January is National Mentoring Month. The Blue Valley School District would like to thank all the volunteers and YouthFriends who mentor students for their efforts and dedication to Blue Valley schools. Mentors work alongside Blue Valley's dedicated staff to make Education Beyond Expectations a reality for Blue Valley students. Pictured is Indian Valley Elementary mentor, MaryAnn Connelly, who volunteers one morning a week.

If you or someone you know would like to volunteer in Blue Valley schools, please contact Gwen Farmer, coordinator of community partnerships, at (913) 239-4232.

January is School Board Recognition Month across the state of Kansas. At the January 9, 2012 Board of Education meeting, the Blue Valley School District honored members (L - R) Tony Thill, Mike Seitz, Sue Matson, Cindy Bowling, Pam Robinson, and Tom Mitchell for the outstanding work they do on behalf of the district. Not pictured: Steve Kilka. Board members were presented with pottery pieces created by Oak Hill Elementary 4th grade students.

Community members are invited to attend an open house to learn more about the 2012 Blue Valley bond election. Three open houses have been scheduled.

• Jan. 5, 2012 7-8 p.m. Blue Valley West
• Jan. 10, 2012 7-8 p.m. Blue Valley Northwest
• Jan. 11, 2012 7-8 p.m. Blue Valley High

To view a short, informative video presentation discussing the bond, please click here.

The Morse Elementary 4th and 5th grade choir recently went on a holiday tour and performed eight holiday/winter-themed choral selections at various locations in the community. The 72-student choir practices twice a week before school on a volunteer basis. Morse music vocal teacher Christa Webster directs the students. Morse Spanish teacher Caroline Chrisco also joined the choir as they performed four selections in Spanish.

Liberty View Elementary third grade students recently participated in Regions Day. Students were able to learn more about the United States in a "hands on" way by experiencing activity stations portraying various U.S. regions including Southwest, Northwest, Southeast, West, Midwest, and Northeast. Activities included making clay pots, reading poetry, building NASA rockets, commercial auditions, line dancing, and a chocolate factory. Local news Meteorologist Brett Anthony also shared with the students about the weather patterns throughout the different regions.

At the November 14 Board of Education meeting, the Blue Valley School District honored its 2011 Friends of Education award recipients.

These awards are presented annually to organizations or individuals who have played a critical role in and made significant contributions toward leadership or quality in education.

Through their efforts, recipients have impacted the lives of the children in our schools in many ways. These Friends of Education understand that student success can only happen with a combined effort from all. The 2011 Friends of Education award recipients include:

• Deb Grimes & Ken Selzer, School District Volunteer
• Greg Musil, Community Volunteer
• AMC Entertainment Inc., Public or Private Institution
• Palazzo 16 Theater, Public or Private Institution
• Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners, Community or Civic Organization

In a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Board of Education approved the resolution authorizing a bond election on January 31, 2012, in the amount of $271,285,031. The bond includes funding for technology replacements and upgrades, re-investment in the district's aging facilities, and school safety improvements. For more details visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/bond.

Thanks to a Blue Valley Educational Foundation grant to two Blue Valley elementary art teachers, Kuniko Yamamoto, a storytelling and Origami expert, performed at some of Blue Valley's elementary schools. Through dramatic storytelling using myths and fables from ancient and modern Japan, and social revelations to educate and amuse, Kuniko Yamamoto enchanted all audiences. After performing at several elementary schools, she also spent time at a staff development workshop, where teachers participated in bookbinding, storytelling and writing.