Kentfield School District

October 4th, 2021

KSD News

KSD Highlights

Dear KSD Community,

As we enter fall there is much to celebrate and look forward to with the transition of the season. More traditional activities are taking place on both campuses from all school assemblies at Bacich to showing some school spirit with theme days at Kent. These traditions support our goals of building community while creating memories for a lifetime!

Two well known holidays on the horizon include Halloween, October 31st and Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead, November 1st. As we prepare to acknowledge these holidays, it is important to recognize that our community celebrates fall with a variety of traditions. Acknowledging these special observances while also recognizing uniqueness allows our community to demonstrate inclusivity and respect. We look forward to bringing back some beloved Fall Traditions this school year, and plan to ensure EVERY learner feels a part of our community no matter their beliefs. Maintaining our collective commitment to providing a welcoming school environment that optimizes student learning is what truly makes the KSD a special place to learn and thrive.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Signature



Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org

KSD Highlights

Reporting Home Test Results

Marin Public Health Communicable Disease team has created a link for parents and adult family members to report the results of their home tests, so that our teams can follow up with resources and information.

coronavirus.marinhhs.org/SelfTestReporting

Celebrate Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of Latinx and Hispanic Americans. 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.

Download the booklist and Learn More

International Walk to School Day – Wednesday, October 6

Get ready for International Walk to School Day!

Students who walk, bike, or skate to school on Wednesday, October 6 can enter a raffle for prizes — Tommy Breeze hats and Tuttimelon Gift cards!

If you live too far, drive part way, PARK and let them WALK 10 minutes to campus. Walking and biking is good for their health, it reduces pollution and traffic, and it’s FUN!

Event sponsored by Safe Routes to Schools

For 21 years, IWalk has been a tradition for Safe Routes. It celebrates families' efforts to reduce traffic, create safer streets, improve air quality, make their kids fitter and more awake in the morning. Learn more about Safe Routes to School in their fall newsletter.

District Announcements

2021-2022 District Calendar

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Friday, October 8, 2021

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Monday, October 11, 2021

  • Kent flag football vs. Davidson, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Thursday, October 14, 2021

  • Kent Picture Makeup Day
  • Cross Country at Kent, 4-5 p.m.
  • Flag football at Hall, 4-5 p.m.

Sunday, October 17, 2021

KSD Vaccination Rates 10-01-2021

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 Updated Marin County Decision Tree (9/30/2021) for additional guidance. To reference exposure cases for the KSD visit our KSD Dashboard webpage.


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.


Rewarding Job Opportunity

Job Opportunities at Kentfield School District

Are you interested in part time work in a school setting? Do you enjoy working with small groups of students?

If so there are two ways you can engage in this type of work. Apply for an open Classroom Paraprofessional position or sign up to be a substitute for the Kentfield School District. We need to build our pool of paraprofessionals and substitute teachers. If you are interested in either of these roles please reach out to rrose@kentfieldschools.org or follow the directions below.

  • Apply to be a Classroom Paraprofessional HERE
  • See information to be a Marin Substitute Teacher HERE

School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts

District Committees

Marin Public Health & MCOE Updates

COVID Information

Updated Marin County Decision Tree - Sept. 30, 2021
Marin County Guidelines for School Operations, Update Sept. 7, 2021
COVD 19 Vaccine Information, MHHS
Marin County Exposure Protocols


Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 6 p.m. (view flyer)
Public Health and Pediatrician Speaker Panel for Parents and Guardians

Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 6 p.m. (view flyer)
Public Health and Pediatrician Speaker Panel for Parents and Guardians

Tentative Vaccination Clinics for 5-11 year olds — Save the Dates!

Marin Vaccination Clinics Ages 5-11

Students and family members from across Marin will be welcome to attend any of these vaccination clinics and will include pre-registration and walk-in appointment options. These dates are based on a current projected timeline for approval.

Bacich Bears News

Bacich Highlights
Kristine Duran, New at Bacich

Happy Monday Bacich Bears!

Last week we got to experience a few school year “firsts” here at Bacich. On Wednesday we held our first Principal Chat of the year. While it was a small group, it was nice to be able to have parents back on campus while also having the opportunity to share how the beginning of the school year went as well as more information about the systems we have in place for our students. If you’re interested in reading more about what was discussed at the Principal Chat, you will find the slides from our chat here.

Bacich Assembly Bacich Assembly

On Friday, we held our first whole school assembly. All 25 classes came together, with each grade dressed by color, creating a rainbow of community. Ms. Poon led all of the grades in singing “Six Simple Words” and the “Bacich Bell Song,” as well as our 3rd and 4th grade students singing “The United States.” Ms. A spoke to the students about Respect, our Pillar of Character for the month, using music and call and response to engage with the students. The students and staff had a blast and are looking forward to continuing these assemblies on the first Friday of each month!

Wishing you all a great week!

Kristine Duran
Bacich Vice Principal
kduran@kentfieldschools.org


Bacich Staff Updates

Please see below information related to current staffing at Bacich School, as additional updates are received we will update the community accordingly.

Administration:

Mary Ann Spitzer, Principal is scheduled to return on October 25. In the meantime, Kristine Duran will continue working as a full time Assistant Principal and Raquel Rose, Superintendent, will continue to be on site to offer support as needed.

Teaching Staff:

Barbara Libby-Steinmann, Art Teacher has extended her leave and the KSD is in the process of securing a new Long Term Art Substitute Teacher as Ms. Carson needed to step away.

Winnie Calukins, Math Intervention Teacher has joined the Bacich team this week to begin offering additional support for students in the area of mathematics.

Classified Staff:

Catherine Nguyen and Kerry Hetch joined the KSD team as new general education paraprofessionals in our primary grade classrooms. Welcome Ms. Nguyen and Ms. Hetch!

Bacich Counselor Connection

Andrea Cashman

We want to make sure our families are aware of these important wellness resources. This page, KSD Wellness Resources, includes information about: parent education webinars, confronting anti-Semitism, addressing racism, bullying prevention and policies, youth depression, discussing hate and violence with children, local resources and a a helpline/webiste for emotional support for parents and youth.

Since some of us are still a bit rusty with our social skills, this month’s guidance lessons will focus on SELF-AWARENESS. This concept ties directly to our Character Pillar of Respect. Before we can empathize with someone, we need to know ourselves. This connects directly with our relationships and conflict resolution skills.

“Having self-awareness promotes emotional wellness and self-esteem. It provides students insight into who they are, why they react the way they do, and gives them a direction for self-improvement. Self-awareness for students is crucial for success.” (www.positiveaction.net)

Sincerely,

Andrea Cashman (aka Ms A)
Bacich Counselor
acashman@kentfieldschools.org

Bacich Highlights

Emergency Contacts

In the event of an emergency where we need to dismiss students from the school campus, all families need to identify someone who would be able to pick up your child if you are unable to get to the school. This can be a neighbor, friend, or anyone else local. Please update Aeries at your earliest convenience and ensure that you have a local contact listed as an emergency contact.

Wednesday, October 6: Bacich English Learners Advisory Committee (ELAC), 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Friday, October 8: KPSTA-Bacich Parent Coffee, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Behind the Bacich Community Center by the baseball field.

Sunday, October 10: KIK Kindergarten Family Social, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Hal Brown Creekside Park

Sunday, October 17: KIK Family Social 1st & 2nd, 1-3 p.m, Hal Brown Creekside Park

Monday, October 18: Bacich Site Council Meeting, 3-4 p.m.

Tuesday, October 19: Bacich Picture Retake Day

Bacich Library

Bacich Library Hispanic Heritage Month

Enjoy these pictures showcasing Hispanic Heritage Month in the Bacich Library. We invite parents to stop by and browse or check out some books for your young readers.

The Bacich Library is open every morning, snack recess, lunch recess, and after school.

To Check Out Books: Visit: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library

  • Watch this how to video to learn how to check out Bacich Library books.

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, now through October 15.

Kent Falcons News

Kent News
Kent Principal Grant Althouse

Greetings Kent Community,

This week I write on a topic indirectly related to our work at school, yet critical to consider when raising children of Middle School age in 2021: supporting appropriate cell phone use and digital citizenship.

Just in the past three weeks alone, Kent teachers and administration have supported students in working though at least six social conflicts related to digital communication outside of school. These incidents have spanned across grade levels 5th through 8th. When digital communication outside of school starts to have an impact on students’ time while at school, it becomes our collective obligation to respond.

The issues that have recently come to our attention include videos being taken and shared without students’ permission, inappropriate and graphic photos shared widely on text threads, and cruel language willfully used and spread to describe peers. We attempt to address the effects of these scenarios when they impact our school day, and we have proactive lessons embedded within Life Skills curriculum, Advisory classes, and Expectation Talks to repeatedly and explicitly teach appropriate technology use and digital citizenship. Yet, social pressures and modeling from peers tends to influence behavior in ways that supersede lessons from school and home alike.

As parents/guardians raising children in the digital age, we have the responsibility to coach our children for success and safety in their digital lives. Please consider the following recommendations, adapted from Common Sense Media, regarding steps parents can take to support and monitor our children in digital space:

  • Talk with your child about the ways they and their peers are using technology, and ask specific questions about recent ‘happenings’ online. Children should expect our curiosity about their digital lives as well as their analog lives.
  • Privacy online is earned, and typically only when children are much older and more mature than middle schoolers. Know your child’s passwords, and set the expectation that you periodically check in with their online activity. There are simply far too many dangers online to allow children of this age free reign over online content and communication.

  • Be ready to respond without judgement to what you discover in these conversations or through these regular ‘check ins’ with digital devices. Our kids engage with language and concepts online and through texts in ways they almost certainly would not in person. Rather than responding with shock and criticism, it will likely have greater impact and safer outcomes if you can listen and redirect with curiosity and empathy.
  • Consider taking the Wait Until 8th pledge, and wait until your child is in 8th grade to provide them with a smartphone. While difficult to do, and not preferred among most of our children, this approach does make a lot of sense developmentally, and is gaining traction in communities like ours.

Thank you for your partnership in this complicated task of raising and educating our children in the 21st century.

Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org

Kent Highlights

Tuesday, October 5: Kent Site Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6: & KIK Kent Family Social, 1:15-3 p.m.

Thursday, October 14: Kent Picture Retake Day

Kent School Photos

You have the ability to order pictures online by visiting dorianstudio.com and searching for your school’s name. Your online order can be placed before and up to four (4) days after picture day.

Los padres pueden ordenar fotos en línea en dorianstudio.com buscando el nombre de su escuela. Su pedido en línea se puede realizar antes y hasta cuatro (4) días después del día de la foto.

After the 4-day grace period expires, a personalized access key will be sent home with picture delivery. A $7 shipping and handling fee will be added to all orders made with a personalized

access key and orders will ship directly to your home.

DESPUÉS DE QUE EXPIRE EL PERÍODO DE GRACIA DE 4 DÍAS: Un código de acceso personalizado le será enviado a su hogar con sus pedidos. Estas órdenes incluyen una tarifa de $7 de envío.

Questions?

Contact our Customer Advocate Team at support@dorianstudio.com or call (800) 826-3535.

Kent Cross-Country Meets

at Miller Creek………………………………………….……….…. Tues. 10/5 (4 p.m.)

at Kent…………………………………………………………….……… Thurs. 10/14 (4 p.m.)

at College of Marin Indian Valley Campus……….….Fri. 10/29 (4:15 p.m.)

Kent Flag Football Games

vs. Mark Day……………………………………Mon. 10/4 (4 p.m.)

vs. Davidson…………………………………….Mon. 10/11 (4 p.m.)

vs. Davidson………………………………......Thurs. 10/28 (4 p.m.)

vs. Lagunitas…………………………………..Thurs. 11/4 (3:45 p.m.)

Kent Volleyball Games

7th grade team at Hall……………………………………….Tues. 10/5 (4 p.m.)

8th grade team at Lagunitas……………………………Wed. 10/6 (4 p.m.)

7th grade team vs. West Marin………Tues. 10/12 (4 p.m.)

8th grade team at Miller Creek…………………….…Wed. 10/13 (4 p.m.)

7th grade team vs. White Hill……….…Wed. 10/20 (4 p.m.)

7th grade team vs. Del Mar………………Tues. 10/26 (4 p.m.)

8th grade team vs. Mark Day……………Wed. 10/27 (4 p.m.)

7th grade team at Miller Creek………………………….Tues. 11/2 (4 p.m.)

8th grade team at Davidson……………………………….Wed. 11/3 (4 p.m.)

7th grade team at Davidson……………………………….Tues. 11/9 (4 p.m.)

8th grade team vs. San Domenico……Wed. 11/10 (4 p.m.)

Volunteer Opportunities at Kent

Would you like to contribute to emergency preparedness at Kent?

  • Please consider signing up to join a team of volunteers who will help to organize the materials for our student release process, in the event that we ever need to release students during the school day due to an emergency. Sign up for this team through this link!

Are you available in the mornings or afternoons to help keep our driveway safe?

  • Please email the KSPTA Vice President of Kent, Katharine O’Brien (katobrien22@gmail.com) to sign up for a morning or afternoon slot to direct traffic during drop off/pick-up.

KIK News

PIZZA + POPSICLES — STUDENT SOCIAL @ KENT - WED. 10/6!

Attention, 5th – 8th grade Kent Falcons — Join your fellow Kent classmates at the KIK Student Social!

When: Wednesday, October 6, 1:15pm (Immediately following dismissal)
Where: Kent blacktop
What: Free Pizza Lunch & Popsicles
What else: A drawing to win exciting prizes!

We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to connect our community. No registration needed.

• • • • • • • • • •

¡Únase a sus compañeros de clase en la tertulia estudiantil de KIK!

Cuando: 6 de octubre, 1:15pm (Siguiendo inmediatamente al despido)
Dónde: Asfalto de Kent
Se proveerá: Almuerzo gratis de pizza y paletas de hielo
Actividades: Un dibujo para ganar emocionante premios!

Estamos muy contentos de poder ofrecer esta oportunidad de conectar a nuestra comunidad. No es necesario registrarse.

Go to KIK Events + Community for more details.

DINE & DONATE: TUES 10/5

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:

  • 10/5 Coq Au Vin with mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, salad verte
  • 10/12 Fried chicken, caesar salad, mac and cheese, green beans

ORDER NOW for pickup on Tuesday. Select “KIK Family Meal.”

BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Rustic Bakery

It started in 2005, with a cracker recipe that was good enough to spawn a baked goods empire. Only the best ingredients go into the scrumptious Rustic Bakery fare—amazing pastries, delicious salads, sandwiches and other delectable lunch and breakfast items that will delight the entire family.

Mollie Stone’s

Mollie Stone’s Markets offers natural and organic produce, meats, health and beauty products, as well as a large selection of everyday necessities and popular name-brand products. Enjoy one-stop shopping with Mollie Stone’s in-store gift section and their mainstay of healthy, natural and specialty foods.

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

MacRostie is dedicated to producing handcrafted, balanced and age-worthy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from top vineyard sites throughout the Sonoma Coast. Treat yourself and your friends to MacRostie’s wonderful and richly built wines in your own home or schedule a tasting at the MacRostie Winery Estate House in Healdsburg today.

——————————

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!

OCT. 6 - Student Social, 5th - 8th grade
Kent Middle School, 1:15 p

OCT. 10 - Family Social, Kindergarten
Hal Brown Park @ Creekside, 10:00a - 12:00p

OCT. 11 - BooGrams go on Sale!

OCT. 17 - Family Social, 1st & 2nd grade
Hal Brown Park @ Creekside, 1:00p - 3:00p

OCT. 18 - Family Giving Launch

OCT. 25 - BooGram delivery begins!

FAMILY FUN DAY — REPLAY!

Family Fun Day 2021 was a huge success! It was exciting to celebrate together as a community. Check out some fun photos!

Congratulations to our Community Cake Spin Winners! Thank you to all who entered a sweet treat and for making it a delectable celebration.

  • Best in Kid Cake - Lila and Noe Hobbs
  • Most School Spirit - Oliver Madvig
  • Most Creative - Amelie Adjodha
  • Best Sweet Treat - Liz Hopkins

Special thanks to all the volunteers for helping to make it FUN and especially to our Family Fun Day Co-Chairs, Noah Wheeler and Allison Zweig and the following Team Leads:

Estelle Dick, Chelsea Murawski, Andrew Dick, James Buresh, Evans Hood, Lisette Fernandez-Hilson, Janine Spaulding, Kira Shemano, Lauren Hollingsworth, Katie & Dave Levine, Stephanie Morgan, Katharine O'Brien

CONNECT WITH KIK

KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — October Update

We’re almost at 25% of our fundraising goal 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.

KIK is committed to raising $1 million for our Bacich and Kent students for the 2021-22 school year.
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KIK Mission

KSPTA News


Next KSPTA Meeting: Monday, November 8, 7-8 p.m.

Bacich Bears Family Coffee Meet Up this Friday Morning at 8:30 a.m.

Friday, October 8, 2021, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Please join us this Friday morning, October 8, behind the Bacich Community Center near the baseball field. Have a cup of coffee, meet other Bacich families, and learn about the Kentfield Schools PTA.

All are welcome!

Volunteers Opportunities Still Available

We still have many open volunteer opportunities at lunch time at Bacich and Kent.

Sign up here: kspta.org/volunteer

The KSPTA is working on bringing some great parenting education events to Kentfield this school year. There are also lots of great resources, often free, in our community. Once a month we'll be sharing information about community events with you.

Parent Ed: Understanding Your Teen/Pre-Teen

Understanding your Teen/ Pre-Teen.

October 6, 2021, 7 p.m., Zoom

Register here

This talk will cover what is happening developmentally during adolescence and some of the unique challenges in the current environment among youth.

Guest expert, Dr. Emily Tejani, is trained at the Yale University Department of Psychiatry and is board certified in three medical specialties: child & adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and addiction medicine.

Youth speaker, Annika Danne, is an 11th grade student at Redwood High School and a member of the Youth Advisory Council.

Parent Ed: Talking to Kids to Build Stress Tolerance & Motivation

What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Stress Tolerance and Motivation

October 7, 2021, 5:30 p.m., Zoom

Register here.

A new guide to communicating effectively with your children and teens by Stixrud and Johnson, bestselling authors of The Self-Driven Child.

Become a KSPTA Member!

Being a member of the Kentfield Schools PTA is the most effective way to support programs in our schools like teacher stipends, art and PE supplies, community education events, and more.

Membership does not require volunteer hours or any other obligations. Membership dues are $25 for an individual and $100 for a family.

Become a member today!

Stay up to date with KSPTA!

Follow kentfieldschoolspta on both Facebook and Instagram

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.

St. Sebastian CYO Basketball (3rd-8th Grade)

Join your Kentfield district friends at St. Sebastian CYO Basketball! Registration for the Fall/Winter season is now open at stsebastiancyobasketball.sportngin.com/home. Evaluations will be held the week of October 11th.

Practices are conveniently located at the Kent Gym. Please register by October 10th to ensure a spot on the team.

Practices will begin the first week of November and the season kicks off with the first games scheduled for the weekend of January 8-9, 2022.

We are always looking for volunteers! If you are interested please contact Pam Nelson at pamknelson@yahoo.com.

St. Anselm CYO Basketball (4th-8th Grade)

After last season’s hiatus, we are excited to re-start the program for the upcoming 2021-2022 season of CYO basketball. Registration is now open at stanselmcyo.com and evaluations will be held in mid-October.

Given limited space in the program, please register now to ensure a spot on the team.

Practices will begin in November and the season kicks off with the first games scheduled for the weekend of January 8-9, 2022.

As always, we are looking for parent volunteers to coach. We are also looking for a parent volunteer to organize the third grade program (instructional league). Contact St. Anselm CYO if interested or with any questions: stanselmcyo@gmail.com.

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!

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!

www.marinclinic.org/health-hubs

View flyer

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