In this update:

As we wrap up the school year, I want to thank you for your continued support. Your partnership has made a meaningful difference in your child’s education and in the strength of our schools.

We’re especially grateful for the community’s approval of the supplemental levy. Because of your support, we avoided cutting 37 teaching positions and were able to fund six new ones to help manage class sizes—an important step as we implement the elementary boundary changes approved by the school board this month.

At the same time, without a bond to build new learning spaces, we are working hard to make the most of every available classroom. As our community continues to grow, space will remain tight. If you're concerned about crowding and want to help shape long-term solutions, I encourage you to join our Capital Plan Task Force, which meets June 9 and August 11.

Please reach out to Assistant Superintendent Jason Reddy for more information.

I also want to recognize more than 140 teachers and administrators who will attend a Professional Learning Community (PLC) conference in Boise the week after school ends thanks to a grant that will cover the cost of the conference. These conferences are typically held out of state, and this local opportunity makes it possible for about one-third of our educators to engage in high-quality training close to home. Thank you to our team for continuing their professional learning over the summer.

As we look ahead, below are a few important updates about summer activities and changes for the upcoming school year.

Enjoy your summer break!

Kim

Our School Board continues to meet monthly over the summer, with meetings scheduled for June 10, July 8, and Aug. 12. We’ll keep you informed by sharing our monthly Board Report, which recaps key actions and decisions.

Families will continue to receive monthly invitations to review and provide feedback on district policies that are being considered or revised before they go to the school board for review.

Over the summer, we’re also working on upgrading the website where these policies are housed. The new system will make it easier to search, navigate, and find the information you need.

Thanks to dedicated state funding for facility repairs, several important projects will get underway this summer to improve safety and function across our schools:

We’re grateful for the resources that allow us to maintain and improve our school buildings for students, staff, and families.

Kuna children can receive healthy meals—even when school is out. Free meals will be available at the following locations on weekdays this summer:

📍 Reed Elementary School (1670 Linder Road)

🗓 June 9 – August 1 (No service July 3–4)

🍽 Breakfast: 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

🍽 Lunch: 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

📍 Kuna Boys & Girls Club (470 W. Mendi Place)

🗓 June 9 – August 13 (No service July 3–4)

🍽 Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.

🍽 Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

All meals must be eaten on-site. No registration is required—just show up and enjoy.

If your student is returning for the 2025–26 school year, there's no need to register them as a new student. Instead, we’ll ask all returning families to complete our Back-to-School form later this summer.

This quick update helps us confirm your contact information and make sure we’re ready to welcome your student back in the fall.

Starting next school year, our middle schools will return to early release on Wednesdays. This schedule gives our teachers dedicated time for professional development, collaboration, and planning—without students present. Early release Wednesdays will continue for elementary schools. 

Why is this important? Just like students need time to learn and grow, so do teachers. This time helps them review student progress, adjust lessons to meet individual needs, and work together on strategies that support better learning outcomes for every student. It’s one of the ways we invest in continuous improvement and help every learner succeed.

Why not high school? You may be wondering why early release doesn’t apply to our high schools. That’s because our high schools use a block schedule, which already builds in dedicated time for teachers to plan, collaborate, and review student data during the regular school week.

In a block schedule, students have fewer classes each day, but for longer periods. This format not only supports deeper learning but also gives teachers more flexibility for preparation and professional collaboration—without needing to shorten the school day.

A reminder that after thoughtful work earlier this school year, we have an updated cellphone policy that will go into effect at the start of the 2025–26 school year.

The biggest change impacts our high school students: personal devices may not be used during instructional time. The updated policy clearly outlines expectations and consequences for misuse.

We encourage all families to review Policy 518 to understand the guidelines and help support a successful transition.

Too soon? Maybe. But a little planning now makes the fall smoother! Here are a few key dates to help you and your student get ready for the 2025–26 school year:

📅 Aug. 6–7 – Kuna High School new student in-person registration

📅 Aug. 12–14 – Kuna High School Back to School Days for returning students

📅 Aug. 19 – Elementary School Open House, 4–6 p.m.

📅 Aug. 19 – Middle School Open House, 5–7 p.m.

📅 Aug. 21 – First Day of School for Students!

🗓️ Check out the full 2025–26 School Calendar for holidays, breaks, and more.