Greetings Kent Community,

Kent Physical Education Dance Unit – Through the month of December in Kent Physical Education classes, all students have been participating in the annual dance unit. A favorite among many students and teachers alike, the dance unit provides time and space for students to practice movement, expression, teamwork, collaboration, and creativity through the learning and performance of choreographed dance routines. The result is some incredible art, a ton of smiles, and a contagious dancing-energy around our school this month.

Led by PE teacher Jason Gatti in fifth grade, and dance instructor Rosie Wendell in sixth through eighth grades, students have been working in groups and learning choreographed moves to a number of favorite songs. In addition to the composed choreography, each group designs their own introductory and concluding dance sequence, and then performs their group’s dance to the rest of the class at the end of each week. Students learn basic elements and steps of a variety of dances, and apply these steps to choreographed numbers danced to songs that they love. These groups are working together phenomenally, and many students can be seen practicing their newly learned steps at recess and lunch on the quads and on the field. Much appreciation to our PE team, dance instructor Rosie Wendell, and the KSPTA for supporting this important experience for our students!

Student Attendance, Tardies – We are working to refresh clear expectations that all students report to each of their classes on time. The vast majority of our students get to class on time everyday, however some of our students are habitually tardy. Two years ago we extended the passing period between classes from three minutes to four minutes to provide for a less stressful transition between classes for all. Starting now, in the second trimester, we are more closely monitoring student tardies across their school day, as regular tardiness can present a real disruption to learning. Earning a few tardies is an understandable reality across a middle school schedule, yet once a student reaches four (4) tardies we will start to hold lunch work sessions to make-up the time lost. You can monitor your child’s attendance record, including tardies, through the Aeries Family Portal. If it appears necessary after reviewing your child’s attendance report, please remind your child about attendance expectations at school.

Looking Forward to 2022 – 2022 promises to be a year of learning, growth, and celebration for each member of our school community. Our instructional staff is laser focused on developing powerful, skill-driven instruction to meet the needs of each student in each class. As a school, we anticipate many positive experiences for our students in 2022 including the return of music concerts this spring, county-wide athletic competitions like the track meet, extending learning beyond the classroom walls through field trips, fun school competitions like Kent Karaoke, and school spirit events galore. I look forward to our continued partnership as we see firsthand what 2022 has to offer!

Have a wonderful holiday break from school,

Mock Newbery Club: meets Mondays at lunch outside the library. The club reading list can be found here.

Newspaper Club: meets on Tuesday during study session.

Need Book Recommendations?

Email me at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org and follow us on Instagram @kentmiddleschoollibrary.