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SPRING 2020
15020 Metcalf Overland Park, Kansas 66283
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PRSRT STD SPRING 2020 • 1
A Message
from the Superintendent Thank you, Blue Valley! I feel very fortunate to live in a community that has given us an opportunity to impact the next generation of Blue Valley students. In late January, Blue Valley voters endorsed a $186,835,000 bond election 73.8 percent to 26.2 percent. The no tax rate increase bond will reinvest in facilities and technology, reinforce school safety and reimagine learning environments and programs that will benefit students and staff for years to come. The passage of the bond election affirms our community’s commitment to investing in high-quality schools and education. We know that high-quality schools not only drive economic development but also greatly impact the quality of life in a community. We thank our community for entrusting us with this great responsibility and we look forward to the work ahead. One of the aspects of the bond I am most excited about is the opportunity to enhance our career-ready programs. Our focus has traditionally been on preparing students for college. However, over the years we have realized there are opportunities outside of the traditional path to college, like career-ready programming, that can also lead to success for our students and their futures. In this issue, you can read more
Blue Valley Schools 15020 Metcalf Ave. P.O. Box 23901 Overland Park, KS 66283-0901 (913) 239-4000 Superintendent Todd White, Ed.D. 2 • B LU E VA L L E Y TO D AY
Board of Education Tom Mitchell, President Amy Tysseling, Vice President Michele Benjamin Jodie Dietz Patrick Hurley Stacy Obringer-Varhall Mike Seitz
about how these relevant learning experiences in high school will prepare students for limitless opportunities. At the same time we are reinvesting, reinforcing and reimagining our physical learning environments through our bond work, we are also on a journey to reimagine the learning taking place throughout our district through the creation of a new strategic plan. For the past six months, Blue Valley families, staff, students and patrons have engaged in a variety of ways to help shape the beliefs, objectives and strategies, as well as a mission to ensure life readiness and personal excellence for all students. You can read more about this important work in this issue. This is truly an exciting time in Blue Valley! Thank you to our families and community members who engage and partner with us to invest in our students’ futures.
Todd White, Ed.D. Superintendent
Website www.bluevalleyk12.org Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube and download the Blue Valley Schools app for day-to-day district news.
Strategic planning process continues with action teams Bright yellow sticky notes filled with handwritten thoughts, ideas and aspirations adorn the walls of the breakout room at Hilltop Conference Center as members of Blue Valley’s Strategic Plan Action Teams embark on the challenge ahead of them - to develop operational plans of action for each strategy outlined in the district’s Strategic Plan draft. Through the collaborative planning process, these notes and ideas will soon be transformed into four formalized action plans for the four strategies outlined in the strategic plan draft: • We will create strategically agile systems to fulfill our purpose. • We will ensure engaging, meaningful and extraordinary educational opportunities for all students. • We will foster cultures of balanced health and wellbeing. • We will assure every Blue Valley student has exemplary educators assisting in their transformation. “The work of our Action Teams is instrumental to this strategic planning process,” said Tonya Merrigan, incoming superintendent.
“These teams are responsible for bringing our ideas to life and truly making our strategies actionable. From staff members to community members, each team member has volunteered their time, talent and energy to think strategically and create a plan that helps our district achieve the aspirations we have for all kids.” Action Teams will continue to meet and develop plans through April 2020, and community members will have an opportunity to review these plans later in the spring to help guide and prepare the final recommendations for the Board of Education. Board approval for the new strategic plan is anticipated in late spring 2020. To learn more about the strategic plan, receive the latest updates and learn how to get involved, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/ReimagineBV.
District welcomes new board member Jodie Dietz Longtime school and community volunteer, Jodie Dietz, began her four-year term on the Blue Valley Board of Education in January. Dietz is a 25+ year Johnson County resident who has been active in the community and school district in a variety of capacities for many years. She has served in PTO leadership positions and been a member of the Curriculum &
Instruction and Student Services board advisory committees. Dietz joins newly re-elected board members Patrick Hurley, Tom Mitchell and Amy Tysseling, as well as Michele Benjamin, Stacy Obringer-Varhall and Mike Seitz. Information about the Board of Education is available on the district website, www.bluevalleyk12.org/boe.
SPRING 2020 • 3
“Not all students learn the same, and each teaching strategy is selected to aid in student mastery and success in my classroom. ” PAIGE LANKFORD SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT BLUE VALLEY WEST
Kate Anderson I CAPS Digital Design and Photography student
Promising careers on the horizon Two Blue Valley teachers win first-year teaching award Walking down the hallway at Blue Valley West, social studies teacher Paige Lankford makes her way to the principal’s office for an impromptu morning meeting. As she pushes through the large wooden door and enters the office, her principal’s phone begins to ring. Picking up the receiver, principal Brett Potts greets the caller with a warm hello. On the other line is the Kansas Commissioner of Education - calling to speak with Paige.
bring exciting and celebratory news for
Just a few miles down the road at Overland Trail Elementary, fifth grade teacher Emily Moore would take a similar call only minutes later - a call that would
honor of winning the Horizon Award, both
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both teachers - Moore and Lankford have been named recipients of the 2020 Kansas Horizon Award. Each year, The Horizon Award program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, identifies and recognizes 32 exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. In addition to sharing the Moore and Lankford share something else: a teaching philosophy rooted in strong relationships and relevant instruction.
In Paige Lankford’s classroom, expectations for both herself and her students are high, but trust and mutual respect is even more important. Beyond memorizing facts and figures, Lankford wants her students to grow both personally and academically, and that begins by fostering trusted relationships with each and every student that walks into her classroom. “Paige is an exceptional relationship builder, role model and mentor to the young people she inspires daily,” said Scott Wright, Blue Valley West PE teacher and Lankford’s teacher mentor. “When students
“Forming long-lasting relationships with students has been the easiest part of my career.” EMILY MOORE FIFTH GRADE TEACHER AT OVERLAND TRAIL ELEMENTARY
John Harrick I CAPS Digital Design and Photography student
engage with Paige, they feel they are getting her best. They trust that Paige will be there for them 100 percent. She has a very humble spirit that allows her students to feel safe as they challenge themselves to grow.” Lankford’s classroom is described as fun, yet challenging. In order to help students draw connections and see the relevance of the past to their lives today, Lankford provides hands-on learning experiences for her students. From simulations and role-playing to recreate history, Lankford’s classroom abounds with learning that meets kids where they are and brings history to life in the 21st century. “In general, I design rigorous, relevant and student-centered learning experiences that utilize a variety of strategies,” Lankford said. “Not all students learn the same, and each teaching strategy is selected to aid in student mastery and success in my classroom. To get to student-
centered learning, students first need an understanding of the content. Then, I am able to bring in skill-based learning to help students see the relevancy of social studies to their lives.” At Overland Trail Elementary, Emily Moore applies similar teaching strategies to ensure she reaches all students. Moore’s commitment to getting to know all students as individuals nurtures a positive learning environment that empowers all learners to reach their full potential. Although new to the profession, Moore’s ability to build trusted relationships and advocate for students has quickly earned her reverence and admiration of colleagues, students and families alike. “Emily is loved by children and respected by her peers,” said Cho Druen, Overland Trail Elementary principal. “She continues to show incredible maturity and has found that essential balance of a good heart, strong will and the purpose of building
solid relationships with students. Emily is eager to learn and eager to share. Above all, Emily is willing to do what is best for kids.” When it comes to establishing trust, Moore recognizes that actions speak louder than words. Rather than just spending the first few days of school as a time to “get to know you,” Moore strives to build relationships with her students all year long, and has seen first-hand the positive impact this long-term commitment to students can have. “Forming long-lasting relationships with students has been the easiest part of my career,” Moore said. “When you value your students as individuals, they will value you. Invest in their skills and their inherent desire to learn. Discuss with them what they enjoy outside of school, as well as their fears. Help them celebrate their successes, because when you invest in your students, they will invest in you.”
SPRING 2020 • 5
Student-Centered, Future-Ready Blue Valley’s Career-Ready Programs help students jump start their future The hum of the car engine rumbles through the concrete floor. As the garage door opens, a sleek black and blue sports car swiftly navigates to the first available stall. Just moments later, the car is airborne as the automated lift hoists it into the air. Beneath the car, Blue Valley West junior
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Bret Warren tilts his head up to get a better look as his teacher begins pointing out the various car parts, thinking to himself, this classroom setup is completely different from what he has traditionally known. For Warren, this classroom is way better.
Warren is one of 10 Blue Valley students participating in Blue Valley’s new CareerReady Programs in partnership with Johnson County Community College (JCCC). These hands-on programs are designed to maximize opportunities that extend beyond those available in the traditional high school setting in order to meet the needs and interests of all students. “We have always recognized that students in Blue Valley are high achievers, and our focus has traditionally been on preparing them for college,” said Katie Bonnema, Director of Career-Ready Programs. “We are realizing that the opportunities outside of the traditional four-year college path that lead to futures full of success also have a growing labor demand. We want to increase our students’ access to careerready programming for students while in high school.” This notion of hands-on learning
experiences is not new to Blue Valley. From programs like the district’s Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) at the high school level to the Career and Technical Education courses that are available to students as electives starting in middle school, Blue Valley is committed to providing relevant learning experiences to students of all ages. The new partnership with JCCC simply takes these opportunities to the next level. In its inaugural year, Blue Valley’s partnership with JCCC has provided three program options including Automotive Technology, Construction Management and a Dual Degree Program. Through the Automotive Technology and Construction Management programs, students spend a half day at their home high school working toward completion of their high school diploma, and part of their day at JCCC, working toward an associate degree or industry recognized certificates. “This is a very unique opportunity for students to graduate from high school, but then on the same stage possibly graduate from college with an associate’s degree,” said Todd White, superintendent. “Within days of each other, these students could walk away with two credentials that really give them a jumpstart well above their peers toward their future.” While these programs are not the right fit for all students, for many, these careerready courses are exactly what they need. The Dual Degree Program, for instance, provides students the opportunity to attend JCCC full-time, receive dual credit for their coursework and take an average of 15 credit hours each semester at no cost to the student. For Blue Valley West junior Leyan Qarini, enrolling in the Dual Degree program was a great financial fit, as well as an opportunity to grow both academically and individually. “This program has made me feel so much more comfortable because now I’m two years ahead and I have way more time to figure my career out, think about what I want to do, or discover what my passion
is,” Qarini said. “It’s also saving my parents a lot of money. I come from a family of eight and two of my siblings are already in college right now, so it really helps.” Through the Career-Ready Programs, college is still an option for many of the participating students. But for those who decide to enter the workforce instead, this real-world experience will provide them a solid foundation to make a seamless transition into their careers. “These classes make my life goals seem more realistic and closer to achieving,” Warren said. “I feel like I’m really making progress toward my career goal a lot faster than if I took regular high school electives. It gives me the chance to narrow down what I really want to do by trying different parts of the field. This is one place where you can interact with high school students, college students, teachers and instructors while still having the supports of the school district and the college.” Beginning in the fall 2020 semester, Blue Valley will add three pathways to the Career-Ready Program offerings including Hospitality & Culinary (JCCC partnership), Fire Science (JCCC/Overland Park Fire Department partnership) and Electronic Technician (Garmin partnership). In addition, Blue Valley plans to expand career-ready programming options beyond the high school level. “Looking ahead, we have ambitions, even at the elementary level, to give our students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences,” Bonnema said. “We have these really great partnerships established and will continue to work and grow them for what is next in Blue Valley. I think letting the voice of our students and parents help drive that is really important.” Students interested in learning more or enrolling in any of Blue Valley’s Career-Ready Programs should contact their high school counselor and visit www.bluevalleyk12.org for more information.
SPRING 2020 • 7
For more information about Blended Learning and Blue Valley’s PowerUp initiative, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/BlendedLearning.
PowerUp Blue Valley District completes latest phase of PowerUp initiative with elementary technology Three months. Twenty-one elementary schools. Thousands of PowerUp devices and countless smiles and excitement. Blue Valley School District is officially PoweredUp. This spring, the district continued its efforts to enhance student learning by Powering Up elementary classrooms through appropriate and balanced technology use in the educational setting. This PowerUp initiative is part of the district’s Blended Learning philosophy that combines traditional face-to-face instruction with technology-based instruction. “When it comes to learning in Blue Valley, all of our efforts are focused on providing student-centered and future-ready learning experiences,” said Kelly Ott, executive
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director of curriculum, instruction and innovation. “We continue to embrace new ways for kids to experience learning, including access to technology. This year, we are excited to take the next step in the PowerUp process to provide all elementary students with equitable and age-appropriate access to technology.” The process to PowerUp all elementary schools follows the successful implementation of a 1:Learner initiative (one device per one student) at the district’s middle and high schools, as well as extensive research through an Elementary Impact Study. “Through this research, we investigated the appropriate technology device ratio at each grade level, the type of device(s) our instruction demands, infrastructure
needs to support technology, and most importantly, healthy, age-appropriate technology use per grade level,” Ott said. “We learned there is consensus that technology is an amazing tool, but there is also consensus around making sure our students are safe and have healthy, age-appropriate screentime.” As part of Blue Valley’s commitment to establishing a balanced technology landscape from building to building and enhancing learning with healthy, age-appropriate access to technology, the district implemented both shared technology models and 1:Learner models based on grade level, child development and curricular demands. At the secondary level, students have the ability to take devices home for educational use as needed, while elementary students only have access to district technology during the school day. “At the end of the day, Blended Learning is not about the technology - it’s about finding how we can leverage tools to elevate instruction and take learning to the next level,” Ott said. “And when you look at it through that lens, technology becomes such a powerful tool for students and educators alike because we are no longer just providing students access to resources, but opening a world of possibility.”
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