KPF Newsletter 3/18/26
March 18, 2026
A Note from Dr. Busse
Hello Kenny Families!
We had a taste of spring last week, followed by snow and yet spring is right around the corner, despite the snow day that we just experienced. And, all of the fun that comes with spring is almost here too!
Updates and Thanks
As many of you have likely seen in recent headlines, Minneapolis Public Schools is currently navigating a significant budget deficit, for the 2026-27 school year. Kenny School is growing in staffing, based on the change to class size caps. We will have an additional 1st-grade classroom and a 5th-grade classroom.
MPS has changed the Advanced Learner (AL) structure and qualifications for the 2026-27 school year. The qualifications are more restrictive. Based on this change and our budget reduction in advanced learner funding, we will be shifting to a push-in model rather than a pull out model. This will also allow for more students to get what they need, and receive enrichment opportunities.
Huge thanks to the March Magic crew that threw a great party and raised a lot of money in the process. It was such a fun night, surrounded by so many Kenny families. If you didn’t make it, there is still time to get into the fun - Great Gatherings! You can still sign up for one of the many events that will be taking place over the next few months.
Looking Forward
We are thrilled to be heading to the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) next week! To make this trip a success and ensure a safe, engaging experience for the students, we are in urgent need of chaperones. If you are interested in attending with your student’s class, please reach out to Mr. Keir sean.keir@mpls.k12.mn.us
After Spring Break - Get ready to move with the Young Dance Residency, bringing professional dancers into our school to work directly with students. You will be getting a media release form sent home in your student’s folder this week. Please sign and return to your classroom teacher.
On Thursday, March 19th, we will be observing National Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Wear your mis-matched socks and celebrate the amazing individuals that contribute to our community. To celebrate, we are asking students to bring a pair of socks to donate as part of a sock toss in gym, this week and next week. Each Kenny Kid brings their own gifts and talents, and this is an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness and similarities. How cool is it to have one more chromosome?
Where is Dr. Busse?
Where has the time gone? Dr. Busse and Ms. Mari are off on their great adventure, tonight we fly to Copenhagen and then travel to Uppsala for our Swedish exchange. We will be spending the week with Swedish educators and visiting schools. We can’t wait to share all of the things we have learned when we returned. There will be additional support for Kenny while we are gone, but know that this will result in delays in responses and visibility until after Spring Break.
I am so thankful for such an amazing community that comes together to make events like the Science Fair, Book Fair, March Magic and even making it possible for the principal to step away to learn and grow. I am honored to be the principal at Kenny Elementary, working with great Kenny Kids and families!
In Partnership and Community,
Dr. Jessica Busse
Principal, Kenny School
Important Dates
March 18: Book Fair, sensory-friendly shopping 4-4:30pm, regular shopping 4:30-5pm
March 19: Down Syndrome Awareness Day Observed (actual 3/21)
March 20: No School - Eid Mubarak
March 27-April 5: No School, Spring Break
April 6: Return to School, Dance Residency begins
April 16: April Student of the Month Assembly, 9:45-10:45am (RSVP here)
April 17: Kenny Prom, 5:30-7:30pm
May 28: Spring Carnival **Please note the date change
Upcoming Meetings: ALL Caregivers Welcome!
Next KPF Meeting is April 7, 7-8:30pm (on zoom)
Next Site Council Meeting is April 14, 5-7pm (in the media center or on google meet)
Planning ahead? View the entire calendar here
March Magic – THANK YOU, Kenny Community! 💚
A huge THANK YOU to Sara Bloms and the entire MM committee. KPF and the Kenny community are so appreciative of all the time and effort you spent planning such a FUN and successful event!
What a night! Despite the snow, our Kenny community showed up, sang loud, danced hard, and made this year’s March Magic an incredible success.
Because of your generosity, we raised over $36,000 for the Kenny Parent Foundation - a record-breaking year! These funds allow us to continue saying YES to meaningful programming, enrichment opportunities, and community-building experiences that directly benefit our Kenny students and staff.
Thank you to:
- Every parent, caregiver, and staff member who attended
- Our generous sponsors and donors
- The families who contributed to the raffle, silent auction, and Great Gatherings
- The volunteers who planned, decorated, organized, MC'd, checked guests in, sold tickets, cleaned up, and made the night run smoothly
March Magic is more than a fundraiser, it’s a celebration of what makes Kenny so special: a community that shows up for our kids.
The fundraising fun isn’t over yet! Remaining Great Gathering spots are still available - don’t miss your chance to join one of these amazing, community-building events!
And don’t forget to check if your employer offers a matching gift program. Your donation receipt includes our 501(c)(3) information to make it easy.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us support our Kenny kids.
- The March Magic Committee
Great Gatherings Are Still Open — Don’t Miss Out!
The fun doesn’t end with March Magic! Great Gathering spots are still available — but only until Friday, March 20 at noon.
These experiences are some of the most-loved parts of our fundraiser. They bring Kenny families together in fun, creative, and memorable ways — all while continuing to support our school.
Spots are limited and several gatherings are close to selling out, so now’s the time to grab yours!
Remaining gatherings include:
- Kenny Dad Bike Ride + Brewery Stop
- "Nacho" Average Backyard Fiesta
- Gymnastics Party
- Viral Dance Party
- OrangeTheory “Sweat & Socialize”
- Potatopalooza
- …and more!
Whether you’re looking for a parents’ night out, a fun experience for your kids, or a chance to connect with other Kenny families, there’s something for everyone.
Science Fair Recap
Thanks to all of the Kenny kids, volunteers, and staff who participated in this year's Science Fair!
Last Chance for Book Fair Tonight!
There's still time to check out the Spring Book Fair if you missed it last night! We'll be set up in the Media Center for sensory-friendly shopping tonight from 4-4:30pm and regular shopping from 4:30-5pm.
Kenny Mileage Club - Volunteers Needed!
We are kicking off a new optional program (Approved by KPF) during lunch recess for Spring called the Kenny Mileage Club. It will run 6 weeks from 4/14-5/21 on Tuesday and Thursdays during K-5 recess.
The goal for the Kenny Mileage Club is to instill the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to engage students to have fun while they run/walk/jump/skip or do a heart pumping activity around a lap course outlined with cones.
We are looking for 3-5 volunteers per shift - read more information here or sign-up for a shift.
It's Back! Kenny Prom April 17
School of Excellence Application
We are beginning the process to apply for the School of Excellence. This is a statewide designation that highlights the great things happening at Kenny School, as well as helping to direct the work of our leadership team and site council for future years. The initial process is collecting data through surveys. While surveys are often overused, they are a good way to collect lots of voices in an anonymous forum.
We acknowledge that this is one more thing to do on already full plates, but the timeframe is long as we will leave this open until Spring Break. Please complete as you have time. There are no required questions, so if you are unsure, skip the question. Thank you for your participation and input as we look to improve and grow as a school and community.
Last Chance! Submit your photos for the Kenny Yearbook by 3/27!
🎒 Get Ready for Great Days with Mpls Kids!
Is your child ready for some before and after-school adventure? Whether they’re already part of the crew or looking to join the fun, it’s time to mark your calendars!
Mpls Kids registration for the upcoming season is just around the corner!
From creative projects, gym games, outside, STEM activities to making lifelong neighborhood friends, we can’t wait to welcome your kiddos back and have new friends join us! Here is everything you need to know to snag a spot:
🗓 Important Dates to Remember
Current Families: Registration opens April 17 at 7:00 am
New Families: Registration opens April 24 at 7:00 am
💡 Pro-Tips for a Smooth Sign-Up:
- Check Your Account: Log in to the registration portal a few days early to ensure your contact info and payment methods are up to date.
New Families: To make registration day as smooth as possible, we highly recommend creating your account in advance. By setting up your profile now, you’ll be able to log in and claim your spot instantly once registration opens, rather than spending precious minutes filling out forms. - Be Bright & Early: Spots tend to fill up fast! Set a reminder on your phone so you’re ready when the window opens.
- Spread the Word: Know a new family joining our school? Give them a heads-up so they can join the Mpls Kids community too!
Questions? Visit the Mpls Kids website or email the Program Coordinator, Olivia at olivia.skyberg@mpls.k12.mn.us We’re here to help!
Coach Needed for Kenny "Girls on the Run" Program
We only need one coach to be able to host "Girls on the Run" at Kenny! You don't need to be a runner to coach Girls on the Run - you just need to believe in the limitless potential of girls.
Learn more and apply to coach: www.gotrmn.org/coach
Reminder to Check the Lost & Found Before Spring Break
Kenny Summer Minneapolis Kids Program
Kenny Summer Minneapolis Kids registration is now open! More information here.
Minneapolis Kids Juniors 2026-2027
For more information and registration visit the Mpls Kids Juniors Website
Specialist Schedule
Quick Links
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Kenny Contacts
Health Services Assistant / Attendance: Angie McCann, 612-668-3346
School Nurse: Rebecca Richardson
School Social Worker: Nora Beyers
School Psychologist: Kate Wagner
Secretary: Shermane Gatlin-Johnson
Kenny Principal: Dr. Jessica Busse
KPF Board: kennyschool99@gmail.com
Phone: 612-668-3340
School Website: https://kenny.mpschools.org
KPF Website: https://www.thekpf.org
Address: 5720 Emerson Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419