KSD News
Dear KSD Community!
The excitement of teaching and learning is palpable at our school sites. Students are engaged in learning new math concepts, enjoying lively literature and exploring history and science while also finding joy in creating art, making music, and much more.
In order to enhance our school operations and learning experience, our site teams are reinforcing the importance of peer relations and school expectations. Last week, Bacich school launched its TEAM time, Together Everyone Achieves More, to strengthen connections among students and staff. The goal of the program is to have fun and laugh while participating in teacher-led games and collaborative problem solving. At Kent, our fearless leaders Mr. Althouse and Ms. Holmes led Expectation Talk presentations with students at each grade level. These developmentally-based presentations and discussions help coalesce the rapport between students and our school administrators while also proactively informing students about expected behaviors as members of the school community.
Our focus for the year is to enrich community connection and cultivate a school environment where children have a sense of belonging. Implementing these types of schoolwide activities with intention truly fosters a learning environment that is joyous, inclusive, and welcoming.
In closing, I want to extend special appreciation to KIK for the fantastic Family Fun Day and Family Fun Run this past Sunday. Getting the community to come together and enjoy one another’s company is always a treat for our children and families!
With gratitude,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
KSD Family Resource Night
Thursday, September 29, 2022, 5:30-7 p.m., Bacich Community Center
Districtwide Community Event
Bring your family & friends and learn about various organizations & resources in our community! Many community and nonprofit agencies will be in attendance and will be available to answer questions for families. Download the flyer to see a list of participation organizations.
Purchase dinner from El Yucetaco Taco Truck!
Contact Ivette Villarreal (KSD Community Family Liaison) with questions: ivillarreal@kentfieldschools.org/ (415)-482-9848
Covid regulations will be followed during this event.
Download flyer (English & Spanish version)
Important E-Bike Safety Notice
KSD families,
We continue to receive messages from concerned citizens about student safety while riding bikes and e-bikes. Recently, a third grade student incurred injuries when struck by a student cyclist on a pathway in our community.
Though we support the independence that bikes provide, we urge you to consider the power you are placing in your child's hands, particularly with a heavier and faster e-bike, which is harder to maneuver and takes longer to stop. Here are a few questions for you to consider when making this decision:
- Does your child understand the rules of the road and multi-use pathways?
- Will your child watch out for the safety of other cyclists and pedestrians?
- Will your child follow laws, including wearing a buckled helmet?
This flyer provides more information to help you gauge your student's readiness for riding an e-bike responsibly on streets and pathways. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact our partners at Safe Routes to Schools: SafeRoutes@marinbike.org.
Parent Education Opportunity
Marin County SELPA Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is hosting several different workshops this fall specifically for parents.
All workshops are free, translation services are available, and registration is required.
Engaging in Challenging Conversations
The successful implementation of IDEA and the determination of FAPE requires adults with diverse experience, expertise, and perspective to collaborate in serve of children with special needs. This is complex work and requires conversations of shared learning. In this workshop, we will introduce key concepts, process, and skills in support of these conversations and that are applicable to all relationships. This is an 8-part online course with a focus of increasing individuals capacity for engaging in conflict. Attendees will participate in four (4) online courses coupled with four (4) coaching sessions.
Dates: Online courses – October 6, October 20, November 3, and November 17 ; Coaching sessions: October 10, October 24, November 7, and November 21.
Register here
Monday, September 26, 2022
- Rosh Hashanah - no homework
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
- Parents in Action, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Bacich Room 7
Thursday, September 29, 2022
- KSD Family Resource Night, 5:30-7 p.m., download flyer (English & Spanish version), Bacich Community Center
Monday, October 3, 2022
- KSPTA meeting, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
- Governance Workshop, 8-10 a.m.
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30- 4:30 p.m.
- District English Learning Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, 5-6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
- Yom Kippur - No School
Next KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Here is a link to where you can find the agenda once posted. Access to the meeting will be via in person or 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
KSD Board/District Committees
- District English Learning Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, October 4, 2022, 5-6 p.m.
- Technology Committee meeting, October 12, 4-5 p.m.
If you are interested in joining a District Committee, please submit your name here.
ALERT! Be in the Know... Rainbow Fentanyl
Fentanyl (an extremely potent and dangerous synthetic opioid) continues to be a major contributor to drug overdoses in California, including among youth. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard:
- Emergency department visits related to non-fatal opioid overdoses in California’s youth ages 10-19 years more than tripled from 2018 (379 total) to 2020 (1,222 total).
- Opioid-related overdose deaths in California’s youth ages 10-19 years increased from 2018 (54 total) to 2020 (274 total), marking a 407 percent increase over two years, largely driven by fentanyl.
- Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in California’s youth ages 10-19 years increased from 2018 (36 total) to 2020 (261 total), a 625 percent increase.
In addition to these concerning trends, brightly-colored fentanyl (referred to as rainbow fentanyl) has been identified as a new trend according to the United States (U.S.) Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Rainbow fentanyl can be found in many forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy. Any pill (regardless of its color, shape, or size) that does not come from a health care provider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.
The Marin County Public Health continues to enforce the Marin County SMARTER Schools Plan for the 2022-2023 school year, this is the same plan that was implemented at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year.
Marin County Public Health is urging COVID testing for symptomatic individuals, exposure and/or high risk activity. Here is guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) specifying situations in which to test. Families are urged to have test kits in the home, which can be obtained from the school offices during regular school hours or at local pharmacies.
If you test positive please report to Laurel Yrun at lyrun@kentfieldschools.org, no need to report negative test results. The KSD will continue to reference Marin County’s Public Health’s Isolation, Quarantine, and Travel Guidance for TK-12 Schools to address COVID exposure.