KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
Join us this week for our Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, September 13 at 5p.m. We will be meeting at the KSD District Office, 750 College Avenue to highlight our new staff, reflect on back to school activities, discuss new programs, and more. Click here to see the agenda and all the topics to be addressed.
Wishing our community a positive week ahead!
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
KSD School Lunch Program | Bacich and Kent
Check the School Lunch FAQ for updates from Monday, September 12.
Today's updates include information on how to order and how the menu is planned. This FAQ provides information about our school lunch program and how it impacts the KSD operations, this FAQ is a living document and will be updated regularly.
To sign up for school lunch follow this link: www.kentfieldschools.org/families/school-lunch-program
McAllister Drop-Off Loop
Please note that Acacia Avenue is closed each morning from 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. If you drop-off in the Kinder parking lot, you will need to enter McAllister from the further West entrance so that you can turn right into the McAllister parking lot. You will then exit the McAllister parking lot by turning right again. We have been told that law enforcements will be in place to make sure that the public is following this safety rule.
Mask Reminder
Per Public Health, wearing masks in a school setting is optional. We support families with their choice regarding masking, and kindly ask that parents remember to pack masks if they wish their child to wear a mask at school.
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m., agenda
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
- Bacich & Kent Walk and Roll to School Day
Friday, September 16, 2022
- Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10 a.m.
Monday, September 19, 2022
- Bacich Principal Chat, 8:30-9:30 a.m., IDEA Studio
- Bacich Site Council Meeting-All Welcome, 3:15-4:15 p.m., agenda
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
- Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
Mark Your Calendars!
- September 25: KIK Family Fun Day - register & buy tickets!
- September 29: Bacich Family Resource NIght, 5:30-7 p.m.
Mark Your Calendars! Bilingual Family Resource Night
Thursday, September 29, 2022, 5:30-7 p.m.
Bacich Community Event – more details coming soon!
Next KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Here is a link to where you can find the agenda once posted. Access to the meeting will be via in person or audio.
School Board Information: video recordings of meetings, community letters, minutes, trustee contacts
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend in-person or via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
KSD Board/District Committees
- Safety Committee meeting, Monday, September 12, 2022, 9-10 a.m.
- Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting, Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 4-5 p.m.
Another way to engage with District Operations is to join one or more of our KSD Board Committees. Committees typically meet four times a year and offer advice on issues ranging from communications, equity and inclusion, safety, finance, and technology. See the chart below for more information regarding each of these committees.
If you are interested in joining one of these groups as a committee member, submit your name here.
The Marin County Public Health continues to enforce the Marin County SMARTER Schools Plan for the 2022-2023 school year, this is the same plan that was implemented at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year.
Marin County Public Health is urging COVID testing for symptomatic individuals, exposure and/or high risk activity. Here is guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) specifying situations in which to test. Families are urged to have test kits in the home, which can be obtained from the school offices during regular school hours or at local pharmacies.
If you test positive please report to Laurel Yrun at lyrun@kentfieldschools.org, no need to report negative test results. The KSD will continue to reference Marin County’s Public Health’s Isolation, Quarantine, and Travel Guidance for TK-12 Schools to address COVID exposure.
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Community,
Phew! We made it through the heat wave! I am sure students and staff will appreciate the cooler weather forecast for the coming week. Thank you to the KSPTA for a successful Bacich Pizza and Games Night. It was amazing to see so many families in attendance. I am thrilled to partner with our KSPTA to bring more family and community events to Bacich this year.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with your child’s teacher during intake conferences this past week. These short conferences provide invaluable insight which helps teachers to meet the needs of each student. We are excited to expand their school day. Beginning Monday, September 12, 2022 TK and Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 2 p.m. Wednesday remains a minimum day for all students. Here is a link to our Bacich Bell Schedule for your convenience.
Please read the following reminders to help the safe and efficient operations on campus:
Parking at Bacich
Unfortunately, we do not have any visitor parking at Bacich. All of our spaces are assigned to staff. Please do not park in staff spaces, even for a short period of time during the school day. Parking is available along Sir Francis Drake Blvd and a few other neighboring streets.
Additionally, it has been observed that vehicles without handicapped placards are parked in the handicapped parking spaces during morning drop off. Please know that this is a violation of the California Vehicle Code and subject to a ticket and fine. We have staff and students who rely on the handicapped spaces for access to our campus. Please help ensure access to those spaces for those who rely on them.
Visiting Campus During the School Day
During the school day, the Bacich gates remain locked for safety. If you come to visit our campus during the school day, you must enter through the front office and sign in. Please do not ask students to open gates in order for you to enter campus through a locked gate. Thank you for your efforts to keep our campus safe for our students and staff.
With gratitude,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
Walk-N-Roll to School This Wednesday!
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 is our first Safe Routes to School Walk-N-Roll to School event. We encourage everyone to walk, ride a bike or scooter, or carpool to school. We will have tables set up outside the main office and the Kindergarten yard for students to pick up a prize for participating.
Bacich Library
September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out Bacich Library Book Buzz blog for book recommendations and discover what is happening in our library to celebrate!
bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com
Lear more about the library and search for books: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library
Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org
Principal Chat: Monday, September 19, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Don't miss the first Bacich Principal Chat! We will meet in Bacich's IDEA Studio.
Upcoming Bacich Events
2022-2023 Bacich Bell Schedule
Morning yard supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. at Bacich. Students arriving on campus prior to 7:45 a.m., must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult.
Bacich playgrounds, fields and play structures are closed until 2:53 p.m. If you are picking up your kindergartner and wish to wait on campus for an older student, you may supervise your child on the kindergarten playground while you wait.
Wednesday, September 14: Walk & Roll to School Day
Monday, September 19:
- Bacich Principal Chat, 8:30-9:30 a.m., IDEA Studio
- Bacich Site Council Meeting-All Welcome, 3:15-4:15 p.m., agenda
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Middle School Families,
Keeping families informed about teaching, learning, and community at Kent remains a top priority for our team. In the weekly newsletter I highlight topics that range from details about our academic program, highlights of social and emotional learning experiences for our students, reflections about current educational philosophy, exciting and inspiring occurrences around our school, and much, much more. Please be sure to read this Kent newsletter weekly to learn important details about our school, strengthening our home to school partnership.
Monthly Kent Principal’s Coffees provide an additional opportunity to engage with school staff to learn and discuss current events and timely topics that impact your child’s learning experience. We host our first Principal’s Coffee of the year this Friday, September 16 from 8:45 to 10 a.m. in the Kent Library. During the September Principal’s Coffee we will discuss two timely topics that impact all Kent Falcons: Our One-to-One Technology Plan and Standards Based Feedback and Grading.
The One-to-One Technology Plan is intended to provide every student with uninterrupted access to a device for school work, and maximizing time in class and at home when technology tools are required for learning tasks. Yet this plan does require increased responsibility and planning on the part of our students, and the adults in each student’s life play a role in supporting our children to meet these new responsibilities. This Friday, we plan to discuss the rationale for this shift in technology distribution, and to share ideas we can all employ to support student success managing and using their devices.
The shift to Standards Based Feedback at Kent this year makes essential learning targets visible for all students, while emphasizing specific strategies, teaching, and feedback. This approach works to ensure that all learners know how to progress on essential skills and school habits for each course. While maintaining consistent focus on essential skills and lifting all students to reach them, Standards Based Feedback simultaneously reduces the stigma associated with letter grades that can diminish confidence and extinguish a love of learning. This Friday, we plan to share some of the tools we are designing and implementing in our classrooms to make learning visible for students, as well as to discuss the type of feedback you can expect on your child’s work and learning progress this year.
So whether you are simply looking for a warm cup of coffee and good company, whether you have curiosity and interest in this month’s topics, or whether you have specific questions you would like to discuss, the Kent Library at 8:45 a.m. this Friday morning is the place to be! Spanish translation will be provided, as well as a remote viewing option. I look forward to engaging about these important topics at our school with those who are able to attend.
Have a great week, Falcons!
All my best,
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Kent Library
Announcing our Kent Middle School All School Read for 2022-2023! Judy Heumann's Rolling Warrior!
Judy Heumann was only 5 years old when she was first denied her right to attend school. Paralyzed from polio and raised by her Holocaust-surviving parents in New York City, Judy had a drive for equality that was instilled early in life.
In this young readers’ edition of her acclaimed memoir, Being Heumann, Judy shares her journey of battling for equal access in an unequal world — from fighting to attend grade school after being described as a “fire hazard” because of her wheelchair, to suing the New York City school system for denying her a teacher’s license because of her disability. Judy went on to lead 150 disabled people in the longest sit-in protest in U.S. history at the San Francisco Federal Building. Cut off from the outside world, the group slept on office floors, faced down bomb threats, and risked their lives to win the world’s attention and the first civil rights legislation for disabled people.
Judy’s bravery, persistence, and signature rebellious streak will speak to every person fighting to belong and fighting for social justice.
We hope that all Kent students can bring a copy of the book to school by Monday, October 10 (available at Book Passage (be sure to mention Kent when checking out!), on Amazon or wherever you like to buy or borrow books. We will begin our All School Read of the book on Monday, October 17, and the reading will culminate with a day long visit with Judy herself on Friday, October 28!
We hope you can also join us for a community movie night on Friday, October 14 featuring the film Crip Camp, which features Judy and other ability rights activists! This film is available on Netflix for preview, and the evening is for the whole family! We will be selling concessions to raise money for the author visit. Please reach out to rjelen@kentfieldschools.org if you would like to volunteer for this event!
Happy Reading!
Rebecca Jelen
Kent Librarian
rjelen@kentfieldschools.org
Principal Coffee: Friday, September 16, 8:45-10 a.m., Kent Library
Discussion Topics: Our One-to-One Technology Plan and Standards Based Feedback and Grading.
Kent Yearbook: Orders Now Open!
Kent yearbooks are now on sale for $42.
www.yearbookordercenter.com or call 1-866-287-3096
Kent's order number is 7587.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, September 13: Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 14: Walk & Roll to School Day
Friday, September 16: Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10 a.m., Kent Library
KIK News
SAVE THE DATE — CAKE, LIVE MUSIC, AND GAMES!
Sunday, September 25 | 10am - 3pm
Bring your entire family to enjoy a day of FUN at Bacich!
- FUN RUN - Register Now
- And MORE FUN: Bouncies, Climbing Wall, Carnival Games, Field Games, and Photo Booth
- FOOD for purchase: grab a burger or grilled chicken, Sno-cone, and popcorn
- LIVE MUSIC w/ the Jojo Diamond Band
- Community CAKE SPIN contest - Enter your favorite sweet treat!
- Family Fun Day ENTRY is $10/person or $30/family
- VOLUNTEER with your fellow Bacich and Kent parents – Thank you!
- Thank you to our sponsors and organizers
We look forward to seeing you there!
THANK YOU, FAMILY FUN DAY BUSINESS SPONSORS
Boulevard Real Estate was founded by fourth-generation Marin native Elizabeth “Bitsa” Freeman. Bitsa’s expertise in the local Marin market, reputation for genuineness, honesty and deep community connections have made her a top-producing luxury agent throughout Marin County – consistently top producing market leader in Kentfield and Kent Woodlands.
Shineology has been proudly washing cars in San Rafael, Larkspur and Mill Valley since 1981, is a member of the Water Savers Program, and is always looking for ways to improve our services to meet your expectations. Or fill up your car and buy a snack at Fuel 24:7 - supporters of KIK for more than 15 years.
FAMILY GIVING
88% of the +$1 Million KIK raises comes from our families via our Family Giving Campaign. Please consider giving early so we can begin the year successfully.
- The Family Giving Ask is $2,000 per child — we welcome donations of all sizes.
- Learn more about Family Giving.
Your participation counts! Please consider donating today — THANK YOU!
KIK EVENTS | DINE & DONATE
EVERY TUESDAY - $50 Dine & Donate
Left Bank KIK Family Meals — 20% of proceeds go to KIK. Opt in for a weekly order reminder.
SEP 13 - Chicken Paella, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Greens & Steamed Broccoli
SEP 25 - KIK Family Fun Day - 10am - 3pm
Live music! Great Food! Carnival games, jumpees, karaoke, photo booth and more!
OCT 09 - TK/Kindergarten Social - Hal Brown Park @ Creekside - more details to follow
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — UPDATE
We are in the beginning stages of our fundraising and donations are starting to come in!
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $104,417(net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 42 Family Giving Donors to date who are committed to our students and the programs they love! Can we add your name to this list?
- Learn how KIK Invests in Kids
CONNECT WITH KIK
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KSPTA News
Learn more at kspta.org
There are many different opportunities to volunteer during school hours and for before and after-school community events. Please see the links below to discover KSPTA volunteer opportunities. Please complete the form for the opportunities that interest you, and a KSPTA committee representative will be in touch, thank you!
Bacich School Wide Volunteer Opportunities
Bacich Lead Room Parents/Art for Bears Coordinators/ Carline Coordinators
Upcoming Parent Education Opportunities
The Mental Health & Wellness of our Teens: What to Know & How to Support
Tuesday, September 13, 6:30-8 p.m. PDT
For more information or to register click here
Sponsored by TUHSD Family Education
No-Drama Discipline with Best Selling Author Tina Payne Bryson.
Monday, September 19, 7-9 p.m. PDT
For more information or to register click here.
Sponsored by Center for Children and Youth.
Upcoming KSPTA Meeting
Monday, October 3, 2022, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
All are welcome to attend.
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.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
Parents of 8th graders interested in the D.C./ Philadelphia trip in April, please attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 13 from 6-7 p.m. in room 30 at Kent.*
*If you attended the Spring 2021 meeting, you need not come on 9/13! Please know that if you register your child before September 18, 2022, you get a $100 discount on the trip fee.
Please contact Mr. Palmer if you have any questions.
Toolkit for Parents & Teens
Marin County teens, like others throughout the country, are facing unprecedented challenges today. COVID conditions come and go but never really leave us and the impact this has had is broad.
To support our students and expand our conversations with and for our teens, we want to share with you Let’s Talk, a toolkit for navigating teen substance use in Marin County. This printed booklet and digital resource was created through a joint effort by Marin County Office of Education, Marin Health and Human Services, Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships, Rx Safe Marin and a network of community partners.
The Let’s Talk booklet includes local data, tips for parents, drug facts and resources to support families in navigating teen substance use. A printed booklet was mailed to all incoming Marin County public school freshmen families in August, and to expand the reach to all families we created an online version. We hope you find it helpful in beginning and continuing conversations with your teens about navigating substance use and other topics. There are two versions - one for middle school ages and one for high schoolers.
On October 5 at 7 p.m., we will host Just Say Know – current drug trends, how it impacts our youth and what you can do. The first in a series of four online community discussions. Please visit the Let's Talk Discussion Series webpage for more information, a calendar of events, and registration link.
We welcome your feedback and input to make this resource better. Please complete a brief survey to give us your thoughts. SURVEY
If you have any questions, email us at info@mhyp.org.
What's happening at the Corte Madera Library this fall?
Corte Madera Community StoryWalk®!
Read a story together as you enjoy a walk through town. A StoryWalk® is a fun, family-friendly, outdoor activity, where pages of a book are placed along a walking route. Each stop along the way displays one page of the book.
Pick up a route guide from the branch or visit us online at marinlibrary.org/storywalk
Author visit - Meet Jorge Argueta, the author of our featured StoryWalk® book, Agua, Agüita / Water, Little Water, on Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m. All ages welcome!
A bookmark contest for ages 5-12 is running until September 30. Winners from different age groups will be printed and distributed this winter in the branch! Grab a form at the branch or visit our online calendar (marinlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events) for a printable version.
Weekly Crafternoons and a once-monthly Lego Club will be starting Thursday September 22 at 3:30pm for ages 5-12.
We hope to see you soon!
Homework Helpers
The Homework Helpers program, created and run by high school interns and the Marin County Free library, is offering a free “homework help” program for English Learners and underserved students at the Corte Madera library.
Here’s the link to sign up (English and Spanish)
The program begins on September 17 and will continue throughout the school year, every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Students are encouraged to sign up for specific time slots and communicate what they need help with. This is an excellent opportunity for students and families to get extra help, outside of school, from local high school students!
Strength & Wellness for Teen Girls Class
What is The Anchor Method?
The Anchor Method is different from any other fitness studio available today. In the first 40 minutes, I guide you through a full body strength program that focuses on correct form and mind to muscle connection. You and a partner take turns rotating through a variety of exercises.
Then we transition from the gym floor to the yoga mats to conclude the session. This is a calm and peaceful space to cool down, stretch and discuss the reflection of the day. The reflections consist of different topics centered around mental health, physical health and well-being. In a busy world, this time is essential to practice stillness and build community. You then leave the studio feeling stronger, healthier and more confident than when you first walked in.
For more information visit anchormethodmarin.com
Contact us at anchormethodmarin@gmail.com
Safe Routes to School Contest
Buddy UP is a new contest to get students to walk (park and walk), bike, carpool or ride the bus together. Now through October 31, sign up your group of two or more students from neighboring families to travel to or from school. Tell us your success story!
Habits are more likely to stick when families support each other. There’s safety in numbers and groups are more easily seen by drivers. Best of all, friendships and fun memories are formed! There will be a $50 award for 5 winning groups. Notifications will be sent out in early November.
Learn more at: www.saferoutestoschools.org
Questions? Contact Saferoutes@marinbike.org
Crisis Text Support Line
Marin County is offering our youth another means of confidential mental health support through a crisis text line that is available 24/7.
Text MARIN to 741741 for Support that Cares.
Marin Health Hubs
Health hubs, provides free and bilingual services such as food distribution, nutrition education, health screenings, and information about community organizations. 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