KSD News
It is with great honor and privilege that I welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. Our first days of school have been met with energy and enthusiasm as we come together with a common purpose of learning and connecting as a school community. Our children engaged in school assemblies to set the tone for the year and our teaching staff introduced routines and intentions for classroom learning. Our school district continues to prioritize embracing our diversity, inspiring our learners, and connecting with our community. I hope that you will see those values demonstrated as you visit your child’s classroom/s in the days ahead.
Last week, we held orientations and coffees, new family welcome events, and Back to School Night for TK and Kindergarten families. This week, we host Back to School Night at both Bacich (August 30, 6 p.m.) and Kent (August 31, 5:45 p.m.) as well as a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, August 29, 5 p.m. It will be a busy and important week for parents/guardians as this will be an opportunity to have a glimpse into what you can expect this school year.
Being of service to the Kentfield School District community is an absolute joy — as I am surrounded by stellar staff, incredible students, and dedicated families. I thank you for making the KSD a special place to learn, educate, and grow -let’s make the 2023-2024 school year superb!
Sincerely,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
Volunteer Fingerprinting Opportunity
Wednesday, August 30, 4-6 p.m., Bacich Community Center
In connection with our new Board policy relating to volunteers, all field trip drivers and overnight field trip chaperones are required to submit a Live Scan fingerprint report. If you anticipate that you may be volunteering to drive or chaperone on field trips this year or in the future please get fingerprinted now to ensure that you will be able to participate in trips throughout the year (and beyond). You will not be required to get re-fingerprinted every year.
Please sign up below for a slot on one of the days, or feel free to walk in for fingerprinting during any of the three sessions. If you are not able to attend one of these sessions, you can obtain a Live Scan fingerprint by taking the KSD Live Scan form to an authorized Live Scan center. Please visit the KSD Volunteer Portal to download the form and find a list of authorized centers. The report will be forwarded to our office by the Live Scan center.
For full details on volunteer categories, requirements, and instructions on how to fulfill requirements visit the KSD Volunteer Portal.
Make Every Day Count!
Over the last number of years, chronic absenteeism has become a more prevalent issue across the state and county, in large part due to COVID. As our schools return to operating in a more typical fashion we want to reiterate the importance of children being at school every day on time and ready to learn.
This year, the KSD will be reaching out to families early and often to reinforce the importance of school attendance.
If or when we see patterns of tardies and/or absences of students we will intervene in an effort to work together to mitigate and resolve the issue. The KSD will be providing families with specific thresholds of absences and/or tardies that may lead to a letter, a phone call, a conference, and/or a school attendance review board hearing. Through working in partnership to eliminate truancy and absenteeism we are confident we can subside attendance issues and support our children being at school regularly and ready to learn. Together, we can support our children to reach their full potential by having them at school. We are certain they will be able to positively soar academically and socially.
New Universal Meals Program
The KSD’s new Universal Meals Program launched last week and we served between 175-250 students per school site each day. We appreciate your support in this new partnership and we look forward to continuing to operate a productive and nutritious program for our KSD students.
The September menu is posted and can be accessed here. We have also made the Free and Reduced Lunch Applications available on our KSD websites here and/or you can pick up a form at either school office (Bacich or Kent).
It is important that qualified families complete this application even with the universal meal program implementation. Completing the Free and Reduced Lunch Application may help provide the Kentfield School District with funding and qualify students for individual benefits such as:
- State and Federal Funding for School Budgets
- Qualify students for individual benefits such as P-EBT Eligibility
- Qualify students for other individual site-based benefits such as suggested school supplies, yearbooks at no cost, etc.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Do you have a safe travel plan ready for back to school?
If you haven't checked out our NEW suggested safe routes to school maps for Bacich and Kent at the top of the Safe Routes section of the KSD website yet, now is the time! In particular, we encourage you to carefully review our Neighborhood's Safety Tips on page 2 with your entire family (and all caregivers) and What parents should know about e-bike safety.
Our neighborhood-focused program advocates for green travel alternatives and addresses traffic safety at our schools. The goal of our program is to offer students safer and greener alternatives to get to and from school.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Improvements
Marin County Public Works' collaborative project with Marin County Parks to replant trees along the median of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard continues to progress on schedule.
PROJECT UPDATE: With the academic school year starting back up next week, we're adjusting the weekday lane closure times. Starting Monday, August 21, until the end of the project (expected October 2023) the lane closure hours will be 10:00AM to 3:00PM on weekdays. There will still always be at least one lane open in each direction.
For more information on this project, please visit: bit.ly/SFDBreplanting
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
- Bacich Picture Day
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m., Kent Middle School Library
Wednesday, August 30
- Kent Full School Day - Late Release
- Finger Printing Session for Volunteers, 4-6 p.m., Bacich Community Center, sign up here
- Bacich Back to School Night, 6-7 p.m.
Thursday, August 31, 2023
- Kent Back to School Night, 5:45-8:30 p.m.
Friday, September 1, 2023
- Kent Minimum Day
Monday, September 4, 2023
- Labor Day – No School
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
- Family Partners Meeting, 9-10 am, District Office
- DELAC meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Bacich Elementary Library
September 6-8, 2023: Bacich Intake Conferences & 5th Grade Intake Conferences - see school site sections for minimum day release schedule.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
- Kent: Last day to register for Bye Bye Birdie
Friday, September 8, 2023
- KSPTA General meeting, 8:30-10 a.m. Bacich IDEA studio
- Kent: Singing and Acting Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- Kent: Dance and Movement Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie – Optional, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Deadline to submit your name for District Commitee selection. Please use this form.
- Bacich Family Pizza & Games Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bacich Community Center
Updated Newsletter Format Coming Soon!
Beginning in September 2023 KSD will approach the weekly newsletter a bit differently. Families/guardians can continue to expect regular communication from the KSD, although we will alternate community messages by offering bi-monthly district newsletters and site newsletters via ParentSquare. This shift in practice is an effort to increase regular readership and streamline communications. We hope you will find this shift beneficial and more efficient when accessing district and/or site information.
Community Engagement - KSD Committee Solicitation
Are you interested in learning more about the KSD Operations? If so, please join one or more of our KSD Board Committees. Committees typically meet four times a year and offer advice on issues ranging from communications, equity and inclusion, safety, finance, and technology.
Please see the chart below for more information regarding each of these committees. We welcome you to join one of these groups as a committee member by submitting your name HERE by September 8.
Next Regular KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, August 29, at 5 p.m., Kent Middle School Library
Here is a link to where you can find the agenda once posted. Access to the meeting will be in person or via 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
District Committees
- DELAC meeting, Tuesday, September 5, 5-6:30 p.m., Bacich Elementary Library
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Families,
The start of the school year has been truly remarkable. Our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition into the classroom for our new and returning students. From the enthusiastic arrival of students and families on campus each morning to the lively classroom “get to know you” activities, the positive energy is palpable.
New Social Emotional Learning Curriculum
We are excited to implement a new social emotional learning curriculum called The Toolbox Project. Staff attended a training prior to the first day of school and we are excited to begin teaching the twelve tools to our students. This program is a research based curriculum that builds and strengthens students’ capacities for resiliency and empathy. Over the coming weeks and months, Bacich students will learn the 12 tools through stories, fun projects, role play activities, class discussions and activities to share at home. For additional information about the principals of The Toolbox Project and to see a list of the 12 tools, please use this link to read more.
Reading Instruction at Bacich
Our staff also participated in several professional development workshops and institutes this summer related to reading instruction. We are working toward implementing a more structured literacy approach to reading instruction at Bacich. This research-based approach is designed to support students of all abilities in developing strong reading and writing skills. Structured literacy is founded on a systematic and explicit teaching method that helps students grasp the complexities of language and reading. As part of this effort, we are excited to announce that Bacich teacher Yvonne McCord will serve as both an ELD teacher and a Literacy Coach to support our students with language development and literacy skills and to support our teachers as we implement improved teaching strategies.
Math Pilot and New Math Intervention Curriculum
We are also excited to be piloting three math curriculum this school year. Several teachers will participate in the pilot. Please refer to the Bacich Math Pilot letter sent separately via Parent Square for more information. We will also implement a new math intervention curriculum called Do the Math, which emphasizes using numerical reasoning to find the best strategy for solving a problem. Two teachers at each grade level were recently trained and will use this program during grade level WIN (What I Need) time. WIN is a block in our schedule when students work in groups to receive differentiated instruction based on what they need. This is a time for both intervention and extension lessons and it is supported by both teachers and paraprofessionals.
I look forward to updating you on these exciting new programs as the year progresses. I hope you will mark your calendars for the first Bacich Principal Chat on Monday, September 11 from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. in the Bacich Library.
Warm regards,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
Bacich Lead Room Parents / Art For Bears Coordinator Sign Up
KSPTA is searching for Bacich Lead Room Parents and Art For Bears Coordinators for each classroom.
To view full details of each role and to sign up, click here.
Minimum Days September 6-8
Due to parent-teacher intake conferences, we will have minimum days September 6-8.
- TK/Kindergarten - 12 p.m. dismissal
- Ist and 2nd - 12:15 p.m. dismissal
- 3rd and 4th - 12:30 p.m. dismissal
Bacich Library - New Blog Post!
Don't miss the latest edition of Ms. Warnicks Bacich Books Buzz blog post! Learn how Bacich students are engaging with the library and discover opportunities to volunteer in the Bacich Library.
P.S. Did You Know that September is Library Card Sign-up Month? Be sure to get one at one of our local public libraries!
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
2023-2024 Bacich Bell Schedule
- Tuesday, August 29: Bacich Picture Day
- Wednesday, August 30: Bacich Back to School Night, 6-7 p.m.
- September 6-8: Minimum Days (see release schedule in announcements above)
Kent Falcons News
Dear Kent Middle School Families,
Last week the Kent Middle School campus came back to life with the triumphant return of our Falcon students and staff. Positive energy and optimistic anticipation abound throughout lively classrooms and bustling school halls as the 2023-2024 school year awaits with promise and possibility. Your Kent staff will work daily to support all students to achieve their fullest academic, social, and creative potential. Let’s fly Falcons!
At our beginning-of-school assembly last week Ms. Holmes and I introduced a school year where we will all strive to reach high, work hard, and be kind daily. We asked all students to consider what helps to establish a sense of belonging in a community. We shared quotes from our 8th grade student leadership team about what they have come to learn about belonging and our shared commitment to creating a school community where all members feel that important sense of connection. We are committed to creating a school environment where everyone feels safe to challenge themselves while reaching high, they feel supported to persevere while working hard, and that we all give and receive kindness daily. We look forward to sharing more about what our 8th grade student leaders taught their peers as a part of our Back to School Night community gathering at 6 p.m. this Thursday evening.
Speaking of Back to School Night, please plan to join us this Thursday evening at Kent for this annual beginning-of-school event! Please see the notes below with details for your participation.
- Parking will be available to community members in the Kent driveway, and also behind the Gymnasium (take a right at the end of the driveway) or at College of Marin in lot #6 or #7 (directly across College Ave. from Kent. Please put a note that says Kent Back to School Night in your dash.
- At the end of the school day on Thursday, students will complete this Back to School Night schedule and will be asked to give this to parents/guardians to help them navigate the event. Linked here is a school map for your reference, maps will also be available on campus that evening.
- Physical Education uniforms will be available for purchase from T&B Sports in front of the Kent office for the full duration of the event, and can also be purchased from T&B Sports in San Rafael following the event.
- Learning Center and Zero Period Music presentations begin at 5:45 p.m.
- Ms. Holmes, a variety of school and community partners, and I will be addressing our school community at a gathering in the lunch plaza starting at 6 p.m.
- Starting at 6:50 p.m., families will follow their students’ 1st through 7th period schedule for 10-minute presentations per class and 5-minute passing periods, concluding at 8:30 p.m.
- Back to School Night is a parent-only event, with no supervision available for children while the event is in session.
In closing, we are thrilled to offer the second year of musical theater at Kent, with this fall’s performance of Bye Bye Birdie Youth Edition. Any student in 5th through 8th grades can participate in this musical theater experience, with shows planned for early November. Tryouts will be held on September 8 and 10, and registration closes on September 6. Please register your child through this link if they’re interested in participating in the show. Thank you to Kentfield Invests in Kids for their support of musical theater at our school!
Let’s have an incredible year of learning ahead!
In partnership,
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Fall Athletic Tryout Information
Heads-up, parents of Falcon Athletes! Please note the following tryout dates and information for Fall sports at Kent.
Flag football: Wednesday, September 6, from 4-5 p.m. on the big field. Grades 6, 7 and 8.
6th grade girls volleyball: Monday, September 11 from 3:45-5 p.m., gym.
7th grade girls volleyball: Tuesday, September 5 from 4-5 p.m. AND Wednesday, September 6 from 2-3 p.m., gym.
8th grade girls volleyball: Thursday, September 7 from 4:30-6 p.m., gym.
Cross Country starts on Tuesday, August 29, and is open to all grades. Runners meet outside of room 30 and practice from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The season runs from Tuesday, August 29th through the end of October. Contact KentSchoolCrossCountry@gmail.com with questions.
Game times/meets and practices are to be determined.
Kent Lunch Volunteers Needed
The KSPTA is helping the Kent administration find lunch volunteers for the first two weeks of school and we need your help! Multiple days would be ideal to ensure ease of training, but it is not necessary. The time slots give a 20-minute buffer to allow for setup and quick training.
- Sign up here
Thank you for volunteering!
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, August 29: Cross Country starts, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 30: Kent Full School Day - Late Release
Thursday, August 31: Kent Back to School Night, 5:45*-8:30 p.m.
- Learning Center and Zero Period Music presentations begin at 5:45 p.m.
- Community gathering begins at 6 p.m.
Friday, September 1: Kent Minimum Day
Tuesday, September 5: 7th grade girls volleyball tryouts, 4-5 p.m., gym
September 6-8: 5th Grade Intake Conferences
Wednesday, September 6
- Kent: Last day to register for Bye Bye Birdie
- 7th grade girls volleyball tryouts, 2-3 p.m., gym
- Flag football tryouts, 4-5 p.m. on the big field. Grades 6, 7 and 8.
Thursday, September 7: 8th grade girls volleyball tryouts, 4:30-6 p.m., gym
Friday, September 8: Bye Bye Birdie Auditions
- Singing and Acting, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- Dance and Movement – Optional, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
KIK News
WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS & FAMILIES!
KIK wishes KSD students and families a great start to the 2023-2024 school year!
- As we start this school year, we want to thank all of our family and business donors who continue to support critical programs like Art, Music, STEM, Drama, PE, and more, for our kids.
- KIK is proud to support our students as we raise over $1 Million this year!
WHAT IS KIK?
KIK (Kentfield Invests in Kids) is our community’s non-profit Kentfield Schools Foundation that has been raising funds for the Kentfield School District for over 40 years
- Powered by parent volunteers, KIK raises over $1M each year that directly contributes to the KSD School Budget
- KIK’s annual commitment to the district directly funds enrichment programs at Bacich and Kent Schools including Art, Music, PE, Library, and STEM
- Most of KIK’s funding comes from your family donations
- With these funds, the district is able to maintain its high-quality standards of education, including low class sizes and numerous, engaging enrichments
Your participation counts! Please consider donating today — THANK YOU!
Kent Fall Musical - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
KIK is proud to present the 2nd annual Kent Middle School musical, Bye Bye Birdie. Every Kent Middle School student has the opportunity to participate in this after-school enrichment program.
We are excited to announce this year we have Marissa Joy Ganz as the director & choreographer, a highly experienced and respected actor/director/choreographer/educator.
Our goal is to establish the Kent Musical as a top-notch theater educational experience for our Kent Falcons for years to come. Register here
Performance Dates: November 3 & 4
Audition Dates: September 8 & 10
Rehearsals Begin: September 12
Registration Deadline: September 6
KIK EVENTS
OCT 1 - KIK Family Fun Day - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Join us for Carnival Games, Jumpees, Music, Cake Spin and more!
NOV 3 & 4 - Kent Fall Musical production of Bye Bye Birdie
KIK BUSINESS PARTNERS
WOODLANDS MARKET is proud to be a long-time supporter of the KIK.
- Woodlands is your local, family-owned, independent grocery store and has been committed to being an essential part of the community.
- Make life simpler and order your Woodlands deli sandwiches and more online!
FUEL 24:7 | SHINEOLOGY CAR WASH
- For every gallon of gas sold at Fuel 24:7, a percentage is donated to Bacich and Kent. While you fill up, check out their Minute Mart.
Check out Shineology Car Wash for gas, a great car wash & detail.
DINE & DONATE
ORDER EVERY TUESDAY - $50 Dine & Donate
Left Bank KIK Family Meals — 20% of proceeds go to KIK. Opt in for a weekly order reminder. Last year we raised over $5000! Menus coming soon.
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
Next Meeting: Friday, September 8, 8:30-10 a.m., Bacich IDEA studio
Bacich Family Pizza & Games Night
Friday. September 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Bacich Community Center
Kent Lunch Volunteers Needed
The KSPTA is helping the Kent administration find lunch volunteers for the first two weeks of school and we need your help! Multiple days would be ideal to ensure ease of training, but it is not necessary. The time slots give a 20-minute buffer to allow for setup and quick training.
- Sign up here
Thank you for volunteering!
We are excited to have Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC, present to us on Wednesday, September 27, from 9-10 a.m. at the Kent Library. This session is relevant for parents with current or soon-to-be middle schoolers and will cover helping kids make smart, ethical decisions, and raising and educating emotionally healthy tweens and teens.
Phyllis is a nationally board-certified counselor at a school in Maryland, a psychotherapist who works with children and teens in private practice, and an author and journalist. She is the author of Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help, and Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times.
Phyllis is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and freelances for publications such as Psychology Today, CNN, Working Mother, U.S. News & World Report, and Your Teen. Her ideas have been shared in outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Edutopia, Mindshift, Chicago Tribune, and NPR. She has three children and lives in Bethesda, Maryland.
Links to pre-order books from Book Passage are below. Make sure to put KENT MIDDLE SCHOOL in the Comments field when ordering. Pre-ordering via these links will end on Friday, Sept. 15. Phyllis will be able to sign books after her presentation.
Finally, please indicate in an anonymous form if you’d like translation services at the event by September 13.
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.
The ArKIDecture Academy
In this after-school STEAM class, students will learn architectural history, drawing techniques, and design strategies through drawing, construction, and discussion. Please visit www.thearkidectureacademy.com to hold your spot!
Tuesdays 2-2:45 p.m. (12 weeks $300) Kindergarten
Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 p.m. (12 weeks $595) 1-4th grade
Thursdays 3-4 p.m. (12 weeks $420) 3-4th grade
Scholarships available!
DC Trip Meeting
Attention 8th grade parents! The Fall DC Trip parent meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Kent Library. In the meantime, 8th graders can pick up registration flyers in room 30 at Kent or sign up at worldstrides.org with the trip ID: #209308! Questions? Contact Ryan Palmer at rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org.
Sloat Garden Center Growing up Green Week: September 1-10.
Sloat Garden Center's Growing Up Green fundraising program is a fantastic opportunity for Bay Area schools to earn Sloat Garden Center gift cards. If you plan to shop at Sloat Garden Center during Growing Up Green week, please mention Bacich or Kent to the cashier and our schools will get credit towards a gift card. These gift cards help support our classroom garden programs. Thank you for your support!
Download your Growing Up Green flyer in English and Spanish
Download your Growing Up Green flyer in English and Spanish.
Parenting a Dysregulated Child Support Group
A support group for parents of children ages 5 to 9.
A place for parents to connect with other parents who are coping with similar issues. We will share resources, learn some skills, and get practical support for the challenges and frustrations of day-to-day life with a child who is dysregulated.
What: This group will create a safe space for parents raising children who are highly reactive, have difficulty cooperating, and/or. become upset or overwhelmed easily. Each session will include a 15-minute topic introduction, followed by a discussion.
When and Where: This group will meet in person in Corte Madera for eight Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Who: The group will be limited to 8 people. It will be facilitated by Dr. Julie Maccarin (childpsychologymarin.com)
Contact: julie@childpsychologymarin.com
Field Hockey Fall Season Registration Open
Golden Gate Rippers, a North Bay field hockey and lacrosse club in the North Bay for grades 5-12 with all skill levels welcome.
Find out more:
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.
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!
Marin Health Hubs
Health hubs provide 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 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