- Kent School District
- Be in the Know
Be in the Know
-
Tools We Use to Communicate with Families
We believe communication with our families, staff, and community is critical to student success. Kent School District (KSD) uses a wide variety of tools to distribute information to our diverse community.
In addition to the official tools listed below, we invite you to visit or call our district or school offices to speak with members of Team KSD directly. Interpreters are available upon request.
Look for These Icons
An exclamation point in a red circle means the tool is used to announce closures, delays, or emergencies.
The letter "i" in a blue circle means the tool is used to share general information.
A star in a yellow circle means the tool is used to highlight students, staff, and our community through photos, stories, videos, and more.
The letter A in a purple circle means the tool has the ability to translate content into languages other than the one information was sent in.
Automated Phone Calls
- Used to announce closures, delays, or emergencies.
- Used to share general information and reminders, notify you of your student’s absence, or issue lunch account reminders.
- Define your home language with your school(s) and in Skyward Family Access to receive translated calls when available (not all calls can be translated).
- Make sure your phone number is current with your school(s) and listed in Skyward Family Access.
Emails
- May be used to announce closures, delays, or provide detailed information during emergencies.
- Used to share general information, reminders, and “letters home” from principals, the superintendent, or other staff.
- Define your home language with your school(s) and in Skyward Family Access to receive translated emails when available (not all emails can be translated).
- Make sure your email address is current with your school(s) and listed in Skyward Family Access.
- Do not unsubscribe from school emails or district e-newsletters sent via Constant Contact.
Text Messages
- May be used to announce closures, delays, or emergencies.
- May be used to share general information and reminders.
- Translate content by selecting your preferred language in your mobile device's settings.
- Opt-in to receive text messages to your cell phone using Skyward Family Access.
Kent School District & School Websites
- Used to announce closures, delays, and other emergencies.
- Used to share events and general information.
- Used to highlight students, staff, community, and programs through stories, photos, and videos.
- Translate content by selecting your preferred language under the “Translate” menu (view step-by-step instructions with images).
- Bookmark the Kent School District and school homepages for quick access.
Kent School District Mobile App
- May be used to announce closures, delays, or emergencies.
- Used to send push notifications with general information and reminders.
- Combines content from our website, social media, and other communication channels providing a one-stop shop for information and news.
- Translate content by selecting your preferred language in the app's settings (view step-by-step instructions with images).
- Search for “Kent School District” in the AppStore or Google Play to download for free.
- Allow notifications when you open the app for the first time or turn notifications on at any time on in the app’s settings.
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
- Used to announce closures, delays, or emergencies.
- Used to share general information and reminders.
- Used to highlight students, staff, and community through photos, videos, stories, and more.
- Translate content by selecting your preferred language in each platform.
- Follow KentSchools415 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
LinkedIn
- Used to share job postings, resources, and general information targeted to current and potential Team KSD members.
- Used to highlight staff, students, and community through photos, videos, stories, and more.
- Translate content by selecting your preferred language in the LinkedIn platform.
- Follow Kent School District on LinkedIn.
YouTube
- Used to livestream Kent School Board meetings and work sessions.
- Used to highlight students, staff, and community through video.
- While YouTube does not translate videos created in English, videos may occasionally be created in or feature other languages.
- Subscribe to the Kent School District YouTube channel.
Peachjar
- Used to share electronic flyers with general district/school information including events, programs, and initiatives.
- Used to share electronic flyers from community partners and organizations (learn about who can post and why).
- While Peachjar does not translate flyers created in English, flyers may occasionally be created and posted in other languages.
- Bookmark the Kent School District and school Peachjar webpages for quick access.
- Make sure your email address is current with your school(s) and listed in Skyward Family Access.
- Do not unsubscribe from Peachjar emails.
ThoughtExchange
- Used to solicit feedback from various stakeholders throughout the year.
- View and participate in open exchanges.
News Media
- Local news media (KING 5, KIRO 7, KOMO 4, Q13, Kent Reporter, Covington-Maple Valley Reporter, Seattle Times, etc.) may announce when school is closed or delayed.
- Local news media may cover KSD stories of interest featuring students, staff, or our community.