Superintendent's Community
Welcome Back: A Message from Superintendent Vela
As we begin a new academic year, I want to express my appreciation for your continued leadership and support. I hope your summer provided opportunities for rest and relaxation. This year, we remain focused on advancing a unified and equitable educational experience for each and every student through our shared vision of OneKSD. This initiative is not merely a slogan-it represents our collective commitment to collaboration, systems coherence, and a shared purpose across our district.
In an era of rapid change in education, the importance of unity cannot be overstated. OneKSD enables us to strategically align our resources, goals, and practices to ensure that every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities, while remaining fiscally responsible. Despite ongoing uncertainties at the federal level, our unwavering priority remains clear: our students. They are at the center of ever decision we make.
In this newsletter, you will find key updates, highlights, and important information to keep you informed about district activities and progress. We will also begin posting a link to each OneKSD: District News to the Board on our website after each publication.
Thank you for your partnership as we continue this important work together.
Upcoming Board Dates
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 27, 2025
4:15 P.M. Light Dinner
5:00 P.M. Work Session - HOMEWORK! - Please see 'Legislative Priorities' email from Naomi.
6:00 P.M. Executive Session
6:30 P.M. Board Meeting
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
September 10, 2025
4:15 P.M. Light Dinner
5:00 P.M. Work Session - POLICY
6:00 P.M. Executive Session
6:30 P.M. Board Meeting
SAVE THE DATE!
WSSDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SEATTLE, WA
Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Saturday, November 22, 2025
Please read/respond to 'WSSDA 2025 Annual Conference Registration' email from Naomi.
Teaching & Learning Community
Office of School & Leadership Success
Elementary Leadership Updates
The 2025-26 school year is quickly approaching and teams are working through some uncertainty around budgeting and support systems. The Elementary Leadership team is encouraging principals to focus on what they can control and to plan with intentionality. At the center of this work is a commitment to strengthening core instruction as the most powerful level for improving student learning.
Building on the shared language developed with the Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) during the 2024-25 school year, Teaching & Learning has aligned understanding of the ideal state and current state. This alignment helps identify actionable steps that connect directly to School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals and instructional priorities.
To support this, the team introduced a process for breaking down large SIP strategies into weekly, manageable activities. These activities are designed to support adult learning at three levels: whole staff, small groups, and 1:1 coaching. Principals are now reviewing their SIPs and translating them into meaningful, trackable steps that align with progress monitoring data of adult implementation.
The Elementary Leadership kickoff laid the foundation for a year-long focus on intentional adult learning practices. School leaders will integrate CEL's instructional framework into their daily work to drive student achievement. The Executive Directors of School and Leadership Success (EDSLS) team will provide differentiated support based on each school's needs, while maintaining alignment with district-wide goals.
An additional resource and support for school leaders was added to the TL Community, the Assessment and Analytics team. They will be working to connect school leaders with data experts who can support them in measuring and refining their SIP implementation.
Teacher and Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP) Updates
The School and Leadership Success Office kicked off the 2025-26 school year by providing state-required trainings in the TPEP system to all new building administrators and teachers.
Four new administrators spent five days learning about providing effective, strengths-based feedback to educators keyed to the Center for Educational Leadership 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning (CEL5D+) instructional framework. Five additional administrators who were hired after the course began will be trained in the coming weeks.
Over 100 teachers new to KSD received two days of training in the CEL5D+ instructional frame work in the last week. As new teachers are onboarded they will receive this training in ongoing sessions over the course of first semester.
All trainings are provided by KSD administrators or teachers who are state-certified or instructional framework specialists. The costs of these trainings are partially offset by a grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Instructional Integration
2025-26 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Launch
The Instructional Integration team has been working since June to welcome all KSD schools to the the MTSS Launch. KSD school teams spent two days unpacking Module 1 of the 2025-26 equity modules as well as aligning the next steps at their school with the KSD MTSS Whole Child expectations grounded in KSD Policy 2163 and Procedure 2163P. During this in-person convening, school teams were able to:
Engage with the Equity Module 1 as learners, and planned the facilitation of Equity Module 1 at their school
Develop a clear understanding of the KSD Team-Driven Shared Leadership expectations, and reconfigure their team members, meeting cadence, and protocol using the guidance
Further develop how they're moving as a school through an MTSS lens, and plan or revise aspects of their August PD to connect the pieces
The school teams were comprised of 3-5 members as follows:
This launch supported school teams in the Year 1 journey to full implementation as KSD teams strive to accomplish these goals:
By September 2025
By February 2026
By June 2026
Technology & Partnerships Community
Communications & Public Affairs
Celebrating a Strong Start: Communications team Powers Up for the 2025-26 School Year
As the 2025-26 school year kicks off, the KSD Communications team has been hard at work behind the scenes, ensuring a vibrant and connected start for students, staff, and families across the district.
Superintendent's Welcome Back Video
The team is collaborating closely with district leadership to produce the Superintendent's Welcome Back video. This heartfelt message sets the tone for the year ahead. This video reflects KSDs commitment to student success, equity, and community partnership.
Social Media Countdown to the First Day of School
To build excitement and engagement, the team launched a dynamic social media countdown campaign. Each post brought energy and anticipation, reminding families of key dates and celebrating the return to learning.
New District-Branded PowerPoint Slide Deck
To support consistent and professional communication across departments, the team will unveil a newly branded PowerPoint presentation template. This resource empowers staff to present with clarity and pride, reinforcing the district's brand, identity, and values.
Welcoming New Teachers with Community Support
In partnership with the Kent Schools Foundation and comcast, the Communications team helped recognize and celebrate new teachers during orientation. Every new educator received a gift card, just a small token of appreciation for the big impact they'll make. This gesture reflects the power of community collaboration in supporting educators from day one.
Strategic Planning for the Year Ahead
The team has been busy scheduling all district communications and developing comprehensive communication and marketing plans for the 2025-26 school year. These plans are designed to ensure timely, transparent, and inclusive messaging that reaches every corner of KSDs diverse community.
Spotlight on Partnerships: OneCommunity Videos
The Communications team recently completed and published new episodes of the OneCommunity video series, showcasing powerful partnerships that support student learning and enrichment. Highlights include:
Explore more on the Kent School District YouTube Channel. These videos are also available on the Kent School District Facebook page, where families and community members can stay connected and informed.
Outdoor Education Update and Fundraising Partnership
Recognizing the importance of outdoor learning experiences, the Communications Team posted and update on 5th grade outdoor education for the 2025-26 school year. With the state discontinuing its funding grant, the team met with the Kent Schools Foundation to explore a districtwide fundraising partnership. The goal: to ensure every 5th grade student in Kent School District has the opportunity to attend an outdoor education experience, regardless of school or background. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Read the full update here: Fifth Grade Camp Update for the 2025-26 School Year
Looking Ahead
With creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to community, the Communications team is helping shape a school year full of promise and connection. Their work ensures that every message-from a classroom update to a district-wide initiative-reflects the heart and mission of Kent School District.
Data Services & Support
Start of the School Year
Over the summer, after assessing the 2024-25 school year, the Data Services & Support (DSS) team updated documentation and training materials to prepare teachers and office staff for the new school year. In collaboration with the Instructional Integration team, the team was able to establish uniformity in data input and reporting. This includes creating default settings for gradebooks to reduce teacher gradebook set up time while still allowing for individual settings if desired. This partnership also helped provide consistency to discipline reporting and facilitated joint training to school administrators on data input.
The annual start of school year meeting with data processors (DPs) and registrars occurred in mid-August, setting the stage for the 2025-26 school year. This meeting brings together district teams and school office staff providing an opportunity for collaboration and alignment.
Human Resources Community
Human Resources Operations
Staffing 2025-26
HR Operations, in preparation for the 2025-26 school year, is managing a high volume of staffing changes, including welcoming new hires, supporting staff transitions, and partnering with building administrators to address needs. The team is expediting onboarding through close collaboration with the Employment Support team, verifying proper certification with OSPI and working to fast-track pending applications. Assignments and salary placements are being finalized earlier than in past years to ensure timely system access as necessitated by the migration to Qmlativ. A priority is to ensure all staff begin the year feeling welcomed, well-prepared, and ready to provide students with an excellent educational experience.
Professional Development Operations
Paraeducator Training
Professional Development Operations team members have been busy implementing updates to the state required Paraeducator Certificate Program, Fundamental Course of Study training. In accordance with Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1277 (ESHB1277), paraeducators will be provided with 28 hours of training. The first 14 hours of this training must be in-person, and for paraeducators hired over the summer, it must be offered prior to the start of the school year. The first ever 14-hour course, led by experienced paraeducators, will be offered on August 19 and 20, for the approximately 70 newly hired paraeducators.
Substitute Services
2025-26 Substitute Kickoff Event
The Employment Support team recently hosted the annual start of school event for guest teachers, paraeducators, and administrative assistants, to welcome them to the 2025-26 school year. Nearly 100 attendees joined this optional gathering designed to provide training, professional learning, and opportunities to connect with peers.
This year's theme, "What Will You Add to Your Toolbox?" was brough to life with support from colleagues across departments and labor groups. The day began with an Equity Habits activity that highlighted the impact all staff have - even when present for just one day. From there, participants engaged in Service with a Smile, Classroom Management/What to Do If You Don't Have Plans, Safety Care Basics & De-Escalation, and Guest Employee Blueprints to deepen their skills and connections.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, including those who lead breakout sessions and presentations.
