Kent ISD

10/17/2026

Have you signed up for our newsletter yet? Get a closer look at our student programs, educators and community every other month!

Featured this month:
- Kent Career Tech Center and the partnership with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- New episodes from our Your Dream is Our Dream Podcast and School News Network's Study Hall Podcast
- Student Leadership Community
and more!

View the latest edition: mailchi.mp/0410391aeb02/we-lead-learning-december-10154437?e=2874515442

Subscribe today: eepurl.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=fbdc4d7dc7bf2f0765b090c5d&id=c29a0ad4fc

10/16/2026

Know a student who loves Mario Kart?

Maranda invites all high school students in Kent County to the Kent County Cup Mario Kart Esports Tournament hapenning tomorrow, Oct. 17 at Kent Career Tech Center!

All skill levels welcome and there will be prizes!

Register now and learn more at kentisd.org/kentcountycup

10/15/2026

Today is White Cane Day, recognizing the independence of people who are blind or visually impaired.

This morning, community organizations and the mayor gathered downtown for a proclamation and walk to commemorate the day and show their support for the community.

10/15/2026

The new issue of The Bulletin is here! Celebrate Michigan College Month with two free PD series, discover dyslexia supports for districts, explore new literacy PD, and meet AI Summit keynote Danielle Boyer. Register by October 16 to save!

Read the issue: https://mailchi.mp/kentisd/the-bulletin-10152026
Not subscribed yet? Join our community of educators: https://kentisd.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6f55915405ca62882693baa1d&id=e6e937a3b9

10/13/2026

Know a student who likes video games, esports, competition? Kent County Cup Mario Kart 8 Esports Tournament is just days away.

Share this with a local 9-12 grader who should attend this fun event on Oct. 17 where not only can they compete against other high schoolers but learn more about the billion dollar industry!

Register: kentisd.org/kentcountycup
Location of event: Kent Career Tech Center, 1655 E Beltline Ave NE
Starting time: 9am

10/13/2026

Big dreams don't wait for high school to take root.

Long before students step into secondary classrooms, they are already shaping their perception of what's possible. Expanding college and career awareness in the K-8 years gives young learners a clear line of sight to their future, making school feel meaningful and purposeful right from the start.

In this 100% online series, K-8 educators and school counselors will gain practical, ready-to-use lessons to teach durable skills, close equity gaps, and bring families into the college readiness conversation.

Join Kent ISD for "Building Futures: An Elementary & Middle School College Awareness Series." This 5-part series is completely free, runs from September through May, and offers up to 5 Specialized College Prep SCECHs with open registration anytime. Click here to register and start building future-ready classrooms: https://pdhub.link/26CR0914

10/09/2026

We rolled out ten electric buses for the first time this new school year!

Dean Transportation applied for the grants on behalf of Kent ISD and coordinated the installation of charging infrastructure to support the electric fleet. The project was funded through a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a $2.3 million grant from the State of Michigan.

Check out the news coverage from WOOD TV8 and 13 On Your Side:
woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-isd-dedicates-10-new-electric-school-buses/
wzzm13.com/article/news/local/kent-isd-dean-transportation-electric-school-buses/69-9b21b076-4ee9-442a-a7b1-428c31120ed7

10/07/2026

A note for our Adult Ed students attending GRCC.

Kent ISD Adult Education morning classes at GRCC Sneden Hall are cancelled today (October 7, 2026) due to a power outage! This only affects students who attend morning classes at GRCC. Afternoon and night classes at GRCC will still be open today.

10/06/2026

Save $20 on the Kent ISD Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit when you register by October 16!

Join K–12 educators from across the state on Monday, November 2, for a day focused on using AI to remove barriers, amplify voices, and create new opportunities for educators and learners. Hear from keynote speaker Danielle Boyer, one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI, and choose from three rounds of breakout sessions, including a Leadership path for administrators.

Register by October 16 for $30 (regularly $50). Lunch and 5.5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) included.

Register for the AI Summit: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0001-0020-39f37b3fbe9647c58d566cb0400101c9

10/04/2026

There is still time to register for the Mario Kart 8 Esports Tournament! This event, happening at Kent Career Tech Center on Oct. 17 at 9am, is for 9-12 grade students in the Kent County area.

Students will learn more about esports and compete against each other.
Register now: kentisd.org/kentcountycup

A special thanks to Michigan Technological University for sponsoring this event.