SPRING 2022
Endless PawsAbilities More Than Just a Game or a Club The Learning Connection First Year Teacher Success SPRING 2022 • 1
15020 Metcalf Overland Park, Kansas 66283
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A Message
from the Superintendent As we finish out the third quarter strong, I am continuously reminiscing on how blessed I am to serve as Blue Valley’s superintendent.
together for one cause — providing our children with an extraordinary education. Let that not be lost on us even during these difficult and uncertain times. Blue Valley is still the one.
I know this has been another difficult year, as it has been filled with unknowns and uncertainties due to COVID-19. However, learning is happening in school in person and students are making progress. This is in large part because of the resiliency of our world-class educators. They deserve endless thanks and praise. As they have been asked to adapt, their commitment to serving students has never wavered.
In the stories ahead, you will have the opportunity to read about one of our own teachers who prioritizes building relationships with his students, our amazing 18-21 Services, the positive impact of school activities and athletics on our students and a new learning resource for families. I am excited for you to see all the amazing happenings going on throughout our district.
Educators are unsung heroes in any year. Never before has the role of a teacher been so critical to the success of our students as during this new era of education. They are juggling multiple roles to ensure students are safe. They continue to build relationships with students. They have stretched themselves beyond what they thought possible simply because they want to see their students succeed.
Our school district is rising to the challenge by collaborating, creating, innovating and nurturing the joy of learning in the hearts of our students in the midst of this pandemic. Although this has certainly been a challenging time for all of us, I am inspired by the teamwork and service of our staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve this exceptional Blue Valley School District.
This kind of attitude isn’t limited to teachers. Educating students in a pandemic means support personnel has taken on one challenge after another. School nurses, counselors, paraeducators, bus drivers, substitute teachers, maintenance workers and every single person on our staff in the schools and at the district that support our students have risen to the challenge. I see how hard they are working and feel so blessed to have them. They are making a huge difference in the lives of our kids.
I can’t wait to see the class of 2022 walk across the stage in just a few months to start their post-graduate journey. Let’s finish out this semester strong!
As we head into spring break, I challenge our community to show their love and support for our world-class educators. This district is historically built on a strong community that prides itself on rallying
Blue Valley Schools 15020 Metcalf Ave. P.O. Box 23901 Overland Park, KS 66283-0901 (913) 239-4000 Superintendent Tonya Merrigan, Ed.D. 2 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
Board of Education Patrick Hurley, President Jim McMullen, Vice President Kaety Bowers Jodie Dietz Gina Knapp Tom Mitchell Amy Tysseling
Sincerely,
Tonya Merrigan, Ed.D. Superintendent
Website www.bluevalleyk12.org For more information about Blue Valley Today, contact the Communications Department 913-239-4043.
BLUE VALLEY WEST TEACHER WINS KSDE FIRST-YEAR TEACHING AWARD Those walking into Zac Johnson’s classroom are immediately greeted by a poster that reads “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you’ll do. Attitude determines how well you’ll do.” Students entering his classroom for the first time may not truly understand what they are capable of doing until they leave that classroom. Johnson’s keen ability to build relationships, motivate and help students reach their full potential has helped him excel in his first year of teaching and stand out as a Horizon Award winner. The Horizon Award program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, recognizes 32 exemplary first-year teachers across the entire state who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. As an interrelated resource teacher at Blue Valley West, Johnson tailors his teaching strategies to meet the different needs of each student. He creates student-centered experiences, which includes a number of different instructional practices, designed to assist students with special learning needs. “Year after year, students walk through the doors with different life stories, educational experiences, backgrounds and norms,” Johnson said. “While there are several ways to acknowledge this level of diversity, it is just as important to utilize
an individual’s differences when delivering instruction and support.”
I am today without the consistent support of my colleagues here at West,” Johnson said.
Most importantly, Johnson prioritizes relationship building with his students to help identify their individual needs and reach their goals. With these personalized efforts, he has been able to gain the trust of his students and their families.
Johnson believes that West has provided him the environment needed to connect with all of his students while also continuing to grow as an educator.
“Zac already possesses a master teacher’s knack for reading the room, identifying shared interests and connecting students to meaningful experiences,” said Katie Bonnema, Blue Valley West principal. “In addition, some first-year teachers struggle to communicate with families. Not Zac Johnson. Even before the school year began, Mr. Johnson was reaching out to the families of students on his caseload, introducing himself as their children’s new interrelated resource teacher and making clear how he would support and nurture their needs throughout the year ahead.” This commitment to building relationships not only serves Johnson well in his interactions with students and families, but also with his fellow educators. The first year of teaching can be overwhelming and challenging. Because of this, he leaned on the support of his fellow veteran colleagues to guide him on his journey and to continue to grow as a new teacher. “Plain and simple, I could not have got to where
“We’re all a part of the Jaguar family regardless of background or previous education experience, and I think that is a beautiful thing,” Johnson said. “Our constant support for each other is what makes West stand out from the rest as being a home away from home for our students and staff.”
Horizon award winner Zac Johnson poses with superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan, West principal Katie Bonnema and West assistant principal Bryan Brutto following the surprise award announcement. SPRING 2022 • 3
Endless ‘ Paws Abilities’ Our goal is to provide students with the skills and resources necessary to live and work as successfully and independently as possible within their community.” Students are able to stay in 18-21 Services until they are 21 years old. Participation is dependent upon each individual’s needs. A Blue Valley West graduate, Brabston, 20, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in utero resulting in cortical vision impairment. The stroke caused her to develop intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy. She only has use of the right side of her body, has limited speech and autism. Diane Brabston, Anna’s mother, said her daughter was not ready upon high school graduation to find a job and needed to further develop work and life skills. Anna Brabston weighs dog treats using a digital scale and glass measuring bowl. Brabston is part of 18-21 Services’ PawsAbilities program.
Anna Brabston sits at a table in the PawsAbilities’ bakery. In front of her is a glass measuring cup sitting on a digital scale. She spends the afternoons carefully placing dog treats one by one into the measuring cup until the scale reads six ounces. Brabston then puts the dog treats into a paw printed plastic bag. A shiny gold twist tie secures the bag. A sticker on the packaging reads, “Thank you.” The pride and joy Brabston, who is legally blind, feels when completing this task is thanks to her role in Blue Valley’s 18-21 Services’ PawsAbilities program. The district’s 18-21 Services offer young adults with disabilities the opportunity after high school to continue building work and life skills through programs like PawsAbilities and its Career Development Opportunities Program (CDOP). “There are some students who continue to show a need and qualify for special education services beyond the traditional four years of high school,” said Cassandra Delmont, Blue Valley’s Assistant Director of Special Education. “The 18-21 Services center around daily living skills, independent living skills and vocational training. 4 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
“The 18-21 program was a natural fit for her,” Diane Brabston said.
About two years ago, 18-21 Services was looking to revamp its program. PawsAbilities, a local retail store that employs individuals with disabilities and owned by Inclusion Connections, was interested in collaborating with 18-21 Services. Inclusion Connections, a local non-profit organization founded by Debbie Horn, started its PawsAbilities retail store in 2013 to provide employment services to the individuals with disabilities it serves. Inclusion Connections’ PawsAbilities and Blue Valley’s PawsAbilities operate at two separate locations but hone in on the same life and work skills and use the same packaging. “Every aspect of the business is able to be run by students with supervision,” said Erica Warren, Blue Valley’s Special Education Administrator. Students can make dog treats, bandanas, dog toys, snuffle mats and lanyards. Blue Valley’s PawsAbilities workshop is located inside of Blue Valley Service Center and houses a bakery where students make dog treats. A second room features various stations for students to measure, cut, and assemble the dog accessories and toys.
During the afternoons, Brabston finds herself weighing dog treats. It is a task that might seem impossible for someone who is blind but 18-21 Services has made it possible for Brabston. When Anna Brabston was participating in virtual school last year, her teachers in PawsAbilities made sure she could continue to work from home. Anna Brabston had never used a weighted scale prior to PawsAbilities, Diane Brabston said. But her teachers were able to work with Anna Brabston to find an electric scale with a large and bright readout that she could see.
“I can see the pride she has when she does it. When she finishes a bag, she will start clapping and cheering for herself like, ‘Way to go, Anna, you did it.’” DIANE BRABSTON ANNA’S MOTHER
The task came with challenges. Anna Brabston only has use of her right hand, making it difficult for her to hold open and place the treats in a bag. Her 18-21 Services teachers had the idea to place a piece of cardstock in the bag so it would sit open and she could place the treats inside. “The teachers in the program are so good at thinking outside the box and trying to find what skill set each student has and trying new things,” Diane Brabston said. Now that Anna Brabston is working in-person in the Blue Valley PawsAbilities bakery, she is still responsible for weighing and bagging the treats — a job her mom said she’s found immense joy in completing. “She loves to work and it’s just trying to find something that she can do,” Diane Brabston said. “She loves sorting things. She’s so enthusiastic to go to her job and weigh dog treats.”
Ethan Tilghman presses a dog-shaped cookie cutter into rolled-out dough. Making dog treats is just one of the many jobs 18-21 Services students complete as part of the PawsAbilities program.
Diane Brabston said she noticed her daughter becoming more independent and confident since joining 18-21 Services. “I can see the pride she has when she does it,” Diane Brabston said. “When she finishes a bag, she will start clapping and cheering for herself like, ‘Way to go, Anna, you did it.’” The 18-21 PawsAbilities branch hopes to soon bring its products to Blue Valley’s schools so the students can sell their products to the public and further develop job skills. Selling products is not about making a profit. “For us, money goes back into PawsAbilities,” Warren said. “They then go back into our flour and peanut butter and items that we need.” PawsAbilities also accepts donations of old t-shirts that 18-21 Services’ students can transform into dog toys. Pleasant Ridge Middle recently took part by donating several bags of t-shirts and showing their support of PawsAbilities. Once Anna Brabston turns 21 years old, her time working at PawsAbilities will end. Diane Brabston is already thinking about her daughter’s job
opportunities thanks to 18-21 Services. “I think it is a good program that shows people with disabilities can find work to do in the community if they have the right accommodations,” Diane Brabston said. “Once you get those accommodations in place, and it does take a little practice and patience initially, but her production rate is now just as good as any able-bodied person.” In addition to PawsAbilities, CDOP is another great program offered by 18-21 Services. Many students benefit from the chance to work at various community partner businesses. Ryan Gress, a Blue Valley Southwest graduate who has Down syndrome, is just one student taking part in CDOP. Gress, 20, currently works at Price Chopper. Working at different businesses in the community has made Gress more independent, talkative and self-assured. To learn more about all of 18-21 Services’ great opportunities visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/ 18-21Services.
Ontaura Rahman cuts fabric used to make snuffle mats. SPRING 2022 • 5
MORE THAN JUST A CLUB OR A GAME The importance of activities and athletics to the overall educational experience “Winning the state championship and seeing waves of people from our community show their school pride was unlike any feeling in the world,” said Blue Valley Northwest student-athlete Mikey Pauley. “It was almost like a blur.” Pauley, a senior quarterback for the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies, has grown up in the Blue Valley community his entire life. This year, he helped lead Northwest to its first-ever 6A KSHSAA State Football championship. He was also named the Simone award winner, an honor presented to the most outstanding high school football player in the greater Kansas City area. But for Pauley, winning a state championship was not all that the experience of high school athletics and activities gave him. “These after-school activities gave me an opportunity,” Pauley said. “I would not have the friends through athletics, DECA and the school store that I do now. I probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to play sports in college. I wouldn’t have the mentors or relationships with teachers I do now. Without these opportunities, my whole future would be different.” Athletics and activities provide opportunities to nearly 75 percent of the entire student population in Blue Valley high schools and thousands of middle school students each year. Students at the high school level can participate in 25 KSHSAA-sanctioned athletic programs and approximately 24 activities/clubs. Athletics range from football, golf, cheer and track, to swimming, tennis, basketball and more. Some activities and clubs offered include debate, newspaper, marching band, theatre, orchestra, diversity club, FCCLA and many more. There are numerous clubs that are unique to each school. Middle school students can get involved in several activities such as plays, musicals, choir, band, orchestra, debate, cheerleading, dance, student council and more depending on the school. Students can also participate in athletics depending on grade level. Whether students get
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Lindsey Farthing, BVNW news
involved to find like-minded individuals, develop their passions and interests, build their resumes, or enhance their college applications, extracurricular activities play a significant role in the overall educational experience available to students. or Julia Misemer, a senior at Blue Valley West, F athletics and activities were an important part of her high school experience. This year, Misemer helped lead her women’s golf team to a state championship. She also became a four-time 6A KSHSAA girl’s golf individual state champion, making her only the third student-athlete in KSHSAA history, boy or girl, to accomplish this feat. Misemer got involved in women’s golf, English honors society and environmental club to build relationships and develop her passions. “In golf, some people choose not to play in high school and only compete in outside tournaments,” said Misemer. “But never in a million years would I change my decision of not playing through West. It has been my best social experience and I’ve built so many friendships and helped inspire and push other girls to try their best.” Misemer was also awarded the Kenneth Smith award, which honors the best high school female golfer in the Kansas City area. Even with all the titles and awards, Misemer said the biggest thing athletics and activities have taught her is to be a real champion. “There is a big difference between a winner and a champion,” Misemer said. “You can win all your games, awards, tournaments or competitions, but you can still not be a champion. A champion is built through their character and that’s the biggest
thing that West has taught me.” All throughout Blue Valley schools there are thousands of students like Pauley and Misemer who have found success and become true champions through activities and athletics. Some students have found success by winning accolades, some have found their success by fitting in and creating friendships and others have found success discovering their passions. att Ortman, Blue Valley’s Director of School M Administration, has witnessed thousands of students find success through athletics and activities. Ortman has been involved with Blue Valley’s athletics and activities for more than 27 years as a coach, school athletic director, district athletic director, and even during his own time as a Blue Valley High student. “Athletics and activities at the middle school and high school level are education-based and are extensions of the classroom,” Ortman said. “They give our students opportunities to get involved with the school community in a unique way and they build relationships with other students and coaches/sponsors that otherwise wouldn’t happen. In many instances, the sport or activity is what draws the student into the school community. Our coaches and sponsors do an amazing job of building relationships and developing our young people into responsible adults.” Activities and athletics are more than just clubs or games for the students involved. They provide students an extraordinary opportunity and are a significant part of our students’ development in their overall educational experience.
Kaitlin Green, BVH news
Charlie Trent, BVH news
Megan Harris, BVW news
Jack Toal, BVN news
Isabella Noll, BVN news
Sofia Hughes, BVH news
Remi Nuss, BVNW news
Oxford Middle School
Karley Kent, BVSW news
One of the major benefits of participating in athletics and activities in high school is that it allows students to interact beyond their classrooms. Students compete and engage across the entire school, at the local, state and sometimes even national level. This year alone Blue Valley athletic teams, activities and clubs have found major success: BVSW 4-speaker debate team - 5A State debate 4-speaker champions
BVH - Kansas Bandmasters Marching Band State champions
BVSW cheer - became back to back 5A State cheer champions
BVW women’s golf - 6A State women’s golf champions
BVSW boys soccer - 5A State soccer champions
BVN’s The North Star and BVNW’s The Express won the 2021 National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Award
BVNW cheer - 6A State cheer champions BVNW football - secured their first ever 6A State football title BVN volleyball - 6A State volleyball champions
BVH, BVN, BVNW and BVSW were commended by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs
In addition to all these accolades, several teams throughout the district finished runner-up and several individuals won state titles and national awards at the time Blue Valley Today was published.
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A WINDOW INTO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN BLUE VALLEY Blue Valley has reiterated its ongoing commitment to sharing news and information with families about new and ongoing initiatives by launching The Learning Connection, a resource aimed at offering a look into what students are learning in the classroom. The Learning Connection is a resource for all families, from those with children entering early learning to those with graduating seniors. The resource allows Blue Valley to engage with the community on a regular basis and serve as an additional platform to expand families’ knowledge about the district’s learning and teaching initiatives and operations. “Our goal is to connect with families on new levels around teaching and learning,” said Kelly Ott, Blue Valley’s Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation. “Teaching and learning is the core of what we do and we want to be able to provide information either on the front side of an initiative or while something is going on.” The Learning Connection provides families behindthe-scenes glimpses into the learning environment, deeper dives on specific topics and increased transparency around strategic efforts to improve student learning. Blue Valley’s Communications and Academic Services departments are collaborating on content and working to share topics that will be valuable to families while also listening to determine what 8 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
families are curious to know more about. “The Learning Connection is an exciting new initiative for us and one we believe will positively impact our families’ abilities to further connect with us and understand what’s occurring during their children’s school day,” said Kristi McNerlin, Blue Valley’s Chief Communications Officer. “Academic Services has been a great partner in getting The Learning Connection off the ground and we are all dedicated to highlighting the amazing work occurring behind the scenes and at the forefront of our teaching.” Since its launch in January, The Learning Connection has opened the door on a variety of topics including Career Ready Programming, Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety and Performing Arts. The Career Ready story and subsequent podcast highlighted Cameron King, a Blue Valley North junior as he shared his experiences in the welding program. King’s mom, Sarah King, said her son’s participation in the Career Ready Program has left her son happier and more motivated. The Digital Citizenship story highlighted the importance of families having the tools to keep students safe while using technology and how Blue Valley teachers and staff are leveraging technology in the classroom for learning. The Learning Connection has even more exciting content coming in the near future.
“One thing I’m most excited about is pulling the curtain back on a few things — What is a day in the life of a student like at Blue Valley?” Ott said. “What does it mean to provide high-quality instruction? Why do we make some of the decisions we make?” The Learning Connection will provide families with a greater understanding of their children’s school experiences and a better idea of how to support learning at home. “Education is a partnership,” Ott said. “When we can provide information and give our families things to do, ideas, strategies to support learning with their students or even just a better understanding of what’s going on, I think everybody wins.” Dr. Katie Collier, Blue Valley’s Deputy Superintendent of Learning, said the district’s families are in tune with the events and learning occurring at their students’ particular schools. The Learning Connection provides a wide lens that captures the bigger picture and provides context about what’s happening across all school levels. “At the end of the day, it is about creating a deeper depth of knowledge about our practices across our school district,” Collier said. The Learning Connection has its own landing page on Blue Valley’s district website. The community can access content at www.bluevalleyk12.org/ learningconnection.
News & Notes Meet Blue Valley’s three new Board of Education Members
Kaety Bowers (NE Region) - Bowers has been a Blue Valley resident since 2009. She and her husband are the proud parents of six children who have all either graduated from or are attending Blue Valley schools. In the past 13 years, she has volunteered both in the classroom and with extracurricular activities from elementary to the high school level. Bowers is a licensed cosmetologist and tattoo artist who owns and operates a paramedical and cosmetic tattoo business that focuses on empowering women and cancer survivors.
Gina Knapp (NW Region) - Knapp and her husband Christopher live in Overland Park with their three children. She has a business degree from the University of Kansas and an MBA in finance from the University of MissouriKansas City. Knapp works remotely as the vice president of finance for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. She currently serves as the treasurer for the Blue Valley Northwest Quarterback Club.
Jim McMullen (S Region) - McMullen holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. He began his career as a middle school and high school English teacher in Mississippi, and then in Washington, D.C. McMullen owns a merchant banking firm, Royal Blue Capital, based in Overland Park. He previously served as a board member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife have lived in the district for nearly 20 years; four of their children have attended Blue Valley schools. SPRING 2022 • 9
BLUE VALLEY SCHOOLS STEM TEAMS NAMED BATTLE OF THE BRAINS FINALISTS
In December, four STEM teams throughout Blue Valley schools were surprised as top-20 finalists in the Burns and McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition, KC metro’s largest K-12 STEM competition. Oxford Middle had two teams named finalists, which marked the first time in the history of this competition that two teams from the same school were named finalists. In addition, Harmony Elementary and Wolf Springs Elementary had one team each named finalists.
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Each finalist is guaranteed to win a piece of $155,000 in grant money for the team’s school to use toward STEM education. More than 750 submissions were made for one team’s chance to work alongside STEM professionals from Burns & McDonnell and Science City to transform the winning idea into a $1 million permanent exhibit at Science City. The winners will be announced April 7, 2022. For final results please visit www.botkc.com.
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