Blue Valley Today — Summer 2024

SUMMER 2024

Cultivating real-world skills Retiree's teaching revival

15020 Metcalf Overland Park, Kansas 66283

BLS

From Brazil to Blue Valley SUMMER 2024 • 1

PAID U. S. Postage

PRSRT STD

WE SUPPORT BLUE VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

SUMMER 2024 • 3

A second act of purpose

Retiree fulfills dream of returning to the classroom

Retirement often sparks a search for a new purpose in life, and for Larry Jones, that purpose led him back to an unfilled passion. After 30 years of managing historic Kansas City venues like Bartle Hall and Kemper Arena, Jones wanted to make a deeper impact on his community.

Having originally graduated from Avila University with a degree in elementary education, teaching was always a passion for Jones, which led him to take a paraprofessional position in 2018 at Leawood Elementary, where he quickly became a fixture in the hallways, classrooms and car line.

“I didn’t ever dream of coming back to the classroom,” Jones said.

“I didn’t think it would be possible, but that was kind of my first love.”

“It’s amazing to have someone like him in the building,” said Katie Geist, Leawood Elementary librarian. “You walk by, and he’s working one-on-one with students. He’s so present and gives

4 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

the students 100 percent of himself when he’s working with them.”

Known for his infectious joy and passion, Jones has made a significant impact on the school community. He spends the majority of his time helping young students with socialemotional issues.

“To hire a really good para is one of the hardest jobs I have in the building,” said Jenny Hayes, Leawood Elementary’s principal. “To make sure you have the right fit and right connection doesn’t come easily. You never wonder if Mr. Jones can make the connection. You always know he’s the one that will make that connection, make that difference in a child’s life.”

"You never wonder if Mr. Jones can make the connection. You always know he's the one that will make that connection, make that difference in a child's life."

JENNY HAYES LEAWOOD ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

Although he works with students of all ages, this year’s fifth graders, who will move on to Leawood Middle next fall, have a special place in Jones’ heart. This class was the first group of students he worked with when he arrived in Blue Valley.

“They were so special to me,” Jones said. “And, at that time, I thought, ‘I just really want to be here to watch them graduate.’ That would make me so proud, watching them through all the different stages. I’m probably going to be bawling like a proud parent.”

“I love him so much,” said Ava Langlois, a former fifthgrader at Leawood Elementary. “He’s just really sweet, and it’s so fun to watch him work with kids, and just seeing someone bring that much joy means a lot to us.”

Even though that original class will be moving on, there will always be a new group of students to help. Jones said he has no plans for a second retirement any time soon.

“Teaching is the only profession I would do for free,” Jones said. “It’s not about the income, it’s about the outcome.”

To watch the full video story, scan the QR code here.

SUMMER 2024 • 5

Blue Valley’s Career Ready Programs Cultivating real-world skills in students

Finding what you love early Baking had always been a part of Blue Valley High graduate Ella Hibbard’s life, a love nurtured in her grandparents’ kitchen, where she made simple treats alongside her grandma. But when the pandemic hit, Hibbard’s passion turned into a lifeline. With the extra time, Hibbard began texting friends to drop off treats at their homes.

When school was back in session, Hibbard — a self-proclaimed theater kid — eagerly dove back into roles in school plays.

Whether baking honey cakes for "The Hobbit" cast or her role in “Nights at the Roundtable” inspiring her to make sword and stone cupcakes, she never lost her love for baking. What started as a pastime snowballed into bringing a different treat for her classmates to enjoy every day.

6 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

These moments led Hibbard to apply for Blue Valley’s Career Ready Programs. Through a partnership with Johnson County Community College (JCCC), Blue Valley has developed students’ talents and provided opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

Hibbard was drawn to JCCC’s Culinary and Hospitality program, specifically the pastry and baking certificate program, which accepts only 16 students each academic year.

Hibbard took her chance applying for the program and when she got accepted, Blue Valley stepped in to support her. Without her teachers, counselors and the district, Hibbard isn’t sure she would've known what options were available to help her stand out in a competitive industry. But after completing JCCC’s program, she feels two steps ahead of her competition.

“I helped bake 500 pastries for a JCCC event, I helped serve at the James Beard Beneficiary dinner, I ran a farmers market booth last summer at Parkville Coffee,” Hibbard said. “I have a two-year start on pretty much everyone I’ve talked to, so I am getting these connections and meeting people [in the industry] just because I am here.”

Hibbard said she is grateful for the unique experiences and connections facilitated by the program, which reaffirmed her passion for baking.

“Being able to go here with little consequences gave me the chance to experiment with what I love to do and figure out that this is what I want to do,” Hibbard said. “If I didn’t like it my first semester, I could just go back to high school and try something else.”

Gaining experience in this industry can be challenging — especially as a recent graduate. Hibbard has set her sights on taking her skills to sea and becoming a cruise ship baker.

Regardless of what happens, Hibbard plans to enter the industry as a baker and gain a few years of experience before opening up her own business.

“I really just want my own space where I can create pastries for people, and I can make people feel welcomed because I think deep down that’s what making food is, and finding what I love so early on is something I think is so special,” Hibbard said.

The best of both worlds In the depths of the Alaskan wilderness, amidst billowing smoke and fierce, hot flames, stands recent Blue Valley Southwest graduate, Tommy Caul, ready to embrace his fiery future.

After a career-altering injury in his junior year, Caul’s trajectory shifted dramatically. His once-set plans for collegiate athletics were replaced with uncertainty, leaving him to explore new opportunities.

“I ran cross country and track and field from my freshman year to my junior year,” Caul said. “I was planning on running at the University of Georgia. I tore my labrum and had a stress fracture in my femur and the recovery was going to be really long so I started to look at other paths.”

With a passion ignited by embracing his injuries, Caul joined Blue Valley’s Career Ready Program, Fire Science and Emergency Medical program, during his senior year.

The program allows those interested in fire services, emergency medical services and other public service careers to get handson learning through a partnership with the Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD). Since the program’s inception in 2021, 30 Blue Valley students have graduated.

“The program gets you all the certifications you need to become a firefighter when you graduate," Caul said. "This is something I can really see myself doing. So I put my nose to the grindstone and just kept working at it until I got to where I am now.”

With graduation behind him, Caul is embarking on an adventure that few would undertake — spending six months in Alaska.

Working with the North Star Fire Crew in Fairbanks, Ala., Caul will put skills cultivated in the program to work, fighting forest fires and volunteering for various conservation and resource enhancement projects. With such treacherous work, Caul has found ways to appreciate the opportunities Alaska will bring.

“Fighting fires is going to be the cool part,” Caul said. “But going in planes and helicopters sounds pretty cool too.”

When Caul first entered the untraditional classroom filled with hoses, fire suits and ladders, he wasn’t sure if he was stepping too far out of the classroom. In the end, that’s what he appreciated most.

“The program helped me feel like I am in high school but also feel like I am one step ahead," Caul said. "I feel like I am almost living two different lives. I go to high school for half the day, and then I go to fire training for the other half of the day. You get the best of both worlds where you’re still a kid, but you also have adult responsibilities.”

To discover how Blue Valley’s Career Ready Programs can help students like Ella Hibbard and Tommy Caul turn their passions into thriving careers, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/CareerReady.

SUMMER 2024 • 7

8 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

SUMMER 2024 • 9

From Brazil to Blue Valley Next Steps program leads to lifelong connections and early educational success

Moving to a new city and school can be challenging. Relocating to a new country where you don’t know anyone and the language and culture are unfamiliar is a daunting task. When the RibeiroBorba family found out they were moving from São Paulo, Brazil to Overland Park, Kan., they knew one thing was essential: a community and school district with supportive programs to ensure a smooth transition for their kids.

When they were looking for a program for their daughter Serena Ribeiro, 4, the Blue Valley School District recommended Next Steps, a Parents as Teachers program geared toward three to fiveyear-olds who are English language learners. The program was a good fit for Serena, as her parents wanted her to be comfortable speaking English and develop more socialization skills before starting kindergarten.

But being immersed in the culture and learning English haven’t been the only benefits for the Ribeiro-Borba family. Through the program, the family connected with another Brazilian family who relocated to Overland Park.

Fernando and Juliana Leitão became interested in the Parents as Teachers and Next Steps programs so their daughter Camila, 3, could interact with other kids and meet people from different countries.

“We came to a place where we don’t know the culture or language,” said Vinicius Ribeiro. “Knowing that we have other

1 0 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

people that are in the same situation, going through the same obstacles — it’s very good.”

This connection has given both families a support network and a sense of familiarity as they navigate the challenges of moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture.

Serena and Camila quickly developed a friendship at the program’s weekly playgroup. When they arrive in the mornings, they aren’t hesitant to spot each other across the room, link hands and walk to the classroom together.

“They will translate or navigate between speaking English and Portuguese together,” said Amy Scavuzzo, a Parents as Teachers parent educator. “It’s just this beautiful connection of them using their home language but also experimenting and playing with the English language.”

During class, the kids work on classroom routines — hanging up their backpacks and locating their lockers — that they will need to know as they enter kindergarten. They spend the first few minutes engaging in free play around the room before gathering for story time and activities on the carpet.

In addition to establishing kids with a playgroup, the Next Steps program also connects families with a community-based preschool to further immerse them in a classroom experience.

Vinicius and Carla said the wealth of support their family receives

through the Next Steps playgroup and home visits has been significant. These home visits ensure Serena’s development is on track and provide the Ribeiro-Borba family with valuable parenting insights and at-home activities.

“It’s outstanding,” Carla Borba said.

Fernando Leitão said having a program like Next Steps and Parents as Teachers ensures Camila can meet people and become immersed in the community.

Becky Carney, a parent educator for Parents as Teachers, said watching Camila pick up on the English language and mature during her short time in the program has been amazing.

“I feel like she is more outgoing than she was at the beginning,” Carney said. “She has learned the routines of the classroom so well. I’ve seen a lot of growth as far as self-help skills and she’s

able to do a lot of things on her own.”

As the Ribeiro-Borba and Leitão families continue to grow in the Next Steps program and beyond, they hope more families become aware of and benefit from the Parents as Teachers program.

“Back home, we don’t have this kind of support or team from a school district,” Vinicius Ribeiro said. “It’s really awesome to have Next Steps and the home visits. We learn a lot from [parent educators] and they pass along a lot of good activities. They care about the dynamic we have as parents with the kids. It’s amazing to know that someone is caring about those things.”

To learn more about Parents as Teachers and Next Steps or to enroll your child in the program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/ parentsasteachers.

News & Notes Blue Valley Educational Foundation presents Innovative Educator, Champions for Students awards The Blue Valley Educational Foundation awarded Ariel Puccetti, a kindergarten teacher at Overland Trail Elementary, and Brooke Karr, a special education teacher at Overland Trail Middle, Innovative Educator awards for their innovative teaching methods. Both recipients received a $1,250 grant for their classrooms.

Three teachers were recipients of the Champions for Students award, created and funded by Neal and Angel Sharma.

Amanda Wambold, an early childhood teacher, Christopher Broderson, Overland Trail Middle teacher and Taryn Gervais, Blue Valley Southwest teacher, each received a $2,500 grant.

Blue Valley recognizes its 2024 Friends of Education For more than two decades, Blue Valley Schools has recognized individuals and organizations in the community who have made outstanding contributions to public education.

This year, Blue Valley recognized Tom Mitchell, Tom Herzog, The Overland Park Fire Department and Johnson County Mental Health Center as Friends of Education for their impactful contributions to Blue Valley students, staff and families.

To learn more, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/friendsofed.

SUMMER 2024 • 11

Recreational Soccer K-2nd

We are in open registration for our Kindergarten-2nd grad recreational league.

Teams are formed using school district boundaries.

Registration ends August 2024. League play starts Sept. 7th.

Rush Prep Academy

Blue Valley high schools rank among top 10% nationwide Each of our five Blue Valley high schools has secured a place in the top 10 on U.S. News’ Best High Schools in Kansas list. This achievement is even more impressive as all five high schools rank among the top 10% nationwide.

These successes speak volumes about our outstanding educators, committed students and supportive community. The combined effort of these three pillars enables us to guide our students toward academic excellence and equip them for the future.

U.S. News evaluates schools based on such criteria as state assessment proficiency, college readiness and graduation rates.

1 2 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

Kansas Rush Prep Academy is for players born in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. This program is for players that are future competitive soccer players. This program is selective. If you have a son/daughter interested in more information email mbickmore@kansasrush. com or call 913-359-7021

Games and practices @ Lone Elm Soccer Complex Some games will be scheduled at our indoor facility for make-up games due to rain outs as well as on conflicts weekends at Lone Elm Park. This will allow us to play most of our games on Saturdays and only play on Sundays if necessary.

Kansas Rush So

ccer Club

Micro Soccer

Girls Academy

HS Boys Rec Soccer Fall

We are starting a new program for High School age boys to play rec soccer in the Fall season. Due to the small number of players, we will play 5v5 or 6v6 games at the Kansas Rush indoor facility. No practices. Sign up and play one game per weekend for 6 weeks. Most games will be Saturday or Sunday late mornings. League starts weekend of Sept. 7th.

Micro Soccer is our Pre-K program. This is an introduction to soccer for kids ages 3.5-5 years old.

Sign up today for a 6 week session starting Sept. 7th.

All Fall sessions are at Lone Elm Soccer Park in Olathe.

Scan to Register

To register for ANY Kansas Rush Soccer Club programs, scan the QR code now!

EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE AND COMPLETE TEACHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS ONLINE IN 12 MONTHS.

Support Blue Valley businesses!

SHOP

LOCAL BEGIN TEACHING NEXT SEMESTER IN OUR NEW PRACTITIONER TRACK Now with Three Convenient Start Dates: August, December, and May

online.k-state.edu/campaign/master-of-arts-teaching/

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

Call 913-706-8865 to advertise!

SUMMER 2024 • 13

CHOOSE UMKC CHOOSE UM Targeted Local Advertising

CHOOSE UMKC CHOOSE UMKC $190 $190 Automatic CHOOSE UMKC million scholarships

Reach an engaged and affluent local audience when you promote your business in the Blue Valley Today magazine.

Call 913-706-8865 to advertise!

MORE THAN

million

MORE THAN

Hawaii Fluid Art is coming soon to downtown MORE THAN Overland Park!

Automa scholars Automaticavailab

MORE THAN

$190 scholarships million + 125 IN FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO$190 available available Automatic $190 Automatic SUMMER STUDENTS EVERY YEAR + 125 scholarships scholarships million 2024 million + availableNAMED ONE OF THE 159 available FOR MORE INFORMATION: 125 + OVERLANDPARK@HAWAIIFLUIDART.COM ACADEMIC AREAS + 159 TO EXPLORE 125 IN FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO STUDENTS EVERY YEAR

MORE THAN

IN FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO STUDENTS EVERY YEAR

125

IN FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO STUDENTS EVERY YEAR

ACADEMIC AREAS TO EXPLORE

ACADEMIC AREAS TO EXPLORE

IN FINANCIAL AID AWARDED TO STUDENTS EVERY YEAR

159

BEST MIDWESTERN CO

— Princeton revie

NAMED ONE OF THE

ACADEMIC AREAS TO EXPLORE

ACADEMIC AREAS TO EXPLORE

enhance your classroom or school?

Curriculum

NAMED ONE OF T

Instruction

NAMED ONE OF THE

159

BEST MIDWESTERN COLLEGES

— Princeton review BEST MIDWESTERN COLLEGES

UMKC BEST MIDWESTERN COLLEGES — Princeton review — Princeton review Office ofUMKC Admissions

ATTERBURY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER Office of Admissions 5000STUDENT HOLMES ST. CENTER ATTERBURY SUCCESS HOLMES KANSAS5000 CITY MO,ST.64110 KANSAS CITY MO, 64110 816-235-8652 816-235-8652 UMKC 800-775-8652 FREE) 800-775-8652 (TOLL (TOLL FREE)

UMKC Office of Admissions

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER Office of Admissions ATTERBURY5000 HOLMES ST. UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS KANSAS CITY MO, 64110 UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS 816-235-8652

ATTERBURY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER 5000 HOLMES ST. KANSAS CITY MO, 64110 816-235-8652 800-775-8652 (TOLL FREE)

UMKC UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS Office of Admissions

UMKC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTIO

800-775-8652 (TOLL FREE)

UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS

UMKC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION. ADM 21085650

UMKC Office of Admissions

ATTERBURY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER 5000 HOLMES ST. KANSAS CITY MO, 64110 816-235-8652 800-775-8652 (TOLL FREE)

UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS ATTERBURY STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER 5000 HOLMES ST. 64110 Internships 3-Year Program KANSAS CITY MO, Cohort Model nternships that 816-235-8652 Learn from experienced support your dissertation Complete the program in 800-775-8652 (TOLL FREE) faculty and yourwithcolleagues professional responsibilities Curriculum is designed to three years (nine consecutive a cohortsemesters) while you continue to teach.

support research

.

classroom and school.

UMKC.EDU/ADMISSIONS

UMKC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION. ADM 21085650

based model.

UMKC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION.

https://online.k-state.edu/programs/curriculum-instruction-doctorate/

ADM 21085650

1 4 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY

QUESTIONS? Call Us At 913-685-2872 QUESTIONS? Call Us Ator913-685-2872 QUESTIONS? Call Us At 913-685-2872 orgo gototoSPORTINGBV.ORG SPORTINGBV.ORG

Do You Know a Current (or Play Fall Soccer With The Do You Know a Current (or Aspiring) Soccer Player?

Only Club Soccer That Has It All! Aspiring) Player?

Sporting Blue Valley Has Beginners Intermediate Additional Summer Options For You! Sporting Blue Valley Has Recreation Skills Club Futures & Juniors

Summer Options For You!

Our summer camps are for all ages 4+ that want to play outside, beat the heat, and learn soccer from PreK - 12thcoaching Grade staff while having Futures: K-1st Support Program our professional a blast with friends (and maybe makeSkills some new ones!)

All summerto camps include a t-shirt, ball, and more.

Our Premier TryoutsGoes start oninJune 7th, andwith are August October Juniors: 2nd-3rd tandem held for all 2,000+ players that play or want to play in our year-round competitive Premierprogram program.

Recreational Our summer campscoaching are for all ages 4+ that want to(Aug-May) play outside, beat the heat, and learn soccer from Volunteer Year Choose All which one is best for you below! (Would get you two

our professional coaching staff while having a blast with friends (and maybe make some new ones!)

Play With friends Stepping stone practices/week) All summer camps include a t-shirt, ball, and more. Our Premier Tryouts start on June 7th, and are between Rec & Premier Play your school Only on Friday nights held for all with 2,000+ players that play or want to play in our year-round competitive Premier program.

All competitive players U8-U19.

We have WHO: players interested PRE-TRYOUT: For all U8-U19 Coached by USA World you below! of all skill levels.

Anyone can join Choose which one is best for teams Coached

by SBV pro

SUMMER CAMPS

PREMIER TRYOUTS

in the SBV Premier Program. Extend your tryout by Cup player Tim Clark four days in front of our decision-making coaches!

SBV Premier is our year-round staffcompetitive No tryouts and National Champion program coached by professional coaches.

For all 4-6 year old playersTom Mura The programUniform is based onKit skill,Included! and we have $95/Season (Includes All competitive players U8-U19.

We have looking for a fun For way to spend their summer!

Four, 2multiple teams in each age bracket.

Players all U8-U19 players interested $1,100/Yr From $135 With (No Extra Fees) houruniform sessions ofPrek-2nd) creative games and fun coaching. teams all skillteams levels. move upof between as they getEarly better. in the SBV Premier Program. Extend your tryout by

SUMMER MINI-KICKERS:CAMPS

PREMIER TRYOUTS

WHAT:

WHO:

PRE-TRYOUT:

For all 7-14 year old players looking four days in front of our decision-making coaches!

HALF-DAY:

Bird Pricingcompetitive 7-9th, 2023 PREMIER: SBV• Tryouts PremierJune is our year-round WHAT: • Year round - Fall, Winter, Spring

Top Level

for a fun way to spend their summer and get better

program coached by professional coaches. least 2xisweekly The• At program basedpractices on skill, and we have looking for a fun way to spend their summer!

Four, 2through fun games and creative skill sessions. multiple teams inweekends each age bracket. Players • Games on the hour sessions of creative gamesprogram, and fun coaching. up between teams they get better.

Designed to develop • Tournaments GOALKEEPER: Our most competitive the Sporting Blue Valleymove Premier Program, stillas has some For all 4-6 year players MINI-KICKERS: at soccer. Our pro coaches teach theold game

SBV Premier

openings. program is players open tolooking all players PREMIER: 2017-2006, but since the program is ECRL a skill• Heartland, USYS E64, ECNL, • Tryouts June 7-9th, 2023 ForThe all 7-14 yearaerial old HALF-DAY: anglebased play, footwork, diving, more. program, they will balls, need& to be identified first. Please call us at 913-685-2872 to the skills of a GK with training on set pieces,

• Year round - Fall, Winter, Spring for a fun way to spend their summer and get better schedule a free ID session. at soccer. Our pro coaches teach the game • At least 2x weekly practices is also open but starts on March 22.

Go to SBVSKILLS.COM through fun games and creative skill sessions.

• Games on the weekends Designed to develop • Tournaments SPORTINGBVSOCCER.ORG/CAMPS | SBVPRETRYOUT.COM | SPORTINGBV.ORG the skills of a GK with training on set pieces, • Heartland, USYS E64, ECNL, ECRL SUMMER 2024 • 15 angle play, footwork, diving, aerial balls, & more.

SBV SPRING SKILLS CLUB

GOALKEEPER:

SPORTINGBV.ORG

SPORTINGBV.CO/FJ

SBVSKILLS.COM

WHOLE-PERSON SUPPORT

LEADING TECHNOLOGY

PERSONALIZED CARE

Built to care.

Driven to cure.

Kansas City’s newest home for state-of-the-art cancer care is here. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute offers everything patients need all in one place – including leading-edge technology with the first and only MRIGuided Radiation Therapy in the KC region. Here, you’ll find a dedicated team that champions you, your cancer journey and the human spirit.

Visit CancerCareKC.com to learn more.

Cancer Institute