The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has released the following updated public health guidance for K-12 schools. The guidelines are intended to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the school setting. Below is a summary of updates from JCDHE.

• Quarantine guidance for close contacts: Close contacts who choose to test, should now have a PCR test conducted on day 6 or later. If the PCR test is negative and the person is symptom-free, they may still return to activities on day 8 after exposure. Those not testing and who remain symptom-free may return to activities on day 11 after exposure. If an individual develops symptoms anytime during the 14 days following exposure, they no longer meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for early return.

• Vaccinations and quarantines: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 may be exempt from quarantine IF they meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Asymptomatic following their exposure,
• At least 2 weeks following their second dose, and;
• Within 6 months of their vaccination.

• Middle school/high school only! Adapted airplane model: When secondary students are sitting within 3 feet of one another, JCDHE will be applying an adapted airplane model for secondary students. In this model, any secondary students sitting immediately next to and in front of an infected individual will receive a moderate-risk letter. 

• Masking: The CDC and JCDHE continue to recommend that all staff and students in schools wear masks/face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Individuals who are routinely needing to be reminded to keep their mask over their nose and/or mouth would be considered “poor-maskers” for the purposes of contact tracing. In the airplane model, JCDHE recommends exclusion for “poor maskers” sitting within 6 feet of an infected individual. Alternatively, if a “poor masker” is infected, those sitting within 6 feet would be recommended for exclusion.

• Middle school/high school only! Low-risk letters: With the implementation of the adapted airplane model for secondary students, secondary families will no longer receive low-risk letters. Please note low-risk letters will continue to be used at the elementary level.

These safety measures, along with mitigation strategies including social distancing when possible, face masks, hand washing and at-school temperature checks will continue to help us create a safe learning and working environment for all. More information about COVID-19 and Blue Valley Schools is available on the district website.

Blue Valley families,

The district has committed to regularly reviewing data as we work to provide a safe learning and working environment for staff and students. Today, I come to you with an update on the March learning modes.

March 1-12 learning mode
Using Kansas State Department of Education’s (“KSDE”) Navigating Change Criteria and the current data from the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment, the district is in the YELLOW. 

• Learning Mode: In YELLOW, all students will remain in their current mode of learning—early childhood and elementary students in full-time, in-person learning, while middle and high school students will remain in the hybrid learning mode through March 12. Students who registered for VirtualED will continue with their current schedule. Current learning supports in place for students with special needs will continue. Schools will share additional building-specific information later this week including a hybrid calendar.
  
  
• Activities & Athletics: Voluntary activities, including clubs and athletics, currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
  
  
• Meal Pick-Up: Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in hybrid learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district. More information is available on the Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page.
  
  

Fourth Quarter—March 23
In the fourth quarter, the Blue Valley Board of Education has voted to extend the in-person learning mode to the yellow gating category. This means on March 23:

• All middle and high school students who chose in-person learning during registration will come to school full-time, every day. 
  
  
• All elementary students who chose in-person learning will remain in full-time, in-person learning. 
  
  
• Students who registered for VirtualED will continue with their current schedule. 
  
  

The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates to ensure the gating criteria level remains in the yellow or green for the rest of the school year. This means additional learning mode announcements will only be made if transmission levels shift to the orange or red level.

Blue Valley needs your help to ensure we can move to full-time, in-person learning for all students. Please continue to be vigilant and follow best practices to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your support of Blue Valley staff and students!

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Blue Valley families,

Throughout this pandemic, our priority has been to provide a safe learning and working environment for staff and students and to move to full-time, in-person learning when it is safe to do so. At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the board took an important step forward to make this a reality.

Amendment to Gating Criteria for the fourth quarter
Due to the progress of vaccinations in our community and voluntary testing within Blue Valley Schools, the Blue Valley Board of Education voted to amend the current Navigating Change gating criteria as adopted on Aug. 18, 2020, to extend the in-person learning mode to the yellow gating category for the fourth academic quarter. This means when the gating criteria falls in the yellow or green level:

• All middle and high school students who chose in-person learning during registration will come to school full-time, every day beginning March 23. 
  
  
• All elementary students who chose in-person learning will remain in full-time, in-person learning. 
  
  
• Students who registered for VirtualED will continue with their current schedule. 

It’s important to note that the vote by the Board was not made lightly. The decision was made after an extensive review of declining COVID-19 numbers in our community, the active vaccination rollout which includes two doses, plans for voluntary testing opportunities for students and staff and successful mitigation strategies that have led to little or no spread of the virus within schools.

Though routines will look different when middle and high school students return full-time, please know that our commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains steadfast. We will continue to follow sound protocols aligned with expert health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the health of our students and staff. This includes:

• Wearing masks/face coverings
  
  
• Practicing good hand washing
  
  
• Social distancing and cohorting of students when possible
  
  
• Staying home when sick and COVID-19 symptoms are present
  
  
• Regularly reviewing COVID-19 community data to make decisions (The next review is scheduled for Feb. 15 that would determine the learning mode from March 1-12.)

We are optimistic about the opportunities the board-amended gating criteria provides. Returning to five days of in-person academic, social and emotional instruction will best help our middle and high school students move forward. Please note that a successful transition to full, in-person learning will be our focus during the fourth quarter. We ask that you partner with us as we continue to be responsible in minimizing special group events (in and out of the school day) and continue to direct our efforts on the safety and well-being of our entire community. We appreciate your support in helping us keep our focus on student learning.

Thank you for continuing to be vigilant and following best practices to keep our community safe!

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Blue Valley families,

The district has committed to regularly reviewing data as we work to provide a safe learning and working environment for staff and students. Blue Valley’s Board of Education adopted the Kansas State Department of Education’s (“KSDE”) Navigating Change Criteria and remains dedicated to utilizing this criteria for learning mode decisions.

Using current data from the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the district is in the YELLOW. 

We know there are mixed feelings about the different learning modes. We have known from the beginning of the school year that the in-person mode would need to be responsive to the activity of the COVID-19 virus and could include the full in-person, hybrid or distance learning formats. 

• Learning Mode: In YELLOW, early childhood and elementary students will remain in full-time, in-person learning, while middle and high school students will remain in the hybrid learning mode through February. Students who registered for VirtualED will continue with their current schedule. Schools will provide building-specific information. Current learning supports in place for students with special needs will continue.
  
  
• Activities & Athletics: Voluntary activities, including clubs and athletics, currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
  
  
• Meal Pick-Up: Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in hybrid learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district. More information is available on the Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page.

The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates. Blue Valley needs your help to ensure we can maintain in-person learning. Our ability to expand in-person learning modes for our students truly rests with all of us. Please continue to be vigilant and follow best practices to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your support of Blue Valley staff and students!

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Blue Valley families,

As you know, the district has committed to regularly reviewing data as we work to provide a safe learning and working environment for staff and students. Blue Valley’s Board of Education adopted the Kansas State Department of Education’s (“KSDE”) Navigating Change Criteria and remains committed to utilizing this criteria for learning mode decisions.

Using current data from the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the district is in the YELLOW. 

We know there are mixed feelings about the different learning modes. We have known from the beginning of the school year that the in-person mode would need to be responsive to the activity of the COVID-19 virus and could include the full in-person, hybrid or distance learning formats. 

• Learning Mode: In YELLOW, early childhood and elementary students will remain in full-time, in-person learning. Middle and high school students will remain remote until the end of the semester, from Jan. 4-15. This gives us the ability to maintain instructional continuity in the weeks leading up to final exams, time for teachers to enjoy the winter break with their families and prepare for the transition and adjust IEP’s when they return. Middle and high school will transition to hybrid learning at the start of the second semester on January 19, 2021. Students who registered for VirtualED will continue with their current schedule. Schools will provide building-specific information around distance learning. Current learning supports in place for students with special needs will continue.
  
  
• Activities & Athletics: Voluntary activities, including clubs and athletics, currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
  
  
• Meal Pick-Up: Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in distance learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district. More information is available on the Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page.
  
  
• Facility Rental: District facilities will be closed to rentals through Jan.3.

The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates. Blue Valley needs your help to ensure we can maintain in person learning. Our ability to expand in-person learning modes for our students truly rests with all of us. Please continue to be vigilant and follow best practices to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your support of Blue Valley staff and students!

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Blue Valley families,

Blue Valley Schools remains committed to offering students the opportunity to participate in winter activities and athletics as long as it is safe to do so. To protect the health and safety of students and staff while participating in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, the district will be following the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors approved recommendations for winter activities/athletics. 

The KSHSAA Board of Directors voted in favor to begin the winter activity competition season on Dec. 1 and continue through Dec. 22 before taking a winter moratorium (no practice and no competitions beginning Dec. 23). The board also took action to extend the moratorium on practice and competition through Jan. 3. Practices may resume on Jan. 4 and competitions may resume on Jan. 8. 

Other items resulting from the KSHSAA Board of Directors Meeting:

Middle school activities and athletics

• Mandatory universal masking with the exception of officials during live action. 
  
  
• No spectators at competitions from Nov. 30 through Jan. 28, 2021, to minimize the risk of exposure while still providing opportunities for students.
  
  
• Previously scheduled Performing Arts events may take place in person. However, they will be livestreamed as there will be no audiences beginning Nov. 30 to minimize the risk of exposure while still providing opportunities for students.
  
  
• Schools will communicate additional information as needed.

High school activities and athletics

• Activities and athletics will continue in December as scheduled.
  
  
• No spectators at competitions from Nov. 30 through Jan. 28, 2021, to minimize the risk of exposure while still providing opportunities for students.
  
  
• No winter activities and athletics practices, performances or competitions between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3. Activities and athletics resume on Jan. 4 with in-person competitions beginning on Jan. 8. 
  
  
• Blue Valley has partnered with the NFHS network to livestream events. Competitions from the main gymnasium will be livestreamed. Limited spectator attendance in February based on forthcoming KSHSAA guidance.
  
  
• Previously scheduled Performing Arts events may take place in person. However, they will be livestreamed as there will be no audiences beginning Nov. 30 to minimize the risk of exposure while still providing opportunities for students.
  
  
• Debate and scholars’ bowl competitions will be held virtually.
  
  
• Mandatory universal masking, with the exception of athletes during the time they are competing and officials during live action. When the presence of a mask poses a risk to the student athlete’s safety, during activities of physical exertion, the mask may be removed.
  
  
• Athletic competitions:
• Basketball may have a maximum of 20 games exclusive of the postseason.
  
  
• Swim/dive may have a maximum of 10 competitions exclusive of the state meet.
  
  
• Wrestling may have a maximum of 18 events and no more than 30 competition points exclusive of the postseason. 
  
  
• Bowling may have a maximum of 10 competitions exclusive of the postseason.
  
  
• Schools will communicate additional information as needed.

We know that these modifications to winter activities and athletics schedules will greatly disappoint some families while some families will feel relief. Keep in mind that even with these plans in place, the district will continue to review appropriate measures and adjust if necessary to ensure the health, safety and well-being of students, coaches and sponsors. 

Blue Valley Schools

Blue Valley families,

We know that families want to have as much information available as possible before making a second-semester learning mode selection. Over the last week, families have shared that it would be helpful for the district to make the next learning mode announcement ahead of the Nov. 16 second-semester learning mode selection deadline－we listened. 

Our goal this school year was to provide a safe learning and working environment for staff and students. Blue Valley’s Board of Education adopted the Kansas State Department of Education’s (“KSDE”) Navigating Change Criteria in August and remains committed to utilizing this criteria for learning mode decisions.

Using current data from the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the district is in the ORANGE. 

We know there are mixed feelings about the different learning modes. We have known from the beginning of the school year that the in-person mode would need to be responsive to the activity of the COVID-19 virus and could include the full in-person, hybrid or distance learning formats. The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates. The next review of gating criteria data is scheduled for the week of Dec. 21.

Learning Modes
In the ORANGE level, early childhood and elementary students will remain in full-time, in-person learning while our middle school and high school students will return to distance learning from Nov. 30-Dec. 22. Schools will provide building-specific information around distance learning.

Students and families who elected the district’s all-virtual option, VirtualED, will continue with the same schedule they have been following.

Activities
The Navigating Change Gating Criteria adopted by the district is included within Navigating Change: Kansas Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations, which encourages student involvement in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, but advises that modifications must be made with the increased potential of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Following this guidance, the district collaborated with its medical partners to develop contingency plans for both fall and winter activities that require stringent mitigation measures to protect the health and safety of students and staff while participating in co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Keep in mind that even with these contingency plans in place, we will continue to review appropriate measures and adjust if necessary to ensure the health, safety and well-being of students, coaches and sponsors. At this time:

• Voluntary activities, including clubs and athletics, currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
• Voluntary middle and high school winter activities, including clubs and athletics, will begin on Nov. 16 with enhanced mitigation strategies in place.  

Meal Pick-Up
Drive-thru meal pick-up service for students in distance learning and VirtualED is available on Mondays and Wednesdays at four locations across the district. More information is available on the Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page.

Facility Rental
District facilities will be closed to rentals from Nov. 30-Jan. 3.

IMPACT OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RATES ON SCHOOLS
Our staff and students have worked hard this year to implement mitigation strategies and modifications to the school day yet the impact of the community transmission is clearly felt. Staff and student absenteeism due to quarantines and positive COVID-19 cases have significantly increased in the last two weeks. As shared at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the district is reaching a point where it is challenging to meet staffing needs.

• Availability of substitutes has been steadily dropping since the first week of school
• Unfilled substitute positions have dramatically increased over the last two weeks with 30-40 positions remaining unfilled each day
• Teachers are giving up plan periods to assist building and district-level administrators to cover unfilled positions

The change in learning modes from Nov. 30-Dec. 22 will allow us to focus limited resources, including substitutes, on the youngest students and students with disabilities who are least able to benefit from distance learning. Additional school closures are possible if the district can not staff buildings with qualified substitutes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
This has been a year like no other for staff, students and families alike. Each of us has been called upon to adapt as the situation surrounding COVID-19 has evolved. It is not lost on me that our staff, students and families are feeling a range of emotions including stress, COVID fatigue, depression and apathy about the situation. As evidenced in our community survey, there are differing opinions on many things; however, I ask that we come together as a Blue Valley community and partner to:

• Check in with one another and reach out if you have concerns. Reach out to Blue Valley students and staff to see how they are doing and how you can help support them during this pandemic. If you have a concern about your child, please reach out to your school. Our mental health and students services teams are ready to support and provide help.
• Follow local health official guidance. As it gets colder, it is important to remain vigilant with wearing masks, physical distancing and avoiding large groups. We believe schools are essential and want our middle and high school students in school but the reality is that can not happen until our community transmission rates lower. 

Thank you for your support of Blue Valley staff and students!

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Greetings, Blue Valley Families!

As we end the first quarter of the school year, Blue Valley is deep into planning for the second semester. As shared before the school year started, families and students will have the opportunity to switch learning modes for the second semester. This email provides information about the two learning modes, the process to make your selection(s) and adjustments to the VirtualED option.

Parents/guardians should make a selection for each student in their household, regardless of the choice to remain in a mode or to switch. Even if you have spoken with a staff member about making a change for the second semester, please go ahead and complete a form.

Quick Key Information in this Email

• There continue to be two choices of learning mode--in-person and all-virtual. How students attend school in the in-person mode depends on the activity of the COVID-19 virus and may include the full in-person, hybrid or distance learning formats.
  
  
• ALL kindergarten through 12th grade students will need to select a learning mode for the second semester, regardless of the desire to change modes.
  
  
• Families will have one window to make their second-semester selection. This window begins Thursday, Nov. 5 and ends Monday, Nov. 16.
  
  
• There will be some adjustments made to the all-virtual option, VirtualED.  These changes are based on feedback from various stakeholder groups from the first semester.
  
  
• For more detailed information, go to the Second Semester Learning Mode Selection web page.

Ready to Make Your Selection(s)?
Families will have until Nov. 16 to make a selection. If a selection is not made, the student(s) will be scheduled in the same learning mode as the first semester, meaning no change to learning mode will be made for these students. Click on the button below to go to the selection form or go online to make your selection. 

Two Learning Mode Options
Like this fall, families can choose one of two learning modes for their students. These two modes are described below. Students from the same household do not have to choose the same learning mode. Students in special education programs will continue to work with their case managers to determine the best programming choices for their specific needs. 

One Selection Window
The window in which families select their students’ learning mode for the second semester will be open from Nov. 5-16. This will be the only opportunity to switch learning modes for the remainder of the school year. In order to make these changes, significant lead time is necessary to ensure a good experience for students. The next district announcement for the format of the in-person learning mode experience is scheduled for Nov. 16. We understand that there is significant uncertainty surrounding the activity of the virus as the school year progresses and encourage families who have concerns for the safety of their student(s) for this reason to consider the all-virtual option.

Learning Mode Choice #1 - In-Person
Students who select this learning mode will participate in learning in-person at their home school as the gating criteria allows. This learning mode can include three types of experiences for students--full in-person learning, hybrid learning or distance learning depending on the activity of the COVID-19 virus.

	Distance Learning The student experience is fully online.
	Hybrid Learning (Limiting Capacity) The student experience is a mix of in-person and online.
	In-Person Learning The student experience is fully in-person and on-site.

Learning Mode Choice #2 - All-Virtual (VirtualED Program)
In this learning mode, students learn fully online. Students experience the full Blue Valley curriculum taught by licensed Blue Valley teachers. For detailed program information, you can visit the Blue Valley website and the pages dedicated to the VirtualED program.

During the second semester, students and families can expect the following adjustments to the VirtualED experience: 

Elementary School 

• Canvas pages will have an improved navigation experience making it easier for students and families to find what they need.

Middle School 

• Synchronous time for most electives will increase and no longer be limited to 20 minutes. 
• World language courses will continue to meet live daily.
• Physical education and virtual learning skills are fully asynchronous courses.
• Canvas pages will have an improved navigation experience making it easier for students and families to find what they need.

High School

• Student courses will be scheduled into seven blocks, eliminating students being double booked in blocks.
• Synchronous sessions will no longer be limited to 45 minutes and repeated within a block.
• Canvas pages will have an improved navigation experience making it easier for students and families to find what they need.

Enrollment Shifts
We anticipate a shift in student enrollment in both the in-person setting and VirtualED Program based on earlier surveys. While this shift could vary significantly from level to level, we do know that this movement will require us to realign resources and change schedules/class lists. While efforts will be made to provide consistency in teacher assignments, some students will experience teacher changes in both the in-person and virtual settings. These changes will be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

Want to Learn More or Have a Question?
The Blue Valley website has more information on both the options and the process to make a selection. Contact your student’s home school if you have any questions after reviewing the additional information on our website.

Blue Valley families,

Using the current data from the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas State Department of Education Navigating Change gating criteria, the district is in the YELLOW. This means the district will be continuing with the current modes of learning through Friday, Nov. 27.

• Building Gating (Absenteeism) = 2019 Average Daily Attendance 96.25% -->2020 Average Daily Attendance 91.83% for a difference of 4.42% YELLOW
• Community Gating (Percent positive tests / all tests performed) = 5.5% YELLOW
• Community Gating (# new cases / 100K over prior 2 weeks) = 227 RED
• Community Gating (Trend in county incidence rate) = 107, 132 and 95 decreasing GREEN
• Community Gating (Local referring/hospital capacity provided by MARC) = >30% GREEN

Elementary School Updates
Elementary students who registered for in-person learning will remain in full time, in-person learning.

Middle School Updates
Middle school in-person students will remain in a hybrid learning environment. Hybrid learning only applies to middle school families who chose in-person learning at registration. 

• Middle school students will remain in two groups: A (last name starting with letters A-L) or B (last name starting with M-Z).
• Middle school students will continue to follow an alternating AA/BB schedule. 
• Schools will provide building-specific calendars for November.
• Activities, athletics and clubs currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
• Girls’ basketball will begin in an intramural format with mitigation strategies in place.

High School Updates
High school in-person students will remain in a hybrid learning environment. Hybrid learning only applies to high school families who chose in-person learning at registration. 

• High school students will remain in two groups: A (last name starting with letters A-L) or B (last name starting with M-Z).
• High school students will continue to follow an alternating AA/BB schedule. 
• Schools will provide building-specific calendars for November.
• New! Tuesday, Nov. 3 will be asynchronous for all high students as high schools are being used as a Johnson County Election Office voting site. This means all high school students will be learning from home on Nov. 3, including students in the special education program. Coaches and sponsors will communicate about any changes to practices or events. 
• Activities, athletics and clubs currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place.
• Winter activities and athletics will begin on Nov. 16 with mitigation strategies in place.

VirtualED
Students and families who elected the district’s all-virtual option, VirtualED, will continue with the same schedule they have been following.

Providing the best quality educational experiences for our students, while balancing the safety and health of our staff, students and families, is a priority. We all want students back in school full time as soon as it is safe to do so. Here’s how you can help.

• Continue to follow public health guidance.
• Keep your child home if they are not feeling well.
• Ensure your child is engaged in at-home learning days. Attendance is an important aspect of the gating criteria that families can positively impact. At this time, attendance is running more than 4% lower than the same time last year.

The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates and will make every effort to provide families a two-week advance notice if the learning mode will change. The next review of gating criteria data is scheduled for the week of Nov. 16. 

Thank you to our staff, students and families for partnering together to create a safe learning and working environment for all.

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent

Blue Valley families,

Throughout this pandemic, we have said multiple times we want to bring students back to school in-person in some form as soon as we can safely do so. I am pleased to share that based on current transmission rates in our community, that time is now, as we are in the YELLOW. This means that beginning Monday, Oct. 5 all students who registered for in-person learning will attend school in-person at least two days per week.

• Elementary School: With mitigation strategies in place, elementary students will begin full in-person learning five days a week on Oct. 5. 
  
  
• Middle School and High School: With mitigation strategies in place, middle and high school students will begin the hybrid (limiting capacity) model on Oct. 5. It is important that students are experiencing in-person instruction as often as possible. The middle and high school hybrid schedule will alternate in-person and at-home learning days on an AA/BB schedule, and will not include the distance learning day in the current elementary hybrid model. While this alternating pattern means the in-person and at-home days will look different each week, this schedule offers maximum in-person time which we know is a priority for our families. The assignment to an A or B attendance day is dependent on the last name of the oldest child in the family--Group A is last names A-L and Group B is last names M-Z. Principals will be sending more detailed hybrid schedules later this week.

It is important to note that at-home learning days will look different than Distance Learning days as teachers will be teaching in-person fulltime. At-home learning days will include a scheduled “check-in” once per day, asynchronous work equivalent to what would be done in class and could include Zoom sessions with the in-person class. 

• VirtualED: Students who registered for the all-virtual option, VirtualED, are not impacted by these changes in learning mode.

The district will continue to watch and evaluate community transmission rates as called for in the gating criteria and will make every effort to provide families a two-week advance notice if the learning mode will change.

Below are additional updates for families as we prepare to transition learning modes on Monday, Oct. 5.

Activities and Athletics
Our coaches and sponsors have worked hard to implement modifications that provide a safe experience for our students involved in athletics and activities. 

• High school: Activities and athletics currently underway will continue with mitigation strategies in place. Building principals will share more in the coming weeks about clubs and winter activities and athletics.
  • Winter activities and athletics coaches and sponsors are meeting to develop mitigation strategies for the 2020-21 season.
    
    
  • Clubs can meet using health and safety modifications.

Building principals will share more in the coming weeks about clubs and winter activities and athletics.

• Middle school: Activities and athletics are an important part of the total educational experience. While building principals will share more information in the coming weeks, across the district we are planning for:
• Intermural opportunities for middle school football, volleyball, cross country and cheerleading beginning in October. This means competitions can take place with other Blue Valley middle schools. By providing intermural seasons, athletes competing with club teams will still be able to participate.
  
  
• Updates on winter athletics schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.
  
  
• Clubs will begin meeting in October using health and safety modifications.
  
  
• Currently reviewing opportunities for middle school musicals and plays.

Transportation 
Durham School Services is adjusting bus routes, including pick-up and drop-off time to accommodate elementary full in-person five days a week and a hybrid schedule at the middle and high school level. Stay tuned for updated transportation information in the coming weeks.

Food Service
Blue Valley’s Food and Nutrition Services department will continue to offer a drive-thru meal pick-up service for remote learners. This includes Blue Valley students enrolled in Hybrid (limiting capacity) Learning and VirtualED modes of instruction. More information about pick-up dates, times and locations is available on the Drive-Thru Meal Pick-Up web page. 

Technology help
The Blue Valley ITS Department is committed to providing the best technology support possible to Blue Valley families and students. Please see important instructions below, by learning mode, to request technology assistance.

• In-Person Learning Days: Students should seek device support from their teachers or building leaders within their school building.
  
  
• At-Home Learning Days/VirtualED: Families/students can submit a BV Care “Technology Help” form online. The BV Care team will work to schedule remote assistance or an in-person appointment at the district’s designated BV Care support site. BV Care support is available from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Additional information regarding appointment date, time and location will be shared with you once your online help form is submitted.

Families can expect to receive additional information and updates from building principals as we near the Oct. 5 transition date. Thank you to our staff, students and families for partnering together to create a safe learning and working environment for all. 

Dr. Tonya Merrigan
Superintendent