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.
  

Sneak peek of 5th grade self-portraits! Students are working with Kenwood alumna, Shivani Patel, and her mother, artist Angie Erdrich, using watercolors this week.

This year’s Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29. If there is inclement weather, it will take place the following day (Thursday, May 30). This year Mr. Kramka is expanding Field Day to include more events than years past. Students will rotate through 9-10 different event stations at the Kenwood Park Field for about two hours with their classroom teachers and other support staff. See the schedule below.

• Session #1 - K, 1st, 2nd: 10:00am-12:00pm
• Session #2 - 3rd, 4th, 5th: 1:00pm-3:00pm

To make this a successful event, adult volunteers are needed to help facilitate events, set up, clean up, and more. If you are available and willing to support in this way, please sign up for a shift here. Mr. Kramka needs a lot of help to make this a positive and successful experience for all of our Kenwood Woodchucks. If you are not able to commit to volunteering, you are still welcome to stop by the field for a shorter period of time to cheer on our students.

More details will be sent out as the time gets closer. However, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Kramka (Jonathan.Kramka@mpls.k12.mn.us). Thanks for considering! Looking forward to a fun day in the sun!

Thank you for joining us at the 4th and 5th Grade Music and Band performance last night! It was wonderful to celebrate our students’ hard work and joy with you. Special thanks to Sue Pehrson and Maureen Hunt for teaching and guiding our students to compose, practice, and perform music with confidence and authenticity. I’m very happy to report that MPS will likely continue to fund 5th Grade Instrumental Music (band and orchestra) in 2024-25 in response to feedback from students, caregivers, and teachers. This is GREAT news!

This was the last week for after school classes! Plan on your student’s regular end-of-day transportation every day starting the week of Monday, May 13. We appreciate your student’s participation and your support of after school!

Dear Kenwood Families,

I hope this message finds you and your family well. As a valued member of our school community, we want to keep you informed about important changes in MPS Telescope Math Programming.

Starting from the upcoming school year 2024-2025, we will be sunsetting the 4/5 Telescoped Math program. This decision was made after careful consideration, feedback from educators and thorough review of our curriculum. Our primary goal is to continually provide the most effective and engaging mathematical learning experiences for our students. With this new restructuring, students will still be able to complete the same level of advanced mathematics as the current program allows.

We understand that changes like this can raise questions and concerns. Please rest assured that we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. In the coming weeks, we will be providing more detailed information about this change and its potential impact on your child's learning journey.

Please reach out to the administrators of your student’s school with any questions or concerns.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition period.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,

Sizi Goyah, Director of Mathematics, K-12

Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams is currently on a listening tour in order to hear from MPS families. She's asking three questions:

1. What excites you about MPS?

2. What is one thing working well in MPS?

3. If you were Superintendent, what would you change first?

Listening sessions will take place next week Thursday, May 16, in person and virtually:

• The in-person session will be held at Anwatin Middle School and begins at 6 p.m. Hmong, Somali and Spanish interpreters will be available. Childcare will also be available. Please see attached flyers for more information.
• The virtual session begins at 12 p.m. To RSVP, click here.

If you cannot attend a listening session, you can take the 100 Day Plan survey on the MPS website.

The Kindergarten Completion Ceremony is on Tuesday, June 11 at 3:00 PM in the lunchroom.

The 5th Grade Completion Ceremony is on Thursday, June 13 at 10:00 AM in Kenwood Park.

We look forward to celebrating these milestones with you!

Save the date for kindergarten registration on Wednesday, May 15, from 8 to 9:15 a.m. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet kindergarten teachers!

Please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport, immunization records, and your early childhood screening if you have already completed it. You can also email these documents in advance to Kenwood School Secretary Danielle Sanders. Look out for the registration link and more information to be sent out to parents soon.

This month, our special guest Teaching Artist, composer/director JG Everest, is collaborating with all three third grade classrooms to create a very special "Sound Garden" experience along the wooded trails of the School Forest at Cedar Lake. The students are contributing poetry, sculptures, and live musical accompaniment to the event, as created during a series of onsite workshops at the park in the weeks leading up to the event on Wednesday, May 15. That day, the Sound Garden will be open to everyone to visit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Come join us in this magical place!

Sound Gardens are outdoor, immersive sound + performance installations featuring 40+ small, wireless speakers, each playing a different part of the whole piece of music, spread out throughout the park. They are self-guided and intended as a quiet, reflective opportunity to connect with the natural world and hidden truths.

Please save the date for our annual Kenwood Spring Picnic, Thursday May 16 from 4:15 to 6 p.m. on the playground. There will be a FREE dinner for all students, along with their caregivers and siblings under 18, as well as fun activities, music performances from students, and much more! We’d love some volunteers. Click here or visit the link below to sign up. We hope to see you there!

Kenwood Super Summer is back! This summer we will be offering weekly camps such as Taylor Swift Fan Club, Fishing Adventures, E-Sports, Horseback Riding, and many more. Programming will run from June 24th -August 8th with morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) sessions. If parents need a little extra time we also offer extended care that goes from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. There’s an option for everyone. We can’t wait to see you at the Kenwood Super Summer!

Mpls Kids 2024-25 School Year Registration is open for all families. Please register early. We expect space to fill fast. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Mpls Kids is the district’s before and after school program with a site at Kenwood for youth in grades K-5. We are a CCAP certified center. MN's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families pay for child care so parents can pursue work or school. To see if you qualify for this assistance call 612-348-5937, or apply online at mnbenefits.mn.gov. New for 2024-25 at Kenwood: Reduced component rates are available for families that do not qualify for CCAP but are experiencing financial hardship. Rates are determined by school bell times. https://ce.mpschools.org/youth/mpls-kids

As Kenwood continues to welcome new students, we're tracking requests for donations. If families or community members are able to assist, 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. For a list of current requests, click here.

Questions? Contact Keri Mabry. Thank you!

Please download the attached pdf for the list. Thanks to Ms. Kris for sharing!

Chicken Alfredo with Penne

Alfredo with Penne

Bagel Yogurt Pack

• Served with Mixed Vegetable Blend

Honey Chipotle Fish

Baked Soy Nuggets

Roast Turkey and Cheddar on Flatbread

• Served with Mac N' Cheese, Green Beans

Chicken Nuggets with BBQ Sauce

JIC BBQ Soy Nuggets

Smoked Turkey and Swiss on Pullman

• Served with Dinner Roll, Baked Potato Wedges

Bean and Cheese Burrito

Cheddar & Chickpea Flatbread Pack

• Served with Southwest Quinoa, Seasoned Corn

Grilled Cheese

Turkey Bologna & Cheddar on a Bun

• Served with Tomato Soup

Need to renew your Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare? Are you or do you know of families on Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare that received an envelope with a blue circle on it? If so, then it’s time to renew. Families can check their renewal date on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website. For assistance, families can reach out to MPS Family Resource Center at 612-668-4280, Portico Healthnet at 651-489-2273 or search for another navigator on the MNsure website.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced a Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program to begin in Summer 2024. The S-EBT program will provide families with eligible school-aged children $40 per month per child ($120 total) during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds on EBT cards.

What do I need to do to ensure my student receives S-EBT?

For MPS students already approved for free/reduced eligibility:

• Ensure that household contact information is up-to-date with the district, including parent or guardian name, address and phone number. Contact your child’s school if updates are needed.

For MPS students whose household did not yet complete an Application for Educational Benefits:

• Complete an Application for Educational Benefits online on LINQ Connect. You will receive a letter in approximately 10 business days letting you know if your child qualifies for free, reduced or paid eligibility. Only free or reduced students qualify for S-EBT benefits.

S-EBT Benefits will be distributed by MDE and the Minnesota Department of Human Services during the summer months. Visit the MDE website for more information on S-EBT program.

Pangea World Theater's summer camps are week-long full day camps that explore the art of theater through folktales, production, and playwriting. Students in grades 4-6 (as of Fall 2024) of all experience levels are invited to play, learn, and create together. All camps are pay as you're able. For more information, download the attached flyer or click here.

Questions? Email Education Lead Sarah Tan.

Articulture offers week-long art camps throughout the summer. Each week offers a different theme to pique creative interests. The camps for children are usually broken up into two different levels for age-appropriate curricula: grades K - 2 and grades 3 - 6. For more information, download the attached flyer or visit articulture.org.

Kids will learn self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and develop attitudes and practices that build character and leadership. To register, scan the QR Code on the attached flyer or visit minneapolisparks.org/register and search "Neighborhood Day Camps." You can also register in person at your local park.

• Who: Minneapolis youth ages 8-13
• What: $125/week, except at 14 fee-optional sites. Scholarships available.
• When: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Where: Two locations host camps in every park service area
• Good to Know: Pack a lunch, swimsuits suggested, camps take place primarily outdoors so dress appropriately. Camps may travel offsite with youth.

Registration is open for co-ed flag football, tackle football, soccer, and volleyball. Register online at minneapolisparks.org/register, visit your local recreation center, or by calling customer service at 612-230-6400. Scholarships are available through the MPRB Fee Assistance Program. Reach out to your local recreation center if you have questions.

Please join MPS American Indian Education on Wednesday, May 15, to celebrate the determination and resilience of our students throughout the school year! There will be a raffle, prizes, games, music, food and more. Feast begins at 5:30 p.m.

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

Website: https://kenwood.mpschools.org

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

Phone: 612-668-2760