Mill Valley News

05/07/2020

2020 MVTV Episode 29

‪Check out this week’s episode of MVTV for COVID-19 updates, retiring teachers, budgeting tips and more!‬
‪https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MYE-JOSip3A‬

05/07/2020

For our seniors and their families: a special tour by Mr. Waldeck of the new gym, where, hopefully in a few short months, you'll be walking across the stage to receive your diploma. There's a surprise at the end so keep watching!

05/06/2020

Journalism department crowned 6A state champions

Mill Valley’s journalism department won a state championship Saturday, May 2.

The newspaper, yearbook, website and broadcast each also won All-Kansas honors: https://www.mvnews.org/journalism-department-crowned-6a-state-champions/

Mill Valley student journalists captured the 6A state journalism title Saturday, May 2. The team scored 48 points, followed by Shawnee Mission East (38) and Blue Valley Northwest (32). It was Mill Valley’s sixth journalism state title in 10 years. The Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s state ...

05/06/2020

Graduation has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 25. If the new Mill Valley gym is finished by that date, the ceremony will be held in the gym. If not, it will be held at De Soto.

https://www.mvnews.org/graduation-rescheduled-for-saturday-july-25/

05/06/2020

Mill Valley’s journalism department won a state championship Saturday, May 2.

The newspaper, yearbook, website and broadcast each also won All-Kansas honors:

https://www.mvnews.org/journalism-department-crowned-6a-state-champions/#photo

05/05/2020

Senior Report

Seniors: if you haven’t taken the senior survey sent by the counseling office, please do so by Thursday. We plan to use the results in the JagWire senior issue and we want to include you!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vkKPKkasBoDk6fYBzikSgND0Hi6IsPZms4IFSfHRS-s/edit?usp=sharing

scholarships Directions: 1. Go to "File" and click "Make a Copy" ...

05/01/2020

Starting Monday, the Mill Valley football stadium will be closed due to renovations. Construction will include work on floodlights, bleachers, track surface and press box.

04/27/2020

Congratulations to our new newspaper and yearbook staff members for the 2020-21 school year!

04/27/2020

Graduation update: Seniors have voted to have an in-person graduation ceremony in late July. If meeting in person is not possible, a virtual ceremony will be conducted on the same date. The date of the ceremony will be confirmed at the May 4 board of education meeting.

Due to summer construction projects previously scheduled for the Mill Valley building and track area, in-person graduation at Mill Valley is not possible. The in-person ceremony would take place at De Soto High School.

04/25/2020

Congratulations to this year’s prom king and queen candidates!

King candidates:

Zach Keal
Riley Ferguson
Nico Gatapia
Park Zebley
Anthony Pentola
Kevin Lee

Queen candidates:

Larissa Rodrigues
Ellie Kerstetter
Whitney Van Dyke
Molly Haymaker
Emma Fox
Maria McElwee

04/20/2020

COVID-19 hits close to home

“It hit him so fast we hardly knew what was happening.”

After paraprofessional Elizabeth Goodman’s husband spent a month hospitalized while battling COVID-19, she wants everyone to know how dangerous the virus can be.

https://www.mvnews.org/covid-19-hits-close-to-home/

After returning from a typical Friday at work on March 13, Eric Goodman noticed that something felt wrong with him. Two days prior, he had returned from a business trip in Atlanta that had hosted over 750 people. Two days later, he’d be an official COVID-19 patient in the Advent Health emergency r...

04/18/2020

Mill Valley News, JagWire newspaper earn national awards

The staff of Mill Valley News and of the JagWire newspaper were honored at a virtual awards ceremony Friday, April 17. Read more about the awards they won for their work this year.
https://www.mvnews.org/mill-valley-news-jagwire-newspaper-earn-national-awards/#photo

Mill Valley News, the school’s student-produced news website, recently won a Pacemaker award, one of the nation’s highest honors, Friday, April 17 at a virtual ceremony hosted by the National Scholastic Press Association. This is the website’s fourth Pacemaker in six years, one of 16 schools f...

04/18/2020

Staying Social While Distancing: Students connect digitally during COVID-19

‪Students are depending on technology to maintain connections with eachother during stay-at-home order.‬

‪Check out their innovative methods of communication here: https://www.mvnews.org/staying-social-while-distancing-students-connect-digitally-during-covid-19/‬

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04/16/2020

2020 MVTV Episode 26

Check out the latest episode of MVTV!
https://youtu.be/jhxYeJKGG2s

04/16/2020

COVID-19 impacts local economy

‪Local businesses fight to stay afloat amidst health and economic repercussions posed by COVID-19. ‬

‪Learn how the community’s restaurants and stores are adapting: https://www.mvnews.org/covid-19-impacts-local-economy/#photo‬

Hundreds of businesses, facilities and events across the Kansas City area closed or canceled throughout March as Kansas public health officials worked around the clock to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order Monday, March 30 made it official, leading to the closure...

04/15/2020

Q&A with school social worker Debbie Gudenkauf

‪Managing mental health can be a difficult task during quarantine, so school social worker Debbie Gudenkauf offers insightful tips on how to cope.‬

‪Q&A with Gudenkauf: https://www.mvnews.org/qa-with-school-social-worker-debbie-gudenkauf/‬

JagWire: What are some ways teenagers and adults alike can cope with anxiety than has arisen from the coronavirus? School social worker Debbie Gudenkauf: Here are some great websites which focus on coping with anxiety during this time. Yale University: https://www.rulerapproach.org/managing-anxiety-...

04/13/2020

Bored? Try this.

Bored during social distancing?

Check out our list of 20 things to pass the time, along with a special list of music recommendations from history teacher Jeff Strickland:

https://www.mvnews.org/bored-try-this/#photo

Like many, I have struggled to fill my time due to the widespread pandemic and it has caused me to get very creative with my time. Without any hobbies due to my heavy involvement with the school, a lot of time at my home is a rare occurrence for me. Below are the things that...

04/13/2020

District releases fourth quarter grading protocol

‪Read about the district’s latest update on fourth quarter grading protocol and how students can maintain or improve their semester grades: https://www.mvnews.org/district-releases-fourth-quarter-grading-protocol/‬

‪Update: District officials explicitly state that a student’s semester grade may be lowered if they do not participate in fourth quarter assignments.‬

The district’s latest Continous Learning Plan update Thursday, April 9 outlined the protocol for fourth quarter grades. The update clarifies that “students who reasonably engage in work assigned to them will receive semester grades no lower than their third quarter grade.” Due to the unique na...

04/07/2020

District shifts to online learning for remainder of school year

Read about the district’s shift to online learning for the rest of the school year, and find out how students and teachers are adapting to the unprecedented situation:

https://www.mvnews.org/district-shifts-to-online-learning-for-remainder-of-school-year/#photo

On Wednesday, April 1, high school students across the district embarked on an unprecedented continuous learning journey that will last for the remainder of the school year. Tuning into classrooms via applications like Canvas and Zoom, they began the final quarter of a hectic school year marred by C...

04/03/2020

Extended quarantine drives students to dye their hair

To find something to do over their extended spring break, many Mill Valley students decided to dye their hair.

Extended quarantine drives students to dye their hair: mvnews.org/extended-quara…

Between the extended spring break and the reduced workload that comes with continuous learning, many students struggle to keep themselves entertained while practicing social distancing. In the midst of the sudden increase of free time, a variety of students decided to dye their hair. Sophomore Carol...

03/30/2020

‪ALL students should reply to their seminar teacher’s email TODAY by 3 p.m. to confirm that they have internet access‬.

03/30/2020

Message for USD 232 Families, March 30, 2020

Check out the district’s latest information on continued learning:

https://youtu.be/zGpkkdhvapg

A message from Dr. Frank Harwood, Superintendent of Schools. Recorded March 28, 2020 and published on March 30.

03/27/2020

‪Check out this week’s episode of MVTV to see teachers give well wishes and messages to students while under quarantine: https://www.mvnews.org/mvtv-episode-23-2/

03/27/2020

College Board redesigns AP exams to overcome learning challenges posed by COVID-19

‪To accommodate AP students impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, the College Board is restructuring and digitalizing AP exams and offering free, online studying resources.‬

‪For more information: https://www.mvnews.org/college-board-modifies-ap-exams-to-overcome-learning-challenges-posed-by-covid-19/#photo‬

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses face obstacles that may inhibit them from obtaining all necessary information for their AP exams as well as their ability to take the test. As a response to these complications, the College Board’s AP Program r...

03/27/2020

StuCo promotes healthy habits via Instagram

‪Despite the quarantine, StuCo has continued bringing the student body together by utilizing Instagram to conduct activities.‬

‪Read all about it here:https://www.mvnews.org/stuco-promotes-healthy-habits-via-instagram/‬

Although school will be online for the final semester of the 2020 school year, StuCo has been using the power of social media to bring students together. Throughout the first week of the quarantine, StuCo has been actively posting on their Instagram page a quarantine spirit week with different ideas...

03/27/2020

‪Students should expect to begin learning activities on Wednesday, April 1, by checking their school emails and logging into the district provided learning management system - Canvas. ‬

‪For more information: https://www.usd232.org/domain/2530‬

03/24/2020

Student Nutrition / Student Meals during Closure

Free Curbside Grab & Go Meals for USD232 children begins Wed., 3/25 at four locations. The USD233 Food Team is hard at work preparing 650 meal kits, supported by federal food service program. For more on locations, menus & nutrition info > usd232.org/Page/8130

USD 232 and the Department of Student Nutrition will provide an opportunity for families to pick up free meals for children in a curbside meal service beginning Wednesday, March 25. At this time, children must be present in order for meals to be provided. Adult meals will not be available for purch....

03/17/2020

Schools close for remainder of year after order by Gov. Laura Kelly

BREAKING: After order from Gov. Laura Kelly, the district announced closure of all school buildings for the remainder of the school year.

Important information about school closures:

— USD 232 will work w/ state on alternative education, including online learning
— Curbside meal programs will be rolled out when ready
— All employees will receive salary + benefits for missed time

Full story, including quotes from an email to teachers sent by superintendent Frank Harwood:

https://www.mvnews.org/schools-close-for-remainder-of-year-after-order-by-gov-laura-kelly/#photo

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced an order to shut down all public schools in Kansas for the remainder of the year Tuesday, March 17 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. According to an email sent to teachers by superintendent Frank Harwood, the district will attempt to find a way to continue educa...

03/13/2020

Coronavirus and the school: Everything you need to know

BREAKING: Concerned about how the coronavirus outbreak might affect school, sports, activities or your spring break plans?

Check out our newest story, Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus and Mill Valley.

https://www.mvnews.org/coronavirus-and-the-school-everything-you-need-to-know/#photo

Each of the four stories below details how the coronavirus pandemic will affect different aspects of life around Mill Valley. Since the virus, and plans to respond to it, are developing rapidly, information in this story will be continually updated and added to as response plans change and announcem...

03/11/2020

Yearbook group photos are Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26. Active members of these groups will need one colored pass each day to be excused from seminar for the photos. Pick up one from one of your club’s sponsor. Orange pass for Wednesday, yellow pass for Thursday. Part-time seniors use your colored pass to check in with the office and come to the gym for the photos.

03/11/2020

Meet the school’s new principal, Dr. Gail Holder

‪The school’s new principal, Dr. Gail Holder, shares her journey to becoming an administrator as well as her plans for the school. ‬

‪Story: https://www.mvnews.org/meet-the-schools-new-principal-d‬

Mill Valley’s new principal has been striving for success since her own high school days. Dr. Gail Holder graduated from Olathe South High School as a volleyball player, swimmer and dancer – all while preparing for her performance at the 1984 Olympic Trials in synchronized swimming. She hasn’t...

03/11/2020

Austin Properties files lawsuit against Shawnee over denied housing project

‪Austin Properties has filed a lawsuit against the city of Shawnee for denying a $50 million housing project in Woodsonia; the lawsuit alleges that the denial was unreasonable. ‬

‪Story: https://www.mvnews.org/austin-properties-files-lawsuit-against-shawnee-over-denied-housing-project/#photo‬

Johnson County development company Austin Properties, owned by Greg Prieb, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Shawnee for denying a $50 million project to build multi-family and single-family homes in Woodsonia, claiming that the city’s denial of the project was unreasonable. At a Dec. 23 cit...

03/06/2020

Mill Valley News will be well represented at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s state journalism contest May 2. Congratulations to these 16 students who qualified 24 entries at the regional contest last month.

03/06/2020

Custodian takes leave of absence due to health issues

‪Custodian Rhonda Jensen is on a leave of abense following surgery for an ongoing medical condition. Check out how the school has supported her through donations. ‬

‪Story: https://www.mvnews.org/custodian-takes-leave-of-absence-due-to-health-issues/‬

Custodian Rhonda Jensen has taken a leave of absence due to medical issues. Jensen is currently suffering from a staph infection in her shoulder. Jensen noticed the infection around four weeks ago. “I couldn’t move my arm, I was getting a big lump on my shoulder, and I was in severe pain,” Jen...

03/04/2020

Mill Valley's 20th Anniversary Survey

Please help us generate ideas for the 20th anniversary coverage for the final issue of the newspaper and in the 20th JAG yearbook. This survey asks for help in brainstorming ideas for people and events that have made a lasting impact on MV. Top of the list already is former principal Joe Novak and former superintendent Marilyn Layman, the many additions to the building and the indoor Homecoming parade. Help us think of more!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVwwtIu9geU6ktW3klc_asqSRlSlj6V8rsYRAvqLyxQIRDaA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

To celebrate Mill Valley's 20th anniversary, the JagWire newspaper's final issue of the school year will revolve around influential people and events that have made an impact at Mill Valley. Since there are so many people and events that have defined the school's history, we are using this survey to...