Kentfield School District

March 1st, 2021

Kentfield School District News

Dear KSD Community,

Today marks the first day of March and by the looks outside — spring has sprung. Schools across the nation, including our KSD schools, celebrated Read Across America today and the launch of Women’s History Month. It’s annual events like these that lend towards making school exciting, memorable, and fun. Ask your child — what book was read in their class today or maybe engage in a bedtime story highlighting a woman in history. Embrace these moments today, as time is short and we must celebrate the opportunities that may bring joy to our lives!

Be Well!

Superintendent Signature



Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org


District Announcements

KSD Community Office Hours

Join KSD Superintendent and Site Principals on Tuesday, March 2nd from 5:00pm - 6:00pm for an update on KSD’s plan for the spring trimester. Families will receive updates about COVID-19 in our community and plans for further expansion of educational programs, including the design of KSD’s Full In-Person instructional program. Information provided will assist families with completing the third trimester survey. This event will be recorded and posted to the KSD website if you are unable to attend.

Public Health Updates

Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports - CDPH Guidance - Updated 2-19-2021

Marin County Tier 2 - Substantial (“Red”) guidance - Updated 2-24-2021

Marin County Decision Tree (Tier 2 - Red Tier) - Updated 3-1-2021

Family - Student Handbook - Forthcoming

Press Conference - California Teachers Association (CTA)

Today at approximately 4:30 p.m. the California Teachers Association held a press conference outside of Kent Middle School for the Marin CTA chapters. Information shared was related to safely returning students to campus. More information may be seen on tonight's evening news. This was not scheduled or planned by school district administration.

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).

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

March 1-5, 2021: Cohort B Resumes In-Person Instruction

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

March 8-12, 2021: Cohort A Resumes In-Person Instruction

Monday, March 8, 2021

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Friday, March 12, 2021

  • Trimester 2 ends
  • Kent Principal Chat, 9:15 a.m.

School Board & District Committees

Safe Routes to School

Important Information About New Crosswalk
As you plan for your child’s walking and biking safety to/from school, please be aware that a crosswalk is being installed at the Wolfe Grade and Sir Francis Drake intersection, located in front of Bacich and Sloat Nursery. The crosswalk will be ready for use on March 12th. So, when considering your child’s route to school, please plan ahead for this change.

Even though the new crosswalk crosses Sir Francis Drake heading towards Bacich, for student safety, we have made the following recommendations about its use:

  • Students should continue to use the current route they’ve been using going to/from school.
  • Kent bicyclists should proceed down to the Laurel Grove crosswalk to cross with the crossing guard as they do now, and then proceed down McAllister to school (instead of using the new crosswalk and riding through Bacich campus).
  • Kent and Bacich walkers should continue to use the overpass or the Laurel Grove crosswalk.

Please share this with your child, particularly if they travel independently to school. Thank you for your partnership to ensure our Bacich bears and Kent falcons travel safely to and from school!

If you have questions regarding this recommended route to school, feel to contact Tanya Vernitsky, Safe Routes to Schools representative, at tanya.vernitsky@gmail.com. Also, this is a link to neighborhood route maps from Safe Routes to Schools. Thank you!

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

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 Bear Broadcast: March 1, 2020

Bacich Principal Chats: March 10; April 21; and May 19; 8:45 a.m.
*Zoom links will be emailed via ParentSquare.

Bacich Library

Did March come in like a lion?" Discover Bacich Librarian Susan Warnick's book selections for St. Patrick's Day and Women's History Month, plus fun activities on the Bacich Library Blog!

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

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!

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.

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

Attention 8th graders!

We have just discovered that we will have room for our traditional baby photos for the yearbook! Unfortunately, there is not much time to get these in. If you would like to have your 8th grader's "cutest little baby face" included, please email digital copy to mstephens@kentfieldschools.org no later than Friday, March 12th (hard deadline!) with their first and last name included in the email. Let's keep the tradition alive in this unique year!

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.

Attention 8th Grade Families Attending Redwood High School Next Year

Are you interested in getting involved at Redwood High School next year? The Redwood High School PTSA is looking to recruit for the role of Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian sits on the Executive Committee and attends those meetings. The role of Parliamentarian includes: assisting in setting the calendar for meetings, orienting the Executive Committee members to the By-laws, ensuring that meetings follow the Robert's Rules of Order, and kicking off the Nominating Committee to recruit the next year's board. A big perk of being on the PTSA Executive Committee is that Principal David Sondheim attends the meetings and you get to hear about what is going on at the school! Please contact Mandy Downing at downings@sbcglobal.net if interested!

KIK News

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


MARCH MADNESS

KIK Grade Level Participation Challenge

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!
  • Participation Points: Donate today to raise your child’s Grade Level percentage of Family Giving Participation between March 1-19.
  • It’s a Win-Win: Your generous Family Giving donations help our students and schools by raising funds for the 2020-21 $1M Annual Commitment.
  • Score Big: Each student in the Grade Level Team that garners the highest participation rate by March 19, 2021 wins a prize sponsored by Allison Fortini Crawford.

Get Complete Details

Get in the Game, Donate Today!

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

  1. Pick up is on Saturday, March 6, from 10-11:30am at the SF2BAY Pop Up location at 707 Redwood Highway
  2. Don't forget the coupon code: KIKPIZZA

Recently voted the #1 Pizza Restaurant in the Bay Area!

TUES 3/2: 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.

  • March 2: Fried chicken, mac & cheese, brussel sprouts, salad verte
  • 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**

Menu updates & reminders: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

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

Auction updates: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

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.

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.

Community Education Event: Executive Functioning Skill Building

March 3, 2021, 7 p.m: Elementary Schoolers: Executive Functioning Skill Building (Spanish translation available)

March 11, 2021 7 p.m.: Middle Schoolers: Executive Functioning Skill Building (Spanish translation available)

What is Executive Function?

Executive function is a set of mental skills that, simply put, helps you get things done.

Elementary school students use them every day when learning to take turns, focusing on a math problem amid distractions, following multi-step directions, or remembering everything they will need to bring home from school.

In teens, solid executive functioning enables them to remember to hit "submit" to hand in their homework on time, keep all of their e-mails and important information organized, stay focused on a Zoom even when they find the material boring or difficult, effectively plan for longer projects, and avoid becoming overwhelmed with schoolwork, among other things.

Help is Here

Christine Leppones of EF Ninja, is an executive function coach here in Marin county. She has been working with neurodiverse students of all abilities for the past 8 years. Join us as Christine outlines practical strategies parents can use to hone the executive function skills needed to be successful both in school and out.

Find Out More

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!

Hello Kent Families! Order Your 2020-2021 Yearbook here:

KENT YEARBOOK ORDER LINK

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.

Become a member today!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Author Events - Gennifer Choldenko

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. 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.


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