Don't Miss These Announcements
Upcoming Events
District News
Last spring, we began conversations with the County of Marin and Supervisor Katie Rice's office to see if parking restrictions around Bacich could be eased for our teachers during our year of construction.
We are so grateful for their understanding of our situation and agreement to allow teachers to park all day along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard fronting the school. Because teachers arrive before school starts and don't have time during the day to move their cars, it is would be very helpful if families could avoid taking those spaces in the morning for short term parking.
Thank you for considering this when deciding where to park if you have to come onto campus before school.
Thank you, all!
Liz Schott
Superintendent
School Board
Next Meeting: October 9, 2018 at 5 p.m. in the District Office.
- The Agenda will be posted by 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting.
Board Meeting Highlights - September 11, 2018
The Board welcomed 15 new staff members to our District:
Ratification of the collective bargaining agreement with the Kentfield Teachers Association marked the successful resolution of contract negotiations begun last Spring. The Board agreed to a 3% salary increase and one-time payment of $200 for all teachers, and, as is its practice, also gave the raise to administrators and classified staff.
The Superintendent and Board developed their annual goals for the leadership and governance of the District in 2018-19. Differentiated teaching and learning, equity, financial responsibility, and completion of Measure D projects are this year’s priorities.
2018-2019 LCAP
The District's Local Control and Accountability Plan describes the District’s key goals for students paired with the actions the district will take to achieve the goals and measure progress. The 2018-2019 LCAP, the District's strategic plan, was approved at the Board meeting on September 11, 2018 .
- 2018-2019 LCAP Overview
- 2018-2018 LCAP - Complete document
Parent Partners Meeting
- Tuesday, October 2, 2018, 9 am, District Office
Parent Partners is a group for parents of students with learning differences.
The group meets three times per year with the primary goals of providing parent perspective and feedback to the school districts, supporting children with exceptional needs by increasing knowledge and acceptance of learning differences in the community, and supporting other parents of students with exceptional needs.
New Website
We recommend typing the website address into your internet browser rather than using a search engine to find our website. It takes time for the search engines to update with the new website and versions of our previous website exist on the internet.
- To get to the right site, please replace your old bookmarks with: www.kentfieldschools.org | bacich.kentfieldschools.org | kent.kentfieldschools.org
Please let us know what you think of the website (webmaster@kentfieldschools.org) and if you encounter any areas where you would like more information. We will be refining organization and layout as we receive community feedback.
- Website Tip: Visit our Calendars page to learn how to subscribe to calendars for the entire district, Bacich, Kent, KSPTA so that events will automatically sync with your iCal or Google calendar.
Bacich News
As we begin the 2018-2019 school year, we find ourselves adjusting to new routines, while still meeting the needs of our families and juggling our busy lives. These new schedules require making some adjustments to our daily routines including preparing healthy and nutritious food for our children to eat during the school day.
The importance of a healthy diet for our children cannot be underestimated. Research shows that students learn better when they are well nourished. Healthy eating has been linked to better grades, stronger memory and alertness, faster processing of information, and overall improved health leading to better school attendance.
On that note, we are noticing that some of our students appear to have very little left in their lunch boxes when lunchtime finally comes around. Either the children are particularly hungry during morning snack and eat all their food or not enough is packed in their lunch box to satisfy them for the day. Please ask your son or daughter if what they have in their lunch box is sufficient to sustain them for the school day. Encourage them to bring home the food that they do not eat in their lunchbox, so you can see for yourself what they are and are not eating.
The District’s Fun Lunch program, which is hosted by Good Earth and run by KSPTA begins on Monday, September 17th. Good Earth is a locally owned quality organic grocery leader that serves over 1,200 lunches each week to local schools. They work closely with schools, including Bacich, to minimize lunch waste. Good Earth avoids individual packaging, and this year we are working in partnership with them and Marin Waste Management to pilot reusable bamboo silverware with our third and fourth graders.
Zero waste is our goal!
- The deadline to sign-up for the Fun Lunch program is Sunday, September 16th. If you are interested, go to www.kspta.org.
The Health, Wellness and Nutrition section of the Bacich School District website offers suggestions for healthy snacks for families to pack. For most of our young children, bite size snacks and simple food ideas are best. Snack and lunch can be social times in an elementary school, so ease in grabbing small sandwiches, crackers, cut-up fruit, pieces of cheese, or small vegetable pieces are good ideas for keeping your child well-fed and ready to learn.
Thanks for listening,
Sally Peck
Bacich Principal
Welcome to a new year! I hope all of your little ones are adjusting to their new routines, and happily recounting their days to you upon their return from school.
Do not be concerned however, if your child isn’t dishing up quite as many details as you’d like. Kids are often quiet these first few weeks by the time their school day ends, when their mental energy is sapped from learning new rules and processes, navigating novel social situations, and academic terrain. Not to mention acclimating to the early morning wake-up call (ouch).
One of my own children just started Kindergarten this year at Bacich. While he is very reticent to share information about his day, by the time we sit down to dinner together, I can see that he is slowly getting more comfortable and having fun during the day. Try not to assume that no news is bad news, as that is most often not the case!
Looking forward to a great year ahead with your wonderful children.
Maia Yamasaki
Bacich School Counselor
Bacich Intake Conferences - September 14, 2018
- Please remember to allow yourself time for parking off-campus and walking to your parent-teacher conference. Bacich Parking Map.
Parking and Pick Up/Drop Off at Bacich
Due to construction, there are no parent/community member parking spots on campus at any time during school hours, except for three ADA permit parking spots for community members who need them. Bacich has 14 parking spots for 65 staff members.
- We are now offering Early Drop-Off to provide a wider window for direct drop off at Bacich and relieve traffic congestion at drop off time. The Bacich playground will open at 7:30 a.m. each day for Grade 1–4 students. Staff will supervise the playground.
- Carline will begin at 7:45 a.m. Please follow the Carline Procedures.
- Please reference this Bacich map that Safe Routes to School created that identifies parking locations. Safe Routes to School is a great resources for finding a walking/biking group to Bacich from your neighborhood.
- Don’t forget to get a FOB at the District Office to enter campus gates during school hours.
- Families driving to Bacich must use the Carline or park off campus. This Bacich map will help you find the right area to park or enter the carline.
We ask that all members of our school community be particularly respectful and mindful of our neighbors this year with the increase in traffic and congestion due to school construction. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and patience as our school undergoes significant renovation.
Bacich Back to School Resources
Bacich Site Council
Next Meeting: October 1, 2018, 3-4 p.m., Bacich Library. All parents are welcome to attend.
- Please visit our Site Council page for meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.
Bacich Construction
Kent News
Greetings Kent Community,
After an exciting, action-packed first week of school at Kent, a sense of normalcy has returned as students and staff settle into the regular school schedule and routine. I’ve seen Falcons across our school launch into their studies with optimism and confidence for the year ahead.
When I moved out of the classroom to my first administrative position seven years ago, the change that proved the most difficult for me was the distance from day to day classroom interactions with students, and the relationships that develop within the classroom. Ms. Walsh and I share the aspiration that as administrators at our school, we can still create meaningful relationships with the students we serve, and be seen as trusted and caring adults in their lives. To that end, we are using the month of September to build relationships through Expectation Talks discussions that we will facilitate in all classrooms.
During these Expectation Talks, Ms. Walsh and I start by asking students to reintroduce themselves to their classmates, and to share with the class one goal each student has for the year ahead. Next, we transition into a discussion of our school social vision, Code Red, where students share examples of our community members showing Responsibility and Empathy, and valuing Differences. Students share their expectations for their school year, and Ms. Walsh and I share our expectations for citizenship, health, behavior, and academic focus from our Falcons. Over the coming weeks, Ms. Walsh will be presenting in all fifth and sixth grade classrooms, and I will be presenting in all seventh and eighth grade classrooms. Ask your child about their expectations for the year, and about themes that came up during our Expectations Talks!
Our hope is that our Kent Falcons will see Ms. Walsh and me as caring adults on our campus that can help to resolve problems and offer support, just as they see their counselors and teachers. We also trust that reviewing expectations for all members of our community will proactively support students in making safe and healthy choices at school. It’s great to be back in the classroom with your children, even if for only a brief time!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
Greetings Families!
I want to share some exciting news about one of our former Kent students. Last Saturday in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, Kate Courtney became the the Elite Women’s World Champion in cross country mountain biking. She is the first American woman to win that title in almost twenty years and she is only 22 years old.
Kate grew up in Kentfield where her parents still live and attended Bacich and Kent. She graduated from Branson High School and is a recent graduate of Stanford University. Kate is bubbly, smart, and engaging and a strong role model for young, female cyclists. To learn more about Kate and her amazing journey to the top step of the podium, click this link here.
Speaking of mountain biking, I’ve had several parents ask me about mountain bike opportunities for their child. Currently, we are in need of a parent, or group of parents, who would like to run the Kent mountain bike club. This club rides after school on Wednesdays once or twice per month, depending on parent availability. If you are interested in getting this club going again, please email me at jwalsh@kentfieldschools.org. Additionally, there are private, local bike camps that offer after school biking for a fee. Please email me if you would like to learn more.
Finally, Kent Lunch Clubs will be starting up soon. We have an Eco Action Club, a Garden Club, Library Council, and a Games Club. If you are interested in hosting a club at Kent this year please contact me so I can put you in touch with a teacher. Some clubs we have held in the past include knitting, art, drama, and fantasy sports.
Happy trails my friends!
Jenny Walsh
Kent Assistant Principal
5th Grade Art class outside working on free form paintings with different size brushes.
Kent Announcements
Student Activities Applications
- Student Council applications available in room 34.
- Yearbook staff applications due Friday, September 14, 2018. Applications available in room 34.
Community Service
- Kent students can get volunteer hours credit at kik Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 23rd from 10-2. Sign up here!
Intake Conferences
- 5th Grade: Wednesday, October 3, 2018; 1:30-4:30 p.m.
- All Grades: Friday, October 5, 2018
- Online portal to schedule intake conferences at conferences.kentfieldschools.org.
- Instructions on booking your parent-teacher conference.
Kent Back to School Resources & Forms
Visit our Back to School page for the Parent-Student Handbook and important reminders and forms.
The District Resources and Forms page contains all forms and notices for the entire district.
Kent Site Council
Next Meeting: October 2, 2018, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Main Office Conference Room
- All Kent parents are welcome to attend Site Council meetings. Please visit our Site Council page for meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.
Kent Athletics
Volleyball Coaches Needed!
6th, 7th and 8th grade volleyball coaches needed. Any parents who would like to coach or know worthy candidates, please contact Ryan Palmer at rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org. We want to put the best athletics programs that we can for our kids and no coaches = no volleyball.
Go Falcons!
Kent Athletic Director: Ryan Palmer, kent-athletics@kentfieldschools.org
New Kent Athletics website: https://sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/kent-athletics
Flag Football Game Schedule
Parking and Pick Up/Drop Off at Kent
- Due to construction and limited parking, we encourage families to take advantage of our award-winning Safe Routes to School program. Visit the Safe Routes page to discover the best and safest route to walk, bike, skate, to Kent! On the site, you can find your neighborhood route and Safe Routes to School neighborhood captain to plan your eco-friendly school transportation for the new school year.
- If you are driving to Kent, please review the Kent Drop Off/Pick Up Map.
Safe Routes News
The Kentfield School District encourages all families to actively participate in our nationally-recognized KSD Safe Routes to School Program, a neighborhood-focused initiative to advocate green travel alternatives, and address traffic safety at our schools.
A team of Neighborhood Parent Captains provide suggested safe route maps and carpooling options all customized by neighborhood. We also advocate for traffic safety concerns on behalf of the families in our district's neighborhoods.
Prepare Your Back to School Travel Plan
- Organize and practice your Back to School "Green" Travel Plan with your children before the first day of school.
- Public Bus option for Kent Middle School students
- The Marin Transit Bus 29 has a route designed perfectly for our kids. The bus picks up on SFD and Eliseo at 8:12 a.m. and drops off at College of Marin at 8:17 a.m. It's a short walk to the crosswalk and then to Kent. It costs $1 per child.
- Locate "Safe Routes," "Park and Walk" spots, visitor parking, bike/scooter racks for Bacich and Kent. Note in particular that the designated parking lot for your neighborhood at Bacich. Determine your neighborhood and contacts with our zone map, then visit the neighborhood map for Berens Route Plan, Greenbrae Route Plan, Kent Woodlands Route Plan, Laurel Grove Route Plan, Murray Park Route Plan, and SFD Firehouse Route Plan.
Safe Routes to School Safety Tips
kik News
Sign up here to volunteer at Family Fun Day
Family Fun 1 Miler Run Participant Form
Kent students can get volunteer hours credit at Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 23rd from 10-2. Sign up here!
Any contribution at any level makes an impact on our schools.
Help us reach 100% participation for our schools.
Save the Date! kik Auction | Dinner | Dancing
May 11, 2019
KSPTA News
Please join us for the following KSPTA sponosored events
- 9/14/2018: KSPTA General Meeting, 8:30-10 a.m., Kent Library, Agenda
- Join us for the first KSPTA General Meeting of the year.
- 9/27/2018: Meet The Candidates Forum, 7-9 p.m., Kent MP Room
- Meet candidates running for the three open Kentfield School District Trustee positions. The event is hosted by the KSPTA and will be moderated by the League of Women Voters.
- 10/1/2018: KSPTA General Meeting, 8:30-10 a.m., Kent Library
Hot Lunch Order Deadline 9/16
School Lunch Service
- Students receiving free and reduced price lunch are served lunch from the first day of school.
- Lunch ordering is now open for grades 1-8. Please visit https://goodearthlunch.com/pages/how-it-works, to order today.
- Please note that Good Earth has revamped their site, so those of you who have been through this before will need to create a new account and there is a new one/child, one/order process (just make sure you read the directions).
- Deadline to order is Sunday, September 16th and service starts on Monday, September 17th.
School Board Candidate Forum
On November 6, 2018, we will vote to fill three Kentfield School District Board of Trustees seats. Please come to meet the candidates and hear their positions on issues that matter most to you.
- Thursday, September 27, 2018 7–9 p.m.
- Kent Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
- Hosted by KSPTA and moderated by The League of Women Voters
- View Flyer
Support our Schools with Good Eggs
Participation is easy:
- Fill your basket with all the best food (meal kits, fresher than fresh produce, meal, sustainable meats and seafood, kid-friendly staples and more) for same day delivery on Good Eggs
- At checkout, enter the code BACICH18 to get a 5% donation to Bacich or Kent.
- Enjoy! You just discovered the easiest and most delicious way to support Bacich and Kent.
