Planning is Underway for 2020-2021

Kent School District is engaging high school students, families, staff, and our community to develop a student-centered and equitable reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year.

We will present a back-to-school plan to the Kent School Board for adoption at a board meeting on or before August 13 that:

• Mitigates and minimizes the spread of Coronavirus.
• Keeps students and staff healthy and safe.
• Is in alignment with our strategic goals and core values. 
• Is developed using our racial equity lens.
• Enables students and staff to focus on student learning.
• Supports social-emotional well-being and interaction for students and adults.
• Provides families timely information through this transition and a plan for ongoing two-way, meaningful communication throughout the 2020-2021 school year 

The KSD Back-to-School Task Force (BTSTF) has been created to collaborate on a plan. Task Force volunteers represent our labor partners and various community groups.

• Maintenance and custodial staff from AFT
• Coaches/extra-curricular employees
• Office professionals from KAEOP
• Paraeducators from KAP
• Teachers/certificated staff from KEA
• Food Service staff from KSFSA
• Principals from KPA
• Non-represented employees
• Bus drivers
• Parents from the Kent Area Council Parent Teacher Student Association
• Current high school students
• KSD Educators of Color Cohort members
• Equity Council members

BTSTF volunteers will participate in smaller workgroups to create checklists, best practices, resources, and consider specific elements of the plan including student learning, health and safety, social-emotional wellness, school operations, communications, meals, and transportation.

Timeline

• June 24 - July 1: The BTSTF creates a plan for all students physically returning to school buildings.
• July 1-8: The BTSTF creates a plan for a hybrid model where all students spend some time in school buildings and engage in remote, online instruction.
• July 8-15: The BTSTF creates a plan for a continuous learning 2.0 model where all students engage in remote, online instruction.
• July 15-17: The BTSTF adjusts plans following new guidance from local, state, or federal authorities and compares to other groups.
• July 20: Plans are presented to the entire workgroup and KSD leadership.
• July 21-31: All three plans are combined and refined into one final KSD plan. Team KSD develops professional learning courses in alignment with the plan and finalizes communications.
• August 3: The final plan is shared with the Kent School Board for review.
• By August 13: Kent School Board adopts the plan in a public board meeting.

Stay Connected

We will continue to send frequent updates with information for the 2020-2021 school year. 

• Emails: Make sure your email address is current and listed in Skyward Family Access.
• Text messages: Opt-in to receive text messages to your cell phone using Skyward Family Access.
• Website: Bookmark the Kent School District Closure Updates for quick access.
• Social media: Follow KentSchools415 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Resources & More Information

• Athletics: KSD athletics and activities will resume in phases.
• Childcare: Childcare is available for school-aged children of first responders and healthcare workers.
• Community Resources: Various community food, clothing, and shelter resources are available to KSD families.
• Enrollment: Families who are new to the Kent School District can enroll students for the 2020-2021 school year online.
• Facility Use: KSD facilities will open to the public in phases.
• Free Summer Meals: Meals are available to all children 0-18 years old every Monday from June 29 through August 17 at select locations across Kent School District. There is no service on June 22.
• Graduation: We are celebrating the class of 2020 in school ceremonies this July.
• Home Internet Access: We are distributing hotspots throughout the summer.
• Kindergarten Registration: Families can register kindergarten students online.
• Laptop Support: Students and staff who will not return to KSD for 2020-2021 must return their laptops. Everyone else is keeping theirs throughout the summer.
• Student Calendar: Thursday, August 27 is the first day of school.