Kearney, Mo., April 22, 2025: Kearney School District is hosting 2025 Kindergarten Orientations from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 at Dogwood Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Elementary and Southview Elementary.

This will be an opportunity for students who are eligible for kindergarten this fall to prepare by spending time with their teachers and other school support staff. Parents and guardians will get to meet and interact with school administrators during a Q&A session.

In addition, these orientations will include devices and support for parents and guardians who want to complete the kindergarten enrollment process for their children. Families should go to the orientation at the school their child will be attending when school starts this fall.

Visit www.ksdr1.net/enrollment for details about how to enroll your child in kindergarten for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The post Calling All 2025-2026 Kindergarteners: Get Ready for School! appeared first on Kearney Elementary.

Kearney, Mo., January 15, 2025: Kearney School District’s kindergarten enrollment will launch on Jan. 21 for the 2025-2026 academic year. If you have a child who will be age five on or before July 31, 2025, that will be the time to enroll them in kindergarten.

More details and a link to the enrollment process will be provided when it launches. Parents/guardians will be required to provide a birth certificate, a record of required immunizations, and a proof of residence for their child during kindergarten enrollment. Use our online district boundary map to locate the elementary school your child will attend. Note that those boundaries were recently changed and will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Any request to transfer an incoming kindergarten student to a different elementary school for the 2025-2026 academic year must be submitted by Feb. 11 for consideration. Transfer requests will only be considered for the reasons outlined in the request form. Approval is not guaranteed. A decision will be made as soon as possible and is contingent upon a wide variety of factors including classroom space and available resources. Parents/guardians will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school if the transfer request is approved.

After completing the enrollment process, one of our Parents As Teachers program Parent Educators will contact you to schedule a kindergarten screening. Parent Educators screen to help KSD plan for classes and the needs of each incoming kindergarten class. Parent Educators will also provide at-home activities and information about summer programs, as well as answer any questions parents/guardians may have.

Kindergarten Orientation events will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 at each of KSD’s elementary schools. Stay tuned for details. This is an opportunity for families to receive helpful information about KSD, tour their school and meet their child’s teachers and building principal. We’re excited to welcome the Bulldogs Class of 2038!

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LINK: In-District Elementary School Transfer Request Form for Current Students

As part of the elementary school attendance boundary adjustments approved by the Board of Education last month, we are changing our practice regarding private daycare providers. Starting next academic year, KSD will provide transportation to the school in the attendance zone where the daycare is located:

Completed transfer request forms are required by the deadline for any students who will use district busing from a private daycare provider that is not in their home residence elementary attendance zone. For instance, if your child’s home elementary school is Southview and they receive before-school care at Little Dawg, you will need complete and submit the transfer request by the deadline in order to attend Kearney Elementary.

Families always have the option to have their children attend the elementary school in the attendance zone of their home residence. If a family lives in the Southview Elementary attendance zone, for example, their child may attend Southview. However, if their child is at Radiant Life in the morning, the family or the daycare will have to provide transportation to Southview if they don’t complete a transfer request to Dogwood by the submission deadline.

Please email RegHelp@ksdr1.net for questions about the transfer process.

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Kearney, Mo., December 17, 2024: On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Kearney School District’s Board of Education approved the changes recommended by the Elementary School Boundary Team.

These changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Students who reside in Grid 15 on the approved boundary map will switch from attending Dogwood Elementary to Kearney Elementary
• Students who reside in Grids 12A and 12B on the approved boundary map will switch from attending Kearney Elementary to Southview Elementary

As part of these adjustments, we are changing our practice regarding private daycare providers. Starting next year, KSD will provide transportation to the school in the attendance zone where the daycare is located:

Families always have the option to have their children attend the elementary school in the attendance zone of their home residence. If a family lives in the Southview Elementary attendance zone, for instance, their child may attend Southview. However, if their child is at Radiant Life in the morning, the family or the daycare will have to provide transportation to Southview.

As our community continues to grow, so does the need to ensure our schools operate effectively and efficiently. These adjustments are part of our ongoing commitment to providing equitable access to quality education while addressing our district’s growth and evolving needs.

The new boundaries will better align our resources with the needs of our students, maintain class sizes, and optimize the learning environments at each elementary school. These changes are the result of a thoughtful process led by parents/guardians that included analyzing enrollment data, gathering community feedback, and ensuring that our elementary attendance boundaries will help us achieve our long-term district goals.

We will work hard to help everyone have a smooth transition to their new school. All of our elementary schools are truly outstanding. Our principals and their teams will go above and beyond to help ensure that each new student is welcomed and nurtured.

Our principals will be contacting impacted families directly to share more details about this process and the steps we’re taking to make this a positive experience, including:

• Open House & Orientation Events: To help families get to know their new school, we will host open houses and school tours in the coming months. These will be opportunities to meet teachers, administrators, and fellow families.
• Additional Support: Our counselors and administrative team are available to assist with questions or concerns regarding the transition.

We are dedicated to supporting each student and family through this adjustment. Our goal is to provide every child with the tools and environment they need to thrive academically and socially.

Visit www.bit.ly/ksd-boundary-process for additional information about the boundary process. Should you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can be reached at communications@ksdr1.net.

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Kearney, Mo., December 4, 2024: A great education can start by learning that a German dog says, “wau wau.”

A group of foreign language students from Kearney High School visited classrooms at all four Kearney School District elementary schools today. The teens led 20-minute lessons in Spanish and German for the younger students.

Beth Pickle’s second graders at Kearney Elementary learned about how Christmas is celebrated in Spain and then sang the traditional “Feliz Navidad” song in Spanish; that was followed by a lesson on the names of various animals in German and how they sound in that language. Similar scenes played out at Hawthorne, Dogwood and Southview elementary schools.

This “sociocultural project” was conceived of by KHS foreign language teachers Stacey Getz and Brittini Starzl as a creative way to help their students earn a Seal of Biliteracy when they graduate, according to KSD Career Readiness Coordinator Stacy Holtzclaw.

“In the past, our students have completed essays as part of the process of qualifying for the Seal of Biliteracy,” Mrs. Holtzclaw said. “This year, instead, they did cultural research, developed lesson plans and visited the elementary schools to share their knowledge with those students.”

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation, according to the coalition that created the program. The goal is to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual.

A Seal of Biliteracy is a valuable credential for students as they pursue their college and career goals. It is considered a Market Value Asset (MVA) under Kearney School District’s Real World Learning initiative; all graduates will be required to have an MVA to graduate starting with the Class of 2025.

In addition, a number of colleges, universities and businesses offer incentives for students who have earned the seal. At Missouri State University, for instance, students with the seal can earn foreign language credits without having to take those classes.

Having the high school students teach at the elementary schools also helps nurture interest in studying foreign languages among younger classes, Holtzclaw added, and aligns with KSD’s goal to foster future public educators.

LINK: KHS Seal of Biliteracy Sociocultural Lessons Photos

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Kearney, Mo., October 16, 2024: The public education team at Kearney School District has long recognized that Lead Social Worker Meeghan Masters is extraordinary; now that distinction is being recognized by a prominent organization that focuses on supporting families across the nation.

Modern Woodmen of America has selected Mrs. Masters for its Hometown Hero Award. The honor was announced by Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Nicolas Vasquez during a surprise event with dozens of her family members, co-workers and friends yesterday afternoon at the KSD central office.

“Since I started working as a social worker for KSD, I’ve made it my mission to help ensure that every child can have the same kind of experiences and opportunities at school as my children have,” Masters said. “I’m so grateful to Modern Woodmen for this award because it affirms and supports that mission that we are all trying to achieve as a team. This is amazing.”

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. The society’s Hometown Hero program provides an opportunity to honor an individual or volunteer group for their outstanding service to the community or an act of bravery. The award aligns with the organization’s commitment to support social, educational and volunteer activities that identify and meet local needs.

“I cannot think of a person in our Bulldog community who is more deserving of this award,” said Mr. Vasquez, who also serves as a member of the KSD Board of Education. “Meeghan embodies the true spirit of selfless service that is an example for us all.”

As part of the award, Modern Woodmen will make a $100 charitable donation to the organization or deserving individual of Masters’ choice.

Masters became KSD’s first social worker in October 2015. Since then, the program has expanded to include two other full-time social workers and her elevation as leader of that team.

It’s difficult to encompass the scope of Masters’ work for the district and the community. Her tasks broadly include ensuring that every student’s basic needs are met so that they are in a position to succeed in school. An incomplete list of her efforts includes:

• Helping provide dozens of Kearney High School students with nutritious meals through an on-campus food pantry
• Organizing and running an annual fair to distribute school resources for students in need every summer before the start of classes
• Ensuring that KSD is effectively and efficiently using its roughly $1 million Clay County Children’s Services Fund grant to best support families
• Connecting students with vital mental and emotional support services
• Assisting homeless students

KSD Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Jennifer Kopp is effusive when talking about the positive impact that Masters has across KSD.

“Meeghan is someone who, if there is a kid in need, she will be there to help them, no matter what,” Kopp said. “And she doesn’t just help the students. She will go above and beyond to help the entire family. She’s always available.”

Masters’ commitment to caring extends to her family. She and her husband, Jeremy Masters, have fostered four children over the years, and are raising four, two of whom are adopted. All of their children have developed a similar focus on service, according to Kopp.

“They open their home when there is a need, and their kids have the same spirit,” Kopp said. “Meeghan really is a hero.”

Contact Modern Woodmen of America Financial Representative Nicolas Vasquez at nicolas.a.vasquez@mwarep.org or (816) 231-9636. Visit www.modernwoodmen.org to learn more about Modern Woodmen.

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Kearney, Mo., February 1, 2024: Kearney School District’s kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open. If you have a child who will be age five on or before July 31, 2024, this is the time to enroll them in kindergarten.

Start the kindergarten enrollment process by clicking the link provided below. You will then schedule a kindergarten screening appointment for your child after the kindergarten enrollment process is completed.

LINK: START KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT

• If you already have a username and password: Enter that information into the windows on the left side of the page to access the Registration Gateway, then click “Add a Student” from the options on the left
• If you are new to this system: Click the “Registration Gateway” link and then click “Start” on the next screen to create a username and password
• For assistance with this process: Email reghelp@ksdr1.net

You will be required to provide a birth certificate, a record of required immunizations, and a proof of residence for your child during kindergarten enrollment. Use our online district boundary map to locate the elementary school your child will attend.

After completing the enrollment process, you will schedule a kindergarten screening.  Please use the kindergarten screening link to set up an appointment at the KSD Early Education Center. If none of the available dates work, please email Brittney King at kingb@ksdr1.net to set up an appointment at the EEC or your home with one of our Parents as Teachers program Educators.

Parent Educators screen to help KSD plan for classes and the needs of each incoming kindergarten class. Parent Educators will also provide at-home activities, and information about summer programs as well as answer any questions parents/guardians may have.

Kindergarten Orientation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 this year at each of KSD’s elementary schools. This is an opportunity for families to receive helpful information about KSD, tour their school and meet their child’s teachers and building principal. We’re excited to welcome the Bulldogs Class of 2037!

The post Kindergarten Enrollment Now Open for the 2024-2025 School Year appeared first on Kearney Elementary.

Kearney School District is excited to welcome two outstanding public educators to the ranks of our school administrators.

John Goodin will be taking the Principal post at Kearney Junior High. He is currently the Principal at Lathrop Middle School, where he’s been since 2021.

Mr. Goodin will start this July following the retirement of current KJH Principal Mike Hoffman, who has been part of KSD for almost three decades.

“Mr. Hoffman is an absolutely critical member of our leadership team in KSD and he will be missed,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “His positive attitude, his relationship with students and his skills as a school leader are extraordinary. We are grateful for the time we had him here and wish him and his family all the best as they move into this next stage of their lives.”

Before becoming Principal at Lathrop Middle School, Goodin was the Activities Director and Assistant Principal at Lathrop High School. He started his career in public education as a high school strength and fitness instructor in 2012 and has formerly held posts as a head football coach and director of transportation.

Goodin holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Graceland University, a master’s in kinesiology and sports management from the University of Central Missouri and a specialist degree from Northwest Missouri State University. He comes from a family of educators and coaches, and he is looking forward to applying his skills and commitment at KJH.

“There is so much pride within the school and community and I am just thrilled to become a part of it,” Goodin said. “We are going to push towards excellence in everything that we do, and we will continue to work on any challenges that may arise. I am confident that with the dedication and hard work of students, teachers, and parents, we will continue to achieve great success and make a positive impact on the lives of our students.”

Kathleen Bahan has been selected for the Assistant Principal position at Dogwood Elementary. She is currently the Assistant Principal of Flint Hill Elementary School in the Fort Zumwalt School District on the east side of the state, a position she’s held for nearly five years.

She will replace current Dogwood Assistant Principal Bryson Travis, who is taking an opportunity to return to Excelsior Springs for an administrative position in that school system.

Ms. Bahan started her career as a math teacher in 2004 and made the leap into school administration as a middle school Assistant Principal in 2008. Ms. Bahan holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a master’s from Lindenwood University and an educational specialist degree from Missouri Baptist University.

KSD gathered an impressive array of applicants for both the KJH and Dogwood positions, according to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Zach McMains. He praised the hiring committee members for their hard work in reviewing the candidates and making the final selections.

“I think it says a lot of positive things about our school system that we received so many applications from a very high-quality pool of professionals,” Dr. McMains said. “Mr. Goodin and Ms. Bahan are going to be outstanding additions to our team. They will help us remain one of the best public school districts in the state and nation.”

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We’re pleased to share that our new TITAN Family Portal is up and running. TITAN is a secure, online system that allows you to:

• Make an online payment to your children’s cafeteria meal accounts
• Monitor your children’s cafeteria purchases
• Set up automatic recurring payments
• Set up low-balance email message alerts
• Submit an online application for free and/or reduced-price meals

Lunch transactions and online payments will no longer be accessed through PowerSchool/RevTrak.

Getting started with TITAN is easy! Just four easy steps:

1. Register – Visit family.titank12.com and click on the “Sign up today” link.
2. Confirm Email – Confirm your email address by clicking on the email verification link sent to your email address.
3. Sign In – Now you can sign in at family.titank12.com using your email and password.
4. Link Students – Click the “+” button to link all of your students to your login.

You can also download the TITAN Family Connect app from Google Play or the Apple App Store for quick and easy access on your mobile device.

We know it’s taken us some extra time to get this system working and we appreciate your patience. Please see the attached document with additional details about TITAN. Questions and issues can be directed to communications@ksdr1.net.

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Kearney, Mo., September 14, 2021: The Kearney High School theatre department wants to treat children like royalty.

KHS will be hosting a “Princess Party” from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the high school, which is located at 715 E. 19th St. The party is for children ages 5-12.

The cost is $30 per person. Parents/guardians have until Sept. 20 to pre-register their children for this event by completing the online form at bit.ly/khs-princess-party-21.

The KHS Princess Party will feature a wide range of fun activities, including:

• Dress Up Costumes
• Dance studio
• Singing
• Face painting/makeup
• Hair & nail salon
• Photo opportunities
• Royal tea party with treats and goodies

This event is a fundraiser for the high school theatre department, which is currently in rehearsals for its fall musical production of “Cinderella.”

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