Principal Video Message (Link)

Kennedy Families,

Great week last week everyone! Thank you to all the families that joined us for BTSN. It was a packed house as it was our first in-person BTSN since 2019-20. Also thank you to the many families that have created account to access parent portal and to the families updating their contact information in order to get access to school information. We have been assisting a lot of families so please if you are having any questions reach out to our office.

Here is what you need to know for the week ahead (Sept 19-23):

BTSN Slides

Families who were unable to come to school on BTSN below is some of the information you missed. There are two links one shares the admin kick-off presentation as well as links to Kennedy staff class information.

Kick-off Presentation

Teacher class information

Picture Day

Picture day was last Tuesday and families can still also complete order options online by following the directions below:

- https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/

- Code: EVTFKFZ2S

If your student was absent or would like to retake their photo that date will be on Tuesday October 25.

Second Harvest -Tuesday September 20th

Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month from 9:30-10:30am.

Families can pick, milk Eggs, Rice, Beans, Canned food and Chicken.

(Link)

Tardies - Students Late to classes 2-7th periods

Kennedy began "Academic Lunch" during lunch for students who are late to class this week. Families were notified via text message if their student was late. If you have a student who is late to class, please follow up with him/her and encourage timely arrival to classes. We appreciate your efforts in this matter.

Lunch Pick-up

Families that need to pick-up their students during Kennedy lunch time, please come five minutes before lunch begins or five minutes after lunch ends. Thank you for taking this into consideration.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is still a concern for our staff, students, and families. We continue to recommend, but not require, students wear masks. If a student tests positive, parents should complete the district’s self-reporting form and inform the Kennedy office. This form is available on the “Quick Links” section of the RCSD website as well as all 12 school websites.

Also, if your student is sick or showing COVID-19 symptoms, please keep the student home and get them tested.

Go, Cougars!

Nikolaos Fanourgiakis

Principal

Kennedy Middle School

nfanourgiakis@rcsdk8.net

What is I-Ready?

I-Ready is a district diagnostic assessment given to all students to determine what grade level content they have learned, and need to learn. It is a very valuable tool for teachers and allows for student to gain access to an I-Ready digital interface of lessons that target each students needs. Students will be using that digital interface in their Expository Writing and English language development classes. Families will receive a copy of their students progress with each report card.

*Also if you are an 8th grader the High Schools last school year used the I-Ready Reading assessment as a class placement metric.

I-Ready Testing Schedule is below: (Block Days and Friday)

• Sept 21-23 Math Assessment in their math classes
  

• Sept 26-30 Make-ups

Step #1 School (Link)

Step #2 Schoo Passcode 1015926081674110

Price $35

Deadline April 5th

Official Flyer with information (Link)

The 6th grade science team will be continuing MSI field trips this year. The Marine Science Institute will give students the opportunity to learn about the watershed they live in and how to take care of it. This includes learning how to canoe and water quality collection. Permission slips will be distributed by your students science teachers prior to their classes trip.

Below is the schedule of classes going Canoeing in Sloughs in October (9am-2pm)

• October 4th Tuesday, Period 5, Ms. Virnich class
• October 5th, Wednesday, Period 7, Ms. Virnich class
• October 7th, Friday, Periods 2 and 4, Ms. Virnich class
• October 11th, Tuesday, Periods 5 and 6, Ms. Ruiz
• October 12th Wednesday, Periods 1 and 3, Sergio’s classes
• October 13th Thursday, Period 4, Ms. Ruiz class and Period 2, Sergio’s class
• October 14th, Friday, Period 6, Ms. Virnich class
• October 26th, Wednesday, Period 1, Ms. Virnich class

*If you have any-questions check in with your science teachers

aruiz@rcsdk8.net, ssimarromartinez@rcsdk8.net, jvirnich@rcsdk8.net

Family Parent Portal is open

Parent portal will provide families access to students grades and attendance as well as past student state test results.

Short Video Tutorial

Kennedy teachers are expected to have their grade books updated at least every two weeks (many update daily).

If you still need your login please contact Ms. Segundo msegundo@rcsdk8.net

Powerschool Mobile App District Code: ZXGZ

* Kennedy School will be having a High School information Night this Thursday from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm via Zoom (Link). Meeting will be recorded if families cannot make it.

8th Grade Corner

8th Grade students and families this year is very important for your students. Students academic performance this year will be used by local High Schools for class placement. We encourage all 8th graders to do the best that they can throughout the year so that they are placed in the appropriate classes in HS.

Some Information for you:

• Local High Schools are providing Shadowing opportunities for students with some already starting. See link for more information.

• Kennedy School will be having an information night for 8th grade families Sept 22nd 7:00-8:00 pm via zoom (Link)

• High school Fair in the Kennedy gym October 13th 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm in the Kennedy gym

• Staff awards students with Cougar Cash who abide by

• P = Prepared

• A = Attitude (positive)

• W = Wise choices

• S = Safety

Students will have the opportunity to sign in this Thursday.

(Link)

PTO NEWS - 9/18/22

Volunteer at KMS! This year Kennedy will have many ways for parents & families to get involved. The RCSD has a simple process and a few forms for volunteers to complete before they are cleared to be on campus.

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER FORMS BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO VOLUNTEER!

You only have to complete the forms once, so if you have completed the volunteer process at other RCSD schools you are cleared at all RCSD schools.

Please visit the RCSD website to find required forms.

https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer

September KMS PTO Meeting - Tuesday, 9/27/22 - 7-8:30pm via Zoom. All parents & families are welcome to join in the meeting!

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast -Thursday, 9/29/22 - Please sign up here to bring food items to show our support to our Kennedy teachers & staff.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C48AEAF23A0FD0-staff

Open PTO Leadership Roles-

• Book Fair Coordinator - plan & organize Scholastic Book Fair in the library - Nov 14-18, 22 during school hours. Work with KMS librarian, volunteers & students.

• Volunteer Coordinator - facilitate volunteering efforts for PTO

• Grade Level Parent Leaders - communicate with parents at your student's grade level, plan parent connections

Check out www.kennedycougarspto.org for more info.

Follow the KMS PTO on Instagram @KennedyCougarsPTO and Facebook at John F Kennedy Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.

Feel free to email with questions or concerns info@kennedycougarspto.org

Kennedy Student / Family Handbook

Calendar 2022-23