Fairwood Elementary -

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.

🏀🤼 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!

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.

Kent School District is hosting a free vaccine clinic to help ensure students are healthy and up to date on required and recommended immunizations. For ages 6 months to 18 years are welcome—no cost, regardless of insurance status!

📅 Date: Thursday, December 12

⏰ Time: 12:00–3:00 p.m.

📍 Location: KSD Administration Building – Mt. Adams Room

💉 Routine & School-Required Vaccines Available:

• DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough)

• Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B

• IPV (Polio)

• Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae)

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

• Varicella (Chickenpox)

• MenACWY-TT (Meningococcal)

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Men B (Meningococcal B)

• PCV20 (Pneumococcal)

• COVID-19 & Flu (Influenza)

🎨 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

🏀🤼‍♀️🎉 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.