Blue Valley Northwest
Principal's Newsletter - February 25, 2021
In this Newsletter . . .
- Message from Dr. Amy Pressly
- March calendar | bell schedules
- Contact school nurse to report student COVID information
- Attention 10th Grade parents - Important immunization information!
- Enrollment cards must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 26th
- Ceramics students (Spring & Fall 2020) - pick up glazed work
- Juniors! Nominate a worthy classmate for the Sunflower Ambassador Award!
- 2nd semester course fees now payable in ParentVue
- Spring Sports Physicals must be on file in the office - tryouts begin March 1
- Blue Valley’s 2021 graduations to be held at district activities complex
- Deadline for Raffle for a Reason is March 1
- Principal's Roundtable virtual meeting schedule:
---Next meeting is March 9 for 9th grade parents
- Dr. Pressly's recommended reading for parents
- Counseling updates - Drop deadline | Summer 2021 | Conferences | College Board AP Exam registration | College Planning: Virtual college fairs for spring | Junior Checklist; Senior Checklist | Naviance for virtual college visits | ACT/SAT
- PBC News - Congratulations | PBC grants | PBC General Board Meeting | Join the board | Spirit wear | Black History Month
- Stay up to date with official student media!
Message from Dr. Pressly
Dear BVNW Community,
It’s hard to believe that by the time kids are back in the building next week that it will be March. I hope that over the last few days that you have had the opportunity to visit with your learner’s teachers. In talking to several of our staff this week, they have shared what positive and productive parent-teacher-student conferences they were having this week. Thanks for working with our staff here to provide a great experience for your student.
This year the Class of 2010 was scheduled to have their 10-year class reunion. The pandemic has forced them to postpone that event. However, they did a virtual fundraiser and collected funds to donate to the school. They are hoping that the funds can be used to help offset some of the cost associated with the pandemic. I told them that we have not been able to have a traditional spirit week/homecoming/sweetheart this year. We have also not been able to have any large group gatherings such as dances, assemblies, and students at sporting events. We are going to earmark the funds they donated to be used for something when we can bring all the students back together again. We appreciate our alumni and their interest in the education of the young people of this community.
As you know, our National Honor Society usually hosts an annual blood drive. However, with the restrictions of the pandemic they have not been able to host that event this year. The Community Blood Center is sponsoring a Blue Valley Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 9th from 12:00 - 6:00 PM at Fiorella’s Event Space (the old Ritz Charles) at 137th and Metcalf. If you are looking for a way to give back to the community, please consider donating on that day. To sign up to donate visit http://savealifenow.org/group and enter the group code EH2E.
Several people have asked why the B group has more days in-person in March than the A group. As we finish off hybrid learning and move to all in-person learning, the district wanted to make sure that both A and B groups have had the same number of in-person days. To even out the two groups, the B group needs to be in person 2 more days this month than the A group. That is why the B group is here 6 days before Spring Break and the A group is only here 4 days.
Just a reminder to our virtual families that your student is still part of the BVNW family. They can still participate in any activity that in-person students can participate in. The level of participation is up to the family and what the family feels comfortable with doing.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Amy Pressly
Proud Principal
BVNW Inclusion Statement:
Blue Valley Northwest values every individual and the diversity they bring to our community. Everyone shall be treated fairly in language and in action without regard to race, religion, national origin, financial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. We, students, parents and staff will hold each other accountable to this mission.
HYBRID SCHEDULE FORMAT
The alphabet spread will be as follows:
A Group - Attendance Days: A – L
B Group - Attendance Days: M – Z
Upcoming Key Calendar events
- Feb. 25-26 NO SCHOOL (Conferences)
- March 1 - Spring sports tryouts begin
March 9 - Principal's Roundtable - virtual meeting for 9th grade parents
- March 9 - Blood drive
- March 12 - 3rd qtr. ends
- March 15-19 - NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
- March 22 - NO SCHOOL (teachers only)
- March 23 - 4th qtr. begins/school resumes
- March 23 - Principal's Roundtable - virtual meeting for 10th grade parents
- April 9 - Drop deadline
Full School and Sports Calendars
_____________________________________________________________
Contact school nurse to report student's COVID information
HOW TO CONTACT: You can email the nurse at rjimlay@bluevalleyk12.org or call the main number (913-239-3400) and select the option to speak to the nurse.
Attention 10th Grade parents - Important immunization information!
All incoming 11th graders for the 2021-22 school year are required by the state of Kansas to have 2 MCV4 (meningitis) immunizations. The second dose must be AFTER age 16.
Many sophomores have already turned 16 – please check your student’s health records and send updated immunizations to me at rjimlay@bluevalleyk12.org Thank you!
Enrollment cards must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 26th
Ceramics students (Spring & Fall 2020) - pick up glazed work
Spring 2020 students: If you had glazed work that you did not pick up when we returned in the Fall that was from last year and you would still like it, please plan to stop by the ceramics room before Spring break to pick it up. Any work not claimed will be disposed of.
Fall 2020 students: Please pick up any glazed work that you still want by Spring break. If you have unglazed work, come to the ceramics room during Academic Support Time to glaze before Spring break. Any work not claimed will be disposed of.
See Ms. LaValley with any questions. Thank you!
Juniors! Nominate a worthy classmate for the Sunflower Ambassador Award! (Deadline extended!)
BVNW Juniors! The deadline for nominating one of your fellow 11th graders for the Sunflower Ambassador Award has been extended. If you have a fellow classmate who you would like to nominate for this award, the applications are located at the front desk in the Counseling office. All nomination forms are due to Mrs. Rueschhoff’s mailbox or room 801 no later than Monday, March 1 by noon. Please take the time to nominate a worthy classmate this year.
2nd semester course fees now payable in ParentVue
Second Semester course fees for 2020-21 have been posted to student accounts and are now available to pay in ParentVue. http://bvpo.bluevalleyk12.org.
Payment can also be made by check, payable to BVNW. Please notate student name & ID# on the memo line. Payment can be dropped at the front office or mailed to:
Blue Valley Northwest High School
Attn: Bookkeeping Office
13260 Switzer
Overland Park, KS 66213
Spring Sports Physicals must be on file in the office - tryouts begin March 1
Baseball, Softball, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Girls Swim & Dive, Track & Field, Boys Golf:
If you are participating in a spring sport, your Athletic Participation Packet 2020-21 must be turned in to Mrs. Hoffmeister in the office.
Tryouts begin on March 1st and you MUST have a physical form on file as well as a COVID Questionnaire completed. The COVID Questionnaire must be dated February 15th or after. All forms must be filled out completely and signed by both student and parent. You can download these forms at https://bvnwathletics.com/athletic-forms/ or you can pick up a packet in the Student Services office.
Blue Valley’s 2021 graduations to be held at district activities complex
Blue Valley will be transitioning to outdoor graduations for the class of 2021. All graduations will be held at the district’s Switzer Activities Complex (SWIDAC), 135th & Switzer. The centrally-located complex is well situated to host large-scale events and athletic competitions.
Class of 2021 graduations are scheduled for the following dates:
Saturday, May 22
10:00 a.m. – BVSW
6:00 p.m. – BVH
8:30 p.m. – BVNW
Sunday, May 23
4:00 p.m. – BVN
7:00 p.m. – BVW
Rain dates
Monday, May 24: 5:30 p.m.– BVSW, 8 p.m. – BVH
Tuesday, May 25: 5:30 p.m. – BVNW, 8 p.m. – BVN
Wednesday, May 26: 6 p.m. – BVW
The district will live stream graduations to provide an alternate format for those who are not able to attend. It is our goal to honor and celebrate the Class of 2021 with as much normalcy as possible while still upholding health and safety guidelines. We will provide more detailed information, including any attendance guidelines, as we near graduation.
Deadline for Raffle for a Reason is March 1
Chance to win incredible raffle packages AND support our BV schools? YES, please! Deadline to purchase tickets is March 1st. The drawing will take place on FACEBOOK LIVE on March 5th. GOOD LUCK!
Principal's Round Table Meetings - Next meeting is March 9 for 9th grade parents
Dr. Pressly has set aside time to meet with parent groups by grade level. Each meeting will focus specifically on that grade level, achievements, upcoming events and what to expect as a parents/guardian. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend these meetings if possible. Each grade level will have four meetings this year. All meetings will be from 8:00 - 9:00 AM via Zoom this year.
9th grade: 3/9/2021
10th grade: 3/23/2021
11th grade: 4/6/2021
12th grade: 4/20/2021
Zoom Meeting Information
Meeting ID: 983 2773 7836
Passcode: huskies
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Dr. Pressly's recommended reading for parents
With some extra free time over the last few months, Dr. Pressly has been able to catch up on her reading pile. Each year she recommends some new titles to parents/guardians that give them ideas and suggestions regarding raising a teenager in today’s society. The following four books are worth a read if you are looking for some ideas.
Counseling News - February 25
Drop Deadline
April 9, 2021, 3:00 p.m. Students can drop a course until this date and receive a “W” on their transcript. After this date, the student will remain in the course and receive the grade earned on their transcript. Paid course fees for dropped courses will not be refunded. Please contact your student’s counselor.
Summer 2021 enrollment information included in this newsletter. See below.
NW Counselors do not enroll students for summer programming.
College Board AP Exam Registration
Students who are taking a 2nd semester AP course and plan to take the AP exam(s) must register and pay for exams by March 1, 2021. There are 2 parts to registering for an AP exam, confirming exam registration in AP Classroom (through student’s College Board account), and paying for the exam through Total Registration. AP exam cost is $107. Detailed instructions on how to register and pay can be found on BVNW Counseling Canvas Course.
COLLEGE PLANNING INFO
Article of interest: How many activities do colleges really want on your application?
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/how-many-extracurricular-activities-do-i-need-for-college/
Virtual College Fairs are here for spring 2021!
Juniors
In an effort to help you navigate your junior year, counselors have created a checklist for you to review. If you have additional questions after working through the listed items, contact your counselor.
Seniors
We have linked the BVNW Senior Checklist here. There are steps for all seniors to complete, including college-bound seniors and students applying to schools through Common Application. Most of the questions we have been receiving are answered by working through the checklist. We hope this is helpful for you!
**To be able to type on the checklist, click file and make a copy while viewing it.
Naviance for virtual visits:
Since college admission representatives cannot personally visit high schools this fall, they are offering virtual college visits. If you would like to sign-up to attend a virtual college visit with the admission rep and other Blue Valley Northwest students, you may sign-up in Naviance. These are live group meetings with the admissions rep lasting about 30 minutes. Here is a link if to direct you on registering to attend a college visit.
https://bvusd.instructure.com/courses/70851/pages/college-planning-for-juniors
ACT/SAT
Blue Valley District partnership with Princeton Review Test prep 20-21: Here
Next ACT official test date: April 17, 2021, Register by: March 12, 2021. www.act.org
AP Scores access: here
SAT vs. ACT Which should you take? Or Video
Parent Booster Club News - February 25
A message from your PBC President
Hello Husky Family!
CONGRATULATIONS:
The Parent Booster Club supports all sports, clubs, activities and academic achievements of our awesome students at BVNW!
Today we want to congratulate BVNW wrestlers who qualified for State: GAVIN BIANCALANA (182) and JACOB BARTLETT (132). Coach Serbousek and the entire wrestling program do a great job cultivating a winning Husky program! We could not be more proud!
**If you have great news to share about a BVNW Student’s accomplishments, please email Jeanna Repass (in case we miss it) so that the PBC can celebrate our Students.
PBC GRANTS:
The Parent Booster Club will be “granting” funds to the clubs, activities, and sports groups at BVNW along with providing funds for academic or other school related needs.
Thank you to our Grant Co-Chairs: Aimee Beemer and Brandi Hughes for your leadership in this process. If you have any questions about the PBC grant process feel free to contact:
teambeemer@gmail.com and bdhughes27@hotmail.com
PBC GENERAL BOARD MEETING:
The PBC will meet this Monday via Zoom for our General Board vote on the allocation of grant funds. If you are a member of the PBC and would like to join the meeting, please contact PBC President, Jeanna Repass: bvnwboosterclub@gmail.com
JOIN THE BOARD:
HUSKY YARD SIGNS CHAIR PERSON NEEDED:
Our amazing Lead Volunteer who has overseen the Husky Yard Sign Committee is rolling off soon and would like to train a replacement for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested, please email Amy Robinson: amy.margaret.robinson@gmail.com
The PBC will have a number of roles that will be open after the 2021-2022 school year and out current volunteers would like to train the next set of volunteers. Please consider taking a co-chair role for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested in serving on the Parent Booster Club Board as an executive or a committee chairperson, please email President Jeanna Repass at: bvnwboosterclub@gmail.com .
SPIRIT WEAR:
The letterman’s jackets order site has closed. If your student earned a letter in any winter sports or activity or academic endeavor, and you placed an order for a letterman’s jacket, you will receive an email in 4 – 6 weeks with details about delivery of your purchase. Thank you for your support of BVNW.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH:
The Parent Booster Club wants to honor the contributions of all Americans and during Black History month, along with our Black Student Union (BVNW BSU) we elevate great African American educators & scientist in America History:
- Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is a scientist at the National Institute of Health who has been a KEY researcher in the development of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
- Barack Obama is the first man of African-American descent to be elected President of the Untied States . He was served two-terms as the 44th President from 2008 - 2016.
As always, I am humbled to serve, grateful for you all and honored to be the President of the Parent Booster Club here at Blue Valley Northwest!
Our challenges present opportunities and I know we are all up to meet the moment because we are #OneNW!
GO DAWGS!
Jeanna Repass
Proud PBC President
Stay up to date with official student media!
Blue Valley Northwest Information
Email: bvnw@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/bvnw/
Location: 13260 Switzer Road, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-3400
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bluevalleynorthwest
Twitter: @BVNW