North Notes

Class Day was this morning at Blue Valley North as we kicked off our Senior Celebrations. Parents, senior teachers and special guests joined us for the first part of our graduation celebrations. Parents enjoyed a senior processional into the gym followed by senior speeches, amazing performances, awards and celebrations.

Commencement is tomorrow, May 17, at 5:00 p.m. at Blue Valley West (where all BV Schools' ceremonies are held.) More information about graduation is in this newsletter under "Senior Info for the Class of 2025." What an exciting weekend for our Class of 2025 and their families. Congratulations to our graduates!

Final Exams for underclassmen are next week (see schedule below) with the last day of school on Friday, May 23. Students will be dismissed for summer break after the last final at 10:25 a.m.

To see all other events, dates and times, please click on the EKL calendar. There is also a link to the EKL calendar on the Blue Valley North website. Under the main page cover photo, click on "School Calendar." Come see what our incredible students are doing! We are Mustang Proud!

The Spring 2025 Final Exam Schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, May 21, Hours 1 & 2 Finals

Hour 1: 7:35 - 8:55 a.m.

Hour 2: 9:05 - 10:25 a.m.

Thursday, May 22, Hours 3, 4 & 5 Finals

Hour 3: 7:35 - 8:55 a.m.

Hour 4: 9:05 - 10:25 a.m.

Hour 5: 10:35 a.m. - 11:55 p.m.

Friday, May 23, Hours 6 & 7 Finals

Hour 6: 7:35 - 8:55 a.m.

Hour 7: 9:05 a.m.-10:25 a.m.

Last day of school

Testing is an integral part of the curriculum. Summative final exams are required at the end of the semester in every course that is taken for credit. The staff of BVN has developed a finals schedule that is most conducive to students doing their best on the tests so we can truly assess what students have learned.

Any deviations from the schedule shown above must be approved by Dr. Cory Cox, Assistant Principal. To request a modified final exam schedule, have your student pick up the Alternate Finals form from Mrs. Miller in Student Services.

May 17 - Commencement @ BVWest, 5:00 p.m.

May 19 - Odd Block Day

May 20 - Even Block Day

May 21 - Final Exams Hours 1 & 2

May 22 - Final Exams Hours 3 - 5

May 23 - Final Exams Hours 6 & 7

May 23 - Last day of School

August 6 - New Mustang Night

August 12 - Freshmen/New Student Orientation

August 13 - First Day of School

August 19 - Back to School Night

Upcoming All School Events

All BVN events, activities, sporting events and additional calendar adjustments are found on the EKL calendar: www.easternkansasleague.org

Mark your calendars! The 12th Annual Mustang Gridiron Golf Classic & Fundraising Auction tees off Friday, June 13, at St. Andrews Golf Course. This fun-filled event supports the BVN Football program and includes 18 holes of golf, drinks, dinner and silent auction! Not a golfer? Not a problem! Come enjoy drinks and dinner along with our auction that includes items like Chiefs and Current Tickets. Local business dinner packages, Spas, Pilates and much more! Come for a chance to connect with our incredible Mustang community. Registration is open now at bvnfootball.com—don't miss it!

Typically, on May 1, we begin collecting physicals and required paperwork for the upcoming school year. However, the Blue Valley District is transitioning to a new system for managing this process, which will not be available until June 1, 2025.

High School Cheer and Dance Teams:
If you need a physical for summer participation, you may still upload your documents through the current system.

All Other Students:
Please wait until the new system is live on June 1 to submit your paperwork.

We will provide detailed instructions once the new system is ready. Please note: to be eligible for any KSHSAA activity during the 2025–26 school year, physicals must be dated after May 1, 2025.

You can access the official KSHSAA physical form for 2025–26 here

If you have any questions contact Stevie Gibson, Assistant to the BVN Athletic Director.

On May 9th and 10th, the BVN Swim and Dive Team secured the EKL Title for a fourth consecutive year, beating runner up BVSW by 117 points.

State Qualifier

Maddie Weinrich - 500 Free

State Consideration

Claire Zell - 100 Breast

The team is ready to go for the Kansas 6A Championship Meet in Topeka on May 22nd (diving prelims and semifinals at 9.30 a.m.), May 23rd (swimming prelims at 9 AM) and 24th (swimming and diving finals 9 a.m.). It looks like some school and state meet records will be broken by these Mustang swimmers! Best of luck to them all!

State Team

Ayla Agayeva

Charlotte Barton

Sarah Blake

Lauren Brand

Allie Braun

Olivia Clifton

Hannah Chan

Margo Hauser

Kate Hettinger

Heidi Nelson

Siena Masilionis

Liddy McCoy

Katie Rees

Paige Sears

Sami Spiecker

Molly Stevens

Maddy Timson

Maddie Weinrich

Claire Zell

Gabriel Ledgerwood (sophomore) won highest scoring student on our team during the National Academic Decathlon Competition and was awarded $250 from ACADEC to support his college funding. This is AMAZING news!!! We are very proud of ALL our students that competed! We're also very excited to see what next year has in store.

This award celebrates educators who foster a transformative impact on their students’ lives. In the words of the late educator Rita Pearson, “Every child deserves a champion.” The Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s Champion for Students Award recognizes those educators who embrace this sentiment and embody it in their daily practice. These exceptional educators cultivate a learning environment where relationships are the cornerstone, where kindness and compassion are guiding principles, and making a profound diff erence in the lives of young people is not just a goal but a lived reality. Their impact extends far beyond the learning environment, shaping the trajectory of their students’ journeys and leaving an enduring legacy of excellence.

Members of BVEF, Neal and Angela Sharma (the donors), Dr. Merrigan, Dr. Punswick, and team members from Communications were at Blue Valley North on May 8th to present this award to Tom Holland, BVN Art Teacher. Congratulations to Mr. Holland!

Each season, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City & Sporting Kansas City team up to recognize Blue KC Sporting Samaritans, highlighting students and teachers who make the KC community a better place to live, work and play! The June 2025 winner will be our very own science teacher, Juan Ocon! Bre Murphy, Kylie Loewen and Jackson Dinsmore accompanied Juan for his pre-visit to the stadium. Juan will be honored during a Sporting KC game in June.

Plans are in full swing for the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 17, at 5 p.m. The ceremony will be held in the ANT-DAC Stadium (Antioch District Athletic Complex) located at 162nd and Antioch. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move inside to the BV West Gymnasium at the regularly scheduled time.

Inclement Weather Plan for Commencement:

We are hoping for great weather but in the event that rain comes and we need to move indoors for graduation, we will be requiring families to have tickets to attend the graduation ceremony.
Each graduate will receive 4 tickets for entry into the main gym at Blue Valley West (16200 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66085). Those spectators who don’t have a ticket can watch the livestream from the Performing Arts Center at BVW. Acquiring the tickets will be the same as purchasing tickets for dances, plays, and sporting events. You can go ahead and do this any time between now and May 17 so that you are prepared in advance. If weather permits us to be outside at the ANT-DAC, these tickets will NOT be required. Whether inside in the main gym or outside in the stadium, please arrive at Blue Valley West beginning at 4 p.m. so that our Commencement ceremony can begin at 5 p.m. Go to the following link:

Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony - Graduation - May 17, 2025

• Select the number of tickets you need (up to 4). Please claim all tickets in one transaction, since your student’s code is only valid once.
• Your access code is your senior student’s ID#.
• Select checkout. There is no cost for these tickets.
• Fill in the information and the tickets will be sent to your email, or to your phone if you use the GoFan app.

Lunch Balances and Other Fees for Graduating Seniors

All fees must be paid and materials returned to North no later than 5/14/25 in order to receive your diploma. Check StudentVue/ParentVue and confirm that you have a zero balance. In addition, all senior meal accounts must be positive or have a $0.00 balance before graduation. Parents--please log into Linq Connect to complete the following tasks:

1. Remove any recurring payments set up for senior meal account in early May.

2. Transfer any positive senior balance to younger siblings after last senior class day

or transfer funds from younger sibling to senior to bring negative balance to $0.

3. Contact Linq Connect help desk at 1-844-467-4700 for any issues logging into the website or app.

After graduation, Food & Nutrition Services will email parents of all seniors who do not have younger siblings with payment/refund options based on their senior's meal account balance.

Senior Class Meeting Info from May 5

Zoom Meeting.
Passcode: A=Ve&80I

Click above to watch the recording of the zoom, or click below to view a PDF of the Class Meeting Presentation that Mr. Moss went over during Advisory on May 5:
MAY 5 SENIOR CLASS MEETING PRESENTATION

Professional Photographer at Commencement:

GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime.
Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony, you can visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more! If you have any trouble finding your senior's images, contact Grad Images Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. They have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything you may need.

Senior Diploma Form and Transcript Release- ACTION NEEDED: Please click on the link below and complete the Senior Diploma/Transcript Form. This form authorizes the release of senior transcripts for college applications. Click here: Diploma/Transcript Authorization. Our diplomas have been ordered so that we will have them for May graduation. If you did not fill out the diploma request prior to January, your diploma will be printed with your name as it appears in StudentVue/ParentVue.

Senior Class Picture

The senior class group photo was taken on Monday, Jan. 27. We will get a framed print and hang it on the wall at North. If you would like to purchase your own print click here: CLASS OF 2025. This link will expire on May 17.

SENIOR INFO PAGE

Easy access to all this info -- bookmark our Senior Info Page! Click here: 2025 BVN SENIORS

Buy your PG ticket TODAY! We want to ensure ALL graduates can attend this event so tickets will be available to purchase through the event date. But we can only ensure a prize if your ticket was purchased by MAY 10th! Order your ticket now at https://bvnpbc.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/240214773 Be sure to select 1 in the quantity dropdown box. Your Project Grad ticket includes an amazing night at Chicken N Pickle of food, pickleball, music, casino games and a prize (if ticket is ordered by May 10). We have some big items expected for the prize giveaway: TV, ipad, Xbox, cash, mini dorm fridge, Garmin watch and much more!

We also are still looking for donations and parent volunteers. Cash donations can be made at https://bvnpbc.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/240214773

For all other donations and to volunteer to help, reach out to us at: bvnprojectgrad25@gmail.com

Senior Parents: Please click here for mental health resources for graduating seniors. There is a checklist linked from BV Well for your reference.

Check out our Opportunities page for internships, job opportunities, summer programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Counselors at BVN are assigned by the first letter of a student's last name:

• Bridgett Brownlee: A–Da
• Catalina Donnelly-Vazquez: De-H
• Jenn Weber: I–Moo
• Linda Hardy: Mor-Sho
• Amanda Levin: Shu-Z

Questions? Contact the Counseling Administrative Assistant, Kawaini Duson, at kjduson02@bluevalleyk12.org.

If you have moved or plan to move, please contact the BVN Registrar, Ann LaGrange, by email at ALLaGrange@bluevalleyk12.org. Thank you!

This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during the school year. Please click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for Out of the Country travel. Blue Valley resources such as Canvas, Classlink, and school email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it. We do not recommend BV Devices leave the country.

Blue Valley’s Food and Nutrition Services team has shared an important update regarding changes to meal payments.

Beginning May 1, ACH/e-check payments will no longer be accepted as our payment processing system offers limited support for this payment method. Any ACH or e-check recurring payments will be disabled after April 30.

Families still have multiple payment options:

• Cash or check— Your child can bring cash or a check to school. Please make checks payable to “BVFNS” and include your child’s full name and student ID number on the memo line.
• Credit Card via LinqConnect — If you haven’t already, visit https://linqconnect.com/main to set up an account and make payments via credit card. A $3 transaction fee applies each time you use a credit card.

If you have questions, please contact studentnutrition@bluevalleyk12.org.

To ensure you continue receiving important Food and Nutrition Services updates, please add noreply@linqconnect.com and noreply@titank12.com to your email contacts to prevent messages from going to your junk or spam folder.

As technology continues to evolve, it is necessary for educators to maintain expectations regarding academic integrity. We have used the guidelines below over the last ten years but have recently added information on Artificial Intelligence. Monday in Advisory, we shared these guidelines with our students. I would encourage you to touch base with your student about this as there are consequences for cheating, plagiarism, and inappropriate use of AI that could impact involvement in academic honors societies and other leadership organizations. Our goal is that BVN students demonstrate their learning by using their own thoughts and ideas.

Blue Valley North Academic Integrity Guidelines: Blue Valley North prides itself on academic excellence, of which honesty is a critical component. Blue Valley North students are expected to conduct themselves honorably in pursuit of their education by upholding all of the Blue Valley Virtues: compassion, courage, honesty, perseverance, respect, responsibility and self-discipline.

The BVN Honor Code expressly forbids the following academic violations:

Cheating includes but is not limited to…

-copying another person’s work or allowing another person to copy your work

-using unauthorized technological devices, notes, aids, or written material

-giving or receiving unauthorized information.

-having anyone, including parents or tutors, complete work and submitting it as one’s own

-presenting collaborative work as independent or presenting independent work as collaborative

Plagiarism includes but is not limited to…

-presenting someone else’s work as your own, in whole or in part, whether intentional or not

-using another’s ideas and/or written work without proper citations

-using another’s graphics, charts, diagrams, illustrations, etc. without proper citations

Use of AI or other technology must …

-be explicitly approved by the course instructor

-be acknowledged and properly cited

-not be presented as the original work of the student

For the purposes of this policy:

-Artificial Intelligence (AI): Refers to software or tools that use algorithms, machine learning, and data to simulate human-like tasks such as writing, problem-solving, language translation, or decision-making.

-Generative Technology: Refers to AI-based tools that create content, such as text (e.g., GPT-3 or ChatGPT), images (e.g., DALL-E), music, or code. This also includes other generative tools that produce outputs from user prompts.

Consequences for cheating and/or plagiarism:

Violations are cumulative and not limited to individual classrooms. Records of violations are also cumulative and will be maintained by administration.

First Offense:

-Student receives reduced or lost credit

-Parent will be contacted

-Immediate referral to student’s administrator

-May result in administrative disciplinary action

-May also result in removal or future participation in honor societies

Second Offense:

-First offense consequences in addition to the following:

-Meeting with teacher, parents, and administrator

-May also result in removal or future participation in honor societies

Third Offense:

First and second offense consequences in addition to the following:

-Student will be removed from any honor societies or restricted from applying without an option for reinstatement

Do you have any musical instruments that you are no longer playing? Donate them today! BVN Tri-M Music Honor Society is hosting a musical instrument* donation drive to help provide music education to children in the greater Kansas City area. *See the flyer for more details.

Click on this link for more information and to sign-up: https://bvnsoccer.com/summer/

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We are thankful for the ongoing partnership and support we experience in our school community. Working together we ensure the best possible student experience allowing them to realize personal success. There are times, however, when issues arise which require our continued collaboration to resolve. Families may utilize the matrix linked on the district website to best address questions and concerns that may arise throughout the course of a school year. Finally, all staff and visitors should conduct their business free from intimidation, harassment, or bullying. The district’s Board of Education states expectations regarding civility within Policy 6341. Again, thank you for your partnership in helping to maintain a safe school community environment for all.

At Blue Valley Schools, student safety is our top priority. Our approach to safety blends proactive prevention, fostering strong adult-student relationships and maintaining robust physical security measures. Central to our strategy is understanding and addressing potential threats.

What Constitutes a Threat?

A threat includes any expression of intent to harm, whether spoken or written. Identifying and responding to these expressions is crucial to the safety of our school community.

The Role of Threat Assessments

Blue Valley’s comprehensive threat assessment process has two primary objectives:

• Preventing Violence: We work to intervene before potential threats escalate.

• Resolving Underlying Issues: By understanding the reasons behind a threat, we can resolve conflicts and provide necessary support.

Structured, Evidence-Based Approach

Blue Valley Schools follows the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), a nationally recognized, evidence-based program. This approach ensures that we not only prevent violence but also support individuals in need.

Since the fall of 2023, Blue Valley building leaders have been trained in and actively using this Threat Assessment approach. This consistent use of CSTAG has equipped leaders with a common vocabulary and protocol, enabling them to resolve situations more effectively when threats arise.

By staying committed to this structured and compassionate approach, Blue Valley Schools ensures that students and staff are supported, safe and able to focus on what truly matters–learning through extraordinary educational opportunities.

More information about Blue Valley’s threat assessment process is available on the district website.

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all our schools. We are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of situations. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.

COVID/FLU

We urge you to stay informed and prepared by visiting the Blue Valley School District COVID/Flu guidelines at this link: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/36106. These guidelines are crucial for the health and safety of our school community.

Students may not attend classes until both are true: symptoms are improving, and there has been no fever for 24 hours without medication. Upon returning to normal activities, take additional precautions over the next five days, such as avoiding close contact with high-risk individuals and maintaining good personal hygiene.

Authorization For Medication/Procedure To Be Administered At School. Please have medical orders faxed to 913-239-3038. This is especially important if your student has a health condition that requires medical care at school and is required each school year.

Medications can be dropped off by appointment only during normal school hours of

7:35 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Please e-mail Alex Norval, BVN School Nurse, at annorval@bluevalleyk12.org to schedule your drop off time.

Immunization News

Refer to Link regarding requirements: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/Page/34370

Need to speak with the nurse?

If you need to speak with the nurse, please e-mail annorval@bluevalleyk12.org to set up an appointment.

Blue Valley North has 1600 students, so we have a full-time staff member, Stephanie Lange, dedicated to managing all absences and requests when students need to leave for an appointment. Since we do NOT want to interrupt class, and call into the classrooms, we ask you to plan in advance so we can have your student waiting for you to prevent you from waiting on your student.

Need to pick up your student early? We need 2 hours’ notice!

• You and your student discuss the appointment the night before to plan.
• Check the daily bell schedule (see below) for the best time to leave.
• (1) Send a note with your student and provide:
• Student’s first and last name
• Student’s ID# (see ParentVue)
• Reason for absence
• Date/time student needs to leave/return (not the class period)
• Your name, phone number & signature
• Students can drop off the note at the Attendance Office before school.

OR (2) Email attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org at least 2 hours in advance of the time your student needs to leave the office. Include all info listed above.

• A pass will be delivered to your student in class with time of release.
• Your student will sign out in the attendance office and wait in the office until they see you pull up to the circle drive. Parents do not need to come into BVN.
• If they return to school after the appointment, they will sign into the attendance office and get an “excused” pass to give to their teacher.

Will your student be gone all day due to illness, a college visit, etc.?

• Provide the information bolded above.
• Report your absence in ParentVue, the most efficient way to report an absence.
• OR Email attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org by 8:00 a.m. the day of.

Notification of Unexcused Absences

Families of high school students will receive automated attendance messages via email, phone, and/or text message at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. if a child is absent and his/her absence has not been reported by a parent/guardian. If parents forget to report an absence? No worries. Reply directly to the phone call or email and make the edit in the attendance reporting. To avoid these notifications, follow the procedures listed above.

Did you know? Families can select “Religious Holiday” as an option for a child’s absence in ParentVue, when applicable. This notation could be helpful to our school staff so they can plan accordingly for your student’s absence.

Questions? Please contact Stephanie Lange, Attendance Office Manager directly. Email attendanceBVN@bluevalleyk12.org or call (913) 239-3001

Thank you!

Please take a look through the BVN Mustang Fund's new Spring Activity Guide! Here is a link to the on-line edition: https://anyflip.com/qzkqi/edaf/

A limited number of printed books are available if you would like your own copy—first-come, first-served! Contact Amanda Palan at amanda@amandapalan.com or Heather Glenn at bvnpbcpresident@gmail.com. You can pick one up in the front office until they are gone . . .

This is a great way to see photos of the athletic teams & performing arts students, find out more about their coaches and directors, and read a greeting from the BVN Principal & the Mustang Fund Presidents. Please take time to see the advertisements from our corporate partners and give them your business whenever possible. We thank them for their support of the Mustang Fund and our Blue Valley North students. Enjoy!

We are committed to ensuring that BVN extracurricular activities receive financial support, regardless of other funding mechanisms, so that all students are able to participate and compete at the highest levels available. Our goal is to foster experiences for our students outside the classroom in arts, athletics, and activities that match the excellence and quality that Blue Valley North offers within the classroom. Funds also go toward staff appreciation, hospitality rooms, State Cakes, Senior Day Activities, the Homecoming Parade and SO MUCH MORE!

Giving Levels start at just $55! Please visit www.bvnmustangs.com and click on the DONATE NOW button on the home page!

PLEASE CONTACT HEATHER GLENN AT bvnpbcpresident@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out with any of the above positions!

Thank you for your consideration!

Durham will continue to transport our bus riders in the 2024/2025 school year. If you have questions, please call Durham School Services at 913-681-2492 or contact them via email at admin6700@durhamschoolservices.com.

North Notes is a newsletter for the parents and students of Blue Valley North High School. If you have questions, contact Janet Roush, Assistant to the Principal, at JRoush@bluevalleyk12.org .

BVN Office hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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