KSD3 News
Weekly Update from Superintendent Wendy Johnson
5.5.2023
In this update:
- 🎓Our amazing soon-to-be graduates have earned 160 years of college
- 📚 Curriculum review opportunity through May 12
- 🙋 Reviewing our procedures when students want to change how they are identified
- 📖 School Board to consider five policies from committee
- 🕵️ What is AVID?
- 🗓️ Looking ahead in our schools
🎓 Our amazing soon-to-be graduates have earned 160 years of college
Kuna families
When I returned to work in the Kuna School District in 2005, our high school was not offering dual credit opportunities to our students like some of our surrounding districts were doing. I knew our students were capable of college-level work. Supported by our school board, my team and I went to work.
Today the story is much different.
At this week's senior awards night, we celebrated members of the Class of 2023 as they prepare for graduation later this month. Collectively they've earned about 160 years of college.
We have:
- Four seniors who earned associate's degrees from college
- Five seniors who earned a general education certification with 36 or more college credits
- 160 seniors will graduate with 12 + college credits
In the coming days, we'll also celebrate students who are earning career and technical industry certifications by demonstrating what they know on industry assessments.
I appreciate the hard work of many over the years to make these opportunities available to our students who choose them and for the vision of our board for supporting our efforts to ensure every child who graduates from KSD is future ready.
We will keep you updated on this work.
📚 Curriculum review opportunity through May 12
Community welcome to review textbooks, novels for English Language Arts, Math
Our community is welcome to review and provide feedback on new curriculum materials proposed for adoption. You may review these materials online or in-person next week with the deadline to provide feedback by 5 p.m. Friday, May 12.
Math
A committee reviewed our district's K-12 math curriculum and recommended a change from Big Ideas to Ready Math for grades 6-8. Grades K-5 and 9-12 will continue using the previously adopted curriculum.
English Language Arts (ELA)
A committee reviewed our district's 6-12 curriculum and is recommending three new resources: myPerspectives, NoRedInk, and Common Lit. Also available are the lists of novels identified for middle and high school use.
➡️ Learn more about how to access the materials for review and provide feedback on our website.
🙋 Reviewing our procedures when students want to change how they are identified
You may have seen information on social media sites about how we work with families when a student identifies as a gender different than the one assigned to them at birth.
In the absence of state law and conflicting federal direction, the Kuna School District worked with its legal counsel to create a “Transgender Student Identity Process" to help our staff handle when a student requests a change in how they are identified. This can include name, pronouns, and gender.
* Update: This process was replaced in August 2023
The process was developed and put in place in 2018 after complaints from parents and students and their legal counsel that a process wasn’t in place. Our school administrators are following the process established to comply with federal regulations.
New state laws -- parents rights and privacy -- passed a few weeks ago will take effect July 1, 2023 and provide clear direction to how Idaho schools can address these matters.
Our district administration, its legal counsel and policy committee composed of parents and educators, will review and propose changes as needed to bring our policies and procedures and practices into compliance with Idaho law.
📖 School Board to consider five policies from committee
🕵️ What is AVID?
Last week, Ross Elementary School hosted an open house for community members to learn more about the AVID strategies the school has been using for the past three years to improve student learning. I appreciate the school staff.
Ross Elementary led the way for our implementation. The Ross team has seen positive changes in academic and behavioral results.
AVID provides our students with proven strategies to organize their learning and understand the learning process through specific, effective strategies. The strategies provide teachers with proven strategies and professional development for teachers as well.
Our plan is to implement AVID strategies at all schools. The short video below explains more about what AVID is and isn't.
🏆 KMS student wins first place in anti-vaping video contest
Congratulations to Kuna Middle School student Troy Edwards for his first place video entry in Idaho Public Television's "Know Vape" contest! His "What's my beef with vaping" video is informative and offers some great alternatives to this behavior. Way to go, Troy!
🗓️ Looking ahead in our schools
For details please check our online calendar at www.kunaschools.org
- May 8 - KMS Orchestra concert
- May 8 - Communication Committee
- May 9 - Kuna Board of Trustees meeting
- May 9 - Kuna Middle School choir concert
- May 10 - Calendar Committee meeting
- May 10 - Negotiations meeting
- May 11-13 - KHS Choir Spring pops concert, 7 p.m. Kuna High School Tickets are available now at kunachoirs.seatyourself.biz
- May 11 =- English Learner and Migrant 5th Grade Transition Night, Kuna Middle School
- May 12 - No school students - teacher in-service / Employee & Teacher of the Year Celebration
- May 15 - KHS Spring Orchestra concert, 7 p.m. Kuna High School
- May 16 - Kuna Middle School Band concert, 7 p.m. , Kuna Middle School
- May 18 - Growth Committee meeting virtual 6 p.m.
- May 18 - KHS Spring Band concert, 7 p.m., Kuna Middle School
- May 18 - KHS Visual Art Exhibition, 5 to 7 p.m., Kuna High School
- May 19 - Fremont Middle School concert
- May 22 - Communication Committee
- May 24 - Class of 2023 Elementary Graduation Walk
- 🎓May 24 - Initial Point High School graduation
- 🎓May 25 - Early release K-12; Kuna High/Swan Falls high school graduation
- June 1 - Last day of school
- June 5 - Policy Committee meeting
- June 6 - Kuna Board of Trustees meeting first Tuesday * change from second Tuesday