

February 5-8 -- Parent Teacher Conferences (see info above)

February 9 - NO SCHOOL / Due to evening conferences earlier in the week

February 19 - NO SCHOOL / Presidents' Day

February 23 - Schedule Change / Odd Day

February 27 - ACT Testing Day for Juniors

Upcoming All School Events

All BVN events, activities, sporting events and additional calendar adjustments are found on the EKL calendar: www.easternkansasleague.org

Click here for the 2023/2024 Blue Valley School District Calendar.

The Graduation date for the Class of 2024 has been announced! Mark your calendar for May 19th at 1:00 p.m. Commencement will be held at the Switzer District Activity Complex, 135th & Switzer in Overland Park.
*In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to the BV West gymnasium, same date & time.

SENIOR TILES: It’s time to honor your senior on our Class of 2024 tile wall! This tradition dates back many years. Order today until 1/31 at www.bvnmustangs.com!

ACTION NEEDED: Please click on the link below and complete the Senior Transcript Form. Please complete as soon as possible. This form authorizes the release of senior transcripts for college applications. Click here: Diploma/Transcript Authorization

Order your cap & gown now from jostens.com.

We have over 150 seniors who have not done this yet!

Please place your order ASAP.
IF YOU ORDER:

• Senior items: (like shirts, hats, keychains, etc.): they will be shipped to your home
• Announcements: they will be shipped to the school and seniors will be notified when to pick them up (sometime in March)
• Cap, Gown & Tassel: they will be shipped to the school and handed out at grad practice in May

Questions? email Mrs. Miller at lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org and bookmark our Senior Info page.

Families can expect automated attendance messages by email, phone, and text if a child is absent and their absence has not already been reported by a parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to report an absence or reply to the automated email or phone message.

Reporting an absence at BVN

The most efficient way to report an absence is by emailing attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org or entering your student's all-day absence in ParentVUE. You may also call the BVN attendance office directly at 913.239.3001, but please know they can have up to 70 VM messages first thing in the morning.

What is the purpose of attendance notifications?

We realize that students may occasionally need to miss school for planned absences, illnesses, and appointments. However, when a student does not arrive at school or unexpectedly misses a portion of the school day, we are concerned and want to make sure you are aware that your child is absent.

How can I get push notifications?

Families who would also like a push notification can download the ParentVUE app and manage their notifications. If a child has an unreported absence when a teacher submits attendance, then a push notification will immediately be sent to the parent/guardian's mobile device.

Interested in push notifications? Simply download the ParentVUE app (iTunes app store or Google Play), enable push notifications in device settings and select attendance notifications through in-app settings. Once the app is downloaded, these instructions will help you complete the set-up.

Basketball Concessions Help Needed! (new)

Basketball is underway and concessions help is needed! Each organization has been assigned to help with a game. Please take a look and see which date you are needed and help The Mustang Club raise funds for your student's organization. Students are welcome to volunteer and can receive service hours, but one adult volunteer per shift is required. Link to schedule

Important Travel Outside of the USA Information

This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during the school year. Please click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for Out of the Country travel. Blue Valley resources such as Canvas, Classlink, and school email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it.

BV Changes to Student Assessments: FASTbridge

There are some changes to student assessment in Blue Valley this fall. As a result, you may notice a change in some of the tests your student is being asked to take this year, such as:

We have replaced our previous reading screening assessment, the SRI with the Fastbridge FASTtrack reading assessment. The benefits are:

• Fastbridge testing provides comparable student results with fewer questions.
• Teachers get information that is easier to act upon.
• Fastbridge is endorsed by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
• Families will get a printed student report.

Additionally, KSDE has changed the requirements for high school reading screening. Starting in Fall 2023, districts must screen:

• 9th graders in the fall
• New students
• Students whose scores from the previous test indicate below level performance

Online ATHLETIC PASSES and Individual Event Tickets

Fans can purchase single-game tickets online through the GoFan app, as well as Student or Family Athletic passes. (This Athletic Pass takes the place of the former Activity Pass that was sold through ParentVue.) Here is the BVN GoFan link: Blue Valley North High School Events and Tickets by GoFan

Are you moving? Have you moved?

Please contact the BVN Registrar, Ann LaGrange, by email at ALLaGrange@bluevalleyk12.org.

If your child is not feeling well please refer to the Disease & Symptom Exclusion Recommendations /Regulations: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/cms/lib/ks02212623/Centricity/Domain/4486/disease%20exclusion%20recommendations%202022.pdf

Student Well-Being Support Resources:

https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34318

Immunization Documentation Needed

Thank you, all parents, for working so diligently to have immunization records turned in to the nurse. The Kansas Requirements are: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34370

• All 9th grade students are required to have their Hep A series
• 11th grade students are required to have their second dose of meningococcal immunization.

If your student is non-compliant, you will be contacted by a district exclusion letter. Please contact Amanda Collichio, BVN School nurse via ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or fax at 913-239-3038 with up-to-date immunization certificates or documented appointment date and time.

Flu, COVID and the masking recommendation

This is not a requirement; for further info please visit https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/36106.

Update Medical Orders for 2023-2024

If your student has medical orders please be sure the school nurse is kept up-to-date. Authorization for Medication Administration Forms must be signed by the prescribing physician and returned preferably by e-mail to Nurse Amanda Collichio at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org or faxed to 913-239-3038. Medications may be dropped off to the nurse by appointment.

Some January Celebrations & Observances:

• National Poverty Awareness Month - While the United States is considered the richest country in the world, 37.9 million people live in poverty, including 12.5 million children. National Poverty Awareness Month works to bring awareness to issues of poverty and increase access to resources and services. To help and or find support, visit Johnson County Outreach Services.

• Maghi - January 13 - a Sikh celebration. Some Sikh families will celebrate with a recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in Gurdwaras - a Sikh place of assembly and worship meaning “Gateway to the Guru”.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15 - a day that honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Some families will participate in a day of service to their communities.

• World Religion Day - January 21 - established by the Baháʼí Faith community in 1950. Now observed by people around the world, it seeks to find common values shared by different faiths, encourage tolerance and dialogue, and foster cooperation among religious communities.

• International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27 - an annual day of commemorating the six million Jewish victims and millions of other victims of the Holocaust and Nazism.

Please take a look through the BVN Mustang Club's Winter Activity Guide! Here is a link to the on-line edition: http://online.anyflip.com/qzkqi/thvs/

This is a great way to see photos of the athletic teams & performing arts students, find out more about their coaches and directors, and read a greeting from the BVN Principal & the Mustang Club Presidents. Please take time to see the advertisements from our corporate partners and give them your business whenever possible. We thank them for their support of the Mustang Club and our Blue Valley North students. Enjoy!

Our parent community has been integral in contributing to our status as one of the best high schools in the state of Kansas and a leading high school across the nation.

Please support The Mustang Club (previously known as BVN Parent Booster Club). The Mustang Club financially supports BVN's extracurricular activities (as our version of a traditional PTO/PTA), and over the last 7 years, The Mustang Club has granted over a half million dollars to support our school’s extracurricular activities, organizations, and athletic teams. We could not provide the depth and breadth of opportunities that are available without your participation through membership and donations of your time.

The Mustang Club needs your support! Membership is down and volunteers are in short supply. Here are some options for you to consider:

• Become a Mustang Club member at one of the five membership levels;
• Purchase spirit wear from The Mustang Club website (www.bvnmustangs.com);
• Volunteer on a Mustang Club committee to support a specific event or cause; and
• Take advantage of one of the many sponsorship opportunities available for those of you affiliated with companies that want to support BVN financially.
• We would love for your company to be featured in our Activity Guide. It is printed 3 times each year and would be a wonderful way to promote your business to the North community. Email mustangactivityguides@gmail.com now! To see last year's spring guide, click here.
• Show your love and mustang pride for your student by purchasing a Spirit Ad in the Activity Guide! go to www.bvnmustangs.com on the Order form page.

You can find everything you need to know about The Mustang Club & membership at www.bvnmustangs.com. As you know, this organization is completely run by parent volunteers so every dollar donated goes to benefit BVN students. Additionally, the organization is a 501(c)3 so your contributions are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support and consideration and GO MUSTANGS!

Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2023/2024 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492 or contact them via email at admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.

North Notes is a newsletter for the parents and students of Blue Valley North High School. If you have questions, please contact Janet Roush, Assistant to the Principal, at JRoush@bluevalleyk12.org .

The BVN Main Office is opened Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

BVN Twitter:

@MustangsBvn

@BVNOstroski

@TheKurle

@BVNCounseling

@MustangsOfBVN

@bvnnews

@BVNMustangsPBC

BVN Instagram:

@bvnmustangs

Email: Jroush@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org/BVN/
Location: 12200 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS, 66209
Phone: (913) 239-3000
Facebook: facebook.com/BVNMustangs/
Twitter: @bvnnews