Parent and Community Update
September 13, 2024
September 27, 2024: #3
Kennett Honors Hispanic Heritage Month
From the National Museum of the American Latino
Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15, we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods.
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations. The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of these areas into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.
Today, the Latino population in the United States is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.
Kindergarten Students Explore Culture and Hispanic Heritage Month
The students at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center have been joyfully celebrating Mexican Heritage Month in Social Studies. From the rhythmic sounds of maracas they made while listening to vibrant music, to creating their own colorful Amate art and learning the lively steps of the Mexican hat dance, they’ve been fully immersed in the rich culture and traditions of Mexico. And this is just the beginning—there's so much more to discover as our schools continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students Will Take SAT at Kennett on October 5
SAT Testing Information for Our Students
SAT testing is coming up next Saturday, October 5. All KCSD students must use their District Chromebook for the SATs.
Students should:
- Update their school Chromebook (see link below)
- Fully charge their Chromebook the night before the SATs
- Arrive at KHS by 7:30 a.m. and report directly to the cafeteria
- Bring their official ID, electronic admission ticket, a calculator and a pencil
- Calculators will not be provided
- A fully charged Chromebook should accompany students the morning of the test
Students having trouble with their Chromebook should bring it with them on Saturday and a spare will be provided. Families should check their email for more SAT information.
Review Important Information for You and Your Student
Handbook and Code of Conduct Offer Valuable Information and Guidance
The 2024 - 2025 Handbook and Code of Conduct are invaluable for your student and your family. The handbook summarizes much information already loaded into growing sections of the website, while the Code of Conduct addresses such topics as discipline through a multi-tiered system of support, restorative practices, and the rights and responsibilities of all. It also provides insights into guidelines for addressing student behavior and the discipline matrix for when students commit a minor or major infraction. Be sure to review both the Student and Family Handbook and the Code of Conduct, then acknowledge receipt at the Skyward Family Access Portal. If you'd like to keep copies of both handy, you can find PDF files to download at the Handbook section of the website.
We Welcome Our Community
Attend or Speak at a Board Meeting
We encourage our community to attend School Board and Committee Meetings at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. Please go to our Board section of the kcsd.org website for calendars and other information about our Board of School Directors.
If you are interested in addressing the School Board during the Regular monthly meeting (second Monday of every month) but aren’t sure where to start, follow these guidelines to ensure your voice is heard:
- Eligibility: You must be a resident, taxpayer, parent or guardian of a District student, or a District employee or student.
- Agenda item: If your topic is listed on the Board agenda, you will be recognized to speak at the beginning of the meeting.
- Non-agenda items: For topics not on the agenda, you will have the opportunity to speak at the end of the meeting.
- Registration: All speakers must register with the Superintendent’s Office in writing by 12:00 noon the day of the meeting by emailing Cassie Yang at cyang@kcsd.org. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, topic, and any group affiliation.
- Board Policy: Access Board Policy 903 here.
In Our Schools
A Place to Call Home
In fifth grade, students get to be in one of eight houses, each modeled after eight desirable values: kindness, strength, loyalty, integrity, grit, respect, leadership, and courage. Each month, houses can meet to express concerns, bond, complete challenges, and gain peer support. Last week, the 5th grade had its annual housing ceremony. Students were placed in their houses based on an application listing their strengths and areas for improvement.
Join Us for Homecoming
Kennett High School students will enjoy a spirit week beginning Monday, September 30 leading up to Homecoming on Friday, October 4 and a dance Saturday, October 5!
Spirit week themes include fun opportunities to dress up including Adam Sandler day, act your age day (teenagers, babies, etc.), blue and white day, and a cancer awareness day where students wear colors to represent specific cancer awareness, too. Pep rallies will be held on Friday featuring our cheerleaders and band with games like musical chairs and tug of war.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday ending at the football field where the Blue Demons will face Upper Chichester at 7:00 p.m.
The parade starts at KHS:
- moves down the hill between KHS and the District Office
- turns left onto East South Street
- then right onto Broad Street
- left onto Mulberry Street
- left onto Union Street
- pass the tennis courts
- and then left into KHS parking lot
Tickets to the game are available at the Kennett Online Box Office. The Homecoming Court will take the field at halftime when the winners will be announced.
The dance will be held in Reynolds Gymnasium from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. High School families should check their email for all the details!
Student Focus Groups Scheduled with Dr. Rizzo Saunders
Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders' Entry Plan: Listen, Learn, Lead is in full swing, and she has been conducting interviews, holding focus groups, and visiting classrooms over the past weeks. As part of the listening phase of the plan, Dr. Rizzo Saunders intends to hold focus groups with select students in all buildings between October 4 and October 30.
Students have been randomly selected to be part of the groups that will spend an hour sharing their insights of being a KCSD student. A single focus group will be held in each of the kindergarten and elementary buildings, while two focus groups will be held in the high school and the middle school. Parents of those students randomly selected will be contacted soon.
Surveys will also be sent soon to members of our district to add to the learning. You can go to kcsd.org/entryplan to review the entry plan calendar, watch her introduction video, or review the 90-day Entry Plan entitled Listen, Learn, Lead. Results of Dr. Rizzo Saunders' efforts will be shared in January.
Building our Future
We are thrilled to announce that construction at Greenwood Elementary School is about to kick off! You might start seeing some preconstruction activity as early as tomorrow—think fencing, staking, surveyors, and equipment moving in!
Rest assured, all onsite contractors have been fully cleared by the District Office. Please note that access to the site will be limited, but any necessary entry will be coordinated through Dave Brice and/or Dave Jones. It's important to remember that contractors should not engage with school employees unless they are authorized District personnel.
Let’s look forward to this amazing transformation at Greenwood Elementary!
From Our Community
Support Kennett Education Foundation and Enjoy the Bash
Calling all witches, ghouls and goblins in the Kennett Consolidated School District! The Kennett Education Foundation will be brewing up some Halloween fun once again for trick-or-treaters in K-12 at the 2024 MONSTER MASH: TRUNK OR TREAT. More details are posted on their website, including a car trunk registration form, RSVP for trick-or-treaters, and tickets for a yummy Dinner To Go. Mark your calendars and register today because this is one spooktacular event you don’t want to miss!
Monster Mash: Trunk or Treat & Dinner To Go is Sunday, October 27th | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Check their website for information on registration and dinner to go!
Help Take Care of Yourself and Your Community: Get Vaccinated
Registration for the community vaccination clinic sponsored by the Chester County Health Department is now open. The local clinic will be held at Kennett Middle School on October 10 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available. Make your appointment online or call 610-344-6225 to register for the clinic. See the flyers below for more information.
Work With Us
We Welcome You to Apply
Kennett Consolidated School District offers a range of employment opportunities for educators, administrators, and support staff committed to fostering student success. The district emphasizes professional development and a collaborative work environment for its employees.
In addition, we are proud to partner with:
- CCRES for
- Chartwells for Food Service Workers
- ESS for Substitute Teachers and Nurses and
- Krapf for our Bus Drivers and Bus Aides
Come join our team and make a difference in our community!