The Kenwood Courier

We’re eager to connect and partner with you this 2024-25 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.
  

• Nov. 4: Students Vote Mock Election
• Nov. 4: Hot Cocoa & Cookie Stand, 4:15-5:15 p.m. (Door 8)
• Nov. 5: Record Keeping Day (No School for Students)
• Nov. 6: PTA Meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. (Media Center)
• Nov. 8: Coffee with the Principal, 9:45-10:30 a.m. (Lunchroom)
• Nov. 12: Yearbook Photo Retakes
• Nov. 19: Site Council, 4:15-5:45 p.m. (Collaboration Room)
• Nov. 22: All-School Morning Meeting
• Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Break

Dear Kenwood Families.

On this first day of November, I hope you’re healthy, feeling connected with the school community, and embracing compassion as we approach the election on Nov. 5. Kenwood students will have a chance to vote for their preferred candidates on Monday, Nov. 4, and student leaders will help count the ballots and share the results of our small election on Wednesday, Nov. 6. I’ll publish our school’s results in the Kenwood Courier on Nov. 8. Please remember that there is no school for students on Nov. 5 because it is a teacher record-keeping day. It would be a great day to bring your children to the polls to watch you vote!

I’m so pleased to share that our new 1st/2nd grade teacher has been hired and will launch his classroom community on Monday, Nov. 11. Will Watson was born and raised in the Twin Cities. He attended Carleton College and graduated from the University of Minnesota with majors in Elementary Education and Sociology. He also completed his Master’s in Elementary Education at the University of Minnesota after a year of co-teaching with a master teacher at Dowling Urban Environmental School. Mr. Watson has served as a kindergarten teacher at Burroughs, as a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade teacher at Waldorf schools in Minnesota and California, and as a preschool teacher and STEAM specialist at Whittier IB. He finds joy in creating strong class communities that focus on fostering kind and caring relationships while building exciting foundational knowledge. We’re thrilled that he’s joining the Kenwood team!

As is our practice, classroom teachers, interventionists, teaching coaches, the SpEd team, and the Multilingual team are collaborating to create a new class roster that will balance the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students in 1st and 2nd grades. A multigrade classroom is a unique learning opportunity. I will share new classroom placement information with 1st and 2nd grade families on Nov. 6. Mr. Watson will be at Kenwood on Nov. 7 and 8 as he prepares his classroom, room 239, and meets his new colleagues and students. Families of children assigned to room 239 are invited to walk their children to their new classroom on Nov. 11 and 12 between 9:15 and 9:30 am. There will be an opportunity for families to meet with Mr. Watson informally later in the month. More information to come!

As we begin to lean into chillier weather, please make sure your children come to school with cold weather gear. Students play outside at recess every day (unless it’s raining hard or colder than 0 degrees), and we often walk to the school forest. It’s important that our students are comfortable outside! The Kenwood PTA has generously provided extra winter gear for students to borrow as needed. We ask that these items be reserved for those children who don’t have cold weather clothing of their own. Please reinforce our recess expectations on snowy days: snow stays on the ground. We don’t throw it. Rolling snow for snow creatures is welcomed!

In this month of gratitude and grace, I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for our hard-working, resilient, and talented teachers and staff at Kenwood. They’ve welcomed our students and families into their classroom communities with incredible warmth and dedication, even as our class sizes have been larger than anticipated. Over-enrollment is a fortunate dilemma; the addition of two classrooms is allowing us to spread our wings and soar into deeper learning.

I wish you all a peaceful month! Please join me at the next Coffee with the Principal on Friday, Nov. 8 at 9:45 if you’d like to connect in person.

Thank you for being an important part of our school community.

Warmly,

Heidi Johnson, Principal at Kenwood

In addition to being Election Day, Nov. 5 is a teacher record keeping day. There is no school for students that day. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, Nov. 6!

Kenwood’s Girls on the Run team is having a hot cocoa and cookie stand to benefit the outdoor classroom. Come purchase some hot cocoa and cookies on Monday, Nov. 4, from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at their stand right outside parent pickup near the rec center. $1 for a cup of hot cocoa, $2 for a deluxe hot cocoa, $1 for a cookie. Cash preferred, but Venmo will also be accepted.

The next PTA meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Kenwood Media Center. All Kenwood caregivers are invited to join whether you would like to help, chime in, or just listen! Childcare provided for potty-trained children and older. If you can't make it in person, there is an option to join remotely: https://meet.google.com/drj-qpeh-ebc.

Parents/caregivers are invited to have coffee with Principal Johnson next Friday from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the lunchroom. No RSVP needed. These open discussions cover updates, questions, ideas, feedback... anything that's on your mind related to the Kenwood community. Hope to see you there!

While we are still months away from the start of in-classroom programming with Art Adventure from the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), there are a number of upcoming opportunities for adult volunteers to attend an in person training at MIA in preparation.

If you are unfamiliar with Art Adventure, it is an opportunity for students to experience art from MIA's collection of art across various cultures and periods, up close and personally through reproductions, technology, and props, encouraging student creativity, critical thinking and global awareness.

Art Adventure relies on adult volunteers to introduce classroom students to a variety of preselected artworks from MIA. No art expertise is needed but past volunteers have found the in person training sessions available at MIA very beneficial in preparation.

If you would like to learn more about Art Adventure and the upcoming in person sessions, please email Marstal Aamodt at marstal.aamodt@gmail.com.

Thank you to Kenwood's Library Media Specialist, Ms. Parker, for compiling these resources in preparation for Monday's mock student election!

• Guidance for Speaking to Kids About the Election
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Voting and the Election
• Talking to Children and Teens About Elections
• Grow a Good Citizen: How to Teach Your Kids About Voting
• How to Talk to Kids about Presidential Elections
• News Literacy

Kenwood needs both Lunchroom and Recess volunteers (you can do one, the other, or both!). It’s easy, low-commitment, and fun. They’re both an amazing way to see the kids in action. Sign up here in the Google Sheet (recess schedule is on the 2nd tab). Reach out to parent volunteer Kelly Henry at kellybhenry@gmail.com with any questions.

Chicken Alfredo with Penne

Herb Baked Soy Nuggets

Alfredo with Penne

Bagel Yogurt Pack

• Served with Seasoned Country Blend Vegetables

No School

BBQ Beef Meatballs with Green Beans

BBQ Soy Nuggets with Green Beans

Mac N' Cheese

Dinner Roll

NIXTA Tortilla

3 Sisters Roasted Butternut Squash

Cheddar Chickpea Flatbread Pack

Grilled Cheese

Turkey Bologna & Cheddar on a Bun

Tomato Soup

When school is not in session, children can eat free meals and snacks at many community sites, including Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Hennepin County Library locations. Children do not need to attend MPS to participate. Just sign in and eat! Visit the MPS website for details about no-cost meals at community sites and contact each site for specific hours and meal types.

When: Oct. 22, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025 (Weekdays only)
Hours: Open during library hours
Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library

This exhibit spans galleries on four floors, illuminating the diversity of children’s picture books from the Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature. For the first time, the Kerlan will exhibit contemporary Minnesota Native American illustrators including Marlena Myles, a multi-time artist-in-residence with Kenwood's Native American Art in the Present Tense!

There will be a reception and guided gallery tours on Thursday, Nov. 14. To register, click here.

Join Gillette Children’s in St. Paul for a fun day of learning and mentorship on Saturday, Nov. 9! This free event aims to increase exposure for BIPOC youth to potential careers in different fields of medicine. It is open to all genders and kids above the age of 9. A meal will be provided for all registered attendees.

Please select the appropriate session when registering:

• Session 1 from 9-12 p.m. is for youth ages 9-13.
• Session 2 from 12:45-3:45 p.m. is for teens ages 14+.

For more information and to register, click here.

Please contact Jess Tabbutt with questions or if transportation is needed.

All activities take place Textile Center: 3000 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

Fun with Fiber Arts for Families

Saturdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Join Teacher Ellen for this special 4-week series of classes for children ages 2-5 and an accompanying caregiver. Have fun exploring batik resist dyeing, weaving, cross-stitch embroidery, and more! Learn together about the wonderful world of textiles and create fiber art projects that support early childhood observation, interpretation, and hand-making skills. Register here.

Crafternoon: Cross-Stitched Emojis

Saturday, Dec. 7 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • 1-hour time slots

Looking for the perfect emoji for your next text(ile) message? Join us for a Crafternoon focused on mini cross stitch. Learn the basics of cross stitch and design your own mini pattern to amplify and embellish clothing and fabric accessories. Open to crafters of all ages and ability levels! Register here.

Carnival of Color

Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join us for a day-long, family-friendly exploration of fiber art techniques! From felting to dyeing, weaving to stitching, explore the many ways color can transform and enrich textiles. All ages and ability levels are welcome! Activities include needle felted ornaments, wet felted geodes, tapestry weaving, ice dyed bandanas, suminagashi cards, and hand quilted coasters. Register 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