📅 Presidents’ Break Reminder 📅
No school for students February 16–20 for Presidents’ Break.
Enjoy the time to rest, recharge, and spend time with family. At #OneKSD, we look forward to welcoming students back ready to learn and grow together! 💙
Classes resume Monday, February 23.
🏀 Pack the Gym Night Celebrates Unified Sports
Kentridge and KM came together for a memorable Pack the Gym Night featuring a Unified Sports basketball game. The event brought a packed gym, exciting competition, food trucks, and a strong sense of school pride.
Unified Sports brings together students of all neural abilities on the same team, fostering friendships, inclusion, and community through the power of play. This celebration reflected the spirit of OneKSD, as students, families, and staff gathered to support inclusion and student success.
📅 Elementary Conference Week: February 9–13
Please note schedule changes for elementary schools during conference week:
✅ Elementary Schools Dismiss 3 Hours Early
• Monday, Feb. 9
• Tuesday, Feb. 10
• Thursday, Feb. 12
• Friday, Feb. 13
Wednesday, Feb. 11 – ALL SCHOOLS Dismiss 2 Hours Early
Please check with your child’s school for specific conference times. Thank you for partnering with us in your student’s success!
Kindergarten Registration for 2026-27 Now Open
Kent School District is excited to announce that Kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open! Children must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026 to enroll.
Families can get started by completing the online enrollment form: Kindergarten | Kent School District
Kindergarten is the first step in a child’s educational journey. At OneKSD, we are committed to supporting every student and family as they begin this exciting chapter of learning and growth.
🏆 WIAA Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to Schuyler Wright, who has been named the WIAA/Gesa Credit Union Athlete of the Week. This statewide recognition honors student-athletes for outstanding athletic achievement and positive contributions to their school and community.
Schuyler’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence reflect the values of OneKSD. We are proud to celebrate this achievement!
Black History Month
OneKSD proudly honors Black History Month by celebrating the achievements, contributions, and voices of Black leaders and communities. We remain committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for every student—this month and throughout the year.
🎓 Reminder for the Class of 2026: Guaranteed Admissions Opportunity
Did you know your student could automatically qualify for admission to a Washington public university with a 3.0 GPA + CADR completion? Or earn guaranteed admission to Pacific Lutheran University with a 3.3 GPA + Algebra 2?
Opt-in by February 20 using Skyward Qmlativ. Find out how at www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/guaranteed-automatic-admissions-program.
Questions? Talk with your school's counselor or career center
💙 National Mentoring Month 💙
Kent School District is proud to recognize GEM (Glover Empowering Mentoring) for their six years of partnership at Park Orchard Elementary School. GEM supports 4th and 5th grade students through mentoring and case management focused on social and emotional learning.
Partners like GEM reflect the strength of OneKSD, working together to support students and build a caring, connected school community.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we approached MLK Day, students across OneKSD honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through school assemblies and classroom learning that highlighted his message of justice, equity, and unity.
These moments gave students time to reflect, learn from one another, and connect Dr. King’s words to their own voices and experiences—bringing our schools together as OneKSD.
Celebrating National Mentoring Month: Highlighting Kent Youth and Family Services 💙
January is National Mentoring Month, and as OneKSD, we are proud to recognize the incredible work of Kent Youth and Family Services. For more than 55 years, KYFS has supported children, youth, and families in our community through professional counseling, education, and a variety of support services.
Their mission—to promote healthy development and help youth and families achieve their goals—reflects values we share as a district: equity, inclusion, partnership, and advocacy. By working together, we can help students thrive and build brighter futures.
We are grateful for partners like Kent Youth and Family Services who strengthen our schools and our community every day.
We are so proud of Kent Meridian High School Class of 2025 graduates Katherine Weiler-Medellin and Eliane Lo, who are now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in vital roles.
Katherine is a Weather Analyst & Forecaster, keeping missions safe with accurate meteorology for land, sea, and air operations.
Eliane is an Aviation Logistics Specialist, ensuring personnel, equipment, and supplies are ready for smooth, successful missions.
Their dedication, courage, and commitment to service embody the spirit of OneKSD. We celebrate their achievements and the impact they are making beyond the classroom! 💙
🏀🤼 Middle School Season 3 begins January 26! Girls Basketball and Wrestling are starting soon. Families who qualify are encouraged to complete the CNEEB Application (Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit) to help reduce or waive sports and activity fees and support student participation this winter. Apply today through the Nutrition section of the Kent School District website.
Final Reminder: OneKSD Art Contest 🎨
There’s still time to participate in the OneKSD Art Contest! We are still accepting digital entries until 11:59 p.m. on January 11.
This is your last chance to showcase your creativity and share what OneKSD means to you through art. We can’t wait to see the inspiring work from our talented students across the district! 💙💛
Don’t miss out—submit your digital entry before the deadline!
🎉 Big Wins for Kent School District Classrooms! 🎉
Thanks to the incredible support of the Kent Schools Foundation, 161 Classroom Enrichment Grants—totaling nearly $98,000—have been awarded! 🙌
✨ 224 educators
🏫 39 school sites & departments
These grants are bringing learning to life with field trips, math and phonics manipulatives, classroom libraries, flexible seating, inclusive PE equipment, robotics kits, vertical whiteboards, and so much more! 🤖📖
This past month, Kent School Foundation representatives had the pleasure of visiting several schools to surprise educators with the exciting news that their grants had been funded.
At OneKSD, we believe in supporting educators and expanding opportunities, so every student thrives.
Save the Date: Community Budget Meetings In January
As OneKSD, we are committed to our mission of successfully preparing all students for their futures while living our core values of equity, excellence, and community. At the same time, we are facing financial challenges that require careful planning and thoughtful decisions.
We face a projected $35 million budget shortfall for the 2026–27 school year. To maintain a five (5) percent unassigned ending fund balance, significant reductions will be necessary across schools, programs, and departments.
The Kent School District community is invited to attend one of two Budget Update Meetings in January. The same information will be shared in both meetings.
Learn more at Budget Updates | Kent School District, and submit questions and feedback in advance to KSDBudget@kent.k12.wa.us. If you submit a question in advance, be sure to indicate which meeting you will attend.
Kent School District Community Budget Meetings for Families and Community Members
Monday, January 12, 2026, In-person
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Kent-Meridian High School, East Wing Auditorium
10116 SE 256th St, Kent, WA 98030
Saturday, January 24, 2026, Online
Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom link will be available at Budget Updates when school resumes in January.
We are also hosting two separate Budget Meetings for Kent School District staff only. Kent School District staff meeting information is being communicated directly with our employees.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and community.
🎉 Happy Winter Break, OneKSD! ❄️✨
Today is the last day before Winter Break! All KSD schools will be closed Dec 22 – Jan 2.
Classes resume Monday, Jan 5, 2026.
Wishing all our students, families, and staff a warm, restful, and joyful break. 💙
Thank you for being part of our OneKSD community!
All schools are open today, December 17, 2025, except Sawyer Woods Elementary, which remains closed due to a power outage. Puget Sound Energy is actively working to restore power, and we will send updates directly to Sawyer Woods staff and families as the situation progresses.
Several bus routes are cancelled today due to lack of driver staffing.
Route 2 serving Kentridge, Northwood, Martin Sortun, and Sunrise
Route 15 serving Kentridge and Neely-O'Brien
Route 20 serving Kentlake and Canyon Ridge
Route 56 serving Kentlake, Cedar Heights, and Martin Sortun
Route 114 serving Kentlake, Cedar Heights, and Horizon
Please note:
Buses may be delayed picking up students due to combined or cancelled bus routes depending on driver staffing.
Use caution when walking or driving, as there may be fallen debris in some areas.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
🌟 Student Spotlight: Kent Laboratory Academy
At Kent Laboratory Academy, students grow through strong relationships and meaningful learning experiences.
👩🎓 Ekampreet Singh is a sophomore who joined KLA in 7th grade and now serves as ASB President.
👩🎓 Graciana Kristenson is a sophomore who has attended KLA since 3rd grade and says the school has helped shape who she is today.
KLA is a choice school serving grades 3–12 with a focus on project-based learning and student connection.
Due to possible flooding in the Kent Valley, out of an abundance of caution, all after-school activities are canceled at these schools for Monday, December 15:
East Hill Elementary
Kent Elementary
Meadow Ridge Elementary
Mill Creek Middle School
Neely-O'Brien Elementary
Panther Lake Elementary
River Ridge Elementary
Scenic Hill Elementary
Springbrook Elementary
Due to heavy traffic, school buses in the valley will be late.
The city of Kent confirmed that the messages sent from the National Weather Service and King County were to a broad audience. The city of Kent is working to provide additional communications.
Please know the district is closely monitoring the situation, working with the City of Kent Emergency Operations Center, and keeping the safety of our students and staff as our highest priority.
As always, keep monitoring your communications, be safe and cautious. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. Again, continue to monitor your communications.
🌟 Inclusive Schools Week in oneKSD 🌟
This week, we celebrate inclusion and the strength of our community. In oneKSD, every student, staff member, and family is valued and supported. Together, we create welcoming schools where everyone belongs. 💛✨
We are one community, one purpose, oneKSD.
