In the days following the recent storm, our school community has shown incredible resilience, compassion, and strength. As students returned to our buildings, each one carried a unique story and experience. Our priority was to ensure they felt safe, supported, and cared for—and our teams rose to the occasion.

Across all buildings, staff intentionally utilized our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) resources to help students process their experiences, reconnect with peers, and regain a sense of normalcy. From classroom conversations to small group supports, the focus remained clear: meeting students where they are and honoring their individual journeys.

We are especially proud of our students, whose courage and perseverance have been evident each day. Their ability to move forward, support one another, and engage in learning again speaks volumes about their strength.

Our department remains committed to supporting each building as we continue the path toward recovery. We want our families and community to know that we are here—ready to listen, guide, and respond as needs arise.

We are also deeply grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our students, families, staff, and community members. The donations of time, resources, and care have made a meaningful difference for many in our community. Thanks to this incredible support, we were able to distribute essential items to those in need.

Remaining food and health/wellness items have now been organized and are available through Kay’s Food Pantry. If you or someone you know is in need, we welcome you to visit:

Enter through Door 8 on the back side of Avis Huff (6th Avenue).

We are excited to invite our community partners to the New Beginnings: Career Connections Job Fair on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the KHS Cafeteria (1200 W. Jeffery St., Kankakee).

This event is designed to connect local employers with talented KSD 111 employees who are currently seeking new opportunities as a result of recent workforce reductions. Attendees will include skilled individuals from a variety of roles, including paraprofessionals, food service staff, transportation team members, and other dedicated professionals who have contributed meaningfully to our district.

This job fair presents a valuable opportunity for organizations to engage directly with qualified candidates while supporting members of our community during a time of transition. By participating, you are not only strengthening local workforce connections but also helping open doors for individuals eager to continue making an impact.

As a small token of our appreciation, each participating organization representative will receive a complimentary smoothie from Essential Smoothies, available on-site during the event.

We look forward to a meaningful and productive event. For additional information, please contact Dr. Stephanie Morgan-Harris at stephanie-harris@ksd111.org.

Please register to host a table by scanning the QR code on the flyer or completing the registration form here.

The Security Department continues to prioritize training and strengthening relationships between staff and students. Several team members will be attending additional training in the coming months.

We are proud to highlight two of our team members:

Please join us in recognizing and thanking Marniyah and Ulekha for completing this important training and for their continued dedication to our students and schools.

As the weather begins to warm up this spring, we’re excited to see more of our students enjoying time outside after school. Please help keep everyone safe by using extra caution while driving and watching carefully for flashing yellow and red lights.

We also know how quickly the weather can change in our area. Please remind your student to place coats, hats, and other items in their school bag when they take them off. This helps prevent items from being left behind on the bus at the end of the day.

To stay connected and view information about your student’s bus route, we encourage you to download the My Ride K-12 app here: https://myridek12.tylerapp.com/login.

As we transition from winter to spring, our maintenance team is shifting gears right alongside the season. The colder months require a strong focus on heating, snow removal, and ensuring safe indoor conditions. Now, as temperatures begin to rise, we are wrapping up boiler season and gradually powering down our heating systems. Our team has been carefully monitoring the boilers to ensure a smooth shutdown process, while also preparing for preventative maintenance that will keep everything running efficiently when colder weather returns.

With spring comes the start of our outdoor athletic programs. As fields and facilities reopen for sports like baseball, softball, track, and soccer, we are inspecting bleachers, fencing, irrigation systems, and field surfaces to ensure they are safe and ready for students and spectators. Winter weather can be tough on outdoor equipment, so our crews are addressing any damage caused by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. We take great pride in supporting our student-athletes by providing well-maintained, safe environments where they can practice and compete.

Another major focus this time of year is repairing the effects of winter on our parking lots and roadways. Freeze-thaw cycles often lead to potholes and surface cracking, which can create safety concerns for buses, staff, and families. Our maintenance staff is actively assessing and patching damaged areas to improve both safety and traffic flow across campus. In addition, we are inspecting sidewalks and entryways to address any trip hazards that may have developed over the winter months.

Spring is also a time for renewal across our entire campus. From landscaping clean-up and preparing flower beds to servicing HVAC systems for the upcoming cooling season, our team is working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth seasonal transition. While much of this work may go unnoticed, it plays a critical role in keeping our schools safe, comfortable, and welcoming. We appreciate the continued support of our school community as we move into this busy and exciting time of year.

The Special Education Department has had a wonderful and busy stretch leading into the spring season! Instructional students recently had the opportunity to participate in an Easter Egg hunt, graciously facilitated by the Transition Department. This provided a fun and memorable experience that brought smiles to students and staff alike. In addition to this celebratory event, the department has been actively preparing students for state testing, with both the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessments now underway. Staff have worked diligently to ensure that students are well-prepared, supported, and set up for success throughout the testing window.

As we move through the remainder of April, the department remains focused on a significant and time-sensitive priority: the completion of all Annual Reviews and Re-Evaluations. Teams are working collaboratively and with great intentionality to ensure that all reviews are finalized by the end of April, reflecting our ongoing commitment to meeting both the individual needs of each student and all required timelines. We are proud of the dedication and professionalism our staff continues to demonstrate during this demanding but important time of year, and we look forward to sharing continued updates as we close out the school year strong.

The athletic fields and courts at KHS are buzzing as the spring season gets underway. With more than 150 student-athletes competing across Boys Volleyball, Girls and Boys Outdoor Track and Field, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Baseball, and Softball, the Kays are poised for a season full of competition, growth, and memorable moments.

That excitement builds on the success of an outstanding winter season. The Girls Basketball team demonstrated resilience and consistency, finishing 21–9 and earning second place in the Southland Athletic Conference. The Boys Basketball team delivered an exceptional performance, compiling a 29–2 record, capturing their second consecutive conference championship, and securing a third straight IHSA Regional title, while also earning a No. 6 ranking in the Associated Press state poll. Wrestling turned in strong performances throughout the season, and the Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams made their mark by setting multiple school records.

The high school boys wrestling program showed strong growth this season, finishing with six straight dual meet victories and carrying that momentum into the postseason. The team had an outstanding conference showing with eight All-Conference wrestlers, including three champions, and continued to excel with six sectional qualifiers and four alternates. Individually, Charles Hill earned State Alternate honors, while KJ Crite was named IWCOA Fresh/Soph Regional Champion, highlighting both elite performance and promising young talent. The girls program also continued to build, with Chloe Perez and Tamira Welch qualifying for the IWCOA Girls State Tournament. Overall, success across high school, junior high, and individual recognition reflects a program on the rise and well-positioned for continued growth.

With that momentum carrying forward, KHS looks ahead to a promising and exciting spring across all programs.

Our Community & Public Relations Department worked diligently during the early March storm to ensure families, staff, and our community received timely and accurate updates when it mattered most. Through clear and consistent communication, they helped keep everyone informed, safe, and connected.

Beyond urgent updates, the team continues to shine a light on the many positive moments happening across our district—capturing stories of growth, achievement, and joy through engaging videos and photos that celebrate our students and staff.

To stay connected and never miss important updates, we encourage all families to download the ParentSquare app. It’s an easy way to stay informed about your child’s school, classroom, and district news. Simply log in using the email you provided during your student’s Skyward registration.