Cougar Connect
Week of February 7, 2022
Principal Message Week of February 7th
Dear Kennedy Families,
I hope everyone had a nice week. It was another good week at Kennedy as we had over 80% of our students on campus each day and we are seeing a continued pandemic improvement and normalization at the school site. Thank you, families, for your continued support and feedback.
Below is the principal's update for the week of February 7th.
2nd Trimester ends March 8th
We have four 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 sooner rather than later.
Grand Canyon
Sad news! We were informed that due to ongoing safety concerns and campsite closures (The Havasupai Tribal Council has passed Resolution No. 97-21, extending the suspension of tourism until June 1, 2022), we are not able to make this year’s trip possible. We understand the inconvenience and the disappointment. All families registered should have already been notified. If you have any questions, reach out to admin or Maestro Alfredo (aoropeza@rcsdk8.net). Admin will have a follow-up communication next week.
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).
Principal's Coffee Last Thursday 2/3 8:45 am
Thank you to the families who joined us for principal's coffee last week. Here is the link to the slide deck from that meeting. (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)
Students at Home Choosing to Work Independently
We have students that are symptomatic and asymptomatic working independently from home. Families need to inform Kennedy office staff if this is your student's situation in order for your student's absences to be marked as excused.
Students choosing to work from home can do so asynchronously accessing work on their teachers’ Google classrooms
Families wishing to enroll in the Independent Study option through our district can reach out to Mr. Rosell for information arosell@rcsdk8.net. Families should be aware that the district option is a long-term choice that means your student would no longer be connected to their Kennedy teacher.
Let's keep working together, everyone.
Nick Fanourgiakis
Principal
Kennedy Middle School
650482-2409- EX 3111
Absence
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.
Click on Image to Register (Wednesday Feb, 9 2022)
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.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=kennedyrwc
8th Grade Information
Thank you to those 8th grade students and families that joined for our 8th grade information meeting. Below is the slide deck of the meeting and video recording of the meeting.
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
_____________________________________________________________
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.
Spring Musical
Thank you to the many families who joined us Tuesday evening to kick off our Spring Musical. For those that missed the meeting below are two links, the slide deck and the video recording of the meeting
Slide deck (Link)
Video Recording (Link)
Some important points from the meeting
Rehearsals will be Monday-Thursday after school until 3:15-5:30pm. The first rehearsal will be Monday, February 7th, 2021
Parents wanting to support the play can fill out the form linked here (Link)
Performance is scheduled for: April 29th-May 1st
If you have question or want to help please reach out to Ms. Rosenbloom
Student Council / Valentines Day
Crazy Hair Day is Friday, February the 11th.
Valentine's day 2/14 students can wear red.
GSA has begun selling Valentine's day grams. They will be selling small bags of Hershey's kisses for $2 with an option to add a rainbow "Love is Love" sticker for $3. Sales will be at lunch and after school by the lunch shelter. Sales will continue till Feb 11th. Valentines day grams will be delivered during 7th period on Monday 2/14.
Door decorating contest: Theme is Open the Door to Spring. Homerooms start decorating now and judging will be the first day of spring, Monday March 21st.
PTO NEWS week of 2/7 - 2/11
Save the date! Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 9-10am - Parent Education Zoom Meeting with renown middle school parenting expert, author & speaker, Michelle Icard. Michelle will answer your parenting questions in a Zoom call just for our Kennedy school community. Whether you’re worried about grades, motivation, friendship issues, self-esteem or social media, Michelle can address your concerns and offer both advice and relief. Register here https://events.r20. constantcontact.com/register/ eventReg?oeidk= a07ej0ha3ok37b9564c&oseq=&c=& ch=
Parent volunteers are welcome on-campus at RCSD schools to help with the Book Fair and other events! We need you!
Please fill out the volunteer form and find volunteer requirements at the link here. https://www.rcsdk8.net/Page/9629
We will have a Scholastic Book Fair in the Kennedy library during the week of February 14-18, 2022! More info soon!
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
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.
Pictures / Videos
7th Grade Math
Chinese New Year Treats
Chinese New Year Treats
February Calendar
Feb 9th Parent Education via Zoom 9:00-10:00am
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/