Kansas State Department of Education

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. In September, KSDE released the Bullying Prevention Toolkit that can be viewed at this link: buff.ly/ZFBl5Yp

For more resources on bullying prevention in Kansas and how you can help keep our schools safe, visit buff.ly/dLN3dMC.

Today through Wednesday, any Kansas resident may apply for free to any of Kansas’ seven public universities, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and 21 private member institutions.

For more information, click here: buff.ly/YAecHbO

Have you registered for the 2025 Mountain Plains Crunch Off? Running from Oct. 1-31, this regional event celebrates local foods, supports our farmers and ranchers, and encourages more local products in every bite.

Register your team here: buff.ly/jQtqotp

📣 Parents, do you have a question about education in Kansas?

Email insightpodcast@ksde.gov for the chance to have your question answered by Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson on a future episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast.

Reminder: The Kansas State Board of Education is holding a special meeting this morning concerning the process of hiring a new Commissioner of Education.

For more information, click here: buff.ly/bgn435q

Jennifer Hansen talks about the benefits of parents slowing down for a moment to have conversations with their kids.

Listen to the latest episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, “Raising Readers: What every parent should know” wherever you get your podcasts.

ICYMI: Meet the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Rachel Marlow!

“Children of all ages can express their learning and amplify their voices through music,” she said.

Read more here: buff.ly/u0um6u9

Man reads to a young child and both appear to be delighted.

Kansas Department of Education Podcast graphic, “Raising Readers: What Every Parent Should Know” with Host Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, and Special Guests Dr. Laurie Curtis, early literacy/dyslexia program manager on the Career, Science and Assessment Services (CSAS) team, and Jennifer Hansen, teacher leader consultant on the CSAS team and an ELA specialist at Geary County USD 475.

𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄. Dr. Laurie Curtis & Jennifer Hansen speak w/KS Dept. of Education's Dr. Randy Watson re: helping your children learn to read, youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd_2hYcIboc9QtbywR3SlLVAvSmgEadty. #RaisingReaders #KSDE @ksde.bsky.social

It’s time to crunch! The 2025 Mountain Plains Crunch Off runs from Oct. 1-31. This regional event celebrates local foods, supports our farmers and ranchers, and encourages more local products in every bite.

Register your team here: buff.ly/jQtqotp

“If they can’t say it, they’re not going to be able to write it,” says Jennifer Hansen, an ELA specialist at USD 475.

Listen now to the latest episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, “Raising Readers: What every parent should know”. Read more: buff.ly/jwsXkxk

Remember – you are not alone. Help is available 24/7 at 9-8-8, a lifeline that offers free and confidential support for those in distress; prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones; and best practices for professionals.

#SuicidePreventionMonth

Did you know there are approximately 7,500 varieties of tomatoes?

For more fun facts and resources on this month’s Harvest of the Month, click here: buff.ly/H7MzQbJ

To celebrate Constitution Day, Sept. 17, third grade students are invited to participate in a virtual mock trial, hosted by Olathe USD 233 and Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial Court in Olathe.

Click here for more information: buff.ly/xNuS8af

The latest episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast is available! Commissioner Randy Watson and his guests explore how parents can help build strong readers.

Listen now on:
Apple - buff.ly/TmXysae
Spotify - buff.ly/bTknl69
YouTube - buff.ly/HhCOlbb

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s raise awareness and show that hope is always within reach.

The 9-8-8 lifeline provides 24/7, free/confidential support for those in distress; prevention/crisis resources for you or your loved ones; & best practices for professionals.

The Kansas State Board of Education will meet today, Sept. 9, and tomorrow, Sept. 10.

To view the agenda and board materials, click here: buff.ly/UBzPPPp

Today, Sept. 8, is the last day to register for the remaining Counting KIDS workshop in Hiawatha.

Click here to register: buff.ly/kQoual0

“I think the shift is that ultimately we want that challenge or experience to happen as soon as possible,” said Blake Vargas, superintendent at Caney Valley USD 436.

Listen now to hear what questions parents should be asking their kids after school:
Apple: buff.ly/jCHR6sI
Spotify: buff.ly/q0SAOu9

September’s Harvest of the Month for KSDE’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team is tomatoes!

Did you know Americans were initially afraid of tomatoes until the 1830s due to Europeans thinking tomatoes were poisonous? For more fun facts and resources, click here: buff.ly/o3cwQUm

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s raise awareness, offer support and show that hope is always within reach.

The 9-8-8 lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for those in distress; and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

#SuicidePreventionMonth

To celebrate Constitution Day, Sept. 17, third grade students are invited to participate in a virtual mock trial, hosted by Olathe USD 233 and Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial Court in Olathe.

Click here for more information: buff.ly/xNuS8af

Are you registered for a Counting KIDS Workshop?

Tomorrow, Sept. 3, is the deadline to register for the Abilene and Hutchinson workshops.

For more deadlines and to register, click here: buff.ly/YbQXrX9

“We want an environment where they’re going to feel challenged and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you’ve never failed, your goals aren’t high enough,” said Superintendent Blake Vargas.

Listen now for more information on academic rigor: buff.ly/q0SAOu9

A reminder that the Kansas State Department of Education will be closed today, Sept. 1, 2025.

In observance of Labor Day, the Kansas State Department of Education will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.

📣 Parents, do you have a question about education in Kansas?

Email insightpodcast@ksde.gov for the chance to have your question answered by Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson on a future episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast.

“We want that relationship so we can push students. That we love you so much and care for you that we’re going to expect the most out of you,” said Ben Proctor on why building relationships is important to implementing academic rigor.

Listen now:
buff.ly/q0SAOu9

Read more about the connection between family engagement and student success, Topeka USD 501 high school students taking a step toward the teaching profession, and the Horizon teacher application is now open in the Aug. 21 edition of KSDEweekly:

buff.ly/2AUTYo2

Counting KIDS workshops, presented by KSDE Fiscal Auditing, discuss counting students on count day and the information to enter for funding purposes.

Today is the deadline to register for the first workshop, scheduled for Aug. 25 in Oakley.

Register Now: buff.ly/Wu7zzv7

Welcome back to school! As a reminder, school bus safety is year-round. Review the possible scenarios below so you can help keep children safe going to and from school.

For additional information visit: buff.ly/ar8VLHU