Kentfield School District News
Dear KSD Community,
The 2020-2021 academic year began with KSD teachers, support staff and administrators charged with redesigning the school experience in the face of an ongoing global pandemic. In a time of uncertainty — the staff jumped into the unknown to employ new instructional strategies, engage students, and adjust instruction based on observation and student outcomes. During the course of the year the KSD moved from Distance Learning only to Hybrid instruction, and we are now planning forward for a Full In-Person instructional program. As staff navigated these varied instructional approaches our students and families did their best to support this new way of learning. Let’s honor and appreciate how we all ventured through these obstacles while our environment continued to shift and present us with new information and data.
As months passed, comments were made grounded in emotion and at times statements did not always reflect our core values of respect, collaboration, and perseverance. Let’s rise above the discord and focus on leveraging the assets of the KSD — community, trust, and relationships. We must rebuild what has broken down during this pandemic and work together with a collective interest in doing what is best for the students and staff that make up the Kentfield School District.
We are at a pivotal point in which positive traction is being made. As students continue to engage in Hybrid Instruction, our site administrators, teachers, and support staff have come together in work groups to design and propose adjustments to Hybrid Instruction and a schedule for Full In-Person learning. A percentage of our staff have been vaccinated, and more vaccination opportunities are approaching. Case rates in Marin County are decreasing and Marin is projected to move to a less restrictive tier this week. All of these positive steps demonstrate the common commitment and interest to safely get us back to a more traditional way of providing school.
Our next steps in moving forward include a parent/guardian survey, KSD-KTA negotiators to meet to determine a mutually agreed upon timeline to expand instructional programming, and honoring the work being done to support the KSD school community. Let’s trust the process to move ourselves forward and unite together with a commitment towards positive outcomes for our students.
With Respect,
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
KSD Special Board Meeting: February 24, 2021 6:15 p.m.
As shared at the February 9th Board of Trustee meeting the KSD Board of Trustees will hold a Special Board meeting on Wednesday, February 24th. This meeting is intended to address necessary budget reductions that were outlined in the Finance Report due to a decrease of revenue and enrollment projected for the 2021-2022 school year. As reductions are made, the KSD stays committed to preserving student programs for our KSD students.
Technology Wellness: Blue Light Reduction for Chromebooks and Blue Light Reduction for iPads.
Instructional Schedule: February 22-26, 2021
The KSD is maintaining the past practice of offering Distance Learning only following an extended holiday break. Hybrid Instruction will resume on Monday, March 1 serving Cohort B and alternating to Cohort A the subsequent week.
KSD COVID-19 Dashboard
In an effort to keep the KSD community informed a KSD COVID-19 Dashboard has been developed to display levels of exposure notification in alignment with Marin County Public Health Exposure protocols. The KSD COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated regularly. See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more details about this Dashboard.
COVID-19 Decision Tree Guidance - English & Spanish Version
Know when to stay home and what to do when you or your family don't feel well or have engaged in what is categorized as a high-risk activity (e.g., any mixing of households, non-essential travel).
- Please keep this decision tree in a handy place or refrigerator for reference (updated February 2, 2021)
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
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
- Equity & Inclusion meeting, 3 p.m.., agenda
- Family Partners meeting: 4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
- Special School Board meeting, 6:15 p.m.
Friday, February 26, 2021
- Bacich Talent Show Audition Video Submission Due. Visit: www.bacichtalentshow.com for more information.
March 1-5, 2021: Cohort B Resumes In-Person Instruction
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
- Kent Site Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, 6-7 p.m.
March 8-12, 2021: Cohort A Resumes In-Person Instruction
Monday, March 8, 2021
- KSPTA meeting, 7-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m.
School Board & District Committees
- Board Meeting Highlights: February 9, 2021
- Board Meeting Video Archive
- Board Statements and Community Letters
- Special School Board meeting: Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 6:15 p.m.
- Next Monthly School Board meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2020, 5 p.m., Zoom
- All are welcome and encouraged to attend via Zoom.
- Addressing the Board
Board Meeting Highlights - February 9, 2021
The February Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees featured a Third Grade Education Showcase facilitated by Grade Level Chairs Andrea Livengood and Jenna Maioriello. Ms. Livengood and Ms. Maioriello welcomed three third grade students to present their non-fiction animal reports. Students shared detailed facts about dolphins and starfish while displaying strong public speaking skills and a joy of research and writing.
Site principals, Mary Ann Spitzer and Grant Althouse, provided an update from the Bacich and Kent Work Groups respectively. Ms. Spitzer shared adjustments to hybrid such as increased chorts, In-Person PE instruction and In-Person ELD cohorts. She also shared the Bacich work group is still evaluating the best model for a full in-person instruction. Mr. Althouse shared the Kent Work Group launched with a focus on full In-Person instruction. The group shared the common interest of moving away from instruction over the computer and towards a more traditional manner of in-person teaching. There is great appreciation to the Work Groups for their commitment to this additional planning and to both Mary Ann and Grant for facilitating these teams.
In closing, Kirsten Starsiak, KSD Chief Business Official and Superintendent Rose provided a brief update on the District’s finances. Staff highlighted the decrease in student enrollment by 44 students and a decreased revenue of $325,000. These two key factors will lead to budgetary reductions for the upcoming school year. As we plan for these necessary reductions, the district is strategizing on how to preserve current programs in an effort to support a positive and rich experience for our KSD students.
Safe Routes to School
Marin County COVID-19 Resources, & Testing Opportunities
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.
Public Health Testing – Curative: Marin County Public Health offers five-day a week communitywide Curative COVID Testing opportunities. Appointments will be opened 4 days prior to testing day. For more information click here.
Whether your family is insured or not there are free and easy testing options in our county.
Bacich News
Bacich Principal Chats: March 10; April 21; and May 19; 8:45 a.m.
*Zoom links will be emailed via ParentSquare.
Bacich Library
And the Award Goes To... The American Library Association (ALA) recently announced the top books, digital media, video, and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits which took place virtually from Chicago, Illinois. Watch the announcement and discover this year's award winners at ala.unikron.com.
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 Library website
Show us YOUR talent! 2nd/3rd/4th Graders! Due this Week!
We would like to remind you that the 2021 Bacich Talent Show signup is officially open online. As with last year, we will host a virtual event to showcase the wide ranging talents and creative pursuits of our 2nd through 4th grade students. This is a great way for the children to connect with each other across grade levels and to flex their creative and performative muscles.
** Audition Video Submission due by February 26, 2021 **
Not sure what talent to showcase? Here are some ideas:
- Singing - Magic Tricks - Hula Hooping - Comedy
- Karate - Poetry - Yoyo tricks - Dancing
- Gymnastics - Bike Tricks - Instruments
- Surprise us!
For all information including sign up link, dates, times, and
guidelines please visit: www.bacichtalentshow.com.
Order Bacich Yearbooks Today!
Our parent volunteers are hard at work to create a lovely keepsake to capture the highlights of this most unusual and history-making year. Don’t miss out — order today!
This year we are trying Josten's sales site, but the KSPTA will distribute the yearbooks at the end of the year as always!
Please note: KSPTA will purchase a book for each Bacich Bear receiving Free and Reduced Lunch. If you cannot purchase your yearbook online, please follow these instructions.
- Find out more and order at kspta.org/its-time-to-order-your-2020-2021-yearbook/
- Order by March 14 to get the discount price of $20. (Price goes up to $25 on March 15!)
Kent News
Kent Counselors Wellness Hub: Easily access resources to help navigate this challenging time. The Counselors at Kent Middle School are here for you!
Kent Principal Chats: March 12; April 16; May 14; 9:15 a.m.
*Zoom link will be emailed via ParentSquare.
Umbrella Donation Drive
The Kent Eco-Action club is " In Action" again! Their first event is an Umbrella Donation Drive. They're collecting new or gently used umbrellas to donate to families at Venetia Valley School in San Rafael. Safe Routes heard they could really use umbrellas. Only 14% of their students walk to school — we'd like to encourage more. Please drop off umbrellas in the bin outside the office by February 26th. Did you know that 54% of Kent students walk, bike, skateboard, or scooter to school? That's fantastic Falcons!
Kent Library News
Books To Go!
If you need a new book just email me, Mrs. Jelen at rjelen@kentfieldschools.org. If you have books at your house you need to return, you can bring them to the same cart where you pick up books – right outside the Kent gate when it's not raining and right in front of the library when it is. There are so many great new titles to check out!
Squawk Talk Looking for Book of the Day Submissions!
Has your child finished a book they loved and would highly recommend? Ask your child to record themselves promoting this book for our daily podcast, Squawk Talk. You can use the voice recording app on any phone or device, or vocaroo, a free online recording site. Submissions should be about a minute and a half and can be emailed to rjelen@kentfieldschools.org.
Book Donations needed!
Our grade level book bags have been a huge success... so much so that we are in desperate need of more donations! If you have any new or gently used books to donate, you can drop them off anytime during school hours outside the Kent gate or in front of the library. If your child needs new books to read, have them come and grab a bag from the grade level boxes right in front of the Kent gate. Books can be kept, passed on or returned. Thank you for helping us keep our students reading throughout this crazy time!
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
KIK ENRICHMENT SPOTLIGHT
Excerpted BandLab lesson with Mr. Martinez, Grades 5 & 6:
Below you will find brief class descriptions as well as some example links of songs created by students in the 5th & 6th Grades. The software we are using is called Bandlab and it is an online digital audio workstation.
Sample Lesson: 5/6th Grades
The music enrichment for the fifth and sixth grades will focus on three areas — listening skills, an exploration of popular music and how they are personally connected, and work in an online digital audio workstation (Bandlab). Students will learn how to form songs through the use of loops, uploaded samples as well as recording and editing original vocal tracks. Students complete three in-class projects culminating in a creation of a song based on the text of a children's book.
3/6 DINE & DONATE WITH PIZZERIA DELFINA
KIK is partnering again with Pizzeria Delfina's SF2BAY Weekly Pop Up and 10% of sales for Saturday, March 6, using coupon code KIKPIZZA will be donated back to our schools.
How it works:
- Pre-orders are open now until Thursday, March 4
- Pick up is on Saturday, March 6, from 10-11:30am at the SF2BAY Pop Up location at 707 Redwood Highway
- Don't forget the coupon code: KIKPIZZA
Recently voted the #1 Pizza Restaurant in the Bay Area!
MARCH MADNESS IS COMING...
KIK Grade Level Participation Tournament
March 1 - 19, 2021
- Be an MVP! This is your chance to be an MVP and donate through March 19. You’ll get counted in your children’s Grade Level standings and help move your team to victory—every donation is a slam dunk!
- Score Big: The Grade Level Team that garners the highest participation rate by March 19, 2021 wins a prize sponsored by Allison Fortini Crawford.
Get in the Game, Donate Today!
TUES 2/23: KIK FAMILY MEALS WITH LEFT BANK, 20% TO KIK
Every Tuesday Left Bank creates a KIK family dinner for $50 and donates 20% back to KIK.
- Feb 23: Beef Bourguignon with mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, salad
- New! If your family needs extra portions of the meat or different sides, call Ryan at Left Bank and he can customize a Family Meal that works for you: 415-927-3331
- Check out this NEW Left Bank promotion that also gives back to KIK!
ORDER NOW for pickup on Tuesday. Select “KIK Family Meal.”
**Opt in today to get a weekly email reminder to order**
SPRING AUCTION WISH LIST — Can you help?
KIK is hard at work trying to secure great items for the Spring Auction. In this uncertain time, we are trying to avoid asking businesses for gift card donations.
- If you are personally willing to donate a gift card or item from our wish list, we would really appreciate it.
- While we always like to support our local businesses and restaurants, we have also included an Amazon Wish List for gift cards and other items. Thank you for your donation—the money we raise helps ALL students!
- See Auction Wish List
Donations & Questions: events@kikschools.org.
ANNUAL COMMITMENT UPDATE
This Video explains in 1 minute why donations are critical! Potentially $500,000 could be cut from our district budget, which affects every Bacich and Kent student.
- Annual Commitment Status : $677,974 (net)
- Learn more how KIK has been Investing in Kids
Thank you to the 289 KIK Donors and counting this year!
See Current Donor Wall
KSPTA News
Next General KSPTA Meeting: Monday, March 8, 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.
Order Bacich Yearbooks Today!
Our parent volunteers are hard at work to create a lovely keepsake to capture the highlights of this most unusual and history-making year. Don’t miss out — order today!
This year we are trying Josten's sales site, but the KSPTA will distribute the yearbooks at the end of the year as always!
Please note: KSPTA will purchase a book for each Bacich Bear receiving Free and Reduced Lunch. If you cannot purchase your yearbook online, please follow these instructions.
- Find out more and order at kspta.org/its-time-to-order-your-2020-2021-yearbook/
- Order by March 14 to get the discount price of $20. (Price goes up to $25 on March 15!)
Hello Kent Families! Order Your 2020-2021 Yearbook here:
CODE: 7587
Questions or difficulties? Please email Melissa Stephens at mstephens@kentfieldschools.org.
KSPTA Board and Coordinator Positions Open
Make an impact in your school community by joining the KSPTA leadership. Opportunities to participate in the board or as a coordinator are now open.
Email Erica Applestein, KSPTA President, at president@kspta.org to learn more about the difference you'll make as a KSPTA leader.
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.
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!
- Sign up at schoolfoodies.com, registration code “bacich” or “kent”
- Find out more
- School Foodies pick up time: Mondays, 12:15-1:30 p.m. at Kent, except for when Monday is a holiday.
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.
KSPTA is proud to support Be The Influence!
To get up to speed about adolescent substance use in Marin, consider joining Be the Influence (BTI). Be the Influence (BTI) is 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 Kent 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.
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!
Connect with KSPTA!
Website: kspta.org
Twitter: @KentfieldPTA
Instagram: kentfieldschoolspta
Facebook: Kentfield Schools PTA
Community News
Information, events, and news provided in our newsletter's "Community News" is offered as service to our community and do not represent an endorsement and are not sponsored by the Kentfield School District.
Sir Francis Drake Blvd Renaming Kentfield-Greenbrae Community Conversations
All Kentfield-Greenbrae residents, please join Supervisor Rice and Larkspur Mayor Kevin Haroff for one of the upcoming listening sessions about SFD renaming scheduled in late February. They would like to hear what you’re thinking about a name change and have you share with your friends and neighbors as well during these informal meetings/conversations.
Wednesday, February 24 at noon
Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m.
- zoom.us/j/5712903141?pwd=VUJRK0pLM1liblllVHVYdDdhWE8xdz09
- Meeting ID: 571 290 3141 Passcode: District2More Information
Parent Education: Parenting to Support Our Teens
Madeline Levine, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author, returns to Marin County to offer deeply researched thoughts and practices to alleviate anxiety which grips many parents, students, families, and our country; and talk about her most recent book, Ready or Not.
- February 23, 2021, 5-6 p.m.
- This webinar will include Q&A session for participants.
- This event is brought to you by the Marin County Office of Education
- Presented in English with simultaneous Spanish translation available.
- Register here
Community Education: Confronting Antisemitism Virtual Workshops
Join us for this timely series of virtual workshops for parents, students, educators, administrators, and community members. Led by the JFCS Holocaust Center in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Beyond Differences, Echoes & Reflections, Facing History & Ourselves, JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth, and the Marin County Office of Education.
Series II: Taking a Stand: Rescue and Resistance During the Holocaust
This series will explore heroic individuals who stood up to Nazi discrimination during the Holocaust. These “upstanders” serve as an inspiration for our community. Holocaust survivors will join the workshops for families and teachers and school administrators via Zoom as guest faculty to inspire the participants with their first hand experiences.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 Register here >
Teacher and School Administrator Workshop 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Facilitated by the JFCS Holocaust Center
Parent Education: Teen Substance Use
Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships created Let's Talk: A Toolkit for Navigating Teen Substance Use in Marin County this past summer and sent it out to nearly 3000 local public high school freshman parents, pediatricians and therapists. In addition, we created a discussion series that focuses on each chapter in the book featuring experts in the field of parenting, development of the teen brain and information on nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, prescription pills, mushrooms, experimentation and finding support.
Below are recordings of the first three discussions that have already taken place, along with registration for the next three discussions beginning in February 2021.
Our online community discussions follow the chapters of the Let's Talk booklet. If you missed the previous events, they are available to view at the links below. And you can register for the upcoming events now.
- What’s happening to your teen? (View Recording)
- What’s the big deal? (View Recording)
- Parenting to support our teens (View Recording)
- Uppers, downers and all-arounders (View Recording)
- Legal and school consequences - March 3, 2021 (Register)
- Getting support and help - April 7, 2021 (Register)
Mindfulness Seminar Series
The Marin County SELPA Special Education Advisory Committee is hosting a multi-part Mindfulness Seminar Series. The seminar is free for Marin County parents and Spanish translation services are available, upon request with registration. Please see details below and the flyers attached (English and Spanish) for more details.
This introductory mindfulness webinar series will consist of four (4), one-hour virtual sessions across a 12-week period. Each webinar will combine didactic and experiential learning about specific aspects of mindfulness so that participants may learn mindfulness tools to help reduce stress.
- March 4 & 25, 2021, 7-8 p.m.
- Register here
- View flyer in English and Spanish
Parent Education: The Yes Brain
In this presentation based on her book (co-authored with Dan Siegel, MD), Dr. Tina Payne Bryson will discuss ways to encourage children towards this positive, engaged approach to life. Using her trademark warmth and humor, she will share specific strategies for child development professionals to create Yes Brain opportunities and help kids thrive.
- March 18, 2021, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Register here
Author Events - Gennifer Choldenko
Corte Madera Library invites you to join us for a virtual visit with award winning New York Times Bestselling author Gennifer Choldenko! Gennifer has written sixteen novels and picture books for children including Fleishman and Newbery Honor winner Al Capone Does My Shirts and the subsequent Tales from Alcatraz series, Chasing Secrets, One Third Nerd, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, Putting the Monkeys to Bed, and Dad and the Dinosaur.
Gennifer will share an excerpt of her most recent book, Orphan Eleven, with us, and we’ll get a chance to ask her some questions and even do some Improv with her! We’re looking forward to meeting her and know she will be an inspiration to young readers and writers alike!
- Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 6-7 p.m.
- Register here for this Zoom program.
- View flyer
AND in March, join us as we read and discuss Gennifer's latest middle-grade novel Orphan Eleven! We love it because it has Choldenko’s signature blend of danger, friendship, adventure and thoroughly researched historical fiction. This virtual book club, recommended for grades 4 and up, will be hosted by Debbie Toizer. A limited number of book club copies are available to check out. Call 415-924-3515 or log in to marinlibrary.org to reserve yours.
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 7-8 p.m.
- Register here for this Zoom program.
- View flyer
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