Video Message (Link)

Kennedy Families,

Welcome to October. Hope everyone had a nice weekend. We are around 6 weeks before the end of the 1st trimester (November 10th) families please remind students to do the best that they can and turn in all assigned work. We have a busy but exciting week here is what you need to know for the week ahead (Oct 3-7):

Progress Reports

Will be mailed this week. All families can access grades anytime using the school portal. Information is provided below.

Principal's Coffee

Kennedy will be hosting principal's coffee in the Kennedy library this Thursday from 8:45 am -10:00am. This will be our first in-person principal's coffee since 2019. Gates outside the office will open for parents at 8:45 am. Families are encouraged to wear masks. If you are unable to make it the slide deck will be shared on the Cougar Connect for 10/11.

Vision Screening

Is scheduled for all students on October 3rd. Students will be screened during their PE classes during the day. If parents want to opt out, complete email admin because you need to complete the document below. (Link)

Picture Day

Picture day make-ups are October 25th. If you still want to complete orders the link is 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.

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.

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

Two options for Math Support for Students

First: Ms. Le is beginning after school math support this week. All students needing support can pop - in when needed.

Schedule:

• Monday, and Wednesday till 4:30 pm in room 534

Students can go directly to her classroom after dismissal

2nd: Families can still sign their students up for an extra math class. Currently around 70 students are registered. If you are a parent that wants your student to be part of this extra class or wants more information please email me directly.

nfanourgiakis@rcsdk8.net

Some specifics:

• This is a graded class with students having to commit for the year.

• The classes are 4 days a week M-Th

• The classes are not specific for homework help; the staff will be working on the diverse math needs of these students.

Schedule:

6th and 7th Grade

7:45 am -8:25 M-Th

8th Grade

3:15-4:00 M-W

2:15-3:00 Th.

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 14th, Friday, Period 6, Ms. Virnich class
  
• October 26th, Wednesday, Period 1, Ms. Virnich class
• October 31th Thursday, Period 4, Ms. Ruiz class and Period 2, Sergio’s class (This was moved from October 13th)

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

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

Project Resilience by Acknowledge Alliance will commence on Sept 30 in 6th-grade social studies classes and will run for seven weeks with the lessons on Fridays.

Project Resilience is a partnership where outside instructors work with our students on developing their social emotional skills, including identifying strengths, recognizing and managing emotions, demonstrating caring for others, coping strategies for dealing with feelings, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, making responsible decisions and working with others.

It will run for 7 weeks with lessons on Friday.

Below are some pictures from week #1

please visit www.acknowledgealliance.org/services.

8th Grade Corner:

For those families that missed our HS night presentation the recording and slide deck presentation are here (Video of Presentation), Slide Deck Presentation

Some Information for you:

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

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

Below is our list of members:

Staff: Liz Avalos, Elizabeth Calderon-Garcia, Patrick Apodaca, Peggy Klein, Rita Pilkenton, Diana Camera

Community Members: Nicole Caldwell, Sandra Rincon Debbie Moore, Gail Sheena, Stacie Ciraulo, Pam Swint

Below are two documents we approved in our first meeting

- Kennedy-Family Compact

- Title #1 Parent Involvement Policy

The notes for these meetings have been added to the student - family handbook under site council notes 22-23

Family / Student Handbook

Step #1 School (Link)

Step #2 Schoo Passcode 1015926081674110

Price $35

Deadline April 5th

Official Flyer with information (Link)

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

• Staff awards students with Cougar Cash who abide by

• P = Prepared

• A = Attitude (positive)

• W = Wise choices

• S = Safety

Sign-up (Link)

Thank you to all of the parents and families that contributed to the Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast this past Thursday! The teachers felt supported and appreciated! A job well done by Nicole Caldwell & her team!

Thanks to all parents, teachers and our awesome student council rep who joined us for the first PTO meeting of the year! PTO meetings are the 4th Tuesday of the month via Zoom - all parents and families are welcome!

We desperately need a parent (or two) to be Book Fair Coordinators for the KMS Scholastic Book Fair for this November. The book fair planning has already been started by past leadership. The Coordinators will need to work with our KMS librarian, parent volunteers & students to organize set-up, clean-up, and everything that goes with hosting the Book Fair in the library - Nov 14-18, 22 (during school hours).

Volunteer at KMS this year! There will be many ways for parents & families to get involved at Kennedy. 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!

Please note: You only have to complete the forms once. If you have completed the volunteer process at other RCSD schools in the past, it applies to all RCSD schools.

Please visit the RCSD website to find required forms and details about the process.

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

Open PTO Leadership Roles-

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

• Volunteer Coordinator - facilitate & recruit volunteers for PTO events & activities

• 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