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Dear Families and Staff,
I want to remind you that on next Thursday, October 18th, we will conduct our annual emergency drill at both schools. Our teachers, staff, and students will participate in the drill so that they are prepared in case of an actual emergency. We ask that you not come and pick up your children during the drill, ideally not before noon.
Additionally, next Thursday evening we will be conducting a test of our emergency phone system. A test call will go to all staff and parents. We get your numbers from Aeries, so if you have not updated your information in Aeries, please do so prior to next Thursday.
Thank you for your attention to this important process.
Liz Schott
Superintendent
School Board Meeting Highlights – October 9, 2018
At this week’s School Board meeting, our Physical Education curriculum was on display in the Educational Showcase. Bacich teachers Celeste Perez and Ilene Braff were joined by Eloise Eyman, Parker Saven, Aaron Whitton, Rodrigue Maisonneuve, Tina Strack, and Georgia Thomas in a demonstration of stretching and tumbling. This was followed by Kent P.E. Curriculum Chair and teacher Jason Gatti who, with the help of Julia Franus, enlisted the participation of several Board and audience members in playing two P.E. games that Kent students enjoy in their classes.
The Board heard from several parents about Board Policy 6141.3, Observance of Religious Holidays, and the accompanying Exhibit which has historically listed holidays one could expect families to observe or celebrate in the course of a school year. The Board reiterated its commitment to the language in the policy which prohibits the scheduling of tests, assigning of homework, team tryouts, and more, on or around religious holidays. The decision as to whether or not a holiday will be a school recess is jointly decided on by the teachers union and the district. The meeting between these two entities to begin working on the 2019-2020 calendar takes place in a few weeks. The Policy and Exhibit will be refined by the Policy Committee before the Board reconsiders them at their November 13th meeting.
The Superintendent reported on Measure D safety improvements that are underway across our campuses. Fencing, security cameras, and a change in our fire alarms are all working through the planning stages. At Kent, additional fencing across the front of the school will create the barrier to through traffic – albeit pedestrian traffic – that we need, as well as a single, controlled entry point for visitors. Bacich’s new design also incorporates fencing and a single entry point through the office. The plan for designing a security camera system at both schools is nearing approval by the Board. And, in consultation with our fire department, we are scheduling the removal of outside pull alarms at our schools. Not only are these pull alarms targets for vandals, they also can be used by people who want to harm our staff and students by causing them to exit classrooms en masse and become targets. Redwood High School has already removed its outside pull alarms, so we are aligning practice with the high school most of our students will attend.
Sally Peck reported on construction activity at Bacich and how well staff, students, and parents are handling all the changes and challenges. Most recently, the walkway past Room 1 that led into the lunch quad and across to the office, was closed for safety reasons. This has caused all foot traffic to be rerouted through the gate past the Community Center. Becky Poon and the teachers have adjusted to the in-classroom delivery model and schedule for Music, and Chorus is now being held on new risers in the Community Center. Flexibility is the name of the game at Bacich this year!
Next Meeting: November 13, 2018 at 5 p.m. in the District Office.
- The Agenda will be posted by 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting.
Bacich News
Dear Parents,
Next week, both Bacich and Kent will participate in our annual all-school Emergency Evacuation Drill. These comprehensive and carefully coordinated school drills provide students and staff with opportunities to practice emergency scenarios and procedures, while following detailed plans and practices. All KSD parents will receive a pre-recorded informational message on Thursday, October 18th, which is the day that this practice drill will take place.
Bacich and Kent have extensive and detailed Emergency Preparedness Plans in place, which the schools will follow in the event of a school evacuation or a school lockdown. These plans incorporate the Kentfield School District Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. Teachers are assigned to emergency teams and practice their safety responsibilities each fall.
Our schools work very closely with our local police and fire departments to evaluate our safety measures, and we update them as necessary. School procedures such as inside locking doors, bathroom buddies, blinds to cover classroom windows, and visitor sign-in/sign-out protocols are some of the safety routines in place.
The Kentfield Schools Safety Committee meets regularly to understand the current safety concerns within the schools and in the neighborhoods surrounding the schools. Additionally, a District team conducts annual Safety Walks to identify playground areas in need of repair on the campuses.
Every day, the Bacich office staff accounts for every student in our school. Our yard duty personnel are strategically placed on campus to monitor student safety. All gates with the exception of the main school entrance are locked during the school day.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts and attention to the rules and precautions that we have in place on our campus. Our work is never finished in trying to keep our campus secure and our children safe during our school day.
Thank you,
Sally Peck
Bacich Principal
Dear Parents,
With school now in full swing and fall activities filling up the calendar, some of the themes running through my conversations with parents this past month are: A). how to find the time to prep and feed our kids healthy meals, and B). how to get them to eat nutritious food without a fight.
Trying to get ourselves and our children dressed, fed, on time, and relatively presentable in the morning is no small feat in and of itself. Throw in the packing of snacks/lunches, grocery store trips, and meal planning, and the concept of a “wholesome family meal around the table'” and you’ve got quite a full-plate (pun intended)! That’s what makes it all the more frustrating when lunches come home uneaten, or we get a cross-armed “yuck” in response to the dinner we’ve so painstakingly prepared at the end of a long day.
I recently read an article that I found thought provoking on parental “feeding styles.” While I don’t completely agree with everything the author says, I did think were some relevant takeaways. I particularly found helpful the tips on how to reduce the struggle between kids and parents surrounding food and eating, and I hope you will too.
Enjoy and bon appetit,
Maia Yamasaki
Bacich All School Book Read for October
This month each classroom at Bacich will read the children’s book, All Are Welcome, by Alexandra Penfold. This is a wonderful book that celebrates inclusiveness and diversity; and reiterates the message to our kids and families that everyone is welcome in our school, in their classes, and the greater community.
We encourage you to ask your child about this story and continue the conversation at home.
Bacich Broadcast – Carline Safety & Bear Cards
Bacich Announcements
Halloween Parade: October 31, 10:45–11:45 a.m.
- We request that our students not bring or wear scary masks of any kind to school on Halloween, and we ask that they not bring any weaponry to school to accompany their costumes on this day.
- Parents and younger siblings are also asked not to wear masks on our campus during our Halloween celebrations.
- The annual parade will include all grade levels and all classrooms. The students will gather on the field at 10:40 a.m. and exit our campus to parade through the McAllister Avenue neighborhood.
Bacich Site Council
Next Meeting: November 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 Resources
Please visit our Bacich Families page for information such as the Bell Schedule, Parent Handbook, and other important resources and forms.
Follow Bacich on Instagram
Bacich Elementary School @bacichelementary
Bacich STEAM Projects @bacichsteam
Bacich Construction
We have received questions about the lack of activity on our building pad at Bacich in recent weeks. Design specifications regarding the building slab needed clarification and caused the delay. We are back underway now and anticipate no change to our move-in date next summer.
Crosswalk and Access Updates:
We will soon be opening a second crosswalk that will run from the bike path on the south east side of campus, past the construction gate (which will be closed), and onto our campus at the Community Center.
Bacich Construction Sneak Peek Another area that requires additional attention from our school families is the entrance to the kindergarten parking lot located off McAllister Avenue. Please note that traveling from Sir Francis Drake, automobiles may not make a left turn into the kindergarten lot. There is a yellow sign reminding our families of this safety feature while entering our campus.
Walking access to the school office and nearby classrooms from the Sir Francis Drake parking lot will be limited; the thoroughfare along Rooms 1 – 3 will be closed due to construction in that location. Access to campus will be through the Community Center gate.
Kent News
Greetings Kent Community,
During opportunities class on Thursday, our new student council members gathered to launch student leadership at Kent for the 2018-2019 school year. This strong group of creative and passionate student leaders is made up of student council officers elected by their peers as well as two student council representatives from each advisory class. I’m honored to announce our capable slate of student council officers for this year.
2018-2019 Student Council Officers
- Presidents Arjun A. and Ben. R.
- Vice Presidents Maddie E. and Gabby L.
- Mascots Eliza B, Claire S., and Owen W.
- Secretaries Sarani P. and Zach B.
- Treasurers Alexander G. and Casper W.
- Sergeant at Arms Ashley B.
I’m looking forward to working with this engaged group of students to learn about their ideas, goals, and aspirations for our school. Stay tuned for future student council updates!
I plan to periodically use this newsletter to highlight my observations of the student experience at Kent. This week in P.E., I observed eighth graders completing a rope swing challenge, tasked with safely swinging across a divide in the MP Room. It was uplifting to see the students turn this seemingly individual task into a supportive group exercise, as they guided each student into a safe landing and cheered their classmates on. During a brain break in Spanish class this week, the class broke into song with a full-class rendition of Me Voy by Julieta Venegas, with their teacher leading the class on the guitar. Across the quad in drama class, students were acting out Song-a-grams, short vignettes utilizing the lyrics of a song to present a short scene. After each Song-a-gram, the remaining members of the class offered compliments and words of encouragement for each performer.
Each student at our school is a member of diverse classroom communities and our larger school community. I appreciate the many ways that our students and staff build communities of trust and support at Kent.
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
Dear Families,
On Thursday, October 18th, California will hold its annual earthquake practice called The Great Shake Out. This yearly event is to bring focus on being prepared in the event of an earthquake – at home, work, and school. On that same date, our district will hold our annual schoolwide evacuation drill in which we simulate an earthquake. The Kent drill will begin at 10:08 AM and last approximately forty minutes. We have developed procedures that account for your kids and keep them safe in the event of an earthquake or other emergency that requires evacuation from the school. In our annual drill, we test our procedures, collect feedback and adapt as needed. You can never be too prepared for an emergency and this is something that we take very seriously. We have practiced these procedures for 10 years. We also want to remind parents of what you should do in the event of an evacuation.
Phone alert: If there is an emergency that requires the students to be evacuated, our automated phone system will call the telephone numbers you have provided to the school as your contact telephone numbers. A recorded message will provide you with information you need about the situation.
- Use the Aeries Parent Portal to keep your telephone contact numbers up to date.
Parking at school: The school’s parking lots will be closed – so walk to school or park away from the school campus. Entering campus: Entry and exit for the schools is restricted to certain gates. At Kent, these are the main entrance on College Avenue and the bike path gate at Stadium Way.
Student Sign Out: Students will be on the field. Before taking a child from school, you need to sign them out – photo ID required – so we have a record of who has collected them. Only parents, guardians, or other people provided to the school as your “Authorized Adults” can collect your child.
- Use the Aeries Parent Portal to add/edit "Authorized Adults" for your child.
Medication: Any medication you have provided to the school will be brought out from the classrooms and the nurse’s office. It is recommended that the school have medication for 72 hours for use following an emergency.
- If your child needs medication during school hours or during a potential 72 hours in an emergency, please complete this form and submit to the office.
- Medication Form in English and Spanish
- 72 Hours Medication Form in English and Spanish
- Medication Policy
When you come to pick up your children: The students are split into alphabetical groups on the school fields based on their last name. There are colored signs to guide you to them. To sign them out – photo ID required – go to the Student Sign Out tables. Student Sign Out is on the new sprint track near the Stadium Way gate.
We have also developed procedures in the event of a lockdown. In the event of a lockdown, our automated phone system will call the telephone numbers you have provided to the school as your contact telephone numbers. A recorded message will provide you with information you need about the situation. Please do not come to the school or call the school during a lockdown. We will notify you if you need to come to pick up your children.
There are many resources available to help you prepare at home. One place to start is with Earthquake Country’s Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with future emergency planning, please contact me via email at jwalsh@kentfieldschools.org.
Thank you!
Kindly,
Jenny Walsh
Kent Announcements
View Kent Daily Announcement on Kent website.
Kent Good Eggs Fundraiser
Our Good Eggs fundraiser began October 1st and ends November 30th. If you haven't used Good Eggs before, check it out and use the new customer discount. If 20 new customers join, using our code, Kent will receive a $500 fundraising bonus. Our school's code is FALCONS2018.
As always, we remain extremely grateful for our community's support of our school.
Kent Events – Mark Your Calendars
- Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 8:45-9:45 a.m., 5th/6th grade Principal Chat in the Kent Library
- Thursday, October 25, 2018, 8:45-9:45 a.m., 7th/8th grade Principal Chat in the Kent Library
- Teens in Transition Parent Information Night: Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Kent Library
- Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30- 8:00 p.m., 8th grade transition to high school meeting with Parents and 8th grade students in the Kent library
Kent Site Council
Next Meeting: November 6, 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 Library
Kent All School Read
- Learn more about the book and author, Alan Gratz, here.
- Alan Gratz will be speaking about his book, Grenade, this Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Book Passage. No tickets are necessary. Grenade is his follow-up to Refugee, that tells the stories of kids making their way through war.Event details.
- The book can be found in the Kent Library, Marin County libraries.
- If you would like your own copy of the book, Book Passage has provided this book order form (paper or online) to purchase your copy of Refugee. Mention Kent Middle School while purchasing and Book Passage will donate of percentage of the sale to our school.
Student Activities
7th & 8th Grade Girls:
Looking for a safe space to talk about body issues? Laura and Suzanna are starting a group that'll meet during advisory to explore this topic. Fill out a counseling slip and let us know you're interested!
Attention 8th Graders:
Are you a sports fan? Do you live and die with every pitch? Touchdown? Goal? Basket? Do you like sports trivia? Fantasy leagues? Talking about your favorite teams? Come to room 30, first bell at lunch on Tuesday, 10/16 and join the Letterman's Club.
Kent Athletics
Kent Athletic Director: Ryan Palmer, kent-athletics@kentfieldschools.org, website
- Please note that all volleyball games are at 3:45 p.m. at Davidson, unless the venue is changed by coaches.
Kent 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.
Safe Routes News
Walk & Roll Wednesdays
Thanks to everyone who participated in International Walk and Roll To School Day on Wednesday, October 10th. Keep up the people-powered transportation throughout the year on Walk and Roll Wednesdays.
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.
- 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.
- Public bus option for middle school students: The Marin Transit Bus 29 has a route designed perfectly for our Kent Middle School students. 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.
- Safe Routes to School Safety tips in English and Spanish.
kik News
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
School Board Candidate Forum Hosted by KSPTA
Did you miss the Candidate event for folks who are running for the KSD School Board Seats? Your KSPTA has your covered. Check out a video of the opening and closing statements and read their written answers to five important questions here.
Your KSPTA Needs You!
October is when we run our membership drive, so if you haven't renewed for 2018-2019, make sure you head on over to our store, to renew today. And as a special bonus for families, if you renew with two or more memberships (say one for every adult in your house), we will give you a $5.00 Jamba Juice gift card. Isn't that nice of us?
Calling All Crafters!
Calling all Crafters. We will soon be accepting applications for vendors at our 6th Annual Craft Fair, on Wednesday, November 28th. Get the details here.
KSPTA Events
Please join us for the following KSPTA-sponsored events
- 10/25/2018: Parent Ed Event, 7-8:30 p.m.
- Check out our Parent Education Page for more information or Register Here.
- 11/5/2018: KSPTA General Meeting, 8:30-10 a.m., Kent Library
"Raising a Child with Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know" Workshop
October 25, 2018, 7-8:30 p.m.
In this presentation, the speakers will discuss both the research and practical aspects of parenting a child with anxiety. Attendees will learn the difference between normal anxiety and clinical anxiety, common symptoms of anxiety, some tools on supporting children with anxiety and managing caregiver anxiety, and signs to know when to seek professional help. There will also be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions at the end.
- Check out our Parent Education Page for more information
- Free event.
A special offer from Good Eggs
A special offer from Good Eggs: If you sign up this week, you could win a year long membership to The Exploratorium.Click here for details
Connect with KSPTA!
Community News
These programs are not sponsored by the Kentfield School District. Distributing flyers and information is a community service and does not imply endorsement.
Theatre: No Belles
- October 12, 2018 (Dominican University, Angelico Hall) and Saturday, October 13th(Mills College)
The Portland Theatre Company is presenting the play No Belles, a play that focuses on the lives of women scientists who won Nobel Prizes, and some who did not. The Women Chemists Committee have arranged for this production to be shown in the Bay Area to benefit and inspire young women STEM students, in particular, but also to be accessible to all students aspiring to become a scientist.
Following the play will be a networking event that allows students to meet Bay Area scientists to learn about their careers.
There are three ways to register – but please refer to the flyer for specific instructions.
Email office@calacs.org
Phone 510-351-9922
Eventbrite at www.calacs.org
Fun and Free Art Classes for Parents
- Join us, and invite a friend for one or perhaps all three Saturdays, October 13, 20, and 27, 2018.
Join Bacich art teacher Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Kent parent and artist Anna Rochester, as they guide you through three different hands on activities: Coffee Stain Painting, Wrangle the Wires Sculpture, and Veggie Patterned Tea-Towels.
Engage in art lessons that you can do with your kids in your own home. Find ways to support your kids exploring different materials to express themselves in the arts. And best of all, it is fun and free!
Vaping Epidemic Parent Education Workshop
- October 18, 2018, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Marin County Office of Education, 1111 Las Galinas Blvd, San Rafael
In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that vaping among teens has reached “epidemic proportions.” Locally, the California Healthy Kids Survey results show that vaping use among Marin teens more than doubled in the past two years. This alarming data is a call to action for parents, public health officials, educators, and concerned community members.
The Marin County Office of Education, Marin County Health and Human Services, and the San Francisco Marin Medical Society are hosting Vaping Epidemic – A Parent and Community Education Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on October 18th. This workshop will provide information about e-cigarettes and vaping, risks associated with use, and prevention strategies.
Panelists include:
- Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer
- Dr. John Maa, Chief of Surgery at Marin General Hospital and President of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society
- Jon Hirsch, Redwood High School Teacher and Redwood Night Live Advisor
- Jasmine Gerraty, Bay Area Community Resources Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
- Marin Youth Peer Educators
"Preventing and Combating Cyberbullying" Workshop at Corte Madera Library
- Wednesday, October 24, 7- 8:30 p.m.
In this participatory workshop, parents, caregivers, educators, and students in middle school or older, will learn about the types of cyberbullying as well as the academic and social impacts of this behavior. Participants will learn strategies to address and prevent cyberbullying.
- Registration is not required, but seating is limited. Download flyer.
Then and Now" Presentation of Kentfield and Greenbrae & Tour of Kent Middle School
- Thursday, October 25, 2018 6-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
On behalf of the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society, please join us for our annual Members Meeting.
6:00 p.m. Tour of the new Kent Middle School recently completed Measure D construction projects with Superintendent Liz Schott and new Kent Principal Grant Althouse
7:00 p.m. Meeting and Slide Presentation, "The Heart of Marin: Then and Now 2.0," by Historians *Dewey Livingston and Richard Torney
The enthusiasm generated at the Community Heritage and History Day for our local history has encouraged us to bring back the Dewey and Richard Show for our fall member's meeting. These two local historians have been instrumental in preserving and recording the history of Kentfield and Greenbrae. They will narrate a revised slide presentation of the Heart of Marin. Dewey Livingston is the author of our book "In the Heart of Marin: A History of Kentfield and Greenbrae", published in 2014 at the time of the Kent Centennial.
"Encouraging Resilience In Your Kids" Workshop
- Saturday, November 3, 1-3 p.m. or Saturday, November 17, 9-11 a.m.
Join Jennifer Bull, AMFT for an informative workshop to learn how to help strengthen your child’s internal resources. Choose one of two Saturday sessions.