BV Buzz

Staff members recognized at the May 14 board meeting

At each monthly Board of Education meeting, the Board recognizes one classified staff member with the Distinguished Service Award and one certified staff member with the Excellence in Education Award. The following district staff members were honored with these awards at the May board meeting.

Distinguished Service Award
Tim Trenshaw, lead custodian at Sunrise Point Elementary, received the Distinguished Service Award. Tim grew up in the Kansas City area graduating from Bishop Miege High School and later attending the University of Kansas. After spending time as a commissioned officer in the Army, Tim returned to Kansas City. Tim joined Blue Valley in September 2010 as the lead custodian at Sunrise Point Elementary.

When asked about a typical day, Tim says he is a creature of habit. He starts his taking care of any after-school set-up and finishes his day with detail work with lots of cleaning in between. He says the best part of his job is the satisfaction he gets when staff and students arrive the next morning to a clean school that is ready to start a new day of learning. Tim went on to say that he enjoys all of the activities that happen at Sunrise Point from after-school activities like Girl Scouts or sports to the variety of activities that take place during the school day. He especially enjoys seeing the students faces light up when they have a story to tell him. Tim says the staff at Sunrise Point is great. From Mr. Sanders to the teachers, it is a great environment. He went on to say that the staff appreciates the hard work of the custodial staff and are always complimentary. He appreciates that classified staff are included in staff activities and feel part of the team.

Scott Vandegrift, custodial supervisor, says "Tim is an outstanding choice for the Distinguished Service Award because he is always thinking of ways to make Sunrise Point better." He went on to say that "Tim is meticulous in his work and organization. His storage area is something to behold, a place for everything and everything in its place." Scott said the performance of the custodial crew at Sunrise Point is a credit to the training and support Tim provides. David Sanders, principal at Sunrise Point Elementary, says "Tim quickly became a member of the Sunrise Point learning community. He went on to say that while he is not directly involved with teaching and learning, Tim realizes that his role is essential in terms of providing an optimum learning environment for SPE students." David appreciates Tim’s 'can do" attitude and his pleasant and cooperative demeanor.

Outside of work, Tim enjoys hunting, fishing and cooking. He has an extensive collection of recipes and enjoys trying new ones on a regular basis. Tim and his wife Tina have two children. His daughter, Courtney, is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and his son, Morgan, is a student at Overland Trail Middle.

Excellence in Education Award
Stacey Eubanks, fifth grade teacher at Morse Elementary, received the Excellence in Education Award. Stacey is a valued member of the Morse family. She currently serves on the Morse Leadership Committee, Morse Literacy Team Committee and District Math Common Core Committee.

Stacey grew up in Overland Park and attended Shawnee Mission schools. Stacey has a bachelor's degree in political science from Emporia State University, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas, and a master's degree in education from Rockhurst University. Before joining Blue Valley in 2005, Stacey worked in health care administration. In 2005, she joined Blue Valley as a paraprofessional at Cedar Hills and in 2007 joined the staff of Morse Elementary as a teacher.

Stacey says her typical day is happy and hectic. She went on to say that she loves the fifth grade. The students are so energetic, curious, bright and creative – and they know how to tie their shoes, blow their noses, wash their hands – all a bonus. They get her humor or if they don't get it, they give her a sympathy laugh. When Stacey told them about this question, they said she should add, "and they are all the same height as me or taller." Stacey says the most important thing she does is building relationships with her students and encouraging them to achieve their fullest potential. Stacey went on to say she is blessed to have her co-workers in her life. They help her laugh at some of the "crazy" things we deal with in our lives as educators, they encourage her to give her best even when it feels really tough, and they consistently model their very best. They help her "never to diminish hope and always promote winning streaks." – Mr. Frazell's mantra.

When asked about Stacey, Morse Elementary principal Steve Frazell says "she is a dedicated, enthusiastic, high-energy teacher. Her pleasant personality and wonderful sense of humor, makes her a favorite of students, staff and parents." He went on to say that "Stacey's love of teaching and learning are evident on a daily basis and she places a high value on professional growth and improvement." Steve says "the thing that stands out most about Stacey is her personal connection with her students. In observing her class, you will immediately notice how engaged the students are and how she will adapt her teaching to meet the varying needs of her students."

Outside of work, Stacey likes to read, walk, go on vacations to beach or skiing, love on her dogs and spend time with family. She also admits that she can be a bit of a tv-aholic and has been known to host a season finale party. Stacey and her husband Jeff have two children who have been Blue Valley students since kindergarten. Abbey is a junior at Blue Valley West and Isabel is an eighth grader at Lakewood Middle.

Thank you again to Tim and Stacey, May Distinguished Service Award and Excellence in Education Award winners, for all you do for the community and the district. You truly exhibit Education Beyond Expectations each and every day.

Stacey Eubanks, fifth grade teacher at Morse Elementary received the Excellence in Education Award for May. From left to right: Superintendent Tom Trigg, Stacey Eubanks and Morse Elementary Principal Steve Frazell.

Read more...

Meet the Staff: Coordinator of Gifted Services Kristin Asquith

Kristin Asquith has been hired to serve as the coordinator for gifted services for the Blue Valley School District beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Asquith currently works at Blue Valley High as a gifted education specialist. In her time at Blue Valley High, she has also taught Communication Arts and served as the district gifted education leadership team chair.

"The position will provide amazing opportunities to collaborate with various programs and divisions of the district on behalf of all the students identified as gifted in Blue Valley," Asquith said. "It will be fantastic to work with all the talented gifted education teachers throughout the district to help ensure that we provide personalized learning experiences for each of our gifted learners. I'm excited about the opportunities and possibilities that we will face together in the future."

Asquith received her bachelor's degree in education, master's degree in curriculum and instruction and gifted education certification from the University of Kansas. She is currently working toward her building administrative licensure from Emporia State University.

"We are extremely excited to introduce Kristin Asquith as the coordinator for gifted services for the Blue Valley School District," said Scott McWilliams, executive director of Human Resources. "She has over ten years of great experience in gifted education and has been viewed as a leader in the area. Her deep understanding of gifted education, desire to continue to learn and apply best practices, and desire to help students maximize their potential makes her the perfect fit for this position."

Q: What are you looking forward to most about your new position?

Blue Valley is a special district that takes great care to hire the best possible teachers and staff members in all areas and divisions of the district. Since I've taught at Blue Valley High School for quite a while, I have extensively seen the incredible work Blue Valley employees do on a daily basis. Because of that, I am really excited about expanding the circle of talented individuals with whom I will be able to engage in order to support their work to provide for personalized student learning, and specifically in their work with our gifted population. Blue Valley holds high ideals for all students, both in gifted education and in general education, and the Coordinator of Gifted Services position will afford me the opportunity to support teachers as they make a positive difference in the lives of their students every day.

Q: Why did you decide to have a career in gifted education?

I started my teaching career at Blue Valley High School as an English teacher, and I primarily taught honors and Advanced Placement English classes for the first part of my career. In working with those high ability students in rigorous English classes, I had the chance to teach many students who were identified as gifted. I always felt a connection with these students, and even as a general education teacher, I had conversations with them about some of the elements that are common among gifted learners (managing perfectionism, avoiding burnout, etc.). Because of these interactions, I knew I wanted to make a move to gifted education. There was a certain kismet to the transition because a second gifted education specialist position was being added to each high school at the time that I realized this was the direction in which I wanted to move. I have a heart for students who have strong aptitudes that are sometimes a challenge to transfer to all aspects of their lives, and I want to help these individuals maximize their potential, while advocating for a balanced life. I'm passionate about helping gifted students understand the bigger picture of their lives while supporting their intellectual, academic, social, and emotional needs.

Q: Why do you enjoy working for the Blue Valley School District?

Blue Valley is the only district in which I have worked—teaching English was my first job out of college. When I was looking for that first teaching job, I knew Blue Valley was my top choice. The district has a reputation for academic and professional excellence that is nationally renowned, and I wanted to be a part of that. The people make this organization all that it is, and I feel blessed to be able to work with individuals who care for and educate children like Blue Valley's employees do. This is a community that focuses on offering whatever it takes to help students while providing cutting edge opportunities, so it's amazing to be a small part of all the elements that make Blue Valley great.

Q: What does Education Beyond Expectations mean to you?

In our promise of an Education Beyond Expectations, we make a commitment to our students that we will assist them in meeting the required standards, and we challenge them to go beyond those standards. We encourage them to think critically about the knowledge and experiences they are gaining, so they can apply the information in novel and innovative ways. Providing quality instruction that reflects the best practices for each discipline is the constant, and the beauty is in seeing just exactly how far students can go in their learning.

Read more...

Applause!

Congratulations to several Blue Valley staff members who deserve a round of applause.

Blue Valley North senior Jiemin (Tina) Wei was named a 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the most prestigious awards bestowed upon a graduating senior. Tina listed Michele Buche, Blue Valley North gifted education teacher, as her most inspirational teacher. Michele has been listed by every BVN Presidential Scholar winner since 1999.

Blue Valley West teacher Dena Highberger was selected as the Gold Honoree for the Joe McGuff Golf Tournament. The tournament raises money for the ALS Association.

Steve Wood, Blue Valley North debate coach, was elected into the National Forensics League Hall of Fame. The award will be presented in Indianapolis this summer.

Two school resource officers will be leaving the district and will be transitioning to other opportunities within their respective police departments. Leawood Police Officer Mark Chudik served the school district as an SRO for eight years. He is leaving Leawood Middle School to join the Traffic Management Unit. Overland Park Officer Sam Provost served the school district for three years. He is leaving Blue Valley Northwest and will be working in Property/Evidence Unit and Patrol Division. Blue Valley appreciates their outstanding service and hard work for the district!

Dr. Marion Roberts, Blue Valley North Orchestra Director, has been featured in the May 2012 issue of School Band and Orchestra. He is recognized for reaching people through music for over 40 years.

Read more...

New principals and assistant principals assigned to four Blue Valley schools

Read more...

Changes made to 2012-13 school calendar

The Blue Valley Board of Education approved calendar modifications at its May meeting, including changes that impact the first and last day of school for the 2012-13 school year.

The changes for 2012-13 include:

• Moving the first day of school from Wednesday, August 15, 2012 to Thursday, August 16, 2012.
• Adding a professional development day on Wednesday, August 15, 2012.
• Adding a half day dismissal for grades 1-8 on Friday, September 28, 2012.
• Removing early release dates for elementary and middle school students on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 and Tuesday, January 8, 2013.
• Moving the last day of school from Wednesday, May 22, 2013 to Thursday, May 23, 2013 if no emergency closure days are used.
• Last day for teachers Thursday, May 23, 2013 if no emergency closure days are used.

The calendar can be viewed at www.bluevalleyk12.org/calendar.

Read more...

Synergy FAQ available online

Several questions were collected from staff members during Synergy trainings. A web page has been created to provide responses to these questions about the new student information system. Please visit the website to view frequently asked questions and answers.

The webpage will be updated throughout the rollout of the project to address additional questions. Parents and staff members will continue to receive Synergy updates during the summer.

Read more...

Tobacco cessation resources available for district employees

Blue Valley cares about the health and well-being of its employees. Scientific evidence shows that tobacco products are dangerous to our health. With this in mind, the Board of Education has approved a revised Tobacco-Free Environment Board Policy (6840), effective July 1, 2012.

The policy previously prohibited the use of tobacco products in specific areas while the revised policy prohibits any use of tobacco products on district owned or leased property. The policy states that smoking or the use of tobacco products is prohibited in all district-owned buildings, on all grounds and at athletic facilities, in district-leased facilities, on school buses and in all vehicles owned and leased by the Blue Valley School District. This policy prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco, both smoking and smokeless tobaccos.

If you decide to quit using tobacco products, the Blue Valley School District does offer tobacco cessation resources. Information about tobacco cessation programs is located on the district's MyHealth website.

Community FREE Resources for ALL Employees

• www.smokefree.gov or 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free resources and text messages for support on how to quit smoking
• www.cdc.gov and search under "S" for "Smoking and Tobacco Use"
• Other websites and resources: www.cancer.org and www.heart.org

BlueCross Blue Shield of Kansas City Resources

• Telephonic Coaching - Telephonic Health Coaching provides health information and support based on your needs at your convenience.
• Face-to-Face Onsite Lifestyle Coaching - Face-to-Face Lifestyle Coaching provides the same motivational interviewing techniques as telephonic coaching in a one-on-one format. Individuals interested in improving overall health and eliminating health risks can benefit from the support and guidance of a lifestyle coach.
• Tobacco Cessation Coaching - A licensed behavioral health clinician with special training in tobacco cessation will work to empower you and provide you with support based on your needs.
• There will be a webinar in June 2012.
• Prescription drug medications may be available through the BCBSKC Plan provisions to help address tobacco cessation. Members are advised to work directly with their own personal physician to discuss tobacco cessation options, including medications, and to discuss the side effects and personal risk factors with their personal physician before starting a tobacco cessation program.

Read more...

Fight like a Ninja! at the Diagnostic Imaging Center

The Blue Valley School District is teaming up with the Diagnostic Imaging Center to make sure you take charge of your health. This summer, employees and spouses age 35 and older who are covered under the district's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (BCBSKC) health insurance plan, and who are due for their annual mammogram, are invited to attend a preventative mammogram screening party at the Diagnostic Imaging Center in Overland Park. This event will take place at the Diagnostic Imaging Center and is scheduled on the same day as the June and July Blue Valley free employee health screenings which are held at a separate location. Additional information on the free employee health screenings at the Blue Valley School District will be provided to employees the week of May 21st via email.

At the Mammogram Screening Party, employees will receive: screening mammograms, refreshments, raffle drawings, free 5-minute massages, educational materials, goodie bags, and results of your mammogram before you leave. Dates of the event at the Diagnostic Imaging Center are: June 14th, June 21st and July 24th. Appointment times are available from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To make your appointment, please call (913) 319-8400, Press 1 and then enter Ext. #1028 or Ext. #1032. You will need to have your Blue Cross ID card available when you call. All screening mammograms are subject to the BCBSKC benefits plan provisions.

For more information regarding the district's wellness program please contact Lisa Underwood, Employee Health & Wellness Coordinator, at (e-mail) or VM 4570.

Read more...

Summer hours for 12-month employees

Summer hours have been announced for 12-month employees. Beginning on Monday, June 4 and ending Thursday, July 26, the District Office will be open Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Five-day regular-hour weeks will resume on Monday, July 30. The Independence Day holiday will be observed on Wednesday, July 4. For more information about the summer hours, contact Jean Higginbotham or Julie Lawson.

Read more...