The Kenwood Courier
October 9, 2026
Welcome Woodchucks!
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.
Access the Newsletter in Your Preferred Language 🗣️
- 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.
October Events
October 12: Indigenous People's Day
October 13: Evening Conferences, 4:15-8:15 (there IS school that day!)
October 14: Day Conferences, 8:15-4:15 (no school for students)
October 15 and 16: No School for Students or Staff
October 20: Site Council, 8:15-9:05 AM
October 22: Kenwood Fun Run (wear sneakers and blue and yellow!) 1:30-3:30
October 24: Community Clean Up 9:00-11:00 (raking, bagging leaves, putting the gardens to bed)
October 27: Picture Day
School Transformation: Please Share Your Feedback!
In partnership with other MPS Parent Organizations, the Kenwood PTA is seeking insight into our school community's perspective on the recently announced district Transformation Proposals, specifically as they relate to Kenwood.
Our first priority is to encourage you to provide feedback directly to MPS - they want to hear from families directly. That said, deeper insight into our direct community's thoughts about these proposals will be helpful for us to share with our school board representative, Adriana Cerrillo. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey. Please feel free to share this with neighbors in our school boundary, even if their children do not attend Kenwood. We understand these proposed changes, while directly impacting current Kenwood families, may also impact neighbors.
Kenwood School PTA
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Follow us on Instagram @kenwoodpta
Follow us on Facebook @Kenwood Community School PTA
School News and Updates
National Walk and Roll to School Day, Oct. 7
Principal's Update
Dear Kenwood Families:
The golden and crimson leaves feel like a sigh has fallen across the neighborhood, peacefully and longingly. We've had lovely opportunities to be outside this past week: in the Outdoor Classroom, in the School Forest, and around the parks and lakes on National Walk and Roll to School Day. We are so lucky to live, learn, and grow in such a beautiful community.
This Monday, October 12, is Indigenous People's Day. Indigenous peoples are the first families who lived in places like the Americas, islands in the Pacific, and parts of Asia and Africa. Some children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren still live in these lands today while others live in different areas of the country. They share special traditions, stories, and ways of life that have been passed down for many years. Indigenous People’s Day celebrates the cultures of the people who already lived on the land in what is now the United States before Christopher Columbus’ arrival.
In Minnesota, Indigenous People's Day occurs on the federal holiday known in the U.S. as Christopher Columbus Day. All students across the state, including at Kenwood, will participate in lessons dedicated to learning about the traditions and sovereignty of Indigenous People on October 12. Please ask your children about what they've learned!
We're eager to visit with you during conferences this coming week! If you haven't already done so, please sign up to meet with your children's teachers the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 13 or during the day on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Your conference can be in person, by phone, or virtually. Contact teachers directly to make an appointment, or call the main office and Danielle can help connect you with staff: 612-668-2760. We can assist with transportation! Please remember that students only have school on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 12 and 13) and are on break Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 14-16).
Don't forget to visit the Lowbrow on Monday, Oct. 12 for Dine for Dollars. They're generously donating 10% of your bill to Kenwood! And on October 22 from 1:30 to 3:30, all our students will run around Kenwood Park with their classmates for Woody's Fun Run. Come volunteer and cheer on our Woodchucks! More details below.
I wish you a relaxing and restorative weekend.
Heidi
Woody's Fun Run
Come cheer on our students and show your support as they run, walk, and conquer Kenwood Park at this year's Fun Run! We need parent volunteers on the afternoon of October 22nd to help make it a memorable, fun-filled event for everyone, so check out the sign-up link to see how you can jump in. Thank you!
Kindergarten Trip to the School Forest
Kindergarten students visited the School Forest for a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter search and find.
The Math Wall
We are delighted with the response and submissions to the first set of Problems for the Math Wall so far.
This year we are going to take a different approach to celebrating our Kenwood Mathematicians and their Mathematical excellence.
Please encourage your child(ren) to swing by the Math Wall which is opposite the Music room and grab a problem that feels just right!
Ms. Lori Thompson (AL) and Alyssa will be posting open ended Math Problems each month on the Math Wall. Students will get to choose which problem they would like to solve. Once the students have completed the task, they can place their work in the folder that is attached to the Math Wall. We'll display the many ways that our students solve the challenges to celebrate and admire their mathematical thinking.
We are excited for you to see our mathematicians' work when you visit Kenwood!
PTA News and Updates
Dine for Dollars on October 12!
Dine for Dollars this Monday to support Kenwood School!
On October 12th, The Lowbrow (4244 Nicollet Ave) will donate 10% of all proceeds received from 4pm-9pm.
Kenwood Caregiver Mixer
Come enjoy a fun, FREE night out with your fellow Kenwood parents and caregivers!
Thursday, October 29
6:00–8:00 PM
Seven Points
Adults will enjoy light appetizers and good company at Arizona Taco Company, while kids enjoy a fun evening of art and pizza at True North Studio, with childcare provided by ARTrageous!
FREE childcare is available for 70 kids! Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP
We hope to see you there!
Community Clean-Up Days
Upcoming Fall Clean Up Days: Oct 24th 9-11am & Nov 20th 9:30-11:30
Join the Green Team for our upcoming Fall Clean Up Days to help bag leaves around the playground and front sidewalks while keeping our school Grounds looking great! It’s a wonderful community-building event, so come lend a hand, connect with other families, and make a quick impact together.
Community Resources and Activities
Wild Ones and North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
Kenwood Yoga Studio
Did you know that Kenwood Yoga, which is right across the street from Kenwood School, offers a 9:30 am class? Consider dropping in after dropping off your child at school! Click on the link for more information about the schedule and pricing: Kenwood Yoga Studio.
Cub Scouts
Pershing/Linden Hills Wrestling
Pangea MEA Camp
Emergency Rental Assistance
Please click here to see the resources in a variety of languages.
Know Your Rights – Immigration Status
Food Resources for Families
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.
Housing Stability Assistance Available
Ciara Graham, Stable Homes Stable Schools Site-based Lead ciara.graham@mpls.k12.mn.us
General Support
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.
Childcare
Click here to find a step-by-step guide to finding the right place for your child's care.
HelpMeConnect
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.
Questions?
Ask Us!
- 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