Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
Grade Level Throughlines — During our first advisory session of the school year last week, we introduced our student community to their grade level throughlines. Grade level throughlines are common themes addressed through experiences in each grade level, and provide cohesion and connection between curricular areas, school events, and the growth stage of each Kent student. Ask your child about their understanding and application of their grade level throughline, and expect to hear much more about these themes as the year progresses!
5th Grade: Independence: How can I take charge of myself and contribute in all of my communities?
6th Grade: Impact: How do my choices and actions affect me, my family, my community?
7th Grade: Perseverance: How can I learn from my mistakes and grow?
8th Grade: Legacy: How do my actions and my words define my character?
Instrumental Music — Last week, Kent Music Director, Mr. Michael Martinez, launched our full offering of instrumental music at Kent for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The Kent music room now extends into an outdoor performance area with canopies defining a space for outdoor rehearsal for our wind and choral ensembles. String ensembles are able to play in the music room. Zero period band, jazz, and choral ensembles are still accepting participants; please email Mr. Martinez (mmartinez@kentfieldschools.org) to sign up to participate! We appreciate our partners in education, kik and KSPTA, for their generous financial support of our music program at Kent!
Cell Phones at School — As a school we support and promote the Wait ‘till 8th philosophy with regard to appropriateness of smartphone usage among middle school aged children. For students who do own smartphones or other cell phones/digital communication tools, please know that devices are required to remain locked in lockers (6th-8th)/stored in backpacks (5th) for the full duration of the school day, starting with the ‘cell phone bell’ at 8:15 a.m. If you need to get in contact with your child during the school day, please contact the office. Phones that are accessed by students during school hours will be kept in the office for the remainder of the school day. Thank you for your support in setting expectations with your child to limit distractions during the school day.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to our daily work with your children at school!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
In observance of Rosh Hashanah, theKent Site Council Meeting for September is September 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held on Zoom.
Announcing Kent's All School Read for 2021!
Someone Like Me by Julissa Arce
- Kent's popular annual tradition of an All School Read will happen the weeks of October 6 and 13.
- Author Julissa Arce will visit Kent virtually on October 21.
Here is a preview of the book from Julissa Arce's Website:
A remarkable true YA memoir from social justice advocate and national bestselling author Julissa Arce about her journey to belong in America while growing up undocumented in Texas.
Born in the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce was left behind for months at a time with her two sisters, a nanny, and her grandma while her parents worked tirelessly in America in hopes of building a home and providing a better life for their children. That is, until her parents brought Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant, went on to become a scholarship winner and an honors college graduate, and climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs.
This moving, at times heartbreaking, but always inspiring story will show young readers that anything is possible. Julissa's story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today — kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends.
- Pick up the book at Book Passage (mention you are from Kent) or at the library. Or just listen as your teacher reads it, although we encourage all students to get a copy of the inspiring book.