Blue Valley Today — Spring 2025

SPRING 2025

A conversation with Dr. Merrigan Bond 2023 updates From student to A Paraprofessional

15020 Metcalf Overland Park, Kansas 66283

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PROUD TO SUPPORT BLUE VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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As spring approaches, bringing with it a sense of renewal and new beginnings, I find myself reflecting on the students, staff and community members who continuously make a difference in the lives of others.

In this issue, you’ll read stories highlighting how students and staff are doing just that. Our educators work diligently to ensure their students receive a well-rounded education grounded in data and informed decisions. In turn, our students, shaped by the dedication of our worldclass educators, exemplify kindness, leadership and a commitment to serving others.

These moments, both big and small, remind me of the collective effort and shared commitment that makes Blue Valley special. Looking forward, I’m energized by the important work happening in our district.

Our Strategic Planning committee has been working hard to develop a plan that reflects the community’s vision and goals for Blue Valley. I am grateful to the patrons, staff and students who have contributed to this process to create a plan that reflects the community’s shared vision for the future. As we continue to work toward a finalized strategic plan, community feedback will be vital to ensure the plan represents the district’s collective aspirations. Please visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/ strategicplan to stay up to date with the committee’s progress.

As we plan for the future, the Blue Valley Board of Education is preparing for the upcoming leadership transition. Our board is actively working with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to recruit Blue Valley’s next superintendent. Like many of you, I am eagerly awaiting the outcome of this process. This transition marks an important milestone, and I am confident Blue Valley will remain a community with strong leadership focused on empowering the next generation of students.

In addition, the Kansas legislative session is underway, and the district continues to advocate for its priority positions. These priorities impact not only Blue Valley students but all Kansas students. With discussions around school finance reform on the horizon, we stand ready to collaborate and advocate for policies that ensure a strong future for our students and staff. To stay updated, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/legislative.

Whether it’s the professional expertise of our teachers, the strategic vision of our community members, or the leadership and kindness of our students, Blue Valley is a place where people come together to make a difference.

Thank you for being an integral part of this community and for your continued support of our students’ success.

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Board of Education Jodie Dietz Dr. Sonya Evans Patrick Hurley Jan Kessinger Gina Knapp Jim McMullen Clay Norkey

Website www.bluevalleyk12.org For more information about Blue Valley Today, contact the Communications Department at 913-239-4047.

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Blue Valley Schools SPRING 2025 • 3

“A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE” How Blue Valley teachers are using data to support the whole student

Bright splashes of paint, scraps of construction paper and bits of cardboard scattered across the floor — it might look like the aftermath of an art project. But step into Melissa Molde’s science classroom, and you’ll quickly realize this creative chaos is all part of her data-driven approach to teaching.

Molde’s students have been busy crafting arcade games inspired by the human body. Balancing datadriven instruction with the need for creativity, Molde, a seventh grade teacher at Aubry Bend Middle, has crafted projects that keep students engaged while supporting their success in the classroom.

“As we grouped students, we looked at their mastery performance from their independent work to see where

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they could grow the most with a deeper dive through the project,” Molde said. “After the project wraps, we use post-assessment data for remedial learning.”

‘hands-on’ experience, and we switch their groups so frequently based on performance that they truly just think it’s part of how labs and stations work,” Molde said.

Assessments like these help Molde tailor her instruction, identify topics where students need additional support and gather data that shows an understanding of the material. Molde incorporates these elements seamlessly into her teaching through a “station rotation” approach. By guiding students through different stations and using data from the assignments collected, Molde effectively drives small-group remediation while allowing other students to progress independently through their stations.

While Molde uses data to foster creativity and mastery in her classroom, the focus on data begins much earlier in students’ academic journeys.

“Kids in my class are used to a very

Educators at every level, from early childhood to 12th grade and beyond, use data to inform their teaching.

Having the time to analyze and leverage this data allows them to create customized plans that help meet students where they are, leading to academic success in their educational journey.

On one of the district’s planned

“DATA POINTS ARE A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. YOUR CHILD IS A MILLION-PIECE PUZZLE AND THIS IS ONE PART OF IT. IT’S ONE TEST, ONE TIME, ONE DAY AND WE SEE THEM AS THE WHOLE CHILD.” RACHAEL EISENMENGER,

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, HARMONY ELEMENTARY

teacher professional collaboration days, the kindergarten pod at Harmony Elementary is a hub for activity – curriculum resources sprawled across tables, laptops open to review test scores and the kindergarten team – including Rachael Eisenmenger, Kate Fletcher, Michelle Huffman, Macey Lewin, Stephanie Tallent – is huddled together, focused on improving the academic success of their students. “[Data] drives our instruction,” Eisenmenger said. “We take that information, and we make small groups or pivot whole group lessons.”

Data enables teachers to adapt their instruction, ensuring each student receives targeted support to grow.

“I can truly see where kids' strengths and weaknesses are,” Lewin said. “I can really tailor each small group to that group of students and what they need.”

These tailored approaches have led to notable improvements, with students mastering complex concepts while staying engaged and motivated.

“We’re all very good about making it a huge positive thing to show off,” Tallent said. “We don’t ever want it to

be stressful for them. It’s their time to shine.”

Data is a powerful tool that guides instruction and supports students across the district. But it’s not what defines them. At the heart of every decision is the understanding that students are more than numbers – they’re curious learners, creative thinkers and individuals with limitless potential.

“Data points are a piece of the puzzle,” Eisenmenger said. “Your child is a million-piece puzzle and this is one part of it. It’s one test, one time, one day and we see them as the whole child.”

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A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND COMMUNITY: A conversation with Dr. Tonya Merrigan

After more than 30 years in education, Blue Valley Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan will retire at the end of the school year. Since joining Blue Valley in 1999 as a high school counselor, Merrigan has served the community in various roles, from high school principal to superintendent.

Through the years, she’s witnessed the community’s commitment to ensuring every child thrives. The Blue Valley Schools communications department recently sat down with Merrigan to discuss her journey from high school counselor to superintendent, her wishes for future students and the moments that defined her career.

Q.

When you started in Blue Valley in 1999 as a high school counselor, what were those early days like?

A.

Those first couple of years built my love for the district because I got to work with amazing families and staff at Blue Valley High.

When I started, I thought Blue Valley High was an anomaly and that only Blue Valley High was that awesome. It wasn’t until later that I realized it was the whole district.

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Q.

What paved the path for you to move from counselor to principal?

A.

The Blue Valley High principal and assistant principal at the time, Dennis King and Scott Bacon, talked to me about where I wanted to go with my career. Truly it was those two people who helped me start thinking about it.

Q.

What led you to make the change to your various district administrator roles?

A.

It was people like Sue Denny giving me a call and saying, ‘Hey, I think you should think about this job at district office. I think you would really like it.’ I got a taste of what you could do from the district office, that it wasn’t just this place where you sat in an office and never got out, but that you could affect change for a lot of people.

Q.

When the job for superintendent opened, what interested you about that position?

A.

I was so ingrained in Blue Valley that it seemed like the next step for me. I had been here

so long, and I had so many people help me along the way who were encouraging me and telling me I was ready to do this job. It was the next step in my career, but it was that I got here to stay here to do it — I didn’t have to leave and go somewhere brand new. I got to take the relationships I had built along the way and use those to do good.

Q.

How did those early experiences as a counselor and principal influence your approach as superintendent?

A.

The training and degree I have as a counselor is the absolute best training I could have had to be an administrator of any kind. As a counselor, you’re trying to listen, be empathetic, understand the other side and come up with solutions. I think that has helped me in every single role that I’ve had. The other thing I would say is that in a building, you build relationships. That’s how you’re successful, and I think that helped me because when I came to district office, I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to continue to build relationships, and this time, it

wasn’t necessarily with parents and the kids I was serving as a counselor, but with teachers and principals and PTO presidents, legislators and the community.

Q.

You’ve been a longtime champion of students and staff. Why has that remained important to you?

A.

As I look back over my life as a student in K-12, as a college student and early on in my career, people have helped me and championed me. I felt like that was my job, and because people did it for me, I needed to do it for someone else.

Q. A.

What have been the top highlights of your career?

The top highlight and honor of my career was being named Blue Valley’s superintendent. That is an honor and a privilege that I don’t, and never will, take for granted.

Another highlight for me is the people we’ve hired, and the reason I’m most proud of that is because we hire good principals and teachers and in turn, they do good things for kids.

Q. A.

What have been the challenges?

The biggest challenge for me has always been that time is a thief. It goes way too fast, and there’s never enough time to do all the things that I wanted to do. I would say one of the biggest challenges over the last 10 years of my career has been the dwindling number of people applying for jobs and the dwindling number of qualified candidates that we have.

Fifteen years ago, when I was principal at Blue Valley North, we had a teacher opening, and there would be so many

people it would take us days to screen them all. That’s not the case now.

Q.

How has the support and encouragement of those around you helped navigate those challenges?

A.

I always knew that no matter what job I had, I was never alone. Whether I was a counselor and I was working with a student and we came across something I didn’t know the answer to, I knew I had a team who was going to help me support that student. As a principal, district office administrator and superintendent, I always know if there’s a problem that comes into my office, ultimately, I might have to make the decision, but I know I have a whole team of people who I’m immediately going to be able to call and they’re going to be here. We wrap around and support each other.

Q.

What will you miss the most about serving as Blue Valley’s superintendent?

A. Q. A.

The connections with students and staff.

What lessons learned will you take with you?

You need people to solve problems. You can’t do it alone, and if you try to do it alone, it will never be done as well as if you gather input from others. I’ve learned how important it is to treat people with dignity and respect and to value differences of opinions, especially those of people who sometimes aren’t listened to and make sure you do listen to them.

Q.

What do you believe makes Blue Valley so special and one of the top districts in the country?

A.

I think what makes Blue Valley so special is that we have the trifecta. We have amazing parents who send us kids who can do amazing things, and they support those kids.

We have a community that answers the call each time we ask — whether it’s bond, the educational foundation, a fundraiser, volunteering. The really important piece is we have hired really good staff, and that staff sees the importance of encouraging students and providing them with the best opportunities.

Q.

If you could share one piece of advice with Blue Valley students, what would it be?

A.

Have fun, and take advantage of all of the great things that happen in your school. Go to games, go to musicals, get involved, volunteer to help your teachers. Embrace the entire experience because before you know it, you’re going to be done, and you’re going to miss those days.

Q. A.

What advice would you give to your successor?

Be yourself and enjoy the journey. This is a great district, and it’s a great job to have. Support the people who work in Blue Valley, and they will, in turn, support the students.

Q.

Any final thoughts you would like to share with the community?

A.

It has been my honor and privilege to be the superintendent of Blue Valley. I’m going to continue to live in the community. I am this district’s number-one fan. I’ve jokingly said I’m the head cheerleader, and I’m going to continue to cheer Blue Valley on for years to come.

SPRING 2025 • 7

Changing the game: Blue Valley West student excels as student-athlete, paraprofessional For most, the school day is spent in classrooms learning and building friendships. But for Blue Valley West senior Joseph Svoboda, the school day is anything but typical.

Balancing multiple roles inside and outside the building, Svoboda sets himself apart as both a studentathlete and a paraprofessional.

Though he spends his day in the classroom, he holds a different role than most students.

At the start of his senior year, Svoboda was inspired by his younger cousin, who has autism, to explore becoming a paraprofessional when he wasn’t in class. Svoboda served

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as a peer mentor his junior year in the LIFT (Learning through Intensive Functional Teaching) program, which serves students with communication and behavioral needs, and got to experience being around special education students daily.

“I’m happy to have such a unique opportunity,” Svoboda said.

When the opportunity to become a paraprofessional presented itself, Svoboda, with the support of Blue Valley West assistant principal Bryan Brutto, took on the unique role of becoming both a staff member and student within Blue Valley Schools.

“This is the first time I’ve had a student take on a paraprofessional role like Joey has,” Brutto said. “It’s a unique situation that worked out because Joey was ahead on credits and had the right kind of passion and maturity for the role.

He’s truly made an impact.”

The classroom isn’t the only place Svoboda has been able to make a difference.

Svoboda started his athletic career at West as a star soccer player. His talents expanded to the football field before the start of his junior year, where he was the kicker for

the last two years of his high school athletic career. Throughout his time at West, Svoboda and his teams celebrated regional championships in both soccer and football.

“He’s kind of a quiet leader but a very passionate kid,” said Blue Valley West head soccer coach Kyle Conley. “Joey was our starting goalkeeper and a huge influence.

The kid can punt the ball about 80 yards and throw it about 60 yards.

He controlled that box.”

The same leadership and composure Svoboda displayed on the field extends to his role as a paraprofessional. Svoboda credits much of his success in the role of a paraprofessional to the guidance of his teachers.

“It takes a lot to be a special education teacher,” Svoboda said.

“There are a lot of moving pieces all at once. It’s either a really slow day where you aren’t doing much, then two seconds later, you could be dealing with six students at once with behaviors, along with your own teacher responsibilities.”

Special education teachers Kaitlin Cross, Julia Barbieri, Jennifer Buehler and others have shown him how to handle challenging situations, like supporting a student through behavioral struggles.

Their mentorship has supported

“THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I’VE HAD A STUDENT TAKE ON A PARAPROFESSIONAL ROLE LIKE JOEY HAS. IT’S A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT WORKED OUT BECAUSE JOEY WAS AHEAD ON CREDITS AND HAD THE RIGHT KIND OF PASSION AND MATURITY FOR THE ROLE. HE’S TRULY MADE AN IMPACT.” BRYAN BRUTTO

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, BLUE VALLEY WEST

Svoboda’s ability to balance his responsibilities both as a student and a paraprofessional.

“They’ve taught me everything I needed to know,” Svoboda said. “From handling a student’s behavior to figuring out what to work with them on, they’ve really taught me everything I’ve done in this position.”

Buehler recognized early Svoboda’s potential as a paraprofessional and encouraged him to consider the role.

“These needs are sometimes hard to pick up on right off the bat — it takes a friend to know them,” Buehler said. “Joey is one of the most dedicated friends that I know.”

Svoboda is planning on using his experience as a paraprofessional to further his career in college. He has plans to continue his athletic career and play soccer at Dakota Wesleyan University while majoring in physical therapy and special education.

“When you look at the fact that he is not only a peer, student, athlete and an employee all within one building at Blue Valley West, that’s a lot of roles and hats to balance,” Buehler said. “That is a lot to ask of a high school student in general, and the fact that Joey initiated all of those tasks and roles speaks volumes to his leadership.”

Scan the QR code to watch the video version of this story.

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Auxiliary gymnasium/multipurpose addition at Blue Valley West

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Bond 2023 progress on track In 2023, the Blue Valley community approved a no-taxincrease, $251,250,000 bond referendum with over 70% support. Thanks to the strong community support, this investment funds critical district projects in facilities, technology and safety that will benefit students and staff for generations to come.

Facilities projects across the district are steadily progressing, including the construction of Wolf Springs Middle. Set to serve the growing Blue Valley Southwest attendance area, the district’s newest middle school and home of the Coyotes is expected to open in August 2026.

didn't have access to with our previous devices. My students' math and literacy skills are growing with the implementation of these digital materials, and I could not be prouder of them.”

Blue Valley continues to prioritize safety and security with a comprehensive approach that refreshes and enhances existing layers of protection, blending physical measures with a focus on prevention and building trusted relationships.

“Our district has been working hard to implement many of the planned safety improvements throughout Blue Valley,” said Jake Slobodnik, Blue Valley’s executive director of operations. “These improvements include continued door hardware upgrades, intercom replacements, camera improvements and door access controls.”

Bond 2023 remains on track to be completed as scheduled. For updates and additional information on Bond 2023 projects, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/bond.

"I am so thankful to the Blue Valley community for supporting Bond 2023 and making it possible to build our newest middle school,” said Courtney Domoney, Wolf Springs Middle's inaugural principal. “I am so excited to begin working with the school community to create an inspiring and innovative space with a welcoming culture that will positively impact students for years to come."

Efforts to refresh classroom technology are underway, bringing updated devices and tools to enhance teaching and learning across the district.

“The students love having the new devices in class,” said Elizabeth Frager, Morse Elementary teacher. “We can utilize so many fun and creative tools that we

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Updated elementary student & classroom technology

Wolf Springs Middle

Early childhood center expansion at Hilltop Learning Center

Mobile removal & classroom addition at Leawood Elementary

P.E. & athletics addition/renovation at Blue Valley Northwest

SPRING 2025 • 11

News & Notes Blue Valley students reach new heights on state assessments Blue Valley students continue soaring to new heights in English, math and science. According to the 2024 Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) scores, Blue Valley students achieved the highest percentage of scores at 3 or above, outperforming all other Kansas districts and private school groups with 10,000 or more students.

Blue Valley student-athlete named 2025 McDonald’s All-American

Jaliya Davis, a senior basketball player at Blue Valley North, was named a 2025 McDonald’s AllAmerican. Davis is the fourth female in Kansas high school basketball history to receive this prestigious honor and the first student-athlete, female or male, in Blue Valley history.

Blue Valley journalism teacher named Lifetime Achievement winner

Jim McCrossen, Blue Valley Northwest’s journalism teacher, was named a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Journalism Education Association, a national organization that supports scholastic journalism. McCrossen, one of eight individuals to receive the honor, was recognized for his significant contributions throughout his scholastic journalism career. Jim has been a journalism teacher and yearbook adviser for 33 years. For 31 years, he’s been at Blue Valley Northwest.

Blue Valley superintendent receives Diversity Advocate in Education award

Dr. Tonya Merrigan, Blue Valley’s superintendent, received the Diversity Advocate in Education award during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarships awards dinner. This awards ceremony, hosted by the Johnson County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Committee, honors local officials and leaders who promote respect for diversity.

Blue Valley Southwest partners with local business to craft cutting boards

This school year, Blue Valley Southwest’s wood technologies students put their skills to good use by crafting cutting boards using reclaimed wood from Re-View Windows, a local historic window restoration business. Re-View Windows donated its reclaimed wood to the wood technologies class so students could craft cutting boards and, in turn, donate them to Adelante Thrift, a local thrift store whose proceeds go to Mission Adelante, a local refugee resettlement center.

To watch video feature, scan this QR code.

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BLUE VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION’S WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE TRANSFORMS EDUCATION WITH $100,000+ IN GRANTS SINCE 2021

Since its launch in 2021, the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle event has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to Blue Valley Schools’ educators and students. This biannual participatory philanthropic event brings together women from the community who donate $100 to create significant funding opportunities for innovative educational programs and projects.

authors, artists and guest speakers.

They also enhance ongoing initiatives or help launch new programs that reach entire grade levels, multiple schools and districtwide departments. Some of the programs funded through Women’s Giving Circle grants include:

Each October and April, Women’s Giving Circle participants gather for an evening of networking in a happy hour setting. During the event, educators pitch their proposals for grants of up to $15,000. After discussions, attendees vote on the winning proposal, with the recipient announced before the evening ends.

• Stop-motion editing software — All Blue Valley middle schools

“In a few short years, the Women’s Giving Circle has become an invaluable resource to our district,” said Susan Tideman, the educational foundation’s executive director.

“Twice a year, women from our community gather, learn about innovative programs from talented educators and provide meaningful funding for the winning proposal.

It’s a can’t miss evening with the foundation.”

These grants support special academic programming, visiting

• Girl’s Garage — Blue Valley North • Suicide prevention speaker — Blue Valley High

• Greenhouse aquaponics system — Blue Valley High • Wolves in the Garden — Blue Valley Southwest • Automotive repair studio — Blue Valley Academy • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) library — Blue Valley High

• Starting Strong: Building social and emotional skills birth to five — Parents as Teachers • Multi-modal literacy and learning equipment for visual impairment and special education — Hilltop Learning Center

Interested in participating in this spring’s Women’s Giving Circle? Join the Blue Valley Educational Foundation from 6-8 p.m. April 10 at Vista 154 at Ironhorse Golf Club. To register and learn more, visit fundbv.org/events, email Susan Tideman at satideman@bluevalleyk12. org or scan the QR code.

SPRING 2025 • 13

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