Kimball Cougar News

This is a reminder about traffic flow and parking lot safety at Kimball. If you are driving your student to school during our regular arrival time window (before 8 a.m.), please park along 24th Ave S and have your student use the playground entrance on S Hinds St.

The front office parking lot (by the corner of S Hanford St and 23rd Ave S) is small, and not designed for heavy traffic. Please only use the front office parking lot for student drop-off if you are arriving late. Thank you for helping us keep student drop-off safe and well organized.

Hello Kimball Families,

Happy New Year! Year of the Horse!

I hope that many of you took some time to make lasting memories with your family and friends during the Winter Break. As we begin the start of the calendar year, many students have worked with their classroom teacher to set goals for the rest of the school year. We have many exciting things coming up this month.

• Pastries w/ the Principal – 1/9: 7:30-8 a.m. Family Resource Room, Kimball

• Coffee Connection w/ East African Families – 1/9: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Family Resource Room, Kimball

• Dr. MLK Jr. Assembly – 1/14: 9:55-10:55 a.m. Kimball Cafeteria

• PTSA Meeting (virtual) – 1/14: 6-7:30 p.m.

• KFOC = Kimball Families of Color Potluck – 1/16: 6-7p.m. Family Resource Room, Kimball

• Dr. MLK Jr. Holiday – No School – 1/19

• Prospective Family Tours – 1/16: 9-10 a.m. and 1/22: 6-7 p.m.

• Kimball Math Night w/ Mathnasium – 6-7 p.m., Kimball Cafeteria

MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress) is starting on January 26 and runs through February 4th. What is MAP and why should your student participate? Read below for more information.

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is taken on a computer and typically requires about an hour each for math and reading. The assessment measures a student’s developing skills through a series of questions that adapt to the child’s level of learning.

Research on MAP indicates the results are highly accurate and predictive (in graded test levels) of proficiency on the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). The results also help teachers measure growth and determine whether a student may need more support or more challenge. The results also may be a factor in Advanced Learning eligibility determinations.

Results can be accessed on The Source. Please reach out to your student’s teacher for more information.

This month we are focused on; Serving Others with Courage, Kindness & Community.

What can you do to better your community?

In partnership,
Principal Bogan

• If you are interested in volunteering at Kimball, please start by reaching out to the staff member who will supervise your volunteer role and ask them to complete a volunteer invite form for you. (You can volunteer in more than one role once you're approved, but start with just one.)
• For recess/lunch volunteering, contact Ms. Mi mlvassar@seattleschools.org
• For library volunteering, contact Ms. Campbell jwcampbell@seattleschools.org
• For classroom or field trip volunteering, contact your student's classroom teacher
• Once the invite form is complete, the staff member will send you an email with instructions for completing your volunteer application (if you are a new volunteer) or checking to make sure your background check is up to date (if you are a returning volunteer).
• Please make sure you sign in at the digital kiosk in the front office every time you volunteer. For your first volunteer shift, also bring a current photo ID and show it to the front office staff.
• If you have any questions about the volunteer process or want to check your current approval status, please contact our Volunteer Liaison Mx. Moss mabosch@seattleschools.org

• Friday, January 9
• Pastries with the Principal, 7:30–8 a.m. in the Family Resource Room
• Coffee Connection w/ East African Families, 9:30–10:30 a.m. in the Family Resource Room
• Saturday, January 10 SPS Enrollment Fair at the John Stanford Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 14
• Dr MLK Jr Assembly, 9:55–10:55 a.m. in the Kimball Cafeteria
• PTSA Meeting (Virtual), 6–7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, January 15
• SPS Enrollment Information Session (Virtual), 7–8 p.m.
• Friday, January 16
• Prospective Student Tour, 9–10 a.m.
• KFOC (Kimball Families of Color) Potluck, 6–7 p.m. in the Family Resource Room
• Monday, January 19 MLK Jr Day, no school
• Thursday, January 22 Prospective Student Tour, 6–7 p.m.
• Thursday, January 29 Math Night, 6–7 p.m. in the Kimball Cafeteria and Gym
• Saturday, January 31 SPS Registration Fair at the John Stanford Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 7:55 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Wednesdays: 7:55 a.m.-1:10 p.m.

Pastries with the Principal will be on Friday mornings after student arrival (7:30–8 a.m.)

Families are invited and welcome to join us monthly to receive the latest news and events happening in our community. Pastries with the Principal is a time for families to hear about instructional programs, meet other families in our community, learn strategies to assist their children, ask questions and/or share concerns that will positively impact student achievement.

All families are welcome!

Monthly Agenda:

• Welcome and introductions
• What is going on in our community this month?
• Goals for the new year

Our Building Leadership and Race and Equity Teams are collecting information on how families feel welcome at Kimball and how we can continue to improve our school-family partnership. Please provide whatever feedback you are comfortable sharing with us. We have extended the survey deadline to allow families more time to share their thoughts. Answers are anonymous. Thank you so much. Survey closes January 16.

Please select your preferred language below:

• English Kimball Family Survey
• Spanish Kimball Family Survey
• Vietnamese Kimball Family Survey
• Chinese Kimball Family Survey
• Somali Kimball Family Survey

Best regards,

Kimball Building Leadership and Racial Equity Teams

Hi Cougars, I hope your break went well. This month our counseling focus is about Coping Skills. I along with my mentee Ms. Shaye will teach your students about coping skills to use when things get challenging. In addition to this, Ms. Shaye will help me facilitate small groups. Families that have a student in a group will receive a Talking Points message with more information. Thank you and have a great weekend!

- Amari Blanton (Mr. B)

Hi! My name is Shaye Villanueva (she/her) and I'm currently a student at Seattle University studying to be a School Counselor. I graduated from the University of Washington, where I also played soccer in 2014 with a Sociology degree. Outside of work, I love to crochet, go on long walks with my dog, run, and play soccer. I have always loved working with kids because they are reminders to foster and connect with my inner child as much as possible. I'm excited for the opportunity to learn from Mr. B and your children for the next couple of months!

Cirque du Soleil ECHO – Under the Big Top at King County’s Marymoor Park – Seattle, WA (January 30–March 22)

Experience a breathtaking performance that blends poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology—all exploring the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we share.

Special Offer for Seattle Public Schools:
Save up to 20% off select seats and dates for Cirque u Soleil Echo.

For VIP Packages, Groups of 10+, or details about our weekday school matinee program, contact Sarah.Hudson@cirquedusoleil.com.

A video preview of the show

Our Kimball Race and Equity Team invites families to join us! We hope to highlight the diversity at Kimball to make sure that everyone feels represented and included. This includes what our students do and see, and what kinds of events we want to have to celebrate together.

Among other team projects, RET is hoping to get some family support with research and/or display setup for future Genius Boards. If you are interested in participating please reach out to Rachael LeValley @ relevalley@seattleschools.org or your child’s classroom teacher and let them know you want to be part of the team!

• Family Support Worker - Abdifatah Husein, aahusein@seattleschools.org
• School Counselor - Amari Blanton, adblanton@seattleschools.org
• School Nurse - Jessie Macomber, jpmacomber@seattleschools.org

Monday, January 19 at the Northwest African American Museum

10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Activities for the entire community

• Throughout 2026, NAAM’s programs, exhibitions, and public gatherings will explore courage as a collective force rooted in Black history, creativity, and resilience. This theme invites reflection on courageous acts of the past and asks what courage requires of us now as we work toward justice, dignity, and shared responsibility.

• On King Day, they will give away hundreds of new books to local youth. They will continue to distribute free books each month throughout the region. In honor of Dr. King, please consider a monetary donation to the Book Fund and help advance racial equity.

• Additional details about King Day 2026 programming, partners, and schedules.

Saturday, January 10 and 17 in the Brotman Forum

11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Performances by Dr. Mia HyeYeon Kim, Pianist

• Play, create, and connect in the Brotman Forum every first, second, and third Saturday, 11 a.m,–2 p.m. This lively space is filled with hands-on art making, concerts, and moments of community—all inspired by SAM’s permanent collections and exhibitions. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or just looking for a place to recharge this weekend, you’re always welcome. Learn about art through interactive activities, meet new friends, or simply enjoy the atmosphere before exploring the galleries. Programs in SAM’s entry gathering spaces are always free and open to everyone. Bring your curiosity and imagination, we’ll provide the rest.

January 8 - February 28 at 616 Olive Wy

11 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Explore Feathers, Fossils, and Flight, a free, hands-on exhibit uncovering how the first birds took to the sky. See feathers, fossils, skeletons, and a life-size Archaeopteryx reproduction up close—then decide for yourself: could the earliest birds truly fly? Perfect for bird enthusiasts, families, students, and anyone curious about natural history, Feathers, Fossils, and Flight blends science, discovery, and hands-on learning. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for how feathers, bones, and evolutionary innovation shaped the birds we see today.