🎨 Get ready, KSD—It’s almost time! Building on the amazing momentum from last spring, the OneKSD Art Contest returns December 1! Students and staff are invited to show what equity means to them through original artwork celebrating opportunity, belonging, and helping everyone thrive in our diverse community.
🎉 Check out all the details and start dreaming up your design: www.kent.k12.wa.us/oneKSDart
💙 Happy National Education Support Professional Day!
Thank you for keeping OneKSD running. Our schools are better because of you! 🌟
🧥💙 Huge thanks to the Knights of Columbus and St. John the Baptist Church for gifting brand-new coats to all Springbrook kindergarten and 1st-grade students! A wonderful reminder of the warmth and support within our OneKSD community. ❄️✨
🏀🤼♀️🎉 Winter sports are heating up! Whether your student is hitting the court, the mat, or the sidelines, completing a CNEEB Application (Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit) , for those who qualify, can help make participation more affordable.
By filling out the form, families can unlock:
✅ Reduced or waived fees for basketball, wrestling, cheer, and other activities
✅ More school funding for programs and student support
✅ A stronger, more connected OneKSD community
It’s quick, confidential, and makes a big difference all year long.
📝 Complete your CNEEB today and get ready for a great winter season!
Fill it out here: Nutrition | Kent School District
Outdoor education is an important part of student learning. It builds curiosity, teamwork, and resilience while helping students connect with the natural world. For many fifth graders, it’s their first learning experience outside the classroom.
Due to recent changes in state funding, Washington has eliminated financial support for outdoor learning programs. This puts these experiences at risk—especially for students in underserved communities.
The Kent School District remains committed to providing a one-day outdoor learning experience for all fifth-grade students in the 2025–26 school year. To sustain and expand this opportunity in next year and beyond, we need help from our community.
Your donation to the Kent Schools Foundation’s 5th Grade Outdoor Education Fund will directly support outdoor learning for every fifth grader in the district, ensuring all students have access to this valuable experience.
Make a donation today: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CV2VLWF9Z3PUL
Together, we can make sure outdoor education continues to be a meaningful part of every Kent student’s education.
If the federal government shutdown continues, food assistance benefits in Washington will end on Oct. 31, 2025. Losing food assistance will have devastating impacts on the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Washington residents and will hurt local economies across the state. DSHS has more information about the impacts as well as what clients can do to prepare for the loss of benefits.
For more information visit: Community Resources | Kent School District
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.
