Good morning Kennedy Families,

We have 4 weeks left in the 1st trimester, please remind your students to do the best that they can in order to earn the best results possible. Now is the time to be checking in with teachers if there are concerns. Attendance is one way we can support students' results as every instructional minute counts. We understand that some appointments must occur during the school day but please if possible schedule them after school hours.

We had a very successful High School Night last Thursday with over 185 families attending from around the district. It was great to see many of our 8th grade families preparing for the High School transition.

Let's have a good week, everyone. Below is the Cougar Connect for the week of (Oct-17-21)

Panorama Survey

Each year our district sends families a short survey to complete about the school. Please spend some time completing this form as the school uses this information to develop action steps.

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/redwood/f22family

8th Grade Families

Local High Schools have information nights coming up the next few weeks. If you are interested, use the link to decide which event you would like to attend. (Link)

Earthquake Drill

Kennedy will be conducting an earthquake drill this Thursday. Kennedy conducts emergency drills periodically throughout the year in order to prepare students and staff for possible emergencies.

Pride Group

Kennedy partners with San Mateo County "Pride Center" which provides counseling support for Kennedy students. If you are interested contact Mariela Lopez in the Family center.

mlopez3@rcsdk8.net or 650-4822409-3482

English (Link)

Spanish (Link)

Fast Food or Food Deliveries

Please be reminded that our school rules state that fast food drop offs and deliveries from DoorDash, UberEats, etc. are not allowed. This is a safety concern and it also is disruptive to school activities and the office.

Families may drop off a lunch or any forgotten item (books, homework, etc.) for their child in the main office, but classrooms will not be disturbed to notify students that a lunch or items are waiting for them. Families should arrange with their children in advance if they intend to drop off any items. Food deliveries (DoorDash, UberEats, PostMates, etc.) are NOT allowed, as this is a major disruption to the office and could lead to safety issues.

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 has "Academic Lunch" during lunch weekly for students who are late to class. Families are 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

Kennedy's Halloween Dance is faced approaching. Below are the expectation for students and families of attendees:

Participation Expectations: Student s must...

• Respecting staff and classmates

• Do the best they can. (No D and F’s)

* Tickets are $5 each (Student needing assistance can check in with an administrator)

Halloween costume Expectations

• No costume masks

• No fake blood or props and accessories (Ex: things you hold or carry like a wand a weapon etc).

• Costumes may not have obscene language, hate speech or themes/references to drugs, alcohol, the occult, death/suicide, or violence.

• Hair coloring must be applied at home and not at school

• Candy leave at home

*Students do not have to dress-up

Families Expectations

• Must pick-up students from the gym at 8:00 pm. We do not want students walking or riding their bikes home

Tickets go on sale the week of October 24th

Are you looking for an easy volunteer opportunity that makes a real difference for long-term, English learning students at Kennedy? Los Ayudantes ("The Helpers") is a non-profit that helps local middle schoolers improve literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in high school and beyond. Their dedicated literacy volunteers help in the same classroom one hour a week helping students as they read out loud: decoding, explaining vocabulary and delving deeper into reading subject matter. You will become an important, trusted mentor for the students when you make this commitment to tutor them throughout the remainder of the school year. Virtual tutoring is also available.

English proficiency is required. Training is provided, and you can shadow one of our volunteers before you decide to help out. For available volunteer time periods, visit our website, www.losayudantes.org/volunteer. For more information, please contact the Program Director, Jenni Farrell at jenniferlynnefarrell@gmail.com.

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, Wednesday and Friday 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 26th, Wednesday, Period 1, Ms. Virnich class

• October 31st 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.

Please visit www.acknowledgealliance.org/services.

HS Meetings the next two Week:

See (link)

HS night presentation: (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.

Step #1 School (Link)

Step #2 School Passcode 1015926081674110

Price $35

Deadline April 5th

Official Flyer with information (Link)

Click on here to access Weekly PTO update

(Link)

Kennedy Student / Family Handbook

Calendar 2022-23