Contact Kenny School: 5720 Emerson Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Bill Gibbs, Principal William.Gibbs@mpls.k12.mn.us Main Office: 612-668-3340 Fax: 612-668-3350

Attendance: 612-668-3346 Minneapolis Kids: 612-668-3344

Link to Kenny School Website: http://kenny.mpls.k12.mn.us

03-08-18

Dates to Remember

Friday

Mar 9

Photos for Kenny

Activities/Groups

Thursday

Mar 15

8:15am—Rope Power

Assembly

6:30pm—District Rope

Power Event

Friday

Mar 16

10:00am—Corda Mor

Irish Dance Group

Saturday

Mar 17 6:30pm—March Magic

Tuesday

Mar 27

Lifetouch Spring Picture

Day

5:00pm—Cooking Night

Off

Thursday

Mar 29

8:15am: Student of the

Month Assembly

Mar 30—

Apr 8

NO SCHOOL—Spring

Break

Tuesday

Apr 10

5:00pm—PTO

6:00pm—Foundation

Thursday

Apr 19

6:00pm—Science Expo

(5:30pm dinner)

Tuesday

April 24

5:00pm—Spaghetti

Dinner Fundraiser—

Details to come!

Thursday

April 26

8:15am—2nd Grade

Music Sharing Concert

Saturday

April 28

Math Squad Tournament

North High School

(More information to

come)

Hello Kenny Families,

It is another great week at Kenny School. Tuesday night we had several parent meetings that were

well attended. We had Site Council, Foundation, and PTA.

The Site Council meeting had over 70 people in what turned out to be a standing room event. That

was three times larger than any other Site Council meeting we have had in the ten years I have

been at Kenny. I made 20 budget packets with the idea I could give any extra packets to teachers

the next day. You can imagine my surprise when I entered the media center.

Parents had a lot to say as I presented scenarios to tie out our budget. The responses were pas-

sionate, as parents appreciate the programming we provide at Kenny School. The bottom line

comes down to the fact that if we reduce on classroom from the current six 4th and 5th grade class-

rooms to five classrooms with one being a combination, we are able to make only minimal reduc-

tions to the supports in the building. Parents were not happy hearing about the combined class-

room, but I explained that combination classrooms are not uncommon, and we have done it many

times at Kenny over the years.

Parents did say they were going to ask the District for money to maintain the 4th and 5th grade pro-

gramming, but I explained the District has a 33 million dollar deficit, and our 3rd grade cohort of chil-

dren is smaller than the other grades. One of the scenarios I presented was going with two and a

half 4th grade teachers and three 5th grade teachers and making some cuts to support staff. That

was not a popular idea with parents, even though most of the day the children would be spread

among three teachers, as homerooms would have 38-39 students. The numbers would have to be

that large to make sure we maintain three 5th grade teachers the following year.

At the Foundation meeting later that evening, a parent asked about having the Foundation buy up

the 4th grade teacher in the budget scenario I presented that had two and a half 4th grade teachers.

That would cost about $50k. I shared my concern that what appears to be a one year problem

could pop up again next spring. The idea was tabled for now as the 4th and 5th grade teachers were

asked to come up with a plan on what the programming would look like with five teachers.

I received a lot of good input from families. As I explained at Site Council, my responsibility is to

zero out our budget and come up with a staffing plan. At the end of today’s newsletter, you will see

the scenario that I would use if I had to tie out the budget today. I will ask to meet with the Founda-

tion one last time before we finalize the budget that needs to be submitted next Friday, March 16.

As always, thanks for all you do to make Kenny the amazing community school we have.

Bill Gibbs, Principal

Winding Down to the Kenny School Read-A-Thon

We've turned the calendar page to March and have closed the

books to all those amazing stories we read in February. Our preliminary

numbers are looking great. We might not have met our school wide

reading goal of one million minutes, but these Kenny kids did read half

a million minutes! Way to go!

Now...What about the white boards? We raised over $11,000.00! This

means all 18 classrooms will be equipped with magnetic white boards.

The remaining money will go into the Kenny Foundation general fund.

The Read-a-Thon committee would like to thank all the community

sponsors who have helped make the 2018 fundraiser possible. Karlyn

Coleman, Erin Downing, Barnes and Noble, Hennepin County Library

Washburn, and Wild Rumpus have all made significant contributions

toward making this year a success. We couldn't do it without these

amazing neighborhood businesses and authors!

Any students who have not turned in their tally sheets or who still have

outstanding pledges should turn them in to the Kenny office as soon as

possible. Keep your eye out for something crazy from Principal Gibbs

next Monday! Classroom prizes and the raffle drawing will be an-

nounced during Student of the Month, March 29th.

GREAT JOB, KENNY KIDS, FAMILIES AND STAFF!

Spring Music Sharing Concerts!

2nd Grade Music Share: Thursday, April 26th at

8:15am

5th Grade Band and Dulcimer Concert: Thursday,

May 31st at 8:15am

Mark Your Calendar!

MARCH MAGIC IS ALMOST HERE!

It’s not too late to buy your tickets!

With all the budget issues we are facing, Kenny School needs your support now more than ever!

Get ready to dance, socialize, win FABULOUS raffle items and sign up for Great Gatherings! Don’t forget to try your hand at our feature game PLINKO!

Are you feeling lucky?

RSVPs are still being accepted in the front office or buy tickets online through our website: www.kennymarchmagic.org (There is a small adminis-

trative fee for online purchases).

Hope you can join us!

Spring Portraits...Your Way!

LIFETOUCH SPRING PICTURE DAY!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

This is an opportunity for students who missed picture day

in the Fall or to have optional, less formal pictures taken!

Return the order form on Picture Day or order online:

Click here: mylifetouch.com

Picture Day ID: MI307094Y0

**Looking for a few volunteers to lend a hand! Please contact

Susie Friederich if available: susan.friederich@mpls.k12.mn.us or

(612) 668-3365

COOKING NIGHT OUT!

Tuesday, March 27 from 5:00pm—9:00pm

Café Zupas (2940 W. 66th St., Edina)

Good on dine in AND carry out orders!

Up to 25% of all pre-tax purchases will go back to Kenny

School!

No flyer needed...Just mention “Kenny School”

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Group / Activity Picture Day!

Friday, March 9

GEMS/GISE...Math Squad...Band...Glee

Club...Kenny Kangaroos...Crossing Guard and

Bus Patrol!

**Wear your group t-shirts if you have them!

Mark your calendar

for the

Kenny Science Expo!

Thursday, April 19 in the Kenny Gym

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

(Dinner 5:30–6:30 p.m.)

Tri-fold boards will be sent home with students next week!

Good luck and have fun with your projects, Kenny kids!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email:

kenny.sci.expo@gmail.com.

Kenny Kangaroos!

Thursday, March 15

Assembly time in the gym:

8:15am: Grades 3, 4 and 5

8:40am: Kindergarten, 1 and 2

6:30pm: District event

Washburn High School

201 W. 49th St. Minneapolis 55419

A Note From the PTO… Hello Kenny families! It’s going to be a busy Spring this year with plenty of ways to get involved!

We’re going to need volunteers to fill the empty event chairs soon!

Spring Carnival is right around the corner!

We are still looking for a team of volunteers to take the lead in planning this ever-popular

end of the year event!

PTO Co-Chair

We are also still looking for a volunteer to work alongside Dylan Thompson and run the

PTO. Help Kenny become the best school it can be!

Neighborhood Forest Giveaway at Kenny School (Earth Day, April 22nd)

• The Kenny Neighborhood Association (KNA) in partnership with the Armatage Neighborhood

Association (ANA) will be bringing trees to Kenny School!

• This is just ONE of the many ways in which the neighborhood Associations work to make our

community a wonderful place to live.

• Look for tree sign-ups soon!

Contact Dylan Thompson for more information or if interested in getting involved:

dylanthompson_inc@yahoo.com

Garden Day Needs YOU!

Saturday, May 12 from 8:30-11am

Two or three people are needed to help co-chair Garden Day this year and hopefully carry the

event forward in future years. You don’t need to be a garden expert or a professional naturalist!

We are looking for folks who have one or more of the following but need NOT have all:

• Some knowledge of garden maintenance, native perennial plants and shrubs, and common

weeds

• An ability to lead a group of people (adults and kids) and have them safely use garden tools

• Organizational skills and willingness to take care of some of the duties associated with sign up,

paperwork, signage, and permit for the event

• Friendly and helpful personality (Or at least the ability to be after some coffee and a donut!)

Again, at least one co-chair of this event DOES NOT NEED any garden knowledge – a willingness to

help with signage/flyers and/or corral helpers on the day of the event are needed just as much!

Please contact Susie Friederich if interested: susan.friederich@mpls.k12.mn.us or (612) 668-3365

There are so many ways to get involved at Kenny School! Below is a

list of events that are still in need of leadership. Go at it solo or get a

team together and see where you can lend a hand!

• Popsicles in the Park: Kindergarten and new student meet & greet (August)

• Kindergarten Tears N’ Cheers: First day of Kindergarten, coffee and tissues

provided! (September)

• Garden Day: It’s time to get the gardens ready for Spring! Garden and/or

plant knowledge NOT necessary! (May)

• Bachman’s Floral Gift Card Fundraiser: Collect orders, pick up gift cards and

distribute. Just in time for Mother’s Day! (May)

• Staff Appreciation Lunch: Our staff is the most dedicated and caring

around! (End of May—June)

• Student Directory: Collect, input and organize contact information.

(September—October)

• Box Tops: Periodically collect box tops from the front office and MPLS Kids,

turn in for credit. (On-going)

• School Tours: Bring prospective families on a tour, showcasing what makes

our school the gem that it is! (On-going)

Please reach out to Susie Friederich with any questions or if interested!

susan.friederich@mpls.k12.mn.us or (612) 668-3365

The Bachman’s Gift Card Fundraiser is an event in which Kenny families can purchase Bachman’s gift cards in

any amount and the school receives 15% of the sales. The gift cards are good for everything at Bachman’s and

make a great Mother’s Day gift!

The PTO is looking for someone to organize this event in April and distribute the gift cards in May.

Most of the work for this event can be done from home and during non-school hours!

Please contact Susie Friederich if interested! susan.friederich@mpls.k12.mn.us or (612) 668-3365

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The Kenny Foundation’s Spaghetti Dinner

Fundraiser

WHEN: Tuesday, April 24 from 5pm—7:30pm

WHERE: Richfield United Methodist Church

5835 Lyndale Ave S. Minneapolis 55419

More information to come!

STUDENT DROP OFF: Please be courteous of other drivers and use caution when pulling away from the curb! Children will be admitted to the building at 7:50am. The staff is respectfully requesting students be dropped off at the front door in the morning.

• Teachers need to be able to greet and assist chil-dren.

• Children have morning work assignments that need to be completed before the morning meeting that starts at 8:10am.

Thank you for your help with this as it allows us to give your children our undivided attention for greetings and assistance with morning work and routines.

All adults entering the building must sign in at the office.

TRANSPORTATION: Send Information to School when: 1. You have an address or daycare change. 2. If you are picking up your child and they usually ride a bus, they must be signed out in the office even with advanced notice. 3. Your student is using a different bus stop. 4. Your student is going home with another student. (Note: We need notification from BOTH families). Information will be sent home when: 1. Your student has been added to a bus route. 2. The bus stop for your student has had a change in

location. 3. The IN bus stop for your student has had a cumulative

time change of five minutes or more.

Changes can become effective any day of the week so

watch for the effective dates on the notices sent home

with your student.

From the Office

ATTENDANCE:

Call the Attendance line (612-668-3346) when your student will be absent.

Doctors or dentists notes should be brought into school when the student returns to the building. Your help with

this is appreciated.

BUS PASSES: Bus passes are REQUIRED to board a bus that

is normally not a student's assigned bus. We request notes be turned into the office as early in the day as possible.

We need notes from both sets of parents/guardians i.e. the parent/guardian of the student taking a different bus or using a different stop and the parent/guardian of the student they are traveling with.

The note should include:

• Student's FIRST and LAST NAME

• FULL name of student they are riding with

• Date of request

• Signature of parent or guardian

A bus pass may not be able to be honored if we have not

received two permission forms or if the bus requested is full.

Stay Informed

Bookmark the Kenny Website

for quick access to the Staff Directory, the school

schedule, meeting times, and new information.

http://kenny.mpls.k12.mn.us/

Join us on Facebook & keep up with all the latest Kenny news

http://www.facebook.com/kennypta

To be added to the Wednesday newsletter email list or if

you have information you would like to submit to the

Wednesday newsletter, please email:

kennyPTA33721@gmail.com

By 5pm on Friday

WINTER WEATHER

Winter weather is here! Please make sure your

student has winter gear (coat, snow pants,

hat, mittens/gloves, scarf and boots) as most

days we will be outside!

Indoor recess is based on a temperature and/

or wind chill of –5° below zero and overall

weather conditions .

We use the Weatherbug weather app with

Calvin Christian School as the selected site to

determine our current conditions.