BLUE VALLEY EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA - News

Congratulations to our May 2022 Educator of the Month, Mimi Nagle!

Wed, 04 May 2022 21:40:55 GMT

A huge congratulations to our May Parent Educator of the Month, Mimi Nagle! Ms. Nagle has taught for over forty years, with thirty-two of those as a parent educator. We are truly blessed to have Ms. Nagle as a part of our excellent staff of educators at Blue Valley.

Here’s a bit more about Ms. Mimi Nagle:

Q: Role with Blue Valley Early Education:
A: Mimi Nagle, Parent Educator
Education and years of experience: 40 years in Early Childhood, 32 as a Parent Educator

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Spend time with my family, grandsons, reading, traveling, cooking

Q: What made you choose your profession?
A: I love working with little children, each day is a new and different experience. Any and everything looks great through the eyes of a child.

Q: Is there anything that you wish you'd known in your first-year?
A: Oh so many things….things with schools, doctors, getting evaluations completed etc, take so much longer than we think they will. Being patient wasn't my strength, but I’ve gotten better….

Q: What do you hope your students/families take away from their time with you?
A: It’s not a race to raise your children, it’s a marathon, relax and enjoy. Parents are doing a better job than they think they are. Also, I want all parents to realize that they are their child’s first teacher, the expert on their development etc. Parents are an important part of their child’s education and the educational team, be present with them.

Q: Is there a learning tool, toy or piece of equipment you’ve found especially helpful?
A: Farm animals, balls, pretend play and duck tape!

Q: How can the PTA better support you?
A: You all have been so supportive of PAT, thank you! Just getting the word out to our community that we are here and want families to join.
Help to fund extra activities/equipment, and continue to advocate for the PAT program at the state level.

Congratulations to our May 2022 Teacher of the Month, Christine Mura!

Wed, 04 May 2022 21:24:13 GMT

A huge congratulations to our May Teacher of the Month, Christine Mura! While Ms. Mura -- or Ms. Christine as her students and families know her -- just recently made a move to Hilltop, she has over twenty-four years teaching experience, most of those years in the Blue Valley Early Childhood program. Ms. Christine was nominated by her Hilltop colleagues as the building nominee for Blue Valley Teacher of the Year for 2022. We are truly blessed to have her as a part of our excellent staff of teachers at Blue Valley.

Kendall Burr, Principal of Early Childhood Programs stated, “I’m so proud to have been on Christine’s hiring committee way back in 2001! She was the right choice then, and has served Blue Valley well over her distinguished career. She’s worked in at least four different schools and in different roles -- including helping to create a virtual preschool experience when no one really knew how to do that, and helping to lead curriculum design. We are lucky that Christine has made Blue Valley her professional home!”

Here’s a bit more about Ms. Christine Mura:

Q: Teaching Role with Blue Valley Early Education:
A: Blue Valley Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Hilltop Learning Center

Q: Education and years of experience:
A: BSE from KU, MSE from Emporia State, 24 years teaching experience

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I love to spend time hanging out with my friends and family, especially my son Jordan. He was a peer model in our program back in 2001 when I started in Blue Valley! I love to read/listen to a good book. I just joined Hilltop Rec Center so I’m looking forward to some great workouts right next door!

Q: What made you choose your profession?
A: My Mom was my kindergarten teacher so I guess you could say it runs in the family! I was actually going to be a physical therapist but it just didn’t click for me. When I started taking classes in education, I realized that I had found my passion.

Q: Is there anything that you wish you'd known in your first-year?
A: I wish I had known not to sweat the small stuff. It is easy to get stressed out when you are a first year teacher. Just focus on connecting with your students and families, create an inviting classroom environment, and try to make learning fun! If you do all of these things, the rest of what you need to do will eventually fall into place.

Q: What do you hope your students/families take away from their time with you?
A: I hope that I can make each child’s very first school experience a positive one. I hope that each child learns to be a good friend and is prepared to be a lifelong learner. I hope that by having an awesome early childhood classroom experience with me, it sets the stage for an amazing journey throughout the years at Blue Valley.

Q: Is there a learning tool, toy or piece of equipment you’ve found especially helpful?
A: I received a BVEF grant this year for sensory toys and materials for a “Calm Down” corner for my classroom, and the kiddos have LOVED the items we received!

Q: How can the PTA better support you?
A: Spread the word in the BV community about our awesome program!!

Make Earth Day Every Day

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 13:44:45 GMT

Keep Your Kid's Engaged

Keep your kid’s engaged year round by making it fun and educational at home, at parks, trails and out at restaurants.

Conservation might seem like a big concept for young children, but we can help them learn by showing them age-appropriate ways to care for our planet. Here's how you can engage your children in fun and educational ideas at home, like turning recycling into crafting,

Make it Relatable. For a good example, when your child or someone else litters, explain why it’s important to dispose of trash properly.
Use everyday opportunities. For a good example, talk about where paper comes from, how it's made, and why trees are so important to us. “Paper comes from trees, so we don’t want to use too much. Trees help us breathe and give animals a place to live.”
Model good habits. Environmentally friendly habits practiced at home help foster the same good habits in little ones. Here are a few ways to go green:

Turn off the lights every time you leave a room.
Always turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
Use reusable shopping bags and food containers.
Unplug your cellphone charger and hair dryer when not in use.

Earth Day Projects to try with your kid

Sustainable projects are not only fun, but it’s a good way to incorporate math, science, reading and other lessons into environmental education without too much effort. Try these fun craft ideas:

Tissue Box Monsters by Giggles Galore

Egg Carton Tree by Glued to My Crafts Blog

12 Seed Starting Ideas using Recycled Materials by Lovely Greens

Seed Bombs by Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Count and sort recycling. Have your child help you sort bottles, cans, paper and other items for recycling. Before putting them into the appropriate bins, encourage your child to practice their counting skills, group objects together by color, and compare the different sizes or feel of the various objects.

Incorporate conservation into story time. Read books or poems about the importance of conservation and then talk about how your child’s actions impact their neighborhood, community and the world. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

“Recycle! A Handbook for Kids” by Gail Gibbons
“Recycle Every Day!” by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
“The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest” by Lynne Cherry
“The Great Trash Bash” by Loreen Leedy
“Where Does the Garbage Go?” by Paul Showers

Take Your Kids to Earth Day Events

We also engage with our kids through activities and play. Some of the best learning is through great community activities. Check out these great local activities happening today:

Celebrate Our Earth Week at Paradise Park Apr. 15- 22 at Paradise Park, 1021 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO. Paradise Park’s Discovery Play center theme of the week: Celebrate Our Earth! Specially designed for safe, clean, interactive, fun, imaginative and educational play, Every week brings new stories, interactive performances or games, art projects and tasty treats in children’s cooking during Adventure Time. It makes each of your weekly visits a NEW adventure! The theme changes every week, usually on Sunday. This week’s theme engages children in celebrating the treasures of our planet during the week of Earth Day!
Party for the Planet Apr. 21 & 22 at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, mo. We are celebrating Mother Earth with a Party for the Planet. Join us for Earth Day activities.

Engage Kids in Conservation at Our Local Parks

Overland Park also has a number of great parks that offer not just great play and hiking for kids, but also learning centers and more ways to get involved. Here are the two closest to us:

Ernie Miller Nature Center

Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center in the heart of Johnson County is a place where people of all ages connect to nature, with trails, forest, creek, prairie and pond to explore. At the nature center, children enjoy the opportunity to look at native wildlife and learn about their natural habitats. The exhibits teach visitors about native plants and animals and the effect we have on the environment.

Volunteer at Ernie Miller
Volunteer opportunities for adults and teens (with parental permission) on an individual basis. The nature center works with youth or adult groups wanting to schedule a service project. Call 913.764.7759 for information.

Overland Park Arboretum

8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS. Admission charged. 913.685.3604
This 300-acre attraction is home to thirteen gardens including their whimsical train garden and beautiful Monet garden. The arboretum offers trails to explore, 180 acres of prairie home to native plants, and special events throughout the year. "Approximately 85 percent of the property is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. The remaining portion includes traditional botanical gardens and the Environmental Education Visitors Center (EEVC).

Volunteer at Overland Park Arboretum
Short-term opportunities to volunteer are available throughout the year. Please send an email to volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org if you are interested in a short-term or single-event volunteer opportunity. Long-term volunteers must be 18 or older.

Farm-to-table Restaurants Teach Sustainability

With so many great restaurants in Kansas City, these have become staples in the community for supporting local farmers and growers, serving up the tastiest, healthiest and best-for-the-environment meals you’ll find in Kansas City! Visit KCFoodCircle.org for more restaurants.

Blue Bird Bistro 1700 Summit, Kansas City, MO, 816.221.7559, BlueBirdBistro.com. The upscale organic restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00-2:00.
Cafe Gratitude 333 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.5683, CafeGratitudeKC.com. This casual restaurant serves a 100 percent organic and plant-based menu. They are open Monday through Friday 11:00-10:00, Saturday 10:00-10:00 and Sunday 10:00-9:00.
Eden Alley Vegetarian Café 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.561.5415, EdenAlley.com. Located on the Country Club Plaza, this vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free restaurant dishes up delicious salads, soups, burritos, sandwiches and cakes with organic, local ingredients.
FÜD 813 W. 17th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.785.3454, EatFud.com. FÜD (pronounced fōōd) is a restaurant in the Westside focusing on organic, local, all-vegan food.
Story 3931 W. 69th Ter., Prairie Village, KS, 913.236.9955, StoryKC.com. Story is an upscale neighborhood restaurant featuring a fresh, local and seasonal menu.
The Farmhouse 300 Delaware St., Kansas City, MO, 816.569.6032, EatAtTheFarmhouse.com. City Market is the perfect setting for fresh-from-the-farm comfort food in a casual and hip urban atmosphere.
Urban Table 8232 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS, 913.948.6900, UrbanTableKC.com. Known for chic décor creating a hip and relaxed atmosphere, Urban Table offers a fast-casual dining experience with unique seasonal creations on the menu.

We hope you’ll find new adventures and make earth day every day through teaching your children about conservation and sustainability.

The Hidden Gems of Johnson County Parks: A Guide by Moms for Moms

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 14:16:22 GMT

Meredith Reitz Bolin

Blue Valley Early Education PTA Events Chair

We hope you've enjoyed exploring these parks over spring break. If you haven't had a chance yet, there's plenty of beautiful weekends coming up. Here's a wrap up of our list of parks for you check out this spring:

ERNIE MILLER NATURE CENTER
Have you discovered Ernie Miller Nature Center - they are open year round and have a indoor area to explore plus paved hiking trails all FREE - there are programs for kids too - check them out Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center | Johnson County Park & Rec, KS
Located: 127th St. and K-7

ANTIOCH PARK, 6501 Antioch Rd., Merriam, KS
This park has multiple playgrounds, a Dodge Town play area, two lakes, walking paths… You could spend all day exploring this treasure.
Located: 65th St. and Antioch

OLATHE INDIAN CREEK LIBRARY & PARK, 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS 66062
A library and a park! It can’t get better than that……Go and play, then check out some books. You can even pack a lunch and eat on the tables or find a shade tree.
Located at 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS 66062

STILLWELL PARK, 6402 W 207th St, Bucyrus, KS 66013
This amazing inclusive park allows everyone to play together without barriers. There is also a wonderful paved loop trail perfect for bikes and scooters.
Located: off of Hwy 69 and 199th St. exit

BIG BULL CREEK PARK, 20425 Sunflower Rd, Edgerton, KS 66021
Have you discovered Big Bull Creek Park? It is a bit of a trek, but TOTALLY worth it! Sand, nature playground, creek play, and trails. It’s the largest park in the area.
Located: Edgerton, I-35 Exit 202 Sunflower Road

Community Resource and Preschool Fair Booklet

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT

We are so excited to share our digital alternative to our usual in-person fair! In this booklet, you will find tons of information on daycares, preschools, and other child-centered businesses in the Overland Park, Olathe, and Leawood area! Enrollment starts soon for the 2021-2022 school year, we hope this helps you make your choice!

virtual_preschool_fair.pdf
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New BVEC-PTA T-Shirt

Sun, 06 May 2018 00:46:53 GMT

BVECPTA T-Shirt Fundraising Campaign has launched! Did you know those playgroups we host are not free (to the PTA)? We pay each Parent Educator to be there using funds raised by membership fees, restaurant nights, and donations. Our volunteers use their own "free" time to organize the Preschool Fair, Trunk or Treat, and Spring Celebration, to name a few. Show us your LOVE by purchasing a new PTA shirt! Campaign ends May 9th!

https://www.bonfire.com/lovebvecpta/

Spring Celebration and Touch-A-Truck

Sat, 14 Apr 2018 01:20:27 GMT

Join us for our annual Spring Celebration featuring a Touch-A-Truck viewing and access to the playground. All Parents as Teachers, Early Childhood, and PTA families are invited.

Bring a Blue Valley resident with children ages birth to 5 and encourage them to sign up for one of our great programs such as Parents as Teachers or the Early Childhood PTA. Staff will be onsite to get them started. Those families who join the PTA will get a free children's book!

Last year, the Overland Park Police Department provided not only a police car, but also an Animal Control truck and water rescue boat! There was also a fire engine, school bus, snow plow and loader. New this year will be a John Deere tractor!

Donuts, fruit, coffee, and water are provided first come first served.

Hilltop Appreciation Week

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:00:16 GMT

Update 4/30/2018: Hilltop Appreciation Week is just a week away. We have several activities planned so you can show your teachers and staff how much you appreciate them. We also have a sign up genius that has gone live so that you may volunteer to bring food or drink for the Teacher and Staff Luncheon on Thursday, May 10! (See link below)

Did you know that there are over 100 teachers and staff members that service our kids on daily basis? Hilltop has teachers, parent educators, administrative staff, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, custodians and more! Each and every staff member is beneficial to Hilltop! The PTA likes to show our gratitude for all teachers and staff, so our Hilltop Appreciation Week committee has been busy organizing teacher/staff gifts. If you would like to make a donation for a teacher/staff gift, you may click on the Sign up Genius link below. No gift is too small.

We still need volunteers to help set up and clean up. Set up entails laying out the food by 11:30am. Clean up is putting food away and wiping down tables. See the sign up genius link below to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0544a8a823a5f58-hilltop3

Thank you for helping us make this a great success!

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Hilltop Appreciation Week is May 7-10, 2018. Hilltop Appreciation Week celebrates teachers and staff at Hilltop. The BVEC-PTA is hard at work requesting donations for teacher gifts, planning a teacher luncheon and the student activities listed below:

Sunday 5/6/18 2:00 pm - All families are invited to come draw pictures at Hilltop on the concrete. Rain or Shine.

Tuesday 5/8/18 - Students may bring in a flower for each teacher/staff.

Wednesday 5/9/18 - Students may bring in handmade pictures for each teacher/staff.

Thursday 5/10/18 - Teacher/staff appreciation luncheon.

More information to come! If you are interested in volunteering to help with planning and coordinating these events for Hilltop Appreciation Week, please email Heather or Brooke at bvearlychildhoodpta@gmail.com

Nominations for 2018-2019 BVEC-PTA Executive Board

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 20:32:03 GMT

BVEC-PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATIONS 2018-2019
If you are interested or would like to nominate someone you think would be a great candidate for the Blue Valley Early Childhood PTA, please see the link below and complete the nomination form. Nominees will be contacted by the nominating committee to verify their interest and may decline their nomination, if so inclined. The nominating committee will present a slate of officers-elect at the BVEC-PTA Executive Board Meeting in May. The deadline for submission is May 18, 2018.

The following is a description of each position:

President: open
Serve as principal executive officer of the organization. Sets the agenda for regular monthly board meetings. Supervise and coordinates the work of the Executive Board officers and committees of the organization. Preside and participate at all executive and membership meetings. Perform delegated duties as written in the BVEC-PTA Bylaws. Works closely with the following: Hilltop principal, Hilltop principal’s administrative assistant, Hilltop receptionist, PAT director, PAT director’s administrative assistant, all board members, and others. Helps set the PTA calendar with the Principal, PAT director, and the executive board.

Vice President of Preschool
Coordinates and oversees the committees under Vice-President of Preschool. Perform delegated duties as written in the BVEC-PTA Bylaws. Oversees the following committees: Trunk or Treat, Room Parents, Picture Day, Yearbook, and Hilltop Appreciation Week. Works closely with the executive board, Hilltop principal, administrative assistant and receptionist; along with, the coordinators for each committee under the Vice-President of Preschool.

Vice President of PAT: open
Coordinates and oversees the committees under Vice-President of PAT which are the following: Field Trip Coordinator, Playgroup Coordinator, and Preschool Fair Coordinator. Perform delegated duties as written in the BVEC-PTA Bylaws. Works closely with the executive board, PAT director, and administrative assistant and PAT liaison.

Secretary
Record detailed minutes of the proceedings of all Executive Board and membership meetings. Take attendance and keep a roster of all members and voting members attending each Executive Board meeting. Conduct correspondence and mailing duties as written in the BVEC-PTA bylaws. Oversee committees: public relations & newsletter. Distribute minutes to board members and post on the website. Works closely with all executive board members.

Receiving Treasurer and Membership (2yr position)
Check PTA mailbox regularly for payments, take deposits to the bank, enter transactions in QuickBooks, & maintain a list of paid members. Duties to be split between treasurers: reconcile QuickBooks against the monthly bank statement (QuickBooks report), prepare a monthly budget (QuickBooks or Excel report), Renew insurance annually, prepare and file 990 with IRS annually by November 15, prepare and file 1099s with IRS annually by January 31 (as needed), & coordinate yearly audit. Perform delegated duties as written in the BVEC-PTA bylaws. Works closely with all executive board members, Hilltop principal, and PAT director.

Disbursement Treasurer (2yr position) – open
Check the PTA mailbox regularly for bills, pay bills, enter transactions in QuickBooks, send new member information and dues to state PTA. Duties to be split between treasurers: reconcile QuickBooks against the monthly bank statement (QuickBooks report), prepare a monthly budget (QuickBooks or Excel report), Renew insurance annually, prepare and file 990 with IRS annually by November 15, prepare and file 1099s with IRS annually by January 31 (as needed), & coordinate yearly audit. Perform delegated duties as written in the BVEC-PTA bylaws. Works closely with all executive board members, Hilltop principal, and PAT director.

Fundraising: open
Lead for all fundraising efforts of the PTA including book fair, art card day, Shutterfly storefront, family calling cards, and restaurant fundraisers. Recruit volunteers from field trips, play groups and other Parents as Teachers and PTA events using sign-up genius. Works closely with PTA Newsletter Coordinator, Hilltop Principal, Kendall Burr and Parents as Teachers Director, Michelle Kelly and Social Media Coordinator and Educator, Melissa Ely to include our fundraising opportunities in all newsletter correspondence to families. Currently holds administrator role for our Blue Valley Early Childhood PTA Closed Facebook page to periodically post these opportunities.

bvec-pta_executive_board_nominations_2018-2019.pdf
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Block Fest

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 19:14:52 GMT

We have an exciting event coming up on February 1. BLOCK FEST!

Building with blocks can be a fun learning experience for children. Block play can help prepare your child for future success in math and science. When children play with blocks, they engage in play that builds understanding of math and science concepts and are developing numeracy - the understanding of numbers in everyday life. Blocks of different sizes and colors can be explored. This event takes place Thursday, February 1. There are two sessions being offered: 5:00 - 6:00pm and 6:15- 7:15pm.

PTA members watch your emails and facebook for more information on how to sign up for this fun and interactive event!