KPF Newsletter 4/22/26

Hello Kenny Families!

As the spring has finally started and the playground buzzes with energy, the end of the school year is quickly approaching. This is always one of the most vibrant times of the year—a season where we balance the seriousness of academic milestones with the pure joy of being a kid in the sunshine. Teachers are taking advantage of the warmth by moving lessons outside and making sure recess is enjoyed to the fullest.

Spring brings the season of MCA testing. While "standardized testing" can sound daunting, it is truly an opportunity for our students to show off everything they have learned this year. Our classrooms have been busy prepping, and we are so proud of the stamina and focus our students are displaying.

Along with the changing weather comes our annual commitment to safety. During this season, we conduct several safety drills, including fire and severe weather (tornado) drills. We will also be doing our code yellow drill, starting tomorrow.

These practices are handled with care and age-appropriate language to ensure students feel prepared, not anxious. Our goal is to make these routines "muscle memory" so that our school remains a haven for every child and staff member. In fact, we will be doing two drills Friday, April 24th so that staff can

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our "to-do" list is long—from finalizing projects and learning, to planning for the next year—but we are enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a successful and safe season for our students.

We are also looking to welcome our future Kenny Kids on May 6 at 4:30pm. Also, there will be lots of work going on over the summer in anticipation of the 2026-27 School Year, including new flooring and moving rooms. Site Council and the Instructional Leadership Team are also working to finish the School of Excellence application for Kenny for the next 7 years!

In Partnership and Community,

Dr. Jessica Busse

Principal, Kenny School

May 6: Future Kenny Kid Kick-off, 4:30-6pm

May 14: May Student of the Month Assembly, 9:45-10:45am (RSVP here) **Please note the date change

May 17: Kenny Garden Clean-up Day, 9:30-Noon

May 21: Field Day **Please note the date change

May 22: Possible Field Day for Rain

May 28: Spring Carnival **Please note the date change

May 31: Kenny Garden Clean-up Day, 9:30-Noon

June 4: Senior Walk and End of Year Celebration, 9:45-10:45am

June 9: 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 2:30pm

Upcoming Meetings: ALL Caregivers Welcome!

Next KPF Meeting is May 5, 7-8:30pm (on zoom)

Next Site Council Meeting is May 12, 5-7pm (in the media center or on google meet)

Planning ahead? View the entire calendar here

Field Day Volunteers

5th graders help lead k-2nd graders in their activities for the morning session but we will need some volunteers to help lead the activity stations for 3rd-5th graders in the afternoon session. We'll also need volunteers to get popsicles (you will be reimbursed by KPF).

Sign up to volunteer here

Spring Carnival Coordinator(s)

For the past few years, Krista Miller and Amy Nostdahl have done an excellent job planning/coordinating the Kenny spring carnival. Both Krista and Amy's youngest kids are 5th graders this year so this is both of their last year at Kenny and therefore their last year planning the carnival! They are looking for a parent(s) who they can pass this role on to next year. Most of the planning for this year's carnival (which is scheduled for Thursday, May 28) is already done but Krista and Amy would love to find a successor now who can help shadow this year's carnival planning to make for a smooth hand off.

If you are interested in taking on this role for this very fun Kenny event, please contact volunteer coordinator Tully Jordan at kennyvolunteers@gmail.com. Thank you so much!

5th graders will help lead K-2nd graders in their activities for the morning session, but we will need some volunteers to help lead the activity stations for 3rd-5th graders in the afternoon session. We'll also need volunteers to get popsicles (you will be reimbursed by KPF).

Sign Up to Volunteer Here

Spring has sprung, and we have big plans for the Kenny Gardens! You'll soon begin to see a new edible garden and nature playspace take shape on the East side of the school, thanks to donations from MN State Horticultural Society, Kenny Neighborhood Association, Hennepin County Master Gardeners, and KPF. Kenny Kids will also be growing some pollinator flowers from seed in STEAM Class to include in the garden. Please join us for our group Spring Cleanup Days on Sunday, May 17 and Sunday, May 31 from 9:30am-Noon! Tools are provided if you don't have any, and no gardening experience is necessary (really!).

Minneapolis - Uppsala Educator Exchange Fundraiser

This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Minneapolis - Uppsala Educator Exchange Program! This incredible, unparalleled professional development opportunity allows Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) educators to visit Sweden to engage with international colleagues, school leadership, and city officials to enhance classroom learning. This year we had 18 MPS educators participate from the following sites: Andersen Middle School, Anthony Middle School, Armatage Elementary, Pillsbury Elementary, Marcy Elementary, Kenny Elementary, Lake Harriet Lower & Upper Elementary, Hiawatha Elementary, Keewaydin Elementary, Hall STEM Academy, and the Davis Center.

Because our educators invest their own time and funds to cover airfare and lodging, we are launching a special fundraiser to help make this life-changing experience possible for more of our MPS staff next spring.

How you can help: It’s time for some spring cleaning! We are collecting gently used shoes to raise funds for the program. Every pair you donate helps reduce the costs of travel for an MPS educator.

Get Involved: Clean out your closets: Gather up your gently used shoes that are in good condition.

Donate: Kenny Lobby

Share: Spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors!

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe, and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.

Congrats to our Kenny chess players, who won 2nd place with only 4 students at the April 11th Minneapolis Public Schools "Check it Out Chess Tournament"!

Kenny Kids collected over 400 pairs of socks to donate to St. Mary's Place in honor of World Down Syndrome Awareness Week.

We had to add our own fun spin to this activity, so students were tasked with tossing a ball of socks into a bin approximately 25 feet away from them. Congrats to these students who won a free "personal pizza" certificate from Lake Harriet Pizza:

K- Teegan, Will, Jack, Rowan, Peter, Deitrich, Lana, Rayna, Archer, Calvin, Maxine, Fitz

1st- Gus, Owen, Isla, Mac, Emma, Rory

2nd- Sydney, Beckett, Anders, Zsa Zsa, Owen, Isaac, Charlotte, Ruby, Mabel, Arthur, Elsie

3rd- Cameron, June, Charley, Robbie, Stanley, Theo, Billy, Max S, Ari, E/li, Leo D., Liev, Scarlett, Lyla, Zara, Hasna, Sylvia, Owen

4th- Genevieve, Nora K. Bruce, Greta, Allistair, Cae, Lincoln, Declan, Ace, Oliver H. Anders, August M., August F., Kaia

5th- Nora S., Olivia, Eden, Eric, Annie, Genevieve Y., Annie, Jack, Alex, Simon

We are kicking off a new optional program (Approved by KPF) during lunch recess for Spring called the Kenny Mileage Club. It will run 5 weeks from 4/21-5/21 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.

Complete Run Club Permission Form Here

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!

For more information and registration visit the Mpls Kids Juniors Website

Since Kenny's school day doesn't end until 4:00, Kenny students can tryout for the cheer team by taking a video of the tryout routine and emailing it to Coach Terry Clark: swlakerscheer@gmail.com. Video deadline is Thursday, May 21 by 9pm.

More information on the SWHS Lakers Cheer Booster website

In collaboration with the Jewish Community Center Minnesota, the Minnesota Sinfonia is

partnering with five area churches and universities to present a series of concerts with Violins of

Hope. Violins of Hope is a collection of string instruments that were owned by Jewish

musicians, many who perished in the Holocaust. For more information about the

collection please visit: www.violins-of-hope.com or www.violinsofhopemn.org

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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

KPF Newsletter 4/22/26