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.
  

Thank you for a wonderful year of learning and growing together! We’re grateful for your partnership over the past 9 months and celebrate the arts residencies, field trips, family gatherings, lovely gardens, and supportive presence throughout the building that you’ve helped make possible. We hope that your children have loved their time at Kenwood. We certainly love them!

I have a new staffing update to share: Ms. Munoz is moving on from Kenwood, and Ms. Grace will fill the vacancy on the 2nd grade team. We thank Ms. Munoz for her hard work and wish her well. We’re delighted that Ms. Grace will continue her teaching practice at Kenwood.

We can’t wait to see you and our students at Open House on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 4:00-6:00 PM and on the first days of school for grades 1-5 (Tuesday, Sept. 3) and Kindergarten (Thursday, Sept. 5). The new school day hours will be 9:25-4:05.

We wish you a beautiful and restorative summer!

Best wishes to Kenwood students and families for a wonderful summer full of fun and adventure.

In order to accommodate a shorter calendar academic year in 2024-25, Kenwood's school day will increase by ten minutes. Start time is 9:25 a.m. and end time is 4:05 p.m. Doors will open to students at 9:15 a.m. Please note that staff will not be monitoring the playground prior to 9:15 a.m.

The first day of school for grades 1-5 is Tuesday, September 3.

The first day of school for kindergarten students is Thursday, September 5.

Family Background and Culture

We're a family of five who loves our neighborhood community school and the committed families integral to its success. Kenwood is small, but mighty, where generations of families (since 1908) have come together to learn, grow, and create memories that last a lifetime. Every morning, as we journey along the lakeside path to school, we can't help but feel grateful for this beautiful backdrop to our daily commute.

Experience at Kenwood Elementary

We have had a fabulous experience at Kenwood, with our youngest bringing up the rear as a Kindergartener this year. Quality, long-standing leadership (especially in the wake of the pandemic) of our teachers and administration have created a stable and reliable environment for our young people to flourish.

Our kids have been fortunate to have some amazing teachers who have left a lasting impression on them. Ms. Elfering sparked a love for reading with her engaging storytelling and creative reading challenges. Ms. DeMery & Ms. Maxa made learning about the world around them feel like an exciting adventure with his hands-on experiments and outdoor field trips. Beyond the classroom, extracurricular activities have helped them build confidence, teamwork skills, and lasting friendships. All of these teachers, programs, and activities have played a significant role in shaping our children's education and enriching their overall school experience.

Involvement and Engagement

School communication via Principle Johnson, the Kenwood Courier, PTA and Classroom Letters have given ample lead time for us to participate in opportunities that nurture Kenwood and its student body.

Vision for the School Community

We feel that public schools are an essential part of our culture and represent a true cross section of the place in which we live. We believe the inputs and foundations that parents create are essential and that they are truly difficult to outsource: being present, doing projects, setting standards, raising the bar, learning, seeing, hearing, connecting, challenging, questioning, being questioned…involvement, in whatever way, allows us to celebrate those achievements.

In terms of supporting families and their involvement, hosting multicultural events and workshops where families can share their traditions, languages, and experiences can also foster a sense of belonging and understanding among all members of the school community. Additionally, providing resources and support for families who may face language barriers or cultural differences can help ensure that everyone feels welcomed and included. This could include offering translation services, multicultural literature, and workshops on topics like cultural competency and diversity awareness for both parents and staff.

Advice for Other Parents

Start small: Don't feel like you have to commit to a major role right away. Begin by attending school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses, or PTA meetings, to get a feel for what opportunities are available and what interests you. You’d be surprised how many ​​skills and contributions, seemingly inconsequential, make a big difference in supporting your child's education and building a strong school community.

5th grade families, if your student still has a school Band/Orchestra instrument at home, please contact Ms. Hunt by June 17. She can arrange to pick it up or meet at Kenwood to check it back in.

• Email: Maureen.Hunt@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Google Text/Voicemail: 612-568-2032

We are delighted to share that the School Board approved Kenwood’s new playground at their meeting this past Tuesday. Installation will likely occur in October. Thank you to those who advocated on our school’s behalf to permit our plans to move forward!

As a part of our school improvement work, we ask for parent/caregiver feedback related to how their children and they feel about Kenwood several times a year. Thank you in advance for taking a few moments to complete this survey to share your thoughts with us!

Kenwood Parents love the ease of purchasing school supplies through the PTA.

3rd & 5th Grade parent Jeff Lin says, "Just wanted to confirm that if we buy/donate school supplies from here https://www.kenwood-pta.org/shop/school-supplies that means we will not have to fight the crowds at Target ourselves and scramble last minute to drive to 12 different locations looking for glue sticks??? ... this is brilliant. Thank you for setting this up."

Let Kenwood PTA save you time and money while assisting members of our community by letting us do your school supply shopping. Avoid the last-minute scramble to find the correct supplies - we will shop early and in bulk to find the exact items requested by Kenwood teachers. Supplies will be delivered directly to your child's classroom before school starts. If there are proceeds from this sale, they will go towards extra supplies to support families in need. Let us check that to-do off your list! Please place your order by July 12 - https://www.kenwood-pta.org/shop

All families should submit the Transportation Request Form by today, June 14, even if your student will not need a bus or if your information will stay the same for next school year:

• Transportation Request 2024-25 (English)
• Transportation Request 2024-25 (Espanol)
• Transportation Request 2024-25 (Soomali)

MPS Culinary & Wellness' food truck provides students 18 and under with healthy food choices over summer break. Check out the locations map. All kids need to do is show up – it’s that simple.

No-cost meals for kids are also served all summer long at community sites across Minneapolis. Children do not need to attend MPS to participate. See where we’re currently serving.

Please see the attached flyers regarding the Free Meals for Kids App that families can access during the summer months. For an additional list of food resources during the summer, click here.

Our school garden is green and growing. We are looking for families to help weed, water, HARVEST and enjoy the garden this summer. No gardening experience necessary! 2-3 families share a week at a time - see signup genius to pick your weeks!

Questions or want to help with garden planning in the future? Contact Amy Sanborn: amysanborn18@gmail.com or 612-868-8664.

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 24 -August 8 with morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 – 4 p.m.) sessions. If parents need a little extra time we also offer extended care that goes from 4 - 5 p.m. There’s an option for everyone. We can’t wait to see you at the Kenwood Super Summer!

Need to catch up with missing vaccines? Neighborhood HealthSource (NHS) is offering free immunizations throughout the summer! To register, call 612-588-9411, download the attached flyer and scan the QR code, or visit the following link: https://form.jotform.com/241447001172141.

Dates:

• June 12: Fremont Clinic, 3300 Fremont Ave N, 4-7 p.m.
• June 25: Central Clinic, 2391 Central Ave NE, 4-7 p.m.
• July 18: Fremont Clinic, 3300 Fremont Ave N, 4-7 p.m.
• July 23: Central Clinic, 2391 Central Ave NE, 4-7 p.m.
• July 30: Fremont Clinic, 3300 Fremont Ave N, 4-7 p.m.

On June 21, the day of the summer solstice, Alliance Française, in partnership with Douala Soul Collective, will celebrate Fête de la Musique, newly called Rhythms in the North. We're giving life to this event through venues and spaces with several musicians and bands performing in small and larger places, reunited under ONE BIG MULTI-LOCATION FESTIVAL! This event is free with a $10 suggested donation to support Alliance Française's cultural programs. To register, click here.

Campers will explore and learn French through fun activities such as art projects, games, stories, cooking activities and more. Your kids will have a blast learning new French vocabulary, grammar, and exploring the French-speaking world!

Camps available for kids ages 3 to 18 for all levels of French. Camps are available in-person and online, for half days or full days, and are week-long Monday to Friday, unless otherwise noted. For more information and to register, click here.

This August, Pangea is expanding education programming to offer three summer camps for 4th to 6th graders. Campers will have the opportunity to learn about theater through folktales, playwriting, devising, and more! For more information, download the attached flyer or click here.

These camps are rooted in Pangea's belief in creating spaces where a multiplicity of experiences and cultures can enter a space and be creative together. All camps are priced on a sliding scale to stay accessible to all families.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sarah, Education Lead, at sarahtan@pangeaworldtheater.org or 612-300-4909.

K-5 students can get FREE support in developing their reading skills this summer. Students and trained volunteer tutors meet weekly one-on-one to work on grade level reading skills.

Let's Read is intended for students:

• In grades K-5
• Reading below grade level
• Able to meet with their tutor every week on the same day and at the same time

For more information and a list of Let's Read locations, click here. Sessions are scheduled in advance by appointment only. To schedule a session, please speak with staff at any Let's Read location or email LetsRead@hclib.org.

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.

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

Website: https://kenwood.mpschools.org

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

Phone: 612-668-2760