Kent Falcons News
Dear Kent Middle School Families,
Kent students in each grade level are working to end the year strong, and starting to anticipate what lies ahead for next year. This Wednesday during advisory a sampling of 6th-grade students will visit 5th-grade classes to advise our current 5th-graders how to prepare for next year. Also on Wednesday, we welcome current Bacich 4th graders to tour our school during our annual 4th to 5th grade Step Up Day. And we know our 8th graders are looking forward to June 16 at 2:30 p.m. when we give them their official send-off to high school at their 8th Grade Graduation! This is a time of change and growth for each of us as we welcome the conclusion of another school year, and anticipate what the next year will bring!
Enrichment Update – Our Kent enrichment program supports students at each grade level to explore a variety of interests, to build skills in new and creative ways, to collaborate with others and practice teamwork, and to find joy in a non-academic pursuit at school. I’m excited to share the enrichment courses that students will have the opportunity to experience at Kent next year. Each grade level will experience a rotation of enrichment classes, where all students get to participate in each enrichment class for approximately 6 weeks per cycle.
- 5th Grade Enrichments: Woodshop, Makers, Art 1, Art 2, Keyboarding, and Introduction to Independence
- 6th Grade Enrichments: Makers, Art, Book Clubs, Poetry, Life Skills
- 7th Grade Enrichments: Start Up, Art, Drama, Film Making, Service Innovation, Life Skills
- 8th Grade Enrichments: Manual Arts and Applied Technology, Art, Expressions, Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism, Social Action
A full course offering of enrichment classes can be accessed through this link. You will note that 7th and 8th grade enrichments are structured as a rotation through all 6 classes next year, rather than a choice-based selection process as in previous years. We have noticed over the past few years that many students choose classes based on their peer group rather than specific interests, so allowing all students to take all classes will ensure balanced class groups and uniform exposure to innovative classes and creative spaces. We are looking forward to another year of creative and inspiring enrichments at Kent in 2023-2024!
Technology Return Plan – We are approaching the conclusion of our first year in the one-to-one device distribution model at Kent. By the end of this year, students and staff will need to prepare devices for use for the next school year. Below is a summary of our end-of-year technology collection plan to help students and families conclude the year.
- 5th Grade: Devices are housed in nest classrooms and will remain in nest classrooms. No action is needed by students and families.
- 6th Grade: Students and families will keep the devices you currently have and store them over the summer for use by the same student next year. In advisory, on June 14 students will fill out a Google form that will allow them to share any device repairs needed. Students will store their assigned device over the summer, and prepare to bring the device back to school with them next year as 7th graders. 6th grade families can expect to receive communication from our technology department prior to the end of the year with more information.
- 7th and 8th Grades: The devices used by our 7th and 8th graders will need to be returned before the end of the year and serviced at school. 7th and 8th grade students shall plan to return their Chromebook, Chromebook case, and charger to their advisory teacher during advisory on June 14. Students/families shall expect to receive an invoice to replace any missing device, case, or charger.
Thank you for your help to organize school-issued devices come the end of this school year!
Let’s have an awesome second-to-last week ahead!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Upcoming Music Concerts
Our Kent Middle School musicians prepare to conclude their school year by performing a series of spring concerts for their peers and their families. The evening concert series kicks off with Monday, June 5 with the Spring Chorus concert, featuring a variety of choral numbers and creative ensembles. On Tuesday, the 5th-grade band and string ensembles perform, while on Wednesday evening the 6th-grade band and string groups take the stage. The zero-period band and string ensembles conclude the series with a performance on Thursday evening. Please plan to join us for one or all of our spring concerts to see just how much progress our students have made with their musicianship and performance!
8th Grade Graduation
Please join our Kentfield School District community as we celebrate our graduating 8th grade class of 2023!
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Graduation Begins at 2:30 p.m., Seating Begins at 1:45 p.m., Kent Middle School Field
- Parking will be available for free at the College of Marin Parking lot across College Ave. from Kent. While we have arranged for free parking with the College of Marin, it may prove helpful to put a note on your dashboard that reads "Kent Graduation"
- Graduates must arrive by 1:45 p.m. to line-up and prepare, with all students in line and ready by 2 p.m.
- The Kent Field will open at 1:45 p.m. for families to take their seats, there will be no assigned seating and no limit to the number of guests allowed for graduation
- Graduation will be live streamed for family and friends who are not able to attend in person, the live stream will be embedded on the Kent website (kent.kentfieldschools.org), and will go live shortly before the ceremony begins on June 16 at 2:30 p.m. Please share our Kent live stream link with any family/friends who may like to experience this event!
- Graduation Night Dance and Celebration, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Kent MP Room
Congratulations to our graduating 8th grade class!
Summer Reading List
Don’t forget to check out our summer reading lists for each grade level! The purpose of summer reading is to promote student choice, extend learning beyond the classroom, introduce students to genres of literature that they will encounter throughout the coming school year, and offer new perspectives on the people, places, and ideas that shape students’ worlds and experiences. As a part of their summer reading, each returning student is required to read three books from their grade level list OR three books of their choice. I am looking forward to catching up on a few great books this summer, and I encourage our students to do the same!
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Upcoming Dates
Monday, June 5, 2023
- Kent Spring Concert: Vocal/Jazz/Rock Spring Concert, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
- Kent Site Council, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- 5th - Grade Band and Strings Spring Concert, 7-8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023: 6th Grade Band and Strings Spring Concert, 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 8, 2023: Kent 0 Period Band and OrchestraSpring Concert, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023: 8th Grade Field Trip (Six Flags) and 6th Grade End-of-Year Party
Wednesday, June 14, 2023:
- 7th and 8th grade students return their devices Chromebook, Chromebook case, and charger to their advisory teacher during advisory period.
- 5th Grade End-of-Year Party
Thursday, June 15, 2023: 7th Grade Trip to McNears
Friday, June 16, 2023
- Last Day of School - Noon Dismissal
- 8th Grade Graduation Begins at 2:30 p.m., Seating Begins at 1:45 p.m., Kent Middle School Field (see graduation section above for more information)