Welcome to the second year of Foundations, an e-newsletter focused on keeping our community updated on current and past levy and bond initiatives supported by voter-approved funds. When we come together with a shared commitment as OneCommunity to educate and support our students, we continue to build on a foundation that extends beyond the classroom and strengthens the entire community--united into OneKSD. We are committed to fostering transparency and accountability in every aspect of our work, ensuring trust and open communication. Follow along very month for a new edition.
Kent School District
Bridging the Gap: How Levy Dollars Support KSD Students
Did you know that state funding alone doesn’t cover the full cost of the education we provide in Kent School District? Local levy dollars fill this gap, ensuring our students have access to school programs and enriching opportunities such as:
Student programs
Teacher pay for additional teachers above the state minimum
Instructional assistants in classrooms
Textbooks, curriculum, and teacher training
Additional course offerings for students
Athletics
Arts and music
Special education
Bus transportation (not fully funded by the state)
Building and grounds maintenance (not fully funded by the state)
Computers and technology
Gifted education programs
Your support for local levies directly impacts the quality of education and experiences we can provide. Thank you for helping us invest in student success and stronger schools.
Empowering Potential
The Highly Capable (HiCap) team continues to make strides in supporting students, educators, and families through identification processes, professional development, and program enhancements. Recent efforts include the successful completion of the first cohort in the Whitworth Gifted Education Endorsement partnership, updates to the kindergarten identification process, and modifications to the appeals procedure to improve accessibility and equity. Additionally, the team provided training for parents of students receiving HiCap services.
The Whitworth Gifted Education Endorsement partnership was established to build district capacity by equipping educators with specialized training in gifted education. The first cohort completed the program in December, enhancing their ability to differentiate instruction and support the unique learning needs of students receiving HiCap services.
March is Music in Our Schools Month
Throughout March, we’ve been celebrating the incredible musical talents of our students. The choral, band, and orchestra festivals have been the highlight of the month, giving students the opportunity to showcase their skills and growth through inspiring performances.
Music and the arts in our schools are made possible thanks to Educational Programs and Operations levies. We are grateful to our voters for supporting this vital learning experience that enriches students’ creativity and growth. Don’t miss your chance to see our talented musicians in action at two upcoming festivals next week.
Orchestra: March 25, 7:00 p.m.
Band: March 27. 7:00 p.m.
For more details, contact the school directly. Come out and support our student musicians as they share their passion, creativity, and hard work!
Exploring Innovation
This month, members of the Teaching & Learning and Technology Services Support teams visited the Tech Academy at Kent-Meridian High School. The visit provided a firsthand look at how personalized learning and technology integration are transforming the student experience. During classroom observations, the teams were inspired by the innovative approaches being used including:
Student-led learning: Students co-planned and facilitated their own math groups, showcasing ownership of their education.
AI-Powered Science: Students applied artificial intelligence in a biology genetics lesson, demonstrating how cutting-edge tools enhance learning.
Tailored Technology Use: Teachers skillfully differentiated their use of technology to meet the unique needs of students across the classroom.
Student Choice: Learners made decisions about their own learning paths, building independence and critical thinking skills.
Collaboration in Action: Students worked together both in-person and through technology, fostering teamwork and digital literacy.
These dynamic learning opportunities are made possible by the Capital and Technology Levy funds approved by our voters. Thanks to this essential support, KSD students have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital world. Thank you to our voters for investing in our students’ success and ensuring they are future ready!
Keeping Students Safe on the Road
Recently, our dedicated KSD bus drivers led hands-on emergency exit drills with students, ensuring they know what to do in case of an emergency. These drills, required twice a year with an additional verbal review, teach students how to:
Apply the emergency brake
Call for help using the bus radio
Operate door levers and roof hatches
Exit safely and gather in a designated area
The brief but essential drills take place upon arrival at school and only take about 10 minutes—a small investment of time for a big impact on safety.
Our incredible Transportation team covers thousands of miles each day, safely transporting students to and from school. Their commitment to preparedness and student safety is just one of the many ways they help make KSD stronger.
KSD Brings Home Two State Titles in Wrestling
Congratulations to Kentwood’s Dayna Vi and Kent-Meridian’s Jessie Neff on capturing WIAA State Wrestling titles! This year, 60 KSD wrestlers competed at the Mat Classic state tournament, showcasing their skill, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Again, thank you to our voters for supporting Education Programs and Operations levies, which help fund athletics and extracurricular activities, providing students with opportunities to grow, compete, and succeed.
Technology Update
Cybersecurity Collaboration
The Technology team along with other members of the Strategic Initiatives & Operations community recently came together for a cross-collaboration meeting on Cyber Attack - Lessons Learned with the Port of Seattle. This important session brought together stakeholders to examine the timeline, impacts, and responses to a recent cyber attack at the Port of Seattle. The discussion also focused on sharing best practices for prevention and identifying opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity strategies.
A special thanks to the Port of Seattle team for their transparency and valuable insights. With opportunities such as these and a continued focus on information and data security, KSD is building a stronger, more resilient approach to cybersecurity for the benefit of our entire community.
Capital Update
Lake Youngs Elementary School Roof
KSD completed the replacement of the Lake Youngs Elementary School Roof from the 2016 Bond. This work included selective demolition and sheathing repair and replacement, new suppers, crickets for added drainage, built up perimeter edge, mechanically fastened dens-deck fiberboard sheathing, and vapor barrier, torch applied base sheet, torch applied granulated cap sheet, and new heavy gauge fascia cap metal.
