Friday, April 19, 2024

Inspiring Excellence:

Every Grownup, Every Child, Every Day

Parents

District Calendar

May 1

Kindergarten Kickoff

May 16

Senior's Last Day

May 20-23

High School Finals

May 22-23

Early Release (K-12)

May 23

Last Day of School for Students

District Calendars

News and Updates

KCKPS Bond Information Meetings

Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield held the first of three Information Meetings to help the community get a clear understanding of the Bond Issue that will go before voters on May 7.

The most recent meeting took place at Central Middle School on Thursday, April 11.

Dr. Stubblefield provided an overview of the bond, the financial impact on residents, and answered any questions the community had.

The Board of Education approved a $420 million bond proposal to make upgrades and improvements based on input gathered from students, parents, staff, and community members.

Two more meetings are scheduled.

Mark Your Calendars: End of the School Year

Parents and guardians, please be aware that the last day of school for all KCKPS students will be May 23, 2024.

This is just a reminder so that you can make the appropriate arrangements for your student once the school year comes to a close.

2024 Sumer Learning Program

This year's Summer Learning Program will be offered to specific schools and student groups, via invitation to kindergarten through 12th grade.

Students will be selected based on criteria set forth by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Information will come to families through three touch-points: (1) parent portal notifications via Infinite Campus, (2) Email/BrightArrow messages, and (3) Phone calls.

Enrollment is now open for students wishing to become bi-literate in English and Spanish.

The Dual-Language Program is for students entering kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year.

Save the Date: Back to School Fair

Save the Date!

The KCK Schools Foundation for Excellence is once again gearing up for the annual Back to School Fair.

The fair provides much-needed school supplies, health screenings, vaccinations, immunizations, and more.

The event is tentatively planned for Saturday, August 10, at the HomeField KC Sports Complex, located at 9250 State Ave. in KCK.

FAFSA Help Session is Available

This year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has unfortunately been marred by glitches and delays for students.

But there's help for those needing assistance with navigating the financial assistance program.

The Shawnee Mission School District will host a help session on Monday, April 22, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

It will take place at the SM North High School Library, located at 7401 Johnson Dr. in Overland Park.

The help session is open to all KC area students. You must register to attend.

KCKPS Students Earn Music Scholarships

Receiving a scholarship to attend college would be sweet music to anyone’s ear.

That was the case for a very talented group of music students at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

Students from four of the five KCKPS high schools took part in auditions at F.L. Schlagle High School on Friday, March 22.

Hispanic Development Scholarships Awarded

Dozens of students from across Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools recently received a financial boost to attend college.

Presentations were held at all five high schools during the week of April 1 to announce that students would be awarded $1000 scholarships.

The scholarships are courtesy of the Hispanic Development Fund.

Wyandotte High School Students Receive New Shoes

Sophomore students at Wyandotte High School are now walking the hallways with brand-new pairs of shoes.

More than 400 students were gifted sneakers at the school during the week of March 25.

The shoe giveaway was all thanks to the Gift of Sole Foundation, established by Kansas City, Missouri TV Station KSHB 41.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Did you know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month?

It's an annual observance that recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The main categories of child abuse are Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect/Negligent Treatment, and Sexual Exploitation & Abuse.

There are multiple agencies available to help report child abuse and support those who need assistance.

KCKPS Students Get an Up-Close and Personal Look at the Construction Industry

Hundreds of students from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools took advantage of an opportunity to learn more about the construction industry.

They participated in the Annual iBuild Showcase at the Bartle Hall Exhibition Center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 2.

Students from both middle and high schools got a chance to get an up-close and personal look at the construction industry.

They participated in a variety of hands-on activities provided by dozens of exhibitors.

KCKPS Hosts a Series of Career Fairs for Graduating Seniors

KCKPS students interested in entering the workforce after they graduate are participating in a series of career fairs held at their schools.

Leaders of the Diploma+ Program recognized that not all students have the desire or the financial means to attend college.

The group believes the career fairs will provide a great opportunity for students looking to plan for the future.

Each career fair will feature more than 50 Kansas City area employers at each event.

KCKPS Students Take Part in Program That Teaches Them about Budgeting

Studies show that when young people have a good understanding of how to budget their money early in life, they are more likely to succeed financially as adults.

That’s why dozens of first-year students from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools participated in a special real-world budgeting exercise program.

The event took place at the Kansas City Urban Academy in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday, April 4.

Applications Are Being Accepted for the 2024 Health Science Academy

Students can now apply for the 2024 Health Sciences Academy.

The academy is a 5-week intensive health, STEM, and career exploration program.

Students will participate in activities such as hands-on labs, dissections, and workshops.

The Health Sciences Academy is for KCKPS students who will enter grades 9th-12th in Fall 2024.

The deadline to apply is May 14.

Students Can Sign Up for Free Summer Theater Camps

The Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts is sponsoring two Free Summer Theater Camps.

The theater company is inviting students entering 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades to register and perform in the production of Winnie The Pooh, Kids.

Students entering 6th-12th grade can register and perform in Frozen, Jr.

Everyone who signs up will get a part and will appear on stage.

Watch: Better Every Day

Even our youngest scholars at KCKPS are striving to be #BetterEveryDay!

Meet Grant Elementary School, First-Grader, Amir'Yonna Woodberry.

See how she's getting Better Every Day.

Students of the Month

David Valdez is an Early Childhood scholar at Earl Watson, Jr. Early Childhood Center.

He was nominated by Andrea Murray, Instructional Coach under the pillar of Positive Behavior.

David's exceptional journey this academic year, marked by remarkable growth in both academic and behavioral realms, made him a prime candidate for Student of the Month.

Sofia Doelling is a 1st grade student at Grant Elementary School.

She was nominated by Principal Heather Calvert under the Pillar of Positive Behavior.

Sofia's remarkable growth and transformation since starting at Grant in 1st grade are a testament to her resilience and determination.

Taben Gregory, is a dedicated 6th-grade student at Argentine Middle School.

He exemplifies the pillar of Service and Citizenship, which made him a standout candidate for Student of the Month.

Taben actively endeavors to improve the school environment, extending kindness to all he encounters.

Kamea Richardson is an outstanding 8th grade student at Sumner Academy.

She was recommended by Assistant Principal, Patricia Bernard under the pillar of Outstanding Academics.

Kamea shines brightly as a Student of the Month from Sumner Academy.

Angel Castillo-Becerra is an 11th grade scholar at Wyandotte High School.

He was nominated by Assistant Principal, Raz Concepcion.

He states that he enthusiastically nominates Angel for District Student of the Month saying “as his principal at Wyandotte High School, I have had the privilege of witnessing Angel's remarkable contributions to our school community firsthand.”

Virtual Learning Device Return

All virtual learning students will turn in their assigned device and charger on the last day of classes to the TIS department at 2220 N. 59th St., STE 119, Kansas City, KS 66104 - lower level. This location is on the opposite side and opposite end of the building from the virtual offices.

Registration for 2024-25 School Year

Virtual Learning Open Registration for next school year is from May 1^st through May 31^st, 2024. To begin the 2024-25 school year in virtual learning, families must sign up during the May window. Late registrations will be considered beginning October 1^st, 2024. Please direct any questions to the virtual learning offices at (913) 627-5400 or the virtual learning team at virtualschool@kckps.org . No sign up will be available at the start of the new school year. If a parent is unsure about virtual learning, it is better to sign up in May, and if the parent changes their mind during the summer, the parent can contact the school to change to an in-person enrollment. Families may always return to in-person enrollment, but entering virtual learning is only during specific times.

Directions to sign up will be posted on the school district website under the virtual learning page, and the directions will be provided to school principals, counselors and registrars by May 1st. All current GVA and 500 Reach students will also receive direction from their academic advisor.

ALL students, current and new to virtual learning that plan to participate in virtual learning during the 2024-2025 school year must sign up during the May registration window

Check out the district's Newsroom online to read more about what is going on throughout KCKPS.

Principal's Corner

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Preschool teachers have the greatest job in the world! We have the privilege of watching your child grow during a period of rapid and critical development. It is so much fun to see the huge difference in them between August and May.

As May approaches, many parents ask us what they can do to ensure their child is ready for kindergarten. I am happy to tell you, you don’t need to buy anything. Ditch the screens, workbooks, and flashcards, and just have fun!

Talking, reading, singing and playing with your child is more valuable than any learning program you can buy. Reading to and singing [FL5] with your child will help develop vocabulary, longer and more complex sentence structure, and rhyming skills. All of which will help your child develop the skills they’ll need for reading. Preschool songs like Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed incorporate math skills like counting and simple subtraction. Pretend play allows your child to act out and understand the world around them and develop social skills like negotiating and turn-taking. Playing with clay or PlayDoh helps your child develop the motor skills they will need for writing and cutting.

Preschoolers love to be helpers! You can incorporate learning into simple chores like sorting laundry, matching socks, and counting out the silverware and plates for dinner. Children can learn to measure and count by helping you cook or bake. They can practice writing and sounding out words as they’re making a grocery list or shopping. They can count out boxes or cans as you put them in the cart. You can ask them to name the letters on the labels or sort the items by color or size.

Rough and tumble play is sometimes stressful to watch, but it also plays a critical role in your child’s development. This active play gives your child the opportunity to develop self-regulation and control. It develops problem-solving skills and helps children understand their boundaries and risk-taking.

Playing with your child and allowing them to play with others will help them learn and grow so they are ready to make friends and navigate the new experiences kindergarten has in store. Give yourself permission to play and have fun with your child. It helps you to develop a critical bond with your child and keeps you young. As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”

Heather Turi, Principal

KCKECC

Community Outreach

3rd Annual KCKPD Community Peace Walk

The KCK community is invited to walk with the men and women of the Kansas City Kansas Police Department.

It's part of the 3rd Annual Peace Walk scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 20, at 11 A.M.

Participants are asked to gather on the southeast corner of 5th and Washington Blvd. at 10:45 a.m.

The walk was coordinated by residents and community leaders as a sign of unity in the fight against crime in our KCK neighborhoods.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Wyandotte County residents have an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste materials.

Items such as car batteries, used motor oil, brake fluid, degreasers, latex & oil-based paints and more will be collected.

These items can be dropped off Saturday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Household Hazardous Waste Center, located at 2443 S. 88th St., in KCK.

Must provide proof of residency.