Register now for KCPS' Summerfest; stay tuned for KCPS Homeroom show
Of all the many developments in the pandemic world, here are two of note coming out of the Kansas City Public Schools:
The annual start-of-school Summerfest — which drew thousands of KCPS families to the district’s neighboring park — is going into “drive-thru” mode. Families need to pre-register.
And KCPS teachers are going to have their own TV show — broadcasting daily education programming that will be available on KMCI 38 The Spot for everyone in the KC area who has a television.
“We thinking of the greater good . . .,” Kansas City Superintendent Mark Bedell said about the television plans to an online audience on digital equity Thursday, “. . . (and) how this can benefit all of us.”
KCPS families must pre-register at kcpublicschools.org/summerfest
Summerfest has always drawn giant crowds as families get the opportunity to pick up free backpacks and school supplies while taking care of other pre-enrollment needs and visiting their principals and teachers and their LINC site leaders.
Because of the pandemic, the fest has been divided into two drive-thru Saturday events. KCPS families will still receive the free supplies, but they must pre-register at kcpublicschools.org/summerfest.
The Summerfest drive-thru events will be:
Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at East High School, 1924 Van Brunt Blvd.
Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Southeast High School, 2500 East Meyer Blvd.
KCPS on the air
School districts throughout the area strained through the spring and summer to keep children and families engaged in education once everyone had to go online.
The television show, KCPS Homeroom on KCMI 38, is part of Kansas City Public Schools’ redoubled effort to connect with its students in the fall.
Every school morning, beginning at 8 a.m., the one-hour show will offer lessons in key content areas, including Math, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Fine Arts, that anyone can tune in and watch.
“We understand the struggles of at-home learning,” the district said in announcing the show. “We understand the difficulties of balancing academics, family dynamics and work. Our goal is to provide an extra resource for not only KCPS students but students throughout the area. We look forward to providing this show for our families. We hope families find it valuable and continue to tune in throughout the school year.”
The shows will also be aired at various times throughout the day on the district’s television station, KCPS-TV and online at YouTube.com/KCPSTV.