North Notes
Blue Valley North's Parent Newsletter - June 12, 2020
In this Newsletter …
A Message from BVN Administration
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Class of 2021
Registration 2020-21
Mark Your Calendar
Counseling Updates
Coronavirus Information
Parent Announcements
Student Announcements
Mustang Athletics
Kudos and Celebrations
Securly Home for On-line Safety
BV Recreation Commission Candidates
A Message from BVN Adminstration
Mustang Community,
We hope you are enjoying your summer with your family! Our administrative team is busy planning for next fall semester and we can't wait to welcome back our Mustangs.
The 2019-20 Yearbooks will be given to seniors at graduation on July 31. We are still planning on a distribution plan for underclassmen. We will share the plan with you and your students once that is established. If you have an incoming Senior in the Class of 2021, an email was sent this week regarding Senior Yearbook Pictures. You can also find details in this newsletter.
Did your student find a BVN item at home they need to return? Ask them to put their name on the item and return it to Blue Valley North. They can enter at the third door to the left at the front of the school and leave it on the table outside the main office marked "Drop-off." Summer office hours are Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If they do need to come into the office, ask them to call 913-239-3000 and make an appointment.
Stay well, stay safe and take good care!
MUSTANG PROUD!
BVN Administration
Blue Valley North Class of 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! If you missed the announcement of celebrations, you can view it here. BVN wants to share these details about the activities that will honor and recognize our Senior Class.
Virtual Awards Recognition on Canvas
Link: https://bvusd.instructure.com/courses/66600
BVN is celebrating the academic achievements of the Class of 2020 and has done that virtually on our Canvas platform. The BVN staff has created videos to honor seniors through leadership, scholarship, academic and department awards. The video will stay on this platform permanently so students and families can watch the videos at their convenience. Bookmark: https://bvusd.instructure.com/courses/66600 .
Laptop, Cases, Chargers, Books, Uniforms, etc. drop-off AND Cap & Gown Distribution
Does your senior still need to pickup their cap & gown and/or return their computers? Ask them to call the BVN main office at (913-239-3000) and leave their name, phone number and how they need help. Their call will be returned within 24 hours.
Senior Cap & Gown Info: If you still need to pickup your cap and gown, call (913) 239-3000 and leave your name, phone#, date and time you can pick it up. We will have it waiting for you in the area right inside BVN's front doors. Make sure your gown fits, and your tassel says 2020. We can trade out gowns/tassels if needed.
Date, TBD: Video Celebration
The BVN staff is excited to begin planning a video celebration that will be professionally produced this summer. There are many aspects of our seniors that will be included in the video. Our Senior Class Officers and Sponsors will be helping gather content, including opportunities for us to celebrate our unique BVN traditions. Tentatively, we plan to include the following in this video
- Message from Administration
- Message from the Blue Valley Board of Education
- Speeches from class officers
- Selected student speaker
- Academic distinctions
- Student performances
This video celebration will be sent to students shortly before graduation in late July.
Friday, July 31, Graduation Ceremony
And finally, we are planning to see you all at the Switzer District Activities Center (SWIDAC) on July 31 at 8:00 a.m. for the 2020 Blue Valley North graduation celebration!
We are excited to carry out this plan to honor our seniors as they prepare for their next steps. Details for each of these events will continue to be made available via email as they are decided. We are MUSTANG PROUD of our seniors!
Stay safe and healthy, Mustangs!
BVN Activities and Senior Information Contact: Janet Roush @ jroush@bluevalleyk12.org
Blue Valley North Class of 2021 (new)
It is time for Senior Yearbook photos! Seniors will receive a flyer via U.S. mail, the last of June, from Rolland Studios with their assigned time. It appears to look like junk mail so please don’t discard it. This piece of mail will look similar to the flyer to the right of this paragraph.
All photos on the dates listed below will be taken at Blue Valley’s Hilltop Campus, 7700 W. 143rd St., Overland Park, KS 66223.
June 15, 16, 17 ~ Blue Valley High Seniors @ Hilltop Campus by appointment
June 18, 22, 23 ~ Blue Valley Northwest Seniors @ Hilltop Campus by appointment
June 24, 25, 29 ~ Blue Valley West Seniors @ Hilltop Campus by appointment
June 30, July 1 ~ Blue Valley Southwest Seniors @ Hilltop Campus by appointment
July 6, 7, 8 ~ Blue Valley North Seniors @ Hilltop Campus by appointment only
Please see the first two maps below for directions and traffic flow on the Hilltop Campus.
July 27, 28, 29 ~ Makeup dates for all high schools BV District Office Campus, 15020 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS, 66223, in the Commons. Please see the 3rd map below for directions at District Office.
Remember, your senior can schedule their senior yearbook photo during ANY BV High School’s designated times, even before they receive their flyer. Rolland Studios’ website is here: https://www.rollandkc.com/ and here is a direct link to schedule your Senior’s appointment: SCHEDULE SENIOR YEARBOOK PHOTO.
If you have any questions, please call Blue Valley North, 913-239-3000. We are excited for our Senior Class of 2021 and wish them all the best this school year! Thank you!
Hilltop Map for Senior Yearbook Photos
Hilltop Traffic Flow Map for Senior Yearbook Photos
BV District Office Map for Senior Yearbook Photos
Blue Valley North Social Media
Blue Valley North High School now has official social media accounts, monitored by our very own BVN Administration Team. Please follow these handles for announcements and information if you use these social media tools. Thanks for your support!
Instagram: @bvnmustangs
Twitter: @MustangsBvn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BVNMustangs/
Registration 2020-21 Opens July 8 for High School ~ Required for All Families
Mark your calendar for the 2020-21 school year registration! On-line registration is required for every family, even if you don't have any address, phone or email changes. By completing this, you are confirming that your student will be returning for the 2020-21 school year.
More details will be available in the June 26th North Notes.
- Returning student registration for the 2020-21 school year: High school registration opens on July 8, 2020. ParentVUE login and password are required.
- Fee payments for the 2020-21 school year: High school fee payments open on July 8, 2020. To provide needed flexibility for families with changing financial situations, fee payment will be open through July 30.
Registration is required every year to review/update information about your child(ren) including phone, email, emergency contacts, health data, etc. Remember, by completing your registration, you confirm that your child(ren) will return to school in August. Thank you!
Mark Your Calendar (new dates added)
July 6-8 - Class of 2021 Yearbook Photos at Hilltop Campus
July 27-29 - Senior Yearbook Photos Make-up Days at DO
July 31 - Graduation Celebration, 8:00 a.m. at SWI-DAC
July 31 - Class of 2020 Yearbook Distribution
August - Underclassmen Yearbook Distribution TBA
Aug 5 -- New Mustang Night for 9th graders & new students
Aug 12 - Freshmen Orientation for 9th graders & new students
Aug 13 - First Day of School
Aug 14 - Picture Day
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 2020-21 Blue Valley School District Calendar.
Counseling, Academics & Testing (new)
- Transcript requests
- 2020-21 course change requests
- Follow us on Twitter - @BVNCounseling
The counselors will be unavailable between June 10 - July 30, 2020. Emails and phone messages received during this time will be addressed beginning Friday, July 31, 2020.
Coronavirus Information
Blue Valley wants families to know the district is carefully following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and local health agencies on preventative measures for the Coronavirus or COVID-19. One of the most important things we can do right now is practice preventative measures and remind students of everyday actions they can take to slow the spread of germs and prevent illness. We appreciate your encouragement of these healthy habits at home.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Blue Valley uses hospital-grade cleaning disinfectants in its schools.
- Stay home when you are sick except to get medical care. Children who are ill should remain home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Thank you for your support to safeguard the health of our students, staff and community. More information on the Coronavirus is available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Parent Announcements (new)
BVN 2019-20 Yearbooks
The BVN 2019-20 Yearbooks will be distributed to the Class of 2020 on July 31! They will be shipped to BVN in the later part of July and our administration team is working on a plan for distribution to underclassmen. Details will be communicated, when available, in a July North Notes. North Notes is also posted on the BVN website in the lower left-hand corner. We know your student is anxiously awaiting for these special memories and we appreciate your patience.
Blue Valley North Summer Hours by Appointment Only
BV summer hours have begun. The district's standard operating hours for the month of June are Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. by appointment only. Please call (913) 239-3000 if you need to set up an appointment. All guests are required to wear a face covering. If your student has school items to drop off, please put their name on each item, enter through the front door, 3rd door from the left that says "Enter Here", and leave them on the table that says "Drop-Off." You do not need to come into the mail office. The table is checked periodically throughout the days of Monday through Thursday. Thank you!
JOCO Health Department Hotline
Johnson County Health Department provides an information hotline: 913-716-2319. The nurses answering these calls can give you information on anything related to COVID-19, including physical symptom checks, emotional support, and community resources.
Are you moving? Have you moved?
Please contact the Blue Valley North Registrar, Suzy Doherty, by email at sdoherty@bluevalleyk12.org .
Student Announcements (new)
Dance Team Tryout Information
Parent Meeting: Wednesday, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. in BVN Library
Dance Clinics: Monday, August 3rd, and Tuesday, August 4th, both at 5:30 p.m.
Tryouts: Thursday, August 6th at 5:30 p.m.
Cheer Tryout Information
Parent Meeting: Wednesday, July 29th at 7:00 p.m. in BVN Library
Cheer Clinics: Friday, August 7th, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Saturday, August 8th, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tryouts: Monday, August 10th, 5:00 p.m.
National Honor Society
Are you a current Sophomore or Junior with a 3.5 GPA or higher? Are you interested in being a candidate for NHS induction in the fall? If so, please read on. Normally students need 40 hours of community service from January 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Due to Covid-19 we are going to lower the expectation to 20 hours with the understanding that in the spring of Junior year through senior year students will need to perform those 40 hours. These hours must come from non-profit organizations. We will not count hours such as walking dogs, babysitting a neighbor, helping someone move, tutoring, etc. Students should already be on x2VOL and should be recording and verifying hours on this online platform. An individual from the organization must approve hours with an email that is from a .org email address. There are plenty of opportunities to get hours virtually, or for summer outdoor opportunities. Look online for these opportunities.
Information will be sent out in the fall, but tentative dates for the initial information meeting is Wednesday September 30 and Thursday October 1, 2020 during North Time. Attendance at one of these two dates is mandatory! Mandatory induction practice is Monday November 9, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. and Mandatory Induction is Tuesday November 10, 2019 at 6:30 .pm.
Feel free to reach out to Ms. Cornelius (acornelius@bluevalleyk12.org) or Mrs. Stein (sistein@bluevalleyk12.org) with any questions. Thanks!
Mustang Athletics (new)
Student-Athletes Action Needed for 2020-21
The athletic physical form has been updated for the 2020-21 season. If your student will be participating in a KSHSAA sponsored sport at Blue Valley North in the upcoming school year, every student-athlete needs a new physical completed, signed and dated (May 1, 2020, or after) by a physician. Here is a link to the form on the BVN website PHYSICAL2020. We encourage you to get this completed over the summer. The physical is just part of the paperwork required. The other athletic participation forms will be updated and available when on-line registration begins around July 8. The entire athletic participation packet will be posted on the BVN website at that time. All forms need to be printed, read, signed by a parent and student, and returned to BVN.
Summer Soccer Camps - July and August
Join BVN Coach Bryan Turner for various soccer camps this summer. There will also be a Street League for all high school players from July 7-30, every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on the BVN east turf field. This is a great way to get pre-season conditioning while playing small sided games. For more information and to sign-up, click HERE to go to the BVN Soccer website. Please go to the bottom of the website and the forms are under "Important Dates."
Mustang Speed Camp 2020
Blue Valley North Head Track and Field Coach Mark Fancher is inviting all athletes to a speed camp this summer at Blue Valley North. Please contact Coach Fancher if you have any questions. 913-233-6700 or mfancherkc@gmail.com . Mustang Speed Camp 2020 Google Form Sign Up Link is here: https://forms.gle/dw1USkVfC2nr69Kf8
Attention Girls' Golfers and Parents
The summer is fast approaching which means that all girls' golfers should be preparing for our hopeful fall season. Please e-mail Coach Turrentine at mturrentine@bluevalleyk12.org if you have a daughter who is thinking about coming out for the team so that he can communicate directly with you regarding any possible summer meetings and to also give you direction regarding tournaments and places to practice. This will also get you added to the group e-mail to communicate information regarding tryouts, etc. Thanks!
Athletic and all BVN Activity and Event Schedules
To make it easier for you to look up all BVN sports schedules, activities and all school events for BVN, please go to the EKL website listed below:
• Go to the website www.easternkansasleague.org .
• Choose Blue Valley North from the list of schools.
• On the next page, look under the calendar for View Schedules.
• Choose one or several of the schedules and click View.
• The schedules should pop up for you.
BVN Athletic Contact: Teresa Anderson @ tanderson@bluevalleyk12.org
NCAA Eligibility Center Update
For those high school students considering college athletics, the NCAA Eligibility Center sent out these guidelines recently regarding adjustments to initial-eligibility requirements due to COVID-19.
Class of 2020:
Students with an expected Spring/Summer 2020 graduation date who initially enroll full time in 2020-21 will receive a COVID-19 Automatic Waiver (athletics aid, practice and competition) in the academic certification process, provided they:
Division I*
• Meet the core-course progression requirement (10/7) before start of the seventh semester; and
• Present a 2.300 or higher core-course GPA in such courses.
Division II*
• Complete 10 core-course units before start of the seventh semester; and
• Present a 2.200 or higher core-course GPA in such courses.
*Note: Due to recent ACT/SAT cancellations, test scores are excluded from these criteria.
Classes of 2021-23:
For NCAA-approved core courses completed in Spring/Summer 2020 that have been issued a grade of Pass, the Eligibility Center will apply the credit earned in these courses toward the core-course requirement in the student's certification. If the student's core-course GPA would increase by assigning a value of 2.300, this value will be assigned to the Passed courses. However, if the student's core-course GPA would decrease by including the 2.300 value for Passed courses, the student’s core-course GPA will be calculated based only on courses with assigned letter grades from other available terms (credit from these courses will still be applied toward the student's core-course requirements).
Student/Athletes Considering College Athletics
If your student considers himself or herself an athlete, please sign up for CoreCourseGPA.com. This is a perfect resource and offers great information if your high school student is considering college athletics.
This on-demand 26 minute presentation educates athletes and parents on NCAA academic initial-eligibility rules and recruiting resources while also providing a CoreCourseGPA.com demo with instructions for student-athletes to activate their school provided CoreCourseGPA.com membership.
The video may be viewed here: http://bit.ly/ccgpamw
To sign-up for a free Student Membership, follow these steps for activation:
Go to CoreCourseGPA.com
Click “FREE New Member Account”
Enter School ID and School Code
BVN School ID: 172294
BVN School Code: 710960037
Below you will see CoreCourse GPA's new service, text messaging, if you are interested in this service.
We hope this college academic eligibility tool helps make your student’s college planning process easier. Good luck with your college decision!
Kudos and Celebrations (new)
Congratulations to the following students who have signed a letter of intent to play their sport in college. We are so proud of your hard work and wish you all the best as you begin yur college careers!
Andrea Basalo ~ Soccer ~ Johnson County Community College
Lauren Cassaday ~ Basketball ~ Washburn University
Davis Cooper ~ Golf ~ University of Kansas
Lexy Farrington ~ Soccer ~ University of Kansas
Cole Fischman ~ Golf ~ Baker University
Arissa Harrish ~ Softball ~ Arkansas Technology University
Elizabeth Kneibert ~ Equestrian ~ Berry College, GA
Mallory Krueger ~ Soccer ~ Indiana Wesleyan University
Nina Laville ~ Soccer ~ Benedictine University
Jacob Murphy ~ Soccer KC Sporting
Ryan Picollo ~ Baseball ~ St. Joseph’s University
Grace Reininga ~ Volleyball ~ Northwestern University
Lilian Reininga ~ Volleyball ~ Westmont College
Jack Souder ~ Soccer ~ University of Colorado
Reid Spachman ~ Football ~ Columbia University
Always a Mustang!
Scholastic Art Awards
The Scholastic Art Awards have been announced and BVN is honored to share this great news. The works of art are judged on work that demonstrates originality, technical skill and the emergene of a personal voice or vision. It is a blind judging and is adjudicated without knowledge of the artists' identities. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, NY, NY, have supported the future of creativity since 1923. Let's give a warm congratulations to the following students!
Adriana Cordero ~ 2 Silver Keys, 1 Honorable Mention
Alleana Corpin ~ 3 Honorable Mentions
Isaac Decker ~ 1 Gold Key, 1 Silver Key
Kyle Dulle ~ 1 Silver Key
Elizabeth Goodwin ~ 1 Silver Key
Daniel McIntyre ~ 2 Silver Keys
Securly Home for Online Safety
We want to continue to share an update regarding the district’s cloud-based filtering system, Securly, that will impact our students’ MacBooks. This is part of Blue Valley’s commitment to partner with families to promote digital safety.
• Take an active role in your child’s online safety with Securly Home: We recognize that student safety and well-being in the online world is a shared responsibility between our schools and families, and with Securly Home, taking an active role in your child’s online safety has never been easier. While school personnel may monitor online activity on district devices when students are connected to the BV Network/IP Address, it is the responsibility of our families to monitor online activity on district devices in the evenings, on weekends, over holidays and during school breaks, including summer break.
• DOWNLOAD Securly Home Parent Portal app (on iTunes or Google Play)*: With the Securly Home Parent Portal app, families can monitor student technology use and customize filters on district devices outside of the BV Network/IP Address.* This app is currently available to families with students who received a district Chromebook/MacBook to use at school and home. Watch this Securly Video for instructions to download/configure the app. Securly Home accounts are tied to the email address you have listed in ParentVUE. You can update and/or verify your email address when you complete your online registration in July.
• RECEIVE self-harm notifications: Families who download the Securly Home Parent Portal app will automatically be opted-in to receive mobile push notifications if their child searches content related to self-harm on a district-provided device. While school personnel may monitor online activity on district devices when students are connected to the BV Network/IP Address, it is the responsibility of our families to monitor online activity on district devices in the evenings, on weekends, over holidays and during school breaks by downloading the Securly Home Parent Portal app. For resources to help talk to your child about their well-being, visit Student Well Being.
• PAUSE access to the internet: With Securly Home, families can temporarily disable/pause access to the internet on their child’s district device outside of the BV Network/IP Address.
• REVIEW weekly online activity emails: Families will receive weekly email reports from Securly containing a sample of their child’s online activity on district-provided Chromebooks/MacBooks as part of the 1:Learner initiative. Those who do not want email updates can opt out by clicking Unsubscribe at the bottom of the Securly email.
*PLEASE NOTE: Custom filters/rules set through the Securly Home Parent Portal will only apply when a district device is NOT connected to the BV Network/IP Address. Once a student reconnects to the BV Network/IP Address, district devices will follow Blue Valley’s filters.
To learn more, please visit: www.securly.com/home or www.bluevalleyk12.org/securly to find answers to frequently asked questions.
Need help? Email help@securly.com or visit https://support.securly.com.
Thank you for teaming with Blue Valley North to assure your child’s online safety.
Patrons Invited to Apply for BVRC Positions (new)
Patrons of Blue Valley Schools who have an interest in recreation and community service are invited to apply for Northeast and South commissioner positions on the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC). No previous recreation commission experience is required. The terms are four years, beginning Aug. 1, 2020, through July 31, 2024. The deadline for applications is June 17, 2020.
The school district’s involvement with the commission is limited by statute, holding it responsible for the BVRC by appointing its commissioners, approving the budget and authorizing lease agreements.
Any resident interested in a position on the commission is invited to send a completed application, letter of interest and résumé, no later than June 17, 2020, to Sarah Vaughn, Board Clerk, Blue Valley Schools, 15020 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66283. More information is available online at www.bluevalleyk12.org/BVRC
We are Mustang Proud!
The next North Notes will be published on June 26, 2020. North Notes is a newsletter for the parents of Blue Valley North High School. If you have questions, please contact Janet Roush, Assistant to the Principal, at JRoush@bluevalleyk12.org . Thank you!
Have a wonderful summer break, Mustangs! Stay safe and take good care!
Blue Valley North High School
BVN Twitter:
@MustangsBvn
@BVNOstroski
@TheKurle
@BVNWessel
@BVNCounseling
@MustangsOfBVN
@bvnnews
@BVNMustangsPBC
BVN Instagram:
@bvnmustangs
Email: BVN@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