Kentfield School District

March 22nd, 2021

Kentfield School District News

Dear KSD Community,

Excitement and awe was all abound across the KSD community. I hope being at school or engaging in the new Distance Learning pathway brought absolute joy to your child/ren, as I am sure it did for our educators. Our launch today was only made possible through the commitment and dedication of our KSD staff, students and parents /guardians. And, I THANK YOU for your part in this grand accomplishment! Please reference today’s Board of Trustee letter, which offers additional accolades and information related to this new “era” for the KSD.

As we navigate this next phase of instructional programming we appreciate your confidence with our safety protocols and instructional program design. The COVID landscape continues to shift and together we will adjust as necessary during this unique time. As questions arise, please do not hesitate to reach out via email or phone.

Below is additional information related to recent updates and protocols for school operations!

Take good care,

Superintendent Signature



Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org


District Announcements

Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year - Updated 3-20-2021

Highlights Include:

  • Distancing students at least 3 feet in classrooms
  • All schools eligible to open if case rates are below 25 per 100,000
  • Importance of maintaining stable groups of students

When to Quarantine? See the Marin County Decision Tree

KSD requires quarantine for the following:

  • Travel outside California
  • High Risk Gathering - examples include large gatherings with more than 3 families, such as wedding, party, sporting event, concerts, etc.

Contact Laurel Yrun, KSD School Nurse at lyrun@kentfieldschools.org if you have any questions.

KSD SSSPP Update, Recording (English - Spanish - Portuguese) - Bacich SSSPP - Kent SSSPP

Join the Marin County Schools/Public Health Community Meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at 11:00 am

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86936219568?pwd=Y01weExGbXRFMXVtM0kybUVzOXZyUT09

Dial In +1-408-638-0968 | Webinar ID: 869 3621 9568 | Passcode: 369326

KSD & 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.

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).

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.

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

Monday, March 22, 2021

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021

  • Kent School Pictures
    • Distance Learning student pictures are from 2-3 p.m.

Monday, March 29, 2021

April 5-9, 2021: Spring Break

Monday, April 12, 2021

  • Resume KSD Full In-Person Instruction Districtwide

School Board & District Committees

Equity & Inclusion Committee meeting, March 23, 2021, 3:30 p.m., agenda

LCAP Strategic Planning meeting, March 25, 2021, 4-5:30 p.m. agenda


Safe Routes to School

Wolfe Grade Crosswalk Opening April 26

Wolfe Grade Crosswalk Activation Postponed

The new crosswalk being installed at the intersection of Wolfe Grade and Sir Francis Drake was scheduled to be ready for use on March 12. However, because of some unexpected issues needing to be resolved, there will be a delay in its activation. We will share details about the new opening date for the crosswalk as soon as we have more information.

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)

Bacich News

Bacich Bear Broadcast: March 22, 2020

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

Bacich art teacher Barbara Libby featured in SchoolArts Magazine

Congratulations to Barbara Libby, Bacich art teacher, for her work being featured in March 2021 issue of SchoolArts magazine. The magazine featured the upcycled robots projects she did with last year's Kindergarten students. SchoolArts is a national art education magazine that promotes excellence and professional support for visual arts educators.

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

When we return to full in-person learning, the checkout will remain the same. Order by emailing me. Some books may be able to be delivered to the classrooms, and the others will still pick up their orders on Friday. Ms. Warnick will let you know.

  • 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

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 School Pictures: Friday, March 26, 2021

Your child will receive their picture order form on Wednesday or Thursday of this week, and students will have their picture taken during their school day on Friday.

Distance learners are invited to come between 2:15 and 2:45 pm on Friday to have their picture taken.


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: 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 - Last Day to Order!

  • The deadline to order is March 22nd.

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

MOVE FOR KIK: 3/24-3/28  Tickets on Sale Now!

Join us for 5 days of virtual fitness starting on March 24th. Take a class from your favorite instructors or try something new!

Wednesday, 3/24

Thursday, 3/25

Friday, 3/26

Saturday, 3/27

Sunday, 3/28

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for updates

MARCH MADNESS 2021

Congratulations, 3rd Grade Team — March Madness Champs!

  • Thank you to ALL Donors — it was a big success as many of you participated and raised critical dollars. Your generous donations help meet the $1M Annual Commitment to our schools and kids.
  • MVP - Most Valuable Participation: Each student in the 3rd Grade Level Team wins a Book Passage Gift Card in honor of National Reading Month sponsored by Allison Fortini Crawford. Third Graders will receive these gift cards at school by the end of this week.
  • A Strong Finish: KIK wishes all KSD kids a strong finish as they enter this next phase of school. Whether you're returning for full in person instruction or a new phase of distance learning, we wish "nothing but net" for you—good luck!

SPRING AUCTION WISH LIST — we need your 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 support—the money we raise helps ALL students!
  • See Auction Wish List

Donations & Questions: events@kikschools.org.

Auction updates: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

TUES 3/23: 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.

  • March 23: Chicken or Vegetarian Paella with Salad Verte, Steamed Broccoli, Mac & Cheese
  • 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 another 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

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL (AGAIN), KSD!

We at KIK are excited to be welcome students back to a new phase of school whether in person or distance learning! We are so grateful for our teachers and administration as well as all the parents and caregivers who have supported our students during this unique journey.

There are still nearly 3 months left to the school year and $275,000 to raise to support our students and the programs they love. We welcome your support.

With gratitude,

Kira and Dirk Hallemeier - KIK Co-Presidents

Thank you to the 318 KIK Donors and counting this year!
See Current Donor Wall

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

KSPTA News

Next General KSPTA Meeting: Monday, April 12, 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.

New School Lunch Program with School Foodies

Kent Families:

Starting Monday, March 29th, KSPTA is offering daily lunch service through the School Foodies program at Kent only.

Bacich Families:

Bacich students will continue to have the variety meal box pick up at Kent 12:15-1 p.m. on Mondays.

Order online, pick up at Kent for the week. Choose which weeks you order, and order for the whole family!

Shop Farm Fresh Produce & Support KSPTA

KSPTA is offering a healthy new way to raise funds for our schools!

We have partnered with “Farm Fresh to You” and 10% of all orders will benefit our kids and teachers in the classroom. Enjoy well-priced and delicious produce and a huge selection of other grocery items delivered right to your door!

Please review this flyer for more information.

Use promo code: kspta

Order Bacich Yearbooks

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!

Last Day to Order a 2020-2021 Kent Yearbook!

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!

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.

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.

REDISCOVER SUMMER FUN

Camp Galileo for Pre-K – Rising 5th Graders

Galileo's award-winning camp is back at Kent Middle School this summer! Engage kids in the perfect mix of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun, thoughtfully redesigned for 2021. Small groups and safety protocols keep every Galilean safe. Engaging art, science and outdoor challenges deliver the innovation-igniting experiences kids love. Flexible enrollment policies make planning stress free. It all comes together for a joyful summer.

Financial assistance scholarships available. Program running June 21 - August 6th at Kent Middle School. Optional extended care. Learn more at www.galileo-camps.com.

Zero Waste Earth Art Challenge

Zero Waste Marin is excited to announce the eARTh Challenge! Students can let their inner artist shine by completing up to three art projects, each based on a different zero waste theme Challenges will be available on the Zero Waste Schools website, and Zero Waste Marin will accept submissions until April 16th – just in time for Earth Day.

All students in Marin are welcome to participate, and students who submit challenges will be entered into a gift card raffle!

View flyer

Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society Event

Kentfield & Greenbrae Transformed Over Time: Historic Maps, Photos & More

By Dewey Livingston, Historian & Map Archivist Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library

Thursday, March 25, 2021 7 p.m., Zoom

Using historic maps and aerial photos, Dewey will offer a unique before-and-after visual history of Kentfield & Greenbrae. The geography & landscape of the area will transform before your eyes, through comparisons and overlays of historic maps, aerial photographs and current satellite images. Along the way, Dewey will delve deeper into the history of such sites as the Greenbrae Ranch, the Kent Estate, and the College of Marin/Kent School area. The program will also focus on changes to Corte Madera Creek between 1871 and 1971. Local historian Richard Torney will introduce the program with "before & after" images of Kentfield & Greenbrae.


Register for this FREE event: www.kghs.org
The Zoom link info will be emailed to those who register in advance.

This program is a partnership between the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society and the Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library.

Community Education: 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.

Community Education: 2021 Raising Healthy Families Community Education Series

Join us for this free informative education series as we examine important issues facing today’s families. Presentations by noted Bay Area experts will offer tools and strategies to empower you to help raise children who are curious, compassionate, and resilient.

Co-hosted by Community Institute for Psychotherapy & The Marin County Office of Education.

Prevent Adolescent Substance and Behavior Problems Using Systemic Approaches to Promote Harmony and Safety for the Whole Family

Presented by Kenneth Perlmutter, PhD

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 6-8 p.m.

This presentation will offer attendees insight into the influences and dynamics within families that put children at risk for addictive behaviors; provide a general understanding of what helps to prevent addiction in the first place; and offer systemic approaches to proactively prevent drug and alcohol use and abuse, and other addictive behaviors in adolescents.

What you will learn:

  • The influence of dysfunction in family dynamics over time, including trauma response and impaired coping
  • What is meant by “good family practices” and how they can be used to address addictive behaviors and, more importantly, to prevent their development
  • Tips and strategies to implement good family practices

Register here

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.

Curbside Information and Book Bundles

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