Kenmore Elementary Paw Prints - September, 2026

Kenmore Elementary Paw Prints - September, 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Principal's Massage
  • Important Dates
  • Individual School Picture Day
  • Come be a part of STEM4GOOD!
  • Kenmore Arboretum

Principal's Message

Dear KE Families,                                          Back to School pic

Now that we've settled in and the first few days of school are behind us, it's wonderful to see our KE Cubs finding their rhythm and truly feeling at home in our classrooms. Whether this is your first year with us or you're a returning family, we are thrilled to have you as part of our community. From arboretum revitalization projects this summer to classroom office and transformations, there's so much to highlight. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events on campus and we look forward to seeing you soon. 

Ms. George-Shapiro
Principal
 

Harper Korte Completes Eagle Scout Project at Our Arboretum

We are thrilled to celebrate former KE Cub Harper Korte, who generously donated her time this summer and  completed her Eagle Scout project right here in the Kenmore Arboretum! Harper approached us in the spring about partnering with her Troop to breathe new life into this cherished outdoor space.

Harper's vision and dedication have transformed our beloved wooded space with meaningful improvements to the trails, making them safer and more accessible for all. She also added beautiful and informative plaques that enhance the educational value of this treasured outdoor classroom.

What makes Harper's achievement especially remarkable is that she is poised to become the first female Eagle Scout in her Troop's 93-year history. Since its founding in 1933, the Troop has produced over 150 Eagle Scouts, all men until now. As the Troop's first female founding member, Harper's leadership and commitment have brought her to this milestone in less than two years—a truly inspiring accomplishment.

We are grateful to the Kenmore Elementary PTA (KEPTA) for providing funds to support the project, and to Harper for all the hard work, heart, and vision she poured into giving back to the KE community. Congratulations, Harper—you've left a lasting legacy!

Explore the KE Arboretum

The Kenmore Arboretum is located in the wooded area on the east side of 71st Avenue, near the school. We encourage families to explore this wonderful resource and enjoy the improvements Harper has made. It's a perfect spot for discovery, learning, and connection with nature. Please, leave no trace, take only pictures, leave only footprints! Thank you!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community Service Day Volunteers

We are deeply grateful to the incredible volunteers who showed up for Community Service Day to support our school. Your time and energy made an enormous difference—helping teachers set up welcoming classrooms, cleaning our campus, weeding around the grounds, organizing supplies, and even providing generous snack donations for our staff! Your kindness and commitment to our KE community do not go unnoticed. Thank you for investing in our Cubs and our school.

Celebrating Progress: A Year of Transformation

What a difference a year makes! We are officially moved in, and while it remains a work in progress, we are excited for our Cubs to discover a few colorful new touches throughout the building that we hope will bring them joy. As the year unfolds, there will be more to come—stay tuned as we continue to make our new space feel like home.

Virtual Curriculum Information

Teachers will share recorded curriculum information with families through ParentSquare on Wednesday, September 9. These presentations will provide an overview of curriculum goals, classroom expectations, and what students will be exploring throughout the year.

In-Person Curriculum Night & PTA Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, September 15 @ 5:30-6:30pm

Curriculum Night for Grades 1–5 will be held in person on Tuesday, September 15. We look forward to partnering with you and sharing more about the learning experiences planned for the year ahead. Please stop by the PTA table too—they'll have ice cream and lots of great information to share!

Important Dates           Calendar thumbnail

Sept 1 - First Day of School!
Sept 1-3 - Kindergarten Camp
Sept 4-7 - WA Kids Conferences (Kindergarten)
Sept 7 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
Sept 9 - Virtual Curriculum Night 
Sept 8 - PTA General Meeting, KE Commons @ 6:00-7:30pm
Sept 9 - Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal @ 2:05pm
Sept 10 - Kindergarteners 1st Day with Assigned Teachers 
Sept 15 - In-Person Curriculum Night Q & A and PTA Ice Cream Social, 5:30-6:30pm
Sept 16 - Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal @ 2:05pm
Sept 23 - Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal @ 2:05pm
Sept 24 - Individual School Picture Day!
Sept 30 - Early Release Wednesday - Dismissal @ 2:05pm

 

Individual School Picture Day             Picture Day image

Individual school picture day will be on Thursday, September 24th. 

Picture packets will be coming home with your students soon!

 

Come be a part of STEM4GOOD!            STEM pic

This free program is for students in grades 3-5 and provides an opportunity for students to explore how technology and engineering intersect with ecology. The fall program, Habitat Heroes, gets students hands-on experience engineering humane traps to catch and relocate non-native American Bullfrogs and create new healthy habitats where they can thrive (no real frogs are included!)
 
Program Details:
4 weekly sessions
  • Dates: October 21, October 28, November 4, November 18
  • Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
25 students max
Permission slips will go home the week of 9/14 in grades 3 – 5.
3 volunteers needed for success. 
 
To sign up to volunteer, please click the link below or scan the QR code.
 

Signup volunteer QR code

 

 

Kenmore Arboretum             

Check out these before and after picture of the Kenmore Arboretum! 
Thank you to former KE Cub Harper Korte for organizing this for her Eagle Scout Project! 

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