KSD News
Dear KSD Community,
The KSD Strategic Plan maintains a core belief around community connections and values the voice of all our stakeholders - students, staff, and parents/guardians. To get authentic feedback it is essential that we engage with stakeholders in various ways to help our system evolve in the best interest of teaching and learning. Today, January 30, we invite you to participate in our annual KSD YouthTruth Family survey. Our goal is to have 100% participation through each family completing the survey. All responses will be anonymous.
Your participation in this survey will help inform our team as we reflect on how we serve our students and our community at large. Feedback may be used to help determine professional learning, student programs, and support services across the KSD.
To learn more about Youth Truth click HERE, and for information about last year’s results click HERE.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Raquel Rose
Superintendent
rrose@kentfieldschools.org
District Announcements
The YouthTruth Survey Now Available
Make your voice heard!
The YouthTruth family survey window starts today. YouthTruth gathers student, staff, and parent/guardian feedback to help make schools stronger and increase student outcomes.
Please take 15 minutes to complete the anonymous YouthTruth family survey at ytsurvey.org/ksdfamily23
Directions to take the Youth Truth Family Survey:
- Click on KSD Youth Truth Family Survey
- Select your language
- Complete the survey in one sitting (up to 15 minutes)
- Please have one member of each household fill out the survey
- Please complete a survey for each school you have child/ren attending
- If you have more than one child attending the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times (one survey per child)
March 10 Now Regular Instructional Day
On January 5, 2023, the KSD closed both schools due to power outages, the uncertainty of PG&E power restoration/maintenance, and its impact on school operations. Our staff continued to work through the day remotely and on-site and children stayed home in the safe care of an adult. Together our instructional staff and administration agreed to make up this lost day of learning by converting March 10, 2023 (professional development/non-student day) into a regular instructional day. We are disappointed to lose out on a professional learning day for our staff, although we look forward to having our students on-site for a day of learning. Please mark your calendars regarding this calendar change.
February Lunch Ordering
The February lunch menu is available and will be served beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2023. As operations of the lunch program are updated it is critically important families continue to pre-order their child/ren’s lunch. The orders ensure we have the most accurate count of school lunches. Please sign up for lunch HERE or contact info@deesorganic.com for support with ordering your child/ren's meal.
Download a PDF of the Board-approved 2023-2024 District Calendar.
February Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
- 6th Grade Basketball @ Davidson, (Boys 4-5 p.m.; Girls 5-6 p.m.)
- DELAC meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Bacich Library *please note the time change.
- 5th - Grade Band and Strings Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- Walk & Roll to School Day
- Bacich Parents in Action meeting, 8:30-10:30 a,m., Bacich room 7
- 7th Grade Basketball @ Davidson (Girls 4-5 p.m.; Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- 6th Grade Band, Strings, and Choir Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Thursday, February 2, 2023
- Kent Parents In Action meeting, 8:30-10 a.m.Kent room 11
- 8th Grade Basketball @ Davidson (Girls 4-5 p.m.; Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- 0 Period Band, Orchestra, and Choir Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Friday, February 3, 2023
- KSPTA general membership meeting, 8:30-10:30, Bacich (coffee social during first 15 minutes)
Monday, February 6, 2023
- Safety Committee meeting, 9-10 a.m.
- Deadline for Jamba at Kent – sign up here.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
- Kent Site Council meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Kent Room 11
- 6th Grade Basketball vs. White Hill, (Girls 4-5 p.m., Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- School Board meeting, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
- Parents in Action meeting, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Bacich Room 7
- 7th Grade Basketball vs. White Hill (Girls 4-5 p.m.; Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- Technology Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m.
- Redwood High School Presentation for Families, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- KIK Board meeting, 7-9 p.m., District Office
Thursday, February 9, 2023
- 8th Grade Basketball vs. White Hill, (Girls 4-5 p.m., Boys 5-6 p.m.)
Friday, February 10, 2023
- Second Grade Then & Now
When to Stay Home
Please reference this exposure notice for information on symptoms, communicability and prevention. (English I Spanish).
Please keep your child home if they are sick. It's not too late to get your flu vaccine. Please contact our school nurse Laurel Yrun (lyrun@kentfieldschools.org) with any questions you may have about how to navigate illness and school this year.
Next KSD School Board Meeting is on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Here is a link to where you can find the agenda once posted. Access to the meeting will be in person or via 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
- DELAC meeting, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 5-6:30 p.m., Bacich LIbrary *please note the time change
- Safety Committee Meeting, Monday, February 6, 2023, 9-10 a.m.
- Technology Committee meeting, Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 4-5 p.m.
- If you are interested in joining a District Committee, please submit your name here.
Bacich Bears News
Dear Bacich Families,
Believe it or not, we have passed the halfway mark in the 2022-2023 school year. Our Kindergarten classes are busy preparing for their 100th Day of School celebration on February 8. It has been a Bacich tradition for many decades for kindergarten students to engage in special activities to mark the 100th day of school. Seeing our kindergartners wear their “zero day” shirts and the 100th day of school crowns is a delight.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
This past week during our Wednesday morning assembly, a group of students helped us learn about the Lunar New Year. They also paraded around the Community Center with instruments, red banners, and a dragon dance. Thank you, Mrs. Bukowski (fourth grade teacher) and Mrs. Poon (music teacher) for helping to organize this celebration. Our TK students are also planning a Lunar New Year parade for us on Friday! Thank you to PTA for bringing clementine oranges and fortune cookies for every Bacich Bear to enjoy!
Youth Truth Survey
We want to hear from you! The YouthTruth family survey window starts today. Please take 15 minutes to complete the anonymous YouthTruth survey at ytsurvey.org/ksdfamily23. This important survey allows us to gather your feedback to make our school stronger and increase student outcomes.
In addition to the family survey, our 3rd and 4th grade students will be engaging in their own survey the week of February 13. This survey allows us to hear directly from our students on how they are experiencing school. The feedback this data provides can be used toward strategic planning, monitoring our curriculum, technology, and learning environment, as well as how we can plan for future professional development.
Full Evacuation Drill
This Tuesday, our entire school will engage in a practice, full-evacuation drill. The purpose of this drill is to essentially rehearse what we will do should the entire student body need to evacuate from the school premises. Staff have been preparing for this drill throughout the school year; reviewing their individual jobs, collaborating with their teams, inventorying their emergency backpacks, and practicing the order of events. The drill will begin with an earthquake simulation in which students will practice Drop, Cover, and Hold. Afterward, we will evacuate to the blacktop as we do for most drills and move forward into a full evacuation where a number of parents have been asked to help come onto campus and simulate picking their child up from school. We encourage you to talk to your child in advance about this drill and the importance of practicing for such an event. The more we practice something, the more confident all participants will feel in knowing what to do, students included! Additional sunscreen and a warm jacket are advised as students will be sitting outside for a period of time. Thank you in advance for your support.
Warmly,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
TK / Kindergarten Registration Now Open
Universal Transition Kindergarten Information Session Slides - Spanish and English
- Incoming Kindergarten students will need to turn 5 years of age by September 1, 2023.
- Incoming Universal Transitional Kindergarten students will need to turn 5 years of age between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024
Bacich Library
The new Bacich Library Book Buzz January blog features book recommendations about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement and the Lunar New Year.
Learn about how each grade will be utilizing the library in lessons aligned to their classroom curriculum during January. The library continues to celebrate equity and inclusion in the Kentfield School District as per the School Board Resolution and guidance from our Social Justice Committee. "Everyone is Welcome" in our library and the January blog shares the books we will be reading to recognize diversity this month.
January Library Displays: Stop by the library to see the wonderful birch trees, snowflakes, snow people, and winter scenes created by our talented third grade artists in their classrooms for our winter bulletin boards. Also, enjoy the Lunar New Year and Dr. Martin Luther King displays. Learn about and see previous winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards.
bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com
Note to Parents: If while reading to your child, you discover torn or dirty pages, broken spines of books, etc. please ask your child to bring it to our attention when he or she returns it so we can have our book repair volunteer, Claire Tsuruga fix it. Thank you, Claire!
Learn more about the library and search for books: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library
Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org
Upcoming Bacich Events
2022-2023 Bacich Bell Schedule
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- Walk & Roll to School Day
- Bacich Parents in Action, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Bacich room 7
Kent Falcons News
Dear Kent Middle School Families,
The final days of January are upon us, with many exciting events and learning opportunities ahead for your child at Kent in the coming weeks. I hope to see you this week at our first winter music concert series at Kent since January 2020!
Winter Music Concert Series – Our Kent musicians have been hard at work preparing for our annual winter concert series, presented in the Kent MP Room this week! 5th grade band and strings students put on the first show this Tuesday evening, while 6th grade band, strings, and choir students take the stage on Wednesday. Our experienced zero-period musicians conclude the week with a performance on Thursday evening. Each concert runs from 7 to 8 p.m. this week and represents the commitment, creativity, and progress of our Kent musicians across the first half of this year. We’ll see you there!
Using Aeries Gradebooks – Teachers utilize the Aeries Gradebook to inform students and families about assignments, assessments, and student progress across the trimester in each class. Markings in Aeries Gradebook will show students and families assignments that have been completed, as well as assignments that are missing. On certain assignments and assessments, teachers indicate the progress each child is making toward proficiency with essential standards in the course. Please remind your child to check their Aeries Gradebook to monitor their progress in each class, or check the Aeries Gradebook along with your child through the Aeries Student and Family Portal. Linked here is an Aeries Gradebook Overview that will help you to interpret markings and will guide users through different elements of the gradebook.
YouthTruth Parent/Guardian and Student Surveys – YouthTruth gathers student, staff, and parent/guardian feedback to help make schools stronger and increase student outcomes. YouthTruth’s surveys are grounded in research about what matters most for student success. Family engagement has been shown to contribute to a range of elements of student achievement, including increased attendance, improved grades, and improved social skills. The YouthTruth family survey window for Kentfield School District opens today! Please take 15 minutes to complete the anonymous YouthTruth survey through this link. Kent students will be taking the student YouthTruth survey on February 15 and 16. Thank you in advance for helping to improve our school!
Let’s have an awesome week ahead!
Grant Althouse
Kent Principal
galthouse@kentfieldschools.org
The Lion King Auditions/Rehearsals
Auditions:
- Tuesday, January 31, 3:45 to 5 p.m., Kent Library
- Wednesday, February 1, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Kent Library
Rehearsals:
- After audition week the rehearsals will be on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the MP Room through March.
Open House Opportunities for Middle School Students
Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 6-8 p.m.: Redwood Music Program Open House
Come out to Redwood High School for a hangout and pizza party in the music classroom! You will have a chance to see the music facilities, meet current music students and teachers, and even play along with other students! You can learn all about the music classes offered at Redwood and ask any questions you may have before deciding which electives you want to sign up for next year.
Please RSVP if you can to your music teacher so we can be sure to have enough food and drinks for everyone.
Bike Blender Event on Friday, February 3
Encourage your student to Walk, Bike, Skate, Scooter, or CARPOOL to school on Friday, February 3. All who travel a “Green” way can pedal the bike blender and get a smoothie! Remember that if the weather is bad and they can’t get to school with their own two feet, PICK UP A NEIGHBOR AND CARPOOL TO SCHOOL.
This event is sponsored by the Kent Eco-Action Club and Safe Routes to Schools.
Kent Basketball Practice & Games Times - new schedules posted
- 8th girls- Mondays, 3:45- 4:45 p.m.
- 8th boys- Mondays, 4:45- 5:45 p.m.
- 7th girls- Thursdays, 3:45- 4:45 p.m.
- 7th boys- Fridays, 3:45- 4:45 p.m.
- 6th girls- Wednesdays, 3:45- 4:45 p.m.
- 6th boys- Wednesdays, 4:45- 5:45 p.m.
Kent Yearbook: Orders Now Open!
Kent yearbooks are now on sale for $42.
www.yearbookordercenter.com or call 1-866-287-3096
Kent's order number is 7587.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
- 6th Grade Basketball @ Davidson, (Boys 4-5 p.m.; Girls 5-6 p.m.)
- 5th - Grade Band and Strings Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- 7th Grade Basketball @ Davidson (Girls 4-5 p.m.; Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- 6th Grade Band, Strings, and Choir Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Thursday, February 2, 2023
- Kent Parents In Action meeting, 8:30-10 a.m.Kent room 11
- 8th Grade Basketball @ Davidson (Girls 4-5 p.m.; Boys 5-6 p.m.)
- 0 Period Band, Orchestra, and Choir Winter Concert, 7-8 p.m., Kent MP Room
Friday, February 3, 2023
- Bike Blender Event - Walk, Bike, Skate, Scooter, or CARPOOL to school to participate
Monday, February 6, 2023
- Deadline for Jamba at Kent – sign up here.
KIK News
BACICH MUSIC PROGRAM PURCHASES NEW INSTRUMENTS!
Thanks to our 2021-2022 Donors, Bacich music teacher, Becky Poon, was able to purchase new instruments for the Bacich Music Program! Students may now experience new ways of making music.
Students have an opportunity to use:
- Xylophones, Glockenspiels, and Boomwackers
- Recorders for 3rd & 4th graders
KIK thanks our KSD community for supporting enrichments for every kid, every day — Donate today!
SEEKING AUCTION DONATIONS
KIK is thrilled to announce plans for the annual Spring Event, School of Rock, the largest fundraiser event of the year!
Online Auction: April 27 - May 4
Party and Live Auction: Bimbo’s 365 in San Francisco; Saturday, May 6 ~ Stay tuned for party details.
First, we need help from our KSD community to secure unique, bid-worthy items for the online and live auctions.
- These items raise the most funds during the auction for our schools; can you help by donating or connecting us with someone you know who can donate any of the following?
- vacation homes and getaways
- Unique experiences (members-only golf clubs, spa packages, exclusive sports tickets, bike adventures, writing classes, tours of private companies, or backstage passes to shows)
- Jewelry, art, autographed sports and music memorabilia
- Rare wines, flights, magnums, winery tastings, and specialty liquor
- Gift cards to local restaurants, grocery and retail stores
- Host a sign up Party for adults or kids (cooking class, hike and brunch, golf outing, outdoor movie night, etc. - the sky’s the limit!)
- No donation is too small and can be bundled with other similar items
- Family and friends can also contribute by purchasing items off the Amazon auction wish list — It’s an easy way to be part of the auction and help KIK reach the $1M goal for our Bacich and Kent students and schools!
All donations must be submitted by March 15.
Please contact Allyson Peracca or Janine Spaulding if you have donation ideas or items to donate. THANK YOU!
KIK BUSINESS PARTNERS
Ben Shemano Jewelry is a family-run business that specializes in estate and custom jewelry, and is dedicated to being your personal jeweler for life! Ben provides the quality of high-end retailers at competitive prices with a superior online shopping experience. Ben and Kira Shemano are KSD parents looking forward to serving our community.
Cast Jewelry in Corte Madera is a fine jewelry brand with an emphasis on craft and deep storytelling - a place to discover pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Cast’s exclusive collections are chic, unexpected and timeless.
FAMILY GIVING IS YEAR ROUND
Please Donate to Support Enrichments for Every Kid, Every Day!
How much should I donate?
Our suggested donation is $2,000 per child in the district. Some families donate more, and some families donate less. The important part is to participate at a level that is meaningful to you. Every dollar makes a direct impact on your child’s education, and will help us reach our goal.
- Here’s how to Donate - THANK YOU!
- The annual KIK $1M contribution to Bacich and Kent directly funds enrichment programs:
- Art, Music, PE, Library, Maker, Woodshop, Broadcasting and more.
Learn more about Family Giving and What KIK Funds.
We are committed to transparency and communication here at KIK. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Family Giving Co-Chairs:
Tiffani Broce - Maggie & Griffin’s Mom - tiffaniparkerbroce@gmail.com
Noah Wheeler - Jesse & Adam’s Dad - wheelernoah@gmail.com
KIK $1M ANNUAL GOAL — UPDATE
- $1M Annual Fundraising Status : $791,265 (net) to date / $1M GOAL
- Thank you to the 312 Family Giving Donors to date who are committed to our students and the programs they love! Can we add your name to this list?
- Learn how KIK Invests in Kids
KIK CALENDAR
WINTER CONCERTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KIK
JAN 31 - 5th Grade Band & Strings Winter Concert - 7PM
FEB 01 - 6th Grade Band, Strings & Choir Winter Concert - 7PM
FEB 02 - 0 Period Band, Orchestra, & Choir Winter Concert - 7PM
SPRING AUCTION
MAR 15 - Deadline to Receive Auction Donations
APR 27 - MAY 4 - KIK School of Rock Online Auction
MAY 06 - Save the Date - School of Rock
KIK Spring Auction Event, Party at Bimbo’s 365 Club featuring Notorious
DINE & DONATE
ORDER EVERY TUESDAY - $50 Dine & Donate
Left Bank KIK Family Meals — 20% of proceeds go to KIK. Opt in for a weekly order reminder.
JAN 31 - Fried Chicken, French Fries, Mac 7 Cheese, & Green Beans
CONNECT WITH KIK
For Installments or Matching Gifts, Print Donor Form in English and Spanish.
KSPTA News
Learn more at kspta.org
Next Meeting: February 3, 2023 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (coffee social during the first 15 minutes)
Sign up now for Jamba Session 2 at Kent!
If you missed the first session or want your child to continue having Jamba at Kent, sign up for Session 2 now.
Session 2 at Kent will run February 13 - June 9 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday).
Sign up for one day or all four. Every day is a different flavor and we have a new flavor on Thursday, Mega Mango!
The deadline to order is February 6, 2023.
Sign up here.
February 1, 2023, 7 p.m. PST
Let's Talk Series: Parenting to Support our Teens
Let's Talk Community Discussion Series
- Learn more & register here. - Sponsored by Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships
- Let's Talk 01-02-2023 Flyer-English
- Let's Talk 01-02-2023 Flyer-Spanish
In the third community discussion of 2022-23, we’ll discuss "Parenting to Support our Teens."
This important topic delves into how parents can support our teens: supporting vs over-parenting, parents’ changing roles over time, recognizing how our issues may impact our parenting, communication, and tools to help as our teens develop and grow in maturity and independence.
Special Education Advisory Committee Parent Workshops
The Marin County SELPA Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is hosting several different workshops for parents in the new year. All workshops are free, translation services are available upon request, and registration is required.
Procedural Safeguards and Parent Rights
An online workshop designed for parents to learn more about their child’s rights and the protections in place under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An opportunity for questions and answers will be provided at the end of the session.
- March 7, 2023, from 6-7:30 p.m.
- Register for HERE
Special Education Eligibility & the Continuum of Services and Placements
An online workshop designed for parents to learn about special education eligibility determination and the factors considered in determining appropriate services and placement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An opportunity for questions and answers will be provided at the end of the session.
- February 9, 2023 from 6-7:30 p.m.
- Register HERE
Navigating the Pages of the IEP
An online workshop for parents to examine the pages of an IEP, one page at a time. Parents will have an opportunity to walk through the pages of an IEP and learn more about what specific information should be included in each section of the IEP document.
- January 5, January 9, February 2, and February 16 from 9:30-11 a.m.
- Register Here
Stay up to date with KSPTA!
Follow kentfieldschoolspta on both Facebook and Instagram
Community News
Information, events, and news provided in our newsletter's "Community News" is offered as service to our community, and are not sponsored by the Kentfield School District. Placement does not represent an endorsement.
Get Ready for Spring SWIM!
New Family Registration for the Tidalwaves Swim Team is now open!
Tidalwaves is open to all swimmers ages 5 through 18 years.
The season runs from late February through the end of June at the Redwood High School pool.
Please visit www.gowaves.com for more information.
Field Hockey Winter & Spring 2023 Season Registration Open
Golden Gate Rippers, a North Bay field hockey and lacrosse club in the North Bay for grades 5-12 with all skill levels welcome.
Find out more:
Interested in Becoming a Substitute Teacher?
Marin County Office of Education is excited to host another one stop Marin County Substitute Teacher Registration Fair on Friday, February 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Anyone interested in being a substitute teacher can attend – no registration required, walks welcome. MCOE will support with applications, live scan, and required trainings.
Opportunities
The Homework Helpers program, created and run by high school interns and the Marin County Free library, is offering a free “homework help” program for English Learners and underserved students at the Corte Madera library every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Students are encouraged to sign up for specific time slots and communicate what they need help with. This is an excellent opportunity for students and families to get extra help, outside of school, from local high school students!
Homework Helpers Flyer in English and Spanish
Weekly Crafternoons and a once-monthly Lego Club: Thursdays 3:30 p.m. for ages 5-12.
Crisis Text Support Line
Marin County is offering our youth another means of confidential mental health support through a crisis text line that is available 24/7.
Text MARIN to 741741 for Support that Cares.
Marin Health Hubs
Health hubs, provides free and bilingual services such as food distribution, nutrition education, health screenings, and information about community organizations. Everyone is welcome to attend the health hubs food pantry and to help us run it!
Parent & Youth.Helpline
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