KSD eSpotlight
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Test of Mass Notification System for Inclement Weather Days Scheduled for Tuesday, October 18
We want to be sure our parents and secondary student are informed of school cancellations due to inclement weather or in case of an emergency in out school community. The annual test of our automatic notification system ensures Kirkwood has accurate contact information for parents and secondary students.
A phone message, text and email will be sent to our Kirkwood families.
Make sure your family contact information is accurate.
-Check your phone numbers and contact information on the parent portal of Infinite Campus.
-If you need to update your contact information, please call your school and notify them.
KSD has six built-in inclement weather days (36 school hours) to the 2022-23 school year. The first six days will be treated as traditional snow days, and no school will be in session. If KSD goes to a seventh inclement weather day, this will be a virtual day. A virtual day will be used, to keep to the last day of school as scheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2023
"Pink Out" Game Recap
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Volleyball Pink Out Game on Thursday. This annual event raises money and awareness for breast cancer and encourages attendees to wear pink, the designated color for breast cancer awareness. The KHS squad sold over 500 shirts, and proceeds go to the American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign. This year’s campaign netted $5,000 in funds raised. Since the inception of the Pink Out event in 2006, the KHS volleyball team has raised $47,000 for breast cancer research.
This year, the team had an honorary coach. Nipher Middle School’s library media specialist Christy White was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. White joined the volleyball team on the sidelines and cheered on the Pioneers to victory against Mehlville.
Nipher Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Nipher students in Mrs. Goeke’s homeroom took a hands-on approach to learn about Latin cooking and explored salsa making. Over the past few days, students have learned about various types of salsa, and the ingredients and spices that are often used to prepare different sauces. Nipher students learned that the most common salsa ingredients are native to this hemisphere, and largely originate from Spanish-speaking countries.
Students brought in various ingredients and prepared different styles of salsa. Some included mango, while others included spicy peppers, and one even included bacon. Students enjoyed their time together preparing their salsas. After cutting up a dozen tomatoes, 7th grader Elizabeth shared that “it takes some dedication to make a good salsa.” Isla feels that “fresh spices, salt, and lime are key ingredients to a delicious salsa.” Aadish said that “the ingredients are so fresh and good, that even if you forgot an ingredient and wing it, it still tastes great!”
The salsa party wrapped up with a taste test challenge. A panel of judges, including superintendent Dr. David Ulrich, judged the five salsa varieties prepared. Team “Kappa” including team members Layila, Ava, and Jamie, took the top spot. The group prepared Layila’s grandmother’s family salsa recipe. She said the key to making a delicious salsa is to “keep tasting it while you’re blending the ingredients until you get all the spices just right.”
The class also shared with the judges a mural they colored with the saying “Todo el mundo sonrie en el mismo idioma,” which translates to “Everybody smiles in the same language.”
KSD Staff Selected to Present at U.S. Department of Education Teach to Lead Summit
Kirkwood School District (KSD) was one of 13 school districts from across the country selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Education's “Teach to Lead” summit. Representing KSD were Dr. Howard Fields, assistant superintendent of human resources; Dr. Jeremy Mapp, executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion; Dr. Liz Grana, director of professional learning; Tamala Merritt, teacher at Tillman Elementary; and Roberta McWoods, master mentor for Kirkwood Teachers of Color (KTOC). At the summit, the KSD team shared experiences about recruiting, mentoring, and retaining teachers of color and developed strategies with other colleagues from around the United States. Specific KSD programs discussed were the KSD Affinity groups and the Kirkwood Teachers of Color (KTOC) program. This collaboration was in partnership with “Teach for Lead” which “focuses on providing resources, facilitating stakeholder consultation, and encouraging professional collaborations to develop and amplify the work of teacher leaders.”
Calendar Committee Survey
The KSD calendar committee is seeking your feedback. As we continue to build a 23-24 school year calendar that includes as many voices from our community as possible, we are asking that anyone interested provide their feedback through the Calendar Consideration Survey.
The survey can be found at https://forms.gle/CyXQStbHGv9GmZwt8.
All survey results must be submitted by Wednesday, October 19th.Upcoming Events
Monday, October 17
The choir concerts this year at KHS will also feature our elementary school choirs. The first fall concert will have the 3-5 grade choir at Westchester performing a song.
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