Cougar Connect
Week of September 30, 2019
Extra Time On Assignments
This policy that we are piloting will provide students some cushion if they truly need help on an assignment and it takes a couple of times to complete the assignment with help. (We are seeing in the mornings at Breakfast Club students mostly need math support and sometimes it takes more than one session to get an assignment complete since it takes time to learn and practice concepts). This new policy also provides some relief when students have too much homework in one night and/or a lot of after school activities and can't get the work done without staying up really late.
International Walk To School Day
International Walk to School Day will take place on Wednesday, October 2nd in the morning. Prizes and other goodies will be given to students who walk and/or bike to school on this day.
Students, small groups, or classrooms can participate in the Walk and Roll to School Poster Contest. Winning entries will be made into posters that will be shared countywide!
Walk and Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.
Principal's Coffee
Reminder About Super Early Dismissal on Thursday, October 3
This Thursday, October 3, is super early dismissal at 11:45 am for all sites in Redwood City for staff professional development. (Unfortunately REACH is also using this day for professional development).
Due to the super early release, this messes up our Thursday block day. So I have decided to go with no block days this week. Wednesday will be a seven period day following our normal bell schedule used on the non-block days each week. Thursday students will report to their second period class like always, but will remain in this class all morning. All students will be doing a hands-on STEM project (called a Fermi Challenge) that will also involve writing and presenting. (More details about this next weekend). We have been directed that lunch needs to be served before students leave. So here is the schedule for Thursday:
8:25-10:40 am: STEM Project and Presentations
10:40-11:15: Lunch
11:18-11:45 am: Wrap Up STEM Presentations/Clean Up
Since there is no brunch during school time, students are welcome to get breakfast from the cafeteria before school starts. Also, during the large chunk of time before lunch teachers will provide their classes a short break as needed.
Aladdin, Jr. Parent Info Meeting Thursday, October 3rd 6-7 pm
If you are considering signing your student up for the Kennedy production of Aladdin, Jr., please come to this parent meeting to meet the Director and Parent Producer, learn more about the schedule, rehearsals, duties and responsibilities, and much more!
WHEN: Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 6:00 PM
WHERE: KMS Library
Anyone is welcome! Come prepared with any questions/concerns, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Sign Up Online for the Spring Musical Now! Or pick up a paper application at the October 3rd meeting.
Teen Talk
Middle Years
The Book Fair Is Coming!
If you are able to help with the Book Fair, please sign up using this link:
High School Fair
Kennedy in the News This Past Week
After seeing what a big problem vaping was becoming nationwide last year and talking to students, it was pretty clear that some more proactive action needed to be taken to deter students from vaping. Students are very naive about the dangers of vaping and they are at that very curious stage of life where they try a lot of new things, both good and bad. This is why I was very excited about this idea when Don showed them to me.
As I have mentioned in the past, towards the end of last year I really tightened up our bathroom policies during the day, which has made a huge difference. We actually haven't seen a lot of vaping in bathrooms this year, but I figured vape detectors wouldn't hurt to add to the effort of combating vaping. (Also, there are many programs that take place after school is out and in the evenings when administrators are gone, so these will be handy during those times as well).
WEB Carnival
Popcorn Fundraiser
Academic Support
Breakfast Club (Breakfast Provided)
7:45-8:15 am, Library (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)
After School Help (Snacks Provided)
3:10-4:10 pm, Room 531 (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays)
1:40-2:40 pm, Room 531 (Thursdays)
Clubs
Book Club - Wednesdays, 3:10-4:10, Room 531
Dungeons & Dragons Club - Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15 pm, Room 528
Earth Club - Wednesdays, Lunch, Library
Maker Space Club - Mondays, Lunch, Room 531
Photograph Club - Tuesdays, Lunch, and Wednesdays, 3:10-4:10 pm, Room 314
Yoga Club - Tuesdays, Lunch, Room A1 (Locker Room)
Students can show up to the club and do not need to sign up ahead of time.
Announcements From The Community
Sequoia High School Shadow Program
Dear Friends in the Sequoia HS Community,
Another school year has arrived, and for us at Sequoia, that means another chance to welcome visiting 8th graders for a first look at the school. Our Shadow Program provides the unique opportunity to accompany a current Sequoia student throughout the school day. In our process, we make every effort to match our shadows and hosts based on curricular and extracurricular interests submitted during registration. In addition to seeing a host's regularly scheduled academic classes, we will kick things off with a general introductory information session (8:00-8:30) and will end the day with a summative question/answer session over a complimentary lunch in our Student Activities Center, ending the day at noon. Parents are also welcome to attend both the introduction session as well as an optional informational session from 8:30-9:15.
Shadow dates can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the program has become very popular and early dates can fill up fast. the program will open for electronic registration on Wednesday, September 11 on the SHADOWS PAGE (Home Page > Parents and Community > 8th Grade Shadowing Program) of the Sequoia HS website. Please feel free to contact shadow coordinator Corey Uhalde (cuhalde@seq.org) with any questions or comments.
Corey Uhalde
Sequoia High School
Director of Student Activities
Head Coach Varsity Baseball
Woodside High School Parent Night
Pictures From This Week
October Events
Tuesday, October 1: STEAM Arcade - 8th Grade (Science Classes), Gym
Wednesday, October 2: AVID Field Trip to SFSU, All Day
Thursday, October 3: District-wide Early Dismissal, 11:45 am (Special Schedule); Aladdin Jr Parent Meeting, 6:00-7:00 pm, Library
Friday, October 4: Green Spirit Day; Missing Cards Competition (Rescheduled), Lunch, In Front of Room 534/535
Monday, October 7-11: Book Fair, Brunch and Lunch, Library
Tuesday, October 8: 7th Grade Teen Talk Parent Information Session, 6:30-7:30 pm, Library
Wednesday, October 9: September Student of the Month Picture, 11:22 pm, Gym
Thursday, October 10: Vampire Teeth Competition, Lunch, In Front of Room 534 & 535; High School Fair, 6:00-7:00 pm, Gym, Book Fair, 7:00-8:00 pm, Library
Friday, October 11: Stuffed Animal Spirit Day
Monday, October 14: No School - Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 22: PTO Meeting, 7:00 pm, Library
Thursday, October 24: Candy Corn Caldron Toss Competition, Lunch, In Front of Rooms 534 & 535
Thursday, October 24-Wednesday, October 30: Pumpkin Decorating, Lunch, Outside of Room 529 and 530
Friday, October 25: 6th Grade WEB Carnival, 3:15-4:15 pm, Gym/Lunch Shelter, 500-Wing
Tuesday, October 29 - Friday, November 1: Dance Tickets On Sale, $5, Lunch, In Front of Room 534 & 535
Wednesday, October 30: Site Council, 3:15 pm, Library
Thursday, October 31: Halloween! Wear Your Costume To School (Must be school-appropriate); Pumpkin Contest Judging, Brunch
Friday, November 1: Halloween Dance, 6:00-8:00 pm, GymKennedy Middle School
Email: sadler@rcsdk8.net
Website: www.rcsdk8.net/kennedy
Location: 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 482-2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool/