KPF Newsletter 4/7/26

Hello Kenny Families!

Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break.

Returning after my own adventure was both a great homecoming and a struggle to get back into the routines— I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Sweden on an educator exchange and then to both Sweden and Norway with my family! From the colorful streets of Stockholm to the schools in Uppsala, it was a trip I won't soon forget. One of my favorite takeaways was the concept of "fika"—the Swedish tradition of slowing down to enjoy coffee and a treat with friends. It is that idea that stretched into the classroom and education system, and into daily lives. It is a personal goal to embrace more of that mindset, to be present in the moment, and slow down to enjoy the people that we share our time with. Did you know Swedish students often don't receive formal grades until 6th grade?

I’ve brought back plenty of stories and photos to share with staff, students and site council next week! In the meantime, here are some of my ideas that I would like to share and consider at Kenny:

Embracing our community history - Our school was named after Sister Kenny, who helped implement physical therapy and treatment for polio.
Administrators meet with staff members regularly throughout the school year to set and reflect on goals.
Increasing visuals and project-based learning for students across content and learning spaces to create connections and draw correlations.
Movement opportunities in the classroom

As we head toward June, we have a jam-packed calendar of events and happenings. Please notice the date changes that have been made and additions to the calendar above. It is hard to believe that we are talking about the end of the year, as it seems like yesterday we were taking pictures of our Kenny Kindergartners at Popsicles in the Park. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished and all that we have endured and overcome. Let’s make these final few weeks the best ones yet!

In Partnership and Community,

Dr. Jessica Busse

Principal, Kenny School

Week of April 6: Return to School, Dance Residency begins

April 9: Southwest Pathways Band Concert (Kenny 5th Graders), 6:30pm at Southwest HS

April 16: April Student of the Month Assembly, 9:45-10:45am (RSVP here)

April 17: Kenny Prom, 5:30-7:30pm (RSVP here)

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

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

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

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 Site Council Meeting is April 14, 5-7pm (in the media center or on google meet)

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

Planning ahead? View the entire calendar here

RSVP for Kenny Prom Here

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 4/21-5/21 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.

We are looking for 3-5 volunteers per shift - read more information here or sign-up for a shift.

Because of YOU, this year’s March Magic was a record-breaking success - raising $39,131 with an incredible 45 Great Gatherings, and bringing in a net profit of $28,796 to support the Kenny Parent Foundation.

But more than the numbers, this night was about something even bigger. It was about coming together as a community - connecting, celebrating, and building meaningful relationships among Kenny caregivers, families, and friends. March Magic continues to be a reminder of the strength of this community and the support we show not only for our kids, but for one another.

We are so grateful to everyone who made this night unforgettable - whether you attended, planned, volunteered, donated, danced, or sang your heart out. Your energy and generosity are what make Kenny so special and allow KPF to continue saying YES to programming, enrichment, and opportunities that directly benefit our students.

And the fun isn’t over, we’re looking forward to a packed spring and summer calendar of Great Gatherings, bringing together Kenny parents, friends, and families in fun and meaningful ways.

As a reminder, please check if your employer offers donation matching. Submitting your March Magic receipt could further increase the total funds raised for Kenny.

A huge thank you to our incredible committee for putting on the event of the year - your time, creativity, and dedication made it all happen. If you had a great time and are interested in getting involved, we would love to have you join the committee next year. We’re always looking for more people to help make the magic happen.

Thank you for showing up for our kids and for each other!

Sara

Links: Spring Check it Out Chess Tournament | April Sports Workshops | May Sports Workshops | Midwest Cubing Association Events

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!