A monthly e-newsletter with valuable updates on your PTO and school happenings. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more frequent updates.

T minus a little over a week until SPRING BREAK!!!  Whether you are off to someplace exotic or planning a staycation - we hope you have a wonderful week off of school! 

There is so much to report this month, where do we start???

• Woot! Woot! Our girls varsity basketball team won playoff game #1! Come cheer them on during game #2 as they battle to get to state! The PTO will pay the entry fee for the first 100 students: Friday, March 6th at 6pm @ Gardner Edgerton High School (425 N. Waverly Rd in Gardner).

• Spring Grants have been approved! Scroll down to "What We've Done" for details. 

• Trivia Night was a success! The PTO achieved its fundraising goal to fully fund grants and more! Attendees had a blast, even claiming "it was the best Trivia Night ever!" Scroll down for photos of the fun.

• Sr. Parent Night was informative and fun! Missed the event? Scroll down for the link to the PPT shared. Planning a Grad or Spring Birthday party? Card My Yard and Chick-Fil-A catering will donate a proceed of sales to BVNW PTO! See promo flyers below. Next up for Seniors:  the PTO-sponsored Senior Picnic on 5/8!

• Your PTO needs to fill several Committee positions for next year - requiring differing levels of time commitment. Scroll down for details or email us @ BVNWPTO@gmail.com and GET INVOLVED!

• Activate Games is offering discounted play for BVNW students on testing/early release day on Tuesday, April 7th with code: BVNWFUN26. A portion of proceeds comes back to the PTO as well! See flyer below for details.

• The BVNW PTO President recently learned of BV District bond priorities, budget cuts and Kansas Legislative issues impacting BVNW. Scroll down to learn more.

• Spirit Wear is on sale for spring. Click HERE to order.

• The next PTO Board Meeting will be on Monday, April 6th at 6:30pm where we will be joined by Ms. Vomhof. See the "What's To Come" section for the agenda. 

• BVNW PTO and STUGO will host a new Student (and Family) Activity the evening of April 19th: Movie Night at the DAC! This event will be free to attend for BVNW students and their families! Save the date!

The PTO has several Committee positions needing to be filled next year (typically a 2-year commitment). You can also volunteer to co-lead with a friend! If you are interested in supporting your school or learning more, please email us at BVNWPTO@gmail.com.  

Sunshine Committee Lead - provides bereavement/celebration gifts & cards on behalf of the PTO, recognizes Staff Birthdays monthly, responds to "Teens in Need" requests.

Concessions Inventory Manager - works with the Concessions Manager to plan and purchase supplies for our Concessions booth and restocks during games as needed in the Fall.

Student Appreciation Lead - arranges recognition for students and activities as needed (e.g., State Champions), plans one 'all student' appreciation activity per semester (like Student Day Out or morning hot cocoa & donut give-away).

THANK YOU FOR GETTING INVOLVED SO THE PTO CAN KEEP DOING THESE ACTIVITIES FOR OUR SCHOOL AND STUDENTS!

Friday, March 13th - Monday March 23rd: SPRING BREAK!

__________

Monday, April 6th, 7pm BVNW Library/Media Center

BVNW PTO Meeting - Please Join Us!

Please join our Principal, Ms. Vomhof, and the PTO Board as we tackle the following topics:

• Vote on 2026-27 new Board and Committee positions,
• Discuss impact of District budget cuts & funding priorities,
• Decide on 2026-27 Membership fees and Yard Sign prices, 
• Updates from Activities, Fundraising, Treasurer,
• Finalize logistics for April Movie Night.

This meeting is open to all PTO Members and Prospective Members.

__________

Tuesday, April 7th, Noon to 10pm

BVNW Discount Play @ Activate Games

Looking for something for your kiddo to do after early release? Go play at Activate Games KC, an amusement center featuring high-tech games that test teams' physical and mental agility located at 6900 W 119th Street. Families receive 20% off admission and a portion of proceeds comes back to the BVNW PTO. Just mention code: BVNWFUN26 when booking.  

__________

Saturday, April 18th, 7p-10p

Junior/Senior Prom - Volunteers needed

Click HERE to help make the evening special for our Juniors and Seniors. 

__________

Sunday, April 19th, Gates open at 6pm

Movie Night at the DAC: Save the date for this FREE event - more details to come!

__________

Monday, April 20th, No School!

2/7 - A BIG thank you to the Trivia Night volunteers, donors of wine and auction items and event sponsors. It was a FUN night supporting our PTO! Scroll for photos of the fun!

2/9 - Congratulations to the groups that received Spring Grants: Library (art kits),  PE/Sports (fitness technology), eSports Club (start-up equipment), Girls' Wrestling (supplies), Baseball/Softball (large contribution towards outfield screen), Spanish Club (spanish language books), and Band (3 cymbals)!  Whew! 

Plus support for our Dance Team competing at Nationals! Good luck!

2/11 - Thank you to Staff Appreciation and Parents who donated for a beautiful and bountiful Conference Meal for our teachers!

2/14 - A thank you to the small but mighty crew of parent volunteers who helped check coats and serve cookies at the Sweetheart Dance!

3/2 - Thank you to the volunteers who helped make the Sr. Parent Night run smoothly!

The BVNW PTO President attended several meetings in February where she learned about issues impacting our schools. Here are the highlights:

Blue Valley District Funding

The District has been using its reserves to pay staff salaries because the state of Kansas isn't providing funds at the level mandated and this is not sustainable. Dr. Chapman explained that the State of Kansas should have funded over $18million to BV and, without these funds, as well as the funding impact from declining enrollment*, the District will need to cut their budget. Dr. Chapman asks parents to contact their state representatives to strongly urge them to use available resources to fund public schools at the mandated level. She pointed out that the State legislature is instead debating restricting cell phone usage (already done in BV), verifying free & reduced lunch applications (a minor part of overall budget) and offering a $50m tax credit to private schools. Click HERE to learn more about the BV District priorities and what you can do to help our Blue Valley schools thrive.

Potential 5th Grade Strings Elimination

One of the cutbacks being floated is to eliminate 5th grade strings from Blue Valley schools. Our orchestra director, Mr. Arbucci, strongly opposes cutting this program as it provides a strong foundation for BVNW's accomplished orchestra students. Click HERE to read more about the issue and what you can do to help.

Budget Cuts at BVNW

BVNW is not immune to these budget pressures and will be expected to trim 10% off of their budget. Ms. Vomhof aims to do so without increasing class sizes nor sacrificing academic quality. However, budget for 'extras' will be the first to be impacted which is why BVNW PTO's programs like Teacher Stipends, Academic/Activity Grants and Staff Appreciation will be even more important going forward. Helping with grounds maintenance and landscaping is another area where students and parents can help - stay tuned. 

Proposed Bond Projects

The District is currently finalizing its list of capital budget projects to be funded in the next Bond issue. Projects currently on the list benefitting the BVNW community include: CAPS expansion, OMS expansion and additions, HS science classroom renovations, facilities upkeep, safety/security and technology. Click HERE to share your thoughts about these and other District bond priorities.

*Statewide Kanas school enrollment is down 6.7% since 2019 - while Blue Valley's is down 3.4% - primarily due to lower birth rates and more families moving out of state than in. 

Our Mission is to foster a strong sense of community, support student spirit and achievement, and strengthen the partnership between parents, teachers and administration. 

We plan to do this by:

• Supporting our teachers, counselors and school staff, so they feel appreciated and equipped with resources needed.
• Supporting events, sports, clubs and extracurricular activities that enable all students to have positive experiences and build pride for their school.
• Informing, engaging and growing our community of PTO Members and Donors.

Click HERE to become a PTO Member and/or Donor today.

Email: BVNWPTO@gmail.com

Website: https://bvnw.membershiptoolkit.com

Follow Us on Facebook or Instagram: BVNW PTO