The Kenwood Courier

We’re eager to connect and partner with you the 2026-27 school year in support of your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. You can expect to receive the Kenwood 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.
  

• September 15: Kenwood Site Council, 8:15 am in the Media Center

• September 17: Kenwood PTA Meeting: 5:30-7:30 pm (Lunchroom then Media Center)

• September 18: Circle of Peace, 9:45 on the playground

• September 21: Yom Kippur/No School

• October 1: Back to School Night, 5:00-6:30 pm

Happy First Week of School!

It's been a joyful start to the 2026-27 school year. The halls are peaceful, the classrooms are buzzing with new learning and great discussions, and routines and procedures are being taught in every corner of the school. We're so glad to have our students here!

Just a few reminders:

• Please look inside your child's backback for the blue folder, which is filled with critical information about safety, fieldtrips, and other really important things! Send papers that require signatures back to school in the blue folder. Look for the folder every Monday moving forward.
• The doors open at 9:15. Please do not drop off your children at school before that time unless you are on the playground to supervise them.
• Please make sure your child's teacher and the main office know your child's dismissal plan. If you have to make changes to the plan, call before 2:00. We can't guarantee that changes to the plan can be made after 2:00.
• When dropping off or picking up, do not park in a way that blocks the handicapped accessible ramp from the parking lot to the sidewalk. (Don't park on the stripes!)
• Please let us know what's going well and what we can do better. We're here to partner with you to make sure your child feels safe, happy, and connected to their school community.

Welcome to the new year! We're thrilled to be walking this journey with you.

Warmly,

Heidi Johnson

Kenwood Community School Family-School Compact

2026-27 School Year

The Family-School Compact is a joint commitment between school staff, families, and students that outlines how each group will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and family members will build and develop a partnership.

This is our commitment to support student achievement:

STUDENT PROMISE

As a student, I commit to:

• Demonstrate PRIDE values (Peace, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Engagement) in my classrooms, in the halls, in the lunchroom, on the playground, and on the bus;

• Try my best every day.

FAMILY PROMISE

As a family member, I commit to:

• Check my child’s school folder and backpack on a weekly basis;

• Read communications from the school (teacher newsletter, the Kenwood Courier);

• Attend conferences for updates on my child’s areas of strength and growth;

• Share with my children’s teachers what I know about their interests, concerns, and needs in support of their success in school;

• Let Kenwood staff know what’s going well and what could be improved at school twice a year, in October and February, via the family survey.

STAFF PROMISE

As staff, we commit to:

• Communicate with you regularly about school and classroom updates, announcements, and opportunities to gather together through classroom newsletters and the Kenwood Courier;

• Share information with you about the curriculum, district and classroom assessments, instruction, and state standards during the October and February Conferences and Back to School Night;

• Provide reports on students’ progress 4 times a year: November, January, April, and June;

• Ensure that you have reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer, and ways to participate in classroom and school activities.

We’re looking for a Kenwood Site Council Kindergarten Caregiver Representative!

Ever wonder how Kenwood Elementary sets its budget and curriculum? Want to ensure your voice—and the voices of other families—are shared with school staff and teachers? Consider joining the Site Council!

What is the Site Council? Our goal is to increase communication between caregivers and school with the goal of improving school-based decision-making and academic outcomes for all students. The team is co-led by Principal Johnson and a parent caregiver, bringing together a mix of caregivers, teachers, staff, and a community member.

Time Commitment:

• Meetings: Once a month on the 3rd Tuesday from 8:00 to 9:10 AM (in-person preferred, with a virtual option available).

• Between Meetings: Minimal effort to gather input from other families and opportunity to assist with planning and hosting school events as desired.

Interested in Learning More? Feel free to attend our first meeting of the year on September 15th 8:00-9:10am in the Media Room (off the library) to observe and see what it’s all about!. Reach out to current Site Council Co-Chair Robin Manthie (1st and 4th grade parent) Robin.Manthie@gmail.com for more information.

Did you know - Any Kenwood Parent or Caregiver is a member of our PTA? There are no dues - All are welcome! We’d love your insight & perspective! Join us Thursday and learn more about what we do to support Kenwood kids and teachers and how you can help. A light dinner and free childcare for potty trained children will be provided for attendees. Dinner is from 5:30-5:55 in the Kenwood Lunch Room, and then we will move to the Media Center for our meeting at 6 pm and the children will move to the Rec Center with their caregiver. Please RSVP here to help us get an accurate expected headcount. If you cannot make it in person but would like to join virtually, you can do so via our Google Meet. Hope you can make it!

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to be Room Reps this year! We are still looking for volunteers in the following classes:

Ms. Sullivan (K -112)

Ms. Ziegler (2nd - 218)

Ms. Geniesse (Bernett) (4th - 205)

Ms. Patito (ASD - 118)

Ms. Rummel (ASD - 245)

Ms. Meidl (ASD -224).

This is a low-stress, flexible way to volunteer and serve as a connection between the PTA, teacher, and classroom community. The time commitment is about 1 hour per month, with plenty of opportunities to be more involved if you’d like! Responsibilities include sending occasional emails to keep families informed about upcoming activities, recruiting volunteers for classroom events, and coordinating staff appreciation efforts. Most of the work can be done remotely and on your own schedule.

If you'd like to volunteer or have questions, please contact Emily Prager (emily.o.prager@gmail.com, 630-362-0500).

Please click here to see the resources in a variety of languages.

Discrimination Related to Immigration Status.

Every Meal

Second Harvest Heartland Care Center Help is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali with interpreters available for other languages. Call or text 866-844-3663, or visit 2harvest.org/carecenter for more information.

School Social Worker, Alex Holzchuh at Alexandra.Holzschuh@mpls.k12.mn.us or (612) 668-2760

Finally, if you are in the position to help, the Kenwood PTA is collecting monetary donations to purchase gift cards for Ms. Alex to distribute to families. If you can contribute, please venmo the Kenwood PTA at @KenwoodPTAMpls

Visit the MPS Culinary & Wellness Services community sites webpage for details about no-cost meals. Contact a site for specific hours and meal types.

Ciara Graham, Stable Homes Stable Schools Site-based Lead ciara.graham@mpls.k12.mn.us

United Way 2-1-1 provides free and confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on many topics; housing, childcare, mental health, employment, transportation, and more! Call 211 or toll free 800-543-7709. Visit https://211unitedway.org/ for more information. Interpreters are available for all languages.

Click here to find a step-by-step guide to finding the right place for your child's care.

HelpMeConnect is a groundbreaking interagency collaboration between Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and, Families; Education; Health; and Human Services. Click here to explore HelpMeConnect.

• School Secretary: Danielle.Sanders@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Family Liaison: Victoria.johnson@mpls.k12.mn.us
• Main Office Number: 612-668-2760
• School Website
• Kenwood Staff Directory