Walden Review
A newsletter for Walden Families
May 28, 2021
Upcoming Events
August 23rd: First Day of School
From Dr. Stucker
Happy Friday!
Video message from Dr. Stucker, click here.
Have a wonderful summer!
Keelie Stucker
Principal
816-359-6398
Dear Park Hill Family,
As the end of school year nears, we are making a change to our usual laptop collection policy. This year, 6th-11th grade students who are returning for the 21-22 school year may keep their laptops through the summer. We will still be collecting devices from elementary students and those leaving the Park Hill School District on the last day of school.
Why are secondary students allowed to keep their laptops this summer?
We have gotten feedback from staff, students and families about the desire and benefits of allowing students to keep their district-issued laptops throughout the summer months. Some of the major benefits of students having device access year-round are:
• Continued access to the same laptop for those attending summer school
• Limits disruption to learning caused by the collection and distribution of devices
• Provides equitable and continued access to those families who may not have a laptop and/or Internet in their homes
• Opportunities to learn new skills (i.e. learn an instrument, language, new program, etc.)
• Continued access to technology tools and resources to support learning
• Expansion of educational programs such as Professional Studies and NCAPS
• Supports completion of Credit Recovery courses
• Supports completion of other online courses, including those for college credit
• Students and their families can stay better connected with their schools
• Supports completion of college applications, job applications and extra-curricular activities
• Saves the district money by not needing to collect, process and distribute thousands of laptops each year
What if a guardian prefers their student turn in the laptop for the summer?
If you would prefer your student turn in his/her device, they should bring the laptop on the last day of school to the building technology office. Students do not need to turn in the laptop sleeve, charger, and stylus, but should keep these safe over the summer for the next school year.
Please have your student remove all personal accessories (USB dongles for wireless mice/keyboards, headphones, flash drives, items stored in sleeves, etc.) before turning in their school device. We are not able to return personal items once devices are collected.
Returned items will be inspected for damages and fees may be charged to the student account. Fees may be viewed and paid online through the Campus Parent portal.
What are the expectations students should follow with summer laptop use?
Students should follow the same expectations of technology use as they do during the school year. All students must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy and One to One Student/Parent Handbook, which can be found on the district website under Family Resources > Student Technology > One-to-One Learning. Park Hill School District has a strict Internet content filter that works from anywhere – even while the device is at home. Inappropriate laptop use can and will be monitored, just as it is during the regular school year.
What if a student doesn’t follow expectations or requires disciplinary action?
Students who do not follow expectations will have their summer laptop privileges revoked. If a parent, teacher or another student identifies a student misusing his/her laptop, they should notify the Technology Help Desk and/or school administrator immediately. Severe misuse, such as cyberbullying, use of inappropriate images, or web filter workarounds may result in additional disciplinary action (detention, suspension, etc.) as part of the student’s permanent record.
What if a student has technical issues or the laptop gets damaged?
The Technology Help Desk will be open throughout the summer, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Students and staff can get technology help via phone at 816-359-5000, online via ticket or chat, or by setting up an appointment to visit the Help Desk at the lower level of District Office. Visitors should enter through the main east doors of District Office and take the elevator or stairs down to the Help Desk.
If a family opted-in to the technology insurance program for the 20-21 school year, this insurance will apply through the summer months, and reduce the out of pocket costs should the laptop become damaged. You can find more information about our insurance program on the district website under Family Resources > Student Technology > Tech Damage & Insurance.
What if a student is leaving the district?
Students not returning to the Park Hill School District next year should turn in their laptop, sleeve, stylus and charger to their building technology office on their last day of school. If the laptop and accessories are not returned, the student will be charged for the cost of the device.
Graduating Seniors
We will assign final technology fees after devices are turned in and inspected for damage at graduation practice.
Please be aware that files stored on Park Hill devices or cloud-based storage (such as Google Drive or OneDrive) will not be accessible to seniors after they graduate. Please advise your student to save any files they wish to keep to a personal flash drive or storage location.
We hope you and your students find this convenience enhances the overall learning experience in the Park Hill School District. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your students in the future.
Sincerely,
Park Hill School District │ Department of Technology
Dear Park Hill family,
It’s official – the program that allows us to provide free meals to our students and to children throughout our community is going to continue through the summer and the 2021-2022 school year. This is not just for families who are in need – everyone may feel welcome to access this resource for their children.
Free Meals During the Summer:
- For summer school students:
We will serve free breakfast and lunch to summer school students each day. They will not be eligible for the frozen pick-up meal kits during the summer school session (on the June 9, June 16 and June 23 pick-up dates), but they may order them for the May 26 and June 2 pick-up dates, before summer school begins.
- For students not in summer school:
Families may order five-day frozen bulk meal kits for all children in the Park Hill area who are not in our summer school, beginning with the Wednesday, May 26 pick-up date. Our order form, with pick-up instructions, is on our website. Please order a week in advance and no later than the Tuesday before your pick-up date.
Free Meals During the 2021-2022 School Year:
- For in-person students:
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, we will provide free breakfast and lunch to our in-person students each day.
Students in our area who do not attend our schools in person will be able to order our five-day frozen bulk meal kits.
Girls Basketball Youth Camp
Incoming 3rd - 8th Grade
When: June 1st - June 4th
Time: 8:30-10:00 am
Where: PHS Gym
Cost: $50
For more information email us at,
Incoming 7th and 8th grade girls Volleyball
Park Hill South Summer Camps, Click on the document below for information
Middle School summer weightlifting program
A+ Scholarship Program
In-coming 2021-2022 Ninth graders - Great opportunity for college scholarships
The primary goal of the A+ Scholarship Program is to ensure that all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are well prepared to pursue advanced education and/or employment. The scholarships are paid for by Missouri taxpayers for Missouri students to attend Missouri post high school opportunities.
Students that complete A+ are eligible for 2-years tuition* at any MO vocational/technical school or community college. Many MO 4-year universities offer scholarships based on A+ criteria as well.
- A+ General Overview Video CLICK HERE
- A+ Website: CLICK HERE
Park Hill South Soccer Grades 1-8
PHS Soccer Co-ed Youth Camp (Grades 1st – 8th in SY 21-22)
Location: Park Hill South Soccer Stadium
Dates: June 7th – 10th
Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Cost: $50
What to Wear/Bring:
- Sport-appropriate clothing
- Cleats & Shin guards
- Soccer ball
- Water bottle/jug
- Sunscreen
Scan the QR code below to register. If you have any questions,
email Coach Farmer at farmerc@parkhill.k12.mo.us.
Middle School Summer School
From June 7 through July 2, your children can participate in Walden's summer school program, which is a free, fun, caring place for your children to continue learning during the summer. You can register online for summer school at the same time your verify your enrollment and residency, which begins April 5.
If your child will be a freshman in the fall, they can participate in Park Hill South's online summer school program, which has two sessions. The first session is June 3 through June 21 and the second session is June 22 to July 9, with no school July 5.
Summer school enrollment ends May 7. After May 7, please call us or visit the Park Hill website to register your children.
Click below for the link to Park Hill South High School Summer School for incoming 9th grade
Walden Middle School
Website: https://walden.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 4701 Northwest 56th Street, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-359-4240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldenJaguars/
Twitter: @WaldenJaguars