Kentfield School District

$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

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

$1 lemonade or baked goods for purchase (not included with pizza)

How to Order:

• Order at www.kspta.org/product/bacich-pizza-2023/ by 11 p.m. on the Monday before.
• Pay online or place an order online and pay on the day of with cash or check.

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.

The KSPTA is sponsoring the Wait Until 8th Pledge. This initiative supports waiting until children are in 8th grade to provide access to a smartphone. The Wait Until 8th organization lists five top reasons to postpone access to a smartphone:

1. Smartphones are changing childhood
2. They are distracting and addictive
3. Smartphones expose your child to inappropriate content
4. They increase the risk of anxiety and depression
5. Cyberbullying is an important concern

There are many devices that parents can use to be able to get in touch with their children, other than a smartphone. The Wait Until 8th website has additional information for parents. The KSPTA has identified a parent class champion at each grade level who is available to answer questions you may have. Please refer to this document for more information about the KSPTA Wait Until 8th campaign. I encourage you to consider taking this pledge!

The Bacich School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for the 2023-24 school year is a comprehensive document that provides details about the school’s planned actions to support student outcomes and overall performance. The goals and actions in the SPSA connect to the Kentfield School District’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), which lays out goals for the entire District. The Bacich SPSA for 2023-2024 contains four goals and specific action steps to achieve the goals. We would like to solicit your feedback on this important plan. Please take a few minutes to review the DRAFT SPSA and provide feedback using this Google form.

The Marin County Office of Education is hosting “Family Math Nights” for parents and caregivers of children, ages birth to 6 years. The virtual sessions are facilitated by Lisa Kaplan Shaanan from Early Education Equity. Spanish translation provided. The Zoom link will be emailed to you the day before the session.

Please join us on one or more of the following sessions on Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration Link

• June 8

La Oficina de Educación del Condado de Marin está organizando "Noches Familiares de Matemáticas" para padres y cuidadores de niños, desde el nacimiento hasta los 6 años. Las sesiones virtuales son facilitadas por Lisa Kaplan Shaanan de Early Education Equity. Se ofrece traducción al español. El enlace de Zoom se le enviará por correo electrónico el día antes de la sesión.

Únase a nosotros en una o más de las siguientes sesiones los jueves de 6:30 p. m. a 7:30 p.m. Enlace de registro

• 8 de junio

View flyer in English and Spanish.

Welcome the month of May with Ms. Warnick's favorite books and activities to honor May Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com

Learn more about the library and search for books: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library

Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org

2022-2023 Bacich Bell Schedule

Mondays by 11 p.m.: Orders due for KSPTA Pizza Wednesdays. Please see the KSPTA section for more details.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023: KSPTA Pizza Fundraiser, order here

Thursday, May 25, 2023: Kindergarten Concert, 8:30-9 a.m.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023:

KSPTA Pizza Fundraiser, order here

Bacich Parent Volunteer Celebration, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

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.

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.

Friday, May 26, 2023: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Lunch Plaza

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

We have reached over 90% of our annual $1M fundraising goal. Thank you to all of the families who have donated so far this school year. If you have not donated yet, we are counting on your support to reach our goal. Our annual $1M commitment goes directly into the school district's budget to fund crucial programs for our kids (PE, Art, Music, Library, Drama, and more). Let's KIK this together!

• DONATE NOW
• How much should I donate?
• $1M Annual Fundraising Status: $915,280 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
• Thank you to the 356 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

School of Rock was truly a rockin’ good time! Our wonderful parent community raised their paddles and bid online to raise lots of $$’s for our kids! You rocked it!

Thank you to all our Business, Family, and Teacher Donors who were instrumental in making the auction a success! We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

Check out all the great photos here!

There are still a few sign up parties available - snag the last spots here!

There is still time to donate to this spring’s Fund-a-Need, which will support the purchase of new iPads and Chromebooks for our kids.

So far we have raised over $125,000!

There are devices in almost every grade level that have reached the end of their lives and need to be replaced.

New iPads & Chromebooks will:

• Provide our students with individualized learning
• Allow our students to create multimedia videos and portfolio projects
• Be used in virtually every aspect of the schools: from robotics in Maker and Enterprise to Coding to Individualized Learning and Creativity in all grades Kindergarten to 8.

Separate from the Annual Goal, please consider donating to the FUND-A-NEED today.

Learn More

Donate to Fund-a-Need

Stapleton School of Performing Arts - Since 1988 Stapleton School of Performing Arts (SSPA) has offered high quality dance and theater classes for all ages in a nutrition and inclusive environment. SSPA offers summer dance and theater programs that instill passion for the performing arts in a supportive environment. They offer a wide range of age -appropriate programs for students 4-22 designed with flexible summer scheduling in mind.

Moses Tennis - Experience the many tennis programs at The Priory Tennis and Swim Club. Moses Tennis offers a wide variety of classes for Adults and Juniors. Moses Tennis believes everyone who wants to play tennis should be able to play and have fun at any skill level. Players should be open to improving their skills to further their enjoyment of the game

Legarza - Legarza programs give children the knowledge and motivation they need to achieve their personal best in sport and life. Since 1989, over 400,000 of America's youth have experienced and benefitted from our proven and tested system. Their program is tailored to help your child succeed on and off the field of play in a safe, professional and encouraging environment of learning and fun. They offer a variety of camps including: basketball, all sports, volleyball, S.T.E.A.M. and more.

Ross Recreation Department - Ross Rec provides recreational enrichment and community service for the residents of Ross and their neighbors. The department has grown from just a handful of classes to more than 100 classes per year for infants to Seniors. Ross Rec offers fun, learning and innovative programs that build character, provided by an institution that is highly organized, with great instructors and which nurtures a sense of neighborliness in our community.

CONCERTS Brought to You by KIK

MAY 25 - Kindergarten Family Concert - 8:30AM

ORDER EVERY TUESDAY - $50 Dine & Donate

Left Bank KIK Family Meals — 20% of proceeds go to KIK. Opt in for a weekly order reminder.

May 23 - Barbecue Chicken, Salad Verte, Mashed Potatoes & Green Beans

Love us and Follow us! Get the latest KIK updates!

Instagram | Facebook | KIKschools.org

$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.

Dates:

• Wednesday, May 24, 31, and June 7

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

$1 lemonade or baked goods for purchase (not included with pizza)

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 11 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.

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

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.

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