We're proud to celebrate senior Whitaker Steward from Kearney High School's Swim & Dive team, who was recently selected to join the 2025–2026 USA Swimming National Junior Team in the 800- and 1500-meter freestyle events!

Whitaker is now part of a 91-athlete roster featuring the top 18-and-under swimmers from across the country, according to an announcement by USA Swimming.

“This roster is full of new faces and is jam-packed with talent," USA Swimming National Junior Team Director Brendan Hansen said. "The National Junior Team is the stepping stone to our National Team and the U.S.’s highest level of competitions."

Whitaker is a state champion member of the KHS Swim & Dive team, which is led by Head Coach Trevor Woehrman.

Please join us in congratulating Whitaker on this outstanding national honor. Way to represent KHS and the entire Bulldog community!

We're thrilled to celebrate Kearney Middle School seventh-grader Desirae Larson, who has earned an invitation to the National Finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, in Augusta, Georgia!

Desirae punched her ticket to Augusta by winning first place overall at the regional championship on Sunday, Oct. 5, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. Her journey started at a local qualifier at Ironhorse Golf Club, continued through the sub-regional at The National Golf Club of Kansas City, and on to regionals, finishing at the top at every stage. She’ll represent the Midwest Section in the Girls 12–13 Division in early April of 2026.

A free nationwide junior golf development competition founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association (USGA) and The PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt grows the game by focusing on golf’s three fundamental skills. Finalists hit nine total shots (three drives, three chips, three putts), earning points in each skill; the highest total points wins the division. 

Girls and boys ages 7–15 compete in local, sub-regional and regional qualifiers for a chance to reach the National Finals at Augusta National on the Sunday before the Masters. This contest will be broadcast live by the Golf Channel on April 5, 2026. 

Please join us in congratulating Desirae for this amazing accomplishment!

Start your 2025 Thanksgiving celebrations the right way by participating in the 14th-Annual Kearney School District Education Foundation and Kearney High School Cross Country Team Turkey Trot! This year's event begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Bulldog Stadium. Early-bird registration only costs $25 if completed by Sunday, Oct. 12. Register by Nov. 7 to receive a coveted Turkey Trot 2025 t-shirt. As in the past, there will be a 1-mile race, a 4-mile race and a Tot Trot. Proceeds help fund the KSDEF's grants and scholarships and support the KHS Cross Country team. View the event flyer or visit the KSDEF website for more details and a link to the event registration page. REGISTER FOR THE 2025 TURKEY TROT TODAY!

Get ready to have a scary good time, Bulldogs!

The Kearney High School Theatre program is hosting a Halloween-themed “Haunted Wonderland” from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the school. There will also be traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating through the high school hallways from 5 to 7 p.m. that same evening. Both events are open to the public and appropriate for children of all ages. Entry for the haunted house will be $4 for the first entry and $1 for every re-entry. Both cash and cards will be accepted for payment at the door. The trick-or-treating is free for students. The “Haunted Wonderland” was organized by the cast of the upcoming KHS fall production of the musical “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” as a way to both create a fun community event for Halloween and help raise money for the Theatre program.

The Kearney School District Board of Education (BOE) will be hosting an informational session for individuals interested in filing as Board candidates on the April 7, 2026, election ballot.

The KSD BOE Candidate Info Session will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the KSD central office, which is located at 425 W. Washington St. All members of the public are welcome to attend. 

Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 10, if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

Please take a few minutes to complete our 2025 annual survey. It's critical that we get as much feedback as possible before the survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. This survey provides us with the data we need to meet state standards and track our progress toward achieving our strategic goals.

This year's survey was updated so that you are only being asked the most important questions first. That should take less than 10 minutes. You can then opt to either end the survey or answer additional questions that provide us with more information.

We appreciate you for taking the time to help shape the future of your public schools.

LINK - KSD 2025 Annual Survey

We're giving a Bulldog high-five to Hawthorne Elementary second-grader Creed Cross, who recently garnered the national "Artist of the Week" honor from Artsonia.com! 

The "Artist of the Week" program, sponsored by Blick Art Materials, is a weekly contest that highlights new artwork from four different grade categories (PreK-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) and encourages family, friends and other art appreciators to vote for their favorite piece, according to the company's website. 

Several hundred people from across the United States cast their vote for Creed's artwork, titled "A Very Blue Park." He was inspired by a local park in Kearney, according to an interview he gave to KPGZ. Creed's craft is guided by Hawthorne Elementary art teacher Shelly Dunn.

Visit the KPGZ website to learn more about this talented Bulldog's accomplishment. Great job, Creed!

Southview Elementary teachers Julie Overmeyer and Ashley Hummel recently won a book giveaway from the Kansas City Royals through the team's “Hit the Books" program. The schools got a free set of Royals-inspired books for their entire 5th grade! In the spirit of Bulldog generosity, they took the opportunity to share the books with Southview's 1st graders!

Step into a world of pure imagination! The Kearney High School Theatre Department is thrilled to present our fall musical, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Bring the whole family to cheer on our talented Bulldogs as they sing, dance and whisk you away to Willy Wonka’s wondrous factory in the KHS Auditorium.

🎟 Tickets are live now! Seats tend to go fast, so grab your “golden ticket” early. Let’s pack the house and support our student performers and crew. See you at the show!

Let's hear it for the Kearney High School Marching Band's amazing performances at Oak Pointe and the Kearney Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4! They not only played their halftime show music, but also added a fun twist with the Chicken Dance that got everyone up and dancing! Special thanks to the polka pro who taught our students some moves! It was a great day for all! You enjoy our talented marching band as they help lead the way during the 2025 KHS Homecoming Parade, which will start at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, on Washington Street in downtown Kearney! GO BULLDOGS!

Congratulations to the Kearney High School Football team for their 28-14 home win over Grain Valley on Friday, Oct. 3! The Bulldogs are now 6-0 this season. They face Raytown South next Friday, Oct. 10, in the 2025 Homecoming game. GO DAWGS!

Hawthorne Elementary students, parents/guardians and staff members have been getting a great start on home football Fridays this fall as members of the Kearney High School Football team, Cheer squad and Golden Girls greet them as they arrive on those mornings! This is a great example of the Bulldog spirit in action!

Students and families are invited to the NCAPS Gallery Walk & Open House to see how career exploration meets real-world problem-solving. Meet student associates, check out their fall projects and learn how programs connect classroom learning to high-demand careers. 

📅 Wednesday, Nov. 19

⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

📍 Locations: NCAPS — 6800 Sobbie Road, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068; Co-op at Shoal Creek — 6816 N Church Road, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068

Program strands you can explore:

Questions? Call or text 816-977-811 or email info@northlandcaps.org

All KSD students and families are welcome! Come explore, engage and discover what’s possible at NCAPS!

Students and families in grades 8–11 are invited to step inside the labs at Northland Career Center, see students in action, and connect with the teachers who help shape their success.

📅 Thursday, Nov. 13

⏰ 5 to 7:30 p.m.

📍 1801 Branch Street, Platte City, MO

☎️ (816) 858-5505

Programs on display include: Aviation Technology, Diesel Technology, Industrial Welding, Industrial Automation & Robotics, Construction Technology, IT Professionals, Law Enforcement/CSI, Health Sciences, Teaching Professions, Culinary Arts, Agricultural Sciences and HVAC.

Learn more and plan your visit!

Oct. 10 - 2025 Homecoming Parade & Game

Oct. 15 - KSD Board of Education Business Meeting

Oct. 18 - "Haunted Wonderland" at KHS

Oct. 17 - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)

Oct. 23 - NO SCHOOL (Parent Teacher Conferences)

Oct. 24 - NO SCHOOL

Visit the KSD website to stay up to date on all of our important events.