Kentfield School District Newsletter May 15, 2023

Kent Falcons News

KSD
Bacich Bears
Kent Falcons
KIK
KSPTA

Dear Kent Middle School Families,

Thanks to every single student and community member who took a moment last week to appreciate our exceptional educators during Educator’s Appreciation Week. I’d like to extend a special thank you to our KSPTA for coordinating generous, thoughtful, delicious, and kind expressions of appreciation for all members of our team.

It is the time of year when we prepare to say goodbye to members of our teaching team who will be transitioning away from Kent Middle School to pursue other endeavors next year and beyond. Please join me in celebrating the below staff members who will conclude their time at Kent at the end of this school year.

Kent Mathematics teacher Brad Widelock will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year after serving the Kentfield School District for 17 years. Mr. Widelock is well known among students as an ally and advocate, who embodies a love of mathematics and works to support students to pursue their interests and find their voices. Mr. Widelock was also an influential leader in the Kentfield Teachers Association during his tenure with our district.
Longtime KSD teacher, Rose Roubinian, retires this year after 25 years teaching Spanish at both Bacich and Kent. Ms. Roubinian cares deeply about the Spanish language and culture and devoted her professional teaching career to developing students’ language skills. Recent reports from Kent graduates and receiving high schools confirm that Ms. Roubinian is among the best in the business, with Kent students’ foundational Spanish preparing them well for all future language endeavors.
Science department chair, Ron Pembleton, retires this year after 17 years teaching science and leading the Kent science department. Mr. Pembleton led a successful Science Fair at Kent for many years, shifting to an Innovation Convention in recent years, both projects focused on student-generated hypotheses and learning through experimentation and data analysis. Ron Pembleton piqued the interests of our young scientists throughout his noteworthy tenure in our district.
Kent Art teacher Elizabeth Rubenstein retires this year after serving our school for two years in the Kent art studio. Ms. Rubenstein brought with her a passion for integrated arts and student-generated artistry and creation. Establishing courses this year like Fiber Arts in 7th grade and Sculpture in 8th grade, Ms. Rubenstein inspired our student artists to try new ideas and to relentlessly create.
Physical Education teacher Maryellen Gore is moving across the country with her family, after serving Kent as our 6th grade PE teacher since 2019. Ms. Gore brought with her new and innovative approaches to games and physical activities for our PE department and approached each day with a huge smile and a love of her students and physical activity. Ms. Gore has been on maternity leave this year, and unfortunately will not be returning to our Kent team next year.
Library Media teacher Rebecca Jelen is seeking a leave of absence from Kent at the conclusion of this year to pursue an opportunity closer to home. Ms. Jelen has been at Kent since 2010 first as a 5th grade teacher and for the past five years as our teacher-librarian. She transformed the Kent Library into the heart of our school, creating an inclusive and safe learning and social environment for every single Kent Falcon. During her tenure here Ms. Jelen established our All School Read program, advised our school newspaper The Falcon Swoop, served as our Social Justice Department Chair, facilitated numerous author visits, taught our Broadcast Journalism class, and much much more.

We will miss these exceptional educators who have collectively contributed over 75 years of service to Kent Middle School students. The legacy they leave will reverberate through our halls and classrooms for generations to come. While it is always difficult to say goodbye, we are also dedicated to identifying and welcoming new members to our team who are skilled, qualified, and committed to pick up where these incredible educators have left off!

Let’s have an awesome week ahead!

Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org

At some point your family has likely engaged in the conversation that we all have with our middle school children: When is the appropriate time to introduce a cell phone into your middle schooler’s life? This decision alone may have the most significant impact on the remainder of your student’s childhood, more than perhaps any other change we introduce in the middle school years.

Each family must carefully consider when it is right to introduce a smartphone into their child’s life. Simply put, children must have developed the appropriate maturity to be able to safely navigate the circumstances they will encounter through the use of a smartphone. Many Bacich and Kent families have taken the Wait Until 8th pledge as a way of showing their commitment to withhold access to a personal smartphone until their children are in 8th grade. This approach significantly reduces exposure to harmful content, delays the distractions and addictions that come with smartphone use, and prolongs childhood just a little bit longer.

Read Principal Althouse's Newsletter from May 1 about Wait Until 8th.

Upcoming Dates

2022-2023 Kent Bell Schedule

Kent CAASP & CAST Testing Schedule

5th and 8th graders will be taking the California Science Test (CAST) the week of May 22, in Nest class in 5th grade and in science class in 8th grade. The CAST is presented in an identical format to the CAASPP.

Monday, May 22, 2023: 8th Grade Boys Volleyball vs Davidson, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 26, 2023: Volunteer Appreciation Tea, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Thursday, Jun 1, 2023

Kent Parents In Action, Kent Room 11
Kent Pride Day Activities

Friday, June 2, 2023: Kent Principal Coffee, 8:45-10 a.m., Kent Library

Learn more at kspta.org

Pizza Wednesdays at Bacich

$6 for a slice of pizza, with a serving of organic blueberries and baby carrots

The KSPTA is piloting a fundraiser. We’re selling a pizza lunch with organic fruit and a vegetable on Wednesdays after school. Proceeds will fund t-shirts for all Bacich students and staff for the 2023-2024 school year with the image: We All Belong at Bacich.

Pizzas will be served in the Bacich lunch quad, following your child’s dismissal time.

UTK & Kindergarten: 12 p.m.
1st & 2nd Grades: 12:15 p.m.
3rd & 4th Grades: 12:30 p.m.

Projected Dates:

Wednesday, May 17, 24, 31, and June 7

How to Order:

Orders can be placed at www.kspta.org/product/bacich-pizza-2023/.
Orders and payment can be made online, or place an order online and pay cash or check on the day of.
Ordering closes at 9 p.m. on Mondays.

A limited quantity of pizza will be available for purchase without pre-orders. Please ensure your child has a caregiver as food pickup is after dismissal time.

Does your child attend Marin Enrichment? KSPTA volunteers are coordinating with Marin Enrichment staff to have your child’s pizza brought to Marin Enrichment. Please send your child to Marin Enrichment as usual and KSPTA will deliver.

Is your child a budding entrepreneur? Contact VP of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Vicki Sonu Song, so that both caregiver and child can participate in selling lemonade or baked goods! Proceeds will be donated to the KSPTA and be used to fund projects to promote belonging in our district.

We need volunteers! Please contact Vicki Sonu Song at equity-inclusion@kspta.org.

WAIT UNTIL 8th

Hi! Have you signed it yet? Just a reminder from your friends at KSPTA about Wait Until 8th Pledge!

What it IS:
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. By banding together, we can decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over smartphones. Surrounding Bay Area schools Ross, Corte Madera, Larkspur and the Reed District have also signed on.

What it IS NOT:
It is not a promise to avoid all screen time or even to wait until 8th to give your child a phone. The Wait Until 8th pledge is simply encouraging parents to delay the smartphone — you can still have the peace of mind of easy communication with an “old school” phone or watch.

Why is it IMPORTANT?
These devices are quickly changing childhood for children. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books, and hanging out with family are happening a lot less to make room for hours on snap chat, tik tok, Instagram, or streaming on YouTube. Experts say that smartphones are addictive, interfere with sleep and relationships, and increase the risk that children will suffer from depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. Our kids deserve a childhood free of distraction.

You can find more info at: www.kspta.org/wait-until-8th

Teen Mental Health Tips from Kaiser Permanente

Signs to Look For & Strategies to Help

It’s important for young people to hear that anxiety, stress, and negative emotions are completely normal, especially in hard times. And times are hard for many.

"More and more teens are aware of mental health as a real issue they face in their daily lives," says Michael Torres, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health and Wellness Center in San Leandro, California. "It’s vital that all of us who support young people are equipped to talk about mental health issues."

You can start making a difference in a young person’s mental health in a few key ways.

Know the Signs

Mental health symptoms are manageable, with early care and support from trusted adults. That’s why it’s important to recognize signs and symptoms of depression in teens, like:

Persistent feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, or worry
Avoiding social interactions or things they loved doing before
Falling behind in school
Signs of self-harm
Talking about suicide or harming others

Talk Often and Honestly

It’s important to make time to talk with your teen on a regular basis. Schneider recommends setting aside "no phone" time, especially at the dinner table or before bed. Show that you’re interested in talking, even if your teen doesn’t always want to. Be flexible — if they feel comfortable and are ready to talk, they’ll come to you. Once you’re talking, respect them enough to be yourself. It’s one of the most important steps in building trust.

Provide Tools for Self-Care

Encourage the teen in your life to practice self-care. Help them find a healthy outlet for their emotions.

Exercise, especially, has health benefits beyond physical fitness. As little as 20 to 25 minutes of moderate activity a day can help protect against symptoms of depression.3 Teens can also try things like:

Practicing mindfulness
Journaling or making art
Talking with a trusted friend
Listening to music
Watching something fun on television — especially as a family or with friends

Teens should also get 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night when possible, and rest whenever they can. Building a nighttime routine without screens can help, says Schneider. And that goes for adults, too.

Ask for Help

If you’re struggling to relate to a young person’s emotions or their condition seems more serious, it could be time to get help. If it’s someone else’s child, gently let their guardian know what you’ve noticed. If it’s your child, call your pediatrician or a mental health specialist. If health care is a barrier, you could also reach out to the counselor or psychologist at your child’s school.

If you ever fear for the immediate safety of a young person, call your local medical office for crisis care.

For more support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (TTY 711) or visit 988lifeline.org to get free, confidential help from a trained crisis counselor.

It’s never too early to help a young person with their emotional well-being.

Read more.

Stay up to date with KSPTA!

Follow kentfieldschoolspta on both Facebook and Instagram

Table of Contents

Kentfield School District

May 15th, 2023

KSD News

2023 Marin County Golden Bell Kentfield School District Honorees

District Announcements

Marin County Heat Risk Protocols

Spring Ordering Now Available

COVID Update

Bacich Bears News

Bacich Lost & Found

Calling Bacich Volunteers!

Pizza Wednesdays!

Wait Until 8th Pledge

Draft School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) - Bacich 2023-2024

Family Math Nights

Bacich Library - New May Blog Post!

Upcoming Bacich Events

Kent Falcons News

Upcoming Dates

KIK News

AUCTION WRAP UP

AUCTION ITEM PICK-UP

FUND-A-NEED :: NEW iPADS + CHROMEBOOKS

SPECIAL THANKS TO PREMIER AUCTION SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO ALL AUCTION SPONSORS!

KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — UPDATE

KIK CALENDAR

CONNECT WITH KIK

KSPTA News

Learn more at kspta.org

Pizza Wednesdays at Bacich

WAIT UNTIL 8th

Teen Mental Health Tips from Kaiser Permanente

Stay up to date with KSPTA!

Community News

Summer Camp Tips

Kentfield Greenbrae Community Spring Fair

Marin Library Events

Marin First Five Immigrant Heritage Month Free Forum

2024 DC/Boston Trip

Youth Ride Free

Free Family Dance

KidzToPros Summer Camp at Bacich

Marin Ballet’s “Beautiful Earth” Dance Camp for Kids

Kentfield Futbol Club

Girls Lacrosse Camp