Kentfield School District News
Dear KSD Community,
I am thrilled to share that the KSD and KTA have mutually agreed to expand to full In-Person Instruction on Monday, March 22nd. All KSD schools will implement a full In-person Instructional program following the schedules developed by our KSD-KTA workgroups for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
This timeline allows us to fully prepare our sites for all students on campus, increase In-Person learning for our students and offer a more traditional school experience. As we expand instructional programming, we may determine specific classes needing to be supervised by alternate staff for a limited amount of time due to vaccination status of staff. As many are aware, vaccination opportunities have varied over the last three months, but as of Saturday, March 6th all KSD staff who opted for the vaccination had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Based on this confirmation, we can expect all KSD staff, choosing to be vaccinated, to be fully immunized by April 12th. This is an exciting turning point for our school community in which we plan to provide further details at tonight’s regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.
We are also happy to share that the KSD administration and KTA are in ongoing discussions related to expectations for the 2021-22 school year. We plan to follow all the necessary and current safety protocols determined by state and local public health experts while operating full In-Person Instruction during the 2021-22 school year.
This plan is evidence of our collective interest in working together to increase In-Person learning for our school community. I look forward to celebrating this transition in the coming weeks, as this shift is a symbol of our united approach to moving forward in the best interest of our students, staff and families.
With gratitude,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
Public Health Updates
Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports - CDPH Guidance - Updated 2-19-2021
Marin County Tier 2 - Substantial (“Red”) guidance - Updated 2-24-2021
Marin County Decision Tree (Tier 2 - Red Tier) - Updated 3-1-2021
Family - Student Handbook - Forthcoming
KSD COVID-19 Dashboard
In an effort to keep the KSD community informed a KSD COVID-19 Dashboard has been developed to display levels of exposure notification in alignment with Marin County Public Health Exposure protocols. The KSD COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated regularly. See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more details about this Dashboard.
COVID-19 Decision Tree Guidance - English & Spanish Version
Know when to stay home and what to do when you or your family don't feel well or have engaged in what is categorized as a high-risk activity (e.g., any mixing of households, non-essential travel).
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
March 8-12, 2021: Cohort A Resumes In-Person Instruction
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
- Kent Site Council Meeting, 3:30- 4:30 p.m.
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
- Bacich Principal Chat, 8:45-9:45 a.m.
- KIK Board meeting, 7:30-9 p.m.
Friday, March 12, 2021
- Trimester 2 ends
- Kent Principal Chat, 9:15 a.m.
- Kent - 8th grade baby pic for yearbook deadline
Sunday, March 14, 2021
- Deadline for ordering Bacich yearbooks at $20 (price goes up at midnight).
Monday, March 15, 2021
- Safety Committee meeting, 12:15 p.m., agenda
Thursday, March 18, 2021
- Finance Committee Meeting, 3:45-4:45 p.m., agenda
- KSD Community Event, 5 p.m.
- An overview of the updated Site Specific Safety Protection Plan (SSSPP) will be provided.
Friday, March 19, 2021
- KSD Distance Learning/Asynchronous Day Districtwide
Monday, March 22, 2021
- Bacich Site Council meeting, 3-3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
- Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m.
School Board & District Committees
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Board Meeting Video Archive
- Board Statements and Community Letters
- Next Monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2020, 5 p.m., Zoom
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
- Safety Committee meeting: March 15, 2021, 12:15 p.m., agenda
- Finance Committee Meeting: March 18, 2021, 3:45-4:45 p.m., agenda
- Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting, March 23, 2021,3:30 p.m.
Safe Routes to School
Important Information About New Crosswalk Near Bacich
As you plan for your child’s walking and biking safety to/from school, please be aware that a crosswalk is being installed at the Wolfe Grade and Sir Francis Drake intersection, located in front of Bacich and Sloat Nursery. The crosswalk will be ready for use on March 12th. So, when considering your child’s route to school, please plan ahead for this change.
Even though the new crosswalk crosses Sir Francis Drake heading towards Bacich, for student safety, we have made the following recommendations about its use:
- Students should continue to use the current route they’ve been using going to/from school.
- Kent bicyclists should proceed down to the Laurel Grove crosswalk to cross with the crossing guard as they do now, and then proceed down McAllister to school (instead of using the new crosswalk and riding through Bacich campus).
- Kent and Bacich walkers should continue to use the overpass or the Laurel Grove crosswalk.
Please share this with your child, particularly if they travel independently to school. Thank you for your partnership to ensure our Bacich bears and Kent falcons travel safely to and from school!
If you have questions regarding this recommended route to school, feel to contact Tanya Vernitsky, Safe Routes to Schools representative, at tanya.vernitsky@gmail.com. Also, this is a link to neighborhood route maps from Safe Routes to Schools. Thank you!
Learn how to get to school safely with these tips for Hybrid Instruction. (English | Spanish)
Marin County COVID-19 Resources, & Testing Opportunities
Discover local case rates, trends, demographics, and resources to stay up to date with the status of COVID-19 in Marin at the Marin Recovers and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Surveillance Update websites.
Public Health Testing – Curative: Marin County Public Health offers five-day a week communitywide Curative COVID Testing opportunities. Appointments will be opened 4 days prior to testing day. For more information click here.
Whether your family is insured or not there are free and easy testing options in our county.
Bacich News
Kent News
Kent Counselors Wellness Hub: Easily access resources to help navigate this challenging time. The Counselors at Kent Middle School are here for you!
Kent Principal Chats: March 12; April 16; May 14; 9:15 a.m.
*Zoom link will be emailed via ParentSquare.
8th Grade Families: Registration for Redwood High School Next Year
- March 15th is deadline for the Redwood High School registration for our 8th graders continuing to Redwood for 9th.
- Redwood Principal Sondheim Letter 2021-2022 - Letter to current 8th grade families outlining registration process.
- Redwood Eighth Grade Enrollment 2021-2022 - Registration information and required forms.
Kent Library News
Books To Go!
If you need a new book just email me, Mrs. Jelen at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. If you have books at your house you need to return, you can bring them to the same cart where you pick up books – right outside the Kent gate when it's not raining and right in front of the library when it is. There are so many great new titles to check out!
Squawk Talk Looking for Book of the Day Submissions!
Has your child finished a book they loved and would highly recommend? Ask your child to record themselves promoting this book for our daily podcast, Squawk Talk. You can use the voice recording app on any phone or device, or vocaroo, a free online recording site. Submissions should be about a minute and a half and can be emailed to rjelen@kentfieldschools.org.
Book Donations needed!
Our grade level book bags have been a huge success... so much so that we are in desperate need of more donations! If you have any new or gently used books to donate, you can drop them off anytime during school hours outside the Kent gate or in front of the library. If your child needs new books to read, have them come and grab a bag from the grade level boxes right in front of the Kent gate. Books can be kept, passed on or returned. Thank you for helping us keep our students reading throughout this crazy time!
Kent Yearbook Information
www.yearbookordercenter.com - code 7587
- For ordering help, call The Yearbook Order Center toll free at 866-287-3096 or email us at yearbookordercenter@herffjones.com. The Yearbook Order Center is open Monday through Friday, 8-a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST).
- Llama al 866-287-3096 si necesitas un operador en español.
Attention 8th graders! Deadline for Baby Photos – Friday, March 12th
We have just discovered that we will have room for our traditional baby photos for the yearbook! Unfortunately, there is not much time to get these in. If you would like to have your 8th grader's "cutest little baby face" included, please email digital copy to mstephens@kentfieldschools.org no later than Friday, March 12th (hard deadline!) with their first and last name included in the email. Let's keep the tradition alive in this unique year!
Attention 8th Grade Families Attending Redwood High School Next Year
Are you interested in getting involved at Redwood High School next year? The Redwood High School PTSA is looking to recruit for the role of Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian sits on the Executive Committee and attends those meetings. The role of Parliamentarian includes: assisting in setting the calendar for meetings, orienting the Executive Committee members to the By-laws, ensuring that meetings follow the Robert's Rules of Order, and kicking off the Nominating Committee to recruit the next year's board. A big perk of being on the PTSA Executive Committee is that Principal David Sondheim attends the meetings and you get to hear about what is going on at the school! Please contact Mandy Downing at downings@sbcglobal.net if interested!
KIK News
MARCH MADNESS: 3/1 - 3/19
KIK Grade Level Participation Challenge
Who’s Got Game?
3rd Grade is on the fast break to close out the week ending March 5 — donate through March 19 to help your Grade Level Team take the lead!
- Donate any amount, big or small, through March 19 to help your kids' "Grade Level Team" to victory! Donate for the first time or donate again —every donation is a slam dunk!
- It’s a Win-Win: Your generous Family Giving donations help our students and schools by raising funds for the 2020-21 $1M Annual Commitment.
- Score Big: Each student in the Grade Level Team that garners the highest participation rate by March 19, 2021 wins a Book Passage Gift Card sponsored by Allison Fortini Crawford.
Get in the Game, Donate Today!
SPRING AUCTION WISH LIST — Can you help?
KIK is hard at work trying to secure great items for the Spring Auction. In this uncertain time, we are trying to avoid asking businesses for gift card donations.
- If you are personally willing to donate a gift card or item from our wish list, we would really appreciate it.
- While we always like to support our local businesses and restaurants, we have also included an Amazon Wish List for gift cards and other items. Thank you for your support—the money we raise helps ALL students!
- See Auction Wish List
Donations & Questions: events@kikschools.org
TUES 3/9: KIK FAMILY MEALS WITH LEFT BANK, 20% TO KIK
Every Tuesday Left Bank creates a KIK family dinner for $50 and donates 20% back to KIK.
- March 9: 4 chicken & 4 shrimp kabobs with hummus, flat bread, rice pilaf, greek salad
- New! If your family needs extra portions of the meat or different sides, call Ryan at Left Bank and he can customize a Family Meal that works for you: 415-927-3331
- Check out this NEW Left Bank promotion that also gives back to KIK!
ORDER NOW for pickup on Tuesday. Select “KIK Family Meal.”
**Opt in today to get a weekly email reminder to order**
MOVE FOR KIK: 3/24-3/28
Join us for 5 days of virtual fitness starting on March 24th, just in time for Spring Break! One ticket gives you access to a variety of live online workout classes from your favorite local instructors, including pilates, yoga, barre, HIIT and even a few kids classes. Mark your calendars, tickets go on sale soon!
WANT TO HELP OUR KIDS + SCHOOLS?
KIK elects Board Members every Spring. Learn more about your school foundation.
ANNUAL COMMITMENT UPDATE
This Video explains in 1 minute why donations are critical! Potentially $500,000 could be cut from our district budget, which affects every Bacich and Kent student.
- Annual Commitment Status : $684,506 (net)
- Learn more how KIK has been Investing in Kids
Thank you to the 302 KIK Donors and counting this year!
See Current Donor Wall
KSPTA News
Next General KSPTA Meeting: Monday, April 12, 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.
Enjoy scratch-made meals from Proper Food and raise funds for your KSPTA!
Scratch-made meals and groceries delivered! We craft our meals the only way we know how – with whole, seasonal ingredients sliced, chopped, and seasoned with care. Our salads, sandwiches, and ready-to-heat entrees are the perfect weekday lunch. Family Meals are the perfect shortcut for a wholesome and delicious dinner. Prepared items are good for 2-4 days in the fridge, so you can stock up! We also offer many grocery items and wine for one-stop shopping.
Proper Food will be donating 10% to the Kentfield Schools PTA for orders delivered to our community on March 15th and March 22nd. Food is delivered right to your home by their own drivers and trucks between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Use promo code: kspta
- March 15 delivery: Order window opens on March 9th and close at 6 p.m., March 14.
- March 22 delivery: Order window opens March 16th and close at 6 p.m., March 21
Order at order.properfood.com
Shop Farm Fresh Produce & Support KSPTA
KSPTA is offering a healthy new way to raise funds for our schools!
We have partnered with “Farm Fresh to You” and 10% of all orders will benefit our kids and teachers in the classroom. Enjoy well-priced and delicious produce and a huge selection of other grocery items delivered right to your door!
Please review this flyer for more information.
Use promo code: kspta
Community Education Event: Executive Functioning Skill Building
March 11, 2021 7 p.m.: Middle Schoolers: Executive Functioning Skill Building (Spanish translation available)
What is Executive Function?
Executive function is a set of mental skills that, simply put, helps you get things done.
Elementary school students use them every day when learning to take turns, focusing on a math problem amid distractions, following multi-step directions, or remembering everything they will need to bring home from school.
In teens, solid executive functioning enables them to remember to hit "submit" to hand in their homework on time, keep all of their e-mails and important information organized, stay focused on a Zoom even when they find the material boring or difficult, effectively plan for longer projects, and avoid becoming overwhelmed with schoolwork, among other things.
Help is Here
Christine Leppones of EF Ninja, is an executive function coach here in Marin county. She has been working with neurodiverse students of all abilities for the past 8 years. Join us as Christine outlines practical strategies parents can use to hone the executive function skills needed to be successful both in school and out.
Order Bacich Yearbooks Today! Price Increases March 15th!
Our parent volunteers are hard at work to create a lovely keepsake to capture the highlights of this most unusual and history-making year. Don’t miss out — order today!
This year we are trying Josten's sales site, but the KSPTA will distribute the yearbooks at the end of the year as always!
- Find out more and order at kspta.org/its-time-to-order-your-2020-2021-yearbook
- Order by March 14 to get the discount price of $20. (Price goes up to $25 on March 15!)
Hello Kent Families! Order Your 2020-2021 Yearbook here:
CODE: 7587
Questions or difficulties? Please email Melissa Stephens at mstephens@kentfieldschools.org.
KSPTA Board and Coordinator Positions Open
Make an impact in your school community by joining the KSPTA leadership. Opportunities to participate in the board or as a coordinator are now open.
Email Erica Applestein, KSPTA President, at president@kspta.org to learn more about the difference you'll make as a KSPTA leader.
Thank You New PTA Members!
Thank you to those of you who joined during our Membership Month! There’s still time to join and support our schools.
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, 12:15-1:30 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.
KSPTA is proud to support Be the Influence.
Connect with KSPTA!
Website: kspta.org
Twitter: @KentfieldPTA
Instagram: kentfieldschoolspta
Facebook: Kentfield Schools PTA
Community News
Information, events, and news provided in our newsletter's "Community News" is offered as service to our community and do not represent an endorsement and are not sponsored by the Kentfield School District.
REDISCOVER SUMMER FUN
Camp Galileo for Pre-K – Rising 5th Graders
Galileo's award-winning camp is back at Kent Middle School this summer! Engage kids in the perfect mix of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun, thoughtfully redesigned for 2021. Small groups and safety protocols keep every Galilean safe. Engaging art, science and outdoor challenges deliver the innovation-igniting experiences kids love. Flexible enrollment policies make planning stress free. It all comes together for a joyful summer.
Limited enrollment—sign up now! Save $25 per week by March 15th. Financial assistance scholarships available. Program running June 21 - August 6th at Kent Middle School. Optional extended care. Learn more at www.galileo-camps.com.
Zero Waste Educational Video Opportunity
The Zero Waste Schools Program is seeking a youth actor to star in two educational videos about waste and recycling in Marin County! Applications are due March 15th.
No prior professional acting experience required, but successful candidate will have an outgoing personality and the ability to deliver lines clearly. Interest in recycling/environment a plus.
Find out the details in this flyer.
Parent Education: The Yes Brain
In this presentation based on her book (co-authored with Dan Siegel, MD), Dr. Tina Payne Bryson will discuss ways to encourage children towards this positive, engaged approach to life. Using her trademark warmth and humor, she will share specific strategies for child development professionals to create Yes Brain opportunities and help kids thrive.
- March 18, 2021, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Register here
Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society Event
Kentfield & Greenbrae Transformed Over Time: Historic Maps, Photos & More
By Dewey Livingston, Historian & Map Archivist Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library
Thursday, March 25, 2021 7 p.m., Zoom
Using historic maps and aerial photos, Dewey will offer a unique before-and-after visual history of Kentfield & Greenbrae. The geography & landscape of the area will transform before your eyes, through comparisons and overlays of historic maps, aerial photographs and current satellite images. Along the way, Dewey will delve deeper into the history of such sites as the Greenbrae Ranch, the Kent Estate, and the College of Marin/Kent School area. The program will also focus on changes to Corte Madera Creek between 1871 and 1971. Local historian Richard Torney will introduce the program with "before & after" images of Kentfield & Greenbrae.
Register for this FREE event: www.kghs.org
The Zoom link info will be emailed to those who register in advance.
This program is a partnership between the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society and the Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library.
Mindfulness Seminar Series
The Marin County SELPA Special Education Advisory Committee is hosting a multi-part Mindfulness Seminar Series. The seminar is free for Marin County parents and Spanish translation services are available, upon request with registration. Please see details below and the flyers attached (English and Spanish) for more details.
This introductory mindfulness webinar series will consist of four (4), one-hour virtual sessions across a 12-week period. Each webinar will combine didactic and experiential learning about specific aspects of mindfulness so that participants may learn mindfulness tools to help reduce stress.
- March 25, 2021, 7-8 p.m.
- Register here
- View flyer in English and Spanish
Parent Education: Teen Substance Use
Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships created Let's Talk: A Toolkit for Navigating Teen Substance Use in Marin County this past summer and sent it out to nearly 3000 local public high school freshman parents, pediatricians and therapists. In addition, we created a discussion series that focuses on each chapter in the book featuring experts in the field of parenting, development of the teen brain and information on nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, prescription pills, mushrooms, experimentation and finding support.
Our online community discussions follow the chapters of the Let's Talk booklet. If you missed the previous events, they are available to view at the links below. And you can register for the upcoming events now.
- What’s happening to your teen? (View Recording)
- What’s the big deal? (View Recording)
- Parenting to support our teens (View Recording)
- Uppers, downers and all-arounders (View Recording)
- Legal and school consequences - March 3, 2021 (View Recording)
- Getting support and help - April 7, 2021 (Register)
Author Events - Gennifer Choldenko
Bestselling author Gennifer Choldenko! Gennifer has written sixteen novels and picture books for children including Fleishman and Newbery Honor winner Al Capone Does My Shirts and the subsequent Tales from Alcatraz series, Chasing Secrets, One Third Nerd, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, Putting the Monkeys to Bed, and Dad and the Dinosaur. Join us as we read and discuss Gennifer's latest middle-grade novel Orphan Eleven! We love it because it has Choldenko’s signature blend of danger, friendship, adventure and thoroughly researched historical fiction. This virtual book club, recommended for grades 4 and up, will be hosted by Debbie Toizer. A limited number of book club copies are available to check out. Call 415-924-3515 or log in to marinlibrary.org to reserve yours.
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 7-8 p.m.
- Register here for this Zoom program.
- View flyer
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 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Thursday 3-7 p.m.
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
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