KSD eSpotlight
October 10, 2026
Unified Night Lights - 10 Years. One Team. Everyone Belongs.
What a night! KSD celebrated the 10th annual Unified Night Lights on October 6, bringing together our largest crowd yet for an evening centered on inclusion, friendship and community. A huge THANK YOU to our students, families, staff, volunteers, community partners and sponsors for making 10 years of Unified Night Lights so special! To read the full recap, please visit the story on our website.
We’re also grateful to our media partners at KSDK and the Webster Kirkwood TImes for helping share the story.
Additional photos from the evening are available on the KSD Facebook page. Be sure to take a look, find your favorite moments and celebrate the students who made this 10th anniversary one to remember. 10 YEARS. ONE TEAM. EVERYONE BELONGS.
Information and Updates
Fall Climate Survey
Student Climate Survey
The fall window for our Kirkwood Schools Climate Survey will open next week. We will be asking students to reflect on their own mindsets and approaches to learning via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey content will ask students in grades 3-12 to self-reflect on academics, community, relationships, and safety. Our students' responses will provide invaluable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs. Please notify the school/grade-level office if you would like your child to opt out of taking the surveys by Tuesday, October 13. Requests to opt-out that have been submitted in our annual update or those submitted in previous years will continue to be honored. To administer these surveys, we have partnered with Panorama Education.
Family Climate Survey
COMING SOON! The Kirkwood School District values your feedback! We are surveying our families to gain insight into your perception of our school and district effectiveness. The updated survey content will ask you to self-reflect on academics, community, relationships, and safety throughout our organization. To ensure we continue to provide high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and foster a climate of belonging, we want to know what you think. Stay tuned for a fun, friendly competition to help boost survey responses!
To administer these surveys, we have partnered with Panorama Education. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential. The Kirkwood School District values your feedback!
The Calendar Committee Would Like Your Feedback
The KSD Calendar Committee is currently working on a draft proposal for the 27-28 School Year Calendar. Your feedback is important to this work. Please take a moment to complete the short survey by October 20.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Elementary/Middle School Cross Country Meets - Oct. 13 and 14
Join us for a two-day cross-country meet open to KSD elementary and middle school students. Register at: kirkwoodschools.org/KSDXC.
In coordination with the KSD Cross Country Meet, the KHS Environmental Awareness Club is organizing a gently used shoe drive. From October 12-16, please bring your gently worn, used, or new sneakers and running shoes to any KSD school during normal school hours.
District Cross Country Meet
Shoe Drive Collection at KSD schools
Join Us for Our Next Community Connections Roundtable Meeting - Portrait of a Learner
What do we hope our students are ready to do,
and who do we hope they are ready to be, when they leave Kirkwood Schools?
Join district leaders for our next Community Connections Roundtable Meeting on Portrait of Learner:
Wednesday, October 21
6-8 pm
Kirkwood High School Cafeteria
Portrait of a Learner gives us a shared picture of the skills and qualities that matter. It can help guide what we teach, the experiences we provide and the opportunities we create for students. Help develop a vision that identifies the knowledge and skills we believe every learner needs for long-term success.
RSVP by October 16 to attend at www.kirkwoodschools.org/learnerconnections
Comedy for a Cause - Tickets on Sale Now November 8
Just a reminder that Comedy for a Cause is coming up November 8! The Kirkwood Teachers of Color (KTOC) invite you to join them for an evening of professional comedy, good company and support for a meaningful cause.
Sunday, November 8
Keating Theater | 6 p.m.
Recommended for ages 18+
Proceeds benefit the KTOC Scholarship Program, supporting graduating Kirkwood High School seniors who identify as BIPOC as they pursue their postsecondary education.
Tickets are on sale now: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ktoccomedyforthecause2026/event/ktoccomedyforthecause2026/
Grab your tickets, bring your friends and come laugh for a cause.
STEAMFest - Accepting applications now
To apply, please complete our KSD STEAMfest Application Form by Friday, October 30, 2026. Please complete an application form for every student participant. All applications received will be used to create an email database of participants who will receive email reminders, guidelines, and details on participating in STEAMfest. Additional information will be sent November 2026.
For more information about STEAMfest, please visit our website at https://www.kirkwoodschools.org/activities/steamfest
BOE Updates
To subscribe to email updates from the Board of Education, visit kirkwoodschools.org/boe and fill out the required information on the right hand side of the page.