Welcome to 2022-23 School Year
August 2, 2022
Dear Kennedy Families,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Kennedy Middle School, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2022-23 school year!
As we are finishing up our summer, we are excited to welcome all our new and returning families. Our staff is excited to start the year, and we all look forward to getting to know all of you. As principal of Kennedy, I am honored to serve this community and continue to support the academic and social emotional growth of our students.
As we begin this school year, communication with you will be important. I will be sending a Cougar Connect message (our newsletter) Thursday evenings each week to update you on school events and news for the following week.
This newsletter will also be posted on our Kennedy Website and our school Facebook page. You will also be receiving principal video messages periodically updating students and families of upcoming school events. (Mr. Fanourgiakis Youtube Channel). Our awesome administrative team Chandra Leonardo, David Camarena, and Family Center Coordinator, Liz Calderon-Garcia, are also here to support you and our students each day.
During the first few weeks in August, please make sure you are receiving school communications. If you are not receiving school communications, that means your contact information is incorrect in our district PowerSchool database. The district will be sending you a link for you to update your information prior to the start of school. You can also call Kennedy school or visit the office if you need assistance. (Office staff returns Monday August 8th).
Maze Day is quickly approaching. On Maze Day, students receive their schedules, families complete PTO paperwork, and other important items. We strongly recommend that you attend, so please plan ahead. This will be a good opportunity for you and your student to familiarize yourselves with our campus.
If you cannot attend, there will be a second opportunity for your student to receive their schedule. Please have your student report to the Kennedy library 30 minutes before school begins on the first day, August 17th, to receive their schedule and assistance with any other questions they may have.
Below is the schedule for the start of school. This information and more is provided in the school packet you will be receiving at MAZE day.
August 8-10, Monday-Wednesday
Summer Bridge Program for registered students. An email with information will be sent on Wednesday 8/7. The program is full, so we cannot accept new enrollees at this time.
August 11, Thursday
6th Grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Orientation 8:30 am-12:30 pm, Gym - Enter through gate at gym
WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a 6th grade orientation program where 6th grade students are introduced to their 8th grade mentors and participate in team building activities. Lunch will be provided
MAZE Day 6th grade only 1:00 pm -4:00 pm - Enter through gate at gym
MAZE Day All Grades 5:00 pm 7:00 pm- Enter through gate at gym
August 12, Friday
MAZE day All Grades 4:00pm -7:00 pm, Enter through gate at gym
August 17, Wednesday
First Day of School 8:30 am - 3:10 pm
Look forward to seeing everyone soon,
Nikolaos Fanourgiakis
Principal
Kennedy Middle School
Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula (BGCP) After School Program
Kennedy is happy to be partnering with the Boys and Girls Club to support our students after school from dismissal to 6:00pm. BGCP offers advising and academic support, engaging enrichment options and social and emotional learning, and their caring instructors foster a safe, supportive community - right on the school campus.The program will begin the first day of school. The program is free to Kennedy students
Program Information (Link)
Enroll Your student (Link in English)
Enroll your Student (Link in Spanish)
For more information reach out to:
Site Director: Taryn West twest@bgcp.org or
Associate Site Director Arnulfo Prado aprado@bgcp.org
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Direct Drive 2022-23 (Link)
The Organization of Parents and Teachers (PTO) of the Kennedy Intermediate School (KMS) is dedicated to supporting and improving the educational experiences of Kennedy students through donations and volunteering.
What do we support?
Some programs we support include: School Dances, Lunchtime Activities, Physical Education, Music, STEAM, Art, Drama, Makers Space, & 8th grade celebration activities. We work closely with the KMS administration to help determine what programs and activities to support.
How can I volunteer?
Everyone (parents or guardians, teachers and staff of Kennedy Middle School) is automatically a member and is encouraged to attend our monthly meetings. Please join us on the last Tuesday of the month, via Zoom from 7-8:30 pm, starting on August 30, 2022. Find more details and opportunities at: www.kennedycougarspto.org
HOW CAN I DONATE:
Via PayPal at (Link)
CreditCard via Online Store (Link)
Donation Form (Link)
The PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
The PTO Board for the 2022/2023 school year includes: Stacie Ciraulo (president), Kyla Bloomquist (vice president), Open (treasurer) and Sheila Vyas (secretary), with the support of many other members.
Redwood City Parks and Recreation
Fall Sports (Link)
Below are the list of sports available for students in the fall:
- School Volleyball league
- School Flag Football league
- Tennis
- Run Club
- Watersports
- Skate Clinic
- Basketball Clinic
Contact Michael Smith (After School Sports Coordinator) at 650-780-7254 or msmith@redwoodcity.org for additional information.
Kennedy Family Center
Kennedy is a Community School and has a family center to address non-academic barriers to learning. Services include but are not limited to student counseling, tutoring, after school program, and food distribution. If you need support please reach out to us and we will work together to support you.
Please complete the short survey below if your student might need counseling support. Counseling can be requested at any point in the school year and students can drop into the
Family Center for counseling or support as needed.
Liz Calderon-Garcia - Director ecalderongarcia@rcsdk8.net
Maria Segundo - Secretary msegundo@rcsdk8.net
(650) 482-2110
COVID-19 Update 8/2/2022
District will be sending communication updating schools on changes regarding COVID safety protocols later this week . County Covid Framework July 27 (Link)
Below are some details:
- Masking will be highly recommended but not required (Masks will be supplied in the office for students that request them)
- Vaccination verification is not required however if students are vaccinated families can share that information with our school nurse.
- Volunteers on campus must be vaccinated and must follow district volunteer guidance. If someone was cleared last year they can volunteer on site. For more information on volunteering see district information. (Link). Please note that volunteers are not allowed on campus until September 17th.
- Water fountains and water filling stations are being reopened for student use.
- Students will be encouraged to hand-wash and use hand sanitizer regularly.
- Families will continue to be informed of any positive case on campus by electronic letter.
More information coming later in the week.
Student Family Handbook / 2022-23 Calendar / School Materials
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 will receive planners the first day of school and included in the planner is the Handbook.
Kennedy Student / Family Handbook
Calendar 2022-23
Below is the calendar for the 2022-23 school year. Any changes for events will be updated in our weekly Cougar Connect.
Student Materials
Students should have the materials listed below each school day. If families need support getting these materials please contact our Family Center and they can help. School chromebooks will be distributed the week of August 29th so chromebooks will not be needed the first two weeks.
Kennedy Middle School Redwood City