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Dear Kentfield Community,
I rarely get a chance to be "the teacher" in a classroom full of kids anymore which is partly why I jumped at the chance to participate in Kent's initiative to deliver lessons on gender and gender identity to every Kent student this week. The other reason is because I am committed to making our schools safe havens for every unique member of our district - students and staff - and I was so happy to have the opportunity to walk my talk.
I was fortunate enough to visit fifth, sixth and seventh grades, and without exception, students were engaged and respectful contributors to the conversation. They were clearly interested in the topic and I think would welcome the opportunity to share their learning with you.
I echo Mr. Althouse's appreciation for the staff that made time to learn about the topic, practice lessons, and spend 80 minutes with students elevating their awareness of the spectrum of gender biology, expression and identity.
Finally, I want to appreciate Mr. Althouse and the Kent counseling staff for their leadership. Kent is a better place for having them guide us all through this complex topic.
Liz Schott
Superintendent
Board Meeting Highlights - January 8, 2019
At its first meeting of 2019, the School Board enjoyed learning more about Math in third grade, Language Arts in fourth grade, and Teachers College Reading Workshop strategies in seventh grade. Katy Colwell’s and Jenna Maioriello’s students from the third grade class – Zachary Bessonette, Ethan Finkelstein, and Isabella Lo – shared their discoveries while learning multiplication using arrays. Fourth graders Grace Davidson, Rebeca Vera Rivera, Henry Jackson, Anastasia Lazarenko, and Blake Cussen assisted Maria Martin by talking about their poetry unit taught by KSPTA-grant-funded poet Claire Blotter, and read their original poems. Finally, Kent students Zachary Baumgarten and Bella Wagner led the Board through a reading lesson just as their teacher Julie Gallagher had done in class.
The School Board was informed prior to this meeting that longtime Board Member (13 years) and past President (8 years) Juli Kauffman resigned effective January 3, 2019. The Board moved to accept applications for the remaining two years of Ms. Kaufmann’s seat (ending December 2020). All applications will become public record upon receipt by the District. An information session will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 6-7 p.m. at the District Office, 750 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA. Applications are due to the district by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019, and interviews will be held in an open session of a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 4 p.m. in the District Office. Inquiries may be made by calling the District Office at (415) 458-5130 X 9, or by emailing Maureen Moulton, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at mmoulton@kentfieldschools.org.
The Board feels that the appointment process presents a valuable opportunity for the Kentfield School District to bring new perspectives to the Board, and encourages all qualified and committed people to apply.
The annual audit of the District’s finances as of June 30, 2018, was presented by Stephen Roatch, CPA. The analysis included Measure D Bond Funds (Financial Audit and Performance Audit). The auditor found one instance where a charge was made to the bond fund in the wrong fiscal year, but that was corrected. No other findings were made and Mr. Roatch affirmed the strong fiscal health of the district.
School Board
Board of Trustees Open Seat Information
- Information Session: Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 6-7 p.m. at the District Office.
- Applications due to the District Office by noon on Friday, January 25, 2019.
- Interviews will be during open session of a special board meeting on February 7, 2019 at 4 p.m. at the District Office.
School Board Information
Next Regular Meeting: February 12, 2019 at 5 p.m. in the District Office.
- The Agenda will be posted by 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting.
District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) Meeting
- Thursday, January 17, 2019, 5:45-7:00 p.m., District Office
Safety Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 9-10 a.m., District Office
Parent Partners Meeting
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 9–11 a.m., District Office
Communications Committee Meeting
- Monday, February 11 2019, 1-2 p.m., District Office
Bacich News
Dear Parents,
If you’ve ever watched young children at school recess, you can understand how this time is important for their overall development. In many ways, playgrounds are natural extensions of our classrooms. They create an important space for children to explore, imagine, create, move, and discover.
When you sit and carefully observe, you will notice something that I think is quite profound during recess time. In this play space, whether it be on the blacktop, the field, on the play structures, or in the school garden, opportunities abound where children develop and create their own structure and (for the most part), they control what happens in these places. The activities which occur during this time tap into the world of a child’s imagination and into their physical needs.
Playgrounds offer space for adventure, challenge, joy, and skinned knees. They offer a place for children to find success or a place to experience a bit of struggle, which serve them well in both school and in life. The playground is a place where they can practice many of life’s essential skills.
As adults, we consistently make the mistake of overscheduling and overstructuring our children’s lives. The results have been well-documented with colleges and workplaces describing a generation of young adults who struggle to make their own decisions, solve their own problems, and manage their own lives.
There is much more to recess than just kickball or time in the Gaga Pit. Take a moment to observe on the playground next time you are on campus, whether it be a school day or a weekend. Notice the joy, energy, imagination, and the education that is happening each and every minute that children are at play.
Sally Peck
Thank you,
Sally Peck
Bacich Principal
Student Assembly: A Touch of Understanding
Next Tuesday, January 15th, Bacich fourth graders will participate in an award-winning character-building disability-awareness workshop brought to us by A Touch of Understanding. ATOU is a non-profit agency dedicated to educating a new generation of students to understand challenges that may be experienced by people with disabilities and to accept and respect all individuals.
Bacich Announcements
Bacich Events
- Fourth Grade Families: Rancho Day is Friday, February 15, 2019. Volunteer information will soon be available.
- Third Grade Concert: Thursday, February 28, 2019, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Bacich Community Center
New Student Registration
- Kindergarten registration will open Friday, February 1, 2019
Bacich Site Council
Next Meeting: February 4, 2019, 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 Library @bacichlibrary
Bacich Construction
Kent News
Greetings Kent Community,
I am thankful to begin this new calendar year with you and our students, working closely together to ensure that all of our children reach their fullest academic, social, and creative potential. The start of 2019 presents the perfect opportunity to refresh our goals and aspirations for the year ahead, and to head into our learning together with renewed commitment, persistence, and resolve.
Kent is a school that supports all children to be themselves, and the broad range of experiences and identities is welcomed and valued here. This climate does not exist nor persist without intentional and consistent lessons taught and positive messages reinforced by school and home alike. Nurturing the social and emotional well-being of our student body is one of the primary goals in Kentfield School District, and we work to create regular opportunities for our students to learn about themselves, their classmates, and our world.
To that end, a group of Kentfield School District counselors, psychologists, teachers, and administrators taught lessons on the topic of gender and gender identity to all Kent students this week. These lessons, designed intentionally for the age levels of our children, introduced the concepts of gender biology, gender expression, and gender identity, and how these three dimensions of gender contribute to a person’s authentic gender and sense of self. Through this discussion we considered prominent gender stereotypes, societal expectations around gender roles, different ways in which people identify, and the role that each of us play in creating a gender inclusive community at Kent.
- Instructors distributed this information sheet at the end of each lesson, and it provides a helpful summary of what was covered.
Gender impacts every single one of us, and this experience around gender’s complexity will help students develop a greater sense of self as well as an understanding and awareness of people with experiences different from their own. Each individual here contributes to building and sustaining a safe and welcoming school climate. Like with any group of people, personal identity and experience of each individual varies immensely across broad spectrums. Please reinforce with your child that when people express their sense of self in a way that may differ from what we expect, or even from what is typical, that compassion, empathy, and understanding can go a long way to help that person feel comfortable and that they belong.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the lessons taught, or about this topic. Thank you for your partnership in raising conscientious and accepting children who work to understand and accept experiences different from their own.
All my best,
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
Kent Activities Update
Happy New Year to all! Our Countdown Court was a huge success! The kids went all out on dressing up, and the staff did as well. It was an incredible day of inclusion, celebration, and a promise of an incredible 2019! Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm for making our new tradition so special.
Attention 8th Grade Families!
Last call for eighth grade baby pictures! We need to get all the baby photos in by next Friday, January 18th. You may send one in or email me a photo – whichever is easiest for you! On that note, yearbook ordering deadline is coming up as well, so please get those orders in! Here is the link for that: www.yearbookordercenter.com. Our school code is 7587.
Club photo day is coming up next Tuesday, January 15th. We will have the schedule posted for the kids, but please remind them to come to the MP room at their given time to get their club or organization photo taken. This is always such a fun part of the yearbook, and we want to see those smiling faces!
Thank you,
Melissa Stephens
Activities Director
Kent Announcements
View Kent Daily Announcement on Kent website.
Yearbook Are Now On Sale!
Don't miss out on this important memento for your Falcon! Just go to this link: www.yearbookordercenter.com. Our school code is 7587.
- Nameplate options will only be available until January, so get those requests in early.
Attention Eighth Grade Parents
Deadline approaching! By Friday, January 18, 2019, please send in your eighth graders' baby photos for that traditional page in our yearbook. These may be in hard copy or digital form! Simply email to mstephens@kentfieldschools.org.
Attention Current Sixth Grade/ Incoming Seventh Grade Parents - Tdap Requirement
- Tdap vaccine proof due by January 25, 2019.
- Students who do not provide the updated proof of immunizations will be unable to register for seventh grade enrichment classes.
Kent Events
- Tuesday, January 15, 2019: Kent clubs photo day
- Friday, January 18, 2019: Sixth Grade Rosicrucian Museum Field Trip
- Tuesday January 29, 2019: 5th Grade Band - Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
- Wednesday, January 30, 2019: Intermediate & Advanced Band Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
- Thursday, January 31, 2019: 6th Grade and Advanced Choir - Winter Concert, Kent, 7-8 p.m., MP Room
Kent Site Council
Next Meeting: February 5, 2019, 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 Resources
Please visit our Kent Families page for information such as the Bell Schedule, Parent Handbook, and other important resources and forms.
Follow the Kent Library on Instagram
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.
- 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 morning route that can work for 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
Happy New Year from kik!
Any contribution at any level makes an impact on our schools.
Help us reach 100% participation for our schools.
kik Speaker Series
Save the Date! kik Auction | Dinner | Dancing
May 11, 2019
KSPTA News
Next KSPTA Meeting
January 28, 2019, 8:30-10 a.m., Kent Library
KSPTA Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Pig
Please join your KSPTA to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a morning filled with Korean Drummers, Taekwondo Performance and a Chinese Lion Dance.
- Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019
- Time: 10:30 a.m.–12p.m.
- Cost: $5 per person*, includes light food
*Additional food and cultural items will be available for purchase. All are welcome, despite ability to pay.
Parent Education Free Event
High: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction.
- Date/Time: January 29, 2019, 7 p.m.
- Location: Book Passage in Corte Madera
- RSVP: highbooktalk.eventbrite.com
Join KSPTA and Book Passage for a book talk by bestselling father/son team David and Nic Sheff discussing High: Everything You Want to Know About Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction. David Sheff is the author of Beautiful Boy (2008), and Nic Sheff is the author of Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines (2008), and their latest book is the ultimate resource for learning about the realities of drugs, alcohol, and addiction for middle grade readers and draws on their experiences.
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.
Incoming Kindergarten Families: Sign up for Kinder Camp!
This class has been specially designed by Marin County Kindergarten teachers to help your child make a smoother transition into kindergarten. The 2 week's class curriculum is based on what they will experience in the upcoming year. This gentle, stress free introduction occurs as they have fun in the actual kindergarten classrooms with experienced teachers. The ratio is 1:15 maximum, plus each class will have an incredible teen aide to ensure your children have a fun, positive experience. The students will enjoy a lively, sunny experience with tactile projects in arts, crafts, listening, nature, building, and laughter. We even try to put them in a class with a buddy of their choosing!
Dates:
- Session I June 17- June 28, register here: larkspur.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1606
- Session II July 1 -July 12 (no school on July 4,) register here: larkspur.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1607
- Both sessions run from 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Camp Galileo Enrollment Opens On January 10th.
Camp Galileo is returning to Kent Middle School & Edna Maguire Elementary (Mill Valley)! Enrollment opens on January 10th.
At Galileo, we mix day camp fun with hands-on projects in fields from science and engineering to the visual and culinary arts. Supported by the best staff around, kids grow from Camp Galileo (pre-K – 5th grades) through Galileo Summer Quest (entering 5th – 8th grades), emerging as confident creators ready to turn their ideas into reality. Sign up by January 22 to save $40 per week. Optional extended care and a healthy lunch. Learn more: www.galileo-camps.com or 800-854-3684.
- In February, Camp Galileo's financial assistance program and scholarship information will be announced and published in this newsletter.
Courageous Conversation Parent Workshop
- Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 5-7:30 p.m., San Rafael High School Library
Dr. Lori Watson will guide us through a thoughtful, compassionate conversation about race and racism and will give insight into the work that the Kentfield School District administrative team has been doing with the Pacific Education Group.
Prius Raffle To Support Special Education in Marin
The parent volunteers of Dedication to Special Education announce the kick-off of our 14th Annual Prius Raffle. We fund supports that special education students need in the classroom throughout Marin’s public schools. Look for our volunteers at The Village Shopping Center every weekend through February 10th at shopping centers and farmers markets around town selling chances to win. Special Education families at your school should have tickets available.
Jenny Novack at (415) 812-5366 can provide more information or get tickets to you. Go to specialed.org for more details.
Tidalwaves Swim Team Registration Opens January 9, 2018
TidalWaves Swim Team is a community-based swim team organized and run by parent volunteers. We are dedicated to providing access to high-quality competitive swimming in a nurturing and fun environment. Our swim practices, meets, and spirit events all promote not just improved swimming skills and physical fitness but also healthy self-esteem, sportsmanship, and a strong team spirit and achievement.
We are part of the Marin Swim League (a league of 10 community teams who compete within Marin County) and are open to boys and girls of all abilities ages 5-18.
The spring/summer program is our competition season and is run primarily at Redwood High School from mid-February through early July. All swim practices are run by professional coaches. Parent volunteer commitment is required to run team events and meets. It’s fun for the whole family!
- New family registration opens January 9th, 2018 and will fill up fast.
More details about our 2018 spring/summer season as well as our winter swim programs are available online at www.gowaves.com . Head Coach Marie McSweeney is also available to answer questions about your child's readiness for the team at mariemcswim@yahoo.com or 415-453-9563.