Blue Valley Today — Spring 2026

Spring 2026

Cottonwood Point wins 2nd at Battle of the Brains School Funding 101 Blue Valley Esports program levels up SPRING 2026 • 1

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If you asked me to describe learning in Blue Valley, two words come to mind: dynamic and purposedriven. As a district, we have a responsibility to prepare our students to navigate their futures with purpose.

For some, that means pursuing a college degree.

For others, it means entering a trade or beginning a career immediately after graduation — opportunities made possible because they had a chance to explore their interests and develop skills during high school.

We live in an ever-changing world, where skills and jobs that didn't exist 10 years ago are vital to ensuring an individual's future success. We want to provide our students with real-world experiences and clear pathways that connect classroom learning to life after graduation. These experiences are possible because of the intentional investments we’ve made in our people, our programs and the spaces where students learn — investments that help turn classroom moments into real-world readiness.

This summer, we will complete work from our 2023 bond, and our community can see firsthand the impact of these upgrades — from cutting-edge learning environments to the soon-to-open Wolf Springs Middle.

These improvements are more than bricks and mortar.

They are foundational steps as we look ahead to future opportunities, with a stronger focus on the skilled trades and deeper industry partnerships. How can we continue to offer our students exceptional, rigorous experiences that prepare them for their future?

While we focus on the future, we also want to be mindful of the financial challenges districts across Kansas, including Blue Valley, are facing. Birth rates are at historic lows and housing costs continue to affect enrollment. Like every district in Kansas, we face the burden of the legislature’s failure to fund special education as statutorily required — a $16 million

shortfall in Blue Valley alone. That’s $1,400 redirected per student — money we could use to reduce class sizes, retain top educators and enhance student supports.

Despite this, we remain committed to our strategic plan and the high expectations our community holds.

On page 4, you’ll find information on how Blue Valley is funded. This topic is increasingly important as we work to maintain the quality our community expects in the face of state, federal and local-level funding challenges.

Despite these financial realities, we remain focused on what lies ahead, and that means making thoughtful decisions about how we prioritize our resources. In the year ahead, we’re taking a closer look at how technology is used in the classroom to ensure it enhances, rather than replaces, meaningful, in-person learning experiences. We know the value of face-toface instruction and the relationships that high-quality educators build with their students. We also know that hands-on learning, whether through service, science or the arts, is where students often find their spark.

I've seen firsthand what that spark looks like in our students — and we see it early. From art students at Pleasant Ridge Middle designing hoodies for local shelters to Liberty View Elementary’s donation of gently used sports equipment, our students are learning to serve. They are learning that what they do matters, and they’re growing into thoughtful, compassionate leaders because of it. Whether it's pitching innovative ideas at Battle of the Brains or teaming up in esports competitions, our students are engaging in learning that is relevant, empowering and connected to the world they’re preparing to enter.

Gillian Chapman, Ed.D. Full Color

15020 Metcalf Ave. P.O. Box 23901 Overland Park, KS 66283-0901 913-239-4000 Gillian Chapman, Ed.D.

Board of Education Dr. David Benson Jodie Dietz Dr. Sonya Evans Patrick Hurley Jan Kessinger Gina Knapp 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 2026 • 3

SCHOOL FUNDING 101: How Blue Valley Schools is funded

Public schools across the state are funded through a shared framework that relies on multiple revenue sources, each restricted to specific uses. Rather than drawing from a single pool of local tax dollars, districts receive a combination of state aid, federal funding, family-paid fees and locally approved taxes and bonds. This model supports a wide range of essential services, including student transportation, meals, staff compensation, special education services, utilities and school facilities.

As lawmakers consider education funding priorities during the 2026 Kansas Legislative session and begin work to rewrite the state’s school funding formula for the 2027-28 school year, understanding how schools are funded is critical. Changes to any one funding source can affect a district’s overall budget and lead to decisions that directly impact students and staff.

FUNDING SOURCES

STUDENTS

STATE AID

STAFF $36M for special education grants

$14M for transportation

$144M for staffing and compensation

FACILITIES & CURRICULUM $10M for utilities

$4M for special education grants

FEDERAL AID $2M for meal subsidies

LOCAL TAX

$1M for Medicaid services

$1M for Title 1,2,3 grants $15M for custodial/ maintenance salaries

$80M for staffing and compensation

Capital outlay Bond referendums to finance:

• 22 elementary schools • 10 middle schools • 5 high schools

FAMILIES $8M in meal fees 4 • B L U E VA L L E Y T O D AY

$1M for activity fees

$2M for learning resources

SERVING THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY: Valley Park’s student support jobs build confidence, responsibility

Responsibility, pride and purpose start early at Valley Park Elementary.

What began three years ago as a small effort to meet individual student needs has grown into what is now called the Student Support Squad, a popular schoolwide program involving nearly 100 students. Today, Valley Park Elementary offers 36 different student jobs designed to build responsibility, confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

Designed with inclusivity in mind, the Student Support Squad was created to support a wide range of building needs under the guidance of student support liaison Liz Moore. Initially developed as a way to provide sensory breaks and purposeful movement for students who needed a reset during the school day, the program has grown to serve students across all learning styles.

“It really developed by listening to the needs of staff and students in the building and then getting creative,” Moore said. “It was about giving them a purpose and helping them feel important in the building.”

Members of the Student Support

Squad have to take initiative with their work by showing interest in the program to their teacher, followed by signing a contract that outlines expectations and accountability.

This helps reinforce that their role is both meaningful and important in the building. Once accepted, students wear a school badge that identifies them as part of the Student Support Squad and highlights their role in the building.

“You have to follow the rules and do your job the right way,” said Elijah Olson, a fifth grader at Valley Park.

Sadie Quiroz, a second grader at Valley Park, spends time at the end of her school day helping in the nurse's office. Wearing her Student Support Squad badge, she takes pride in knowing her work helps both students and staff. This job is especially close to her heart because her mother is a nurse.

classmates stay focused at lunch, organizing shared spaces like the library or assisting with music and physical education classes.

“It helps you communicate and build a connection with the younger kids in the building,” said Londyn LoehrChase, a fifth grader at Valley Park.

Students say the experience helps prepare them for the real world and future jobs. This program helps them learn about responsibility, communication and follow-through skills that extend beyond the classroom into daily life at home and school.

“I like my school job because I really like to help people,” Quiroz said.

Whether it’s monitoring the hallways, delivering notes from the office or helping set up for a physical education class, students in the Student Support Squad are learning that even small acts of service make a big difference. And for many, that sense of responsibility, pride and purpose will last far beyond their time at Valley Park.

Students earn “proud paws” for completing their jobs, which can be redeemed at their classroom store. Older students often take on leadership roles through the job program, helping younger

“It is so gratifying to see our students take pride in their contributions, know that their actions matter and recognize they are valued members of our school family,” said Emily Gill, Valley Park assistant principal.

G 22002266 •• 55 SSPPRRIINNG

ideas results

Blue Valley students shine at Battle of the Brains

The stage is set. Confetti is ready to fly. Inspiration and awe shine in the eyes of students as they stream into Union Station for a ceremony that feels like the Oscars of K–12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in the Kansas City area.

As the ceremony builds toward its final top five announcements, Cottonwood Point Elementary students sit frozen in their seats.

Hands clasped. Eyes squeezed shut in anticipation.

When Cottonwood Point is called, the room erupts. Smiles turn to stunned expressions as the students realize they’ve earned a secondplace finish for their idea, Sound All Around, and a $25,000 STEM grant to bring their ideas back to their classrooms.

“This is such a cool opportunity to have,” said Thomas Wise, a fifth grader at Cottonwood Point. “It’s so crazy that we got in the top 20, let alone second place.”

The celebration is part of a much bigger moment. Out of 710 entries, three Blue Valley teams rose to the top, earning recognition among the competition’s top 20 submissions.

Battle of the Brains, founded in 2011

by Burns & McDonnell, is a city-wide STEM competition that challenges students to dream up innovative exhibit concepts for Union Station’s Science City, pushing creativity, collaboration and problem-solving beyond the classroom.

“I’m super grateful to Burns & McDonnell and Union Station Science City for this opportunity that they provide for kids,” said Chrissie Adriance, gifted teacher at

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Cottonwood Point. “It’s just a one-ofa-kind experience that they entrust to kids to come up with the idea for the next exhibit.”

SOUND ALL AROUND The second-place team at Cottonwood Point created a project where visitors could explore experiments that uncover the secrets of how sound is created and how it moves. From using Slinkies to demonstrate sound waves to domino setups that visualize sound in motion, the proposed project included all the components of a fun exhibit. The exhibit turned abstract science concepts into experiences students can see, feel and hear.

While the students celebrated, Adriance reflected that the project goes beyond the second-place win.

It was about giving students the space to imagine, create and lead.

“They worked so hard, and they were all in from the beginning,” Adriance said. “They just gave a hundred percent through the whole experience. I’m just so proud of how this all turned out.”

Sound All Around wasn’t the only idea to stand out that day. Across Blue Valley, students were dreaming up exhibits just as bold. Oxford Middle School and Heartland Elementary earned places among the competition’s top 20, along with $2,500 STEM grants to support continued learning and innovation at their buildings.

SUPER ADAPTORS Guided by teacher Jessica Quiason, Oxford Middle School seventh and eighth grade students sparked curiosity about evolution through their Super Adaptors project. This action-packed exhibit would take visitors on an evolutionary adventure, where they could design their own creature and engage in arcade-style games that illustrate the concept of survival of the fittest. The proposed exhibit would encourage students to think like scientists, testing how traits help species adapt to changing environments.

For the team, the recognition was both unexpected and rewarding.

“This is such a surprise,” said Skyler Juhl, Oxford Middle seventh grader.

“I’m really excited [because] we really worked together on this.”

IT’S A HARD ROCK LIFE A team of six at Heartland Elementary, supported by teacher Penelope Tilbury, imagined a hand-sculpted cave that would immerse visitors into all things rocks.

Earthquake simulators and rock walls showing off the earth’s history are just a few elements of the group’s proposed It’s A Hard Rock Life exhibit.

Combining rock-and-roll with real life rocks, visitors would leave the exhibit with an appreciation for rocks.

The team designed the exhibit to feel like stepping inside the Earth itself, blending hands-on science with creative storytelling.

“This is [Heartland’s] first time getting in the top 20,” Tilbury said. “[The students] were clever, listened to feedback well, they gave each other feedback, received feedback, collaborated well and did some great art.”

FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT As the confetti settled at Union Station, the impact of the day extended beyond the ceremony.

Together, the three projects showcased the depth and range of innovation coming from Blue Valley classrooms. With new STEM grants fueling future exploration, students returned to their classrooms, already imagining what might come next.

Share Your Blue Valley Story!

As Blue Valley celebrates 60 years, we’re collecting stories from the people who’ve helped shape our district.

We’re looking for alumni of all ages and from every era because every experience adds to our shared history.

Whether you attended one year or many, your story matters.

Share your story by completing the alumni form on our website at bluevalleyk12.org/alumni or scan the QR code.

SPRING 2026 • 7

GAME ON: Blue Valley esports builds community through competition Inside the inaugural esports tournament, the atmosphere felt different from a typical athletic event. The glow of screens lit up gaming stations as students leaned forward in concentration, controllers clicking with every move. Teams traded momentum back and forth as spectators watched the action unfold on large displays overhead.

Between rounds, the room buzzed with quiet anticipation, a mix of suspense, strategy and school pride in a new kind of competitive arena.

In all five Blue Valley high schools, esports is creating a place for students to belong, compete and be part of a team built around shared passion. The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) sanctioned its inaugural esports season for the 2025-26 school year, opening the door for district teams to compete in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Blue Valley students have long found community through athletics, activities and clubs. Now, there is another option for connection, bringing students together in a fastgrowing activity built on teamwork and strategy.

For district students, esports is about more than competition. It provides a space where those with shared interests can connect and feel a sense of belonging. That community is one of the strongest impacts coaches, like Blue Valley North’s

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LEVEL ONE: BELONGING

Matthew Christensen, see.

“Esports offers this great opportunity for students that share like interests to find community with other players,” Christensen said. “It's the same reason that people who like playing football play football. It's the same reason that people who enjoy debate, do debate. They have an interest that they're passionate about, and they join a club doing that.”

LEVEL TWO: PRACTICE Video games may look effortless from the outside, but students know success requires hours of dedication and practice. Competitors, like Blue Valley North senior Aaron Uzelac, spend significant time sharpening

skills, learning strategy and improving teamwork.

“I wish people understood like this isn't something super easy to do…

You won’t just be super good,” Uzelac said. “You actually have to dedicate time and practice... I've got probably 2,000 hours in Rocket League.”

LEVEL THREE: CONNECTION Coaches, like Blue Valley Southwest’s Brandon Bishop, said what stands out most is the energy students bring and the connections that form when they compete side by side.

Esports creates an environment where students support one another, celebrate improvement and build confidence together.

“The level of technical skill and mastery these kids have over these games is something I will never approach… Seeing the amount of time and energy and practice that they put into this game is really impressive,” Bishop said. “There's something different about having kids together in the room, playing the same game, talking about it. This is where friendships are formed.”

LEVEL FOUR: OPPORTUNITY Esports is also helping competitors, like Blue Valley Southwest junior Rylan Riley, see new possibilities for their future. Collegiate programs and scholarships are growing, giving students other opportunities beyond high school.

“People get scholarships for it,” Riley said. “It's actually a successful business now. It's not just something like, ‘Oh, I just game for fun.’ I can game for a job, and I can do what I love and make money from it.”

LEVEL FIVE: COMPETITION For many students, esports is a chance to represent their school in a new kind of arena, and Blue Valley high schools have already made their mark. Three district teams qualified for the inaugural KSHSAA esports state championship tournament: Blue Valley High in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Rocket

League and Blue Valley North in Rocket League. Both Blue Valley High Tigers teams reached the semifinals in their respective tournament brackets.

LEVEL SIX: GROWTH As esports continues to expand across Blue Valley, coaches hope even more students will have the chance to participate. District support has helped ensure that it is accessible, giving students an opportunity to compete without barriers.

I just want to see more kids participating,” Christensen said.

“The district has been absolutely incredible with the care and attention and effort that they've put behind this program. Having it to where students aren't limited by a financial obstacle in order to play for this is, I really can't put it into words how thankful I am for it.”

Esports may be digital, but the impact they have in Blue Valley is real.

“All I want out of esports in Blue Valley is just to see it keep growing.

To watch the video, scan the QR code or visit www.tinyurl.com/BV-Esports.

SPRING 2026 • 9

SPRING IN FULL SWING:

Blue Valley district events you won’t want to miss

Spring is in full swing, and our community calendar is packed with opportunities to get out, whether it's attending a baseball game or a spring musical.

Legacy Pass holders receive free admission to all listed events. Blue Valley residents who are age 60 or older who would like to sign up for a Legacy Pass should visit bluevalleyk12.org/legacy.

All athletics, activities and performances are subject to change. For up-to-date information, visit tinyurl.com/BVspringevents.

MARCH 26 Girls & Boys Track & Field Meet Location: Blue Valley West, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 3-8 p.m.

APRIL 2

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged Location: Blue Valley Northwest, 13260 Switzer Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

APRIL 7

Baseball: Blue Valley High vs. Blue Valley North Location: Blue Valley North baseball field, 12200 Lamar Ave. Time: 4:45-6 p.m.

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APRIL 10-11 Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Location: Blue Valley West, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

APRIL 14

Baseball: Blue Valley Northwest vs. Blue Valley West Location: Antioch District Activity Complex, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 5-7 p.m.

APRIL 16-17

My Brain Hurts Location: Blue Valley West, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

APRIL 16-18

Alice by Heart Location: Blue Valley Southwest, 17600 Quivira Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

APRIL 17

Girls Swim & Dive: Blue Valley Northwest vs. Olathe East Location: Blue Valley Northwest, 13260 Switzer Rd. Time: 5-6:30 p.m.

APRIL 21 Softball: Blue Valley High vs. Blue Valley Northwest Location: Blue Valley District Activity Complex, 13310 Switzer Rd. Time: 4-6 p.m.

APRIL 28

Orchestra concert Location: Blue Valley North, 12200 Lamar Ave. Time: 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Blue Valley West vs. Blue Valley High Location: Antioch District Activity Complex, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

APRIL 30

Band concert Location: Blue Valley North, 12200 Lamar Ave. Time: 7 p.m.

APRIL 30-MAY 2

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Location: Blue Valley Northwest, 13260 Switzer Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

MAY 1-2

Twelve Angry Jurors Location: Blue Valley West, 16200 Antioch Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

MAY 2

Girls Swim & Dive: Blue Valley Southwest vs. Spring Hill Location: Blue Valley Southwest, 17600 Quivira Rd. Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

C’mon!

MAY 4

Northwest area percussion night Location: Blue Valley Northwest, 13260 Switzer Rd. Time: 7 p.m.

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