The Kenwood Courier

We gathered together for our Circle of Peace today. Our students sang beautifully, recited the Peace Pledge, and remembered that peace in the world begins with peace in our hearts.

The Harry Potter read aloud in 3rd grade; you could've heard a pin drop!

5th Grade Recess and Jasmine's Duck!

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.
  

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

• October 2: Coffee with the Principal and State of the School Meeting 9:45-10:45

• October 7: School Transformation Meeting at North High School 6:00-7:30

• October 8: PTA Meeting 6:00-7:30 PM

• October 8: School Transformation Meeting at Southwest High School 6:00-7:30

• 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 27: Picture Day

Kenwood Community School Calendar

A brief summary of how Kenwood's pathway could be affected:

Option 1: Kenwood students would attend Franklin Middle School and North High.

Options 2 and 3: Kenwood students would attend Anthony Middle School and Southwest High.

Please share your perspectives!

See this webpage to learn more about what is being proposed and share your feedback or attend an upcoming community meeting:

North High School: Oct. 7, 6:00-7:30 PM

Southwest High School: Oct. 8, 6:00-7:30 PM

Here are ways to engage and communicate with school board members:

• Lookup which board members represent you and find contact information here

• To email the entire board, send an email to: SchoolBoard@mpls.k12.mn.us

• Other information including a meeting calendar, meeting agendas, and board staff contact information can be found at: mpschools.org/board

On the first Friday of the month, Principal Johnson meets informally with parents and caregivers at 9:45 am to enjoy coffee and conversation. On Oct. 2, she'll share the State of the School presentation, which is one of our responsibilities as a public school that receives Title 1 funding. Please join us in the Collaboration Room for coffee, information, and discussion.

We went from sweating at the Ice Cream Social to sweater weather in about two weeks, which means that it’s officially back to school time!

Thank you, Kenwood families! You came out for the Ice Cream Social (we ran out of Sebastian Joe’s deliciousness at 5:58!), got your flu shots, and got into school mode. We’re so happy to see everyone back at Kenwood.

Mark Your Calendar for these Upcoming PTA Events

• Back to School Night | Thu 10/1, 5–6:30 PM: Visit your child's classroom, then let them lead you on a school scavenger hunt. Be sure to collect your tokens from Principal Johnson at the end of the scavenger hunt, good for free mini donuts from North Star Donut Truck! Enjoy mini donuts, popcorn, apples, and cider on the playground, sponsored by the PTA.

• PTA Meeting | Thu 10/8, dinner at 5:30, meeting at 6. Come for the food, stay for the updates. All caregivers are welcome, and there is free childcare for kids ages 5 and older.

• Dining for Dollars at the Lowbrow | Mon, Oct 12: Eat at the Lowbrow on the 12th and they will donate 10% of your bill to Kenwood PTA.

• Woody Woodchuck's 1K Fun Run | Thu 10/22, 1:30-3:30 at Kenwood Park

• Caregiver Mixer | Thu 10/29, 6–8 PM at Arizona Taco Co: A night out with other Kenwood grown-ups. Food and childcare are free. RSVP details are coming soon.

Curious about getting more involved?
Whether you have an hour or a morning, there's a volunteer spot for you. Find them all on the volunteer sign-up: https://signup.com/go/iVKZheN

• Back to School Night Helpers (Thu 10/1): Sign up to help set up tables and chairs and pack it all away after the event.

• Recess Helpers (starting the week of 10/5): Spend an hour outside for two recesses, stationed at the basketball court or the gaga ball pit. Your kid may pretend not to know you.

• Conference Meals (10/13–14): Teachers put in long days during conferences. Sign up to bring a snack or something for the soup and salad bar, or chip in on Venmo @KenwoodPTAMpls (under Charities)..

• Fun Run Crew (10/22): Cheer on the runners, keep them on course, and help clean up after. The louder you cheer, the more fun for the kids! Sign up here!

• EveryMeal Bags: Team up with another caregiver to help put bags of food in kids’ backpacks. A couple of hours once a month is all it takes if we get a few people!

• Tour Guides: Show prospective families around Kenwood. Join the list and we'll reach out with orientation information closer to tour season.

Looking for something bigger? We need a Yearbook Team, a Dining for Dollars co-chair, and a Winter Gear co-chair. Email kenwoodschoolpta@gmail.com.

Own a business? Help put a Fun Run t-shirt on every kid by becoming a sponsor.

Label It and Give Back Is your kid's water bottle in the lost and found? Name labels from Mabel's Labels help it find its way home. Select Kenwood Community School at checkout, and part of your order goes to the PTA.

PTA not your thing? That’s ok. You can also engage with your student’s school community by attending a monthly Coffee with the Principal. The next one is Friday, October 2nd at 9:45. It is a great opportunity to hear directly from Principal Johnson about the state of Kenwood, ask questions and to advocate where you feel passionately. We also would encourage you to attend an upcoming Transformation Listening Session on | Wed 10/7 (North High) or Thu 10/8 (Southwest High), 6–7:30 PM. Please also take the family survey. The district wants to hear from you.

Questions for the PTA? Please email KenwoodSchoolPTA@gmail.com We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

Second-graders are invited to join our Brownie Troop. Meetings will be held Wednesdays after school and will include fun activities, friendship, and community projects. If your child is interested in joining, please contact Emily Prager at emily.o.prager@gmail.com or 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