School District Announces Awards Honorees

Kearney School District is proud to recognize our 2026 Team KSD Awards school-level honorees! These are educators and support professionals who exemplify the very best of our district’s vision, mission and values. The honorees were selected from nominations submitted by KSD employees.

“Every day, these team members support students, collaborate with colleagues and families, and help foster school cultures where kids feel known, challenged, and cared for,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “We are grateful for the expertise, leadership, and heart they bring to KSD.”

2026 School Teacher of the Year Honorees:

• Kearney Early Education Center: Michelle Grote, Early Education Teacher

• Dogwood Elementary: Kristina Behrendt, 1st Grade

• Hawthorne Elementary: Katy Foster, 3rd Grade

• Kearney Elementary: Heather Oldham, 1st Grade

• Southview Elementary: Sheena Anello, Speech Teacher

• Kearney Middle School: Lindsey Zoz, Special Education Teacher

• Kearney Junior High: Samantha Rothfuss, English Language Arts

• Kearney High School: Dr. Brad Miller, Chemistry

2026 School Support Staff of the Year Honorees:

• Kearney Early Education Center: Stephanie Dolinar, Puppy Pound Lead

• Dogwood Elementary: Jaden Hensley, Paraprofessional

• Hawthorne Elementary: Emily Boyer, Building Substitute

• Kearney Elementary: Greg Nelson, Custodian

• Southview Elementary: Amanda Textor, Social Worker

• Kearney Middle School: Sam Hansen, Custodian

• Kearney Junior High: Ariel Jones, Paraprofessional

• Kearney High School: Kellie Parker, Paraprofessional

• Central Office: Marsha Bartow, Executive Administrative Assistant - Academic Services

All of these school-level award recipients will be recognized at the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Banquet on April 21. They will also be celebrated during the Team KSD Awards & Retiree Reception on Thursday, April 30. That’s when the 2026 KSD Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Partner in Education of the Year award recipients will be revealed.

KPGZ News - Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney School District Opens Kindergarten Enrollment

Kearney School District will begin kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year on Monday, February 2. Families with children who will be five years old on or before July 31, 2026, are invited to enroll their child in kindergarten during this period.

Detailed instructions on how to enroll will be shared via email, posted online, and made available on the district’s website starting February 2. During the enrollment process, parents or guardians must provide a government-issued ID, the child’s birth certificate, proof of required immunizations, and proof of residence. To determine which elementary school their child will attend, families can use the district’s online boundary map. For further questions, inquiries can be directed to reghelp@ksdr1.net.

Once enrollment is complete, a Parent Educator from the district’s Parents As Teachers program will reach out to schedule a kindergarten screening. These screenings help Kearney School District plan for class needs and provide valuable information and activities to families, including details about summer programs. Parent Educators are also available to answer any other questions parents or guardians may have about the transition to kindergarten.

All families are encouraged to complete the Online Meal Application Form. By doing so, families may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the district could become eligible for additional academic resources and funding.

Kindergarten Orientation events are scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. at each of Kearney School District’s elementary schools. These events offer families a chance to learn more about the district, tour the school, and meet teachers and the building principal.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Harlem Wizards to Headline Education Foundation Fundraiser

The Kearney School District Education Foundation (KSDEF) is launching a new community event this spring with the arrival of the Harlem Wizards basketball team at Kearney High School on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The Harlem Wizards, celebrated nationwide for their dynamic mix of basketball prowess, comedy routines, and crowd engagement, are set to deliver a family-friendly spectacle filled with high-flying tricks and plenty of laughter. The night will bring together students, school staff, and local residents in a show of Bulldog pride.

This event marks KSDEF’s first collaboration with the Harlem Wizards and represents a fresh direction in the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives. All proceeds from the game will go toward supporting innovative classroom grants, student enrichment programs, and scholarships designed to benefit Kearney students.

Organizers hope that the Wizards game will become an annual tradition, strengthening community bonds while providing direct support to teachers and students throughout the district.

The community is invited to join the festivities at Kearney High School on Saturday, April 11, as the Wizards bring their unique brand of entertainment to town and help raise funds for educational opportunities in Kearney.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney School District Honors Veterans on Veterans Day

This year, students, staff, and families throughout Kearney School District came together on Veteran’s Day to pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The day was marked by heartfelt ceremonies and expressions of gratitude across multiple schools in the district.

Photo By Ray Weikal.

At Kearney Junior High, the morning began with a special breakfast in the library for dozens of veterans and their families. The gathering set a tone of appreciation and community. Following breakfast, the school held an assembly for all students. The event featured a flag ceremony led by Boy Scouts, the school choir’s performance of the National Anthem, and moving words of thanks from students to the attending veterans.

Social studies teacher and Boys Wrestling Head Coach Tyler Owen spoke about his experiences serving in the U.S. Army, including his deployment to Afghanistan where he supported a hospital unit. Sergeant Owen encouraged students to live by the values upheld by the military, emphasizing the importance of selfless service to others.

Hawthorne Elementary also observed the day with an all-school assembly. The choir performed patriotic songs, and students shared reflections about the significance of honoring veterans. Many veterans, accompanied by their families, attended the event and were recognized during the ceremony. Afterward, they enjoyed breakfast together in the school lunchroom, further fostering a spirit of appreciation and community engagement.

Throughout the district, the message was clear: honoring veterans is an important tradition that brings together people of all ages. The Kearney School District invites all Bulldogs and members of the community to join in expressing deep gratitude and respect for the men and women who have stepped forward to defend and protect the nation.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Resource Fair Offers Vital Support for Local Families

Kearney School District is gearing up to host its annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, a crucial initiative aimed at equipping students and their families for a successful start to the academic year. This year’s event will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, August 7, and from 9 to 11:30 am on Friday, August 8, at Kearney Junior High, located at 2215 Pride Parkway.

The Resource Fair provides much-needed school supplies, backpacks, hygiene kits, gently used clothing, and new underwear, along with access to a wide array of community resources. The event illustrates the district’s ongoing commitment to meeting students’ needs beyond the classroom, ensuring every child in KSD has the support necessary to thrive.

“Last year, we helped 262 students prepare for their first day of school,” said Meeghan Masters, Kearney School District Social Worker. “That success was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners.”

Volunteers play an essential role in organizing and distributing supplies during the fair, and community members are encouraged to sign up online to lend their support. The district underscores that the dedication of local residents and organizations is vital to the fair’s continued success.

“We are so thankful for the ongoing support from our incredible community,” Masters added. “Your involvement helps make a lasting difference in the lives of Kearney students.”

Families can pre-register for the Back-to-School Resource Fair HERE.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.