KSD eSpotlight
Thursday, September 1
Katie Meyers Announced as Teacher of the Year Finalist
This morning, DESE announced the seven Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalists via Twitter starting at 9 a.m. and every 15 minutes thereafter.
At exactly 10:15 a.m., KHS teacher Katie Meyers learned she was a finalist. The announcement was shared while she was with her freshman academic homeroom.
Katie now moves on to the finalist interviews next week in Jefferson City. Regardless of the final outcome, Katie has an infinite impact on our Kirkwood community and teaching community at large.
Nipher Centennial Celebration on Saturday - Please Join Us!
National Suicide Prevention Week
During National Suicide Prevention Week, KSD would like to share the important work happening at a national level as well as within our schools to call attention to this tragedy that impacts so many. This important work changes the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions promoting healing, help and giving hope
988 is a new, shorter phone number that makes it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
One of KSD’s top focuses is social and emotional health. KSD schools support this effort by having a variety of resources within each school, districtwide, and within the community. It begins with staff at schools to building those relationships with their students.
Every elementary school has two school counselors. Our middle and high school have grade level counselors and support from CHADs (Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide) who provide support to our students during the school week. Additionally at the high school, KSD has supported a new intensive support counselor position to help identify and support our students with the highest need. “Developmental research shows that having one or more caring adults in a child’s life increases the likelihood that they will flourish, and become productive adults themselves,” shares Sara Gibbs, KHS intensive support counselor. KSD has five social workers qualified to provide resources to families in need.
Together, we can all help prevent suicide.
Survey Request - Additional Student Resource Officer at the Pre K and Elementary Schools
Please take a moment to complete this survey regarding adding a School Resource Officer. We currently have four SROs that serve our KSD schools. One covers KECC and the elementary schools, one position is at NKMS, one position is at Nipher, and one position at KHS. This survey will provide feedback related to adding another SRO position. This new position would share responsibility with the existing SRO at the Pre-K through elementary level.
As with our current SROs, this position would be funded cooperatively with the Kirkwood Police Department. KSD provides 75% of the funding for the position.
As school safety needs continue to evolve, we will gather and evaluate feedback about the district SRO program from multiple constituencies, including students, staff, parents and community members. It will include a review of the existing Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the Kirkwood Police Department to ensure it is reflective of the district's mission and vision.
Please complete the survey by Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Free and Reduced Lunch
For the past two years, funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture made it possible for the Kirkwood School District to provide breakfast and lunch free of charge to all students. This funding has expired, which means that free meals will no longer be available to all KSD students (effective May 26th, 2022).
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price meals must fill out an application for the 2022-23 school year in order to receive free or reduced price meals. Even if you have filled out a form in the past, you will need to reapply for the 2022-23 school year.
Filling out a form could result in additional financial assistance for your family. In KSD, those benefits include:
50% reduction in student technology fees
50% reduction in middle school and high school annual activity fee
50% reduction in bus pass fee
KHS students qualify for testing and college application fee waivers
If you are not sure if your family qualifies for free and reduced-price meals, you can see FAQs provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education here.
Health Insurance Determination
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Saturday, Sept. 3: Nipher 100th Anniversary
Saturday, Sept. 10: Rotary Ramble
Monday, Sept. 12: Board of Education Work Session 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 21: Unified Night Lights (more information coming soon)
Monday, Sept. 26: Meeting of the Board of Education 7 p.m
September 3
September 10
Kirkwood School District
Email: news@kirkwoodschools.org
Website: kirkwoodschools.org
Location: 1099 Milwaukee Street, Kirkwood, MO, USA
Phone: 314-213-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirkwoodSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @kwoodschools