KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
As I look out on our campuses and observe the joy of learning and the innovative instruction — I am absolutely inspired by our school community. For all of the Kentfield staff, the students are our WHY, and it is an honor to bring to life the learning and growth among our young people. Tomorrow night’s Board Meeting will focus on honoring and celebrating our newly tenured and hired staff, as well as highlighting opening school activities and setting intentions for the school year. Please join us via Zoom at 5 p.m.
As many may be aware our Bacich School Principal, Mary Ann Spitzer, is out for an extended period of time due to illness. During her absence, I will be increasing my time at Bacich, and have secured additional administrative support for the short term.
Katie Ward, long-time Bacich teacher, administrator, and consummate professional has agreed to join the team effective Monday, September 13 through Friday, October 1. While at Bacich, Katie taught multiple grade levels and served as the Assistant Principal and Director of Student Success and Family Engagement. We feel so lucky to have Katie’s generosity of time, expertise, and support while Mary Ann is away. Thank you all in advance for welcoming Katie back as a member of our Kentfield school faculty!
Take good care!
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
Celebrate Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of Latinx and Hispanic Americans. From September 15 to October 15, we honor Hispanic and Latinx history and traditions, while celebrating their influence on and enrichment of American culture.
This book list features nonfiction and fiction by and about Latinx and Hispanic authors and characters from all over the world.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m., Zoom, agenda
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
- Marin Public Health Update for Schools, 6-7 p.m. (please note the flyer has the incorrect date, new flyers are coming soon)
- Simultaneous Translation will be available. Questions can be sent ahead of time to rapidresponse@marinschools.org. The recording and presentation slide can be found on the Rethinking Schools Website within 24 hours of the event.
- Flyer with Zoom information in English and Spanish.
Thursday, September 16, 2021
- No School – Yom Kippur
Friday, September 17, 2021
Monday, September 20, 2021
- Bacich Site Council Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Thursday, September 23, 2021
- English Learner Family Resource Night, 6-7 p.m., in-person
Sunday, September 26, 2021
- KIK Family Fun Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friday, October 1, 2021
District Announcements
Employment Opportunity
The KSD is still in need of classroom paraprofessionals and yard supervisors.
If you are interested please submit and application HERE or contact Cyd Amaral at camaral@kentfieldschools.org.
Student Vaccination Verification – Deadline Approaching, October 1
In alignment with Public Health guideline #30, the KSD is requesting vaccination verification of all students who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Parents/Guardians may submit verification digitally HERE.
The KSD staff will be proactively confirming vaccination to publicly post KSD’s student COVID vaccine rate no later than October 1, 2021. Please note that no personal identifiable information will be shared.
COVID Communication Exposure & KSD COVID Dashboard:
The Kentfield School District is following protocols from the Marin County Office of Education and the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services for scenarios and actions related to COVID-19 exposures and cases.
The Marin Schools Public Health COVID-19 Exposure Protocols for various scenarios can be found HERE. We recognize the situation with COVID-19 continues to adjust, thus KSD will update processes and procedures accordingly. Please reference the Marin County Decision Tree for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated individuals for additional guidance. To reference exposure cases for the KSD visit our KSD Dashboard webpage.
Join a Board Committee! Interest Form Due September 17.
We invite KSD teachers/staff and parents to consider contributing your time and expertise by volunteering as a member of one of our Board Committees. We maintain a variety of district-wide committees, including, but not limited to, Communications; Equity and Inclusion; Finance; Safety; Technology; and Heath/Wellness. We encourage diverse stakeholder participation to support varied perspectives and interests in the critical work of our committees. No prior experience is necessary.
If you would like to participate in any of our committees for the 2021-22 school year please complete this form by September 17, 2021. As with all of our Board Committees, meetings are always open to the public to attend anytime even if you are not a committee member.
Lunch Ordering
Information on how to order with School Foodies
Would you like to apply for our Free and Reduced Lunch program?
- More information is here.
- If you have any questions, please email Cyd Amaral or call 415-458-5130, extension 9.
School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts
- Next Monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 5-8 p.m., Zoom, agenda
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
District Committees - KSD Committee Solicitation Form Due, September 17, 2021
- Equity & Inclusion Committee: September 21, 2021, 4-5 p.m.
- LCAP/Strategic Plan Committee Meeting: September 28, 2021, 4-5 p.m.
- Annual Calendar Meeting (2022-23): September 30, 2021, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Safe Routes To School
Marin Public Health Update
Marin Public Health Update for Schools: Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 6-7 p.m.
Simultaneous Translation will be available and questions can be sent ahead of time to rapidresponse@marinschools.org. The recording and presentation slide can be found on the Rethinking Schools Website within 24 hours of the event.
Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/88108938012?pwd=UmFsWkJtZmdpbGM4a3p2V1BhRkR4Zz09
Webinar ID: 881 0893 8012
Passcode: 151268
Dial In: 408-638-0968
Bacich Bears News
Happy Monday Bacich Bears!
First and foremost, let me begin by thanking everyone for their thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery for Mary Ann. I know she appreciates it, and I know the entire staff is grateful for all of your support as well. In the meantime, we are very excited to welcome back Katie Ward, who will be on campus to support staff and students for the next couple of weeks.
Things are in full swing here at Bacich, and the students couldn’t be happier!
PE Spotlight
As many of you know, along with a new play structure, we also welcomed the installation of a Gaga Pit. The students have been waiting patiently for the chance to use it, and last week was their chance! Each PE class had the opportunity to learn and review the rules during their classes last week, and we hope to be able to officially open the Gaga Pit at recess in the coming weeks.
Car Line
Thank you to everyone for your continuing support with our morning and afternoon car line. As a gentle reminder, please make sure you are driving slowly and carefully through the parking lot. Staff and student safety is our number one priority, so we thank you in advance for your help with keeping our car line safe.
We are also noticing that a number of cars are either still missing their placards, or do not have all of the necessary information on them. All placards should have your student's name and grade written large enough for volunteers to easily read it. See example below:
Finally, we would like to remind parents that the parking spots in both lots are for staff only and should not be used for pick-up or drop-off.
Parent Volunteers
We are very excited to slowly begin reintroducing volunteer opportunities back onto our campus. At this time volunteer opportunities will be for whole school events (Car Line, Book Fair, etc.), for projects on campus where students aren’t being worked with directly (library book re-shelving, garden maintenance), and for take-home classroom projects. Be on the lookout for opportunities coming your direction!
Wishing you all a great week!
Kristine Duran
Bacich Vice Principal
kduran@kentfieldschools.org
Bacich Bell Schedule 2021-2022
Monday, September 20, 2021: Bacich Site Council Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
Wednesday, September 29: Bacich Principal Chat, 8:45am – 9:45 a.m.
Bacich Library
The Bacich Library is open every morning, snack recess, lunch recess, and after school.
How to Check Out Books
- Visit: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library
- Click on the Alexandria Library Catalog (to look up books). Your message might say, "Your connection is not fully secure." Click the box on the left that says "advanced" NOT "back to safety."
- Scroll down and click on "proceed to bacich.goalexandria.com (unsafe)." It is safe.
- This will bring you to the search page. You can search by author, title, series, subject or all words.
- If you don't know what to read, find ideas by continuing down to the second line to "Explore" to discover Most Popular – what your friends are reading, What's New and Award Winners.
- Watch this how to video if you are having problems.
Bacich Library Book Buzz: bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com
Check out Ms. Warnick's blog for valuable information about the library, volunteering, and what classes have been working on in the library.
Don't miss Ms. Warnick's recommendations for Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15.
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
A Brief Glimpse into our Classrooms... A short walk around campus late Thursday morning revealed for me the incredible teaching and learning occurring across our campus daily. In an English class I entered, students were preparing for book club discussions by analyzing character traits, as well as elements of setting, from a popular movie trailer. Two doors down, students evaluated the effectiveness of "choppers" they built, timing flight duration and flight details of the paper helicopters, capturing relevant data in their science notebooks for later reference. Across the quad, students performed self-composed skits in Spanish, and two hallways over, students used coping saws to remove excess wood from handmade wooden ducks in Woodshop. Common threads through each of these dramatically different classroom experiences were high levels of student engagement, under the supervision of our skilled, creative teachers. Kent Falcons, big and small, are flying high in 2021!
After School Athletics - The fun doesn’t have to stop at the end of the school day, with a full offering of After School Athletics back in action at Kent.
- Cross Country - 5th through 8th Falcons are representing their school through participation on our Cross Country team, practicing twice a week and looking forward to upcoming meets against local schools soon.
- Flag Football - 6th through 8th graders make up our Kent Flag Football team, and players are practicing hard in anticipation of our first game against Hall on September 20. Games against surrounding schools will occur regularly through the months of September and October.
- Volleyball - 7th and 8th grade Volleyball teams are working intensely in the gym, looking forward to games against surrounding schools soon.
I’m exceedingly proud of our Kent athletes for representing our school, and appreciative of our staff and parent coaches for making these teams possible. If you have any questions about Kent After School Athletics, including an interest to coach 6th grade volleyball, please reach out to our Athletic Director Ryan Palmer (rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org)
Mathletes - Does your student have a strong interest in mathematics? Encourage your child to sign up for Kent Mathletes! Mathletes is a zero period class (7:45 to 8:28 a.m.) that meets on Tuesdays, and is made up of a supportive and driven group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who work together on complex math problems that promote critical thinking and problem solving. Zero period Matheletes class will be starting on October 5 for 7th/8th graders, and mid-November for 6th graders. If COVID conditions permit, Mathletes may include academic competitions for 7th and 8th graders against other Mathletes teams in Marin County later this school year. Please complete this form to sign your child up for Mathletes!
Kent Daily Bulletin - Are you interested to stay up-to-date on current happenings at our school? Consider regularly checking the Kent Daily Bulletin to see the boiled-down script from our daily broadcast. This will typically include information about Clubs, After School Athletics, Special Events, and many other daily happenings at Kent!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Tuesday, September 14, 2021: Kent Site Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Friday, October 1, 2021: Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10:00 a.m.
Announcing Kent's All School Read for 2021!
Someone Like Me by Julissa Arce
- Kent's popular annual tradition of an All School Read will happen the weeks of October 6 and 13.
- Author Julissa Arce will visit Kent virtually on October 21.
Here is a preview of the book from Julissa Arce's Website:
A remarkable true YA memoir from social justice advocate and national bestselling author Julissa Arce about her journey to belong in America while growing up undocumented in Texas.
Born in the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce was left behind for months at a time with her two sisters, a nanny, and her grandma while her parents worked tirelessly in America in hopes of building a home and providing a better life for their children. That is, until her parents brought Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant, went on to become a scholarship winner and an honors college graduate, and climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs.
This moving, at times heartbreaking, but always inspiring story will show young readers that anything is possible. Julissa's story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today — kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends.
- Pick up the book at Book Passage (mention you are from Kent) or at the library. Or just listen as your teacher reads it, although we encourage all students to get a copy of the inspiring book.
KIK News
SAVE THE DATE — FAMILY FUN DAY IS 9/26!
Sunday, September 26 | 10am - 2pm
Bring your entire family to enjoy a day of FUN at Bacich!
- FUN for Everyone: Bouncies, Climbing Wall, Carnival Games, Field Games, and Photo Booth
- FOOD for purchase: grab a burger or grilled chicken, Sno-cone, and popcorn
- LIVE MUSIC w/ the Jojo Diamond Band & Tie Die Blues Band
- Community CAKE SPIN contest - Enter your favorite sweet treat!
- Entry is $10/person or $30/family
- Thank you to our sponsors and organizers
*THIS IS A MASK-REQUIRED EVENT (indoors and outdoors)
DINE & DONATE: TUES 9/14
LEFT BANK GIVES 20% WITH EVERY KIK FAMILY MEAL
Every Tuesday Left Bank creates a KIK family dinner for $50 and donates 20% back to our schools.
Opt in to get a weekly email reminder to order and follow us on Facebook & Instagram for menu updates.
UPCOMING MENU:
- 9/14: Beef Bourguignon with mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad verte
- 9/21 Chicken or vegetarian paella with caesar salad, steamed broccoli, mac and cheese
ORDER NOW for pickup on Tuesday. Select “KIK Family Meal.”
BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
WOODLANDS MARKET is an invaluable KIK business partner and, as our upscale neighborhood market, they offer delicious deli sandwiches, gourmet food, organic produce and ready-made eats and spirits.
- Woodlands matches $400 per new Kindergarten family who donate to KIK at the Family Giving ask level.
- Be sure to sign up for Woodlands eScrip Community Card—they donate a percentage of your monthly purchases to our schools.
- Make life simpler and order your Woodlands deli sandwiches and more online!
FUEL 24:7 | SHINEOLOGY CAR WASH
- For every gallon of gas sold at Fuel 24:7, a percentage is donated to Bacich and Kent. While you fill up, check out their Minute Mart.
- Check out Shineology Car Wash for gas, a great car wash & detail.
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Interested in becoming a KIK Business Partner in Education? All of our partners support our Bacich and Kent schools through various levels of sponsorship. Contact Laurie today at (415) 458-5140.
UPCOMING KIK COMMUNITY EVENTS - Save the dates!
SEPT. 26 - KIK FAMILY FUN DAY
featuring Community CAKE SPIN contest & game
OCT. 3 - Family Social, 3rd & 4th grade
OCT. 6 - Family Social, 5th - 8th grade
OCT. 10 - Family Social, Kindergarten
OCT. 17 - Family Social, 1st & 2nd grade
CONNECT WITH KIK
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — September Update
Only 3 weeks into the school year and already an incredible fundraising start for our Bacich and Kent schools! Thank you to our Family Giving Donors and Business Partners for their support of our students and the programs they love. Can we add your name to this list?
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $186,080 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
Thank you to the 51 Family Giving Donors who are committed to our students and have kik’ed off the 2021-22 giving!
Learn how KIK Invests in Kids
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KSPTA News
Next KSPTA Meeting: Monday, October 4, 7-8 p.m.
Volunteers needed at Kent and Bacich
Volunteering on campus is a great way to stay connected to our children’s school environment, meet other families, and help our amazing teachers and administration. For the 2021–22 school year, we are hoping that all traditional volunteer opportunities will become available.
All on-campus volunteers must be vaccinated. If you are volunteering on campus working with children in any capacity, please complete the KSD’s vaccination verification process before you come to campus.
Lead Room Parents/Car Line Coordinators 2021-2022
Learn all about the role and how you will make a difference at the links below.
- Bacich Lead Room Parents and Car Line Coordinators: www.signupgenius.com/go/leadroomparents20212022
- Kent Volunteer Opportunities: www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e48a9ae29a13-20212022
Parents and caregivers can volunteer to serve lunch at both Bacich and Kent
- Bacich Kindergarten Lunch Service: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fa8aa2ca6f85-bacich3
- Bacich Grades 1-4 Lunch Service: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fa8aa2ca6f85-bacich2
- Kent Lunch Service: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fa8aa2ca6f85-kent2
Learn more at kspta.org/volunteer.
Please contact info@kspta.org with any questions.
Order School Lunch
Did you know you can print your child's lunch schedule for the week to help keep track of when you do and don't need to pack a lunch? Simply log into your account, click on "children", and click "print orders."
Order by 9 a.m. three days before in order to personalize your choice, or last minute orders of the simple pasta meal can be placed until 6 a.m. the morning of service.
Join KSPTA! Support our schools!
Your KSPTA membership supports programs in our schools. No volunteer requirement to join.
We appreciate your support!
Connect with KSPTA!
Community News
Information, events, and news provided in our newsletter's "Community News" is offered as service to our community, and are not sponsored by the Kentfield School District. Placement does not represent an endorsement.
Crossing Guards are Needed for This School Year!
Join the team of crossing guards in Marin County and protect the safety of our children as they bike and walk to and from school. The Transportation Authority of Marin is working with the Crossing Guard management firm, All City Management Services, to hire dedicated individuals to take part in this critical public safety role. They are seeking crossing guards throughout Marin with an emphasis on positions in Southern Marin and Novato. Must be 18 years or older. Seniors are welcome!
- Contact Regional Manager Alan Stone 415-844-0223.
- View flyer to learn more.
- Visit acmssafety.com/careers for more information or to apply.
TAM’s crossing guard program was first implemented in 2006 with 54 crossing guards and has grown to 100 locally funded crossing guards. Funding is provided by Marin’s local ½-cent transportation sales tax and the local $10 vehicle registration fee.
Marin Health Hubs
Health hubs, we provide free and bilingual services such as food distribution, nutrition education, health screenings, and information about community organizations.
Food pantry items are provided by the SF-Marin Food Bank and by the ExtraFood.org Program, and the health screenings are provided by our wonderful nurses!
Everyone is welcome to attend the health hubs food pantry and to help us run it!
Parent & Youth.Helpline
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