Raising a strong-willed child? 💪 Instead of fighting their fire, learn how to guide it! 🔥
Join ParentMap and Kent School District on April 1 as we talk to experienced parenting coach and “Raising Lions” author Joe Newman. He’ll share game-changing strategies to turn power struggles into opportunities for growth and transform distracted and defiant children into kids who are motivated, respectful and attentive.
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: https://www.parentmap.com/newman
Special Olympics Washington named Martin Sortun Elementary as a National Special Olympics Unified Champion School® and presented the staff and students with a banner in recognition of their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students of all abilities. Martin Sortun is the first elementary school in Washington State to receive this prestigious honour. With help from Ray Roberts, a former Seahawks player, KW students and mascot, Marla Taylor-MS PE teacher, school and district administrators, along with Cool Bird from the Thunderbirds, the banner was unveiled to much fanfare. Congratulations to Martin Sortun for leading the way in this important endeavour and showcasing the values of what #OneCommunity means in our district. #OneKSD
Read more at: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2099580
Happy First Day of Spring! Today marks the official start of spring, and we’re ready to shake off the cold and embrace the season of growth, renewal, and vibrant energy. Share how you're embracing the spring fever in the comments below. #OneKSD
Recently, the Kentwood High School auditorium buzzed with excitement as the Kent Area Council PTSA hosted its annual Reflections cultural arts competition reception. This year's theme, "Accepting Imperfection," inspired students to explore and express their creativity across various categories, including Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.
The theme resonated deeply, encouraging young artists to embrace their unique perspectives and celebrate the beauty in imperfection. With over 70 entries from 18 schools—double the number of participating schools compared to last year—the competition showcased an impressive array of talent.
A heartfelt thank you to Kim Wells and Jennifer Ritchie for their unwavering dedication to making this event possible. Their efforts have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the students and the community, inspiring future generations to continue exploring and expressing their creativity. #OneClass #OneCommunity #OneKSD
Alison Landry, Nutrition Services Dietitian, had the exciting opportunity to inspire future professionals at Pine Tree Elementary’s Career Fair! As a Kids at Hope school, Pine Tree encourages students to "time travel" into their futures—imagining themselves thriving in their dream careers. Ms. Landry shared her journey in nutrition, helping students see the many possibilities ahead. #OneClass #OneKSD
Rick Hopkins and our Warehouse Services team are some of the unsung heroes of the Kent School District. Warehouse Services is responsible for delivering supplies to the district, including mail, textbooks, athletic gear, musical instruments, and more. With three drivers, this adds up to over 16,000 stops per year! The Warehouse Services team is an integral part in key initiatives that support the community, from transporting goods during the December canned food drive to distributing formal wear for students to choose from for prom and homecoming as part of the "Cinderella" clothing program. "The idea that we're supporting the kids and helping them on their educational journey helps keep us going," said Rick. #OneTeam #OneKSD
Read more at the link here: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2092799
Ever look at your child and think, "Who even is this kid?" 🤯
Different doesn’t have to mean difficult! 💡 Join ParentMap and the Kent School District on March 20 for an empowering ParentEd Talk with pediatric psychologist and parent coach @dr.annlouise.lockhart. She’ll share practical tips to:
✨ Connect with your child, no matter how different they are
✨ Support their unique strengths and interests
✨ Navigate conflict toward cooperation
Sign up for the live Q&A webinar using promo code KENTSCHDIST to attend for free (a $10 value). You'll also gain access to the event recording so you can watch it anytime, anywhere. Register here: https://www.parentmap.com/lockhart
Sawyer Woods Elementary’s Green Team took their curiosity to new heights—literally! When they noticed Head Custodian Ken Hoyle preparing HVAC filters, they asked to learn more. Mr. Hoyle and Buildings Operations Lead Leslie Kramer gave the students an exclusive tour of the school’s mechanical space in the "attic," sparking excitement about careers in environmental services. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and engagement embody the spirit of lifelong learning. Thank you to the Environmental Services team for taking time to foster student interest and making sustainability a hands-on experience! #OneClass #OneKSD
Reminder: Next Monday night 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. For more information: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/ksd-together
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 dollars for resources for our schools and benefits to families. Complete an application today at https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/CNEEB
Families, please complete a CNEEB application to potentially reduce or eliminate fees for:
-Athletics participation.
-ASB cards.
-Extracurricular activities.
-Technology fines.
-College Applications & Admissions Tests.
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. Visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks for more information.
Due to the impacts of the bomb cyclone storm, Kent School District experienced emergency school closures on November 20-22, 2024. As a result, the KSD Board of Directors has approved the district’s Emergency School Closure Waiver to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) under Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 25-01, which allows districts to request waivers for unforeseen closures while maintaining compliance with instructional requirements.
Since a state of emergency was declared, districts meeting the annual instructional hour requirement may be granted a waiver under this process. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the potential impacts on the student calendar. The district will provide updates as soon as we receive notification regarding the approval or denial of our waiver application.
Reminder: 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.
For more information: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/page/ksd-together
From left to right: Nguyen, Veda, Finn, and Abigail were recently honored as Students of the Month at Meridian Middle School by the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club. Abigail and Nguyen were recognized for their academic achievements and Finn and Veda were recognized for their contributions to service and citizenship. Congratulations to these leaders in their communities! Thank you to the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club for their years of continued support of our schools and our students. #OneCommunity #OneKSD
Parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when your child’s personality or interests feel completely different from your own. Join ParentMap and the Kent School District for an empowering ParentEd Talk with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart. Discover how to connect with your unique child, embrace their strengths and turn conflicts into moments of growth.
Register for the live Q&A webinar using promo code KENTSCHDIST to attend for free (a $10 value). You'll also gain access to the event video so you can watch it anytime, anywhere. Sign up here: https://www.parentmap.com/lockhart
The Parent/Guardian Forum is a key initiative in maintaining open and transparent communication with families. For the 2024-2025 school year, forum members and alternates were selected through an application process designed to ensure diverse representation that reflects KSD's student population. The group is led by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Wade Barringer: "I thoroughly enjoy our time together each month and grateful for the perspective and feedback they provide as we not only discuss current Kent School District educational issues but also give space to adjust to the shifting needs and priorities of our community," he said. The district encourages all families to stay engaged and connected through various communications channels, including board meetings, community events, and direct outreach to school and district leaders. By working together, we can continue fostering a strong, supportive, and informed school community. #OneKSD #OneCommunity - For more information visit: https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/article/2081916
March 10-14 is Education Support Professionals Week! Thank you to the numerous support staff across our district that are critical members in keeping our students safe, healthy, and thriving. Thank you for all that you do! #OneKSD #OneTeam
Reminder: Join us tomorrow for the Community Connect: Chat with the Superintendent on Tuesday, March 11 at River Ridge Elementary located at 22420 Military Rd S., SeaTac from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We look forward to connecting with members of our community. #One Community #OneKSD
Tuesday, March 11
5:00-6:00 p.m.
River Ridge Elementary Multipurpose Room
22420 Military Rd S, SeaTac
Reminder that next Friday, March 14 there is no school for a Teacher Workshop Day.
Join us for the Community Connect: Chat with the Superintendent next Tuesday, March 11 at River Ridge Elementary located at 22420 Military Rd S., SeaTac from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We look forward to connecting with members of our community. #OneCommunity #OneKSD Tuesday, March 11 5:00-6:00 p.m. River Ridge Elementary Multipurpose Room 22420 Military Rd S, SeaTac
Daylight savings time is here! This weekend, don’t forget to spring forward and set your clocks AHEAD by one hour before you hit the hay on Saturday night. Here's to longer, sunnier evenings!
