North Notes

• A Letter from North Administrators

• February Schedule
  

• Kudos and Celebrations
  

• Class of 2022 Fundraiser

• Tips for Students and Parents

• Mark Your Calendar

• Counseling Updates

• BVN Athletics
  

• Senior Class of 2021

• Parent Announcements
  

• Student Announcements

• Mustang Medical Messages

• BVEF Raffle with a Reason

• Parent Booster Club Spirit Wear Sale

• PBC Winter Activity Guide

Dear North Community,

While we are all excited for Sunday’s Super Bowl, we want you to be aware of very important information that is being sent today regarding Enrollment and Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Please review the separate Enrollment email containing the step-by-step directions for the 2021/2022 school year. Enrollment for high school takes place in February, and course requests are due via Canvas by Friday, Feb. 19. All students should review the Canvas Enrollment Course (linked in the Enrollment Email) and view applicable video resources prior to the scheduled grade level counselor presentations which will take place in all ELA classes on Monday and Tuesday. Then watch for info in late spring for the next step, known as registration, which must be done by all families every year.

Next week we will also send out information on how to schedule Parent/Teacher Conferences, which will be held February 22-25. In the meantime please remember that we have added additional intervention “North Time” to each school day for students to receive help from teachers whether they are at home or here in the building. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this time to get help and to be productive with their daily work.

Thank you again for supporting our school during an unconventional year. Have a great weekend and GO CHIEFS!

Boys' Swimming and Diving Team

The North divers competed in the SME Diving Invitational on January 30, at the SMAC. This was an 11 dive meet which is a great "warm-up" for the league and state meets. Matt Freeman, junior, placed 5th and Spencer Eyen, junior, placed 1st. Congratulations!

The Boys' Swimming and Diving Team has been working hard heading into the EKL meet this week. With several meets under their belts in January, the following boys have earned state times:

State Qualifiers:

Grant Mao - 200 IM

Sam Peterson - 100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free

State Considerations:

Ben Ding - 100 Back

Peter Goldsborough - 50 Free

Burton Kohrs - 100 Free

Theo Kupper - 100 Free

Max Masilionis - 100 Fly

Michael Mayo - 100 Breast, 500 Free

Klein McGraw - 100 Breast

Sam Peterson - 100 Back

Davis Wetmore - 100 Fly

Hudson Wetmore - 100 Free

Alec Liu, BVN senior, has achieved a monumental feat that is extremely rare: a perfect score on all three national college-readiness tests.

In the middle of his sophomore year, Alec made a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. He earned the highest possible score of 1520 on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) that he took last fall. Then, in the middle of his junior year, he received a perfect score on the SAT of 1600. It was the only time he took the official SAT.

“A student earning a perfect score on all three tests is unheard of,” states Michele Buche, BVN Gifted Teacher. “Alec is also swimming competitively in meets that will qualify him for pre-Olympic level competition," says Buche.

Alec has logged hundreds of service hours during high school and this has been an important part of his life. “These organizations helped define me, and my goal is to create similarly enriching experiences for younger kids,” says Alec. He has volunteered at his local Chinese school, KCICLC, Deanna Rose Farmstead, Red Bridge Recycling Center, and he’s the president of Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society) at Blue Valley North.

Alec plans to study engineering physics or computer science in college. He is the son of Gang and Liping Liu.

The class of 2022 is planning a fundraiser, for prom, in which students provide services at a price for dog walking and grocery pickups. We hope you will ask us to help you! Put your feet up, and let us do the hard work for you! All proceeds go to Junior and Senior Prom! Here is the link to sign up for the fundraiser during the month of February:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a45aca82ea7fa7-bvnjunior

Report Student Absences via ParentVue

Did you know you can report your student's absence in ParentVue? This is an easy, efficient way! Once you sign into ParentVue, you will see your student's name and a blue button titled "Report Absence." It takes you to a screen where you can select the start date and end date and the reason code. There is also a box titled "Note" for additional information. Don't forget to hit the "Save" button. If you have questions, please call Rita Mouber, BVN Attendance Manager, 913-239-3001.

You can still call Rita Mouber, 913-239-3001, to report an absence. If no one answers, she's talking to another parent so please leave a message. Rest assured, Rita will get your student's absence recorded.

Students! Check Your Student Email Daily

Students, it is important that you get in the habit of checking your school email frequently. We recommend checking it three times a day (morning, lunch, and the end of day). Thank you!

News from the BVN Library

The library website is now accessible from all Canvas pages. In the navigation list on the left side you should see Library. Or: Click here to visit the BVN Library website . From the library website, students and staff can now chat with the librarians during school hours. Look in the upper right corner. No question is too big or small!

February - Hybrid Schedule

Feb. 15 - No School/President's Day

Feb. 22-25 - Parent-Teacher Conferences via Zoom

Feb. 23 - Testing Day for Freshmen & Juniors 7:45-11:30/
Sophomores & Seniors remote learning

Feb. 25-26 - No School/Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 15-19 - No School/Spring Break

March 22 - No School/Professional Learning

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 revised 2020-21 Blue Valley School District Calendar.

Click Here For BVN's Counseling Webpage for information about:

• Look for 2021-22 Enrollment Info to be emailed this weekend.
• 2nd Semester Schedule Change Requests (drops to a Study Hall only)
• Seniors with colleges requesting a mid-year transcript, see Request Form here - Senior College Application Information
• Junior College Planning
• Sophomore Naviance Tasks
• Freshman Naviance Tasks
• AP Test Information and Deadlines
• Visit the Counseling Virtual Calming Room !
• COVID Anxiety Support
• Virtual Counselor Appointments
• Students who did not receive their October PSAT score during North Time may stop by Student Services to pick it up.
• Juniors are receiving pre-administration information for the February 23rd ACT starting on February 5th.

Questions? Contact Theresa Gonzalez @ (913)239-3016 or tgonzalez@bluevalleyk12.org

Spring Sports Athletic Participation Packets Due Feb. 24

Spring sports begin on March 1st and include Boys’ and Girls' Track and Field, Boy's Baseball, Girls' Swimming and Diving, Girls’ Soccer, Girls' Softball, Boy's Tennis, and Boys' Golf. All required paperwork must be in by Wednesday, February 24, if your student wants to tryout or begin practicing on March 1st. If your student played a fall or winter sport, their physical will already be on file. Forms are available in the main office by the receptionist desk, or can be downloaded from the BVN website>School Information>Activities & Athletics>Athletics>Useful Links>Participation Packet. Here is a link: Participation Packet .

The physical and participation packet has been updated for the 2020-21 season. Every student needs a new physical, every year, completed, signed and dated (May 1, 2020, or after) by a physician (Note: There are TWO places where the doctor has to sign and date the physical. Check this BEFORE you leave the doctor’s office!).

All forms need to be printed, read, signed by a parent and student, and returned to BVN. Completed forms can also be scanned together (no photographs accepted) and emailed to Teresa Anderson, BVN Athletics, tanderson@bluevalleyk12.org , dropped off to the main office by your student or mailed to: Teresa Anderson, Blue Valley North High School, 12200 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66209. (Please remember that visitors, including parents, are not allowed in the school building this year.)

If you have questions, please call Teresa Anderson at (913) 239-3011.

Tennis Conditioning

Attention Freshman Boys: Are you interested in trying out for the upcoming tennis season? If yes, the tennis team captains are holding conditioning after school.

Time: 3:15 - 4:45
When: Every Wednesday after school

Where: BVN Tennis Courts

Mark your calendars! The Blue Valley North Commencement Ceremony will be Sunday, May 23, at 4:00 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium, 301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. If KCMO makes changes to their event sizes and gatherings, we will have a backup plan to host in one of our stadiums at a date to be determined.

We have a new Canvas page for all Senior information!
Check here regularly through the year: SENIOR INFO

This canvas page currently has links to:

• A countdown to graduation! Only 106 more days . . .
• An info video from Balfour about how to order your cap & gown and announcements
• A link to authorize the release of your student's transcript when he or she applies to colleges
  
• Info about the new Seal of Bi-Literacy: Seniors received information about the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy via email communication January 20. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please review the Seal of Biliteracy slides for an overview. If you would like to participate, the Seal of Biliteracy Student Intent Form must be submitted by the end of day Sunday, February 7, 2021.

We will update this Canvas page as new info becomes available. You no longer have to wait for Friday to get updates from North Notes--you can check the Canvas page any time.

Questions? Contact BVN Activities: Lisa Miller @ lkmiller@bluevalleyk12.org .

Class Rings (new)

Sophomores—watch your mail for a postcard from Balfour with information if you are interested in purchasing a class ring. Class rings ordered online will be shipped directly to your home this spring. Ordering is now available exclusively online, as well as assistance with finger sizing at www.balfour.com . Questions?

Please call our Balfour rep, Mr. Derek Beck at (913)-549-3076.

Virtual 8th Grade Enrollment Night (update)

Watch your email for a message from BVN containing information on how to enroll as well as explanations of all BVN programs. There are videos specific to incoming freshmen to share the Core Class introduction linked in the PDF that is attached to the enrollment email. The email also lists the specific days and times that counselors will be zooming with our 8th graders regarding enrolling for their freshman year. We want to welcome our new Mustangs to the Blue Valley North community and look forward to seeing you in the halls next year!

Course Fee Payment is Open

High school in-person/VirtualED course fee payment for the 2020-21 school year is open and online now. Your ParentVUE login and password are required to pay course fees.

• Course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment.

• Course fees are assigned for the first semester only.

Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to our BVN Bookkeeper, Linda Kaphingst, email: lkaphingst@bluevalleyk12.org .

BVN Student Store Applications are Available Now (new)

Do you have a current Sophomore or Junior who is interested in business and wants to take a class where they get to operate and manage a real retail operation? If so, the applications for the 2021/2022 Marketing Management class are now available in the store or outside Room #404. The applications are due back by Friday, February 12th and interviews will take place soon after. Contact Mr. Turrentine with any questions at mturrentine@bluevalleyk12.org.

FCA

FCA will be meeting on Wednesdays during North Time for 15 minutes via Zoom. Please email Jason Jones, FCA Sponsor, at JJones05@bluevalleyk12.org if you have questions.

BVN Class T-shirts Pickup at The Stampede

All Class Shirts are available for pick-up in The BVN Stampede School Store during hybrid business hours: Monday – Friday when school is in session for 15 minutes before school starts and 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The store is also open during 5th hour on Odd days.

We have T-shirts for every grade: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

BVN GSA

GSA meets virtually every Wednesday during North Time. Please contact Ms. Moran at smoran@bluevalleyk12.org if you would like to join the zoom meeting.

KAY-Mustang Community Service Club

Join KAY-Mustang Community Service Club! We have an exciting community service project you can do from home. We are creating BVN Storytime, a read aloud library for K-2 students. We also have a couple of other service possibilities. Click this link to join the club. Click this link , then “enroll in Course” to see the Club’s Canvas page where club news and information is posted. Questions? Contact Club president Tanu @ tsakaray@bluevalleyk12.net

Student Technology Help

On the Canvas Course card titled BVN Student Hub 2020-2021 there is student support information. After looking at the information in the BVN Student Hub, if you are struggling with technology, there is help.

• If your computer is broken please submit a BVCARE ticket and someone from I.T. will reach out to you. A link to BVCARE can be found on the BVN Student Hub or at www.bluevalleyk12.org / I would like to… / BVCARE- Technology help
• If you are having problems with a specific assignment or course in Canvas, always reach out to your teacher first.
• If you have questions about instructional tools (Canvas, Google Drive, Zoom…) or something is not working the way it should, there is a daily Student Help Zoom during North Time. To access this Zoom, open Canvas / Click on the BVN Student Hub 2020-2021 Course Card / Click on Zoom / Join anytime between 10:40-11:10am on Odd days, and between 12:25-1:20pm on Even days. If you are in the building and need help, you can bring your laptop to the library during North Time for tech help.

Meal Pick-up

Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in distance learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district, including Blue Valley North High School. This service has started back up again in 2021. You can find more information on this link Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page .

Student COVID testing update (new)

Parents, if the district offers testing to students again, the consent for testing will be available to you a second time in ParentVue to give your YES consent. Currently, ParentVue consent is now closed. Thank you.

Planning any travel for Spring Break? (new)

Consider looking over Kansas Travel Exposure Related Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines:

1. KS Travel Guidelines / Quarantine Guidelines

• Attended/traveled to mass gathering events out-of-state of 500 people or greater where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear masks.
• Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
• Others needing to continue quarantining: Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.
• International Travel: Please note that the CDC may have testing or quarantine requirements for individuals traveling back into the United States. Visit their web page for more information.

Authorization for Meds/Procedure to be Administered at School (new)

If your student needs to take prescription medication at school, the parent/guardian needs to complete an authorization form before this can be done. Here is a link to the AUTHORIZATION. Please call Amanda Collichio at 913-239-3013 once you have the form completed. She will set up a time for you to drop off the signed, completed form with the prescription in the original prescription bottle. Thanks!

If your student carries their own prescription medication with them, in their backpack, to school, the parent/guardian needs to complete the district self carry form and keep it in their backpack with their meds. Here is a link to the SELFCARRYFORM . The nurse needs to make note of this procedure in their BVN health records. Thank you for helping us keep your students healthy!

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail Amanda Collichio, BVN Nurse, at ajcollichio@bluevalleyk12.org. or call at 913-239-3013.

VACCINE INFORMATION (new)

• If you have an opportunity to get your vaccination through PCP sooner, it is recommended to get your vaccination as soon as you are able.
• We are in Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccination Plan: https://www.jocogov.org/covid-19-vaccine
• Phase 2 only:
  
• Those 65 and older
• Emergency Responders
• K-12 special education staff
• Health care workers
• Long-term care staff and residents
• Pandemic response workers.
• Kansas Vaccination Phases: Microsoft PowerPoint - Phases and timeline.pptx (kansasvaccine.gov)
• JCDHE information on Vaccine news. https://jocogov.org/article/2021/01/13/15650?fbclid=IwAR0rTZok5TAJqzSVcAE_3yf15KJZ33pgtM3dvkfe0azl0SSXZ-FwvvbvDUs
  

JCDHE vaccine FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | KDHE Vaccine KS (kansasvaccine.gov)

Helpful Vaccine Bookmark recommended: https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/

Free COVID Test resource:

https://www.gogettested.com/kansas

COVID Communication

The safety of Blue Valley North students and staff continues to be a top priority. In an effort to keep our school community informed when we have a positive case, families can expect the following:

• Families will be contacted directly if through the contact tracing process conducted by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and the district's health professionals' team:
  1. your child was identified as a low-risk exposure of a student or staff member
  who tested positive for COVID-19.
  2. your child was identified as a high-risk exposure/close contact of a student
  or staff member who tested positive for COVID-19.

• If your child’s proximity to or nature of the interaction with the positive individual did not indicate a low or high-risk exposure, then you will not be contacted.

NOTE: Positive cases by school are reflected on the BV COVID Dashboard. The dashboard is updated every Friday with information from the prior week (Wednesday to Wednesday).

Protect yourself from COVID-19

Wash or sanitize your hands regularly, Avoid touching your face and mask, maintain 6 feet distance from others when possible, wear a CDC recommended mask in public settings. Cover your cough with your elbow, enjoy the great outdoors, keep social contacts limited, if you're sick, stay home and consider getting a test.

The Blue Valley Ed Foundation is launching Raffle for a Reason to support our teachers, building, and district-wide grants, as well as a BV Cares program to help our school families with essential needs! Click here to take a look at FOUR amazing raffle packages! Tickets are ONLY $50 each and you can pick which packages you want to enter for a chance to win! There is something for EVERYONE! GOOD LUCK!

Check on the awesome packages on this link: RAFFLE

We are very excited that construction for our new Auxiliary Gym is under way. This project began in November and should be completed at the end of July. It will take place on the west side of our campus next to our pool entrance. Please note that access from our North and South parking lots will be obstructed due to the construction site. Glenwood will still be accessible from the South parking lot but the parking spots on the west side of the campus will be dedicated for construction parking. Thank you for your patience during this project.

Durham has decided to not use the Hybrid stop times and instead only use the All in School stop times regardless of what learning mode the District is in. If you have questions, please call Durham at 913-681-2492.

Note that it is best to call outside of route times, between 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or email admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.

Enjoy some new Blue Valley North spiritwear sponsored by the BVN Parent Booster Club. Once you place your order through the PBC website at www.bvnmustangs.com , you will receive an email that will give you a home address for pickup. Thank you for your support! Go Mustangs!!

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 . Thank you!

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