Kent ISD Celebrates Educators with THRIVE! 5K and Mental Wellness Events

Kent ISD is celebrating and valuing all educators and school staff with a month of free activities, professional development and wellness events to alleviate stress and honor mental health. Throughout May, free wellness events are offered to all school staff starting with Educator Appreciate Week May 2 – 6.

Any school employee can sign up for free yoga, an online series providing mindfulness practices for educators, and a four-part professional development series on how school staff can create healthy, collaborative, growth-oriented schools. All school staff who attend any yoga, mindfulness or professional development sessions will be registered for a chance to win a free 30-minute clinical and therapeutic massage.

The month of events culminates in the THRIVE! 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. on Memorial Day. The 5K is a chipped and timed race that is open to the public and takes place on and around Kent ISD’s campus. Registration is $25 and is open until May 16. Volunteers are welcome.

“There are nearly 120,000 students in Kent and Barry Counties who rely on educators to teach, support and help them reach their full potential.  We recognize how tirelessly they work and THRIVE! is our way to show them how much we value the work they are doing and honor the importance of their wellness,” said Ron Koehler, Kent ISD Superintendent.

Many area organizations are supporting THRIVE! wellness events making them free for educators and school staff. A complete list of sponsors can be found at kentisd.org/thrive along with links to attend events including the THRIVE! 5K on Memorial Day.

Please direct media inquiries to Joy Walczak, Kent ISD Communications Specialist at joywalczak@kentisd.org or 906.632.6290.