Kentfield School District News
Dear Kentfield School Community,
In an effort to continue moving forward with offering our students in-person instruction, the KSD has identified November 2, 2020 as the date to transition to Hybrid Instruction. On September 16th, the District received confirmation from Marin County Public Health that the 30-point plan outlining safety requirements for Bacich and Kent to operate in-person instruction had been reached. The District has met the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and is working with staff to demonstrate how the conditions have been reached. Over these next few weeks we will continue to work collaboratively with our teachers and staff to fully prepare our campuses for a phased implementation of Hybrid Instruction.
Pilot Hybrid Instruction
The pilot Hybrid Instruction program operating right now at both sites will continue through the end of this week. Beginning Friday, administrators and teachers will engage in a debriefing discussion to make adjustments in order to offer the most optimal Hybrid Instructional program. We recognize there are many questions about the hybrid design, and we are committed to continue to evaluate its effectiveness as we pilot the approach and plan for full implementation. We have time between now and November 2nd to make design adjustments, but in the meantime please work with us to prepare for a transition to Hybrid Instruction.
Intent to Participate - Due October 21, 2020 by 5 p.m. (new extended date)
At this time, we ask parents/guardians to complete an intent to participate form, which is posted in ParentSquare. Parents/guardians will have the option to choose KSD’s Hybrid Instructional program or Distance Learning only program. Below are details about each approach that may help families determine which program is best for their child/ren. If you choose a Distance Learning only program, this will be a commitment for the remainder of the school year (June 2021), with the option to return to hybrid if space is available. Please submit your preference by Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 5pm. If we do not hear back from you we will count on your student/s participating in the Hybrid Program. Based on the data received we may need to adjust class assignments, but will do this with as minimal disruption as possible.
Marin Tier II Status: Allows In-Person Instruction in Schools
Although we continue to be faced with the challenges of COVID-19, Marin’s Tier II - Red status allows schools in our county to open for in-person instruction and we know that is what is best for our students. We have negotiated with our staff in good faith and have worked diligently to provide the safest environment for our school community. In order for us to take this next step we must work together. It is imperative that we continue to model wearing face coverings, practicing regular hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing and avoiding congregating in large groups. Taking these necessary steps will support our District in providing in-person learning opportunities for our children!
Take Good Care,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
Hybrid Transition Timeline
| October 12, 2020 | Parent/Guardian SSSPP Webinar Orientations (5-6pm)
Bacich SSSPP and Kent SSSPP A recording will be posted on the District’s website. |
| October 13, 2020 | Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees |
| October 14, 2020 | COVID-19 Testing at Kent Middle School |
| October 15, 2020 5-6:00 p.m. |
KSD Community Conversation with Local Physicians - A Perspective of In-Person Instruction in a COVID-19 Environment Submit your questions in English or Spanish |
| October 16, 2020 | Non-Student Day - Staff Work Day |
| Week of October 19, 2020 | Expand Pilot Program Tentative Site Tours (live or virtual) - Staff/Parents/Guardians |
| October 21, 2020 | Intent to Participate Form DUE KSD Hybrid or Distance Learning Only Form will be posted in ParentSquare |
| October 22, 2020 - On or before date |
Announce KSD weekly Hybrid Schedule |
| Week of October 26, 2020 - On or before date |
Announce Hybrid Cohort Assignments Tentative Site Tours (live or virtual) - Staff/Parents/Guardians |
| November 2, 2020* | Phase Hybrid Transition Bacich Grades K-2: Cohort A on-site; Cohort B remote Kent Grades 5-6: Cohort A on-site; Cohort B remote |
| November 9, 2020* | Phase Hybrid Transition Bacich Grades K-2: Cohort A remote; Cohort B on-site Bacich Grades 3-4: Cohort A on-site; Cohort B remote Kent Grades 5-6: Cohort A remote; Cohort B on-site Kent Grades 7-8: Cohort A on-site; Cohort B remote |
| November 11, 2020 | Veteran’s Day Holiday – No School |
| *Dates subject to adjustment. |
Upcoming Events
*For security, Zoom links and passwords for events are not posted on the District website, and are sent through ParentSquare.
Daily: Virtual Crossing Guard with Ms. Stephens, 7:55-8:30 a.m., Zoom
Monday, October 12, 2020
- Parent/Guardian SSSPP Orientation, 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
- School Board meeting, 5 p.m., Zoom. All are welcome to attend.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
- Intent to Participate in Hybrid Learning due by 5pm
- Details in the Superintendent letter and survey will be sent via ParentSquare.
- COVID-19 Testing for KSD Community
- KIK Board meeting, 7:30-9 p.m., Zoom
Thursday, October 15, 2020
- Kent Student Leadership Board meeting, 8:25-8:55 a.m., Zoom
- Kent Author Visit for 5th & 6th graders, 12:20 p.m., Zoom
- KSD Community Conversation with Local Physicians - A Perspective of In-Person Instruction in a COVID-19 Environment, 5-6 p.m., Zoom
Friday, October 16, 2020
- Staff Professional Development Day – No School
Monday, October 19, 2020
- Expand Pilot Program
- School Foodies pick up, 12-1:30 p.m., Kent
- Bacich Site Council meeting, 3 p.m., Zoom
Tuesday, October 20, 2002
- KSD DELAC Community Conversation - A Perspective of In-Person Instruction in a COVID-19 DELAC, 7 p.m.
- Parent Partners meeting, 4-5 p.m., Zoom
Thursday, October 22, 2020
- Community Office Hours, tentative
District Announcements
School Board
- Board Meeting Highlights: September 8, 2020
- Board Meeting Video Archive
- Next Monthly School Board meeting: October 13, 2020, 5 p.m., All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Bacich News
Check Out Books with the Bacich Library
If you would like to check out library books, please email me the titles you want. I will check them out to you and place them in plastic bags with your names on them on a cart. They will be available for pickup every Friday curbside in front of the office. See the library blog for instructions on how to access the Alexandria Library Catalog (to look for books). You can also return books every Friday as well. There will be a plastic bin labeled, "Return Bacich Library Books Here" in front of the office for your convenience. That way I can keep the books in the bin for the weekend and check them in during the week for safety purposes.
When families purchase books from Book Passage, please remember to mention your school at check out or in the comments field if ordering online. This will assure that our school will receive a portion of the purchase in the form of a bookstore gift certificate.
Thank you!!
Ms. Warnick
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org
Bacich Yearbook
Photos can be submitted to bacichyearbook2021@gmail.com. Please follow the instructions below when sending your photos.
- The images must be .jpg, .png, or .tif files and must be at least 300ppi resolution.
- Please provide the following information with each image:
- FIRST NAME and LAST NAME for the main student featured in the image (or the left-most person).
- Grade of student(s) in photo.
- Description.
- Additional names separated by commas.
Kent News
Kent Counselors Wellness Hub: Many of us in our community are navigating very challenging times right now and as the Counselors at Kent Middle School, we want you to know that we are here for you. We created this hub so you can easily access resources.
Kent Library News
After an amazing author visit with Torrey Maldonado last week, his Thursday, 5th and 6th graders will have an opportunity to meet with him! Last week he talked about many things, and 7th and 8th graders were on the edge of their seats as he talked about his writing process, his characters and his own struggle with reading. One of his most important messages was to "write what you know", and I can't wait for 5th and 6th graders to meet him! You can check out his books Tight and What Lane from the Kent Library!
Born a Crime Book Club, Thursday, October 29th at 1:45 p.m.
If you would like to borrow a copy of the book, please email Ms. Jelen at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. If you have already emailed me about it, your book will be ready to pick up on Monday after school on the cart outside the office.
Curbside Book Pick Up and Book Bags
Students may email Ms. Jelen the titles of books that they would like to read, and the book will left on a cart in front of the gate for them to pick up.
Thanks to the donations of many Falcons and their families, we have book bags for every grade level to pick up and enjoy! You will find these bags in boxes marked by grade level in front of the Kent office. Feel free to read, keep or pass on your books OR donate them right back to the book drive for another life!
Got Books?? If you are cleaning out your bookshelves, bring them to Kent for our Book Drive! We have lots of wonderful grade level bags just waiting for you to exchange your old books for! You can drop them off by the mural near the parking lot!
Happy reading,
Rebecca Jelen
Kent Librarian
rjelen@kentfieldschools.org
KIK News
DONATE ONLINE NOW
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR FAMILY FUN DAYS!
Thank you for participating in Family Fun Days: KIK it Your Way this past weekend! We are grateful for those who shared their family moments hiking, boogie boarding, kayaking, or simply spending quiet time at home together.
Didn’t get to upload yet? You can still share by emailing images to foundation@kentfieldschools.org by the end of today.
Check out some of the pics that have been posted with more still to come as we build out a complete Family Fun Days Gallery.
TUES 10/13 - KIK FAMILY MEALS WITH LEFT BANK, 20% TO KIK
Every Tuesday Left Bank will create a special family dinner for $50 and donate 20% back to KIK. Order early before it sells out!
- Oct 13: 4 Beef kafta and 4 shrimp kabobs, hummus with flatbread, Greek salad, rice pilaf
- Oct 20: Roast chicken with green beans, mac & cheese, french fries
- Oct 27: Beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes, acme bread and butter, broccoli
Order online and select “KIK Family Meal”.
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for updates on menus and reminders.
For any questions, please email events@kikschools.org.
FRI 10/16 - AMY’S DRIVE THRU: DINE & DONATE
If you’ve been waiting to try the new Amy’s Drive Thru, now is your chance!
Tell them your order is for KIK and Amy’s will donate 20% back to our schools on Friday, October 16th.
5839 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera
11:00 am-10:00 pm
Call ahead for curbside service, be sure to mention KIK on the phone:
415-737-6055
Check out their delicious menu for lunch and dinner.
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for a reminder on Friday.
For any questions, please email events@kikschools.org
KIK BOO-GRAMS ON SALE!
Let KIK make Halloween fun! Surprise your school friends or even your teacher with a Halloween candy KIK BOO-Gram. Purchase KIK BOO-Grams for $5 each, let us know the lucky recipient and we’ll deliver a bag of treats (contactless and nut-free, of course) to their doorstep on October 30th or 31st!
Order KIK BOO-Grams through October 27th.
KIK or treat!
For any questions, please email events@kikschools.org.
LET’S KIK THIS TOGETHER!
Family Giving donations contribute the largest portion of the $1M Annual Commitment to our schools. Learn how KIK is Committed to Kids.
FAMILY GIVING Fundraising Status : $216,100 / $1M GOAL
THANK YOU, 2020-21 DONORS!
FUND-A-NEED COMMUNITY GRANTS
KIK is the funding arm of the 2020-21 Fund-a-Need program and has partnered with the Kentfield Schools PTA (KSPTA) to administer these grants, which help support our school community.
Thank you Fund-a-Need Donors!
See a list of Round 1 awarded grants.
Deadline Extended! Round 2 Grant Applications are now due end of today, October 12. Download application.
CONNECT WITH KIK
NEW Website : kikschools.org
Instagram : kikinvestsinkids
Facebook : Kentfield Schools Foundation - KIK
KSPTA News
Next General KSPTA Meeting: Monday, November 2, 2020, 7-8:30 p.m.
- Kentfield families and members will receive the Zoom link and password. If you do not receive the link, please contact info@kspta.org.
October is KSPTA Membership Month
Help us reach our goal of 100% participation!
- Show your support of our kids, teachers, and fellow parents
- Memberships available: Individual ($25), Family ($100), or Teacher/Staff ($15). Donations can be made too
- Become a member by Oct 15 for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Gotts
- Learn more about KSPTA benefits and opportunities.
Become a member today!
Coming Soon!
Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 11, 2020
New School Lunch Program with School Foodies
Order online, pick up at Kent for the week. Choose which weeks you order, and order for the whole family!
- Sign up at schoolfoodies.com, registration code “bacich” or “kent”
- Find out more
- School Foodies pick up time: Mondays, 12-1:30 p.m. at Kent, except for when Monday is a holiday.
Distance Learning Resources at KSPTA
We are committed to supporting the Bacich and Kent communities with programs like the expanded Buddy System and more.
Visit the distance learning resources page to learn more. Suggestions and ideas are welcome at info@kspta.org.
Connect with KSPTA!
Website: kspta.org
Twitter: @KentfieldPTA
Instagram: kentfieldschoolspta
Facebook: Kentfield Schools PTA
Community News
Special Thanks!
A special thank you to the Larkspur Community Foundation who granted Marin Enrichment $5,000 to subsidize the cost to operate the Marin Enrichment Learning Hub. These funds will specifically be targeted to support our neediest students in the community based on the impact of our local health pandemic. It is through partnerships like these that we come together as a community to do all that we can for each and every one of our children!
Author Event
Please join us for a virtual conversation with Nicolas Buccola, the author of The Fire Is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William Buckley Jr, and the Debate Over Race in America. This highly acclaimed book looks at the famous Cambridge debate between James Baldwin, one of the most important literary voices of the civil rights movement and William Buckley, a leader in the conservative movement. Baldwin's call for a moral revolution in race relations in this debate is as important today as ever. The debate can be viewed on YouTube and we hope you will consider purchasing a copy through Book Passage.
'With Flair and grace, Nicholas Buccola provides the unforgettable backstory to a momentous debate- a clash of antiracist and racist ideas- over the very meaning of the American dream. It is a debate that still resonates today. A vital read.' – Ibram X.Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist
The event is sponsored by the Bay Family Association, Marin Academy Parent Association, and Book Passage. Paula Farmer from Book Passage is moderating the event and guests will be able to submit questions for the author.
- Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 7 p.m.
- Register here, space is limited.
Education Resources
Join us for this timely series of virtual workshops for parents, students, educators, administrators, and community members. Led by the JFCS Holocaust Center in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Marin County Office of Education.
From Discrimination to Deportation
These workshops will introduce anti-bias lessons to stop the escalation of hate in our community and provide a safe space to ask questions about recent antisemitic incidents locally in Marin County and around the world.
- Parent Workshop, October 21 (with JFCS' Center for Children and Youth)
- Student Workshop, October 28
Training opportunities for parents, students, educators, administrators, and community members to deepen our understanding on confronting antisemitism and resources discussed are available at the new website Confronting Antisemitism by the Marin County Office of Education in partnership with the JFCS Holocaust Center in partnership and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Reach Out for Emotional Support
For people of all ages who have been impacted by incidents of antisemitism, JFCS is here to provide counseling and emotional or spiritual support.
If you or someone you care about needs help, please call us at 415‑449‑3700 or visit www.jfcs.org.
Parent Education
Making Worriers into Warriors: Helping Your Child Conquer Fear in Uncertain Times: A presentation with Dr. Dan Peters, sponsored by North Bridge Academy. Speaker Dr. Dan Peters is a psychologist, author, co-founder and executive director of the Summit Center.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 6:30-8 p.m., Zoom
College of Marin and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Construction Project Updates
- When using the crosswalk on College Avenue, please remember to activate the flashing signals. It is the only way the large construction vehicles exiting the driveway know that there are pedestrians in the crosswalk.
While the Corte Madera Library building is currently closed, you may request and return items, and find details about Curbside Service at marinlibrary.org.
Curbside Hours:
- Tuesday & Wednesday 11:00-3:00
- Thursday 3:00-7:00
Call our “Talk with a Librarian” number: 415-473-2272 Monday-Friday, 9-6 p.m. English and Spanish with any questions and information.
Book Bundles for Emerging Readers
We know many families are missing the ability to browse library shelves, so we’ve created a way to get some "surprise" books to you based on your child’s interests.
Each Book Bundle includes 10 books and you can choose the reading level that is right for your child. Get up to 3 bundles per family!
How to Request Book Bundles
- To request Book Bundles, please fill out this form , or call 415-473-2272, Monday-Friday, 9-6 p.m.
- Please allow 3-4 days for your request to be filled. You will be contacted by the branch when your order is ready for curbside pickup.
- Find out more: marinlibrary.org/book-bundles-for-kids
Audio Books
In case you have families or students asking about downloadable audio books, here is a short video tutorial that demonstrates how to use the Libby app to browse our online catalog and download titles. youtu.be/E0E_FPMl4m8
Discover local options for Learning Hubs and Childcare during distance learning.
This free helpline provides free trauma-informed, evidenced-based emotional support to parents, children and youth in any language via calls, text, live chat, and email.
- Available 7 days a week from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Parents can join a Weekly Online Support Group through the website: caparentyouthhelpline.org.
- Helpline #: 855-427-2736
When shopping in-person or online at Book Passage, please remember to mention your school – a portion of every purchase goes directly to our schools!
- For online shopping, enter your school name in the comments field.