KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
I hope you had a wonderful Spring Recess and are looking forward to the final trimester of the 2021-2022 school year. Please join us tomorrow Tuesday, April 12 at 5 p.m. for our Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. Attendees may join in person in the Kentfield School District Conference Room located at 750 College Avenue or via Zoom Webinar. The meeting will have an education showcase highlighting the Kent Enrichment Program as well as providing general district updates and addressing other timely topics.
Take good care,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
Community Health Update
Prior to the Spring Recess there was an increase in COVID positive cases in grades 3rd and 4th at Bacich school. Based on this data, KSD collaborated with Public Health to offer two COVID mitigation strategies:
- Provide site based COVID Testing on Monday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 13.
- Reinstate indoor face covering for grades 3rd and 4th from April 11 to April 15. On April 18th, all grade levels will resume recommended indoor face coverings.
Thank you in advance for your vigilance and care in minimizing COVID transmission across our schools and the Kentfield/Greenbrae community
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please report it to our school nurse, Laurel Yrun at lyrun@kentfieldschools.org immediately.
Marin Public Health, Smarter Schools Plan, released March 28, 2022
Submit Student vaccination verification
How to Help Kids Navigate the New Era of No-Mask School - Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2022
Public Health COVID-19 Guidance for Schools & Upcoming Meeting
On March 28, the Marin County Public Health and the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) released their new SMARTER Schools Plan. This plan offers updated guidance to all our TK-12 schools related to COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
Marin County SMARTER Schools Plan, which is now in effect and replaces the 32-Point Plan as our Public Health guidance document, and is now posted on the Rethinking Schools Website. Existing School Site Specific Protection Plans (based on the 32-point plan) can continue to be utilized.
Please join Marin Public Health and MCOE for the following webinars:
2021-2022 District Calendar & 2022-2023 District Calendar
KSD, KSPTA & Community Parent Education Opportunities Calendar
Monday, April 11, 2022
- KSPTA meeting, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
- Bacich Walk and Roll Jedi Challenge Day
- Bacich ELAC meeting, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- KIK Board meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 14, 2022
- Bacich Maker Fair – during school hours
- KSPTA Parent Education Event: Parents for Racial Equity, Part 3, 6-8 p.m., attendees must have attended previous sessions
Friday, April 15, 2022
- Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10 a.m.
Monday, April 18, 2022
- Bacich Site Council meeting, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
- Board Finance Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
- Board Communications Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
Friday, April 22, 2022
- Bacich Principal Chat, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts
- Next monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 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
- Board Finance Committee meeting, April 19, 2022, 4-5 p.m.
- Board Communications Committee meeting, April 20, 2022, 4-5 p.m.
- Board Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting: rescheduled for April 28, 2022, 4-5 p.m.
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Community,
Spring has sprung! And today our "April showers" began. But a little wind and rain can’t deter us!
This morning, we had Public Health on campus to conduct antigen testing in our third and fourth grade classrooms. Public Health will be here again on Wednesday to finish the testing. They are so very organized, and efficient and we are grateful for their collaboration. I would also like to recognize Laurel Yrun, our district nurse, who worked with Public Health all morning collecting students from classes and making sure everything was running smoothly on our end. We are pleased to work with Public Health to create the safest environment possible here at school.
We are so excited to begin our four week Walk and Roll to school event this Wednesday. Students are working to be full J.E.D.I.s (Joyful, Excited, Devoted, Imaginative) as they celebrate saving the earth by walking or rolling to school. When students walk or roll to school this Wednesday, April 13, there will be a table at the Sir Francis Drake gate with volunteers passing out their J.E.D.I. cards. They will need to get their card stamped three more times on the next three Wednesdays, ending on May the 4th ("May the fourth/force be with you!"). If they have four stamps on their J.E.D.I. card, they can turn it in to enter a raffle for a soccer ball or a scooter! Parents, if you would like to volunteer from 7:45-8:15 a.m. on any of the next four Wednesdays to help out with stamping, please email Kristine Duran at kduran@kentfieldschools.org.
We are also very excited about our Maker Faire this Thursday, April 14! Every student will have the opportunity to visit the community center with their class for 50 minutes to experience the interactive events that the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) has created for them. Please remember to send your child with a mask, as the LHS instructors will be hosting over 500 students in one day and they are requiring mask wearing for participants. Thank you to the many parent volunteers who are making this event possible under the expert coordination of Maya Farhound and Deb Crudo.
As a reminder, we have now opened campus for parents to pick up and/or drop off their child at the classroom door if they wish! Please review the safety guidelines below.
- Parents may enter campus beginning at 8 a.m. to drop off their child/ren.
- Parents must please exit campus by 8:15 a.m., when the school day begins.
- After school, Kinder parents may enter campus at 2 p.m.. Kinder students and parents are welcome to stay on the kindergarten playground, only, after school until the rest of the grades are released.
- Parents of 1st through 4th graders may enter campus at 2:53 p.m. to meet their child/ren.
- After 2:53 p.m., Bacich is an open campus.
- Parents should stay outside of classrooms unless they have an appointment with the teacher.
Have a great week!
Mary Ann Spitzer
Bacich Principal
mspitzer@kentfieldschools.org
In-Person KSPTA Marker Event at Bacich on April 14!
The KSPTA is very excited to bring back an in person "Maker" event to Bacich Elementary!
Unlike previous years, this event will take place during the school day, allowing all kids to participate! The Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) in Berkeley will be hosting their: Build, Engineer, Invent! program on Thursday, April 14 (that's in little under a month!!).
Parents can still attend by volunteering at any of the following sessions. For more details and to sign up, please use the SUG at the bottom. We will need 12 to 14 volunteers per grade.
Session 1: 9-9:50 a.m. Grades K and 1st (Peters, Baetkey, Fanning)
Session 2: 10:50-11:40 a.m. Grades 3rd
Session 3: 1:05-1:55 p.m. Grades 1st and 2nd ( Stern, Bessonette/Swan)
Session 4: 2:05-2:53 p.m Grades 4th
Learn more and sign up to volunteer here
Bacich Announcements
Announcing Art with Hopping Holly at Lunch Recess Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, April 11-June 3
Beginning April 11, Holly Salamun from Ross Recreation will be guiding brief art exploration sessions for students during lunch recess on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays April 11 through June 3, 2022.
Holly needs parent/guardian support during the various sessions.
Interested in participating, please sign up below:
The KSD continues to require all school-based volunteers working with children to be fully vaccinated. Vaccine verification will be confirmed prior to volunteering on site.
Thank you in advance for your support – we know that you will LOVE working with the children.
Bacich Yearbooks Now on Sale!
The yearbook will be back this year with class photos and pictures of all students, not to mention spreads of special events on campus throughout the year! The sales of the book support KSPTA programming in the KSD. Yearbooks will be delivered to students in their classrooms at the end of the school year.
- On Sale Through April 29 for $35
- Link to order: jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09854647
If purchasing a yearbook is a financial burden for your family, please reach out to either Amber Hatfield (ahatfield@kentfieldschools.org) or Ivette Villarreal (ivillarreal@kentfieldschools.org), and the KSPTA will make sure your child has a book.
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.
Bacich Library
April is both National Poetry Month and Multicultural Communications Month.
Find out Ms. Warnick's favorite books for to celebrate poetry and diversity in the April issue of the Bacich Library Book Buzz: bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com.
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.
- April 13, 20, 27 and "May the 4th" be with you!: Walk and Roll Jedi Challenge
- April 14 : Bacich Maker Fair – during school hours
- April 22: Bacich Principal Chat, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
Spring showers welcomed Falcons back to Kent this morning as we launched the final stretch of the school year together. Clean skies, a clean campus, and freshly watered landscapes provide a great setting for what promises to be a productive spring of growth for each of our students.
Please join us this Friday, April 15 at 8:45 a.m. for this month’s Kent Principal Coffee where we take a deep dive into the teaching and learning of science at our school. Come to discuss how our students learn Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Practices. Our science classrooms are alive with hands-on activities and application of scientific practices, as students learn to ask questions of inquiry, develop models, carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, and engage in argument from evidence they uncover. The science classroom of 2022 is likely very different from the science classroom of yours and my middle school education, and we welcome you to Kent on Friday to learn more!
We will conclude our Principal Coffee on Friday with a selection of Innovation Convention presentations delivered by some of our 8th grade scientists. The Innovation Convention project is a culmination of a research, investigation, design, engineering, and writing experience where students worked to understand the impact of climate change, and worked to design realistic clean energy solutions to address problems uncovered in their research. These incredible students will show you just how many skills are learned and developed within the walls of our lab classrooms. Please come and join us for a warm cup of coffee and a lively discussion about science and engineering, this Friday from 8:45 to 10 a.m. in the Kent Library. Virtual participation will be available, and Spanish translation will be provided for in-person attendees. I look forward to seeing you on Friday morning at Kent!
With appreciation,
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.
Attention 8th Graders!
Redwood High School’s Leadership Class applications are open if you know of any 8th graders who might want to apply.
- Applications are liked to this page: www.tamdistrict.org/domain/151
Kent Athletics
All parents of Kent basketball players- please turn in jerseys asap to Mr. Palmer in room 30 or the Kent office.
Thank you!
Questions? Please contact Kent Athletic Director Ryan Palmer at rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org.
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!
- April 12: Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- April 15: Kent Principal Coffee meeting, 8:45-10 a.m.
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.
Earth 2050: Create a Better World
Celebrate Earth Day and help create a better world at Earth 2050, a free community event on Sunday, April 24 in Mill Valley!
You will see some amazing art, hear inspiring talks, play fun games and enjoy good music at this special community event. And you will learn about actions we can take to save ourselves and our planet, such as: use clean energy, eat sustainably, live lightly and build healthy communities.
Earth 2050 invites people of all ages to join playful activities to imagine a more just and sustainable world -- and to take action to make it happen.
Come celebrate Earth Day with us! Bring your family, friends and neighbors for this fun outdoors celebration of what we can do together to protect our environment and our future.
SIGN UP NOW FOR THIS FREE EVENT.
This event is produced by Green Change with Mill Valley Recreation and dozens of wonderful partners featured on our event page.
Summer Football Camp
My name is Anthony Jackson and I am the head football coach at Archie Williams high school. This summer we will be hosting two sessions of a youth 9 on 9 football camp. It will be a great opportunity for kids to learn about the sport, get active and have fun all while we implement and teach sound football safety fundamentals. We are partnered with Coach Moayed at Marin College and will be running the 3rd-8th grade portion of the camp at Archie Williams this summer.
The two sessions are June 13-16 and July 18-21.
View flyer. More information and registration info can be found at realninefootball.com.
Youth Sports Summer Camps
Legarza – Developing Youth Sports Since 1989
Basketball, All-Sports and STEAM Summer Camps Now Enrolling
Learn more: view flyer or visit www.legarzasports.org
North Bay Basketball Academy Summer Camps
North Bay Basketball Academy is a non-profit organization providing basketball instruction with an emphasis on fundamentals and skill development.
Financial assistance to qualifying families.
Learn more at www.northbaybasketball.com and view flyer.
Learning Opportunities for Middle school Students
The Corte Madera Library is hosting multiple learning opportunities for middle school students:
On Saturdays, teen tutors from Redwood High school will be available from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to assist with various subjects in the library's teen section. This is a drop-in service, so first come first served. Masks are requested to mimic school policies due to close proximity. Call the library for more information.
Another Redwood student will be hosting six classes for 5th-12th graders on how to program using Python. Please call the library to register, space will be limited. Chromebooks are available in-branch, or personal laptops can also be used. Classes are cumulative, and will be posted online following the in-person sessions. Dates: 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30.
Find us at marinlibrary.org, or reach us by phone at: 415-924-3515
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
KSPTA News
Next KSPTA Meeting: Monday, April 11, 7-8 p.m., Agenda
Love Reading. Build Community. Support our Schools.
The first KSPTA Readathon was a huge success! Check out the video to see all the fun that took place at Bacich and Kent.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed from teachers and staff to park rangers to sidewalk chalk artists to guest readers and parent volunteers. The community truly came together to celebrate and encourage a love of reading.
More than 500 students received over 1400 donations resulting in close to $80,000, which will go directly to programs at our schools funded by the PTA. Wow.
We are beyond grateful for your support and look forward to making the Readathon even bigger and better next year!
Bacich Yearbooks On Sale Until April 29!
Find out more about ordering a Bacich Yearbook at kspta.org/bacich-yearbooks-now-on-sale
- On sale through April 29: $35
Lunch Volunteer Sign Ups
Our school lunch program is run by the KSPTA and staffed completely with volunteers. These dedicated volunteer parents who've been feeding our kiddos all year are tired and need a break! Please help us out. Between Bacich and Kent we need to get over 1500 lunches into the hands and mouths of our hungry students. Consider a regular shift - either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Connect with other parents and see your children in the wild. We particular need help this month so sign up now!
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
Stay up to date with KSPTA!
Follow kentfieldschoolspta on both Facebook and Instagram
KIK News
ANNOUNCING SPRING EVENT & LIVE AUCTION — TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Kentfield Schools Foundation, Kentfield Invests in Kids (KIK), proudly presents:
- The Roaring Twenty 20’s
- Dinner, Dancing, Live Auction*
- Saturday, April 30
- 6 - 11 pm
- Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco
- Complimentary round trip transportation included
- Benefiting our Kentfield Schools and Kids
We’ve missed you! C’mon and KIK up your heels and join us for our first in-person Spring Event and Live Auction in two years and let’s have a ROARING good time!
*separate Online Spring Auction 4/21-28, no ticket needed
LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW | APRIL 30 - BIMBO’S 365 CLUB
BEN SHEMANO JEWELRY
Add some serious sparkle to your jewelry collection with this stunning diamond necklace from Ben Shemano Jewelry. The 14kt yellow gold, round diamond necklace features 1.80cts of diamonds in a bezel-set, graduated, riviera-style design.
Its contemporary look and adjustable chain makes this necklace appealing for day and evening occasions, as well as layering. We can’t think of a more jaw-dropping gift for the one you love. Generously donated by a KSD family, the necklace will be featured in the Live Auction at the Spring Event on April 30 and is valued at $4,550.
ONLINE AUCTION SNEAK PEEK | APRIL 21 - 28
Check out some of the 300 Online Auction items, live April 21-28. No event ticket needed to bid on the Online Auction.
- Secure tickets to the Cocktails for KIK with Guest House party
- Escape to the Sierras for 5 nights at a newly remodeled Twain Harte cabin
- Enjoy lunch at Il Davide with local KQED legend and author Michael Krasny
- Win a pizza party for your kids and their friends at Tony Tutto’s
- Plan a shopping spree with gift cards from Intermix, Margaux, Rothy’s, Folio and more
- Get in shape with workout packages donated by Orange Theory, Barry’s Bootcamp, Soul Cycle, NOW Power Yoga and F45
- Shop for groceries with gift cards from Mollie Stone’s, Good Earth, Nugget Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Safeway
- 300 items available to bid on, April 21-28!
SPECIAL THANKS TO PREMIER AUCTION SPONSORS
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.
Carey Hagglund Condy Team | Luxury Marin Homes - A Top 5 Marin County agent, Carey is known to be honest and discreet. She offers unparalleled knowledge of Marin’s unique neighborhoods and schools—of Marin Living Beyond the Four Walls.
Colleen Fitzpatrick | Golden Gate | Sotheby's International Realty - Having represented many Marin and San Francisco luxury homes, Colleen brings a wealth of expertise, experience, and the highest level of integrity and diplomacy to her clients.
OWN Marin - Marin County’s #1 real estate team since 2015, Barr Haney, Whitney Potter, and their team have helped over 650 clients achieve their goals. Ranked #1 in Kentfield, OWN Marin makes buying or selling a home easy—Let’s go get your home.
THANK YOU TO ALL AUCTION SPONSORS & DONORS!
Carey Hagglund Condy Team | Luxury Marin Homes
Colleen Fitzpatrick | Golden Gate | Sotheby's International Realty
Left Bank | Fuel 24:7 / Shineology | Allison Fortini Crawford, Sotheby’s Int’l Realty | Boulevard Real Estate, Bitsa Freeman | Andrew Roth, Domain Marin | Mynsberge, Ruggles & Yang Oral Surgery | Marin Ortho | MacRostie Winery & Vineyards | Ben Shemano Jewelry | SF2BAY | Body By Buresh | Nichols Orthodontics | Together Home
Check out the growing list of all of KIK Spring Auction Business and Family Donors and Sign-up Party Hosts. Thank you for supporting our schools!
KIK EVENTS | DINE & DONATE
APR 12 - $50 Dine & Donate - Left Bank KIK Family Meals
Gives 20% to KIK, Opt in for weekly order reminder.
- Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Salad Verte & Green Beans
SPRING AUCTION & EVENT
APRIL 21-28 - KIK Online Auction - THE ROARING TWENTY 20’S
KIK Spring Online Auction Event, Please donate items by March 31.
APRIL 30 - Spring Party at Bimbo’s 365 Club - THE ROARING TWENTY 20’S
KIK Spring Live Auction & Party at Bimbo’s 365 Club featuring Mustache Harbor
TICKETS ON SALE, BUY NOW
CONNECT WITH KIK
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — Update
We’re over the 80% mark of our fundraising goal for our Bacich and Kent schools — but we still have nearly $200,000 to raise in 3 months!
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $830,447 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 343 Family Giving Donors to date who are committed to our students and the programs they love! Can we add your name to this list?
- Thank you to KIK Business Partners for supporting our students and schools.
- Learn how KIK Invests in Kids
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
