Kent School District -

This week, we are showcasing highlights from our Spring 2025 issue of KSD Connected, which was mailed out to district community members late last month. First up today is our message from Superintendent Vela on the current state of KSD and what we are doing to ensure we are continuing to meet our mission of preparing all students for their futures. Read more at the following link: https://bit.ly/3H4f6D2 #OneKSD #OneCommunity

The Kent-Meridian Sports Medicine Team finished second out of 49 schools at the WCTSMA Sports Medicine State Competition in late April. Special shoutouts to Rafed and Addison for finishing first in their respective categories. Congratulations to the whole team! #OneKSD #OneClass

The 2025 Family Climate Survey is now available. Your feedback is important in helping us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve—at your child’s school and across the district. Please share your experience by Friday, May 30. The survey is anonymous and will take about 15 minutes to complete. Click on the following link to take the survey: https://bit.ly/44yJqiL #OneKSD #OneCommunity 

📚✨ Kindergarten Registration is Open for the 2025-2026 School Year! ✏️🎒 Is your child ready to start their learning journey? Enroll them in kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year today! ✅ Build a strong academic foundation ✅ Make new friends and explore creativity ✅ Learn through play and discovery Visit our website for enrollment details and start your child’s educational adventure today! https://bit.ly/3EQ0jes #OneKSD #OneClass

Kids learn about love by watching their parents — but when life gets busy, it’s easy for connection to fade. If your marriage feels more like a partnership in parenting than a partnership in love, you’re not alone. Join ParentMap and KSD on May 20 for a live ParentEd Talk with “Sovereign Love” author, Dené Logan. Learn how to shift from burnout and imbalance to interdependence, where both partners feel valued, connected and deeply engaged. 💕 Register for the live ParentEd Talk using promo code KENTSCHDIST to attend for free (a $10 value). You'll also gain access to the replay video so you can watch it anytime, anywhere. Sign up here: ParentMap.com/logan

Our remaining high school productions start this week! First, Kentlake High School presents the musical The Little Shop of Horrors, starting Thursday, May 15. Next, Shakespeare's Macbeth comes to Kent-Meridian High School. Two shows are available to the public on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. For more information on both productions and to buy tickets online, visit https://bit.ly/44duK8B

🌸 Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 🌏 This month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). From groundbreaking leaders and trailblazing artists to tireless advocates and inspiring educators, the AAPI community has shaped and strengthened our world in countless ways. #OneKSD #OneCommunity

Join us tomorrow for our final Community Connect: Chat with the Superintendent at Kentlake High School. We hope to see you there. #OneCommunity #OneKSD Tuesday, May 13 5:00-6:00 p.m. Kentlake High School Commons 21401 Southeast Falcon Way, Kent

IMPORTANT: We ask families to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefits (CNEEB) application to unlock benefits for your family. Every eligible form submitted means critical funding for our schools and benefits for families. Complete an application today at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/CNEEB Families, please complete a CNEEB application to support schools receiving much needed funding: -Before and after-school programs. -Additional paraeducators and support staff. -Family engagement staff and activities. -Resources for classrooms, teachers and children. You may also qualify for SUN Bucks, or Summer EBT, a DSHS program to help pay for your summer 2025 grocery expenses, making summer months more manageable.

As we close #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we highlight longtime Kentridge drama teacher Jennifer Grajewski. With 43 years of teaching experience, including 35 years in the Kent School District, Jennifer has inspired generations of students to find their voice, tell powerful stories, and make meaningful connections though the art of theater. To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/42Soj9V #OneKSD #OneTeam

Less than one week left in our OneKSD Art Contest! We invite students of all grades and staff across the Kent School District to showcase their creativity and visually express the meaning of unity, collaboration, and shared identity within our diverse community. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 14. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/oneKSDart  #OneKSD #OneCommunity

Kids learn about love, respect and partnership by watching their parents. A strong, connected relationship isn’t just good for you — it’s good for them, too. Join ParentMap and the Kent School District on May 20 for a live Q&A with marriage therapist, author and mindfulness coach, Dené Logan. She’ll explore the common roots of conflict and disconnection — and how to reignite your relationship amidst the chaos of parenthood. Don’t miss it! Sign up for the live Q&A webinar and video replay using promo code KENTSCHDIST to attend for free (a $10 value). Register here: ParentMap.com/logan

📢 Share the Love for Teachers! 📢 This #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we want to hear from YOU!  ✨ Did a teacher inspire you? 📚 Did they help you discover a passion? 💛 Or maybe they just believed in you when you needed it most? Drop a comment or tag a teacher who made a difference in your life—let’s flood their feeds with gratitude! #ThankATeacher #OneKSD #OneTeam

May 7 is National School Nurse Day, a time to recognize the essential role school nurses play in supporting student health and learning. In the Kent School District (KSD), one of the leaders at the helm of our health services is Lyndy Baron, Director of Coordinated Health Services, who is celebrating 30 years with the district. To learn more about Lyndy and how her department supports the mission of KSD, visit: https://bit.ly/43jVkfa #OneKSD #OneTeam

Join us for our final Community Connect: Chat with the Superintendent next Tuesday, May 13 at Kentlake High School located at 21401 Southeast Falcon Way, Kent from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We look forward to connecting with members of our community. #OneCommunity #OneKSD Tuesday, May 13 5:00-6:00 p.m. Kentlake High School Commons 21401 Southeast Falcon Way, Kent

Ms. Goliff at Jenkins Creek Elementary got a welcome surprise when some of her students showed up in custom t-shirts for Teacher Appreciation Week! Thanks to everyone for spreading the love to our teachers this week. #OneKSD #OneTeam

🌟 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🌟 This week, we celebrate the incredible educators who inspire, challenge, and uplift us every day. To our teachers who go above and beyond—thank you for your patience, dedication, and passion for shaping minds and futures. You don’t just teach lessons; you change lives. 💛 #OneKSD #OneTeam

For Kim Wells, Vice-President of the Kent Area PTA Council, volunteering isn’t just an act of service—it’s a way to build community, support students, and ensure every child feels seen. As Public School Volunteer Week shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of education, Wells’ story remind us how small actions create big impacts. "My hope with volunteerism is we're another positive interaction with a student. It takes a whole community to come into schools and support students and teachers," Kim said. #OneCommunity #OneKSD To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4mbbfUK

🌟 Celebrating National School Lunch Hero Day! 🌟 Today, we honor the incredible school nutrition staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our students fed, healthy, and ready to learn! 🍎🥪 From preparing nutritious meals with love to creating a welcoming cafeteria environment, these everyday heroes make a huge difference in our schools. Let’s give a big THANK YOU to all the lunch heroes who go above and beyond to nourish our kids—one meal at a time! 💛 #OneKSD #OneTeam

It's showtime at our local high schools! First, Kentlake High School presents the musical The Little Shop of Horrors, starting Thursday, May 15. Next, Shakespeare's Macbeth comes to Kent Meridian High School. Two shows are available the public on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. For more information on both productions and to buy tickets online, visit https://bit.ly/44duK8B