The Kenwood Courier
12/15/23
Welcome!
We’re eager to connect and partner with you this 2023-24 school year in support of your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. You can expect to receive the Courier every Friday.
Access the Newsletter in Your Preferred Language 🗣️
- On the top of the page, you will find ADA and Translation features. To translate, click on the Translate button and choose your desired language.
- En la parte superior de la página, encontrará funciones de ADA y traducción. Para traducir, haga clic en el botón Traducir y elija el idioma que desee.
- Dusha sare ee bogga, waxaad ka heli doontaa ADA iyo sifooyinka Turjumaada. Si aad u turjunto, dhagsii badhanka Turjumka oo dooro luqadda aad rabto.
- В верхней части страницы вы найдете функции ADA и перевода. Для перевода нажмите кнопку «Перевести» и выберите нужный язык.
- د پاڼې په سر کې، تاسو به د ADA او ژباړې ځانګړتیاوې ومومئ. د ژباړې لپاره، د ژباړې تڼۍ باندې کلیک وکړئ او د خپلې خوښې ژبه غوره کړئ.
- در بالای صفحه، شما ویژگی های ADA و ترجمه را پیدا کنید. برای ترجمه، روی دکمه ترجمه کلیک کنید و زبان مورد نظر خود را انتخاب کنید.
Kenwood News & Events
All School Morning Meeting
Students and staff stay cozy on Pajama Day
Drumming with Brother Ghana
Photo courtesy of Daisy Simpson
Happy Holidays, Woodchucks!
Art courtesy of Dan Ashwood
A Message from Principal Johnson
As many of you do, I read the news and wonder how we'll ever be able to find a just and lasting peace in our neighborhoods, our country, and in our world. I worry that the lessons in kindness and integrity, love and respect that we share with our young students will seem less significant or influential when our children are inevitably faced with opposition, impatience, or a lack of curiosity in their later years. How can we preserve their wide-open gaze and their gentle embrace of the many ways their classmates are beautifully different? How do we blend resilience and compassion, confidence and fortitude, a desire for comfort and a commitment to justice in our interactions and instruction so that these seeds of a democratic society take root and flourish in their hearts and minds well beyond their years at Kenwood?
We'll live into the answers to those questions together. I know, though, that walking in the woods, reading poetry, sharing meals with loved ones, asking "what bird will find me today?," (a question inspired by the book Conversations with Birds by Priyanka Kumar), playing UNO while listening to K-Pop with my daughter, and a strong cup of coffee after an intense workout are intentional acts that help me recenter and believe that when I can feel peace, I can, in small ways, create the conditions for peace. I'm grateful to be working with you as we cultivate a school community rooted in principles we want to feel and experience in the greater world.
Along those lines, here's a poem that has recently caught my attention: A Walk in Tsaile by Jake Skeets.
I wish you all a peaceful winter break, filled with love and light.
Kenwood Parent/Caregiver Survey 💡
Thank you to all parents and caregivers who've completed the survey requesting feedback about how you and your children feel when at Kenwood. If you haven't yet done so, we'd love to hear from you! Your opinions help us become a better place to learn and grow. Here's the link to the survey. Thanks!
Thanks for making the gift card drive a success!
Thank you to Kenwood PTA and everyone who donated to help make the holiday gift card drive such a success! With your generosity, we were able to raise over $2100 for Kenwood families. We will distribute gift cards today so that families can purchase what they need over the winter break.
Application for Educational Benefits Due Today❗
All families should complete the Application for Educational Benefits, regardless of eligibility. This helps us to secure Title 1 funding, but only if received by today. If you have not already submitted an application for '23-24, please do so today at https://LINQConnect.com.
Art Adventure with Mia 🖌️
In partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) and the generosity of our PTA, we are pleased to offer Art Adventure again this year. This program engages students with artwork from Mia's collection, encourages creativity, critical thinking, and global awareness through in-depth explorations of art across various cultures and periods. This year's theme is Sources of Strength.
We are still seeking parent/caregiver volunteers to serve as "Picture People" and introduce students to a variety of preselected artworks. No art expertise is needed!
New volunteers are encouraged to attend virtual and/or in-person training. Virtual training is offered several times a month throughout March. In-person training will take place at Mia on Jan. 24 and Feb. 20. Please see the attached schedule for dates and contact Keri Mabry at keri.mabry@mpls.k12.mn.us to register or if you have any questions.
Ongoing Winter Donations Welcome
Thank you to Kenwood PTA and all who have donated warm winter gear! We welcome ongoing donations in youth and adult sizes when we return from winter break. Donations can be dropped off in the main office. Warm pants (leggings, sweatpants, etc.) are especially appreciated at this time.
Community News & Events
Somali Parent Advisory Council (SPAC): Tonight, 6:00 p.m.
SPAC will meet in person tonight, Dec. 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Location TBD. Please contact Ahmed.Keynan@mpls.k12.mn.us for more information and meeting details.
Camperoni: Twin Cities Camp Resource
Created by local parents to help other caregivers find and plan kids' camps, Camperoni is a free resource that has over 1400 camps from 235+ provider listings. Sign up and help spread the word!
Let's Stay in Touch!
Email: keri.mabry@mpls.k12.mn.us
Website: https://kenwood.mpls.k12.mn.us/Home
Location: 2013 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: 612-668-2760
Explore the MPS community resource page for information related to technology, food, healthcare, mental health, legal aid, and more.