Blue Valley USD 384

Hello Blue Valley Families and Staff, During a special Board meeting held July 30, 2020, the USD 384 Board of Education approved the recommendation to change the start date for the 2020-2021 school year from August 13 to August 26, 2020. Preschool will start on August 26th as well. The end date will be discussed at the August 10th Board meeting. There are many things that need to be taken into account before finalizing that date. If you would like to read more details, a document has been attached for you to review: https://drive.google.com/file/d/158TbIf2Dx2yCoNoWoG2GZcbQNVNaGqJr/view?usp=sharing

Hello! WOW!! The office is a buzz with phone calls wanting to know the start date for school and what it will look like. The Board meets on Thursday to decide. I know this is a stressful time for all of us and the unknown is probably the worst. The decisions that are being made will impact our schools, families and communities so we want to get it right. Thank you for being patient with us as we work toward getting our kids learning again. We have and will continue to do what is best for our kids. Thank you for the time you are allowing us to have to make this decision.

We had a great turn out for our District Site Council meeting last night. It allowed us to share our thoughts and get feedback on what the community needs from the us to make the transition back to school as smooth as possible. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We are all working through this together to do what id best for our kids! Go RAMS!!!

Online enrollment for USD 384 is now open. Instructions can be found on the school website at https://www.usd384.org/o/blue-valley-usd-384/page/online-enrollment--9.

Hello Blue Valley Community! I want to share some information with you concerning the steps we are taking to confront the challenges we are facing with COVID-19 and school starting safely. The USD 384 District Leadership Team (DLT) has met several times to review documents, listen to other professionals, and research material to develop a plan that will work for us, Blue Valley, to start school in as safe an environment as possible. From the day I started on July 1st, we have made progress planning for the 20-21 school year in an ever changing world. We have ordered sanitation/disinfectant supplies such as: paper masks, hand sanitizer stations for each classroom and common areas in all buildings, ordered thermometers for each building, bus and extras for activity screening where appropriate. The DLT attended the meetings to review the KSDE Navigating Change Guidelines. They reviewed procedures from Spring Continuous Learning Plan and started the process of creating the Blue Valley USD 384 Reopening Plan using the Navigating Change Guidelines. The plan that is being developed we believe will work for our schools, students, staff and communities. The plan is being developed to be in compliance with all requirements as set forth in Kansas Law, County Commissioner Regulations, County Health Officer Orders, Kansas Department of Education Guidelines and School Board Policy. We have requested input from parents, community members and staff to develop the best possible plan for school opening safely. Please know that this process is very fluid and all decisions can change on short notice, based on what the State and/or County agencies decide to do. There are rules and requirements that I know may upset some. If it is required by State and County Agencies we have no control and must follow them. Our DLT has looked at the documents and we are working to make sure we create a plan that works for our students, our schools and our community. I’m proud of our Staff and Board of Education for working through this challenge to make sure everyone is safe as we reopen school. I am excited to be in Blue Valley and excited to send my children to Blue Valley Schools. It is a great place to be! GO RAMS!!!

Good Evening Parents of USD384, We are sending out this parent survey to gather information about reopening school, It will help us get feedback on parent comfortability with sending your child(ren) back to school. Please be aware that we are developing a plan to reopen school in as safe a manner as we can. The Governor and Kansas State Board of Education are working through some details of what that will look like. We are excited to start school open when we are allowed to. Please take some time to complete this brief form. (1 form for each child) https://forms.gle/1fuXUU7PoqY5QWV17 Thank you for your time. Thank you for trusting us with the care and safety of your students. Thank you for supporting the USD 384 teachers and staff! GO RAMS!!!

Due to the recent announcements, we will be postponing online enrollment until we receive further guidelines about the start of school. Updates will be provided when enrollment is opening.

Hello Everyone, I am John Cox, the new Superintendent of Blue Valley USD384. Today, the Kansas State Board of Education approved the draft of guidelines for opening schools this fall. This afternoon, Governor Kelly announced her plan to delay the start of school until after Labor Day, approximately Sept 9th, to allow us to prepare properly for the reopening of schools. She will have specific mandates laid out in her Executive Order to be released on Monday the 20th. The district leadership team is preparing to meet and discuss the guidelines and come up with a plan that will help ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. Until our plan is finished, some things we can all do to slow and eventually stop the spread of COVID-19 is use good handwashing techniques, use the 6 feet social distancing guideline and use personal protective equipment (facemasks, gloves, etc) to keep us safe. Please know that the USD384 staff is preparing for the school year to provide a safe learning environment where every student can learn. We are making plans to follow applicable guidelines and mandates to ensure a successful return to school. Although no plan is perfect, we will always do what is best for our students and communities. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Seniors don’t forget to come to graduation practice this Friday at 9am in new gym. Please bring your yard sign so they can be displayed before graduation on sat. Thanks, Mr. Mazouch.

Hi, Blue Valley Superintendent Brady Burton. The Riley County Health Department released their updated COVID19 Plan this morning, but it primarily pertains to businesses and will NOT effect the mass gathering current guidelines, like our upcoming BV graduation. So to review, each graduate will be given 12 entry tickets at graduation practice Friday morning, to take home and be distributed to family members. You MUST have a ticket to be allowed into the graduation ceremony Saturday, June 27, 3:00PM, BVHS New Gym. Everyone will enter through the BVHS southeast front doors(The one with the ramp), where your ticket will be collected. We encourage everyone to social distance and to wear a mask if you choose too. The graduation ceremony will also be broadcast live on Facebook over the McCormick Elementary School's web page. Several have asked if we have considered the BV football field for the ceremony and the answer is yes, we have considered that option but selected the BVHS new gym after consideration of all the logistics involved in making the event a success. We want to congratulate the members of the BV Class of 2020, and wish each one nothing but good health and happiness! Go Rams.

Hi, Blue Valley Superintendent Brady Burton. The Riley County Health Department has issued a new COVID19 Order #12 that goes into effect today and continues to limit mass gatherings to 50 people. This order will be in effect for 14 days. The RCHD is still planning to have their Phase Out begin June 24, where all mass gathering restrictions would be lifted. Again, we are still planning a June 27 BVHS graduation with no mass gathering restrictions, but, if the Phase Out does not begin as scheduled for our June 27 graduation, we still plan to hold graduation as scheduled, but will be required to use social distancing guidelines of 6 feet of separation, which will limit our BVHS gym capacity to 304 total people. If this does occur, we will allow each graduating senior a maximum of 12 guests to attend the ceremony. Admittance tickets and final entry details will be distributed at graduation practice June 26, if needed. Also, the graduation ceremony will be carried live over Facebook by logging into the McCormick Elementary Facebook Page. Again, we are planning to have an unrestricted graduation ceremony on June 27 as scheduled, but wanted everyone to be aware of a Plan B if we are still under Riley County Health Department COVID19 mass gathering restrictions. If questions contact Mr. Mazouch or myself. Thank you.

Hi, Superintendent Brady Burton. Governor Kelly announced yesterday that her State COVID19 Four Phase Plan would expire beginning today and the County Health Departments would now make the decisions pertaining to COVID19 restrictions. The Riley County Health Department has basically removed any restrictions that would impact our school district. So, beginning June 8, the BV Fitness Center will again be open for public use and the Class of 2020 graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, June 27, 3:00PM, BVHS new gym. Take care and Go Rams!

Just a reminder that students need to turn in crome books, power cords and I pads tomorrow from 6-7 pm to BVHS. Thank you

Hi Superintendent Brady Burton. This afternoon Governor Kelly announced she will be advancing the State to Phase 2 ahead of schedule starting May 22. She also announced by moving things up a week, the final Phase Out will now begin June 22 instead of June 29. So, this means we can now plan to again have graduation on June 27 at 3:00PM at the BVHS new gym. If the Governor's plan changes again, I will let you know. The graduation alternate date is still in place for July 18, if needed. Take care and Go Rams!

On Monday May 18, students will be receiving their awards from bus driver/teacher. Please return any textbooks and library books at this time. Crome books and their power cord need to be brought to BVHS on Thursday, May 21 from 6-7 pm. Thank you.

Hi Superintendent Brady Burton. Things have changed again concerning our COVID19 guidelines. Based on yesterdays Governor Kelly's press conference, she has now enacted Phase 1.5 in her plan to reopen Kansas. Basically, everything has been delayed or pushed back two more weeks. Due to this change, we will NOT be able to have graduation on June 27. Graduation will now be planned for Saturday, July 18, 3:00PM, BVHS New Gym. Please keep in mind, this could also change depending on what happens with COVID 19 over the next six weeks. Right now, the Phase Out of the COVID19 plan that takes off all restrictions is scheduled to begin on June 29. Take care and Go Rams!

Hi, Superintendent Brady Burton with a few updates. Our last student learning packet pick-up will be this Monday, May 18 and our last day of school is Tuesday, May 19. Our last day to serve student meals will also be May 19. Student grades should be made available the week of May 25. Eighth grade Promotion/Awards will be held Monday, May 18, 6:30PM, with a curb side drive up presentation in front of BVHS. Graduation will be held either Saturday, June 27 or Saturday, July 18, both at 3:00PM, BVHS new gym. At this time, we are planning to start in person school next August 13 as planned. Thank you for your support during this difficult fourth nine weeks of school. Go Rams!

Any students next year interested in being a cheerleader please contact Mrs. Young ASAP at her e-mail ayoung@usd384.org

Hi, Superintendent Brady Burton with a few school updates. Our serving of breakfast and lunch student meals will END after serving lunch on May 19 which is also our last day of school. The LAST delivery of student continuous learning packets will be May 11. Those packets will then be picked-up on May 18 with that being our last day of packets. Drive through curb side 8th Grade Promotion will be held Monday, May 18, 6:30PM, in front of BVHS. The Class of 2020 traditional graduation is planned for Saturday, June 27, 3:00PM, BVHS New gym. The alternate date for graduation is Saturday, July 18, 3:00PM, BVHS New Gym. A decision on which date graduation will be held will be made the week of June 1 based on the status of COVID19. Stay healthy and enjoy your families! GO RAMS.

Hi, Superintendent Brady Burton. Our student's continuous learning continues to go well. The last packet pick-up will be Monday, May 18, with school ending May 19. We have been averaging serving around 160 meals each day Monday thru Friday with our curbside pick-up at two sites. Right now, our plans are that the last meals will be served May 19. Also, a couple of upcoming dates to keep in mind is our Kindergarten Curbside Roundup on May 5, 5:30 to 6:30PM in front of McCormick Elementary School and our Eighth Grade Curbside Promotion on May 18, 6:30PM, in front of BVHS. I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. We appreciate your support through this difficult time. Take care.