Enrollment opens on Monday, April 6, for KSD’s Summer School 2026! Here’s a quick “save the date” and a few important details about so our Bulldog families can start planning ahead. We’re looking forward to another great summer of learning opportunities for our students.
Summer School Dates
June 1–25, 2026
Mondays–Thursdays only (summer classes will not be in session on Fridays)
Locations
Elementary summer school
Dogwood Elementary for Dogwood (DW) and Kearney Elementary (KE) students
Kearney Junior High for Southview (SV) and Hawthorne (HT) students
Secondary summer school
Kearney High School
Daily Hours
Elementary: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Secondary: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enrollment and Transportation Deadlines
Enrollment opens: April 6, 2026
Transportation deadline: April 30, 2026 (Families requesting transportation will need to complete enrollment by this date.)
We’ll share more details via ParentSquare and our website at www.ksdr1.net/summerfun as we get closer to April, including enrollment instructions and any additional program information families will need. In the meantime, please go ahead and mark your calendars.
Board of Education Meeting Summary - Feb. 18, 2026
Kearney School District's Board of Education held a regular business meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the central office. Below are a few highlights from the evening. A complete agenda and all supporting documents are available on the board's Simbli website.
School Showcase - Dogwood Elementary
Dogwood Elementary Principal Kathleen Bahan was joined by several of her team members and 11 students, who shared details about the leadership roles they have in their school. The leadership program was started to empower students, foster responsibility and build community. The student leadership tasks included:
Safety
Greeters
Cafeteria support
Mentorship
Playground equipment
Botany care
Office support
Learning Pod organizers
To learn more about this student leadership program at Dogwood Elementary, view the presentation.
Bond Project Update
Newkirk Novak, KSD’s capital project contractor firm, plans to have project bids back in early March for the following items: Epoxy floors at the three elementary schools, HVAC projects, and the Southview Elementary roof project. Once that happens, the district can prioritize three projects with the remaining bond funds available and prepare a proposal for the school board’s March 2027 agenda. Work continues on the Kearney Middle School roof metal trim. Roof work began on the KHS field house on Feb. 16, utilizing a stretch of good weather to help complete the two-week project.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Evaluation
Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Dr. Valerie Utecht shared an update on Kearney School District’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) programming and how it helps students “find their voice” as they explore career pathways and real-world opportunities. The evaluation highlights a wide range of coursework at Kearney High School and Kearney Junior High—Agriculture, Business, Marketing, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Project Lead the Way (Biomedical and Engineering), along with Cooperative Education—plus expanded options through partner programs such as Northland CAPS and area career centers.
Dr. Utecht emphasized that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all path: students are supported in matching their interests and goals with opportunities that also reflect workforce needs in our community. The district’s Career Readiness Coordinator, Emmy Berry, plays a key role in helping students connect to the right experiences, including internships and other Market Value Asset (MVA) opportunities.
A few highlights from the evaluation:
Strong student participation in CTE-related organizations and experiences, including internships, which have continued to grow year over year.
The Class of 2025 achieved 100% MVA attainment, and KSD is on track to maintain that momentum.
Next steps include continuing to expand client-connected projects, building on internship programming, and developing a CTE alumni network so graduates can return and share their experiences.
Bulldog Basketball vs. Smithville + K–5 T-Shirt Giveaway!
We’ve got a big night of Bulldog basketball coming up tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 20) at the Kearney High School Fieldhouse as our Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys teams host Smithville. If you’re looking for a fun, high-energy way to kick off the weekend, this is it.
For our younger Bulldogs, we’re celebrating the future of KMO hoops with a Youth T-Shirt Giveaway at the start of the girls game!
Game night schedule:
Girls Varsity tip-off: 5:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity tip-off: 7 p.m.
Location: Bulldog Fieldhouse
K–5 Youth T-Shirt Giveaway
First 100 K–5 students will receive a free shirt
Limited sizes available
Shirts will be distributed in the Gym Commons area beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Bring the family, wear your Bulldog gear and help us pack the Fieldhouse as we cheer on our basketball teams. It’s going to be a great night!
The Harlem Wizards are known nationwide for their high-energy blend of basketball skill, comedy, and audience interaction. This family-friendly event promises laughter, incredible tricks, and unforgettable moments as students, staff, and community members come together to celebrate Bulldog pride.
As KSDEF’s first Harlem Wizards event, this game marks an exciting new chapter for the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. Proceeds from the event will support KSDEF’s mission of enhancing educational opportunities for Kearney students through classroom innovation grants, student programs, and scholarships.
KSDEF hopes this inaugural Wizards game becomes a new Kearney tradition, one that brings the community together while directly supporting students and teachers across the district. Join us on Saturday, April 11, at KHS!
Congratulations to our 2026 Team KSD Awards Honorees!
Kearney School District is proud to recognize our 2026 Team KSD Awards school-level honorees! These are educators and support professionals who exemplify the very best of our district’s vision, mission and values. The honorees were selected from nominations submitted by KSD employees.
“Every day, these team members support students, collaborate with colleagues and families, and help foster school cultures where kids feel known, challenged, and cared for,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “We are grateful for the expertise, leadership, and heart they bring to KSD.”
Kearney High School's Cheer squad had a big moment at the state level this weekend, and it came in a brand-new arena for our program. Head Coach Erin Schmeltz recently sent a Group Stunt entry to compete in Springfield at the Game Day State competition, marking the first time for KHS to compete in this division at the state level. The group, made up of seniors Kenna Chenoweth, Amara Miles, Lily Hoessel and Natalie Knight, had just one minute to showcase their very best stunting.
Kearney High School FFA students continue to amaze us with what they’re learning and doing beyond the classroom. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, eight KHS FFA students submitted Proficiency Award applications for judging at the Area 2 Proficiency Night in Chillicothe. Proficiency Awards recognize students with outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. This includes the real-world, hands-on work our students take on outside of class in specific agriculture career pathways.
The Kearney High School Girls Wrestling team had a busy (and very loud) Valentine’s weekend, and our Bulldogs spent it breaking hearts in the best possible way. On Feb. 13–14, KHS hosted 38 teams for the Class 1 District 4 Girls Wrestling Tournament, and our girls put together a dominant team performance to win the Class 1-District 4 championship! They finished 40 points ahead of runner-up Mid-Buchanan and 126 points ahead of the third-place team.
Kearney School District was proud to join schools across the country in recognizing National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, which is marked every year on Feb. 15. This day was established by the National Association of School Resource Officers to celebrate the unique role these team members play in supporting students and keeping schools safe.
In KSD, we are especially grateful for School Resource Officer Cameron Philip and School Protection Officer Adam Kirkland. Their work goes well beyond “security.” They help build relationships with students and staff, serve as steady, trusted adults in our buildings, and strengthen the connection between young people and law enforcement through a presence that’s visible, approachable and supportive.
Rep. Meirath Honors KHS Softball with State Proclamation
State Rep. Mark Meirath visited Bulldog Country on Friday, Feb. 13, to present the Kearney High School Softball team with an official proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring the players and coaches for earning second place at the 2025 MSHSAA state tournament and finishing the season with a 31-6 record. The team includes Bailey Barnes, Kennedi Casey, Chloe Garrett, Caroline Jury, Kate Landewee, Reghan Lueken, Payton McLean, Reese Narron, Brooke Paalhar, Morgan Pennington, Alyssa Quick, Bailey Sharp, Kate Stumpenhaus, Ellie Switzer and Bentley Thorne. They are led by Head Coach Katelyn Birchfield, Assistant Coach Jessie Kern, Assistant Coach Shane Remley and Assistant Coach Dyllan West. We're so proud of all these Bulldogs for this well-deserved recognition!
Calling Young Bulldog Artists: July 4 Celebration Poster Contest
Calling all young artists in Bulldog Country! The Kearney Chamber of Commerce and the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce are inviting students and community artists to take part in the Clay County Under the Stars & Stripes: America 250 Poster Contest. The winning poster design will help promote the July 4, 2026, celebration at Smithville Lake, and the winner will receive a custom-framed poster of their work plus recognition at the event.
KEC Spark Opportunities for K–7 Students on No-School Days
Bulldog families, if you’re looking for a fun, structured option for your child on days when Kearney School District isn’t in session, the Kearney Enrichment Council has two great opportunities coming up through its Spark program for children in kindergarten through seventh grade.
Kearney School District’s kindergarten enrollment opened on Monday, Feb. 2, for the 2026-2027 academic year. If you have a child who will be age five on or before July 31, 2026, this is the time to enroll them in kindergarten! Start the kindergarten enrollment process by clicking the link provided below.
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
Parents/guardians will be required to provide a birth certificate, a record of required immunizations, and proof of residence for their child during kindergarten enrollment. Use our online district boundary map to locate the elementary school your child will attend.
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.
All families are encouraged to fill out the Online Meal Application Form. Completing this form allows families to qualify for free and reduced meal prices and also allows KSD to potentially become eligible for additional academic resources and funding.
Kindergarten Orientation events will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 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 2039!
Sign Up for the KSD Legislative Update
As the Missouri legislative session gets underway, Kearney School District is launching a short Legislative Update email newsletter to help our community understand how proposals in Jefferson City could affect our community's public schools. This newsletter will include a straightforward snapshot and brief analysis of proposals, bills, and laws at the state level that may impact public education, along with contact information for our local legislators. Please visit the KSD Legislative Updates page on our website at www.ksdr1.net/legislativeupdates and complete the opt-in form if you’d like to receive these newsletters.
Elementary School Transfer Requests for 2026–2027 (Due April 1)
Kearney School District students are expected to attend the elementary school assigned to their home address. However, if you would like to request an elementary school transfer for the 2026–2027 academic year, please complete the Student Transfer Request Form and submit it by April 1, 2026.
Thank you for helping us plan ahead for next year.
And last but not least...
Math Night Adds Up for Dogwood Families
Dogwood Elementary families got a fun and practical boost for math-at-home last week. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Brianna O’Neal, Dogwood’s Instructional Design Coach, hosted a Kindergarten and First Grade Math Foundations Night focused on building early number sense through simple math games families can play together at home. We’re grateful to Ms. O'Neal for organizing this event. We loved seeing all of the parents and guardians who took time to join us, ask questions and pick up strategies they can use right away with their children. At Dogwood and across Kearney School District, we value these kinds of parent learning opportunities because they strengthen our partnership with families. That partnership is one of the most crucial components in supporting student growth and achievement.
