Article Library

New Graduation credits prepare Blue Valley students for future success, focus on real-world skills

Scott Roberts, Blue Valley’s Executive Director of School Administration, and Leah Vomhof, Blue Valley Northwest’s Curriculum and Instruction Associate Principal, answer questions about the changes Blue Valley made to graduation requirements, the process behind the additional requirements and how these requirements benefit students.

Comments (-1)
New assessment tool replaces longtime MAP tests

A new assessment taking the place of MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing has made evaluating data easier for teachers and decreased testing time for students, allowing for more focused instruction time. Blue Valley started using Fastbridge at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. Fastbridge is an adaptive assessment, meaning it's tailored to each student. The test gets harder when students answer questions correctly and easier when students answer questions incorrectly.

Comments (-1)
K-8 students plus new math resource equals tremendous academic gains for all

When Blue Valley implemented its new K-8 math resource, iReady, at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, it was clear early on that it was a game-changer. By the end of the school year, teachers were astounded. The impact the math resource had on student learning led to assessment scores that exceeded expectations.

Comments (-1)
Q&A: Assessments in Literacy

Assessments in literacy are vital to determining a student's skill level regarding specific concept areas. Literacy-focused assessments take on multiple flavors, but the newest literacy-focused assessments in Blue Valley are screening assessments that provide teachers with information to help identify students' needs.

Comments (-1)
Passionate readers, authentic writers: Inside Blue Valley's English Language Arts program

The district’s 6-12 ELA program through the years has morphed to meet state curriculum standards. But Blue Valley has also set parameters and two-fold goals for the program — students will leave as passionate writers and authentic readers.

Comments (-1)
‘An exemplary educator in every classroom:’ Blue Valley’s Mentoring program uncovers new educators’ strengths, develops compassionate teachers

Blue Valley's Mentoring program, a two-year program focused on relational learning and personalized mentoring support, is meant to uncover teachers’ strengths and develop reflective, compassionate and emotionally resilient educators.

Comments (-1)
Blue Valley’s flexible learning environments create new learning opportunities, collaboration for students and teachers

Flexible learning environments create spaces for various learning opportunities, from individual and small group to large group work. The design of FLEs creates opportunities for nimble learning and student learning configurations with more teacher supervision.

Comments (-1)
Heart of the school: Blue Valley libraries vital to student success, well-being and collaboration

Many of Blue Valley’s libraries serve as the heart of the school, not just in location but in the services they provide to students.

Comments (-1)
Blue Valley middle schoolers learn about digital citizenship with engaging and interactive lessons

Middle school is a transition period for kids as they learn more about themselves, take on more responsibility and become more exposed to technology.

Comments (-1)
How do assessments in Blue Valley lead to student academic success?

Formative assessments described as assessments for learning, provide teachers with information on how they can help a student grow. Summative assessments, characterized as assessments of learning, occur after instruction takes place.

Comments (-1)
Blue Valley CTE teachers’ Externship opportunities beneficial for staff and students

Externships are offered nationally in school districts and provide an opportunity for teachers to work alongside industry professionals to learn best practices.

Comments (-1)
Blue Valley's Summer Explorations: An enriching experience for students

Blue Valley’s Summer Exploration program is a great opportunity for students to explore their passions and hobbies in a classroom setting with peers and a Blue Valley teacher.

Comments (-1)
How can Blue Valley families support young readers during the summer?

Learning, specifically reading, is a great summer activity that can be fun and beneficial to the whole family.

Comments (-1)
Blended learning in Blue Valley creates more personalized instruction for students

Blended learning, the combination of online tools with in-person learning, elevates learning by leveraging digital tools to enhance traditional instruction.

Comments (-1)
What does literacy look like in Blue Valley?

Structured literacy concepts are taught in a way that allows students to form lasting connections to sounds, symbols and meaning in the brain. This approach is based on the science of reading, a thorough research body articulating how the brain learns to read and what it does as a person reads.

Comments (-1)
Planning for high school should start in middle school

Planning for high school is one of the most beneficial things middle school students can do to prepare for their last four years of secondary education. There are opportunities in high school that aren’t as readily available unless certain classes and credits are earned in middle school.

Comments (-1)
Blue Valley students find the wonder, joy and beauty in math

The teaching and learning of math in Blue Valley have students engaged, working collaboratively, creatively and finding the flexibility within a math problem.

Comments (-1)
Q&A: Assessments in Blue Valley

Assessments in Blue Valley take on multiple forms from a state-required test to a teacher simply spending 10 minutes each day quizzing students about a particular topic they have recently covered.

Comments (-1)
Social-emotional learning is integrated into the lives and academics of Blue Valley students

Every Blue Valley student is learning SEL skills that are intertwined into and complement their academic learning.

Comments (-1)
A place to belong: Blue Valley students find home in band and strings programs

Blue Valley’s performing arts program has multiple arms including band, orchestra (strings), choir, theater, debate and competitive speaking. The band and orchestra branches are just two groups where kids can find a home.

Comments (-1)
Technology is integral to every person’s life. How is Blue Valley safely incorporating it into the lives of students?

Digital citizenship is about making sure students are making good choices online. Blue Valley’s focus on digital citizenship is vital to ensuring students in and outside of the classroom are knowledgeable about the safest ways to use technology.

Comments (-1)
Career Ready Programs opens door to job opportunities as program continues to grow

Career Ready Programs offer opportunities to junior and senior high school students to learn and experience a variety of trade professions from welding, automotive technology, construction management or fire science to culinary, plumbing or electrical technology.

Comments (-1)
Welcome To The Learning Connection

The Learning Connection will be a resource for all families, from those with children entering early learning to those with graduating seniors. The resource allows Blue Valley to engage with the community on a regular basis and serve as an additional platform to expand families’ knowledge about the district’s learning and teaching initiatives and operations.

Comments (-1)