Cougar Connect
Week of April 11, 2022
Absences
Reminder, families have the choice of calling in their student absences.
This will allow parents to report an absence without having to call the office each morning.
Principal Message Week of April 11th
Kennedy Families,
Last week we had a great time at Kennedy. We were able to reward all our students who grew (by 10 scale points) or scored proficient on the on the I-Ready assessment by passing out popsicles on Thursday and Friday. We also had some pretty incredible kickball competitions during lunch - students vs staff! We are expecting a cooler week and maybe even some rain on Thursday and Friday so please remind students to dress weather appropriate.
Here's a look ahead at the week to come:
Monday April 18th
No School Holiday Observance
School Dance May 13th
We have a school-wide dance scheduled for May 13th in the Kennedy gym. All students that have met Kennedy's citizenship expectations are invited. Dance will be from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. We are going to be asking students for a 1 dollar donation for attendance.
Principal Coffee
Thank you families, that attended last weeks Principal's Coffee. If you missed it the information is provided in the slide deck link here. (Link)
Panorama District Survey
District panorama climate survey time. Please complete this short survey. The schools use family input from these surveys to address needs and develop next steps. (link)
ELPAC /CAASPP -SBAC Testing
We began testing our English learners last week (more info in the section below) and we will start state wide CAASPP assessment for all students May 2nd-13th. For a quick snap shot on the assessments take a look at the link.
(Link) Full SBAC schedule will be shared with families on the Cougar Connect for the week of April 19th
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Thank you Ms. Advani for helping us get a $500 grant to support our music program.
Open House
Open house is being postponed. I will share a new date with the Kennedy community later this month.
Parent Volunteers
As we get closer to the end of the school year and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted we are need of parent volunteers for various functions and activities. Some of these functions and activities include school dance, field day and 8th grade graduation activities. If you are interested in being cleared to help on site, please use this link and get cleared (link). You can also reach out to Jennifer Nichols at the district office for support 650 482-2249
COVID-19 Testing Next Week @ Kennedy
Testing schedule Tuesday between 10:15 am -11:45 pm and Thursday from 1:30 - 3:45 pm. Please sign up when you receive the district notification (District link goes out every Friday)
Enjoy the week,
Nick Fanourgiakis
Principal
Kennedy Middle School
650482-2409- EX 3111
Spring Concert Thursday April 14th Kennedy Gym
Below is a link of detailed information sent to students in the music program on 4/10. (Link)
April 13th Wednesday Dress Rehearsal Schedule
Will be during the school day on Wednesday 12:30- 3:00 pm. (Students will be excused from part of their 5th and all of their 7th period classes)
April 14th Performance
Performers - Need to be at school at 5:30 pm and they will meet in their designated classrooms. (Students will be informed this week of their classroom meeting locations)
Attendees / Guests - Gym doors open for seating at 6:30 pm.
- There will be a designated area for parking and for lining up before the gym doors open
Performance - Performance will be from 7:00 pm- 8:15 pm
* Program will be provided at the door; Endre Balogh eBalogh@rcsdk8.net
Electives 2022-23
Elective descriptions (Link)
Elective selection form (Link)
ELPAC State Testing in April
Kennedy students that qualify as English learners will be taking the English language proficiency assessment in April. This assessment assesses students in reading, writing, listening and speaking. This assessment is one of the metrics used to reclassify a student as English proficient.
Kennedy currently has 135 students that qualify which amounts to around 20% of the school.
Students will test in their English language development classes.
Kennedys testing schedule is below:
April 13th and April 14th → Listening Domain
April 20th and April 21st → Reading Domain
*Admin will proctor make up exams.
High School Musical Jr. - Performances April 29-30
Disney’s High School Musical JR. is playing at MIT Theater from Friday, April 29, 2022 at 7pm and Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 3pm and 7pm. The fun-filled 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie and the subsequent National Tour. The Kennedy Middle School cast includes 40+ students led by drama teacher Sara Rosebloom.
Tickets start at $12!
Students get $5 off a ticket with code: KMSSTUDENT
Buy your tickets starting Wednesday, April 13th at http://www.tktassist.com/Tix?u=KMS
Screenagers Family Education Viewing
Students and families had the opportunity to watch Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age the week of March 24th. Families can still watch it on their own time by using the link provided below until April 9th.
Screenagers, Next Chapter, Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience, will be airing at the end of April for students and families. Use the link below too register.
Family showing April 28th 6pm-8pm
Students showing 23d and 24th science classes
PTO News April 11th
There are LOTS of ways to help out around Kennedy this spring!
WE NEED YOU!
Spring Music Concert - Thursday, April 14 (evening) - 10+ parents to help out with concessions and fundraising efforts. Sign up on the sign up genius below. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0844acaf22a0fe3-kennedy
Use this sign up genius link to sign up to help with these PTO activities this spring! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040549AAAB2B0-kennedy
6th Grade Ancient Greece Festival - Friday, April 22 - 8:30am-12pm - teachers need 6 parents to help with crowd control in the B quad during 6th grade social studies ancient Greece presentations
All School Dance - Friday, May 13 (evening) - 4+ parents to help with set up and planning, 6+ parents to help chaperone during the dance
Teacher Appreciation Week - early May - we will need parents to bring food items
Color Run Fundraiser - Friday, May 20 - 8am-4pm - 20+ parents are needed to help with volunteer shifts throughout the day with various tasks
All School Field Day - Thursday, June 2 - 15 parents - crowd control as kids play
8th Grade Dance - Thursday, June 9 - 6-11pm - 8-10 parents of 6th & 7th graders need to help out during the dance with food, coat check, chaperone & basic clean up
ALL parent volunteers MUST fill out the RCSD volunteer form. Find the easy online form and 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!
Check us out on social media & at kennedycougarspto.org for the latest info! Instagram @KennedyCougarsPTO and Facebook at John F Kennedy Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.
SAVE THE DATE! PTO is excited to announce the Kennedy Color Run is back! Friday, May 20th during 7th period. This free event will be held on the Kennedy field - students will pass through the color zone course and get doused in festive colors from head to toe! All students will be provided a fresh white t-shirt and sunglasses to wear during the Color Run! Students can participate in a fundraiser and win big prizes!
Visit: kennedycougarspto.org/color-run for more info and to sign up to help.
8th Grade Student Corner
Updated the week of Aril 11th.
8th Grade Gown Measurements
- 8th graders will begin being measured for their graduation gowns during their PE classes this week on Wednesday and Thursday.
Panorama picture rescheduled
- Panorama picture for 8th grade April 22nd, 1:00pm.
High School Course Selection
- 8th-grade students did high school course selection in ELD, EXP & Study Skills classes on Tuesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 24. Deadline to submit elective requests for SUHSD is April 13, 2022. Do not wait! Complete this ASAP
Sequoia High School District Counselors:
Below is the presentation from Sequoia and Woodside counselors for families to reference
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
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.
Please note your child’s name on check or envelope.
*Students will not be excluded from activities if they cannot contribute
Free Audio Books
*Families before summer break we will put together a comprehensive list of resources for students to stay sharp over vacation.
Student Council update 4/11
Tuesday, April 12: Mismatch Day
Tuesday May 10: Dress as your Favorite Character (Book, Movie, TV Show, Comic Book)
Photos of the Week
Ms. Comfort 8th Grade Math
Mr. Baquero 7th Grade Science
Physical Education
Ms. O'Leary's 6-8 ELA
Ms. Nolan's 6th grade Science
Ms. Fernando's 6th grade ELA
First in-person staff meeting since 2020
April Calendar
- April 14th Thursday - Spring Concert 7:00-8:30 pm Kennedy gym
- April 18th No School
- April 26th Tuesday - Site Council / PTO 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm, Zoom
- April 28th Thursday - Screenagers Part 2 6:00- 7:30 pm, Zoom
- April 29th-May 1st - Performance McKinley Auditorium
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/