Inspiring Excellence:

Every Grown Up, Every Child, Every Day

April 18, 2025

See What's Happening!

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District Calendar

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April 30: Kindergarten Kickoff

May 15: Seniors' Last Day

May 21-22: Early Release/Last Day for Students

Full Calendar Here

News & Updates

KCKPS Names New Associate Superintendent

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Kevin Hansford as the new Associate Superintendent of Leadership and Learning.

A distinguished educational leader with more than two decades of experience in Kansas public schools, Mr. Hansford brings a deep commitment to instructional excellence and student success.

A graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Mr. Hansford’s return to the area represents a meaningful full-circle moment in his professional journey.

“I owe so much of who I am today to KCKPS and the incredible teachers who guided, supported, and inspired me. Their impact is the reason I chose to become an educator.

It’s truly a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be more excited to return home to KCKPS and give back to the community that gave so much to me.”

Mr. Hansford most recently served as Superintendent of Kingman-Norwich USD 331 in Kingman, Kansas, where he led a district of over 900 students.

Kindergarten Registration is Underway

Parents and guardians, don't forget that you can now register your child for Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year.

Your child must be 5 years old by August 31, and your family must live within the school district's boundaries.

Also, don't forget that Kindergarten Kickoff will be April 30th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at your neighborhood elementary school.

Families with registered incoming kindergarteners for the 2025-2026 school year are invited to visit their child’s elementary school for a fun and welcoming event.

You can also meet the teachers, tour the school, and connect with other families.

Save the Date: Summer Learning Program

Don't look now, but summer is just around the corner!

Parents and guardians should be receiving invitations to the 2025 Summer Learning Program.

Just like last year, eligible students will receive an invitation via the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus.

Be on the lookout for it.

Students in grades K-8 will be invited based on their state assessment performance, while high school students can attend based on needed credit recovery.

Free Meal Program Will be Offered this Summer

Free meals will be available this summer through KCKPS-affiliated community sites for individuals 18 years old and under.

There will be daily snacks, breakfast, and dinner provided at multiple sites throughout Kansas City, Kansas.

Registration for the Fall Virtual Learning Program is Coming Soon

Parents and guardians, fall registration for Virtual Learning at KCKPS is coming soon.

Registration will begin April 28, and will close on May 15, 2025.

K-12 students can enroll in the Greenbush Virtual Academy (GVA), which is fully accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and has administered a virtual program for several years.

Parents and guardians can sign up for registration through the parent portal on Infinite Campus.

2nd Annual Unity in the Community Event

Join us for the 2nd annual Unity in the Community event, hosted by Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

This community resource fair aims to provide families with access to various programs, resources, and services available throughout the summer and beyond.

Families will have the opportunity to connect directly with community organizations and get more information about local programs in a fun environment for all.

KCKPS Excels Showcase: A Celebration of Student Innovation

The Diploma+ Program at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is excited to invite the community to the 3^rd Annual KCKPS Excels Showcase.

The year’s showcase will feature hundreds of innovative displays created by high school in the district.

Each exhibit will reflect the skills they’ve developed from their coursework and their growth.

The showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 23, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, at the KCKCC Technical Education Center, located at 6565 State Avenue, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Free Mental Health Resources are Available

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to give families free access to a helpful mental health resource center.

The online service is called Parent Guidance.

It's a website made to support parents, guardians, and caregivers with expert advice on common challenges like anxiety, social media, school struggles, and bullying.

Let's Get You Connected!

Parents and guardians, are you looking for assistance to help you become more economically-sufficient and break the chain of poverty?

Let's get you connected!

Connections to Success is a local organization that provides a comprehensive network of services and support to help empower individuals in poverty to achieve economic independence.

One of the many programs they offer is a Personal and Professional Development Class which equips participants with the tools and resources to progress toward their personal and professional goals.

KidZone Will Host Free Basketball Camp

The KidZone Program at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will be hosting a FREE basketball camp.

The camp will take place from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, April 19, at J.C. Harmon High School, located at 2400 Steele Rd. in KCK.

Students ages 5-12 will learn the fundamentals, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and most importantly, sportsmanship.

The registration deadline is Saturday, April 19, at 8:45 a.m.

Students Can Sign up for Free 2025 AileyCamp

KCKPS is again partnering with the Friends of Alvin Ailey for a unique dance opportunity.

AileyCamp Kansas will host its annual FREE summer dance camp this year.

This camp will help students build inner-strength, make new friends, and develop leadership skills through fun and exciting classes, activities, and field trips.

The camp will take place from June 5 through July 11, at Carl B. Bruce Middle School, located at 2100 N. 18th St. KCK.

Additional News & Updates

Silver City Elementary School Student Shines at Topeka Library

Visitors to the Topeka Shawnee County Library in Topeka, Kansas were treated to the celebrated artwork of Seth Clayborne, a third-grade student at Silver City Elementary School.

His artwork, Cut Paper Planet, was selected to represent Silver City in the prestigious 2025 Youth Month Exhibit.

Each year, the art exhibit in Topeka celebrates Youth Art Month by showcasing the creativity of young artists from students throughout the state of Kansas.

“His artwork was on display for an entire month, and we are so very proud of him,” said Silver City Principal Zaneta Boles.

Art Unloaded: A Celebration of Student Creativity

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is proud to present Art Unloaded, a virtual art show highlighting the incredible creativity of our students from elementary, middle, and high schools.

This online exhibition showcases pieces carefully selected by our art teachers to represent key artistic concepts, techniques, and the learning that takes place in our classrooms every day.

Each elementary teacher selected one piece per grade level, middle school teachers chose two per grade level, and high school teachers curated four works based on the subjects they teach.

The result is a diverse and inspiring collection that reflects the talent, imagination, and dedication of our young artists.

Watch: Students Explore the Future of Tech at Large-Scale Digital Summit

A powerful partnership between Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and Kansas State University helped students chart a course toward a bright future in technology and innovation.

On Thursday, March 27, over a hundred students from all five KCKPS high schools and Alfred Fairfax Academy gathered for a groundbreaking digital summit at Central Office.

The giant symposium marked a pivotal moment in the district’s commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders in the tech world.

The event was a whirlwind of learning and discovery for students eager to increase their tech knowledge.

Students of the Month

Cung Bik - Early Childhood

Cung was nominated for Student of the Month for exemplary Positive Behavior.

His teacher, Ms. Cervantes, shares the following commendation:

"Cung is an outstanding role model in our classroom. He consistently demonstrates eagerness to learn and readiness for each lesson.

His willingness to assist his peers and genuine care for others set him apart.

Cung's positive attitude and helpful nature contribute significantly to creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment."

4th-Graders at Frank Rushton - Elementary School

On February 17, 2025, Baraka Ruhumukiza, Ariadne Garcia Montoya, Caleb Orellana Solis, and Vitali Kunakhovich traveled to Topeka to testify in support of HB 2330, which aimed to make November 14th a permanent commemorative day for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

The students provided oral testimony to the Education Committee.

Despite the students' efforts, the bill did not pass. Although disheartened, the students were encouraged by supportive legislators to continue their advocacy efforts.

Zanae Zachary - Middle School

Zanae was nominated by Ms. Harvey from JAG-K for her Outstanding Academics, and because she has demonstrated remarkable progress and dedication.

She significantly improved her GPA from 1.58 to 3.55 in just one quarter, showcasing her commitment to academic excellence. Zanae set and achieved goals to enhance communication with peers and teachers, while also greatly improving her attendance.

Her consistent efforts have been recognized multiple times, culminating in her winning the JAG-K Student of the Month award in December 2024.

Donovan Richardson - High School

Christopher was nominated for Athletic Achievement by Sheyvette Dinkens PTSA, who said he stands out as an exceptional student-athlete and dedicated leader.

His remarkable accomplishments in bowling, including an impressive 299 score, demonstrate his incredible skill, focus, and determination.

These qualities extend beyond the lanes into his academic and personal life.

Christopher excels not only in athletics but also maintains a strong academic performance, showcasing his ability to balance sports and studies effectively.

Principals' Corner

Dear KCKPS Families,

As we enter into the last quarter - and the last month of school, we start preparing for the end of the school year.

With the end of the school year comes beautiful weather, lots of celebrations, and more family events at schools to celebrate all the achievements our students have accomplished.

Although we look forward to these fun and exciting things, they can also be a little stressful as we try to do everything and still keep up with all the regular day to day responsibilities we have.

We start getting tired and the urge to just slow down or take a break from our “To Do” list gets stronger every day.

We understand, and we want to partner with you so we can have fun, celebrate, and not lose our focus as we reach the finish line together.

Here are some ways you can help your family and your child finish the year strong:

Make attendance a priority. Keeping the focus on the regular routine of coming to school and learning can keep attendance strong and can be a calming anchor of normalcy for students. The district is launching its final attendance campaign, and many schools are sponsoring fun competitions, awards, and recognitions for having the best attendance this quarter. Check with your school on what they are doing and join in the fun!
Be selective on what you choose to do. Review all the possibilities and decide as a family which events are the most important to you. It’s ok to prioritize your family’s needs first.
Ask for help when you need it. We all get overwhelmed by life events from time to time and just need a little extra help or grace or both! Reach out to trusted friends, family, and your child’s school if you need a little extra support or help. We want to partner with you to find solutions that will ease your stress and make this final stretch as stress-free as possible.
Keep the focus on the reason for the celebrations. Although it seems silly to say, sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of the celebrations, we forget that these are actually happy occasions and mark huge accomplishments for our students. It means so much to them to know you are proud of them and you are taking the time to witness their proud moments. Being there is the greatest gift of all.

By working together, we can celebrate all the good things that our students have accomplished this year and finish strong together!

Sincerely,

Dr. Melissa Hunter-Boyce

Stony Point South Elementary

Community Notes

Help Celebrate Earth Day in KCK

You can celebrate Earth Day by lending a hand and helping cleanup neighborhoods and streets across Kansas City, Kansas.

Unified Government and local community organizers plan to spruce up four key areas on Saturday, April 26.

Areas include:

*718 Shawnee Ave.

*1403 Metropolitan Ave.

*1120 Central Ave.

*1412 Southwest Blvd.

Volunteers Needed for Serve Day in Argentine

The Argentine Betterment Corporation in Kansas City, Kansas needs volunteers for its annual Serve Day event.

The initiative will focus on cleaning up around the community and may also include assistance with yard clean-up.

This is a great opportunity for companies with volunteer programs, students needing service hours, and community members who want to give back.

Serve Day will be Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

The Unified Government Launches Free Mulch Pilot Progam

The Unified Government’s Public Works Solid Waste Management team has launched a Free Mulch Pilot Program.

This initiative provides Wyandotte County residents with free, natural mulch made from locally collected yard waste.

Unlike commercial mulch sold at retail stores, this mulch is untreated and dye-free, making it an eco-friendly option for landscaping and gardening.

The Recycling & Yard Waste Center, 3241 Park Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

Hazardous Materials Drop-off Site is Available

Does the spring cleaning around your home include getting rid of hazardous materials?

Wyandotte County residents can discard those materials free of charge through the hazardous waste program.

Residents can throw away old car batteries, used motor oil, brake fluid, degreasers, gasoline, furniture stripper, latex & oil-based paints, paint thinner, and more.

Proof of residency is required at the time of the drop-off.