Earlier this month, Rep. Kim Schrier visited our ECAP & Head Start classrooms at Jenkins Creek! 📚 She read to the kids and listened to staff share about early learning successes & challenges. Grateful for her support!
🎷 The Kentlake High School Jazz Band lit up the stage with an unforgettable concert! From smooth solos to high-energy grooves, our talented student musicians brought serious jazz vibes all night long. 🎶🔥
Huge shoutout to everyone who made the night a success — we’re already looking forward to the next performance!
Spooky Strings Orchestra Concert – October 28
Join the Kentwood High School Orchestra for Spooky Strings, an evening of music and fall fun.
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Kentwood Commons, Kentwood High School
Tickets: $10 — includes admission, dessert, and a beverage.
Available from orchestra students or at the door.
Come support our student musicians and enjoy a festive night of music!
Navigating Financial Challenges Together
Like many districts across Washington State, KSD is experiencing financial pressures due to declining enrollment and significant reductions in federal funding. As families and community members, you are the foundation of Kent School District, and your partnership is necessary as we face financial challenges together. Find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/budget-updates. This webpage provides our families and community with clear information about Kent School District’s current financial situation.
📅 Elementary Conference Week: Oct. 13–17
Please note schedule changes for elementary schools during conference week:
✅ Elementary Schools Dismiss 3 Hours Early
• Monday, Oct. 13
• Tuesday, Oct. 14
• Thursday, Oct. 16
• Friday, Oct. 17
Wednesday, Oct. 15 – ALL SCHOOLS Dismiss 2 Hours Early
Preschool Schedule:
• Oct. 13 & 14 – Regular Schedule
• Oct. 15–17 – No Preschool
Please check with your child’s school for specific conference times. Thank you for partnering with us in your student’s success!
Emerald Park Takes a Stand Against Bullying — With Theater!
Students are enjoying a live anti-bullying performance by Taproot Theatre Company as part of Bullying Prevention Month! 💙
Now in its 4th year, this powerful tradition teaches students how to recognize, prevent, and stand up to bullying — all through the magic of theater.
Just one more way we live out our #OneKSD commitment: Every student. Every school. Every day. 👏
🚸 Back to School Means School Buses Are Back on the Roads 🚌
As the new school year begins, over 340,000 students across Washington are once again riding school buses daily. That means more stops, flashing red lights, and students crossing roads. It's critical that drivers stay alert, slow down, and stop when required to keep our kids safe.
🚫 According to a recent one-day survey, Washington bus drivers reported more than 1,100 instances of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses — which adds up to over 200,000 unsafe passes per year statewide.
📍 Know the Law:
✅ You must stop when red lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended.
💸 Failure to stop can result in a $500 fine.
👀 Even after the bus drives away, stay alert — children may still be crossing.
This school year, let's work together to make our roads safer for everyone.
When in doubt, STOP.
🎨🛠️ Supplies for Success at SpringBrook Elementary! 💙📚
SpringBrook Elementary got a big boost thanks to the generosity of the Local 206 Carpenters Union — and it wasn’t just with tools!
From art supplies to school essentials and cleaning products, Local 206 showed up with everything needed to help students and teachers start the school year strong. 🙌✏️🖍️
Whether it's crayons or classroom must-haves, they’re helping build bright futures — one supply at a time. 💪🏽✨
This is the OneKSD spirit in action:
One Team. One Vision. #OneKSD 💛
🥪💙 Free Meals for All KSD Students! 💙🥪
Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all Kent School District students get FREE breakfast and lunch from 2024–2028 — no sign-up or income needed! 🎉
BUT — please complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit (CNEEB) application. It helps:
✔️ Bring vital funding to schools
✔️ Reduce fees for sports, tech, & activities
✔️ Support classroom resources & programs
📝 It takes just minutes and makes a big difference!
📲 Apply now: Nutrition | Kent School District
Let’s support every student, every day — the OneKSD way! 💛💙
#OneKSD #OneCommunity
📢 We're Hiring Interpreters!
Kent School District is looking for multilingual community members to join our team as temporary interpreters. These are flexible, as-needed positions that help support clear and inclusive communication between families and schools.
✅ Paid, meaningful work
✅ Flexible schedule
✅ Make a difference in your community
We’re especially seeking individuals who speak multiple languages and want to help bridge language gaps across the district.
📍 Apply now: https://www.applitrack.com/kentsd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Temporary%2fHourly
🎉 Welcome Back to the 2025–2026 School Year! 🎉
We’re excited to welcome our students, families, and staff back for another amazing year in Kent School District!
Superintendent Israel Vela shares a special message as we begin this new chapter together, grounded in our shared vision of OneKSD—a unified commitment to equity, excellence, and community in every school.
What’s new this year?
👩🏫 Dedicated counselors in every elementary school
🌍 Expanded social worker support through a regional model
🤝 Family liaisons at all 44 schools and academies
🎯 A continued focus on equity, student success, and community connection
Watch the full message from Superintendent Vela below and join us in making this a powerful, purposeful school year.
🎉 Big day at Kent-Meridian HS! Over 120 KSD & local youth coaches gathered for the 2025 All-City Coaches Conference — focused on Leading with Courage & Kindness. 💙💛 From athlete mental health to team culture & student voice, it’s all about building life skills through sport.
🏈 Former Seahawk Robert Turbin shared: “Coaching is about connecting & making an impact.”
💃 Coach Flory Stevens added: “We all face similar challenges — it’s great to learn from each other!”
This is OneKSD in action — united in growing, leading, and inspiring together. 💪
#OneCommunity #OneKSD
Welcome back, KSD! 💙
The 2025–26 school year is here, and our schools are filled with excitement and fresh starts. 🎒✨
Here’s to a great year ahead! 🙌Together - we are OneTeam in OneKSD.
🎉 A warm welcome to our newest KSD teachers! 💙
Last week’s orientation was filled with energy, connection, and even a surprise treat! 🎁
Thanks to a generous donation from Comcast, the Kent Schools Foundation was able to present our incoming educators with gift cards during lunch. 🙌
We’re so excited to have them join the KSD family—here’s to a fantastic year ahead! ✏️📚Together - we are OneTeam in OneKSD.
We’re grateful for this incredible community partnership that helps ensure all students are ready to learn on day one!
One Week Until the First Day of School!
The 2025–26 school year kicks off in just one week, and we’re excited to welcome students back!
📌 Standard school hours will be followed on the first day
📌 No early release—students will attend a full day
No need to bring school supplies. Core supplies are free this year!
Make sure backpacks are packed and alarms are set—we can’t wait to see you!
For the 2025-2026 school year, every student in the Kent School District will receive essential school supplies at no cost to families.
This initiative is OneKSD in action as we prioritized district funding and partnered with local community groups to provide supplies for our students.
For more information about the provided school supplies, visit School Supplies
This past week, Kent School District leaders came together to build community, reflect on their leadership practices, and align on shared goals for the upcoming school year.
Through storytelling, collaboration, and thoughtful dialogue, leaders deepened their understanding of equity-driven leadership—a key focus of KSD’s strategic plan. The team also created focused leadership commitments to guide their work throughout the year.
The meeting highlighted the power of connection, purpose, and collective leadership in creating supportive, inclusive school environments for all students.
The countdown is on! We’re just two weeks away from the first day of the 2025–26 school year, and we can’t wait to welcome students back across the Kent School District.
Now is the time to:
✔️ Review school start and end times
✔️ Confirm transportation details
✔️ Get excited for a fresh start and a great year ahead!
The Kent School District is currently accepting student transfer applications for the upcoming school year through August 15.
🔍 Important Notice: Submission of a transfer request does not guarantee placement. All applications are reviewed based on space availability and district transfer policies.
If you’re considering joining the Kent School District, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
