Citizens Connection

Included in this week's newsletter:

• Parent Puberty Night - Tuesday, January 13th
• MOCSA Presentations This Week
• 2026-2027 Enrollment
• 8th Grade High School Visits Coming Soon
• PBL Showcase - Friday, January 30th
• 2026-2027 Middle School Preview - Friday, January 30th
• Parenting Support Group at Reconciliation Services
• Middle School Staff Book Club
• Mayor Visit Last Week
  
  

As part of our commitment to supporting students’ healthy development, puberty education lessons will be taught to 5th–8th grade students this winter. Lessons will provide accurate, age-appropriate information about physical, emotional, and social changes during adolescence and will be taught by trained staff in a supportive setting. All 5th-8th grade families are invited to attend a Parent Information Night tomorrow, January 13, from 5:30–6:30 p.m., where lesson content and resources will be shared. Please RSVP here so that we can plan ahead for food!

More information and details are included in this letter!

This week MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) will be visiting CWCKC to present age appropriate programming to help keep children and youth safe from sexual abuse and harassment. Kindergarten through 4th grade will participate in Project Aware, which is an educational program that teaches children about different ways to keep their body safe. Students learn the differences between good, bad and confusing touches. Children are taught three safety rules to use if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable: SAY NO, GET AWAY, and TELL SOMEONE. Children are encouraged to identify trusted adults they can talk with. An age appropriate video is shown in class and materials are provided for each child to take home. 5th grade through 8th grade will learn about sexual harassment. They will learn the four types of sexual harassment (physical, verbal, non-verbal, written) and will identify examples in each category. They will discuss consequence of sexual harassment as well as how it might make someone feel if they are harassed. They will also learn strategies to deal with sexual harassment if it happens to them.

If you have any questions concerning either of these programs, you can contact the MOCSA Coordinator of Education and Outreach at 816-285-1354 or projectaware@mosca.org.

If you DO NOT want your child to attend their class's presentation, please contact Johanna Chambers, Director of Student Support at 816-537-1634 or johanna.chambers@cwckansascity.org.

For students who are currently enrolled at Citizens:

• All currently enrolled PreK-7th grade students will have the opportunity to re-enroll for next year beginning February 1st. This is done through your Parent Portal.
• Current students are guaranteed a spot for next year if re-enrollment is completed by February 28th. After that, all remaining spots will be made available to newly enrolling students, though students are still encouraged to re-enroll as space allows.
• All currently enrolled families will need to provide one recent proof of residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property insurance receipt) that confirms their address is within KCPS boundaries.

• If you are considering moving sometime soon, please use the Find My District tool to ensure that you will continue to live within KCPS boundaries so that your child can continue to attend Citizens.

• All newly enrolling students should complete an application in SchoolAppKC.
• PreK is available to children who are 3 or 4 years old on or before July 31st, and kindergarten is open to students who will be 5 years old on or before July 31st.
• If the child is a sibling of a current student, please be sure to notate that so that the new student can be given sibling priority.
• In order to be included in the lottery, which will give your student the best chances of an offer, complete the application by March 1st. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date, and spots will be offered as space allows.

Please reach out to Katy Lineberry with any questions regarding enrollment!

Over the next couple of months, our 8th grade students will have the opportunity to visit local high schools and learn more about the exciting options ahead of them! These visits are designed to help students feel informed and confident as they begin planning for high school. More details, including specific dates and schools, will be shared soon. Show Me KC Schools has some great resources for 8th grade parents that are worth checking out, in addition to the packet and email that was sent home this fall. You can always reach out to Katie Kriefall, the middle school counselor, if you have any questions about high school options, enrollment timelines, school requirements, or anything else.

Our 2nd grade students will showcase their work at the classroom level and the date will be sent out by the classroom teacher at a later date.

Following the PBL Showcase, all 5th-7th grade caregivers are encouraged to stay for a short chat with Mr. Butler regarding some exciting things on the horizon for our middle schoolers next year! Learn about new opportunities with academics, electives, service learning, and more. If you are not able to attend but would like more info, please reach out to Mr. Butler. Another meeting will be planned if there is additional interest.

Reconciliation Services has a Parenting Support Group starting in February at their location on 3101 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64109. This group is designed to provide a supportive and welcoming space for parents to connect, share experiences, and build practical skills. A free meal token will be provided at the end of every group session to use at their on site restaurant. Please see the flyer below for details.

A group of middle school staff members has been meeting every couple of months for a book club centered around Finding the Magic in Middle School by Chris Balme. The book explores practical strategies for supporting middle school students’ academic growth, social-emotional development, and unique needs during these important years. Our conversations focus on building positive relationships and creating a supportive school environment. This book also offers helpful insights for parents navigating the middle school journey with their child. We have some extra books so please reach out to Katie Kriefall if you would like to borrow one!

Last week we welcomed a very special guest to our building - Mayor Quinton Lucas! After a Q&A with our 5th and 6th graders, who are preparing for their upcoming field trip to BizTown at Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, he stopped by a few classrooms. Our students loved hearing his thoughts on guiding a city, hosting the World Cup, and how they can make a difference in their community!

Don't forget to check the Family Dashboard for the full calendar, including upcoming field trips!

January 13th - Debate Tournament en Español (Citizens of the World)

January 13th - Parent Puberty Night, 5:30 pm (5th-8th Grade Families)

January 15th - Debate Tournament (NKC Norclay Building)

January 19th - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

January 22nd - Pop-Up Food Pantry, 3:30-6 pm

January 22nd - Board of Directors Meeting, 6 pm (Virtual)

January 29th - Debate Tournament (Gateway 6th Grade Center)

January 29th - Family Skate Party, 6-8 pm (Skate City Shawnee)

January 30th - First Semester PBL Showcase, 2-3 pm

January 30th - '26-'27 Middle School Preview, 3-3:30 pm (5th-7th Grade Families)

January 30th - Debate Tournament (Antioch Middle School)

Email: info@cwckansascity.org
Website: www.cwckansascity.org
Location: 3435 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, 64111
Phone: (816)499-8000

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwckansascity

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwckansascity