Kent Falcons News
Greetings Kent Community,
Music concerts return to Kent Middle School this week, with nightly performances scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. During the 2020-2021 school year music instruction at Kent shifted from traditional instrumental learning to digital music composition, given the limitations and associated risks of instrumental music education during pandemic learning. With the return of a comprehensive middle school schedule for this school year, Kent Music Director Mr. Michael Martinez reestablished the Kent music program through strong, intentional instruction of 5th and 6th grade beginning band and string ensembles, as well as 5th/6th/7th/8th grade Zero Period ensembles. Students have been hard at work learning their instruments and developing their musicianship, in preparation to display three nights of music at Kent this week.
- 5th Grade Band and Strings, Tuesday, May 31 from 7 to 8 p.m.
- 6th Grade Band and Strings, Wednesday, June 1 from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Zero Period Instrumental Music Ensembles, Thursday, June 2 from 7 to 8 p.m.
All concerts this week will be held in the Kent MP Room, and per recent public health guidance and school district requirements, masks will be required by all indoor attendees for the above performances. Please join us at Kent this week to celebrate our middle school musicians! Also, encourage your child to attend to see what future opportunities may exist to get involved in music at Kent!
The final eight days of the school year promise to include fun, joy, and learning through celebratory end of year classroom activities and events. We are also thrilled to host the return of end of year celebrations for each grade level, including 5th and 6th grade pool parties, a 7th grade trip to McNears beach, and an 8th grade trip to Six Flags amusement park. The social isolation and restrictions that pandemic learning placed on us are behind us, and we are excited to participate in these celebratory events in safe ways alongside our students. So while some Covid-19 safety protocols will continue to be in place (masks in buses, shared parent cars, and indoor venues), the vast majority of our focus will be on each other, celebrating the learning and connection established through this incredible school year we experienced together.
All my best,
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
Spring Music Concerts
Greetings from the Kent Middle School Music Department! I'm pleased to announce that Spring concerts are scheduled take place in the MP Room at Kent Middle School as follows:
- All 5th Grade Music Students (5th Grade Bands and 5th Grade Orchestra) - Tuesday, May 31, 2022
- All 6th Grade Music Students (6th Grade Bands and 6th Grade Orchestra) - Wednesday, June 1, 2022
- Zero Period Instrumental, Choir, Jazz Band, Rock Band and Karaoke Competition Winners - Thursday, June 2, 2022
Students should be in room 26 at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will start promptly at 7 p.m. Concert uniform is a black outfit (nice/formal preferred but casual black clothing is acceptable). Should you have any questions please email me Mr. Martinez at mmartinez@kentfieldschools.org.
Kent Summer Reading Lists for Rising 5th–8th Graders
Summer Reading: 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. Reading transports us out of our daily lives and into worlds we can connect and empathize with, opening our hearts and minds to new experiences and ways of life.
Each student is required to read three books from their grade level list OR three books of their choice. If you would like to continue your reading beyond that, choose more books from your grade level list or from the lists before or ahead of yours. Books that are for older students increase in the complexity of subject matter and reading level. Books that are considered “young adult” are noted with an asterix and contain more mature content. Here is a tic-tac-toe board for you to fill in if you want to keep track of what you read.
All books can be found in print from the Marin County Free Library, as an Ebook or audiobook on Sora (accessed through the Kent Library Website), or on Learning Ally. Visit the Kent Library homepage for instructions on how to use these resources throughout the summer! Also, don’t forget to check out our amazing local bookstore Book Passage and mention Kent when you check out so we can earn funds to buy more books for next school year!
Next year’s All School Read is Rolling Warrior by Judith Heumann. We are encouraging all families who are able to get a copy of this book in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year. Click here for a description of the book!
If you have any questions or need MORE book recommendations, email Mrs. Jelen at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. Don’t forget to follow the Kent Library on Instagram throughout the summer for book recommendations, author recommendations and news @kentmiddleschoollibrary.
Happy Summer Reading, Falcons!
Links to lists by grade level (note- lists are for students going into the grade listed)
*Link to 5th grade summer reading.
*Link to 6th grade summer reading.
*Link to 7th grade summer reading.
*Link to 8th grade summer reading.
*Other Helpful Links to Choose Books*
Coretta Scott King Award Winners
Books for Kids Recommended by New York Public Library
AAPI Reading Lists by Age from Berkeley Unified School District
Marin County Free Library Summer Reading Program
Register for SYNC and receive two Young Adult audiobooks a month throughout summer!
Kent Announcements
Kent Yearbooks: Pick up and Extras
Yearbooks will be handed out for those who have purchased them after school starting Monday, June 6.
If you did not purchase one, there will be extras that we will sell on a first come, first served basis starting Tuesday, June 7 after school. The cost is $40 and must be in cash since the books are closed.
A huge thanks to our amazing yearbook staff for pulling together this stellar memento!
Kent Graduation Information
Find out the details - location, arrival, parking, dress, and read the FAQ here: kent.kentfieldschools.org/families/graduation
CALLING ALL 8TH GRADERS - YOU’RE INVITED TO GRAD NIGHT 2022
Friday, June 10, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Kent MP Room
Let’s Glow Crazy
DJ. Dancing. Prizes.
neon attire. anything white glows.
Presented by the Class of 2022 8th Grade Parents
2022-2023 Kent School Supplies
Order Kent School Supplies for next year: www.edukitinc.com/schools/12390/
Lifeguards Needed!
Greetings Kent Community,
As we approach the end of the school year, each grade level is planning for a fun end of year celebration with their students.
5th and 6th grades are each planning separate pool parties at the College of Marin pool next door. After looking far and wide, we have yet to be able to secure lifeguards for this event. If you know of any certified lifeguards who may be available to support these events, please let us know as soon as possible! Thank you in advance for any assistance you may be able to offer in finding certified lifeguards for our 5th and 6th graders!
Date: Tuesday, June 7 (6th) and Thursday, June 9 (5th)
Time: 1-3:30 p.m.
Place: College of Marin pools (competitive pool and diving pool)
Pay: $100 for full event, compensation negotiable
*Preferably a college-aged lifeguard — We need 3 or 4 for each date. Lifeguards must have received lifeguard certification.
Contact:
5th - Warren Beales (wbeales@kentfieldschools.org) and Megan Dunn (mdunn@kentfieldschools.org)
6th - Lisa Bridges (lbridges@kentfieldschools.org)
Kent Tutors Marin: Free virtual tutoring to K–6th graders in all subjects during school, after school, and on weekends. Spanish-speaking tutors are available. Sessions are 30-45 minutes via Zoom.
Not Returning to Kent Next Year?
- If your student is not returning to Kent in the fall, to please contact Lisa Sandberg, lsandberg@kentfieldschools.org.
Kent Athletics
Please remember to return any Kent athletic gear to Kent Athletic Director Ryan Palmer at rpalmer@kentfieldschools.org.
Kent Lunchtime Clubs: All are welcome! Simply show up at the meeting location on the correct day to join in the fun!
June 3: 4th Grade Step Up to 5th Grade Parent Presentation, 8:45-10 a.m.
June 6: Yearbook pick up for students who ordered their yearbook.
June 7:
- Extra yearbooks will be available for $40 with limited supply.
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
June 10:
- 8th Grade Graduation, 2:30 p.m.
- 8th Grade Grad night, 7:30-9:30 p.m.