Kent Elementary

Welcomes You

Back to School

Principal: Dr. Rosa M. Villarreal                Assistant Principal: Jacob Crossfield

Kent Elementary Families,

Welcome to Kent Elementary, Home of the Wildcats! Our team is filled with loving, caring, generous, and authentic humans. We are SUPER excited to have your children in out loving care. Your children are beautiful, and we will care for them like our own children. We will all go the extra mile to help with any questions you may have. Please ask for anything you need. 

We are thankful for your grace and support as we start this new year. We have had the opportunity to train new staff in critical positions. This training takes months to become proficient. Please reach out with any questions, suggestions, or improvements. We want to partner with your student success. rosa.villarreal@kent.k12.wa.us

Dr. Rosa M. Villarreal

Principal, Kent Elementary

PAWS

Practice your personal best

Act Responsibly

Work and play safe

Show respect

At Kent Elementary, we see our families as an important part of our school community and key to students’ success. In an effort to strengthen the connection between school and home and to support Kent Elementary students, we are continuing to build our PTO. Please join us in the Kent Elementary Cafeteria on Tuesday, September 22nd at 4:30 (just before Open House) to learn more about opportunities to get involved. We need YOU!

Jake Crossfield

Assistant Principal, Kent Elementary

Step 1- In a medium, high-sided skillet over medium heat, heat oil until an instant-read or deep-fry thermometer registers 325°.

Step 2- Meanwhile, in a large, shallow dish, whisk eggs, whole milk, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and 2/3 c. pumpkin puree.

Step 3- In a food processor, pulse panko until very fine crumbs form (or crush in a resealable bag with a rolling pin). Transfer panko to another shallow dish.

Step 4- Working in batches, place Hawaiian rolls in egg mixture and let soak 1 to 2 minutes. Using tongs, lift rolls out of pan, letting excess drip off. Toss rolls in panko, making sure all sides are coated.

Step 5- Working in batches, fry rolls, turning halfway through, until lightly golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side (you might have to use tongs to hold the roll steady and prevent from flipping over when turning). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Step 6- Place sugar in a large bowl. Toss rolls in sugar until coated.

Step 7- In a small bowl, stir condensed milk and remaining 1/3 c. pumpkin puree. Serve rolls with pumpkin milk alongside.

Welcome Wildcat Families to the 2026-2027 school year! As a school counselor, I am here to support your child’s emotional, social, academic, and career growth. If your child needs support, please let me know. I would be happy to help!

In September your child will be learning about how to solve problems with peers using the Kelso’s Choices. Your child will learn the difference between small problems they can solve on their own and big problems that need adult help. If it is a small problem your child can choose to: Talk it out, Walk away, Apologize, Wait and calm down, Make a deal, Tell them to stop, Share and take turns, or Go to another game. Kelso’s Choices work at home with siblings too!

This year we have extra counseling support from Kent Youth and Family Services. Stephanie Rodas, KYFS therapist, will be at KE on Tuesdays. Stephanie can work with students regarding grief and loss, anxiety, depression, family changes, emotional management, etc. If you are interested in your child receiving counseling, please contact me at 253-373-2764 or by email Karyn.Higgins@kent.k12.wa.us. Space is limited so please contact me soon!

Looking forward to working with all your children!

KE Counselors,

Karyn Higgins, Mon-Thurs

Charles Segura-Mitchell, Fri

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! This year we have three staff members supporting the health room. Nurse Mariel is in the building on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Nurse Matt is in the building on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, we have a health technician, Ms. Cecilia, who is in the health room daily. If you have concerns about your student or wish to discuss a diagnosis, need for medication, or other issue, please reach out to Nurse Mariel at Mariel.LePage@kent.k12.wa.us or 253-373-2733.

If your student has a “just in case” medication (like an asthma inhaler) please consider sending a supply to school. Any medication administered at school (even over-the-counter medication) requires paperwork signed by a health care provider and parent. Paperwork can be picked up in the health room or downloaded from the Kent School District website.

Students learn best when they feel well. Please keep your student home when they are ill. We recommend students stay home when they have:

Bad cold

Chicken pox (notify the nurse)

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Drainage from the ears or eyes

Fever of 100 degrees or greater within the last 24 hours

Frequent, hard coughing

Head lice

Loose, watery bowel movements

Vomiting

Any symptoms of COVID 19

If a student sustains an injury or illness at school, the health room will attempt to contact you. Please ensure your contact information is up to date so we may notify you in a timely manner.

Thank you for your cooperation as we seek to keep our community healthy and safe!

Mariel Le Page MSN, RN, NCSN

School Nurse

253-373-2733

Mariel.LePage@kent.k12.wa.us

Hello KE Families,

Every day matters and makes the greatest difference in a student’s education when present in class. Instruction begins at 9:00 am so we kindly ask you to arrive between 8:40am and 8:50am to ensure your student arrives to class on time. Especially if they plan to have breakfast at school. If arrival is after 9:05 am please walk student to the office to receive a tardy slip for student to enter class. If a student will be absent for part of the day, or the entire day of learning, please notify the office to update your student’s attendance. In case we are unable to answer a call, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We thank you ahead of time for your cooperation.

Cecilia Bilti

Attendance Clerk

(253) 373-7497

 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

– “Voices of Change” 🎉

This month, our rotunda will display information around Hispanic Heritage Month- a time to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

We invite all students, staff, and families to stop by our Hispanic Heritage Month display in the rotunda, where this year’s theme is "Voices of Change." The display highlights influential Hispanic and Latinx leaders — past and present — who have used their voices to advocate for justice, equality, and progress in areas such as civil rights, education, the arts, science, and more.

From Dolores Huerta, who fought for farmworkers’ rights, to Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who reshaped musical theater — these powerful voices have inspired change and continue to shape our world today.

Take a moment to visit, learn, and celebrate the incredible impact of the Hispanic and Latinx community. Let’s honor the legacy and future of these Voices of Change!

Hello families!

We are excited to see our returning students and meet our new students here in the KE library!

My name is Ms. Kessel and I am the librarian. I have so many wonderful books to share with students and am so excited about this school year.

All of our K-3 students will get a chance to read our Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nominees and then vote on their favorite at the end of the year. They will also be able to enjoy our OTTER titles and vote at the end of the year on their favorite transitional chapter book.

Our 3-5 students will get to read and vote on their favorite Towner Book Award Nominee, an award for nonfiction picture books. I have also acquired all the Sasquatch Book Award Nominees.

It is a lot of fun that the students pick the winners of these awards.

Our 4th and 5th grade students are eligible to form teams and compete in the Battle of the Books competition. There are ten books across various genres, formats, and reading levels. We have six copies of each of the ten books in the library, so I am ready for these students. To ensure that our 4th and 5th graders can read these books, students in lower grades and unable to check out those books this year.

Every student has an assigned library day. This will be when they are able to check out books. Students can check out books based on their grade level.

This year, I am going to be placing a book return bin out front, under the covered area of the front door for book returns between 8:40 and 8:55 am. This will allow me to do a fast check-in before I start teaching each morning, freeing more books up for checkout. Books can be returned any day.

If a book is damaged, please send it in to me. I have been able to repair books that others have thought were a lost cause. Let me work my librarian skills!

Students are encouraged to find books that are the right fit for them. The only restrictions are based on ensuring that others can also find books. Only one graphic novel, art book (drawing or origami), or “I Spy” book at a time. This allows others to also get a book as desired.

Please try to help your students keep track of their library books. It is best to keep them out of reach of pets and small children to prevent damage.

Children should read or be read to for a minimum of twenty minutes every day. This will help them continue to learn and grow.

A Reminder for Parents who would like to VOLUNTEER for field trips, crosswalk, etc:

Please Contact MONICA MARQUEZ PEDROZA 253-373-2722.

Approval prior to participation is required. You may also walk-in, and Office Staff can assist with completion of required forms.

Kent School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. To contact the district, the phone number is (253) 373-7000. District Office: 12033 SE 256th Street, Kent, WA 98030.