Greetings Kent Middle School Families,

Our campus came alive last week with the return of our incredible students. Classrooms buzzed with connection and conversation as teachers built rapport and established routines. It was a pleasure to see so many of you at our Back to School Night event last Thursday. We hope that you enjoyed experiencing an evening with our fantastic team of educators. Thank you for sharing your children with us for what promises to be a powerful year of learning at our school!

Last week at Kent we launched a new One-to-One Technology Program, and distributed a Chromebook, charger, and carrying case to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. 5th graders each have an assigned Chromebook in both of their core academic classrooms. Prior to this model, students had access to a limited number of devices in each classroom, and full Chromebook carts that needed to be transported around campus. One-to-One device distribution allows for each student to have easy access to a Chromebook in any one of their classrooms, whenever they may need it. Additionally, students will have access to a device to support homework and studying at home.

In order to realize the vision of maximizing time for learning through smooth and easy access to technology at home and at school, please review the below points with your child.

• Please remind your child to bring the parent/guardian and student signed One-to-One program agreement to the office by Wednesday of this week (6th-8th only). Teachers passed out agreements as a part of technology distribution last week, though can also be accessed here (English / Spanish), or in the Kent office. Students will need that signed agreement in place with the school to continue using their Chromebook.
• Students need to have their charged Chromebook at school with them each day. This will take coordination and planning to bring the Chromebook home each day, ensuring that the device is charged at home, and then brought back to school. Thank you for your help in setting up procedures at home to support your child with this expectation.
• Students will be storing their Chromebooks in their locked lockers when they are not using them in class. Please remind your child to lock their locker while at school, a habit we are working to reinforce with children here.
• It is every child’s responsibility to keep their Chromebook safe, secure, and working properly. We will make every effort to repair any Chromebook following typical wear and tear, though may not be able to repair Chromebooks that are misused.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our children with this increased responsibility, and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns with how this is playing out with your child. Our fifth graders will get great practice this year with the devices assigned to them in classes, leading to next year when they will have a device to bring class-to-class!

An exciting year of learning and joy awaits our Falcons this year! Here’s to a great second week of school!