Kentfield School District

November 16th, 2020

Kentfield School District News

IMPORTANT Information on Hybrid Instruction. Please be sure to read the Bacich and Kent Principal Updates.

Bacich News Kent News

Board Letter to the Community, 11/12, 2020 Board Statement, 11/10/2020

KIK News KSPTA News Community News

Dear Kentfield School Community,

On Thursday, November 12, KSD launched Hybrid Instruction and had the opportunity to implement many new protocols and procedures (Bacich and Kent) to keep our students and staff as safe as possible. This week we will continue to welcome students to campus and monitor the implementation of our daily safety and instructional procedures as they become more routine for our school community.

Planning for the Holidays: Celebrate Safely

During last week’s November 10th KSD Board Meeting the Board determined the weeks of Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2020 and Jan. 4 - 8, 2021 would each be Distance Learning only weeks. This decision was based on Public Health guidance related to holiday travel and the recognition that families may choose to gather and travel outside of the Bay Area during the holiday season. KSD made this proactive decision in an effort to help families and staff plan and also to ensure a safer return to Hybrid instruction following holidays/breaks.

Below are key dates for the coming weeks:

Nov. 18: District Wide Distance Learning Only & COVID-19 Testing at Bacich School
Nov. 19-20; 23-24: Hybrid Instruction Districtwide
Nov. 25-27:* Thanksgiving Break - Please follow the Public Health Guidance guidance for staying safe from COVID-19 during the holidays.
Nov. 30: Students/parents may be asked to pick up Distance Learning Materials from school sites
Dec. 3: Districtwide COVID-19 Testing for all staff at both sites. Per Public Health families are encouraged to have their child(ren) tested on this day or prior to returning for school based learning. The sign up for testing at district sites will be forthcoming
Dec. 7: Resume Hybrid Instruction

KSD & KTA MOU Update

The KSD and KTA will be coming together on Thursday, Nov. 19th to address components of the current MOU which inform educational programming for our school community. An update on the negotiation session will be provided as soon as possible.

Marin County - Containing the Spread

On Friday, Nov. 13 Marin County Public Health Officer, Dr. Matt Willis, announced a plan to issue an order to tighten restrictions in our county to limit further spread of COVID-19. Effective Nov. 17th we will see various business sectors in our community following Tier II-Red guidelines of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. As this situation continues to unfold, KSD administration is monitoring updates from our local and state public health in order to determine any implications for the Kentfield School District.

The last number of weeks have been challenging and rewarding as we have welcomed our staff and students back to our school sites. In a season that highlights thanks and gratitude I continue to be appreciative of the dedication of the KSD staff and school community. We all have a common goal of educating our children. By working through differences and staying focused on our collective work I am confident we will emerge from this historical time stronger and more resilient.

Stay Well,

Superintendent Signature



Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org

Upcoming Events

*For security, Zoom links and passwords for events are not posted on the District website, and are sent through ParentSquare.

Daily: Virtual Crossing Guard with Ms. Stephens, 7:55-8:30 a.m., Zoom

Monday, November 16, 2020

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

  • Distance learning for all students
  • COVID-19 Testing, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Bacich

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

  • Trimester 1 ends

November 25-27, 2020: Thanksgiving Holiday

November 30-December 4, 2020: Distance learning for all learners

Monday, November 30, 2020

  • Trimester 2 begins

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Monday, December 7, 2020

Wednesday, December 8, 2020

Thursday, December 9, 2020


District Announcements

COVID-19 Testing at Bacich School – November 18, 2020

The Kentfield School Districts is hosting COVID-19 Testing at Bacich School on Wednesday, November 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This opportunity is open and optional to the Kentfield-Greenbrae community.

  • Testing Paperwork & Testing Scheduler
  • Sign-ups closed on November 13, 2020.
  • December 3, 2020: Next districtwide testing date. COVID-19 Testing for all staff at both sites. Per Public Health families are encouraged to have their child(ren) tested on this day or prior to returning for school based learning. The sign up for testing at district sites will be forthcoming

COVID-19 Update

Discover local case rates, trends, demographics, and resources to stay up to date with the status of COVID-19 in Marin at the Marin Recovers and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Surveillance Update websites.


Book Donation to support Virtual Author’s Visit

Would you like to help spread the message of acceptance? Bacich students will have the opportunity to attend a school wide webinar on Dec. 3, 2020 with the author Michael Tyler. Students will create bookmarks to be delivered along with the donated books to underfunded schools in our community and the Bay Area. Please consider donating a copy of Michael Tyler’s picture book: The Skin You Live In

Thank you for your help and support!

The Bacich Social Justice Team

Save the Date!

Kentfield School District Budget 101

  • December 16, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar–link will be forthcoming.


School Board & District Committees

Safe Routes to School

Learn how to get to school safely with these tips for Hybrid Instruction. (English | Spanish)

Parents/students should avoid the Laurel Grove intersection and the South side of SFD between Laurel Grove and McAllister this week (11/16-11/20). Work should be completed this week and open next week (11/23).

Path is now open between Manor Road and Wolfe Grade and overpass is accessible. On Thursday and Friday of this week (11/19 and 11/20), additional work is planned (metal beam guardrail work at the northeast corner of Wolfe Grade) and area should be avoided.

Bacich News

Bacich Hybrid Instruction Schedule:

Cohort A2: Monday and Tuesday, November 16 and 17

All cohorts distance learning: Wednesday, November 18

Cohort B1: Thursday and Friday, November 19 and 20

Cohort B2: Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24

Thanksgiving Break: Weds., Thurs., Fri., November 25, 26, 27

Distance learning for all learners: November 30-December 4

**Students who have selected ALL distance learning will follow their current instructional schedule and attend their Zoom class daily beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Bacich Library Check Out and Curbside Pick Up

  • Please email the titles you want to check out to Librarian Ms. Warnick (swarnick@kentfieldschools.org).
  • Curbside pick up available every Friday in front of the Bacich Office.
  • The books will be placed in plastic bags with your names on them on a cart.
  • See the library blog for instructions on how to access the Alexandria Library Catalog to look for books.
  • Please return books on Friday in the red plastic bin labeled, "Return Bacich Library Books Here" in front of the office.

Bacich Yearbook

Photos can be submitted to bacichyearbook2021@gmail.com. Please follow the instructions below when sending your photos.

  • The images must be .jpg, .png, or .tif files and must be at least 300ppi resolution.
  • Please provide the following information with each image:
    • FIRST NAME and LAST NAME for the main student featured in the image (or the left-most person).
    • Grade of student(s) in photo.
    • Description.
    • Additional names separated by commas.

Kent News

Kent Hybrid Instruction Schedule:

November 12th (Thu.), 13th (Fri.), 16th (Mon.), and 17th (Tue.): Cohort A will report for in person learning, while Cohort B and Distance Learning Only (Z) learns from home.

November 18th (Wed.): All students will distance learn following a typical Wednesday schedule.

November 19th (Thu.), 20th (Fri.), 23rd (Mon.), and 24th (Tue.): Cohort B will report for in person learning, while Cohort A and Distance Learning Only (Z) learns from home.

November 30-December 4, 2020: Distance learning for all learners


Kent Counselors Wellness Hub: Easily access resources to help navigate this challenging time. The Counselors at Kent Middle School are here for you!


Kent Library News

Got Books?!

If you have recently added some new book fair books to your shelf, it's likely you have some books to give away! If so, bring them to Kent for our book bags! We will be accepting new and gently used books for students in grades 5-8 to add to our grab bags of books. Thanks to all who have donated already. I estimate that we have given away over 500 books already! Wow!

Curbside Pick Up!!

If your child would like to check out a book from the Kent library, they may do so by emailing me at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. I will pull the book, if it's available, and it will be on the cart by the gate with your child's name on it for one week. Returns can go on the same cart. Thanks!

All School Read Ahead!

In January, right after winter break, we will begin reading our all school read book for 2021, This Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equity. You may purchase this title through the Book Passage or the store of your choosing or check it out of the Kent library or your local public library. Students will be reading the book with their homeroom classes and are not required to have a book in hand, as we will be providing opportunities for listening to the book and in-class discussion. I do recommend you purchase a copy, as it's an incredible true story for the whole family. You can find more information here. On January 25th, we will welcome the authors Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy for a virtual visit!

Author Visit Ahead for Grades 6-8

On December 3rd, we will welcome authors Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs, authors of the Darkdeep series, for a virtual visit for grades 6-8. Thank you to Books Inc. and our KSD book fair team for organizing this special event!

Book of the Day Welcomes Submissions for Squawk Talk

Does your child have a book they just read that they can't wait to tell others about? Have them create their own Book of the Day segment for our daily Kent podcast, Squawk Talk! They can use this script to create their content and then record using a phone or an online tool like Vocaroo. Segments should be around one minute and can be emailed to me at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. What are you reading?


Kent Yearbook Information

www.yearbookordercenter.com - code 7587

  • For ordering help, call The Yearbook Order Center toll free at 866-287-3096 or email us at yearbookordercenter@herffjones.com. The Yearbook Order Center is open Monday through Friday, 8-a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST).
  • Llama al 866-287-3096 si necesitas un operador en español.

KIK News

For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish

HEY, KIDS! SUBMIT TO KIK KIDS’ GRATITUDE JOURNAL

KIK is hosting its first ever, online Kids’ Gratitude Journal as we’d love to hear what our students are thankful for — now more than ever!

Submit your entry to this free event no later than Tuesday, November 24 by noon.

AS EASY AS PUMPKIN PIE!

  • Each submission will get an entry into a drawing to win one of six delicious Pumpkin Pies from SusieCakes.
  • Pies will be delivered to winners’ front door (no contact, of course) on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 — just in time for Thanksgiving. Can’t get any sweeter than that!

Get Kids’ Gratitude Journal details, Submit Today

SCHOOLSRULE MARIN + KIK PARTNER TO HELP FUND AIR PURIFIERS

SchoolsRule-Marin is a coalition that raises funds for all public school students in Marin, and our Bacich and Kent kids are beneficiaries.

Through the SchoolsRule Marin partnership, KIK has been able to help fund Covid-19 safety-related equipment and support above and beyond what has already been provided by the state, county and district.

With SchoolsRule, KIK is helping to fund HEPA Air Purifiers for every classroom at Bacich and Kent. Thank you, SchoolsRule Marin!

Learn more about SchoolsRule Marin

TUES 11/17 - KIK FAMILY MEALS WITH LEFT BANK, 20% TO KIK

Every Tuesday Left Bank will create a special family dinner for $50 and donate 20% back to KIK. Order now for pickup on Tuesday.

  • Nov 17: BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes, salad verte, mac & cheese
  • Nov 24: 4 chicken & 4 shrimp kabobs with hummus, flat bread, rice pilaf, greek salad

Order online and select “KIK Family Meal”. The upcoming menus are posted on our website. Thank you!

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for updates on menus and reminders.

For any questions, please email events@kikschools.org.

WOODLANDS MARKET IS COOKING UP THANKSGIVING

Turkey and stuffing and pie, oh my! Need help with Thanksgiving prep? Let Woodlands Market do it for you.

Woodlands is taking Thanksgiving Menu orders Monday-Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm. Final day to place orders is Sunday, 11/22 by 5p. Call 415-578-0680.

See Thanksgiving Menu.

Find more KIK business partners in the KIK Business Partners Directory.

Thank you for supporting local businesses that support our kids!

ANNUAL COMMITMENT REPORT

KIK raises dollars toward the $1M Annual Commitment to help fund our Bacich and Kent schools. Various fundraising initiatives combine to fill this commitment to our students and schools including Family Giving, Spring Auction Event, and Partners for Education.

Get details on the $1M Annual Commitment.

ANNUAL COMMITMENT Fundraising Status : $281,885 / $1M GOAL

DONATE ONLINE TODAY

FAMILY GIVING FUNDRAISING — LET’S KIK THIS TOGETHER!

Family Giving donations contribute the largest portion—about 88%—of the $1M Annual Commitment to our schools. These funds are direct donations from our school families that help support educational opportunities and programs benefiting all Bacich and Kent students.

Learn how KIK is Committed to Kids.

THANK YOU, 2020-21 DONORS!

See Current Donor “Wall”

KSPTA News

Next General KSPTA Meeting: Monday, December 7, 2020, 7-8:30 p.m.

  • Kentfield families and members will receive the Zoom link and password. If you do not receive the link, please contact info@kspta.org.

Parent Education: Parenting in the Pandemic

Best selling author of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, Julie King,

  • For parents of Bacich aged kids: December 3, 2020, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
  • For parents of Kent aged kids: December 10, 2020, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Zoom link to come via ParentSquare.
  • Click here for more info!

Good news — existing Good Eggs customers can now help us meet our fundraising goals!

For the month of November, every order placed by a customer with the code bacichelemtday will earn us $5. (That's on top of the $25 we'll earn when new customers use the code bachichelem at check out).

  • Note: there is no $ off for existing customers, but we still appreciate you using our code to give us money back!

So if you already love Good Eggs and their absurdly fresh groceries, now's the perfect time to snag your holiday groceries. Their Thanksgiving pre-order starts November 4th and their culinary team is cooking up all sorts of seasonal surprises, kits, and prepared foods to enjoy with your family (or your bubble). You can use the code bacichelemtday on every order you place during the month; just remember to add it on the check-out page.

Fine print: The code will expire at the end of November – so get your orders in this month! Good Eggs is also unable to retroactively add the code to your orders. Promo codes cannot be combined.

Thank You New PTA Members!

Thank you to those of you who joined during our Membership Month! There’s still time to join and support our schools.

Become a member today!

KSPTA is proud to support Be The Influence!

To get up to speed and be in-the-know about adolescent substance use in Marin, consider joining Be the Influence (BTI), a parent education and support program on adolescent substance use in Marin. It started at Redwood High School and now has spread to all public and independent middle and high schools in Marin.

Check out their website and consider joining other Kentfield parents to be in-the-know and get effective parenting tips. You can make an optional BTI Parent Agreement or simply sign up to receive their bi-monthly newsletters Here is their October newsletter with the latest information on vaping and a November virtual parent education event. You may also follow BTI on Facebook. It’s never too early to get educated and start talking with your child about this important topic!

Help our schools get ready for in-person learning when the time comes!

As our district strives to bring more students back on campus, there will likely be tasks that parent volunteers can help complete. If you are willing to help out, please fill out the volunteer form (English and Spanish), and you will be put on a list that the school staff will tap for jobs as they come up. The majority of to-do's will be done at home on the volunteer's own schedule, but there may be some opportunities to help on campus at designated times.

Thank you in advance for raising your hand to help get our students back to school!

New School Lunch Program with School Foodies

Order online, pick up at Kent for the week. Choose which weeks you order, and order for the whole family!

Distance Learning Resources at KSPTA

We are committed to supporting the Bacich and Kent communities with programs like the expanded Buddy System and more.

Visit the distance learning resources page to learn more. Suggestions and ideas are welcome at info@kspta.org.

Connect with KSPTA!

Community News

2021 Season Registration Now Open

Ross/Kentfield/Greenbrae division of Marin Girls Softball for players aged 5-15.

Fire Season and Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Update

Join Katie Rice, Mark Brown, Executive Officer of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), and former Deputy Fire Chief Marin County Fire, for an update on fire season 2020 as well as an update on the work of MWPA, including the mission/goals, the projects/programs throughout the County and importantly the local projects planned in the Ross Valley.

Parent Education: Parenting to Support Our Teens

Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 7 p.m.

In the third of six virtual community discussions that follow the chapters of Let's Talk: A toolkit for navigating teen substance use in Marin County, we will look closely at “Parenting to Support our Teen.”

The event moderator, Jaclynn Davis, authored the Let's Talk booklet. She received her Masters in Public Health and Social Work, and now focuses on adolescent health and youth development through her work with Huckleberry Youth Programs, local school districts, and teaching at Dominican University.

Guest expert, Jennifer Taylor, is the Founder of JET ED Consulting, a therapeutic academic consultation and consulting service. She is the Board Chair of the Therapeutic Consulting Association, a Board Member of Sky’s The Limit Fund and Founder of the Marin Chapter of Willows in the Wind. She volunteers with Horse Buddies, Bread & Roses and does pro bono work for Saving Teens. Ms. Taylor is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of San Francisco School of Law.

We will also hear from Laurie Dubin, the founder of Be the Influence - A parenting program which seeks to delay adolescent substance use and reduce rates of binge drinking, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and other drug use in our communities. An attorney who retired from the practice of law to raise her three children (who all attended Redwood High School), Laurie graduated from The University of Michigan with a B.A. in Political Science and received a J.D. from Tulane Law School.

Sophie Taubman will share the youth perspective on this topic. Sophie is a Senior at HS 1327 and is a member of the Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships Youth Advisory Council. She is interested in studying Public Health, and specifically appreciates opportunities to involve herself in her local community. Sophie was instrumental in organizing the two documentary screenings for our community this year, The First Day Filmand Alcohol: The Magic Potion.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. We hope you can join us.

College of Marin and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Construction Project Updates

  • When using the crosswalk on College Avenue, please remember to activate the flashing signals. It is the only way the large construction vehicles exiting the driveway know that there are pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Potential Property Acquisition Open Forums

Letter below from COM President Coon regarding the potential property acquisition at 830 College Avenue.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I hope this finds you and yours healthy during this pandemic. I am reaching out to confirm that the Marin Community College District is considering the purchase of the former Union Bank building and property at 830 College Avenue. It is a fairly common practice for colleges and universities to consider the acquisition of properties adjacent to campuses when they come available for potential growth and expansion.

In this particular case, the former bank building with its 7,250 square feet could be ideal for relocating a variety of student services which are transactional in nature, such as Enrollment Services and Cashiering, where students register for classes and pay their fees. With its 32 parking spaces, the building could also house other services where accessibility is important. I would like to emphasize that if we do purchase the building there is no plan to demolish the structure or to develop the property differently. Any modifications would be limited to the interior of the building, primarily making updates including code compliant restrooms, etc.

You may be aware that we recently completed demolition of the Learning Resources Center (LRC) on College Avenue. We are currently in the design phase for replacing the LRC with a new 85,000 square foot building on the same site. With the potential acquisition of the bank building, we would reduce the square footage in the new LRC by an amount approximately equal to the bank building. The projected cost per square foot for new construction is nearly double that of the cost per square foot for the bank building. Accordingly, we believe this to be an opportunity to save significant resources.

I would like to invite you to join us for an open forum to hear about how the former Union Bank building could possibly be repurposed to benefit the college and community. We will also take you on a virtual tour of the space and answer any of your questions.

I hope you will consider joining us!

Best regards,

David Wain Coon, Ed.D.

Superintendent/President

College of Marin

While the Corte Madera Library building is currently closed, you may request and return items, and find details about Curbside Service at marinlibrary.org.

Curbside Hours:

  • Tuesday & Wednesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Thursday 3-7 p.m.

Call our “Talk with a Librarian” number: 415-473-2272 Monday-Friday, 9-6 p.m. English and Spanish with any questions and information.

Book Bundles for Emerging Readers

We know many families are missing the ability to browse library shelves, so we’ve created a way to get some "surprise" books to you based on your child’s interests.

Each Book Bundle includes 10 books and you can choose the reading level that is right for your child. Get up to 3 bundles per family!

How to Request Book Bundles

  • To request Book Bundles, please fill out this form , or call 415-473-2272, Monday-Friday, 9-6 p.m.
  • Please allow 3-4 days for your request to be filled. You will be contacted by the branch when your order is ready for curbside pickup.
  • Find out more: marinlibrary.org/book-bundles-for-kids

Audio Books

In case you have families or students asking about downloadable audio books, here is a short video tutorial that demonstrates how to use the Libby app to browse our online catalog and download titles. youtu.be/E0E_FPMl4m8

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

When shopping in-person or online at Book Passage, please remember to mention your school – a portion of every purchase goes directly to our schools!

  • For online shopping, enter your school name in the comments field.