Cougar Connect
Week of March 18, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Kennedy Community,
This week we will be on a regular minimum-day schedule due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. We will be dismissed at 1:50 pm each day. Our public bus, samTrans, will still arrive at its normal time (3:20 pm).
I've listed details below about conferences.
A huge thank you to our amazing Parent Teacher Organization. Parents came together and donated their time, money, baking and cooking skills, and energy to pull off our spring dance! Moises Salazar and Sean O'Connor grilled hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs for students. This was our first time doing this, and it was a hit! A crew of parents led by Marcela Largarda set up our gym and made sure students didn't go hungry. Snow cones, cupcakes, cookies, chips, drinks--we had it all! Thank you to everyone who made sure our students had a great time.
Parent-Teacher Conferences This Week
We will have minimum days with 1:50 pm dismissal Monday, March 18 through Friday, March 22. Teachers will meet with families of students who earned a D or an F in trimester two. Conference priority will be given to these students. Conferences will begin at 2:00 pm and end at 3:15 pm. Teachers will reach out to families directly by email or text message beginning this week to schedule conferences. Priority will be given to students who earned Ds or Fs. If you have concerns and would like to conference with a teacher, please email each teacher. If you have difficulty emailing, please call our school office and let our staff know which teacher you would like to speak to.
Report Cards
Report cards for trimester two were sent home on Friday. If you do not receive a report card or have questions, please contact our office. For the most accurate information for grades, you can always check PowerSchool.
Lockdown Practice Drill Tuesday, March 19
Please be aware that Kennedy will have a practice lockdown drill this Tuesday, March 19. We have invited an officer from the Redwood City Police Department to give us feedback on our policies and procedures. We will remind students about this drill this week so that they will be aware of the drill next week.
For more information about the types of drills we practice with our students, please refer to San Mateo County Office of Education’s Big Five informational handouts by clicking here.
Kennedy Soccer Games
Soccer season has started! We have our first games this week. We have three boys' teams and one girls' team. Please see the sports section of the newsletter for game times and locations. Go, Cougars!
ELPAC Testing
If your student currently has an English Language Development class, they will take the ELPAC assessment beginning Monday, March 25 in their ELD classes. Our goal is for our multilingual learners who have not been reclassified as English proficient to reclassify before they get to high school.
We will send out important reminders to families this week to make sure we have your support as your students take this important test.
Please make sure:
your student is at school and on time each day.
your student brings a fully charged Chromebook to school each day.
your student goes to bed by 9:00 pm each night.
your student turns off all technology (cell phones, video games, laptops, tablets) 30 minutes to one hour before going to sleep.
your student eats breakfast before coming to school. If your family needs support with providing healthy breakfast items for your family, please contact our Kennedy Family Center kennedyfc@rcsdk8.net. We also understand some families are observing Ramadan, so students will not be eating breakfast. We will reach out to families directly to find out how we can support students during this time.
you encourage your student to take this assessment seriously and try their best.
Trimester Two Honor Breakfast
We will recognize honor roll recipients for trimester two on Thursday, March 28 beginning at 7:15 am. Breakfast will be served by IHOP. Students can bring one guest. Invitations will be sent home by the end of this week to students who earned a 3.75 or higher grade point average for trimester two.
Middle School Bilingual Attainment Award
Our 8th-grade Spanish and Mandarin Immersion students will have the opportunity to earn the Middle School Bilingual Attainment Award.
The RCSD Middle School Bilingual Attainment Award is designed to set a standard for high-level biliteracy attainment for our Multilingual Learners. It will be awarded at the end of eighth grade during our promotion ceremony with the hope that students continue their language study at the high school level. Below are the RCSD criteria:
Attain age-appropriate proficiency in English Language Arts on the state testing system (CAASPP/SBAC) or local assessments (iReady). Students must be at grade level or above in iReady reading.
Demonstrate proficiency in the target measured by i-Ready (test will be taken in May with more details to follow). Students must meet at least 6th-grade level in the target language to qualify.
Meet the criteria for Redesignated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) for students who are English learners (if applicable).
Create and deliver an oral presentation in the target language identifying the importance of cultural understanding and explaining why being culturally respectful is a benefit in the 21st Century.
Maestro Alfredo and Cao Laoshi will administer the oral presentations and reading assessments. We will notify families about the date.
If you are interested in having your student participate, please fill out this Google Form by April 26th, 2024. Google Form: click here.
Message from the Boys and Girls Club
Student walkers will be released from the program at 5:45 PM instead of 4:45 PM. This will begin on Monday, March 11th, and continue until the end of the school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to our BGCP Office at (650)804-9045. Your student’s safety is our highest priority. Thank you!
Yearbook Update
Kennedy uses Treering to create and sell our yearbooks.
Yearbooks can be purchased online by clicking this link.
If you are asked for a school code, please use Kennedy's code: 1015926081674110.
The yearbook price before taxes is $38.29.
Yearbooks will ship to Kennedy. We will then distribute the yearbooks to students in late May or the first week of June.
If you want to create a custom page for your student, custom pages are due by April 11, 2024. You can use this link to learn how to create a custom page.
8th-Grade Baby Photos
We would like to include baby photos of our 8th-graders in the yearbook.
Parents and guardians can upload baby photos directly to TreeRing following the instructions here.
You can also send your photo via email to Mr. Apodaca: papodaca@rcsdk8.net.
Baby photos should be of good quality (not blurry or out of focus).
The photo should only feature the 8th-grade student.
The student should be four years old or younger in the photo.
The deadline for all 8th-grade baby photo submissions is Friday, March 29.
The yearbook will only include 8th-grade baby photos.
Tutoring and Academic Support Opportunities
Students can get drop-in math support on Mondays and Wednesdays with Ms. Le, Mrs. Figueroa, and Ms. Paz in room 533.
Students can reach out to individual teachers to schedule a time to meet during teacher office hours.
Students with IEPs and identified learning disabilities can get targeted intervention and support from
College Advising Prep (CAP). Please reach out to Michelle Fryer Phan for additional information at mfryerphan@rcsdk8.net.
We also partner with Healthy Cities Tutoring. Students can get individual support from a volunteer once a week. Please contact our Kennedy Family Center for more information about Healthy Cities Tutoring kennedyfc@rcsdk8.net.
Reminders for 8th-grade Families
Sequoia Union High School District guidance counselors will be at Kennedy on Monday, March 18. Students will get to select their electives. Parent approval and signature is required. Please review the form that will be sent home and return it with a parent or guardian signature by Friday, March 22.
Please be reminded that your 8th-grade students were given a letter in November that explained Kennedy's expectations for students to participate in 8th-grade activities and the promotion ceremony. The letter was supposed to be read by students and their families. Then, a signed acknowledgment form was to be submitted by December 1. 8th-Grade Letter
Our 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony is Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm on the Kennedy field.
A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to participate in all 8th-grade activities and the ceremony. Please be sure to check your student's grades each week.
Please refer to this newsletter with information from the 8th-grade information night.
Student Clubs Meeting This Week
After-school clubs will resume next week. Teachers have conferences after school this week.
Intramural Basketball continues this week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
Math Homework Support after school on Mondays and Wednesdays in room 534
Book Club canceled after school on Monday
Writing Club during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 318
6th-Grade Gaming Club Monday at lunch in room 102
6th-Grade Student Council Reps Tuesday at lunch in room 103
Italian Club canceled after school in room 318 on Tuesday
Makerspace and Robotics Club Tuesday during 6th-grade lunch in room 104
Wellness Club Tuesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 636
7th & 8th-Grade Lunch Bunch Wednesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 636
K-Pop Club Wednesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 208
Rock Band Club canceled after school on Wednesday in room 314
Chess Club Wednesday during 6th-grade lunch in the library
7th-Grade Executive Council Thursday at lunch in room 314
Art Club Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 527
Jazz Club Thursday morning before school in room 312
GSA Kennedy Skittles Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 315
GSA Kennedy Skittles Thursday during 6th-grade lunch in room 102
Chess Club Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in the library
K-Pop Club Thursday at 6th-grade lunch in room B-9
6th-Grade Lunch Bunch Friday during 6th-grade lunch in room B-6
Environmental Club Friday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 535
Anime Club Friday during 6th-grade lunch in room B-7
Cooking Club canceled Friday after school in room 107.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Leonardo
Music Students Earn Superior Rating
Music Update
Congratulations to Mr. Balogh and his advanced band and orchestra students. The California Music Educators Association judged our students' musical abilities last Tuesday. Our students earned the highest honor--SUPERIOR. Job well done!
Thank you, Mr. Balogh, for always seeking opportunities for our students to showcase their talents!
Parent Engagment Opportunities
Who Should Attend:
Parents, guardians, and caring adults of children in any age group
Location:
Flex Room
Taft Elementary School
903 Tenth Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94063
Sign up here:
Cost: Free
Workshop Series Funded by:
Taft Elementary School
Contact: 408-351-6482 or
These workshops will also be presented in Spanish.
Attend a free family event to have important conversations about identity, inclusion, and kindness. Reflect on what it means to be who you are and how we can make our community welcoming for all. Join us as we bring together students and adults from all our RCSD schools.
When:
Thursday, March 21, 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where:
CZI Community Space
801 Jefferson Avenue
Redwood City, CA
Register: tinyurl.com/RCEFSummit2024
7th-Grade Grand Canyon Trip Updates
There are no important updates as of now. However, if you have any questions about payment, please email Maestro Alfredo: aoropeza@rcsdk8.net.
For Payments By Check:
- Make your check payable to JFKMSEEF.
- Write your child’s name in the memo line and “GCT”
- Hand deliver the check to JFKMSEEF, 1943 Kentucky Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061 OR
- Drop in the JFKMSEEF Dropbox in the Kennedy School office.
For Payments By ZELLE:
Make payment to John F Kennedy Middle School Expeditionary Education Foundation (or JFKMSEEF) as a recipient. Our account uses our email
address: kennedygrandcanyon@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST AND LAST NAMES IN THE MEMO.
Please review the information and email Maestro Alfredo (aoropeza@rcsdk8.net) if you have any questions or concerns.
Addams Family Play Rehearsal
Rehearsal Reminders for March
Tuesday, March 5th 3:30-6:30 pm
Friday, March 8th 3:30pm-6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 12th 3:30pm-6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 13 3:30pm-6:00 pm
Friday, March 15 3:30pm-6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 19th 3:30pm-6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 20 3:30-6:30 pm
Thursday, March 21st 2:30-5:30 pm
Friday, March 22 3:30-6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 26th 3:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, March 27th 3:30-6:30 pm
Thursday, March 28th 2:30-5:30 pm
Friday, March 29th 3:30-6:30 pm
Important resources:
Please read the parent newsletters sent to your email for more details. Kennedy administration will not have any additional information. Email Ms. Rosenbloom or Kennedy PTO for any questions or concerns: srosenbloom@rcsdk8.net or drama@kennedycougarspto.org
Want to join the TECH CREW for Kennedy's production of The Addams Family? Sign up here!
Rehearsals start in late March.
Tech rehearsal is 4/20-4/25 and the shows are April 26-28, 2024.
All students are welcome!
Cell Phone Reminders
Cell phones are to be turned off and placed in backpacks from the time students get on campus until they exit the campus. If you need to get a hold of your student, please avoid texting or calling during the school day. Please call the office and let us know you would like to speak to your student and we can have them come to the office and call you directly.
We have too many students using and accessing their cell phones during the school day in order to use social media. This is a waste of instructional time.
If your student is caught using their cell phone during the school day, they will be required to check their phone in and out of the office before and after school each day.
We need your continued support with this rule, so we thank you in advance for your help.
PTO Calendar
PTO Corner
Hello, Kennedy Community!
Thank you to those who joined us for last month’s PTO meeting. I’m excited to share that the PTO voted to financially support Women’s Mentor Day and Career Day which benefited all KMS 8th graders! Kudos to our Kennedy administrators and staff for planning and executing such a memorable day of speakers and activities. It was amazing!
Because of our community’s generous monetary donations throughout the year, the PTO is able to directly serve our students by supporting electives, as well as new events like Mentor Day and Career Day and expanded experiential learning. For example, 6th-grade science teachers are now able to purchase extra STEM supplies like frogs and worms (metabolism unit), strawberries (genetics unit), foam, felt, and foil (thermal energy unit). All of these hands-on science activities will enhance experiential learning in the classroom and the students have lots of fun in the process.
The PTO will also take special care of our teachers and staff during conference week by providing lunch and sweet treats for them. Their hard work and dedication to our students is truly appreciated.
As we head toward spring and the final trimester of this school year, keep those donations coming! Remember no amount is too small and all funds directly support KMS students, faculty, and staff. If you are able, DONATE HERE! Donate – KMS PTO
Another way to become involved in ensuring the success of Kennedy students and others throughout RCSD is to apply to join the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee. This committee oversees the expenditure of parcel tax proceeds by the school district. Check out this link for more information:
Finally, please mark your calendars for the March PTO meeting on Tuesday, March 26, from 7:00-8:30 pm. We will meet in person at the KMS Library. We hope to see you there!
Don’t forget to follow the KMS PTO on Instagram and Facebook, @KennedyCougarsPTO.
Check out www.kennedycougarspto.org for more info.
Kind regards,
Jess Bryski
Donate to Kennedy
Join WhatsApp
High School Information for 8th-Graders
High School Event Updates
Please check the High School Shadow Programs & Informational Event Links document.
- TIDE and Woodside posted their shadowing request links.
- Carlmont posted links for campus tours and the Chat with a Carlmont Student event.
- Sequoia will open the shadowing request link on 9/13/23.
- Menlo-Atherton will open the shadowing request link within the next ten days.
Kennedy Family Center Updates
Padres de Kennedy 2023 WhatsApp Group
Cynthia Cardona, Community School Coordinator ccardona@rcsdk8.net
Maria Segundo, Admin Assistant msegundo@rcsdk8.net
Kathryn Lige, Lead Mental Health Counselor klige@rcsdk8.net
Contact the Kennedy Family Center by phone: (650) 482-2110
Sports Updates
Soccer Games
Wednesday, March 20 4:15 pm: Kennedy Green vs. Clifford @ Hoover Park South
Wednesday, March 20 4:15 pm: Kennedy Gold vs. Garfield @ Kennedy Field
Wednesday, March 20 5:30 pm: Kennedy White vs. KIPP @ Kennedy Field
Girls' Soccer Game:
Thursday, March 21 4:15 pm: Kennedy vs. Roy Cloud @ Kennedy Field
Go, Kennedy Cougars!
Library Updates
What's Happening in the Kennedy Library?
Book Club has started! We meet on Mondays after school until the Addams Family Musical is finished. If you are interested in joining, come by the library to sign up or sign up here.
Get more details from Ms. Cooper and the awesome Kennedy Library by visiting the Kennedy Library Website.
Student & Family Handbook
In order to make our handbook for students and families more accessible, we have digitized it. Please know that the information in the handbook will be continually updated to ensure families are informed. Students received planners during the fourth week of school, and included in the planner is the student handbook.
Click to view and save the Kennedy Student & Family Handbook.
Kennedy's Amazon Wishlist
We are incredibly grateful for your support! Thank you!
Our wishlist contains items requested by teachers at Kennedy. It now contains items we need for our STEAM and art electives.
We received some anonymous donations of books, supplies for STEAM, and Kleenex. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
March
- Minimum Days Mar. 18-22 Early Release 1:50 pm
- Spring Conferences Mar. 18-22 In-Person 2:00-3:15 pm
- Anti-Vaping Assembly (7th-8th Grades) Mar. 25 Gym 12:00-3:15 pm
- PTO Meeting Mar. 26 Zoom 7:05-8:30 pm
- Honor Breakfast Mar. 27 Gym 7:15-8:30 am
- Site Council & ELAC Mar. 27 Zoom 5:00-6:00 pm
- No School in Lieu of Lincoln’s Day March 29
Click here to view the most up-to-date version of the Kennedy Calendar of Events.
Open House has been changed from Tuesday, April 2 to Wednesday, May 29. This has been updated on the Calendar of Events.
Kennedy Middle School
Email: cleonardo@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://kennedy.rcsdk8.net
Location: 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool