Kent School District -

We are excited to announce the launch of the 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. Through original artwork, participants will showcase how different schools, cultures, and experiences come together to form a strong and connected district. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 14. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/oneksd-art-contest #OneKSD #OneCommunity

With 44 schools and 55 buildings, Kent School District runs like a small city—and behind the scenes, the Facilities team keeps it all moving! From daily maintenance to major operations, this hardworking crew plays a vital role in making sure every building is safe, functional, and ready for learning. We caught up with some of the team to hear how they help power the mission of KSD every single day. #OneKSD #OneTeam Check out the full article here: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2154033

Hairspray is coming to Kentridge High School! Shows start April 30 and run through May 10. Get your tickets now at https://gofan.co/app/school/WA23241 #OneKSD #OneClass

Update for KSD Families & Staff We’re happy to share that OSPI has approved Kent School District’s Emergency School Closure Waiver. The last day of school for the 2024–2025 school year remains June 17, 2025! Thank you for your patience and support while we awaited this decision. #OneCommunity #OneKSD #LastDayOfSchool Access our school calendar here: https://bit.ly/43RlS8o

Meadow Ridge and Millennium Elementary 5th graders recently made unforgettable memories at camp—filled with laughter, learning, and outdoor adventures! #OneKSD #OneClass

Assembly fun! At Meeker Middle School, students smashed their fundraising goal, which meant that teachers whose individual classroom goal was met got a pie to the face! Thank you to the teachers and Meeker community for creating this enjoyable opportunity! #OneKSD #OneCommunity

🐾 Happy National Pet Day! 🐾 Today we celebrate the furry (or scaly, or feathery!) friends who make our lives brighter—with unconditional love, endless cuddles, and sometimes a little mischief. 😉❤️ (📸 Drop your pet’s best photo in the comments!) #NationalPetDay #OneCommunity #OneKSD

We hope everyone is having a great spring break! Share a photo or comment down below about what fun things you're doing this week. We want to hear from you! #OneKSD #OneCommunity

🧮✨ It's Mathematics Awareness Month! ✨🧮 This April, we celebrate the beauty, power, and FUN of math—because numbers are everywhere! From the symmetry of nature 🌸 to the tech in your phone 📱, math shapes our world in amazing ways.

This past Friday, Meeker Middle School Science and Robotics teacher Neeraj Agnihotri received the Washington Education Association's Human and Civil Rights Award for Student Involvement. Neeraj was recognized for creating "a culturally responsive learning environment that directly impacts her students." Congratulations to Neeraj for receiving this incredible honor! #OneTeam #OneKSD Click on the link to read more: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2135150

🌟 April is Autism Awareness (& Acceptance!) Month! 🌟 This month, we celebrate the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of autistic individuals in our communities. 🧩💙 Together, we can build a kinder, more inclusive world. #OneKSD

📚 Celebrate School Library Month! 📚 This April, we’re honoring the heart of learning—our school library! 🎉 From fostering a love of reading to supporting research and creativity, libraries empower students every day. Let’s give a shoutout to our amazing librarians and the endless possibilities books bring! 📖✨#OneTeam #OneKSD

Superintendent Vela recently visited Ms. Esparza's 4th grade class at Scenic Hill Elementary, captivating students with his inspiring life story. As the son of migrant workers, he spent his childhood following the harvest from Texas to Washington each year. Despite the hardships, Superintendent Vela remained determined to pursue his passion for education, ultimately becoming a teacher and later rising to the role of superintendent. During his visit, he shared powerful lessons of perseverance, resilience, and the transformative power of education. Ms. Esparza's students were deeply moved by his journey and left feeling inspired to embrace their own dreams with determination. "I want to say thank you to Superintendent Vela for taking the time to visit," Ms. Esparza said. "I knew our kids needed to be motivated and inspired by someone, and that his story would resonate with them." #OneClass #OneKSD

Spring Break is next week! There is no school from April 7-11. #OneKSD

Kent-Meridian High School Senior Jessie Neff won the Boys 3A Wrestling State Championship at the State Tournament in Tacoma last month.  Jessie has been wrestling for three years at KM, and compiled an impressive 37 match wins this season leading up to the state tournament.  In Tacoma, Jessie ran the table winning five straight matches to claim the State Title at 165 lbs. Jessie had an incredible season capping his senior year with a State Championship. The whole team stormed the mat to hug and cheer him on after his emotional finish at State. Way to go Jessie Neff! (photo courtesy of KSD community member) #OneClass #OneKSD

🚨 Tired of power struggles at home? 🚨 You're not alone! Join ParentMap and the Kent School District on Tuesday, April 1 for a live ParentEd Talk with “Raising Lions” author Joe Newman. Discover how to set firm yet compassionate boundaries that will lead to a more respectful and cooperative kid — and a calmer home.  🙌 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: https://www.parentmap.com/newman

With 38 years of experience, current instructional coach and longtime teacher Jackie Kissler is the longest serving female educator in the Kent School District. Jackie has spent nearly her whole career at Neely-O'Brien elementary, mainly teaching fourth-sixth grades. "There's nothing quite as rewarding as working with a group of kids and seeing growth," Jackie said. "Seeing kids become more confident in learning and themselves brings me joy." As Women's History Month winds to a close, we want to honor all our female educators who like Jackie have impacted so many of our students' lives. #OneKSD #OneTeam Read the whole story at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2109818

One of Kent School District's key community partners is the Kent Food Bank. Last week, members of the district's Communications, Nutrition Services, and Operations teams visited the food bank to learn more about how this organization supports members of our community, including KSD families. Thank you to Kent Food Bank for their continued partnership and helping those most in need in our community! Thank you to the volunteers, who spend their time every week supporting this important work. #OneKSD #OneCommunity

We close Music in our Schools month by shining on a spotlight on the Kentwood Choir, led by Choral Director Daisy Li-Emans. Later today, 23 students of the Kentwood Choir will perform Vivaldi's "Gloria" at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The choir was invited to audition based on their reputation and then was selected to perform based on the audition tape they sent in. Last week, the choir performed with a chamber orchestra and other choral groups at their mid-winter concert at the Kentwood Performing Arts Center. “I was excited for our chamber orchestra to collaborate with our choir students and do this baroque classical piece together,” Daisy said. Congratulations to our musical students! #OneClass #OneKSD Read more at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2099604

Reminder: Tonight is the Together Committee Meeting 03/24: You are invited to attend the ongoing KSD Together Meetings, where your insights and input will help shape the future of bond and levy measures in the Kent School District. Our goal is to foster an environment of transparency and open communication. This committee will serve as a platform for sharing ideas, addressing concerns, and working together to develop strategies that support our commitment to equity, excellence, and community as we, together, successfully prepare all students for their future. #OneCommunity #OneKSD March 24, 2025 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join us in the KSD Board Room or virtually via Zoom. For more information: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/ksd-together