KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
As the month of January comes to a close I am reminded of our KSD Strategic Plan core belief around community connections. We value the voice of our community — students, staff, and parents/guardians — as we recognize the only way we can evolve as a community is to solicit feedback from all our stakeholders.
Today, January 31, the KSD asks YOU to make your voice be heard! We are continuing our partnership with YouthTruth, a national nonprofit organization, to gather student, staff, and parent/guardian feedback, which we believe will help continue to strengthen our schools.
The YouthTruth family survey window opens today and will be available through the month of February. To access the KSD YouthTruth Survey CLICK HERE, select your language and complete the survey. We ask that one member of each household complete the survey, which may take approximately 15 minutes.
Having the perspective of our parents/guardians is an asset we believe will contribute to a range of elements of student achievement including increased attendance, improved grades, and improved social skills. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback, as your voice is incredibly valuable to us. Help us in meeting our goal of 100% participation!
With Appreciation,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
KSD Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) Information
Last week, staff held two informational meetings for our school community to learn more about how the KSD is designing and planning the UTK program beginning Fall 2022.
See below resources provided at the meetings as well as recordings of both events. Registration opens February 1, 2022.
Universal Transitional Kindergarten Presentation Slide Deck: English and Spanish
Universal Transitional Kindergarten: Recording Jan. 27 and Jan. 28
Make your voice heard! The YouthTruth family survey window starts today.
Please take 15 minutes to complete the anonymous YouthTruth survey at ytsurvey.org/ksdfamily22
To learn more, you can visit youthtruthsurvey.org.
Reminder from the KSD Community Liaison
Dear KSD Families,
The February school lunch menu is now available! For questions and assistance with the orders and School Foodie APP, please contact me at: direct: (415) 482-9848, (415)-458-5130 Ext. 160, or ivillarreal@kentfieldschools.org.
Thank you,
Ivette Villarreal
KSD Community Family Liaison
ivillarreal@kentfieldschools.org
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please report it to our school nurse, Laurel Yrun at lyrun@kentfieldschools.org immediately.
KSD COVID Information – Dashboard
Marin Public Health 32-Point Plan Public Health Update, effective 1/25/2022 Summary of Key Updates
Marin County Schools Quarantine & Isolation Guidance – Document subject to change
COVID-19 Tests: www.findacovidtest.org for up to date information on where antigen tests may be available.
2021-2022 District Calendar & 2022-2023 District Calendar
KSD, KSPTA & Community Parent Education Opportunities Calendar
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m., agenda
- District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, 5-6 p.m.
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
- Bacich English Learners Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Communications Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
Thursday, February 3, 2022
- Kent English Learners Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting, 8:30-9:45 a.m., Kent Library
Friday, February 4, 2022
- Last day to order Bacich school photos at Dorianstudio.com.
Monday, February 7, 2022
- Safety Committee meeting, 9-10 a.m, Zoom
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
- KSPTA Parent Ed Event: Parents for Racial Equity with Dr. Lori Watson from Race-Works. Part 1, 6-8 p.m., Zoom
School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts
- Next monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, February 8, 2021, 5-8 p.m., in-person in Kent Middle School and Zoom audio, agenda
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend in-person or via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
District Committees
- District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, February 1, 5-6 p.m.
- Communications Committee meeting, February 2, 4-5 p.m.
- Safety Committee meeting, February 7 9-10 a.m, Zoom
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Community,
February is upon us! Black History Month begins tomorrow and there are three weeks of instruction until the President’s Day recess. And, the 100th day of school is this Wednesday!
Art Instruction
I have great news! Ms. Barbara Libby will be adding another half day of teaching art beginning February 2. Ms. Libby's teaching schedule will now include Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. We are so pleased that her recovery is going well and she can spend more time at Bacich. Ms. Libby continues to be the lead art teacher, developing the art lessons for herself and our substitute art teacher, Ms. Ayres.
School Expectation Reminders
- Please do not send your child to school with any toys, games, Pokémon cards, watches that can text, etc. These items become a nuisance and distraction from the learning environment, and can also get lost or broken while at school. If your child must bring one of these items for use after school, please remind them that these items must remain in their backpack all day. Please also refrain from communicating with your child through their watches and continue to use the front office for all communications during school hours.
- Supervision is not provided after school hours at the end of the day. Parents and caregivers are asked to provide supervision if their child wishes to stay and play on the playground after school. Otherwise, students should be picked up promptly after the school day ends. It is important that we keep our students safe.
- Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle. We have refill stations on campus, but our water fountains are still turned off for covid safety reasons. Thank you!
Bacich Youth Truth Survey
- Bacich third and fourth grade students will participate in the Youth Truth survey the week of February 14-18. It is a computer-based survey that takes about 25 minutes to complete. Research shows that student perceptions are empirically linked to academic outcomes. The YouthTruth student survey allows educators to hear directly from students about how they are experiencing school. We will be able to get a sense of students' feelings and perceptions about Bacich, their sense of belonging, their learning, and their connectedness to others. Our YouthTruth data will help us to engage, challenge, and support all students.
Mary Ann Spitzer
Bacich Principal
mspitzer@kentfieldschools.org
Bacich Announcements
Kent Tutors Marin: Free virtual tutoring to K–6th graders in all subjects during school, after school, and on weekends. Spanish-speaking tutors are available. Sessions are 30-45 minutes via Zoom.
Class Picture Online Ordering
We are still collecting order forms for class pictures until Friday, February 4. Please send it with your child this week.
You can also order online by going to Dorianstudio.com. You will type in Bacich Elementary and choose Bacich from the drop down menu. Then click "order" for the Class Group Picture Day on January 26.
Bacich Library
The Bacich Library is officially open again!
Bacich Library Book Buzz: bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com
Check out Ms. Warnick's blog for the latest blog post for the book recommendations on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, and read how classes are learning in the library during class visits.
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.
- February 2: Bacich ELAC meeting, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- February 4: Last day to order Bacich school photos at Dorianstudio.com.
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
KQED Perspective Piece — Last week KQED featured one of our Kent eighth grade students, Jackie Tavernetti, reading a piece she composed called "Ask Don’t Stare" on their Friday broadcast. Jackie drafted and refined this composition as a part of her eighth grade Expressions class at Kent, a required enrichment course for eighth graders where students learn to write poetry, personal reflections, and short stories. The class focuses on personal reflection and capturing ideas and commentary through writing, as well as expression and performance of finalized compositions. I encourage you to listen to Jackie read her piece through the link above, as she recites her words with confidence, character, and poise. Congratulations to Jackie for this acknowledgement of her hard work! I’m thrilled to be able to offer our students this important course in eighth grade, where they can apply all of that they’ve learned in their language arts classes to capture and express their ideas to the world.
Kent Youth Truth Survey — As a means of gathering information about students' experience of school, Kent students will be taking the student YouthTruth survey the week of February 7-11. The YouthTruth survey is a computer-based questionnaire that will take about 30 minutes for students to complete. The YouthTruth student survey will allow us to hear directly from students about how they are experiencing school. We will be able to get a sense of students' feelings and perceptions about Kent, their sense of belonging, their learning, and their connectedness to others. Research shows that student perceptions are empirically linked to academic outcomes. With this information, we will be better equipped to engage, challenge and support all students at Kent.
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Kent Announcements
Kent Tutors Marin: Free virtual tutoring to K–6th graders in all subjects during school, after school, and on weekends. Spanish-speaking tutors are available. Sessions are 30-45 minutes via Zoom.
Updated Basketball Schedules
- 6th Boys Practice: Friday, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
- 6th Girls Practice: Monday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
- 7th Girls Practice: Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
- 7th Boy Practices: Tuesday, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
- 8th Girls Practice: Friday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
- 8th Boys Practice: Wednesday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Kent Library
Newspaper Club: meets on Tuesday during study session.
Need Book Recommendations?
Email me at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org and follow us on Instagram @kentmiddleschoollibrary.
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!
Kent Lunchtime Clubs: All are welcome! Simply show up at the meeting location on the correct day to join in the fun!
- February 1: Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m., agenda
- February 3: Kent ELAC meeting, 8:30-9:45 a.m., Kent Library
KIK News
IT’S ONNNN…KIK SUPER BOWL PARTICIPATION PLAYOFFS
Grade Level Challenge (K-8), Donate by 2/9
HALFTIME REPORT! The Fourth Grade team is the current score leader with points made from touchdowns and field goals. BUT, the Third Grade team is looking strong in Participation % for a possible 10-Touchdown advantage leading the pack by 10% over the current second place team! It’s getting exciting out on the gridiron—Donate Today to get your team on top!
HUDDLE UP—EACH GRADE IS A TEAM
KIK Super Bowl is the fun “playoff” challenge to encourage every family to participate in donating to our student programs:
- Every donation to Family Giving scores points for your children’s Grade Level Team, K-8.
- Each donation can score a Touchdown or Field Goal. And, the grade level with the highest participation percentage will get an MVP-nod and 10 Touchdown points! Power into the End Zone
- The Grade Level Team that scores the most points by February 9, 2022 wins the KIK Super Bowl and a Tailgate Treat Party to celebrate their win! See Game Rules.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Thank you to all current Family Giving Donors for their donation— you’re a fan favorite! Your 2021-22 donation will automatically count toward the participation percentage score. Learn more about how your donation counts.
GAME SCHEDULE
- FEB 09: Give to KIK Family Giving by February 9 to score participation points toward each child's grade level.
- FEB 11: Grade Level Team Champion announced!
SPECIAL THANKS to KIK Super Bowl Sponsor: Allison Fortini Crawford.
#KIKSUPERBOWL - Stay connected, get updates on KIK Super Bowl score leaders.
KIK PRESENTS THE ROARING TWENTY 20’S!
Please Donate Now, no later than March 1!
KIK is thrilled to announce that plans are underway for our annual Spring Event, which includes an online auction, the largest event fundraiser of the year! Current plans also include a celebration party and live auction at Bimbo’s 365 in San Francisco on Saturday, April 30. Stay tuned for party details in coming months.
First, in order to raise as much funds as possible to service our children, we need help from our KSD community to secure and donate unique, bid-worthy items for the online and live auctions:
- These items make the most money for our school; can you help by donating or connecting us with someone you know who can?
- Vacation homes and getaways
- Unique experiences (members-only golf clubs, spa packages, exclusive sports tickets, bike adventures, writing classes, tours of private companies or backstage passes to shows)
- Jewelry, art, autographed sports and music memorabilia
- Gift cards to local restaurants, grocery and retail stores
- National retailer gift cards
- Host a sign-up party (pickle ball, cooking class, hike and brunch, golf outing, outdoor movie night, bubbles and oysters, sports-themed party – the sky is the limit!) for adults or kids.
- No donation is too small and can be bundled with other similar items to create a themed auction package (beauty/spa, kids activities, teen entertainment, home decor/organization, fitness, tech).
- Family and friends can also contribute by purchasing items off the Amazon auction wish list. It’s an easy way to be part of the auction and help KIK reach the $1M goal for our Bacich and Kent students and schools.
All donations must be submitted by March 1. Please contact Holly Myers at events@kikschools.org if you have ideas or items to donate. THANK YOU!
KIK EVENTS + DINE & DONATE
FEB 01 - $50 Dine & Donate - Left Bank KIK Family Meals
Gives 20% to KIK, Opt in for weekly order reminder.
- Chicken paella with a mixed green salad and green beans
FEB 09 - “Game Day” - KIK Super Bowl Challenge ends! Go Big, Go Long!
MAR 01 - Deadline to Receive Donations for SPRING ONLINE AUCTION
Call for Auction Items
MAR 01 & 03 - Bacich Wildcare Program funded by KIK GRANTS for KSD KIDS
APRIL 21-28 - KIK SPRING ONLINE AUCTION - THE ROARING TWENTY 20’S
KIK Spring Online Auction Event, Donate items by March 1
APRIL 30 - Save the Date - THE ROARING TWENTY 20’S
KIK Spring Auction Event, Party at Bimbo’s 365 Club featuring Mustache Harbor.
CONNECT WITH KIK
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — Update
We’re at 75% 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 : $749,067 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 307 Family Giving Donors to date, and counting, 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, March 7, 7-8 p.m., Agenda
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.
Complete list of parent education opportunities and archive of available recordings for 2021-2022
Parent Education Opportunity: Let's Talk Series: Mental Health & Underage Substance Use
February 2, 2022, 7-8 p.m. PST
In the fourth of six conversations in the Let's Talk Community Discussion series for 2021-22, we will talk about Mental Health and Underage Substance Use. The relationship between mental health and substance use goes in both directions. Teens who struggle with mental health challenges are more likely to use substances. In turn, teens who use substances may be more likely to experience mental health challenges in the future. Our speakers will talk about how this is impacting local youth and what parents and caregivers can do to help.
Valerie Fowler, MFT, IMH, is a Marin-based clinician whose specialization includes post traumatic stress.
Meghan Greenwood is a school counselor at San Rafael City Schools. Prior to that, she was a high school teacher, theater director, and debate coach.
Riya Aghi is a sophomore at Marin Academy. She joined with the Youth Advisory Council to help educate and create solutions for substance use issues young people face.
The discussion will be moderated by Jaclynn Davis who authored the Let's Talk booklets. She received her Masters in Public Health and Social Work. Jackie focuses on adolescent health and youth development through her work with local school districts and teaching at Dominican University.
There will be simultaneous live Spanish interpretation on Zoom.
- Let's Talk Series: Mental Health & Underage substance use - Sponsored by Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships
- Register here
- View flyer
Sponsored by Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships
Parents for Racial Equity – Part 1 of a four part series
February 10, 2022, 6-8 p.m.
Please join us on February 10th, for the first of a Four-Part Series with Dr. Lori Watson from Race-Works. Dr. Watson will open the dialogue around talking about race with our children. We recognize this topic may be unnerving, largely because many parents, were taught to be “colorblind”, rather than “color-conscious.” But children begin to notice race as early as 6 months and begin to develop biases as young as 3. Parents must realize that when nothing is said about race, a lot is actually still being communicated. An important first step in talking to our children about race is to first do our own personal learning about race.
This series will be hosted in-person in the Kent Middle School Library, with the option to participate via Zoom Webinar, see link below.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
kentfieldschools.zoom.us/j/87835217360?pwd=aitvdVJnaFpzV3JsVEwwUHhER3BQZz09
Passcode: 937633
New Year, New Lunch Volunteer Sign Ups
There are new volunteer sign ups for 2022. Our lunch program is 100% run by volunteers organized by the PTA. Volunteering is a short shift, and it's a fun way to get on campus and see your kiddos in action. We have a lot of spots to fill. Please sign up and consider taking a regular shift whether that is weekly, monthly, or whatever works for you!
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.
Dedication to Special Ed's annual raffle is here.
This is the 17th year and 17th car Toyota of Marin has donated. DSE is the Marin County PTA for all Marin County Special Education students. All proceeds fund go directly to the classrooms. 1 ticket for a $25 donation.
- Drawing is on February 13 at 3 p.m.
- Learn more and enter here.
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