Help show your support for our basketball girls and boys by filling the stands! Purchase your Flat Fan through our technology and productions class by contacting kschreiner@valleyheights.org
#MustangProud #FillTheStands
The high school basketball games Friday, 11/4 at Riley County will be livestreamed on the following links. North Gym Live Stream: JV Girls, V Girls, V Boys https://www.facebook.com/events/817535715732715/: JV Boys https://www.facebook.com/events/217703083126907?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22page_admin_bar%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22page_id%5C%22%3A156210247762885%7D%22%7D%2C%7B%22surface%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22events_admin_tool%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22[]%22%7D]%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D
The JH basketball games tonight will all be livestreamed. Both gyms will start at 5:45 and will play A team followed by B team.
The girls games will be on the NFHS network at the following link. https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/valley-heights-high-school-blue-rapids-ks/gamf8a40381ce
The boys will be livestreamed on the VH facebook page at the following link. https://www.facebook.com/vhusd498
The USD 498 2020/2021 Reopening Plan and Remote Learning Handbook have been updated for the second semester. Updates include KSHSAA Winter Sports protocols, revised quarantine guidelines, and additional remote learning criteria. You can find these documents on our website under the Documents tab.
The direct link to the updated Reopening plan is: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1027887/USD__498_Reopening_Plan__1_.pdf
To access the Remote Learning Handbook, click here:
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1027890/USD_498_Remote_Learning_Handbook_.pdf
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
Melissa Kennedy
Superintendent of Schools
USD 498 COVID-19 Update
Because there will not be Santa's Gift Shop on Thursday, December 3rd, there will be Colt's Round-Up as normal on that day.
Basketball season is finally upon us! As you know, the recent KSHSAA ruling prohibits any fan attendance through the months of December and January. However, we are happy to continue offering the opportunity for our parents and patrons to tune in from the comfort of their homes.
The games played at the VHHS gym will be available via live stream at the following link:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/valley-heights-high-school-blue-rapids-ks
Games played in the Blue Rapids gym will be streamed via Facebook live on our district Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/vhusd498
Our first home event will be this Thursday night with our Junior High teams playing Washington County. Please stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for up to date playing and streaming times!
USD 498 COVID-19 Update:
On Tuesday, November 24th, the Board of Directors for the Kansas State High School Activities Association met to discuss and take action in regard to the Winter Activity Season. Attached is the press release following that meeting. Please note that NO SPECTATORS will be permitted for high school and middle school contests, December 1 through January 28th, 2021. We will be updating you with more information specific to our district soon. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Melissa Kennedy
Superintendent of Schools
USD 498 COVID-19 Update:
We are very excited to have our Junior/Senior High School students back in the building today! In looking at our current COVID-19 data, it is easy to see that our numbers have dropped significantly and our percentage of quarantined students is back within a very manageable range. What we have learned throughout the course of this semester is that the spread is NOT happening in our schools. This is a testament to our teachers and staff and their diligence in following the recommended protocols, as well as keeping our facilities clean and sanitized. Thank you for doing your part by refraining from social gatherings, wearing masks and maintaining a safe social distance. After a much needed Thanksgiving break, we are glad to be back with our students and are hopeful for a successful conclusion to the first semester! Please feel free to contact me with if you have questions or concerns.
Melissa Kennedy
Superintendent of Schools
Let's always keep the spirit alive!
This year, perhaps more than ever, we are filled with gratitude for the love of our students, and the consistent support from our parents, patrons and community. Although the challenges of this school year are novel and trying, our spirits are lifted through the grace and understanding that is extended to us. We are #Mustang Proud!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at USD 498!
We had another great group of volunteers Saturday for recycling! Love seeing our students make a difference!!!
A reminder that there is no school for all of USD 498 this week! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
USD 498 COVID-19 Update
There will be no meals served next week, November 23rd - 27th. Have a great Thanksgiving break. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 30th.
USD 498 COVID-19 Update
Good Morning Valley Heights!
With the increase of positive COVID-19 cases we need to be more diligent with the the types of mask and proper mask wearing. The proper placement of a mask is to cover both the nose and mouth. We will no longer allow neck gaitors or bandanas to be worn, as for most of those are NOT 2ply. The approved mask are procedural mask, surgical mask, KN95, N95 or mask with 2 layers of washable, breathable fabric. If you do not have one of the approved masks or questions please feel free to email me at: jvathauer@valleyheights.org
Thank you for your compliance!
USD 498 COVID-19 Update
USD 498 COVID-19 Update:
Effective November 16, 2020, the Marshall County Health Department announced Updated Contact Tracing and Exclusion of Contacts in a low risk school setting. What this changes for our district quarantine protocols is summarized here:
Wearing of Masks Exclusion Protocol
Mask wearing has been shown to be an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Individuals who are wearing masks and are in close contact (6 feet for 10 minutes or more) with an infectious individual wearing a mask are considered low risk for contracting COVID-19. Because schools have policies and monitoring capabilities for mask wearing, Marshall County Health Department does not recommend excluding students and staff who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual, as long as masks were being worn correctly (covering nose and mouth) and in what is otherwise considered to be a low risk exposure. In those situations, quarantine of close contacts would not be required. Individuals who were unmasked within 6 feet for 10 consecutive minutes or more or participated in a high-risk activity with a COVID-19 positive individual during their infectious period, or who were directly exposed to respiratory droplets/excretions for any amount of time, will be excluded for 14 days from their last interaction with the individual. I have also attached the Health Department Risk Exposure definitions.
This means that proper and consistent mask wearing DOES make a difference, and it will significantly reduce the number of students in our district placed in quarantine IF MASKS ARE WORN CORRECTLY AND WITH FIDELITY! If you have any questions about this information, or any other district matters, please feel free to contact me at the district office. Thank you!
Melissa Kennedy
Superintendent of Schools
