The Kenwood Courier
10/4/24
Welcome!
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.
Access the Newsletter in Your Preferred Language 🗣️
- 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.
Kenwood News & Events
Student Art Project with Ms. Kris
Beautiful artwork made by students on Back to School Night.
Signing Day for Playworks Junior Coaches
13 of our 4th and 5th graders were selected to serve in our first cohort of Junior Coaches at Recess. We're excited to to support young leaders at Kenwood!
The Month at a Glance 📆
Please see below for more details about upcoming events:
- Oct. 6: Pumpkin Picking at the Young Walser farm
- Oct. 9: Bike, Walk & Roll to School Day
- Oct. 10: Picture Day for Students (make-ups on Nov. 12)
- Oct. 10: Fall Family Festival (PTA-sponsored), 4:15-6 p.m. on the Playground
- Oct. 16: Conferences, 8:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
- Oct. 16-18: No School for Students (Conferences and MEA Break)
- Oct. 25: All-School Morning Meeting
Message from Principal Johnson
Gratitude
Dear Kenwood Families,
Thank you for the many beautiful ways you've contributed to our school community in the first five weeks of school: greeting staff and students as you drop your children off in the morning; joining us at Coffee with the Principal; volunteering your time and expertise in the classrooms and the lunchroom; playing with Kenwood kids at recess; organizing school-wide events; learning about your child's classroom at Back to School Night; reading classroom and school-wide newsletters; providing feedback that helps us serve students and families better; coordinating supplies for families who would like them; asking your children how they helped a friend that day. All of these actions help us to be a safe, inclusive, and loving learning community. I'm grateful for you every day.
I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Family Festival on Thursday, Oct. 10 (thank you, PTA!) and at conferences on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Both occasions are important ways to support your child's connection to and success at Kenwood.
I'll share information with you next week about any staffing adjustments that may positively affect first and/or second grade class sizes. I'm still waiting for confirmation from the District, and I know they'll be in touch with me shortly. Thank you for your patience and for your advocacy.
I wish you a wonderful weekend!
Principal Johnson
Picture Day is Next Week: Thursday, Oct. 10 📸
Lifetouch will be on site next Thursday. Look for order forms in backpacks early next week.
Seeking volunteers to help make Picture Day a success!
We're seeking parent/caregiver volunteers to help Picture Day run smoothly. The photographers will be ready to start at 9:45 a.m. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Family Liaison Keri Mabry.
Conferences: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8:15 a.m. - 8:15 p.m. 💬
Don't forget to sign up for conferences. Contact your child's classroom teacher to schedule a time if you haven't done so already. Conferences can be in person, by phone, or virtual. Please confirm with your child's classroom teacher if you require an interpreter.
If you need transportation to attend conferences, please call the main office at 612-668-2760 or email Family Liaison Keri Mabry by Monday, Oct. 14.
No School for Students Oct. 16-Oct. 18
There is no school from Wednesday, Oct. 16, through Friday, Oct. 18 due to conferences and MEA Break. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, Oct. 21!
Pumpkin Picking: Sunday, Oct. 6 🎃
Kenwood families are invited to help harvest pumpkins on Oct. 6 anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. as a fun family get-together at the Young Walser Farm. Bob and Julie grow food on their farm for the sole purpose of donating fresh foods to local food shelves and generously allow Kenwood School space for our pumpkins. Bring your own picnic lunch, and enjoy some fresh air and community, harvesting, cleaning, and transporting pumpkins back to Minneapolis.
Pumpkin Picking at Young Walser Farm
Sunday, Oct 6, 2024, 10:00 AM
36919 County 57 Boulevard, Dennison, MN, USA
Fall Festival Next Week! Thursday, Oct. 10 🍂
Kenwood's annual Fall Festival will take place on the Kenwood Playground next Thursday from 4:15 to 6 p.m. Fall Festival is a wonderful time to gather with our school community. PTA provides dinner for everyone, and children can make crafts and select a pumpkin from our playground pumpkin patch!
PTA is pleased to announce that flu vaccines (both flu shots and FluMist) will be available for caretakers, staff, and children (6 months and older) at the Festival. Vaccines will be administered by trained nurses from Homeland Health. This service is free to families, but please bring a health insurance card if you have one. PTA will cover those without insurance. Homeland Health staff can help you apply for a vaccine assistance program. Please contact Meg (megan.j.montgomery@gmail.com or 919-423-2409) with questions.
Transportation
We hope to see all of you there! If you need transportation, please call the main office at 612-668-2760 or email Family Liaison Keri Mabry by Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Volunteers Needed!
Many hands make light work! Please consider volunteering to help make this event a success. Scan the QR code or sign up here.
Staff Appreciation: Chili Bar for Conference Day
Please contribute what you can!
Throughout the school year, our community shows appreciation to Kenwood’s teachers and staff, often through meals coordinated by the PTA. In September we provided coffee & pastries for “Back to School.” This month we’ll provide a “Chili Bar” for Conference Day, Wednesday, October 16, so staff can pop in and grab food as their conference schedule allows.
These meals depend on volunteer contributions of either food, drink or funds. We need your help! Please either sign up to bring items via this link, or support the efforts with funds sent via Venmo to @KenwoodPTAMpls (please note Staff Appreciation).
Please bring all items to the school Staff Lounge by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16. Questions? Please write to karinlolson20@gmail.com. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed for the Lunchroom and Recess 🍕🏀
Kenwood Elementary 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.
Family Engagement Survey 📝
Please share your feedback for Kenwood's 2024-25 Family Engagement Plan (FEP)!
The FEP outlines Kenwood's goals for creating and maintaining a respectful partnership between our school, parents, and community to help each student reach their highest potential. The FEP is updated annually based on family feedback. The 2024-25 FEP will be shared on the Kenwood website by Friday, Nov. 1.
Take the Family Engagement Survey:
- English: https://forms.gle/XLVS3gDH1BjayPGS7
- Spanish: https://forms.gle/mGWmec4nMPTtD48R6
Student Voting Mock Election: Monday, Nov. 4 ✅
Kenwood will participate in Students Voting, a mock election sponsored by the MN Office of the Secretary of State. Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day, but it's a no school day for students (teacher record-keeping day). Our students will vote on Monday, Nov. 4.
We're still seeking parent/caregiver volunteers to help prepare, set up booths, and bring this critical aspect of our democracy to life at Kenwood. If interested, please email Family Liaison Keri Mabry.
School Lunch Menu 😋
Monday, Oct. 7
Chicken Alfredo with Penne
Herb Baked Soy Nuggets
Alfredo with Penne
Bagel Yogurt Pack
- Served with Green Beans
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Fried Rice with Chicken
Fried Rice with Tofu
Roast Turkey and Cheddar on Flatbread
- Served with Seasoned Country Blend Vegetables
Wednesday, Oct. 9
BBQ Beef Meatballs with Green Beans
BBQ Soy Nuggets with Green Beans
Smoked Turkey and Swiss on Pullman
- Served with Mac N' Cheese, Dinner Roll
Thursday, Oct. 10
Fall Harvest Turkey Chili
Butternut Squash Chili
Cheddar & Chickpea Flatbread Pack
- Served with Corn Bread, Delicata Squash
Friday, Oct. 11
Grilled Cheese
Turkey Bologna & Cheddar on a Bun
Tomato Soup
Community News & Events
MPS Latin Heritage Month Celebration Tomorrow!
Join us at Green Central Elementary (3416 4th Ave. S.) to celebrate Latin Heritage Month on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy food trucks, cultural performances, mural creation, music and more fun activities for kids. This event is FREE for the whole family!
Walker Art Center Free First Saturdays: Dreaming Color on Oct. 5 🎨
Colors can communicate emotion, meaning, and memories. What colors catch your eye and hold your attention? The Walker is hosting a day of family-friendly activities tomorrow dedicated to the magic of color. Gallery admission tickets are available in advance online and on-site on the event day from the Main Lobby desk. Free admission: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday Morning Math Enrichment at U of M Starts Nov. 2 📐
Math isn’t all numbers and equations. Sometimes it’s origami, games, crafts, and much more! Saturday Morning Math is an enrichment program for students in grades 5-7 that takes place once per month on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Classes take place in Folwell Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Scholarships are readily available if the program cost is a barrier to participation. Please call 612-812-8260 or email mathcep@umn.edu with any questions. For more information, download the attached flyer or click here.
Medical Discovery Day for BIPOC Youth: Nov. 9 🩺
Join Gillette Children’s on Nov. 9 for a fun day of learning and mentorship as we work toward building a stronger and more equitable future for the medical field. Over the course of the day, students will engage in hands-on activities and network with healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. This event is FREE and a meal is provided during the sessions:
- Session 1 from 9 to 12 p.m. is for youth ages 9-13.
- Session 2 from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. is for teens and young adults ages 14+.
Registration is required. Click here to register or download the attached flyer. Please contact Jess Tabbutt with questions about the event or if transportation is a barrier to participation.