Kennedy Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We had a very busy week last week. Thank you to the families that joined for an in-person for Principal's Coffee, it was great to have you there. Progress reports were mailed and they included students i-Ready results in reading and math. Teachers use this assessment to guide their instruction and to evaluate student progress throughout the year. Students will take a second diagnostic in December.

Let's have a good week, everyone. Below is the Cougar Connect for the week of (Oct-11-14)

High School Fair Thursday 10/13 6:00pm-7:00pm gym (Link)

High School fair is this Thursday from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Kennedy gym. Families are encouraged to come and ask questions directly to the High School representative on site. It will be an open forum with tables set-up for each High School. Families can enter on Washington st. near the gym. Masking is recommend.

Principal's Coffee (Link 10/6)

Families that were unable to attend Principal's coffee the slide deck for the meeting is here. Principal's coffee will be the first Thursday of each month. Each Principal's coffee will end with either a school tour or activity for our families. The next meeting will be Nov 3rd and 8:45 am.

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

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.

See Pictures of our students from last week below:

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 11th, Tuesday, Periods 5 and 6, Ms. Ruiz

• October 12th Wednesday, Periods 1 and 3, Sergio’s classes

• October 14th, Friday, Period 6, Ms. Virnich class

• 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.

8th Grade Corner:

High School Fair: This Thursday 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Kennedy Gym. Masking is recommended

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.

See what they have planned (Link)

The Kennedy Student Store opened last week and students were able to pick up their purchases by using their Cougar Cash.

Cougar Cash is awarded via the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) app found in on students Clever Dashboard.

• Staff awards students with Cougar Cash who abide by

• P = Prepared

• A = Attitude (positive)

• W = Wise choices

• S = Safety

See short video of students pick-up there rewards

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

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)

Staff: Liz Avalos, Elizabeth Calderon-Garcia, Patrick Apodaca, Peggy Klein, Rita Pilkenton, Diana Camera

Community Members: Nicole Caldwell, Sandra Rincon Debbie Moore, Gail Sheena, Stacie Ciraulo, Pam Swint

Below are two documents approved

- Kennedy-Family Compact

- Title #1 Parent Involvement Policy

The notes for these meetings have been added to the student - family handbook under site council notes 22-23

Family / Student Handbook

Kennedy Student / Family Handbook

Calendar 2022-23