Cougar Connect
Week of February 14, 2022
Principal Message Week of February 14th
Dear Kennedy Families,
I hope everyone had a nice week and enjoyed their weekend. Anther good week last week as we had over 90% of our students on campus which we hope continues to grow. I would like to start by thanking PTO for inviting Michelle Icard to present to our families last Wednesday as we had over 40 community members on the Zoom call which was great. Thank you to all the Kennedy families that participated.
Below is the principal's update for the week of February 14th.
Valentines Day Monday
Fun day Monday for students as many will be celebrating Valentines day. Couple things students were informed of last week and will be informed of again Monday during morning announcements.
- Balloons brought to school will be stored in the office during the day for students to pick-up at the end of the day
- Student can wear the color red if they choose
Valentine's day grams will be delivered during 7th period Monday by members of the GSA club
No School Feb 21-25
MID-Winter Break COVID Testing
To support families during this time the district is offering COVID-19 testing for students and staff Feb 22-25 from 8:00 am-3:00 pm at Hoover School 701 Charter St. (Link)
2nd Trimester ends March 8th
We have three weeks left in the second trimester. Please remind students to do their very best and finish the trimester strong. If your student or family has questions, please reach out to your teachers this week so they can catch-up on work over break
Grand Canyon
As families were informed last week, the Grand Canyon trip was canceled for this school year. At this point I have no specific replacement trips with dates to confirm however we are working on a couple things that we hope to announce soon. Thank you to the families that have reached out and assisted in our brainstorming sessions.
Water Container
Please remind students to bring a bottle of water or refillable water bottle to school. They can refill their water in one of our three water stations or in classroom sinks. We also will have water bottles and cups available if needed in the office and with your students' PE teachers.
Parent Volunteers
Families have slowly been getting cleared to volunteer on campus for various tasks, but we can always use more volunteers. If you are interested in being cleared to help on site, please use this link and get cleared (link).
COVID-19 Testing Next Week @ Kennedy
Regular testing schedule Tuesday between 10:15-12:15 and Thursday from 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Please sign up when you receive the district notification (District link goes out every Friday)
Let's keep working together, everyone.
Nick Fanourgiakis
Principal
Kennedy Middle School
650482-2409- EX 3111
Absence / Student Release Procedure Reminder
Absences
Reminder, families have the choice of calling in their student absences as normal or complete a short form link below.
This will allow parents to report an absence without having to call the office each morning.
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Student Release Procedures Reminder
When an adult comes to pick up a student during the school day:
- If the office staff know the parent/guardian, and are certain the parent/guardian is able to pick up the child, no verification of id is needed. They should sign the child out.
- If an adult comes to pick up a child and the staff are not certain it is the custodial parent/guardian, the staff must check the emergency card to make sure the person is listed and verify the id of the adult. They should then sign the child out.
Book Fair Feb 14-18th
Book Fair Feb 14-18th in the Kennedy library
Students will be visiting with their ELA teachers and during recess and lunch.
Students enrolled in the after school program can also visit after school.
Parents can use the link to set up e-wallets or shop.
Families use the link below to setup E-Wallet or shop (Link)
Video on how tu use E-wallet (Link)
Marine Science Institute 6th Grade Field Trip this week
Wed: 9:00 am 1st Schemkes, 12:15 pm 5th & 7th Schemkes, 5th Sergio
Thur: 9:00 am 2nd & 4th Schemkes, 12:15 pm 6th Schemkes & Sergio
Fri: 12:15 pm 5th, 6th & 7th Ms. Ruiz
8th Grade Information
High School Webpages Updated
8th Grade students will be have an opportunity to check out the updates during Homeroom this week.
Woodside High School has posted a collection of videos promoting elective options.
Sequoia High School has posted a new About Sequoia video - The Elective video is being updated and will be coming soon.
Menlo-Atherton High School is hosting an Open House on March 17
TIDES is hosting a Recruitment Night on March 2
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End of the Year Activities 8th Grade
Video Recording (Link)
Slide Show (Link)
Below are some things 8th grade students have to look forward to
- February sweaters for each students
- May 27th Great America
- June 2nd Field Day
- June 9th Graduation Ceremony 6pm-7pm
- June 9th Graduation Dance 7:30 pm-10:00pm
A family donation of $75 to pay for some of these end of the year activities would help. If you are able please make a $75 contribution by credit card or PayPal by clicking here now. Please include your child’s name in the comments.
Write a check or leave cash in the PTO lock box at the Kennedy Office.
*Students will not be excluded from activities if they cannot contribute
Woodside & Sequoia classroom presentations at Kennedy will be happening in late Feb or early March
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Sequoia High School Dance / 2022-23 Dance Audition
If your student is going to Sequoia and want to be part of the dance team.
Date: Friday, March 4th, 3:45 PM
Where: Check in below the dance studio, near Gym 3. Auditions will be held in the Sequoia dance studio.
Attire: Dancewear (no jeans), dance shoes optional
An optional workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd from 4:00-5:30, in the Sequoia Dance Studio.
Please learn the three dance combinations on YouTube (Jazz, Hip-hop and Lyrical)
https://www.tinyurl.com/advancedauditions22
Dancers will also need to demonstrate battements, pirouettes and jetes across the floor (see sample videos on the YouTube audition playlist).
Video submissions will also be accepted on or before March 4th. Please contact Mrs. Taylor White twhite@seq.org for more information, including auditions for the intermediate level.
*Masks are required for all in-person activities.
PTO NEWS - 2/14
PTO will provide cupcakes for students with February birthdays on Thursday, February 17 at lunch!
Kennedy PTO is hosting a Staff Breakfast on Monday, February 14th. Please sign up to bring a sweet treat and show our KMS staff some love! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eabae2fa4ff2-kennedy1
Parent volunteers are welcome on-campus at RCSD schools to help with the Book Fair and other events! Please fill out the volunteer form and find volunteer requirements here. https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer
If you are approved to volunteer at a different RCSD campus, please let Jennifer Sandoval jsandoval@rcsdk8.net know that you would also like to volunteer at Kennedy!
We will have a Scholastic Book Fair in the Kennedy library during the week of February 14-18, 2022! More info soon! If you are an approved RCSD parent volunteer please help! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d49a9ae2ca75-book
Check us out on social media for the latest info! Instagram @KennedyCougarsPTO and Facebook at John F Kennedy Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.
Kennedy PTO Needs your donations! Check with your employers about donation matching options. Click this link to donate. https://kennedycougarspto.org/donate-now
Spring Sports - Redwood City Parks and Recreation (2/15)
Deadline to Sign up to Spring Sports in 2/15
Also families if you want to coach Redwood City Parks and Recreation is always needing coaches. See link here to sign-up if you are interested (Link)
Bus Passes
This year the Redwood City School District is part of a special SamTrans pilot program. SamTrans has donated free youth bus passes to be used by students enrolled in the Redwood City School District this is good through June 30th, 2022. Students can receive a free bus pass if they are eligible in one of these categories: Free/Reduced Meals, housing insecurity (homeslessness), foster-youths and migrant students, or students whose parents did not receive a High School Diploma. If you are interested in receiving a pass for your child, please contact Maria Segundo from the family center at 650-482-2409 or send me an email to msegundo@rcsdk8.net. If your child does receive a pass, you will be contacted to complete a short survey.
February Calendar
Feb 14th Valentines Day
Feb-14-18th Book Fair Kennedy Library School Hours
Feb 21-25 No School
Kennedy Middle School Redwood City
Email: nfanourgiakis@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/kennedy
Location: Kennedy Middle School, Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650-482-2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool/