KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
It has been an absolute pleasure to see our students, staff and parent community have such a positive start to the new school year. As the weather turns to a more brisk and fall-like temperature I look forward to what lays ahead!
The Board of Trustees convened on September 13, 2022 for a Regular Meeting of the Board and engaged in a process to address the provisional appointment required due to a Trustee vacancy this past July. The Board interviewed and unanimously voted to provisionally appoint Benny Joseph into the open seat effective immediately. A public notice has been posted in our community to formally announce Mr. Joseph in this position. To learn a bit more about Mr. Joseph read here, please join me in welcoming Mr. Joseph into this new position with the Kentfield School District.
Take good care,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
Bilingual Family Resource Night
Thursday, September 29, 2022, 5:30-7 p.m., Bacich Community Center
Districtwide Community Event
Learn about various resources available in our community. Many community agencies and non-profit organizations will attend this event and be available to answer questions and provide information. Download the flyer to see the list of participating organizations.
El Yucateco Food Truck will be participating as a vendor.
Please attend with or without your children and feel free to bring neighbors or friends who might also want to learn about available resources.
Please contact Ivette Villarreal, KSD Community Family Liaison for questions at ivillarreal@kentfieldschools.org (415)-482-9848
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 20, 2022
- Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
- Parents in Action, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Bacich Room 12
Thursday, September 22, 2022
- Kent ELAC Meeting, 8:30am – 10 a.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
- Parents in Action, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Bacich Room 12
Thursday, September 29, 2022
- KSD Bilingual Family Resource Night, 5:30-7 p.m., download flyer
Next KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, October 11, 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
- Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting, Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 4-5 p.m.
If you are interested in joining a District Committee, please 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,
I hope you enjoyed the first rainy days of the school year. You will notice that morning and afternoon carlines tend to get more congested on rainy days. Please be patient as we work to efficiently move things along and safely get students into cars. Thank you to those who have volunteered to staff the carline these past few weeks! Morning and afternoon carline duties are assigned to classes on a weekly basis. We rely on your support to offer this service. Teachers support student behavior and Ann-Marie Skaggs, our assistant principal, directs carlines daily.
Zero Waste School Program
I am thrilled that we are participating again this year in the Zero Waste Schools Program to reduce and recycle solid waste produced at our school. Last year, we received a Zero Waste Certification which acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of Bacich staff, teachers, and students who worked toward a culture of Zero Waste on our campus.
This past week, our Zero Waste Team had a kickoff meeting to evaluate our campus infrastructure and bin locations. We also discussed ways to improve our lunchtime sorting of waste in an effort to reduce landfill waste. Parents can help our efforts by packing zero waste snacks and lunches. Use this link for more information from Zero Waste Marin on packing a zero waste lunch. Zero Waste Marin will be visiting Bacich classrooms in the next month or so to educate our students about waste reduction and recycling.
Teacher Newsletters and Friday Folders
One of the best ways to stay up to date on what is happening in your child’s classroom is to read the newsletters sent by the classroom teacher. These newsletters detail specific skills and activities that students have worked on as well as upcoming curriculum. You can also use the information in the newsletters to prompt your child to discuss what they are learning and working on.
Friday Folders are also an important communication tool. Looking through Friday Folders helps you to see how your child is doing and what areas are emerging as strengths and challenges. Sitting down with your child to review their completed work in their Friday Folder lets them know that their work is important and it helps to establish a strong home school connection.
Enjoy the week ahead!
Warmly,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
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
Parking at Bacich
Parking is available along Sir Francis Drake Blvd and a few other neighboring streets.
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.
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.
September 29, 2022: Bilingual Family Resource Night, 5:30-7 p.m., download flyer
Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Middle School Families,
Thank you to the parents/guardians who were able to attend our first Kent Principal Coffee of the year last Friday morning. Assistant Principal Wendy Holmes, Standards Based Grading Teacher on Special Assignment and Math Department Chair Jill Klima, three 8th grade student representatives, and I shared details regarding the implementation of standards based feedback and grading at our school this year. If you were unable to attend and are interested to experience the presentation, a recording can be accessed here, using the passcode (.1r.9kte).
Starting this week Assistant Principal Wendy Holmes and I will lead Expectation Talk presentations with students at each grade level. These classroom presentations and discussions help us to build connection and rapport between our students and our school administrators. They also serve to proactively inform students about expected behaviors as members of our school community. During Expectation Talks we highlight some key areas from our Kent Middle School Student and Parent Handbook, to explain the rationale and importance behind our most essential school rules, and to ensure that all students know their responsibilities, and the responsibilities of the school staff around them. I have highlighted some of the most essential points from our Expectation Talks below for your reference.
- School Climate – We all contribute to the positive school climate at Kent. The ways we interact with one another, the language we choose to use, and the mindset we employ while on campus all contribute to the way it feels to be present in our school community.
- Academic Expectations – Teachers make learning targets and expectations clear, and students strive to achieve their fullest potential. In learning environments, students engage with their teachers and their peers, participate often, and contribute to a climate of learning and growth for all students.
- Student Belongings – Students keep all belongings in their lockers (6th, 7th, 8th) and on their backpack hooks (5th). Students keep their assigned Chromebook charged and in a safe space while at school, and lock their lockers when not in use. Students plan ahead for upcoming classes on their schedule and arrive on time to each class with the materials they need to be successful.
- Personal Electronic Devices – All personal electronic devices are safely stored away in lockers/backpack hooks from 8:15 a.m. to the end of each school day, without exception. These devices include cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds.
- Campus Care – We all pick up after ourselves, and we recycle, compost, or throw away our own garbage. We keep the spaces around our desks and lockers clean of miscellaneous debris, and we even pick up trash that may have been left behind by others.
Each community member contributes to the lively, collaborative, caring, and fun environment that defines our school. Thank you for checking in with your child about the above points, and any other takeaways they may have from expectation talks with Ms. Holmes and me in the coming days.
Have a great week ahead!
All my best,
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Fall Athletics Schedules
Cross Country: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45- 4:45 p.m.
Flag Football: Mondays and Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.; games until 5 p.m. (download schedule)
6th Volleyball: practice on Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m. (download schedule)
7th Volleyball: practice Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. (download schedule)
8th grade Volleyball: practice on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. (download schedule)
Kent Library
Kent Middle School All School Read for 2022-2023: Judy Heumann's Rolling Warrior
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.
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.
- All School Read begins on Monday, October 17
- Author visit with Judy Heumann on Friday, October 28
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. Please note, Crip Camp is rated R for language, due to reference to sex and drugs, and we want to encourage families to preview it to make sure they think it’s appropriate for their kids.
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
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
September 22: Kent ELAC Meeting, 8:30-10 a.m.
September 29, 2022: Bilingual Family Resource Night, 5:30-7 p.m., download flyer
KIK News
GAMES, FOOD, & MUSIC…OH, MY!
JOIN US AT FAMILY FUN DAY
Sunday, September 25 | 10am - 3pm
Run, Play & Volunteer for a great day with our community – Play Games, Eat, Sing, Dance, Climb, and Spin for Cakes!
- Sign up to RUN* with the kids or go solo!
- Pre-Purchase TICKETS: Family Fun Day ENTRY is $10/person or $30/family
- VOLUNTEER with your fellow Bacich and Kent parents – Thank you!
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday, 9/25!
Thank you to our sponsors and organizers.
* Buy Tickets / Register for Fun Run by clicking “Tickets.”
THANK YOU, FAMILY FUN DAY BUSINESS SPONSORS
Sage has been a member of the Marin community since 2007 and is committed to serving kids with the very best tutoring and test-prep to fit their individual needs. At our offices in Mill Valley and Larkspur, students are supported from the beginning of their academic experience through graduation.
Bowman Real Estate Group has extensive industry experience and local expertise, and focuses on creating a highly personal experience for you to identify your ideal outcome and enjoy the homebuying process. Whether you're buying or selling, Bowman can help you get the best deal. Proudly serving Marin, Sonoma, and surrounding counties!
FAMILY GIVING: 2022-23 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Approximately 88% of the $1 million-plus KIK raises comes from our school families via the Family Giving Campaign. Please consider giving early to set the school year off on a great start.
- The Family Giving Ask is $2,000 per child — we welcome donations of all sizes.
- Funds raised in 2022-23 school year are used to fund programs in the same year.
- Your participation counts! Please consider donating today — THANK YOU!
Learn more about Family Giving
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 20 - BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad Verte, & Green Beans
SEP 25 - KIK Family Fun Day - 10am - 3pm
Live music! Great Food! Carnival games, jumpees, karaoke, photo booth and more!
KIK + KSPTA SPONSORED GRADE LEVEL PARTIES
OCT 08 - 1st Grade Party
- @ Bacich Blacktop - 1-3PM
OCT 09 - TK/Kindergarten Party
- @ Hal Brown Park, Creekside - 10AM-12PM
OCT 14 - 4th Grade Party
- @ Bacich Black Top - 5-7PM
OCT 23 - 2nd Grade Party
- @ Bacich Black Top - 3-5PM
OCT 29 - 3rd Grade Party
- @ Hal Brown Park, Creekside - 11AM-1PM
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — UPDATE
Donate today to invest in our Bacich and Kent students. You’ll maintain the quality of our schools by helping to fund the Enrichment Programs our kids love and experience every single day.
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $152,756(net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 63 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
Bacich Grade-Level Family Socials
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
No-Drama Discipline with Best Selling Author Tina Payne Bryson.
September 19, 7-9 p.m. PST
- Dr. Tina Bryson
- Learn more & register for free here - Sponsored by Center for Children and Youth.
Join us for an engaging workshop with renowned author and child development expert Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, based on No-Drama Discipline, her bestselling book, co-authored with Dr. Dan Siegel.
Complete with candid parenting stories and plenty of humor, Dr. Bryson will explore the whole-brain approach to discipline and offer parents an effective, compassionate roadmap for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears.
For more information or to register click here.
Sponsored by Center for Children and Youth.
How to Help Kids Develop Their Emotional Vocabulary
September 29, 5:30-6:30pm PST
Join Deborah Farmer Kris – educator, child development expert, and author of the new children’s book “You Have Feelings All the Time” – to learn more about the science of emotion and how everyone benefits when we learn how to name, normalize, and navigate our feelings.
Parents/caregivers, students, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
Sponsored by Parent Venture.
How to Support your Upset Child
September 30, 2022, 12-1 p.m. PST
- Parenting for Humans
- Learn more & register here. - Sponsored by Parent Venture.
Join us for an all-new Parent Forum (English) with Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans. Learn how you can support your upset child, especially during moments of emotional intensity (e.g., anger, fear, anxiety, frustration). In this discussion group, you will have the opportunity to interact with other parents like yourself, as well as hear from parent-child communication expert Eran Magen.
Eran Magen holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University. He is the founder and CEO of Parenting for Humans, an organization that supports relationship-first, trauma-informed parenting.
Parents/caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission.
Sponsored by Parent Venture.
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.
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
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 3:30 p.m. 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