Bureau Valley High School

#BVStorm

We miss our 2020 seniors! #BetheLight for each other. https://youtu.be/T1HoQd6W59s

2 minutes until #BeTheLight

Today, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the end of in-person learning for the 2019-20 school year. This news is disheartening since we had held hope that we could reunite students and teachers in our schools; however, we value and respect the highest priority of keeping all members of the Bureau Valley family safe and healthy as we band together to stop the spread of this virus. As we move forward with the governor’s decision, Bureau Valley schools will continue to use Remote Learning policies and procedures that have been developed and implemented since April 1st. This learning plan will continue through May 21st, though there will be no Remote Learning on the following weekdays: April 27th, May 11th, and May 22nd. In addition to measures for Remote Learning, food services will continue to be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 20th, including on non-Remote Learning days. These meals can be collected from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the same locations in our communities that we’ve been using. The Bureau Valley administrative team knows you likely have many questions and concerns at this time, many of which we also have now. We will continue working hard to determine and communicate solutions that focus on our top priorities: maintaining safety for all, supplying meals for students, and providing meaningful learning opportunities. The decisions may take some time as we await further guidance from the government, health agencies, and the Illinois State Board of Education. Therefore, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we strive to provide a successful path that focuses on the best interests of the students, families, and staff members. Sincerely, The Bureau Valley CUSD #340 Administrative Team

BV340 encourages everyone to follow all health and safety measures. Only the west entrance of Manlius Campus will be open tonight, though no parking will be permitted. Those viewing the lights must remain in their cars, not congregate, and follow drive-through only directions.

On April 17th, Bureau Valley High School will honor the Class of 2020 and essential workers by joining #LightsForTheFight and #BeTheLight. The football field lights will shine at 20:20 (8:20 pm) for 20 minutes. Check BV social media at 8:20 for pictures and a senior surprise!

Monday, April 13th is a professional development day for teachers, so all BV students will have the day off from Remote Learning, which will resume on Tuesday.

Missing our spring sports . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkxWXeb8hP4&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy some beautiful poetry recitation from the 2020 Poetry Out Loud state contest, including "Sanctuary" by Bureau Valley's Regan Cook (22:04-25:18). https://vimeo.com/401421899

Updates on SCHEDULE, PAPER-BASED MATERIALS, and GRADING during Remote Learning. Please click the link below for details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bm1YMfsHEtqn5FaqUz7hZ7QiAV_glAjUr65qzR-wAws/edit

The SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 tests that were scheduled for April 14th have all been cancelled for this school year. The Illinois State Board of Education is considering options for current juniors to take the SAT test during the fall of their senior year.

On Tuesday, March 31st, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an extension of his “Stay-at-Home” order for the entire state, which started Saturday, March 21, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. The order has now been extended through the end of April. This order essentially commands residents to stay in their homes as the officials take measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Residents can still shop for groceries, put gas in their cars, take walks outside, and collect prescriptions from pharmacies. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well. Under the governor’s directive, schools will continue to be closed and use Remote Learning through Thursday, April 30th. Schools will tentatively reopen Friday, May 1st unless otherwise mandated by the governor, Illinois State Board of Education, or local health agencies. This mandated closure also extends the canceling of all school activities and events, including sports, meetings, etc. Food services will continue to be available during the school closure. For more information on Food Distribution, please read our Meal Distribution Information. Our District has worked extremely hard to prepare Remote Learning opportunities for the students in order to maintain a continuity of education. Each building is unique; therefore, you will receive or have already received directions on how to access your child’s materials either online or by paper, depending on your preferred method of delivery. Teachers have and will continue to develop learning activities that are engaging and meaningful, not work that may add additional stress for students and families. And, to ensure that these tasks can be accomplished successfully by all students, teachers will be available via email to answer questions related to all coursework. Since we understand that this time may be difficult for some families and will require all to be flexible, we will also have school counselors available to help navigate students and families through these stressful changes; if needed, please contact your school or visit the counseling resources provided on the district’s webpage. It is with the guidance and mandates of state officials that we work to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the Bureau Valley family. We strongly encourage our population to follow the advice of officials in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. This is a new experience for all of us. We thank you in advance for your patience and support while we move through these unchartered waters together.

Bureau Valley Students and Parents, Please read the following document for guidance about Remote Learning that will start for all Bureau Valley students on Wednesday, April 1st. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BLf5I4cP1JCSDQDWY-tAScuyA9PfVytCbLbN0P7MUaM/edit Also, please share this information with other students and families who you know may not have internet accessibility. Thank you to all for your patience and flexibility. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

Earlier today, we were notified that a staff member at Bureau Valley High School has tested positive for COVID-19. Upon receiving that information, I immediately contacted the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Bureau County Health Department, and the Illinois State Board of Education for their guidance. After an investigation, health department officials have indicated that the employee likely contracted the virus after last being on school grounds. As a result, we have been advised that employees and students are considered “low risk” for potentially being exposed to the virus from this employee. Due to health privacy laws, the identity of the employee will not be released. COVID-19 shares many symptoms with more common respiratory diseases. According to the Bureau County Health Department, you should monitor yourself for any signs of illness (fever, cough, or shortness of breath). If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should contact your local health care provider. Click here to view further guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health on COVID-19, or click here for more local information from the Bureau County Health Department. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the number of cases can be reduced by adhering to the Governor’s stay at home order, washing hands frequently, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and maintaining space from others when in public. We remind all to follow these measures to protect yourselves, your families, and your fellow community members. As demonstrated through previous communication and actions this school year, the safety of our students, families, and communities is the highest priority. The district administrative team will continue to monitor the situation and be in contact with the employee, health agencies, and the Illinois State Board of Education. We appreciate your vigilance and will provide further updates as needed.

Unfortunately, due to orders from the Illinois governor and the CDC, Hornbaker Gardens has notified the school that they will not be hosting events until at least mid-May, so prom will be postponed.

Dear Storm Families and Staff, On Friday, March 20th, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “Stay-at-Home” order for the entire state starting Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. This order essentially commands residents to stay in their homes as the officials take measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Residents can still shop for groceries, put gas in their cars, take walks outside, and collect prescriptions from pharmacies. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well. Under the governor’s directive, schools will continue to be closed through Tuesday, April 7th. Schools will tentatively reopen Wednesday, April 8th, unless otherwise mandated by the governor, Illinois State Board of Education, or local health agencies. This mandated closure also extends the cancelling of all school activities and events, including sports, meetings, etc. Next week is our regularly planned spring break, and, therefore, most school functions were already scheduled to be off and district employees were to be given the time off. As a result, food services will not be available from March 21st through March 29th. Additionally, families and staff are strongly encouraged to take time for themselves as they normally would during spring break. If students or parents desire educational opportunities during their break, please check out the parent link on the district website for “Supplemental Educational Resources." After our scheduled spring break, the district is confident that it will be able to provide meals during the extended school closure. As arrangements are made, we will communicate the hours and distribution process for meals from March 30th through April 7th. We will also communicate further opportunities for students’ learning for March 31st through April 7th after the Illinois Board of Education provides clarity and direction. It is with the guidance and mandates of state officials that we work to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the Bureau Valley family. We strongly encourage our population to follow the advice of officials in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus to get everyone back to school as soon as possible to continue our communities’ drive for Unity, Excellence, and Pride. Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and patience. Sincerely, The Bureau Valley CUSD #340 Administrative Team

Bureau Valley is canceling school on Monday, March 16th due to recent developments related to the COVID-19 Virus.  Our curbside lunch program will begin tomorrow, Monday, March 16th between 10:30 and noon at the designated sites.  If you need any supplies from your student’s locker or medications, please call your child’s school to set up a time to pick up these items.  We will continue to communicate regularly with updates as this situation remains fluid.

The governor's declaration to close schools through March 30th will have an impact on our schedule for extracurricular activities. Please be advised of the following: The BV Foundation Drawdown has been postponed until Saturday, May 9th. All sporting practices and competitions have been postponed or cancelled until further notice. The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony that was scheduled on Wednesday, March 18th has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled at a later date, if possible. The informational parent meeting about a Traditional-8 bell schedule that was planned for Wednesday, March 18th has been postponed. Your continued support, understanding, and flexibility is greatly appreciated as we work through this unprecedented situation.

March 13, 2020 - 5:30 p.m. Dear Bureau Valley Parents & Community, On Monday, March 16th Bureau Valley Schools will be in session. Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. and all evening activities will be canceled. In preparation for the impending closure and the E-Learning program, student attendance is beneficial and needed to ensure Chromebooks, books, papers, and other materials can be distributed. Effective Tuesday, March 17th through Monday, March 30th, schools in Bureau Valley School District #340 will be closed, as ordered by the governor due to the emergency declaration in response to COVID-19. Schools will tentatively reopen Tuesday, March 31st, unless otherwise notified. During school closures, all activities (practices, competitions, clubs/organizations) are postponed or canceled. As we come together in times like this, we appreciate the support and flexibility of the Bureau Valley communities. Go Storm! Sincerely, Mr. Stabler, Superintendent

The BVHS Drama Department will present "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at 6:00 pm on March 13th and 14th at the high school auditorium in Manlius. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door. Pictured is William Gross, a sophomore who plays Claude Frollo and Claire Brousseau, a freshman who plays Quasimodo.