|
Grain Valley Parks and Recreation is hosting a Mad Science Spring Break program March 18-21 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Grain Valley Community Center. During this 4 day course for students in Kindergarten - 6th grade, students will participate in a wide range of safe and engaging hands-on activities led by an instructor with a flair for science. The cost for the program is $120 per participant.
Daily sessions will cover content from 8 different topics: Harnessing Heat, Lights Color Action, Magnetic Magic (ICW& ASP), Mission Nutrition, Optical Illusions, Sonic Sounds, Tantalizing Taste and Watts-Up. See program flyer for content details: 2024 Spring Break Science (cityofgrainvalley.org) To register, visit Youth Programs - City of Grain Valley, Missouri. Grain Valley senior Chance Marler's silver medal was awarded on a Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours after he competed in the SkillsUSA West Central District contest for Automotive Service Technology. But the training that saw him through to victory has been over a year and a half in the making. "It started with Automotive Technology I my junior year," Chance shares. "That's where I really learned the mechanical tasks I had to perform. Using what I learned my junior year to work over the summer for US Lawns on their fleet trucks and professional lawn mowers helped, too." The competition contained multiple parts, from a 100-question exam with a focus on diagnostic and repair content to customer service and job interview assessments. Grain Valley senior Jordyn Harris took third place in Automotive Service Technology, with another CTC student, Diego Gonzalez Aguilar of Blue Springs, taking first. "SkillsUSA is an outstanding organization," says Chance and Jordyn's CTC Automotive Technology instructor Bill Lieb. "Students get to compete in the areas they train in, whether it be automotive, CPR, or customer service. But they also get to see how everything they're doing at their home high schools, the math, the English, the public speaking, how it all matters." It's an organization that graduates appreciate long after they leave, even going so far as to encourage other students to get involved. "It was actually two other Grain Valley students, Carson (Davis) and Tanner (Todd), who did Automotive last year and went to State, that got me into SkillsUSA," Chance shares. "Tanner even went on to Nationals. This was my first year doing SkillsUSA, and I'm glad they encouraged me." Chance will travel to Linn, MO in April and compete in the SkillsUSA Missouri State Leadership & Skills Conference. Foreground: CTC SkillsUSA Students. Photo courtesy CTC GVHS Senior Chance Marler, second from right, advanced to State competition after competing in the SkillsUSA West Central District contest for Automotive Service Technology (CTC student Diego Gonzales-Aguilar is pictured next to Chancellor and took first place; both will advance to State). Photo courtesy CTC.
Good News: Sni-A-Bar students win 3rd place in the "Battle of the Brains" and receive $20,000 grant1/25/2024
Sni-A-Bar Elementary students were among hundreds of students who attended the "Battle of the Brains" awards ceremony on January 23rd, and the team placed third for their "Disasster Strikes" proposal, winning a $20,000 grant for the school. Earlier in the school year, they were named Top 20 out of 740 big idea submissions in the Kansas City area in Burns & McDonnell’s STEM competition. The 2023-24 competition included more than 6,800 students from 245 schools across 50 school districts throughout the Kansas City region. Judges — STEM professionals from Burns & McDonnell and Science City — followed an evaluation process to rank entries according to specific criteria, ranging from creativity and inspiration to how interactive and engaging the exhibit would be for visitors. “All of the students’ proposed exhibits were amazing — it was really hard to pick a winner,” George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station said. “Battle of the Brains is an incredible program that has transformed Science City into a museum full of STEM activities for kids of all ages.” Delta Woods Middle School in Blue Springs won the competition with its ElectroMAGNIFICENT! entry. The Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition is one of the nation’s most unique K-12 STEM programs, with thousands of students competing to pitch their unique classroom idea for a permanent exhibit at Science City. Student participation has nearly tripled since the first competition in 2011. Burns & McDonnell has designed and built seven major exhibits that have transformed Science City, or more than half of the nearly 100,000 square feet of the science center’s interactive exhibit space. Students from Sni-A-Bar Elementary School celebrated their third place win in the Battle of the Brains competition. The school was awarded a $20,000 grant in honor of the team's winning entry. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools
Show your love for downtown Grain Valley and the loved ones in your life by purchasing a custom heart to be displayed downtown the week of Valentine's Day during Downtown Grain Valley's "Love the District" fundraiser.
Hearts are $25 for early-birds until January 19th. The deadline to purchase a custom heart is January 29th. Link to purchase your heart: Love the District-Custom Heart (zeffy.com) The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce will open nominations for its new Heart of Grain Valley Awards program on January 9th in advance of an awards dinner on February 24, 2024 at the Grain Valley Community Center. Residents are invited to nominate businesses and individuals in any of the following six categories:
Business Person of the Year This award recognizes someone who has been in business in Grain Valley for more than two years and has set the standard of accomplishment in both business and the community. The have shown leadership, vision, and a commitment to the betterment of their business, employees, community, local economy. Business of the Year This award recognizes a business that contributes to the economic growth and quality of life in Grain Valley and whose practices and professional conduct contribute to a sense of cooperation within the entire business community. Some of the specific criteria that could be considered for this award include: a successful marketing or business strategy; growth; community involvement; exceptional customer service. Emerging Business of the Year This award recognizes a business that has opened in the last 24 months. The business has filled a niche and operates in a community minded way that is in the spirit of Grain Valley. Nonprofit/Community Organization of the Year This award recognizes a nonprofit organization or community organization that contributes to the quality of life in Grain Valley through their service to the community. Volunteer of the Year An award celebrating an individual who is dedicated to enhancing our community by volunteering their time and energy to serving the public good. Unsung Hero This award honors an individual whose quiet contributions, either through their work or service to the community as a volunteer, deserve celebration. Nominations for each category will be open to the public on January 9th. A committee will select honorees from the top three nominees in each category and announced the evening of the event. The top three nominees in each category will be featured during the event. For more information, visit Heart of Grain Valley (growgrainvalley.org). Student artists from Grain Valley South Middle School will be featured Friday, December 15th at a Pawportunties Portrait Project event from 5:00pm - 7:30pm at the school. The event will include a silent auction of pet portraits created by students. Funds raised will be used for medical equipment, food, and other supplies for animals cared for by Pawportunties.
There will be 60+ paintings/drawings to bid on to raise money for Pawportunites. The organization will be on site to answer any questions about their fostering, volunteering, and adoption policies, and there will also be adoptable animals at the event. Student artists from Grain Valley South Middle School will be featured Friday, December 15th at a Pawportunties Portrait Project event from 5:00pm - 7:30pm at the school. The event will include a silent auction of pet portraits created by students. Funds raised will be used for medical equipment, food, and other supplies for animals cared for by Pawportunties.
There will be 60+ paintings/drawings to bid on to raise money for Pawportunites. The organization will be on site to answer any questions about their fostering, volunteering, and adoption policies, and there will also be adoptable animals at the event. UPDATE 11/30/2023 10:30am: The City of Grain Valley has announced the Holiday Festival is canceled due to anticipated inclement weather.
A festive evening awaits attendees at the City of Grain Valley's Holiday Festival and Mayor's Christmas Tree lighting on Thursday, November 30th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Armstrong Park. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. Grain Valley School District's Fifth Grade Choir will entertain guests with Christmas carols, and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies will be available. Following the Mayor's Christmas Tree lighting and a visit from Santa Claus, the Grinch will be on hand for a special outdoor screening of The Grinch. The North Pole Mailbox will also be set up along the Armstrong Park Holiday Trail. Santa will write letters back to children in Grain Valley, so letter writers should be sure to include your child's name, mailing address, and wish lists on the letter. The North Pole Mailbox will be open through December 10th. Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD) is now accepting child nominations for its annual Shop with a Cop event. This program is an opportunity for local children to be matched with an officer during a shopping event at Target. After shopping, children can wrap gifts for family members with officers at City Hall/Police Department.
Nomination forms open on November 6th and will close on Friday, December 8th. Forms can be turned in at the police department or to the child's school counselor. Parents/guardians of the selected children will be contacted after the application process closes. GVPD says the shopping is scheduled to take place around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20. If you would like to support Shop with a Cop, cash/check donations can be made in person at City Hall, located at 711 Main Street. Checks must be made payable to City of Grain Valley - with the memo line dedicated to Shop with a Cop. If you have any questions, contact the Grain Valley Police Department at (816) 847-6250. Nomination Forms can be accessed at this link.
One of the most beloved traditions of the holiday season in Grain Valley returns the weekend of Thanksgiving. The Santa Bus has released its 2023 schedule: Santa’s 2023 Schedule | GV Santa.
For those who are new to Grain Valley, the Santa Bus has been driving Santa up and down every street in Grain Valley since 1996, allowing Grain Valley's young and young at heart to have a visit with Santa on his decked out bus. There is no cost to visit with Santa. The 2023 bus route is as follows: “A(Yellow) Nov. 25th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (First Saturday after Thanksgiving) Grayleigh Park, Rosewood, Whispering Park, and Whitney Hills (Green) Nov 26th 10 AM until appox 7 PM (First Sunday after Thanksgiving) Woodbury Sub-Division (Orange) Dec. 2nd | 9 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Saturday after Thanksgiving) Everything between 40 Hwy and I-70 (Purple) Dec. 3rd | 10:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Sunday after Thanksgiving) Everything between 40Hwy and Eagles Pkwy including Cypress St & Broadway East of Buckner-Tarsney, and Winding Creek Subdivision Tuesday Dec 5th Blue Springs Christmas Tree Lighting. 6:15PM – Till the Line is done. (Blue) Dec 9th | 9 AM until approx. 7 PM (Third Saturday after Thanksgiving) Everything boarded by Buckner Tarsney on the east, Sni A Bar on the north, and Cross Creek Dr on the west. (No Color) Dec. 10th | 10:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Third Sunday after Thanksgiving ) Everything boarded by Buckner Tarsney on the east, by Sni A Bar on the south and west, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north. Dec. 15th 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM Brass Armadillo (Red) Dec. 16th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Saturday before Christmas) Everything boarded by Cross Creek Dr on the east, Sni A Bar on the northeast, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north (Dark Grey) Dec. 17th | 11AM until approx. 7 PM (Last Sunday before Christmas) Graystone Estates, Hoot Owl, Creekside and Eagles Ridge Sub-Divisions. As well as any areas that were missed due to time constraints or weather. Specific times in your neighborhood should be similar to times of previous years. If you have very young babies, please let Santa know if it’s too cold to bring them to the Bus. Santa will come inside for them. The Santa Bus has a Facebook group where updates are posted: https://www.facebook.com/groups/832200946821497/ . Volunteers ask that you not message to ask about their location, as they are not able to provide estimates due the uncertainty of how many children Santa will be visiting at each location. Donations of new or gently used stuffed animals or monetary donations are welcome to support Santa's travels. More information can be found on the Santa Bus website: GV Santa | Get your pictures here!.
File photo.
|
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|
Grain Valley NewsGrain Valley News is a free community news source published weekly online. |
Contact Us |