#KSD Ready & Resilient
Update from Kuna Superintendent Wendy Johnson
10.23.20
- Working together to make our world better
- Cautiously adding more in person learning for middle school, high school students
- Celebrations!
- Supporting you in applying for state funds for families
- Love kids? Want a flexible schedule? Substitute for us!
- COVID-19 update
Working together to make our world better
Last night, I had the good fortune to be in the audience at the choir concert. Like so many things right now, the concert had to be streamed because we could not have audience members in person.
While I wasn't quite sure what to expect because the student musicians would have to wear face coverings and physically distance, when I heard them sing and watched their amazing teacher Ryan Olsen work with them, I was filled with joy and gratitude.
Several times during the concert, I was overcome with emotion and tears. My tears represented my joy because I was able to witness a great teacher lead his dedicated and talented students to create beautiful music. My tears also represented gratitude. Despite the pandemic, our creative staff, students, school board and community have found ways to keep our children doing the things they love--making music, playing sports, organizing benefits, reading, writing, preparing for competitions, conducting experiments, and the list goes on.
During the concert, one of the student leaders explained that the music selections chosen for the concert all had to do with unity and care for one another. He reminded us that we need to continue to work together to make our world better.
Thank you to the many members of our community who responded to my call to action last week and have spread joy and gratitude to our KSD team members. Your kindness keeps us going as we all work hard for our children.
Cautiously adding more in person learning for middle school, high school students
Thanks to all who provided feedback on last week's survey about on how to add Fridays back for in person learning for most of our secondary students in the hybrid model.
We chose to keep Blue Schedule on Mondays/Wednesdays and Gold on Tuesdays/Thursdays and then alternate Fridays between students on Blue and Gold schedules.
We've set the calendars for November and December for secondary (above). We also have the calendars for the elementary -- no changes, all day every day and early release Fridays -- posted below.
Here's a recap of what starts at the secondary level Monday, Nov. 2:
- Students attending Kuna High School (and Swan Falls), Fremont Middle School and Kuna Middle School will return to in-person learning on Fridays based on the rotating schedule. Additionally, some students who are struggling academically will return to an every day schedule as needed.
- Students attending Initial Point High School will return to in-person learning Monday-Thursday. Friday will be a day to support online-only students and other students who need more one-on-one support. This day will also be earmarked for intensive cleaning and disinfecting of the school.
Bright spots!
Congratulations Justin!
Congratulations Mrs. Ayers!
Girls Soccer repeats trip to state
Girls Soccer team beat Mountain View 2-1 in the 2nd Overtime during snowy and freezing conditions. They play Lake City 10 a.m. (PT) Saturday for the consolation trophy. Congratulations to the team for reaching state for a second year while also moving up to 5A competition.
Supporting you in applying for state funds for families
A new state grant program is available to help families with educational costs incurred because of the pandemic.
The application asks families to document their children's enrollment in a school. Our schools are prepared to help you with this. (You already may have seen an email with a report card, letter, or other information.)
The video above explains how to apply. If you need to access a computer or scanner or need additional support please contact social worker Jeff Farley at 1 208 861-4400.
Here's more information about the program:
Strong Families, Strong Students Is a program funded by Idaho’s Coronavirus Relief Funds, which provides Idaho students access to grant dollars that can be used to purchase educational goods and services that their families decide their students need.
Who can apply? If you are a parent or guardian of an Idaho public, private, parochial, student(s) in grades K12— impacted by a COVID-19-related full or partial Idaho school closure or the parent or guardian of a home schooled student who experienced a COVID-19-related employment disruption— you can apply for these funds.
Eligible Families can:
- Receive a credit for $1,500 per child or up to $3,500 per family.
- Purchase computers and technology, pay for internet access, instructional materials, fees for courses, tutoring services and educational services and therapies through approved vendors available through the on-line marketplace.
- Seek reimbursement for eligible education expenses paid for between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
- When you apply please have evidence of your child’s, or children’s, public or private school enrollment and a copy of your 2019 tax return.
Enrollment will be open from October 21, 2020 to December 8, 2020. Awards will be issued first on economic need and then on a first come first serve basis. All dollars must be allocated to families no later than December 31, 2020.
Love kids? Want a flexible schedule? Substitute for us!
The Kuna School District is looking for professional, energetic, responsible adults. No prior experience needed. Apply today to become a substitute teacher for the Kuna School District!
COVID-19 update
Since the beginning of the school year on August 31, we have reported a total of 19 positive cases of COVID-19--four cases in employees and 15 positive cases in students. Thankfully, because of the safety protocols we have in place, none of the 19 cases were traced to the school district as the source of the transmission.
Superintendent Wendy Johnson
Email: ksdcommunications@kunaschools.org
Website: www.kunaschools.org
Location: 711 East Porter Street, Kuna, ID, USA
Phone: 208-922-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuna-Jt-School-District-No-3
Twitter: @Supt_Wendy_J