_____Blue Valley_____
Grounds Closed • Zoom • School April 20 • BOE Meeting
ALL Blue Valley grounds now closed
In an abundance of caution, the time has come for us to close all district grounds and facilities to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Effective immediately, all district outdoor fields, tracks, courts and grounds are closed and gates to school grounds will be locked until further notice. In addition, district playgrounds remain closed.
We know it is important to incorporate exercise and outdoor activity to support balanced health and well-being during this time. However, it is also important that we act responsibly as a community and adhere to social distancing guidelines. In order for these restrictions to be most effective, we all must do our part. This means no individual or group use of district facilities, regardless of adherence to the recommended 6 ft social distancing and/or group size limits of 10 people or less.
Thank you for your support in keeping our community healthy and safe, and for refraining from using district grounds at this time.
Keeping kids safe on Zoom
With increased numbers of staff and students using Zoom to communicate, we know it is important for families to understand what steps Zoom and Blue Valley are taking to keep students safe.
Zoom is focused on protecting the privacy of K-12 users. Only the user data required to provide technical and operational support is collected. In addition, Zoom has announced a range of new security measures aimed at keeping users safe including:
Passcodes for Zoom meetings
Virtual “waiting rooms” which allow meeting hosts to manage participants
Streamlined meeting security controls
In addition to Zoom’s enhanced security measures, Blue Valley is providing all teachers with a guide to Zoom’s safety and security features and putting the following requirements in place to increase security including:
No recording of Zoom meetings with students
Posting announcements in Canvas to remind staff and students of best practices
Strongly encouraging the use of Zoom through Canvas whenever possible as this method provides the highest level of security.
Discouraging sharing Zoom meeting invites through social media. Sharing meeting invites through Canvas or email is preferred.
Providing teachers the ability to manage screen share, lock meetings, mute participants, stop participant video and remove unwanted participants.
Thank you for supporting our staff as we work to create a safe and secure Zoom experience for all.
Mark your calendar, April 20 is now a school day
Blue Valley Schools is making an adjustment to the 2019-20 school calendar. Monday, April 20 will now be a school day for students. The day was previously scheduled to be a professional learning day. The Continuous Learning Plan and professional learning time on Fridays make this adjustment possible. For more information about the calendar, or to subscribe to the district calendar, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/calendar.
Instructions for listening to April 13 Board Meeting
The Blue Valley Board of Education will hold a workshop and board meeting on Monday, April 13, 2020. Board members will join the meeting virtually. Members of the public are able to listen to the workshop and meeting using the following methods:
Board Workshop @ 8 a.m.
Internet-connected device:
WebX Meeting Link: https://bluevalleyk12.webex.com/bluevalleyk12/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed852a7f9f0ca20d2e18cbd70a84a709b
Password: bv2020
Telephone:
Call 408-418-9388 and use access code: 266 033 108
Board Meeting @ 7 p.m.
Internet-connected device:
WebX Meeting Link: https://bluevalleyk12.webex.com/bluevalleyk12/onstage/g.php?MTID=e50a44b2349c1127f8291707cb48a4bb9
Password: bv2020
Telephone:
Call 408-418-9388 and access code: 261 269 895
A link will be shared as soon as possible following the meeting for those who are unable to listen live. The agenda for the meeting is available on BoardDocs.
*If the technology does not work for this meeting a quorum of the Board of Education will meet in person at 8 pm at the District Office located at 15020 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66223. The public can access this meeting by calling 1-253-215-8782 and entering 109-821-622 for the meeting ID.
Blue Valley gathering input from Class of 2020 and families
Blue Valley recognizes that the events of the last several weeks have had a significant impact on the Class of 2020 and their families, most notably the postponing of graduation. Last week, the district asked for time and grace as staff learned more about the district’s Continuous Learning Plan and began engaging with students through continuous learning. Now it is time to turn our attention to milestone senior events. While the district must recognize the reality of the pandemic, we remain hopeful that rescheduling these events will be possible. The district’s five high schools have engaged seniors and their families in a survey to provide their unique insight that will help lead a virtual discussion at the school and district level. Blue Valley is committed to reimagining these important senior events and ensuring we celebrate the Class of 2020.
BV featured in KCPT’s Week in Review
Superintendent Dr. Todd White joined Nick Haines virtually on KCPT – Kansas City PBS to talk about the region's response to COVID-19 and how schools are adapting in the latest "Kansas City Week in Review." Check out Dr. White's interview, starting at the 18:30 mark.
Blue Valley Schools
Email: bvinfo@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org
Location: 15020 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66223, USA
Phone: 913-239-4000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueValleySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @BVSchools