First Policy Work Session of the School Year

The first policy work session of the school year will be held at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The following will be discussed, as time permits:

• Policy 1620 The Board-Superintendent Relationship

• Policy 1750 Retired Members of the Board

• Policy 1760 Board Member Use of Electronic Communications

• Policy 2320 Student Travel - Field Trips and Excursions

• Discussion: Student Personal Electronic Devices (PED) Policy Creation

• Discussion: Social Media Policy Creation

Links to your individual policy folders will be provided by email on Friday, September 5, 2025. In addition to folders for each policy, subfolders containing information about student personal electronic devices policies and social media policies from surrounding districts will be included in each board member's folder for review. This information will be used to help create Kent School District policies on these topics.

Please contact Ms. Hawley if you have any questions or are unable to access your personal policy folder.

Policy and Procedure 2021/2021P Library Information and Technology Programs

At the August 27, 2025 Regular Board Meeting a concern was raised about policies regarding book banning. Policy 2021 Library Information and Technology Programs states, "The superintendent/designee will establish procedures for the selection of materials with the understanding that media literacy resources will consist of a balance of sources and perspectives. Residents, parents/guardians of KSD students, or staff members of the district who wish to express a concern about specific material included in the collection may do so according to the procedures outlined in 2021P, with the understanding that the criteria and rationale for reconsideration of library resources differs from the criteria and rationale for reconsideration of classroom/curricular instructional materials."

Procedure 2021P Library Information and Technology Programs was written with input from a group of district librarians. This procedure notes materials selection criteria, gifts and donations, how de-selection is implemented, and informal and formal reconsideration of library media materials.

Kent School District Board of Directors approved Policy 2021 on May 22, 2024; Procedure 2021P was reviewed on October 9, 2024.

45th Anniversary Celebration - Save the Date!

Crestwood Elementary School is celebrating their 45th anniversary

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Board Retreat Rescheduled

The Board Retreat, originally scheduled for October 1, 2025 has been rescheduled to

Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Dinner 4:15 P.M.; Retreat 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

WSSDA Annual Conference

SEATTLE, WA

Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Saturday, November 22, 2025

Assessment Calendar

Kent School District students begin the school year with several assessments to identify where they are and what supports they may need. The full 2025-26 Assessment Calendar is posted for staff and families on the KSD website. Below are testing activities that schools are engaging in now.

Core School Supplies Coordination Priority Initiative Update

Strategic Plan Goal 3: Building Equitable Systems and School Environments

Initiative Mission: To provide all students with essential resources at the start of the school year, eliminating barriers to participation.

This summer, the district successfully carried out the Core Supply Coordination Priority Initiative, ensuring that every student began this school year prepared for learning. To make this a success, district staff compiled all published supply lists and looked to principals, principal supervisors (EDSLS), and office managers for input and feedback. This collaborative approach resulted in a unified core supply list reflecting both instructional priorities and building-level needs. Teacher may still request specialty items directly from families or their principal as appropriate.

Progress to Date

• Deliveries & Distribution: From August 13-15, pallets of supplies were delivered to district sites. August 18-22, volunteers supported distribution at schools across the district.

• Customized Sorting: Each school had a site coordinator who led volunteers in sorting supplies in the manner that was determined to best support students at that school. At some schools, supplies were sorted by individual student, at others the supplies were sorted by grade level or into homerooms.

• Warehouse Support: Distribution Services and Warehouse team coordinated storage and organization of additional supply deliveries.

• Volunteer Coordination: More than 100 volunteers including families, KSD staff, PTA and PTSA representatives, and other community members.

Community & Vendor Support

This initiative was made possible thanks to extraordinary community partnerships and vendor contributions.

• People and Supplies: Communities In Schools of South King County (CISSK), Kent Youth and Family Services (KYFS)

• Supplies: Costco, Western Carpenters Union, Amazon, Puget Sound Reginal Fire Authority, Varsity Tutors, World Vision

• Volunteer Support: Unleash the Brilliance, Wells Fargo Bank (Seattle), PTA, PTSA, and individuals from the Kent community

Providing schools supplies free of charge is more than a logistical project - it is an investment in equity and access. This initiative eliminates barriers for families and ensures that all students, regardless of background, arrive on the first day of schools ready to learn. It also demonstrates the power of collaboration, as staff, families, community members, and partners worked together to support students.

Celebrating Excellence: Kent School District Wins 2025 PNAA Inspire Award for collaborative Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Academy Program

Strategic Investment and Progress: City of Kent Partnership for Advancing STEAM and CTE

Below are some highlights of the partnership with the City of Kent.

• Teams are formalizing systems for partner engagement, onboarding, and impact tracking to manage partnerships and communications.

• STEAM Student Clubs and Activities such as Robotics are being supported and expanded district-wide.

• Providing aligned and impactful professional development and resources for elementary educators so they can teach current STEAM topics and career pathways such as STEAM Science kits for Project Lead the Way.

A big milestone for the team is the presentation scheduled for September 16, 2025, where the team will be presenting updates to the Kent City Council during the Council Workshop.

Ensuring a Successful Start of the year for Students

The Technology teams are committed to ensuring that technology is ready and accessible for every learner at the start of each school year. They coordinate large-scale deployments which includes preparing devices before students return after summer break and assisting students with questions login, connectivity, and setup during distribution. These devices are essential learning tools, providing access to digital curriculum, collaborative platforms, and resources that support academic success.

KSD All-City Coaches Clinic

On August 18, 2025, over 100 Kent area coaches came together for a powerful day of collaboration and professional growth. The clinic featured engaging sessions on essential topics such as Supporting Athlete Mental Health: The Coach's Role, Team Culture, Planning for Peak Performance, Coaching the Female Athlete, Team Captains and Student Voice, Unified Sports, and Booster Clubs for the High School Coach.

A highlight of the event was keynote speaker Robert Turbin, Seahawks Super Bowl Champion and Executive Director of Sports in Schools, who shared inspiring reflections on the impact coaches had throughout his life and career.

In addition to expert-led sessions, KSD coaches played a vital role by sharing their own knowledge and expertise with peers - challenging and energizing one another around topics that directly benefit KSD students-athletes.

This training opportunity was made possible through a partnership between KSD Athletics and the University of Washington's Center for Leadership in Athletics, reinforcing a shared commitment to empowering coaches and elevating student-athlete experiences across the district.

Elevate: Coaching for an Impact

To equip athletic coaches with the skills, knowledge and support needed to foster student-athlete growth, promote character development, and enhance effective coaching through mentorship, collaboration, and ongoing learning.

Vision

Develop a dynamic professional development initiative within KSD aimed at empowering coaches through transformative coaching experiences.

The program integrates instructional coaching, mentorship, and leadership development to foster impactful teaching and learning. New head coaches will have opportunities to engage in structured coaching cycles supported by coaching aides and experienced mentors who provide personalized guidance and feedback. Guest speakers - ranging from educational thought leaders to local experts - bring fresh perspectives and inspiration to sessions, enriching the learning experience. Elevate also includes targeted workshops, collaborative learning communities, and access to curated resources that promote equity, innovation, and student-centered practices. By cultivating reflective practice and professional growth, Elevate helps coaches build capacity, strengthen instructional coherence and rive positive outcomes for all student-athletes.

Local Artist Paints Mural at Park Orchard

Shelly Metzger, a local artist, with Acorn Murals contacted Park Orchard Elementary to ask if she could donate her services to paint a mural for the school. Principal, Patrick O'Connor, and Office Manager, Wendy Martin, received approval for the location and the proposed design from Facilities, and the Board approved the donation on June 25, 2025. The result is a beautiful mural for students, staff, and the community to enjoy.