FALL 2023
Educators find welcoming home in Blue Valley A game-changing math resource Record-breaking BVEF breakfast
15020 Metcalf Overland Park, Kansas 66283
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A Message
from the Superintendent Even after 24 years in Blue Valley, the start of each school year is still a special time for me. In the first week of school, I visited buildings and programs and checked in with administrators. Each of them told me they had a fantastic start to the year. You might be asking yourself, “Why is that?”
create a culture in their classrooms, so when the learning began, a foundation was built.
It’s because of the dedication of our staff and the support we receive from the community. Together those factors led us to a new school year filled with excitement. As most know, the first day of school carries a variety of emotions. Some students are excited to see their friends and teachers, while others may experience anxiety over starting a new school or returning after a summer off. I firmly believe our staff wraps around every student to ensure they feel welcomed, supported and comfortable. On the morning of the first day, I stopped in at Blue Valley Northwest. Most students were inside the building, getting situated for the first class. As two administrators and I stood outside, we noticed a student sitting alone. An administrator walked over to him, and we quickly learned he was new and didn’t speak English.
Just a few months into the school year, our teachers have already seen academic success in our students. Academics are a cornerstone of Blue Valley, and we pride ourselves on ensuring our students graduate prepared for their next step. Preparation begins in our early childhood program when we are teaching literacy and math skills. At the end of last school year, our students in K-8 saw tremendous growth in math. After implementing a new math resource, students outperformed. It’s just another reminder that when we have the right tools in place, our students academically succeed. We are looking forward to another wonderful year in Blue Valley. Our Board of Education, which welcomed our new board member Dr. Sonya Evans during the summer, is ready to tackle another year while keeping our students and staff at the forefront.
Within 10 minutes, a whole team of staff members were wrapping around him. I’ve since found out he is thriving. That was an impactful moment as it reminded me of our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
Tonya Merrigan, Ed.D. Superintendent
On day one, our teachers purposefully connected with students and set high expectations for the year ahead. They took the time to
Blue Valley Schools 15020 Metcalf Ave. P.O. Box 23901 Overland Park, KS 66283-0901 (913) 239-4000 Superintendent Tonya Merrigan, Ed.D.
Board of Education Patrick Hurley Jodie Dietz, President Jan Kessinger Gina Knapp, Vice President Jim McMullen Tom Mitchell Dr. Sonya Evans
Website www.bluevalleyk12.org For more information about Blue Valley Today, contact the Communications Department 913-239-4047.
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SUPPORTIVE, WELCOMING AND KIND Educators find their home in Blue Valley
Story contributions made by intern, Payton Mitchell.
Growing up, Erika Cherian was the kid who played teacher. After a day at school, Cherian would return home only to continue simulating being at school. Becoming a teacher has been her dream since she was in the third grade. Thomas Cherian grew up with the exact opposite dream. Becoming a school counselor and working in education wasn’t in his plans. He always saw himself as a pilot, and just seven years ago, the thought of being a school counselor was absent from his mind. “Over time, I realized that the impact that I can have on this world 4 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
starts with the kids that we work with in our schools,” Thomas Cherian said. Now, the couple finds themselves working in education and the same school district — Erika Cherian continuing to fulfill her dream of being a teacher at Wolf Springs Elementary and Thomas Cherian finding his place in an unlikely career at Lakewood Elementary. Thomas Cherian is in his second year as a school counselor at Lakewood, and Erika Cherian is beginning her first year at Wolf Springs, her fifth year in education overall.
Although Wolf Springs and Lakewood elementaries reside in different areas and feeder systems within the community, the culture and climate experienced at both are district-wide.
“Ever since I met her, she has been passionate about teaching, and I get to see her passion impact the world around her and the kids,” Thomas Cherian said.
Exemplary educators have been a long-held cornerstone of Blue Valley. The district ensures every educator provides a transformative educational experience for all students. Recruiting and retaining educators who value these principles is vital to Blue Valley’s overall success.
As Erika Cherian inspired her husband to pursue a career in education, he inspired his wife to pursue a job opportunity in Blue Valley. The positive stories Erika Cherian heard when Thomas Cherian arrived home after work led her to Wolf Springs.
Choosing Blue Valley was an easy decision for Thomas Cherian. Growing up in the area, he knew of the district’s reputation as a top school district in the nation, the support teachers received and the academic success students strive for. His choice paid off. “They took a chance on me, and they’ve been very supportive and helped me grow as a school counselor,” Thomas Cherian said. “I could truly see myself here at Lakewood, hopefully for a long time, because I feel at home here in this position.” Kathleen Cigich, Lakewood Elementary principal, said when she interviewed Thomas Cherian for the position, she knew he brought the positive energy needed for the school’s day-to-day functions. “Thomas is friendly, a great listener and builds relationships with students and staff,” Cigich said. “He truly believes in the importance of kids feeling safe at school.” When Thomas Cherian thinks of the Lakewood community, three words come to mind — inclusive, welcoming and kind. Those three attributes ensure the Lakewood team shares a common goal of supporting each student, Cigich said. “I always say that we all have hard days, but we never do the hard days alone,” Cigich said. What led Thomas Cherian to pursue a career in education was his wife.
“Having that support for teachers is huge,” Erika Cherian said. “That ultimately leads to the success of students, which is what every teacher wants. That was really big for me to hear about the support offered, not only for teachers, but for students.” Meaghan Graber, Wolf Springs Elementary principal, said the school’s inviting culture allows students, staff and the community to feel valued and included. Erika Cherian in her role as a kindergarten teacher, incorporates the qualities her third-grade teacher taught her — always be welcoming and create a safe and inclusive environment. “I want every child in my classroom to know they play an important role in our community,” Erika Cherian said. “I do this by getting to know students’ strengths and interests, and prioritizing morning meetings where students have a chance to share more about themselves. I provide time for students to encourage and lift each other up.” As Thomas and Erika Cherian kickstart their second and fifth years, respectively, in education, they remember what it was like to be a new educator, diving headfirst into an unknown role that can come with unforeseen challenges. Both Thomas and Erika Cherian agree one of the most important reminders is to ask for help. “Ask questions and maintain a learning attitude,” Thomas Cherian said. “This job is not meant to be done solo. Rather, it takes a team to build our future generations.”
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A Game-Changer New math resource leads to greater academic success among K-8 students
When Blue Valley implemented its new K-8 math resource, iReady, at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, it was clear early on that it was a game-changer. By the end of the school year, teachers were astounded. The impact the math resource had on student learning led to assessment scores that exceeded expectations.
The iReady diagnostic assessments were administered in the fall, winter and spring. From the fall to the spring, students demonstrated substantial growth, far exceeding iReady’s growth benchmarks. Blue Valley students additionally showed tremendous overall scores with students scoring on iReady’s national benchmark 26 percentage points higher than the national population.
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The gains can be seen with the district’s highest-achieving students and those who have historically struggled in math.
students to score in the top two categories of the iReady diagnostic.
“In the first year of implementation I think that data is really impressive,” said Adam Wade, Blue Valley’s Director of Academic Programs and Accountability. “Our teachers leaned into the rigor of the resource.”
“We will continue to support students and staff through this work, but the data in year one affirms that we’re on the right path,” Wade said. “When a system streamlines its efforts in terms of a resource, instructional ideas and support, good things happen.”
Last year, the Blue Valley School District implemented iReady at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, and for many students, a new world of understanding unfolded. Darla Belt, a 7th-grade math and science teacher at Aubry Bend Middle, attributes the progress she saw in all her students to their dedication to utilizing the iReady resource. “I would attribute it to how the teachers were dedicated to delivering the kids the necessary information while trying to learn and utilize a new program,” Belt said. One of the most important changes students experience with iReady is a stronger incorporation of problem-solving work. This approach allows students to develop a deeper level of conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Belt said while it took the students some time to get into the rhythm of using a new resource, once they did, they excelled.
“It’s my favorite thing as a teacher to see the light bulb go on, especially with math. There’s so many kids who come in with a confidence level of ‘I can’t do math.’ To understand they can be good at math and see how much they’ve grown from the beginning to the end is great.” DARLA BELT AUBRY BEND MIDDLE TEACHER
“It’s my favorite thing as a teacher to see the light bulb go on, especially with math,” Belt said. “There’s so many kids who come in with a confidence level of ‘I can’t do math.’ To understand they can be good at math and see how much they’ve grown from the beginning to the end is great.” Jennifer Taylor, the district’s K-8 math coordinator, said many teachers embraced the new resource from the beginning. The fall diagnostic provided teachers with baseline data, with the winter diagnostic the first opportunity to clearly measure student growth. Results showed leaning into iReady had proved successful, and teachers were ecstatic. “Teachers were like, ‘OK, it’s all worth it. This is why we do this,’” Taylor said. “Not that test scores mean everything, but as a system, we have to have something to show growth… We have it now.” District growth goals for the 2023-24 school year reflect a goal of 80% of FA L L 2 0 2 3 • 7
First Day of School The first day of school is always filled with a range of emotions. From the jitters to pure joy to nerves to happy tears. For Blue Valley, the first day is always one of excitement as staff welcomes back over 22,000 students. Check out these highlights from the first day of school. Have a great year, Blue Valley!
Check out our Back-to School post for more pictures!
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U.S. News names all Blue Valley high schools to 2023 Best High Schools List All five Blue Valley high schools have earned a spot in the top 15 on U.S. News’ Best High Schools in Kansas list. This accomplishment is magnified by the fact that all five high schools also rank within the top 8% nationally. These achievements are a testament to our exceptional educators, dedicated students and supportive community. Without all three, the district could not lead students to academic success and continue to prepare them for the future. U.S. News compiles its list based on various factors, including state assessment proficiency and performance, college readiness and graduation rate.
Guess who’s a top employer in Kansas? Yep, it’s us! Blue Valley School District has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in Kansas! This recognition underscores the district’s continuous dedication to fostering a positive work atmosphere where growth and innovation flourish. Thank you to Blue Valley’s exceptional staff who contribute to making Blue Valley a remarkable place to work. The dedication of Blue Valley staff is truly what sets the district apart and allows us to continue leading students to academic success.
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BLUE VALLEY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT BVEF celebrates its 33rd annual community breakfast Connecting community members for a good cause is a great way to kick off any school year—especially in Blue Valley. Area leaders filled the Overland Park Convention Center on August 31 for the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s 33rd annual community breakfast. The foundation has worked in partnership with the Blue Valley School District for over 30 years, playing a pivotal role in enriching education in the district.
Valley Hall of Fame. Speak Up launched in 2015 with a goal to provide quality mental health awareness and education and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Between the $683,000 in teacher grants awarded last November to the opening of the BV Food Pantry this April, BVEF has offered a number of opportunities to students, educators and families in the district — and this year will be no different.
The foundation has implemented one of its programs, Sources of Strength into all of the middle schools and high schools in the district. The program teaches students how to support one another through mental struggles and how to know the signs of someone in a serious mental crisis.
The breakfast showcased the exceptional talents of district students and staff, highlighted several live-saving programs like Youth Mental Health First Aid, and celebrated the record-breaking $399,000 that was raised during the event. These raised funds will not only brighten the futures of staff and students in the district but also the future of businesses in the area. As Superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan spoke with a panel of local business leaders, the community learned how vitally important the award-winning district is to the county’s economic development.
Special vocal performance by Alicia Anderson, Overland Trail Elementary Assistant Principal. 1 0 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
“It’s absolutely imperative,” said Tim Cowden, President and CEO at Kansas City Area Development Council. “It’s so important to our future. We are in this competition with markets across the country and around the world and we’re winning in large part because of the work that’s being done in this school district and all the partners across the region” BVEF inducted the Speak Up Foundation into the Best of Blue
“Being a student athlete, I have had to learn that my performance on the field doesn’t define who I am,” said Lydia Ungashick, a Blue Valley West senior and the school’s Sources of Strength co-president. “Sources of Strength has helped me build that separation.” BVEF also announced its plan to help the district’s special education programs reach their fullest potential. Special education teachers are a vital resource for the program, but finding qualified educators to fill these positions is a challenge many districts face. Partnering with the Michael & Brandy Rea Family Foundation, an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, BVEF will help cover the cost of tuition for Blue Valley paraprofessionals who want to take their careers to the next level. “Our children are our future, and those futures are bright because of the opportunities we have to support those who lead them to their full potential,” said Brandy Rea, the director of Michael & Brandy Rea Family Foundation. BVEF approved a total investment of over $131,000 for the program, leaving up to $13,000 per selected educator. Brandy and Mike Rea supported this pilot program with a gift of one total scholarship of $13,140. The BVEF has life-changing plans in place for educators and students this school year and none of it would be possible without the support of the Blue Valley community. To learn more about BVEF and their plans for a brighter future, visit https://fundbv.org/.
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