We’re eager to connect and partner with you this 2023-24 school year in support of your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. You can expect to receive the Courier every Friday.

• On the top of the page, you will find ADA and Translation features. To translate, click on the Translate button and choose your desired language.
• En la parte superior de la página, encontrará funciones de ADA y traducción. Para traducir, haga clic en el botón Traducir y elija el idioma que desee.
• Dusha sare ee bogga, waxaad ka heli doontaa ADA iyo sifooyinka Turjumaada. Si aad u turjunto, dhagsii badhanka Turjumka oo dooro luqadda aad rabto.
  
• В верхней части страницы вы найдете функции ADA и перевода. Для перевода нажмите кнопку «Перевести» и выберите нужный язык.
  
• د پاڼې په سر کې، تاسو به د ADA او ژباړې ځانګړتیاوې ومومئ. د ژباړې لپاره، د ژباړې تڼۍ باندې کلیک وکړئ او د خپلې خوښې ژبه غوره کړئ.
  
• در بالای صفحه، شما ویژگی های ADA و ترجمه را پیدا کنید. برای ترجمه، روی دکمه ترجمه کلیک کنید و زبان مورد نظر خود را انتخاب کنید.
  

Dear Kenwood Families,

I’m writing to share important information with you about Kenwood’s 2024-25 budget and its impact on staffing and programming. As you may know, the District was required to cut $110 million from the entire MPS budget for 2024-25, which has had a significant impact on all schools, including Kenwood. I appreciate the Kenwood staff’s and Site Council’s thought-partnership and support as I’ve completed the budget tie-out process. It’s been an extremely challenging time for our school as we imagine operating without some of the people and partnerships that have helped us thrive this year.

I’ve had to reduce the number of classrooms, interventionist positions, the family liaison’s time, and specialist positions. The District has discontinued instrumental music/band for 5th graders. I’ve been able to increase English Language and classroom support positions (including a Spanish bilingual position) and fund in-person Telescoped Math sections in 4th and 5th grades, a Reading Interventionist position, and a .5 Math Specialist position. There will be two classroom sections per grade level, with the exception of third grade, which will have three sections to accommodate a larger cohort. Class sizes will be approximately 25-30 students in all grades except third grade, which will have smaller class sizes because we “bought up” another section with our discretionary dollars.

The following positions have been funded for 2024-25:

13 classroom teachers (funded for 12, “bought up” one classroom)

2.8 Specialists: PE, Music, .8 Art

.5 Library Media Specialist for collaboration, not “prep”

2 ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Teachers

1.5 Special Education Resource Teachers

2 EL Teachers

1 Social Worker

.5 Advanced Learner Literacy Support and 4/5 and 5/6 Telescoped Math Teacher

.5 Math Specialist

1 Reading Interventionist (district-funded)

.3 Instructional Specialist (supports teacher observations and coaching)

.5 Family Liaison

2 Associate Educators (classroom support; one position includes .2 transportation coordination)

1 Spanish Bilingual Program Assistant (classroom support, family support)

7 Special Education Assistants (4 for ASD, 3 for Resource)

1 Health Services Assistant

1 Secretary

1 Principal

The District will continue to allocate funds for our School Psychologist, School Nurse, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Pathologist on the basis of enrollment and Special Education needs.

We will have Reading Corps and Youth, Inc. volunteers on site. We are in the process of determining whether we will continue to host Reading Partners and fund a new partnership with Playworks, an organization dedicated to safe, joyful, and inclusive play and student leadership during recess. With PTA’s generous support, we will continue to offer the arts, outdoors, and food residencies that Kenwood students love so much.

In these financially challenging times it’s easy to focus on and grieve what isn’t possible. I encourage us all to hold that understandable sadness alongside a sense of possibility and deep belief that we will continue to serve Kenwood students and their families with integrity, clarity of purpose, and love. I’m extremely proud of the Kenwood Team and know that our children are in very good hands.

As you digest this information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions. I’m here to provide clarity about and infuse hope into our path forward. Please consider joining me on Friday, April 19 at 9:45 for a Coffee with the Principal with a focus on the budget and the 2024-25 school year. Save the date for a Volunteer Appreciation Coffee on April 26 at 10:00!

In partnership,

Heidi

• There is no school next Friday, March 29, due to teacher record keeping day.
• Spring Break begins Monday, April 1, and we will welcome students back on Monday, April 8.
• There is no school on Wednesday, April 10, in observance of Eid.

There is no after school program on Thursday, March 28. After school classes resume Tuesday, April 9.

No habrá programa después de la escuela el jueves 28 de marzo. Las clases después de la escuela se reanudarán el martes 9 de abril.

• As a reminder, please contact the main office (612-668-2760) by 2 p.m. with end-of-the-day plans or any changes to plans.
• To report tardies or absences, please contact the health office/attendance line: 612-668-2766.

Thanks for your flexibility and understanding as we have juggled the date for the 2nd and 3rd grade concert. We have reserved the gym for April 25 at 6:30 p.m. The concert will last about 45 minutes. The kids and I look forward to sharing what we have been learning in music class with you!

Ms. Sue

suzanne.pehrson@mpls.k12.mn.us

For families of students who ride the bus, please be on the lookout for possible changes in timing. If this happens, you will receive a bright pink quarter sheet of paper with updated times.

If you have any questions, please call the main office at 612-668-2760. Thank you!

For those interested in outdoor adventure and animals, try horseback riding or go on a fishing adventure. If you’re a Swifty, join our Taylor Swift Fan Club class. For more classes and schedules, click here. The program runs Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 24 through August 8. This is a sliding fee-based program. Afternoon extended care is available for an additional fee.

Questions? Email Summer Coordinator Nam Pham or call 612-668-2740.

As we continue to welcome new students, we're tracking Kenwood community requests for donations. If families or community members are able to assist with any of the requested items, we're extremely grateful. Donations can be dropped off in the main office at Kenwood - please be sure to label items accordingly so they don't get mixed up with other deliveries.

Questions? Contact Family Liaison Keri Mabry. Thanks in advance!

Chicken Tamale

Cheese Tamale

Bagel Yogurt Pack

• Served with Southwest Quinoa, Seasoned Pinto Beans

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Sunbutter Sandwich

Roasted Turkey & Cheddar on Flatbread

• Served with Brown Rice, Green Beans

Chicken & Waffles

Baked Soy Nuggets & Waffles

Smoked Turkey & Swiss on Pullman

• Served with Diced Seasoned Potatoes

Turkey Hot Dog

Black Bean Burger

Chocolate Chickpea Flatbread Pack

• Served with Baked Potato Wedges

No School

Learn the amazing art of bobbin lace-making alongside other fiber arts like finger knitting and crochet, needle felting, and embroidery in this week-long spring break camp for youth ages 7-12 years old. Scholarships available!

To learn more about the Future Fiber Artists: Lace Making Spring Break Camp (April 1-5 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.) and register, download the attached flyer or visit: https://textilecentermn.org/product/ffa-lace-making-april2024/.

MPS students are invited to submit their black-and-white drawings of their favorite places to go in

Minneapolis! The City of Minneapolis is updating their Walking Routes for Youth map, which

shows routes to all the schools in Minneapolis. This MPS project creates the “back” side of the map, a beautiful poster that inspires us to use active transportation and reflects the talents and

vision of MPS students. For more information, click here.

In collaboration with Project Success, Anwatin Middle School is producing and performing Annie Jr. on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1. General admission tickets will be available at Anwatin the night of each performance. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $5. For more information, click here.

Email: keri.mabry@mpls.k12.mn.us

Website: https://kenwood.mpschools.org

Location: 2013 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Phone: 612-668-2760

Click here to share photos for the 2023-24 yearbook!