_____Blue Valley_____
Securly • BOE Meetings • Zoom • BV CARE • BV Well
New! Updated resources for SecurlyHome Parent Portal app
While district devices are filtered 24/7, we understand that what each family feels their child should be able to access on district devices outside of the school day is different from household to household. Check out these new resources for families to use as they supervise their child’s technology use on district devices outside of the school day.
Video: View internet activity
Video: Getting started with SecurlyHome featuring instructions on how to set offline schedules to manage your child’s internet usage
Updated Securly web page
Updated elementary filter categories
New BOE start time and Open Forum
Oct. 12 Board meeting and open forum information
The Board of Education will host its regularly scheduled October meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 at the District Office. Board meetings will now begin at 6 p.m. - this is a change from the previous 7 p.m. start time. Patrons are invited to tune in via livestream or attend in-person. Please note, due to social distancing, in-person seating will be limited. Livestream links are posted on the district website the day of the board meeting.
Open Forum Reminders
Open Forum occurs at every regularly scheduled monthly board meeting and provides one hour (approx. 20 participants; 3 minutes each) of allotted time on the agenda for individuals to address the board. Patrons may address the board during open forum in-person, remotely or can submit comments in writing to be read. If you would like to address the board, you must complete an Open Forum Request Form online. Request forms will open at noon one business day prior to the scheduled meeting and will close at noon on the day of the board meeting or once speaker capacity has been reached. The online Open Forum Request Form for the Oct. 12 meeting will be posted on the district website at noon on Friday, Oct. 9.
Patrons who submit an online Open Forum Request Form prior to the 20 speaker capacity will receive an automated email from the district confirming their spot as one of the 20 open forum speakers. For more information, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/BOE.
Zoom Tips and Tricks
When Zoom works, it’s great. When it doesn’t, it can be frustrating. While we hope that students always have Zoom access, there may be a time when, for one reason or another, Zoom just doesn’t work. When this happens consider trying the following:
Take a deep breath and know that teachers understand this might happen.
We are all aware that Zoom difficulties might arise. We will provide grace and patience to help you work through it.
Communicate the problem
Send an email to the teacher
Use Canvas messages to send a message to the teacher
Restart the device
Really, this simple trick saves time and can solve lots of issues. Restarting the device resets many settings that might have been changed or modified that could be causing a problem.
Update the app or program
Make sure you have the most up to date version of the software or app. On district-provided Chromebooks and iPads, the Zoom app should automatically update to the latest version with each restart of your device.
Lag issues within Zoom
Consider moving the home router to a location closer to where at-home learning happens
Contact your Internet Service Provider to discuss bandwidth capacity issues
Make sure you click the “Join a Meeting” option on the Zoom dashboard from inside of Canvas. Or, enter the meeting ID and/or passcode when prompted (provided by your teacher). Students do not need to log in or create a Zoom account.
Technology Help Available for Families
The Blue Valley ITS Department is committed to providing the best technology support possible to Blue Valley families and students. The dedicated BV Care team is available to provide remote and in-person technology support for:
District-issued devices and hardware
Software or applications pre-loaded to district-issued devices
The BV Care Team is not able to support personal home internet security filters, personal home printer connectivity or personal home internet connectivity/bandwidth needs. Have questions about Zoom or Canvas? Please direct those questions directly to your teacher as we find these are often end-user or host/teacher error.
Please see important instructions below, by learning mode, to request technology assistance.
In-Person Learning: Students should seek device support from their teachers or technology staff within their school building.
- At-Home Learning/VirtualED Learning: Families/students can submit a BV Care “Technology Help” form online. The BV Care team will work to schedule remote assistance or an in-person appointment at the district’s designated BV Care support site. BV Care support is available from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Additional information regarding appointment date, time and location will be shared with you once your online help form is submitted.
When can I expect COVID communication?
The safety of Blue Valley students and staff continues to be a top priority. In an effort to keep our school communities fully informed, when a school or building has a positive case, a general communication will be sent to staff and families of that school. Families will also 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, your child was identified as a close contact of a student or staff member who tested positive for COVID-19. If your child was not considered a close contact, then you will not be contacted. In addition to direct communication with staff and families, Blue Valley will update weekly on its BV COVID Dashboard the number of new cases by school and the district.
BV Well Reminder: There is always help
This is a reminder from BV Well for all of us. There is always someone ready to listen. There is always help. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to family, friends, a counselor, or any of these 24/7 resources listed below.
One of BV Well’s goals this year is to get these crisis resource phone numbers in every phone in our community. It may not be for you, but having that number at your fingertips could save a life. Please put the numbers in your phone contacts. Have your children put these numbers in their phones. Let that moment be a conversation starter between you and your children about asking for help if they need it. You matter. You are loved. You are needed. No one wants to search Google if they are in the middle of a crisis. If these numbers are in your phone and your child’s phone, a crisis situation could be prevented.
Johnson County Mental Health Center 24hr Crisis Line 913-268-0156
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
National Crisis Text Line 741-741
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