Cougar Connect
Week of April 8, 2019
Shrek Jr.
Principal's Coffee
Open House and STEAM Fair
Join us this Thursday, April 11, for our annual Spring Open House. There will be food for purchase starting at 5:30 pm on the black top by the gym. Then enjoy student work in the classrooms from 6-7:30 pm. This year instead of posters and experiment demos in the gym we are featuring STEAM in the math/science classrooms and at these locations below:
Gym: Come try out a mini-golf course made by the Robotics elective students. Each obstacle contains our new Micro Bits and/or Hummingbird robots programmed by students. There will also be other tech projects and demonstrations in the gym to see and participate in.
Room 531 Maker Space Room: Come participate in a STEAM project and see projects from our Technology and Yearbook/Journalism elective classes.
Library: Come hear the Jazz Band and Choir perform a couple of pieces at 6:15 and/or 7:00 pm as a small preview of the Kennedy Spring Concert that is on Thursday, April 25, at 7 pm in the Gym.
Accelerated Math Testing
Welcome To Josh Griffith
WEB - Save the Dates
On Friday, April 26, we will hold an informational meeting and pass out applications at lunch for 7th graders who want to be WEB Leaders next year. WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a year-long program to help sixth graders feel more comfortable, as well as help them to be successful and social during their first year of middle school.
Since many of you are already planning your summer, here are the dates WEB Leaders must be available for training and for orientations. Most of the other events will occur during the school day next year, with the exception of one or two events that will take place for after school.
Thursday, August 8, 2019: 9 am to 12 pm (Training)
Friday, August 9, 2019: 8 am to 12 pm (Training)
Tuesday, August 13, 2019: 8 am to 12:30 pm (6th Grade WEB Orientation & Lunch)
Friday, August 16, 2019: 9:30-12 pm (New 7th/8th Grade Orientation & Lunch)
Redwood City STEAM Fest
8th Grade Spanish Immersion Placement Testing
Students in our 8th grade Spanish Immersion program will now be able to take the high school Spanish placement test at Kennedy rather than having to wait until August at Woodside/Sequoia, which could potentially mess up their schedule. Now that we have this partnership in place, next year 8th graders will complete the test prior to when they have to sign up for classes so that when they come to turn in their high school registration forms in March they will know which Spanish class to sign up for. For this year, since 8th graders have already turned in their course selection materials, they will take the test in April and the high school will make any changes needed. We will let parents know the placement outcomes.
Incoming Kennedy Student Informational Night
Construction Update
I have not provided a construction update in a while since progress has been really slow due to the rain. The construction crew is close to completing the underground utilities work and has staked the corners for the new administration building. Raceway is currently being installed before the foundation is put in place. The raceway will provide the infrastructure for electrical, data, water, and other utilities necessary for a fully functional and operational building. This week they will do a rough grade tune-up to smooth out the site and prepare for final grading.
Support Kennedy!
Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping the Kennedy PTO raise up to $30K in support of our students and community! This will help fund next school year’s programs, including: The Kennedy Family Center, The Art Program, The Maker Space, and a new project based learning program called Project Lead The Way. Donate Now or put a check in the PTO box in the school office. No contribution is too small!
After School Extra Math Sessions
I will be continuing to work with students after school when we return from break. Here are the dates of the April sessions:
6th Grade: Monday, April 8 & 22, 3:15-4:15 pm, Library
7th Grade: Wednesday, April 10 & 17, 3:15-4:15 pm, Library
8th graders are welcome to attend the 7th grade sessions to brush up on skills.
Teaching Tolerance and Proper Behavior
Social Studies teachers will spend some time over the next five to six weeks working with students on tolerance, name calling, bullying, and more. Here are some of the resources being used to inspire and guide discussions and activities.
How can you help support us? By having conversations with your students and correcting inappropriate behavior. If you hear your student using foul language, call them out on it, give them consequences if they continue. It is amazing how many of them think it is cool and okay to swear/cuss.
If you hear your student using inappropriate slang, have a conversation with your student. Help to educate your student about why it isn’t appropriate. You can even research together online how/why that term originated historically. It is amazing how many students for example use the “N” word to each other. And they think if it ends in an “a” versus an “er” that it is okay. This will be addressed in lessons with the teachers, including other inappropriate names students are calling one another.
No Gum On Campus
This past week I reminded students that gum in not permitted on campus unless for special medical reasons. Please remind them at home about this. The students are leaving gum all over the ground, under desks, etc., which is really gross.
8th Grade Graduation Festivities
8th grade graduation events are almost here. Your kids will participate in a day trip to Great America, the graduation dance, field day events and the graduation ceremony, including gowns for all kids. These wonderful events take money to produce and we are asking for donations of $75 per child to cover the costs. Without your donation we won’t be able to make all of these events happen. Please make a contribution today so we can make your child’s graduation from Kennedy a memorable one!
Make a $75 contribution by credit card or PayPal account using this link: https://bit.ly/2DeBrJf. Please include you child’s name in the comments.
Write a check or leave cash in the PTO lock box at the Kennedy Office, please note your child’s name on check or envelope.
Academic Support
All Academic Subjects:
Tuesday-Friday, 7:45-8:15 am, Library
Monday-Wednesday, 3:10-4:10 pm, YELL Room, (Old REACH Office)
Thursday, 1:35-2:35 pm, YELL Room (Old REACH Office)
Math:
Monday-Wednesday, 3:10-4:10 pm, Room 637
Clubs and Groups
Art Club: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:30-8:20 am, Room 526
Book Club: Thursdays, Lunch, Room 534
Dungeons & Dragons: Fridays, Room 528
Jazz Band (Audition Only): Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:15-4:15 pm, Room 312
Maker Space: Mondays, Lunch, Room 531
Photography & Writing Club: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Lunch, Room 314
Robotics Club: Tuesdays, 3:10-4:10 pm, Room 530
Total Drama Club: Tuesdays, 3:10-4:10 pm, Room 417
Shakespeare & Improv Club: Mondays & Fridays, 3:10-4:10 pm, Room 417
Walker Library Club: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Lunch, Room 417
Announcements From the Community
Cheerleading
Pictures From The Week Before Spring Break
April Events
Tuesday, April 9: 6th Grade Asian Art Museum Field Trip, Maestra Adriana’s Classes, All Day
Wednesday, April 10: Student Council Meeting, 8:10 am, Room 535
Thursday, April 11: Spring Open House, 6-7:30 pm, Food at 5:30 pm
Friday, April 12: Talent Show Meeting, Lunch, Library
Tuesday, April 16: Second Harvest Food Bank, 9:30 am, Gym; 7th Grade VIP Lounge, Lunch, Library; PTO Meeting, 7 pm, Library
Wednesday, April 17: March Student of the Month Picture, 11:22 am, Gym
Thursday, April 18: Math Pathways & Kennedy Informational Night for Incoming Students, 6-7 pm, Gym
Friday, April 19: No School
Monday, April 22: April Birthday Celebration, Lunch, Room 535
Tuesday, April 23: 8th Grade VIP Lounge, Lunch, Library
Wednesday, April 24: 6th Grade VIP Lounge, Lunch, Library
Thursday, April 25: Spring Concert, 7 pm, Gym
Friday, April 26: 7th Grade WEB Informational Meeting, Lunch, Library
Monday, April 27: CAASPP Testing – Language Arts, Special Schedule
Tuesday, April 28: CAASPP Testing – Language Arts, Special Schedule; WEB Ice Cream Sundaes & Bingo, Lunch, Library
Kennedy Middle School
Email: sadler@rcsdk8.net
Website: www.rcsdk8.net/kennedy
Location: 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 482-2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool/