KCPS NEWS
![John Fierro Kansas City Notable Latino]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664285025/kcpublicschoolsorg/eh5yx5d7tnqoicpxcyka/JohnFierro.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664285025/kcpublicschoolsorg/eh5yx5d7tnqoicpxcyka/JohnFierro.jpg","width":400}])
KCPS is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month featuring notable Latino community members who have made a difference in the city and/or the nation. Today, we honor John Fierro, President/CEO of Mattie Rhodes Center and a long-time public figure in Kansas City.
![a photo of a woman with short hair in a tan suit.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664400135/kcpublicschoolsorg/xiwcufbzrtjb2mfpasdm/YvonneVazquezRangel-THUMB.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664400135/kcpublicschoolsorg/xiwcufbzrtjb2mfpasdm/YvonneVazquezRangel-THUMB.png","width":314}])
KCPS is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with profiles of Latinos who have made a difference in our community. Today, we remember Yvonne Vazquez Rangel, an education advocate who lobbied for access to bilingual education.
![A drawing of a man with black hair and a thin mustache]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664399896/kcpublicschoolsorg/pyihjdgbgsdzy1ajofkv/SaturninoAlvarado-THUMB.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1664399896/kcpublicschoolsorg/pyihjdgbgsdzy1ajofkv/SaturninoAlvarado-THUMB.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1664399896/kcpublicschoolsorg/pyihjdgbgsdzy1ajofkv/SaturninoAlvarado-THUMB.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664399896/kcpublicschoolsorg/pyihjdgbgsdzy1ajofkv/SaturninoAlvarado-THUMB.jpg","width":1174}])
During Hispanic Heritage Month, KCPS is celebrating the life of Saturnino Avarado, a civil rights activist who championed for Mexican-American students in Kansas City, Kansas.
![A woman with short hair and a serene expression.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664225246/kcpublicschoolsorg/clevfmc2jnx9zyugosjn/BeckyJaramillo-THUMB.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664225246/kcpublicschoolsorg/clevfmc2jnx9zyugosjn/BeckyJaramillo-THUMB.png","width":309}])
KCPS is continuing our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a spotlight on Rebecca Jaramillo, an advocate for equal rights and a founder of Fiesta Hispana, one of the first celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month in Kansas City.
![A man with black-grey hair in a business suit and red and black striped tie. He has a mustache.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664196744/kcpublicschoolsorg/p5nwy2pqpqkxw4h78uhr/HectorBarreto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1664196744/kcpublicschoolsorg/p5nwy2pqpqkxw4h78uhr/HectorBarreto.png","width":321}])
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Hector V. Barreto, Sr. immigrated to the United States when he was in his early 20s and landed in Kansas City, Mo.
![A bulletin board with alphabet cards with HBCU names on them.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663899615/kcpublicschoolsorg/eza2jyb2rohwtbmbd2a2/HBCU-DeniseTalley-Hopkins2.jpg","width":2200}])
Meet KCPS staff who graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and learn how you can promote HBCU awareness and attendance!
![A woman in a green dress welcomes a man to a classroom.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663799421/kcpublicschoolsorg/gc5fcsdxrmapto4lvslu/091222Holliday3.jpg","width":2200}])
Kansas City Public Schools is investing in its teachers with a first-of-its-kind Montessori training program at Holliday.
![A logo for the Kansas City Public Schools Retirement System]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663799095/kcpublicschoolsorg/ahfjgcg0dahzdvrnsgda/KCPSRS-THUMB_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663799095/kcpublicschoolsorg/ahfjgcg0dahzdvrnsgda/KCPSRS-THUMB_1.png","width":318}])
The KCPSRS Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring the Retirement System is appropriately governed and managed.
![A smiling Black woman in a professional headshot. She is wearing a red blazer.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663689354/kcpublicschoolsorg/z5rfeu8v9tiflh8etlyn/LaTanyaFranklin.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663689354/kcpublicschoolsorg/z5rfeu8v9tiflh8etlyn/LaTanyaFranklin.png","width":500}])
Kansas City native and career educator LaTanya Franklin is the new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
![Local Kansas City Hero Primitivo Garcia]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663279962/kcpublicschoolsorg/guzmoilfo8gxrisuq9t1/PrimitivoGarciaPortrait.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663279962/kcpublicschoolsorg/guzmoilfo8gxrisuq9t1/PrimitivoGarciaPortrait.jpg","width":450}])
Primitivo Garcia is often referred to as Kansas City's first local Hispanic hero. One KCPS elementary school is named after this hero after he gave his life to save his English teacher in 1967.
![A group of smiling people hold an award. They are standing in front of a backdrop of the Kansas City skyline.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663271326/kcpublicschoolsorg/npig0br6rt08rrqnd55j/091422CommunityChampion-RoseBrooks.jpg","width":2200}])
Rose Brooks has worked with Kansas City Public Schools for more than a decade, providing educationally-based support groups to build students' confidence and self-esteem.
![Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with KCPS!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663363661/kcpublicschoolsorg/zmxxrpzhfvqeqkrqf9ch/MicrosoftTeams-image38_1.png","width":2160}])
Looking for school and community Hispanic Heritage Month activities? KCPS is excited to celebrate with our students, families, staff and community!
![A photo of educators in front of the Kansas City skyline backdrop. They are all smiling.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663267455/kcpublicschoolsorg/f0ylbrrbdmz1gzpokf2l/091422OutstandingAdmin-KaLindaBassBarlow.jpg","width":2200}])
KaLinda Bass-Barlow is principal at Border Star and Holliday Montessori. She has transformed the Montessori program in KCPS.
![KCPS Terrific Teammates Make Our District Great]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1648574624/kcpublicschoolsorg/pwqalkcdeqbde8bjlm6s/TERRIFIC_TEAMMATE.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1648574624/kcpublicschoolsorg/pwqalkcdeqbde8bjlm6s/TERRIFIC_TEAMMATE.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1648574624/kcpublicschoolsorg/pwqalkcdeqbde8bjlm6s/TERRIFIC_TEAMMATE.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1648574624/kcpublicschoolsorg/pwqalkcdeqbde8bjlm6s/TERRIFIC_TEAMMATE.png","width":900}])
Nicole Allan and Brendon Thiry were recognized at the Sept. 14, 2022, KCPS Board of Directors "On the Road" meeting at Southeast High School.
![The Kansas City Public Schools logo with the words Scholar Superstars in blue]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1655213251/kcpublicschoolsorg/yuoxb3wlhep1mgws7git/SCHOLAR_SUPERSTARS.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1655213251/kcpublicschoolsorg/yuoxb3wlhep1mgws7git/SCHOLAR_SUPERSTARS.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1655213251/kcpublicschoolsorg/yuoxb3wlhep1mgws7git/SCHOLAR_SUPERSTARS.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1655213251/kcpublicschoolsorg/yuoxb3wlhep1mgws7git/SCHOLAR_SUPERSTARS.png","width":900}])
Dinaya Maltbia and Arman Shinwari were recognized at the Sept. 14, 2022, KCPS Board of Directors "On the Road" meeting at Southeast High School.
![KCPS Kicking Off Superintendent Search]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663165558/kcpublicschoolsorg/keby90itepjrtbgmztds/SuperintendentSearch.jpg","width":2200}])
The Kansas City Public Schools Board of Directors is committed to conducting a robust and transparent search for its next superintendent of schools.
![The words Surge Academy with four photos of 2023 participants]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663010676/kcpublicschoolsorg/ct7ygdzduulq5stok0a1/surgeacademy2023.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663010676/kcpublicschoolsorg/ct7ygdzduulq5stok0a1/surgeacademy2023.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663010676/kcpublicschoolsorg/ct7ygdzduulq5stok0a1/surgeacademy2023.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663010676/kcpublicschoolsorg/ct7ygdzduulq5stok0a1/surgeacademy2023.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663010676/kcpublicschoolsorg/ct7ygdzduulq5stok0a1/surgeacademy2023.png","width":1206}])
Surge Academy is an innovative and far-reaching approach to transforming urban education for our youth and communities. Please join us in congratulating this year's KCPS participants!
![A smiling woman with dark black hair and a printed brown shirt.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663011182/kcpublicschoolsorg/q04mzobpkcxymusbfhrb/MicrosoftTeams-image34_1.jpg","width":2200}])
Ms. Nguyen-Hernandez was one of just 15 fellows selected nationally.
![A woman in a white dress sits on a couch. She is holding a book. There are books in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1662644561/kcpublicschoolsorg/mgpn5cvkkc6hdcutmgyi/MicrosoftTeams-image32.jpg","width":2200}])
To increase awareness of the importance of literacy, KCPS is launching a campaign to encourage students, staff and families to make reading part of their daily routine.
![A young man in a Central Blue Eagles jersey is fitted by a tailor.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1662063616/kcpublicschoolsorg/c7vqhkh6ptwxt5ith38m/CentralEaglesFits.jpg","width":2200}])
When Coach DJ Pittel wanted to get his Central High School football players new shirts and ties, he reached out to the Chiefs Ambassadors. They sent Keith Novorr of Michael's Clothing to help.
