KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
As the Thanksgiving Holiday nears I want to express my gratitude for our students, our staff and our community. We have children who show up each day with curiosity, willingness and wonder. We have a staff who care deeply about their students and this rewarding profession. And, we have parents and guardians who offer their time, resources, and trust in our system.
It is because of the students, the staff, and the parents/guardians that Kentfield School District is a magical place, and for that I am thankful!
Wishing you a safe, joyous and restful Thanksgiving Break.
Sincerely,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
New Outdoor Classroom Space
On the weekend of November 13-14, Paul Miller, Director of Facilities; Kris Kuivenhoven, Grounds/Maintenance Staff; and Ramiro Alvitez, incoming KSD Director of Facilities, built a platform on the Kent Middle School field to help ground a large outdoor tent to host music classes.
This new facility structure was made possible through KIK funds, COVID Relief funds, and the General Fund.
We are so grateful to have this space so our students can continue growth in their musical talents!
District Announcements
Project Homekey
On Thursday, November 18, the County of Marin, Episcopal Community Services, and Opening Doors Marin co-hosted a webinar forum geared towards providing parents/guardians and staff of the Kentfield School District detailed information about the Project Homekey initiative planned for 1251 S. Eliseo Blvd.
Here is the recorded video of the event for your reference. If you would like to provide more questions for the agencies to answer please submit them here and responses will be included in an updated Frequently Asked Question resource document.
You may receive regular updates about the project through registering here.
2021-2022 District Calendar & 2022-2023 District Calendar
November 24-26, 2021: Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 29, 2021
- Technology Committee meeting, 4-6 p.m., Zoom
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
- Board Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m., agenda
- Digital Literacy Training, 6- 8 p.m.
- Training in Aeries, Parent Square, School Foodies, Sign-Up Genius. Pizza and water will be served at 5:30 p.m. Learn more.
December 1-3, 2021: KSPTA Kid's Closet clothing collection, Bacich Community Center
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
- Bacich Principal Chat, 8:45-9:45 a.m., Zoom
- KSD Finance Sub-Committee meeting, 2:30-4 p.m.
Friday, December 3, 2021
- Kent Principal Chat, 8:45-10 a.m., Zoom
Monday, December 6, 2021
- Please note, starting on this date KSD will be formally requesting verification of fully vaccinated 5-11 years olds.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
- Marin Public Health Update for the School Community with Dr. Matt Willis and Dr. Lisa Santora, 4 p.m., Zoom
- This update is for all school staff, teachers, parents, guardians and the community
- The session will be recorded and posted on the Rethinking Schools website.
- Live Spanish Translation will be available.
School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts
- Next Monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 5-8 p.m., in-person in Kent MP Room and Zoom audio, agenda
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend in-person or via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
District Committees
- Technology Committee meeting, November 29, 2021, 4-5 p.m., agenda
- Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting, November 30, 4-5 p.m., agenda
Marin Public Health & MCOE Updates
Traveling for the holidays?
Tips for Protecting Yourself and Others This Holiday Season
Current Travel Guidance:
- Unvaccinated TK-12 students who travel out of state or the U.S. may return to school under modified quarantine
- TK-12 students should test on Day 5 after returning home and can stay in school as long as they remain symptom free and the Day 5 test is negative
- Students should refrain from socializing outside of school and participating in club sports or extracurricular activities outside of school or home until they receive a negative test result
- Families returning from international travel will need to test negative before returning to the U.S.
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Community,
We thank you for your partnership in nurturing our school to home connections through taking part in your child’s parent/teacher conference last week. It was wonderful to see parents on campus and over Zoom, conferring with teachers about the progress of our precious Bacich Bears. Please continue to keep the lines of communication open, as we are better together!
As we finish the first trimester, we are continuing to build community and reinforce our students’ academic skills by connecting with students through morning meetings, highlighting their learning on classroom walls, and cultivating an environment of belonging.
Last week, the Safe Routes to School team sponsored a fourth grade Bike Rodeo by creating a bike course on campus to reinforce bike safety. We are so appreciative of the partnership with Safe Routes as it supports reinforcement of biking protocols such as signal, review, stop, and turn. Check out these great action photos of the event.
In this season of gratitude, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank the collective Bacich Community for wrapping their arms around our students and supporting them as we work to develop their social-emotional and academic skills. It is such a pleasure to be a part of a team that values the strength of community.
I wish you a healthy and positive fall break!
Mary Ann Spitzer
Bacich Principal
mspitzer@kentfieldschools.org
Counselor Connection Corner
Dear Bacich Community,
I truly enjoy spending time with your children and helping them to navigate their life learning. During our “Gratitude” guidance lesson in the classes, I have heard some beautiful stories about how our students and families help those that are less fortunate. I have instructed our students to think of things that they are grateful for when they are upset, sad, or mad and most likely they will feel better.
I wish you all a very safe and peaceful Thanksgiving vacation.
Mrs. A visiting Ms. Marshall’s room for a lesson on gratitude and empathy.
If you have a concern or question, please feel free to call (415-925-9220 x 255) or email (acashman@kentfieldschools.org) any time.
Sincerely,
Andrea Cashman (aka Ms. A)
Bacich Counselor
Bacich Announcements
End of Trimester – Report Card Posting
The first trimester ends on November 23, the last day of school before the Thanksgiving/Gratitude holiday. Your child’s report card will be visible in Aeries on December 10, and you will also learn about their progress on the standards at Parent/Teacher conferences this week. If you anticipate needing a printed report card, please contact Lynn Bartha in the front office.
Kent Tutors Marin: Free Virtual Tutoring for K-6th Graders
Kent Tutors Marin is a group of 7th and 8th graders at Kent offering FREE virtual tutoring to K–6th graders! Support will be offered, free of charge, in all subjects during school, after school, and on weekends. Spanish-speaking tutors are available too. The website used Kent Tutors Marin provides a choice of 6 tutors with varying availability.
Sessions are 30-45 minutes via Zoom. Whether it be getting a jump on homework, having a new reading buddy to work on reading fluency or finding time to practice math skills with a cool teenager, Kent Tutors are here to help!
December 1: Bacich Principal Chat, 8:45-9:45 a.m.
December 13: Bacich Site Council meeting, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Bacich Library
Parents come in and browse our extensive Native American Book Collection.
I wish you all a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
Sincerely,
Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
Visit Ms. Warnick's fall blog highlighting Native American heritage Month plus some fabulous book suggestions.
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
The first trimester at Kent officially comes to a close at the end of school on Tuesday, November 23. The turn of the trimester is an important time for students, teachers, and families to celebrate the learning achieved thus far in the school year, and to reflect upon areas for growth and further focus in the second trimester.
First trimester grades will be an important reference point to consider when reflecting on the learning and progress achieved during the first part of this year. Teachers will work to finalize grades following the end of the trimester, and we will publish first trimester grades school-wide the afternoon of December 10. Today and tomorrow are the final opportunities that students have to review Aeries for any missing assignments to complete and turn in prior to the conclusion of the term.
As we enter into the season of gratitude, I would like to take a moment to appreciate our Kent school community for the multitude of ways that we support teaching, learning, and student well-being at our school. Our students bring curiosity and intrigue daily into their learning environments, elevating the discourse in the room with their creative insights. Teachers lead with intention and passion, infusing their instruction with meaning, relevance, and purpose. Our parents trust your children in our care, encouraging our teaching team through volunteerism, constructive feedback, and generous donations to our school foundation, KIK. I’m grateful to be a member of this school community, and feel great responsibility to employ the student-centered instructional leadership that our community of learners deserves in your principal.
I wish each of you and your families a positive, reflective, and gratitude-filled fall break from school. We will see you on Monday, November 29 for the start of the second trimester!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Kent Library
Gratitude for our Community!
Thank you to the amazing organizers of the KSPTA book fair and for all the incredible parents and kids who donated books to the Kent Library. There are so many incredible titles that were chosen representing mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for our students. Stories of ability awareness, activism, the fight for racial justice, and also stories of kids just living in the world as their true selves. These books will be ready to check out after the Thanksgiving break. I feel so lucky to have so many new titles to share with students. THANK YOU!
Additionally, we have so many wonderful books to donate to the newly reopened Davidson library. Thanks to all of you who donated new or gently used books for them to refresh their collection. We also had a bake sale that raised over $250 thanks to the efforts of some hard working eighth graders. These students and I will be going to Book Passage to buy more books for the Davidson collection. I am inspired and incredibly grateful for these efforts!
Mock Newbery Club
Our Mock Newbery club meets Mondays at lunch outside the library. If you have a voracious reader at home, this is the club for them. We are reading from a list of books written in 2021 by American authors in the hope that we will choose a winner! Students can borrow the titles as long as they would like and we meet each week to talk about our opinions. A full list of these books can be found here.
Newspaper Club!
Have you seen the latest issue of the FalconSwoop our student newspaper? It was distributed last month thanks to a generous donation via a KIK grant and it is pretty awesome! The Kent Newspaper club is completely student run and meets on Tuesday during study session. If you child is interested, have them join our Google classroom using the code oxxskby.
Need Book Recommendations?
Email me at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org and follow us on Instagram @kentmiddleschoollibrary.
Kent Announcements
Prevent, Delay, & Reduce the Risks of Youth Alcohol & Drug Use
For the past several years, we have shared with Kent parents the resources of Be the Influence (BTI), a Marin County-based parent education program to prevent, delay and reduce the risks of youth alcohol and other drug use. Be the Influence’s website has a wealth of information on the substances that our Marin youth face and what parents can do to keep their children healthy and safe. Please consider joining Be the Influence by making their Parent Agreement or signing up to receive their informative bi-monthly newsletters.
Please take a moment to read BTI’s latest newsletter, here about several important parent education opportunities, including an upcoming “Let’s Talk” community discussion on December 1 at 7 p.m. on Parenting Tools and how parents can take advantage of BTI’s resources. It’s never too early – or too late – for parents to get educated and start talking with your child about this important topic!
Kent Tutors Marin!
Kent Tutors Marin is a group of 7th and 8th graders at Kent offering FREE virtual tutoring to K–6th graders! Support will be offered, free of charge, in all subjects during school, after school, and on weekends. Spanish-speaking tutors are available too. The website used Kent Tutors Marin provides a choice of 6 tutors with varying availability.
Sessions are 30-45 minutes via Zoom. Whether it be getting a jump on homework, having a new reading buddy to work on reading fluency or finding time to practice math skills with a cool teenager, Kent Tutors are here to help!
Lunchtime Clubs
Please review our Kent Lunchtime Club offerings with your child and encourage them to join one of these dynamic groups. All are welcome! Simply show up at the meeting location on the correct day to join in the fun!
If your child would like to create a club of their own, please have your child contact our Assistant Principal, Wendy Holmes (wholmes@kentfieldschools.org) to start the process.
Kent Basketball Practice Times & Coach Still Needed for 7th Grade Girls
6th Boys: Friday, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
6th Girls: Monday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
7th Girls: Still need a coach!
7th Boys: Tuesday, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
8th Girls: Friday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
8th Boys: Wednesday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Games begin after the new year – schedule forthcoming!
Go Falcons!
Ryan Palmer
Kent Athletic Director
rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org.
Yearbook Opportunities
Calling all future Leonardo da Vincis! If you would like your art to be in this year’s yearbook please send a digital photo of it to Ms.Stephens. You may submit a photo of an original sketch, painting, or drawing to mstephens@kentfieldschools.org. Please make sure your piece is non-offensive and culturally appropriate. We want to capture your artistic talents in this traditional keepsake. Deadline for submission is December 7.
Baby face...who's got the cutest little baby face? It’s you, 8th grade Falcons! If you want your baby pic in this year’s yearbook, please send a digital copy to Ms. Stephens at mstephens@kentfieldschools.org with your full name included no later than Tuesday, December 14!
Kent Athletics Sweatshirts Now on Sale!
Are you looking to purchase a great new piece of Kent spirit gear and support Kent athletics?
We are ordering Kent Athletics sweatshirts this year to do just that!
Please fill out the order form and write a check to Ryan Palmer (Kent Athletic Director) in the amount of $21. Bring in your order to the Kent office or room 30 at Kent. Our next order is being made very soon! Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity.
GO FALCONS!
Private High School Applications: Deadline Approaching: 12/10
Attention: All 8th grade parents that have students applying to private high schools...the deadline to turn in information to Lisa Sandberg at lsandberg@kentfieldschools.org or privateschoolrequests@kentfieldschools.org is Friday, December 10.
Kent Homework Club: Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 3:30-4:45 p.m., Kent Library
- Designed for students who need a quiet and supported environment in which to complete assignments. Any student who is ready to focus and work is welcome to attend with us!
December 3: Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10 a.m.
December 7: Kent Site Council, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
December 10: Private school applications due to Lisa Sandberg
KIK News
WHAT IS KIK THANKFUL FOR?
- We are thankful for all the donations we received by Giving Day, Nov. 18.
- We are thankful for your dedication to our kids and school community.
- We are thankful that we are getting closer to our $1 Million goal.
- We are thankful that our kids benefit daily from KIK dollars.
- We are thankful for our Bacich and Kent family community!
Thank you to all those who donated by KIK Giving Day, November 18. We are grateful for your dedication to our kids and school community, and we can go into the holidays knowing we are getting closer to our $1 Million goal. Our kids thrive from the valuable programs they experience every day in our schools thanks to you.
While our fundraising continues throughout the year, we’re grateful for the milestone we’ve reached today and wish your family a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
4 LUCKY WINNERS SAY GOBBLE, GOBBLE!
Over 150 donor families were eligible to win one of four dinners generously sponsored by Left Bank Larkspur thanks to their KIK Giving Day donation of at least $1800 per child at Bacich and Kent. Congratulations to these lucky winners:
- Greg & Trisha Sherman, 1 month of Tuesday KIK Family Meals
- Steve & Jennifer O’Shea, 1 month of Tuesday KIK Family Meals
- Aaron Avallon & Tiffany Combs, 1 month of Tuesday KIK Family Meals
Jay & Maggie Harris, Left Bank Thanksgiving Pick-up Dinner for 4
BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Legarza offers kids to learn and have fun with others who love sports. Coaches are well-trained and enthusiastic, and the program gives your child at any level a chance to succeed on and off the field in a safe, professional, and encouraging environment.
At Metta Yoga, experienced and diverse teachers curate a physically vigorous asana flow paired with spirituality and mental grounding. Founders Amy and Rachael offer a boutique, community-focused yoga studio that is fun, yet deeply rooted in yogic tradition. Metta Yoga will inspire you to live vibrantly, compassionately and joyfully!
Boasting a vibrant retail and restaurant mix, The Village at Corte Madera offers an unparalleled shopping and dining experience. Featuring top notch shops and restaurants including Nordstrom, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Apple and RH Marin. This open-air shopping center offers the best finds in one convenient spot!
KIK EVENTS + DINE & DONATE
11.23: $50 Dine & Donate - Left Bank KIK Family Meals
Gives 20% to KIK, Opt in for weekly order reminder.
- Roasted pork, mac and cheese, roasted potatoes, & Caesar salad
11.30: $50 Dine & Donate - Left Bank KIK Family Meals
Gives 20% to KIK, Opt in for weekly order reminder.
- BBQ chicken served with mixed green salad, linguine, & brussels sprouts.
CONNECT WITH KIK
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — November Update
We’re almost at half of our fundraising goal for our Bacich and Kent schools — fantastic! Thank you to our Family Giving Donors and Business Partners for their support of our students and the programs they love.
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $453,511 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 178 Family Giving Donors to date who are committed to our students and schools! Can we add your name to this list?
- Learn how KIK Invests in Kids
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KSPTA News
Next KSPTA Meeting: Monday, December 6, 7-8 p.m., information
Get Ready for the KSPTA Kids Closet
The Kids Closet is back! It is a free shop created by clothing donations from our community serving all students and families of our district.
Clothing collection will be December 1 - 3
Kids Closet Shopping Day: Saturday, December 11 at Bacich
We happily accept: New and gently used clothing and shoes in excellent condition. Sizes 4T - XXL.
We cannot accept: underwear, socks, or pajamas.
For questions email laura@lessmessmorelife.com.
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. Regularly, we'll be sharing information about community events with you.
Let's Talk Series: Parenting Tools
Wednesday, December 1, 7-8 p.m. PST, online event
Let’s Talk is a resource for parents and caregivers, centered around the idea that with a lot of solid science, and a lot of heart, we can support our youth as they navigate the tough stuff.
Sponsored by Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships
Raising Healthy, Caring and Successful Children in Today’s Complicated World with Dr. Laura Kastner, Ph.D.
Wednesday, December 8, 6:30-8 p.m. PST, online event
The last five decades have produced solid research about what kinds of parenting predict high achievement, social and emotional competence, and a strong character. Pulling it off is quite another matter… Join us for a lecture that will cover some neuroscience, research about stress, and focus on how parents can be effective and skillful in handling typical parenting challenges.
With the complexities of today’s world, parents are understandably concerned about how to both protect their children and challenge them to develop the skills and resilience they need. Studies have demonstrated that children and families who practice healthy and adaptive responses to stress are most likely to be resilient and successful with life goals. The challenge for parents is finding the proper balance between managing boundaries around family routines without having to sacrifice their warm and loving relationship that also fosters developmentally-appropriate autonomy. What parent doesn’t want less stress in this world of excess?
Bio: Dr. Laura Kastner, Ph.D. is currently a clinical professor in both the departments of psychology and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Kastner is a frequent speaker at conferences, workshops and forums on adolescent development and family relationships. She is an author of five books written for parents on child development and parenting, including Getting to Calm: Cool-headed strategies for parenting tweens and teens and Wise-Minded Parenting: 7 Essentials for raising successful tweens and teens. In her clinical practice, she sees children, adolescents, couples and families.
Please click the link to join the webinar: zoom.us/j/95108315759
Co-Sponsored by ITAV and Mill Valley PTAs and Kentfield School District
Marin County Inclusion Inspiration Series
Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. An Exploration of Ableism & Neurodiversity
Dedication to Special Education (DSE) is collaborating with Changing Perspectives on a series of workshops focused on inclusion in 2021-2022.
Find out more at www.specialed.org/dse-school-community-workshops/
- DSE Inclusion Inspiration Series 12-09-2021
- DSE Inclusion Inspiration Series 12-09-2021 (Spanish)
- DSE Inclusion Inspiration Series 2021-2022
- Find out more
Sponsored by Dedication to Special Education
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.
Holiday Toy Drive
Please help us make this Holiday Merry & Bright for the youth in our community. We will be collecting new & wrapped toys for ages 0-12 years (labeled by age & gender).
Toy Drop Off
- Mondays: December 6 & 13, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Tuesdays: December 7 & 14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Marin Community Clinic Administrative Office: 9 Commercial Blvd, Suite 101, Novato, CA 94949
For more information, please contact: Rosalinda Camacho, 415-786-8454, rcamacho@marinclinic.org
Kentfield Girls Softball Registration Now Open
View flyer: Kentfield Girls Softball Registration 2021-2022
Find out more: www.maringirlssoftball.org/kentfield
Get Ready for Spring SWIM!!!
New Family Registration for the Tidalwaves Swim Team opens January 9, 2022.
Tidalwaves is open to all swimmers ages 5 through 18. The season runs from late February through the end of June at the Redwood High School pool.
Please visit www.gowaves.com for more information.
Community Forums: Project Homekey
The County of Marin and the City of Larkspur, in partnership with Episcopal Community Services (ECS), announced has identified a potential Project Homekey 2.0 opportunity at the former skilled nursing facility located at 1251 S. Eliseo Drive in Larkspur. The property would be operated by ECS as a 43 to 50-unit Permanent Supportive Housing facility for single adults experiencing homelessness. On Tuesday, the County of Marin’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in support of authorizing staff to submit an application to the State for Homekey funding. The discussion, which you can view here (items #7 & #8 on the agenda), included details about the countywide homelessness strategy, the Homekey funding opportunity, and a detailed description of the development and service plan.
November 4 Project Homekey meeting: recording.
Crisis Text Support Line
Marin County is offering our youth another means of mental health support through a crisis text line.
Text MARIN to 741741 for Support that Cares
If you are ever in need of support, Crisis Text Line is always available to offer help. Connect with a trained Crisis Counselor and share your feelings in a safe space. Text MARIN to 741741 for free, 24/7, confidential support that cares. Available in Spanish 2022.
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