Online expectations for parents and students
Learning expectations beginning April 6
We have a free meal program for all children in our community during the mandated school closure. Click here for details at our Food Services page.
April 2020
Dear parents and community members:
Our schools are closed until Friday, May 1, as directed by Governor Mike DeWine. Teachers will present and introduce new instructional learning material starting the week of April 6th now that we know we will be teaching from home at least through May 1, 2020. Here is an update on other news about our response to the COVID-19 shutdown.
Distribution of Chromebooks for distance learning planned for April 2, 3 and 6
Recently, Kent families were asked in a survey if their students needed to borrow a Chromebook for distance learning while schools are closed. The families who responded will be notified by their child’s principal of a specific time to pick up a Chromebook and power cords on either Thursday, April 2, Friday, April 3, or Monday, April 6. Parents will drive up to an outside station at their child’s school building at the following appointed times but will not leave their vehicles.
Note: Chromebooks will be distributed ONLY to the families who have contacted the District.
Davey Elementary School
Thursday – Pick up: 1:00-2:30 p.m. – alphabet A-L and 2:30-4:00 p.m. – alphabet M-Z
Friday – Pick up: Makeup 9:00-10:30 a.m. alphabet A-Z
Holden Elementary School
Thursday – Pick up: 1:00-2:30 p.m. – alphabet A-L and 2:30-4:00 p.m. – alphabet M-Z
Friday – Pick up: Makeup 9:00-10:30 a.m. alphabet A-Z
Longcoy Elementary School
Thursday – Pick up: 9:00-10:30 a.m. – alphabet A-L and 10:30 a.m.-noon – alphabet M-Z Friday – Pick up: Makeup 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. alphabet A-Z
Walls Elementary School
Thursday – Pick up: 9:00-10:30 a.m.- alphabet A-L and 10:30 a.m.-noon – alphabet M-Z
Friday – Pick up: Makeup 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. alphabet A-Z
Stanton Middle School
Thursday – Pick up: 10:00 a.m.-noon – alphabet A-M and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.–alphabet N-Z
Friday – Pick up: Makeup 10:00 a.m.-noon alphabet A-Z
Roosevelt High School
Friday – Pick-up: 10:00 a.m.-noon – alphabet A-M and 1:00-3:00 p.m. alphabet N-Z
Monday – Pick up: Makeup 10:00-noon alphabet A-Z
Parents must submit and sign a FinalForms document on each child in order to borrow a Chromebook at https://kentschools-oh.finalforms.com.
If you are unable to access FinalForms, please contact the Chromebook Hotline (330) 676-7673.
Those parents who cannot pick up a Chromebook can call their child’s school to make other arrangements. The surface of each Chromebook has been deep cleaned with a disinfectant solution created and donated by AlphaMicron, a Kent company.
Thanks to AlphaMicron for sanitizer spray
AlphaMicron, a Kent company which is a global leader in liquid crystal photonics, recently produced hand sanitizer spray in its chemistry labs and donated it to the Kent Schools. According to CEO Bahman Taheri, the company continues to operate during the shutdown because it is a military contractor. “During this time, we are also using our facility to also try to help our local community,” he explains. AlphaMicron has been a longtime supporter of the Kent Schools, and company leaders have been involved in Manufacturing Day worksite visits for Stanton Middle School students.
Need internet at home for distance learning?
If you need Internet at home, both Spectrum and AT&T are offering free Internet for the next several months.
Call 1-855-243-8892 for two free months of Internet and WiFi from Spectrum or call 1-855-220-5211 to get two free months of Internet from AT&T, for qualifying households.
Spectrum – https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/coronavirus-covid-19-educational-internet-offer
AT&T –
https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/#!/
Information on distance learning for students
All students have Google Account credentials to login with a Chromebook or another computer. Their student number @kentschools.net and unique password will allow them to access Google Classroom and a variety of other learning resources.
Please visit www.kentschools.net/chromebook for more Information and resources.
All school playgrounds are closed
All school playgrounds and outside facilities are closed as of Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Kent Schools donates extra masks to first responders
Kent Schools donated approximately 100 N95 respirator masks to the Kent Health Department for use by Kent first responders, including the police and fire department.
These masks were gathered from health clinics located in every school, as well as others from Career-Technical Education programs at Roosevelt High School. The Kent Health Department made the request.
FREE meals available for all children in our community
Kent City Schools is providing free breakfasts and lunches for all children during this mandated school closure. Meals can be picked up at five different sites in Kent each weekday. Each child receives a free lunch to take home, as well as a free breakfast for the next day. No registration is needed, and parents can pick up meals for their children. The Ben Curtis Family Foundation is providing Birdie Bags each FRIDAY!
Click here for details on distribution sites and times.
How to vote in Ohio’s all-mail primary election
Ohio’s primary, which included the Kent Schools “No New Tax” Bond Issue on the ballot, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, Ohio legislators approved an all-mail vote in the rescheduled primary election. (Ballots from those residents who voted early or who submitted absentee ballots will be counted.)
Registered voters who did not vote early must now vote by mail. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by April 27.
Voting is a two-step process:
First, request an absentee ballot application and return it by mail
- Request an absentee ballot application by noon on April 25th. You will NOT be mailed a ballot unless you request one.
- Call the Portage County Board of Elections at 330-297-3511, and they will send you an application to request an absentee ballot. You must fill this out and then mail it to the Portage County Board of Elections. Then you will receive a ballot by mail.
- Or visit VoteOhio.gov. You can fill out a request for a ballot online, print it off and then mail it to the Portage County Board of Elections.
- There are instructions to follow if you don’t have a printer on VoteOhio.gov.
Second, fill out your ballot and return it by mail or use the secure drop-box
- Absentee ballots must be postmarked by April 27.
- Address of Portage County Board of Elections: Administration Building, Room 101, 449 South Meridian Street, Ravenna, OH 44266
Final note from Superintendent George Joseph
These are incredibly challenging times for our parents, students and community members—and for all of us in the Kent City Schools. We will get through this difficult time by working together! Please know that we appreciate all you are doing to help us. The outreach and support of the Kent community has been outstanding. Thank you again for your continued support of the Kent City Schools. The best way to protect yourself and others is by staying-at-home.
George J. Joseph
Superintendent of Schools
