KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
Join us for our final 2022-2023 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, June 13 at 5 p.m. in person or via Zoom audio. We will be in the Kent Middle School Library, 800 College Ave. The meeting will include updates about our end-of-year activities, the Bacich and Kent School Plans for Student Achievement, and planning for the upcoming school year.
As we prepare to conclude the 2022-2023 school year, I want to extend appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated and hardworking staff, our supportive parent/guardian community, and our magnificent KSD students. Each of you makes the KSD a special place where children thrive and the community shines.
Enjoy these final days of the 2022-2023 school year.
Sincerely,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
Student Score Reports
On May 30 the California Department of Education (CDE) announced an updated timeline for the release of Student Score Reports (SSRs) for the 2023 CAASPP assessment administration. On June 1, the CDE began releasing SSRs to public school districts for whom the reports were available.
As of today, June 12, KSD has confirmed that CAASPP results for most 3rd through 8th grade students have been populated in the Aeries Parent Portal.
For more information about these assessment results and how to access them, please click here.
2023-2024 New School Year Messaging
In an effort to increase communication and offer information about what to look forward to in the new school year, we will be sharing stand-alone 2023-2024 school year messages that provide pertinent information to help our school community prepare for the new school year. Updates may include information related to:
- KSD Universal Meals program
- Safe Routes to School update
- School calendar
- Emergency preparedness
- New and continuing school programs
This Week: Bacich Spirit Week (see Bacich section for details)
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
- 8th Grade Field Trip (Six Flags)
- 6th Grade End-of-Year Party
- School Board Meeting, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
- 5th Grade End-of-Year Party
- 7th and 8th grade students return their devices Chromebook, case, and charger to their advisory teacher during advisory period.
Thursday, June 15, 2023
- 7th Grade Trip to McNears
Friday, June 16, 2023
- 4th Grade Promotion, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Last day to retrieve Kent lost and found items.
- Last Day of School - Noon Dismissal
- 8th Grade Graduation, 2:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Thursday, Aug 24, 2023: First Day of School
Next Regular KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Here is a link to where you can find the agenda once posted. Access to the meeting will be in person or via audio.
During the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on May 30, 2023 the following reports were provided:
- KSD Special Education Services
- Proposed Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)
- Proposed KSD Budget for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Board held public hearings for these proposed plans and intends to consider approval at our June 13 meeting of the Board of Trustees.
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
COVID Update
The latest COVID-19 subvariant, XXB.1.16, is increasing in the U.S. according to estimates from the CDC. It has been most documented in India but has been found in 29 countries, according to the WHO. This new subvariant is producing a new symptom: conjunctivitis (pink eye), especially in children.
MCPH is recommending COVID-19 testing for students who present with pink eye. Guidance will be updated to reflect this change.
California Department of Public Health encourages all students and staff to test for COVID-19 IF they feel sick, AFTER exposure, travel, or large gatherings, and BEFORE events or visiting high-risk people.
Please know that our school offices have COVID tests available if needed. Thank you for your support.
Please reference this exposure notice for symptoms, communicability, and prevention information. (English I Spanish).
Please keep your child home if they are sick. Please contact our school nurse Laurel Yrun (lyrun@kentfieldschools.org), with any questions about navigating illness and school this year.
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Community,
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of the school year. We have a lot to celebrate as we close out the year. Students have made tremendous progress academically. They have also demonstrated significant social-emotional development. I am proud of all that we have accomplished as a school community this year. We have several end-of-year celebrations planned to acknowledge the hard work of our students.
Bacich Spirit Week
We will close the school year with a week of spirit days! Here is the schedule:
Tuesday - Vacation Day (beach vacation, camping trip, snow vacation, city tourist, etc)
Wednesday - Class colors (TK/K - Red; First- Orange; Second - Yellow; Third - Green; Fourth - Blue)
Thursday - Rainbow Day
Friday - School Colors - Blue/Yellow (Fourth Graders to wear Kent house shirts)
Fourth Grade Promotion
We invite fourth-grade families to join us on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Center as we promote our fourth grade students to Kent Middle School. All of our students will also attend this last school-wide event. Please remember that our parking lots are for staff parking only. Please plan to park in the neighborhood or walk to Bacich.
8th Grade Clap Through
On Wednesday, our 8th grade students return to Bacich for a small ceremony to acknowledge their connection to Bacich as the starting place of their educational journey in the Kentfield School District. All Bacich students will line up and clap and cheer for our 8th graders as they walk onto the Bacich campus.
I would like to conclude by thanking you, our parent and family community, for all of your support. You have dedicated countless hours of volunteer efforts in classrooms and for school events. You have contributed to the work of our parent organizations and committees, including KSPTA, KIK, ELAC, DELAC, and Parents in Action. We appreciate all you do for our school! I hope you have a wonderful summer!
With gratitude,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
Bacich Library - Thanks & Summer Reading!
A BIG thank you to this year's Library Volunteer Coordinators Emily Goldman and Matt Abrams for all their support and hard work! A special thank you to Vicki Song for all the long hours of covering, training volunteers, and helping with special projects. Thank you Claire Tsuruga for learning to repair books, training volunteers, and stepping in when needed. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who spent countless hours shelving, covering, and helping the library run smoothly all year. I couldn't have run the library successfully without you!
Ms. Warnick
Ms. Warnick's June blog at bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com features storytime readings, summer reading picks, the California Young Medal winners, and gratitude for Bacich Library volunteers.
Happy Summer Reading!
Learn more about the library and search for books: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library
Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org
Upcoming Bacich Events
2022-2023 Bacich Bell Schedule
This Week: Bacich Spirit Week (see above section for details)
Friday, June 16, 2023
- 4th Grade Promotion, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Last Day of School - Noon Dismissal
Kent Falcons News
Dear Kent Middle School Families,
The conclusion of another school year is upon us, and this final week ahead will hold celebrations, appreciations, and reflections on many student accomplishments. While our minds quickly focus on thoughts of transitions, summer plans, and loose ends, prioritize time this week to acknowledge how much your child has grown during the 2022-2023 school year and to celebrate the person they are becoming. We are so proud of our Kent Falcons for all that you have achieved academically, socially, and creatively this school year! Please see below for a few important reminders for this week!
Grade Level End-of-year Parties – Students are invited to attend grade-level parties this week with their peers, classmates, and teachers. On Tuesday our 8th grade students travel to Six Flags while our 6th grade students walk to the College of Marin Pool. On Wednesday our 5th grade students walk to College of Marin, while on Thursday our 7th graders venture to McNear’s Beach. Please see recent grade-level communications for more details about your child’s grade-level party. Enjoy safe and fun celebrations this week, Falcons!
Technology Return – This week we conclude our first year of the one-to-one device program at Kent by accounting for all school-issued devices. In 5th grade, devices will remain in 5th grade classrooms, ready for student use next year. In 6th grade, students will safely store their assigned Chromebook, case, and charger at home over the summer, preparing to use the same device next year. 6th graders will complete a survey during advisory this Wednesday to account for the whereabouts and condition of their school-issued Chromebook, case, and charger. In 7th and 8th grades, students will return their school-issued Chromebook, case, and charger as a part of their advisory class on Wednesday. 7th and 8th grade families, thank you for reminding your student to bring all three components with them to school on Wednesday. Please see this Take-Home Chromebook Collection and Summer Storage Letter for more information (English | Spanish).
Locker Clean Out – Also on Wednesday of this week, students will be cleaning out their backpacks and their lockers. 5th through 8th graders may choose to bring an extra bag with them to school on Wednesday to bring home any projects, important school work, or personal belongings that students have been storing in their backpacks or lockers. Lockers will be expected to be empty except for student backpacks following Wednesday’s locker clean out, so thank you for helping your child remember to come prepared to school on Wednesday with a bag if needed. School-issued locks will be collected on the last day of school. If your child has lost their school-issued lock they will need to provide the school with a $10 check to pay for the lock.
8th Grade Graduation – We officially graduate the 8th grade class of 2023 from the Kentfield School District on Friday, June 16 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on the Kent Field. All families and community members are welcome to join us to celebrate our graduating students. Family and friends who are not able to attend our graduation in person may watch the ceremony through a live stream link on the Kent Middle School website starting at 2:15 p.m. this Friday. We wish our graduating 8th grade students the absolute best in High School and beyond!
Third Trimester Report Cards – Third trimester report cards will be available for student and parent review in Aeries on Friday, June 16 at 4 p.m. In order to access your child’s report card please open the Aeries Family Portal, click "Grades," then click "Report Card History," then click your preferred language next to the text "Trimester Three Report Card." We intend for these reports to illuminate your child’s progress with essential learnings this year, as well as to highlight areas of strength and continued challenge.
Summer Reading List – Please check out our summer reading lists for each grade level! 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!
Thank you for another incredible year of teaching, learning, and community at Kent Middle School. We appreciate the support of our parent/guardian community in so many ways and sincerely value our partnership in educating your children.
Congratulations on completing another successful year, Falcons; have a great summer!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Kent Lost & Found
As the year winds down, please make sure your student checks the lost and found before they leave school on Friday. All remaining items will be donated.
Technology Return Reminders
8th Grade Graduation
Please join our Kentfield School District community as we celebrate our graduating 8th grade class of 2023!
Friday, June 16th, 2023 - Graduation begins at 2:30 p.m., and 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 around 2:15 p.m. Please share our Kent livestream link to any family/friends who may like to experience this event!
- Graduation Night Dance and Celebration, 7:30 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!
Upcoming Dates
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
- Last day to retrieve lost and found items.
- 8th Grade Graduation begins at 2:30 p.m., and seating begins at 1:45 p.m., Kent Middle School Field (see graduation section above for more information)
- Graduation Night Dance and Celebration, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
KIK News
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL REACHED!
We did it! We have officially exceeded the $1M fundraising goal for the 2022-2023 school year! The proceeds from our Spring Auction have put us over the $1M mark. Thank you to all of the families who have contributed to the Family Giving campaign and participated in our Spring Auction.
Our annual $1M commitment goes directly into the school district's budget to fund enrichment programs for our kids including: PE, Art, Music, Library, Drama, Spanish, Coding, Drama, Chorus, Music, Film, Woodshop and more!
Additional funds raised above the $1M commitment will be allocated to high-impact projects and needs in our schools.
- Thank you to the 366 Family Giving Donors to date who are committed to our students and the programs they love!
- Want to join the list? There’s still time to participate:
- DONATE NOW
KIK BUSINESS PARTNERS
Thank you to all of our 2022-2023 Business Partners! KIK Business Partners offer our community a variety of kid-related activities and services. Get ready for fun this summer at any one of your local businesses — tennis, bouncy houses, childcare, sports, academics, and more.
We are grateful for KIK Business Partner support!
DINE & DONATE
Thank You to our wonderful Kent SPRING CONCERTS brought to you by KIK! Every grade put on a wonderful show.
June 5 - Kent Spring Concert: Vocal/Jazz/Rock
June 6 - 5th - Grade Band and Strings
June 7 - 6th Grade Band and Strings
June 8 - Kent 0 Period Band and Orchestra
CONNECT WITH KIK
Love us and Follow us! Get the latest KIK updates!
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KSPTA News
Learn more at kspta.org
Order 2023-2024 School Supplies Today and Support KSD Schools and KSPTA!!!
It's time to order school supplies for next year! Save time, support sustainability, and raise funds that help support school programs such as art, PE, music, and more by ordering online!
Order by June 29 for the best pricing! Please note that this year there is an optional add-on to support our classrooms with additional cleaning supplies.
For more information or to order, click HERE !
Latest Blog Post from Be The Influence
Toxic Stress
When kids go through difficult or traumatic experiences, like losing a parent, getting bullied, or being exposed to violence, it can be very stressful on their minds and bodies. If this stress doesn’t get addressed, it can build up and become toxic, which can lead to lasting challenges and serious health issues.
Learn more about how to toxic stress, its causes, and how you can stop it..
Stay up to date with KSPTA!
Follow kentfieldschoolspta on both Facebook and Instagram
Community News
Summer Camp Tips
Resources and tips on choosing a summer camp experience for your children from Ivette Villarreal, Kentfield School District Community Family Liaison. Read more.
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.
Webinar: Planning for Housing in Marin 2023
Marin's New Homes: Who Decides When, Where, and Why?
Thursday, June 22, 7-8 p.m., Zoom (Spanish interpretation is available.)
- Moderator: Paul A. Jensen, Retired Community Development Director, City of San Rafael
- Sarah Jones, Director of Marin County Community Development Agency
- Barbara E. Kautz, Attorney specializing in housing-related issues and legislation
The purpose of the forum is to provide some clarification on the County planning processes and practices, and the role of these various plans and elements play in the development of formal housing plans for the County.
Marin Public Work Projects
– LANDSCAPING PROJECT –
Please be aware that Marin County Parks will be starting the Sir Francis Drake Landscaping Project in mid-June, which will address medians and entryways along the corridor from Elm Avenue to Eliseo Drive. It is expected to be completed in early fall. The project will add soil and sheet mulching, new drought-tolerant trees, new shrubs, and groundcover plants at key entryways, as well as a smart irrigation system that conserves water.
Work will take place on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will be temporary, partial lane closures between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at least one lane of traffic will be open in each direction at all times. To reduce related traffic impacts, much of the project implementation will be targeted for the summer months when school is not in session. Additional information and traffic impact updates will be provided via Nextdoor as details become available.
- For more information on the Landscaping project, please visit: publicworks.marincounty.org/sir-francis-drake-boulevard-median-landscaping/
– STREET LIGHTING PROJECT –
As of June 6, the new street lights along the medians of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, between Manor Road in Kentfield and Eliseo Drive in Greenbrae, have been turned on. They are operating using photocell sensors to illuminate at night only. Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) staff are monitoring light levels to ensure that all fixtures are functioning at the intended level of brightness to meet the safety needs of the corridor. Adjustments will be made if needed. Concurrently, DPW is addressing the concerns of some residents to mitigate unnecessary light spillover from the new lights. Thank you for your patience as DPW staff handles each unique instance.
Please be aware that Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is an arterial road with an average of 54,000 vehicles driving through this section daily. The street lighting is designed to improve nighttime visibility for the safety of all users of the corridor.
- For more information on the Street Lighting project, please visit: publicworks.marincounty.org/sir-francis-drake-boulevard-street-lighting/
– WOOD & CABLE FENCE –
The sidewalk along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between El Portal Drive and Eliseo Drive meets standards for pedestrian path of travel. The wood and cable fencing along that stretch of sidewalk was installed during the 2021 Upgrade the Drake Project. By design, the fence was strictly intended to limit the possibility of pedestrians, particularly children, stepping out into the street, a concern voiced by residents in the area. The fence was not designed nor intended to be a vehicle barrier, as detailed in the archived website for the completed project: www.upgradethedrake.com/faqs/ (click the "Guardrails & Fencing" topic)
Following public feedback after three vehicle collisions with the fence last fall/winter, DPW worked with an independent traffic engineer to assess whether a vehicle barrier is necessary on that particular stretch of road. Through the process, it has been determined that this portion of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is an arterial road with no unusual design characteristics that would necessitate a vehicle barrier.
DPW has updated pavement striping and reflective delineators at bus pullouts, which are intended to provide improved guidance for motorists. The wood and cable fence will remain in place as intended for the guidance of pedestrians. However, regardless of fencing, pedestrians should always remain aware of their surroundings while walking on any sidewalk and avoid straying into the roadway.
Marin Library Opportunities: Summer Adventure Reading
Books are just the beginning this summer at the Corte Madera Library. Come by the branch to pick up an Adventure Journal to keep track of your reading and other activities. We'll be hosting weekly LEGO clubs, fun retro camp crafts, a programming camp, a marble run engineering challenge, events for teens, and more! But let's talk about books again: stop in for booklists and recommendations for all ages, and ask about getting help with downloading ebooks and audiobooks for those road trips and long flights! Hello Summer!
- Kids (0-12 years) Summer Reading Adventure Flyer in English and Spanish
- Teen Summer Reading Adventure in English and Spanish
2024 DC/Boston Trip
Attention 7th grade parents
Please find all information about the 2024 DC trip, including how to register here. Our trip # is #209308.
Any questions should be referred to Ryan Palmer, Kent 8th grade history teacher at rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org.
Hey, fourth graders! Are you ready for an adventure?
The California State Park Adventure Pass is just for you. See how you can visit some of the most amazing parks in the country with your family and friends — for free.
the California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 19 amazing state parks throughout the state. Mountains, deserts, forests, rivers … the choice of where to visit is yours.
- Learn more About the California State Park Adventure Pass.
- View flyer in English and Spanish.
Youth Ride Free
Public transportation is offering free rides for K-12 youth throughout the summer with the Summer Youth Ride Free Program.
FREE public transit for kids and teens transforms the North Bay into a summer playground.
SMART, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, and Petaluma Transit are offering free rides for K-12 youth throughout the summer (June-August) with the Summer Youth Ride Free Program.
How it works: No passes are necessary to ride, simply show a valid K-12 school or government-issued ID to the conductor when boarding the train or bus. Youth grades 9-12 may use a school ID from the Spring 2023 semester. Youth grades 8 and under, if asked, may present a school ID, or simply tell the conductor their grade and which school they attend. Younger children, under age 5, also ride for free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Healthy Families Marin Home Visiting Program
Offers home visiting for parents of newborns. The program is designed to support parents, share information about child development and parenting, and provide information and referrals to families of infants and young children.
- View flyer in English and Spanish.
- Learn more at www.marinhhs.org/healthy-families-marin-home-visiting.
Crisis Text Support Line
Marin County offers 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.
Help Me Grow Marin
Families can learn about community resources and tools to support their child’s development or family's needs. Whether it be assessing your child’s development, helping to apply for health insurance, or helping with finding a food bank, parenting class, information on child development, or low-cost medical clinic, we are here to help!
- View flyer in English and Spanish.
- Learn more at helpmegrowmarin.org.
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!
California 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