Cougar Connect

Dear Kennedy Community,

This week, we begin our state testing. Students will focus on English language arts this week, beginning on Tuesday. We will have a modified schedule Tuesday through Friday beginning Tuesday, April 29, and ending on Friday, May 9. Mondays will be a regular seven-period day schedule. Here is our modified schedule for the next two weeks. Students will test with their 3rd-period teacher unless they have separate setting accommodations through their IEP or 504 Plan.

Cell phones and smart watches will not be allowed during the testing block. Students will test from 9:05 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. each day. Teachers and staff will require all students to make sure all cell phones and smart watches are turned off and placed in backpacks. Please support us by contacting the office if you need to send a message to your student. Texting or calling your student during the day is disruptive and violates our cell phone and technology policy.

Today, we will ensure that students have working Chromebooks, as the test will be taken on the computer. Teachers will also have loaner Chromebooks available in the classroom for student use.

Here are ways you can support your Kennedy student during state testing:

1. Ensure they get a good night's sleep. Lights out by 9:00 p.m.

2. Ensure they are not on cell phones or computers after 9:00 p.m.

3. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast in the morning before school begins.

4. Make sure they are at school each day on time. School begins at 8:30 a.m.

5. Encourage them to try their best.

Attendance Reminders/Truancy Letters

Truancy letters were recently sent to families through our district office. Please note: Truancy letters are sent out based on the number of excused/unexcused absences a student has. Even if your student is sick and their absence is excused, they may receive a truancy letter. Letters may also be sent if students are late/tardy to school each morning.

We are unable to change any attendance records after the week of the absence. If you notice any attendance errors or receive phone calls about an incorrect absence, please call our attendance line and leave a message. Alternatively, you may email our attendance clerk, Jessica: jpperez@rcsdk8.net.

Check Grades

Please log in to PowerSchool this week to check your students' grades and attendance. If you have concerns about your student's grades, please email their teachers. It is expected that all Kennedy teachers update their grade books every two weeks. If there are concerns about attendance errors, please email the teacher and/or our attendance clerk, Jessica: jpperez@rcsdk8.net

Have a great week!

Mrs. Leonardo

Kennedy's advanced band and advanced orchestra participated at Music in the Parks at Great America on Saturday, April 26. Our orchestra received an excellent rating and placed first in the AA division. Our advanced band received an excellent rating and placed second in the AA division. Congratulations to Mr. Balogh and our advanced music students! This field trip was made possible through Measure U funding.

The Kennedy Environmental Club received a mini-grant; Kennedy was one of eight California schools to receive the grant! The grant allowed the Environmental Club to purchase items for our Earth Day celebration.

1. Mini Planting Station – “Grow Your Own Hope”
   Students planted a seed in a biodegradable pot to take home and grow.

2. Earth Pledge Wall – “I Promise to…”
   Students wrote and shared one way they plan to help the planet.

3. Trivia Spin & Win – “Eco-Wheel”
   Students played a quick eco-trivia game and won small Earth Day-themed prizes.

4. Earth Day Photo Booth
   Students took fun pictures using Earth-themed props.

• Backpack check-in day is Tuesday, May 13, in the front parking lot of the school.
• Other reminders for backpack check-in: hiking boots must be tied to the outside frame of the backpack, everything must fit inside the backpack, and students will receive their day bag at check-in.
• Please ensure that you have a good pair of hiking boots and start breaking them in. We encourage practice hikes with the backpacks to prepare for the trip.
• Students will meet with Maestro Alfredo a week before the trip departs to ask any lingering questions.
• If you have any questions, please feel free to email Maestro Alfredo at aoropeza@rcsdk8.net.

As we continue to build a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, we want to remind everyone of our shared expectations around student behavior. Middle school is a time of growth, and with that comes the need for clear boundaries, consistency, and accountability.

We ask for your partnership in reinforcing the following with your child:

• Respect for others – including peers, staff, and the learning environment.

• Following directions the first time they are given.

• Keeping hands, feet, and objects to themselves at all times.

• Using appropriate language and maintaining a positive attitude.

• Being on time and prepared for class each day.

• Following Kennedy's dress code each day. Click here to review our dress code policy.

• Keep cell phones turned off all day, every day. Click here to review our cell phone policy.

Disruptive behavior, disrespect, or refusal to follow adult directions not only affects a child’s learning but also the learning of others. While we strive to use restorative approaches, there are times when consequences may be necessary to ensure a safe and productive school environment.

We appreciate your continued support and open communication. Together, we can help our students rise to their best selves.

Hello Kennedy Parents!

We hope you had a fantastic Spring Break and are feeling ready for the exciting final stretch of the school year — it's going to fly by!

As your PTO, we wanted to share some important updates and opportunities to get involved as we support and celebrate our amazing students, staff, and school community.

Band Concert – April 23

Come enjoy an evening of music in the Kennedy gym at 6:00 PM!
We need a few volunteers to sell concessions.
Sign up HERE to help

PTO Meeting – April 29

Join us for our monthly PTO meeting at 7:00 PM. We'll discuss PTO budget recommendations for next year and share updates about upcoming events.

In-person: Room 101
Zoom: Click here to join
Meeting ID: 931 1904 0816 | Passcode: Kennedy

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast Buffet – April 30
Let’s show our amazing teachers and staff how much we appreciate them!
We're hosting a breakfast buffet and would love your help.
Sign up HERE to donate or help

Color Run – May 9
Our annual Kennedy FUNdraiser is here! Students raise money, earn raffle entries, and enjoy an afternoon of colorful fun!

Raffle prizes include:

• Meta Quest 3S

• Beats Wireless Headphones

• Amusement park & escape room tickets

• Gift cards: GameStop, Nike, Ulta, Doordash, Target, Visa

• “Admin for the Day” experience

Volunteers needed to help set up, toss color, and hand out snacks.
Sign up HERE to help

Check your email for your child’s personal fundraising link. Didn’t get it? Email: kennedycolorrun@gmail.com with your student’s name, grade, and preferred email.

Important Dates:

• May 4: Last day for raffle-eligible donations. Students earn 1 raffle ticket for every $25 raised.

• May 9: Color Run event

• May 11: Final fundraising deadline. The top two students who collect the most by this date will win Target gift cards.

8th Grade Great America Trip – May 23
A day of fun and memories!
We need 24 district-cleared chaperones (transportation provided).
Sign up HERE (under the 8th Grade Great America Trip tab)

Open House & Mural Celebration Ice Cream Social – May 29
Celebrate our students' creativity and tour classrooms!
5:00–7:15 PM | More details coming in May!

With heartfelt appreciation,
The KMS PTO Leadership Team
Jessica Bryski, PTO President
Aracely Tamayo, PTO Vice-President
Tina Keegan, PTO Co-Treasurer
Steve Osborn, PTO Co-Treasurer
Becky Foutch, PTO Secretary
Carmie Chan, Co-Communications Chair
Krissie Rice, Co-Communications Chair

8th-graders attended an assembly on Monday, November 25th. We discussed behavior and academic expectations for the remainder of the school year. Students were given a letter and an agreement form. The letter and agreement form must be reviewed and signed by a parent, guardian, or caregiver. The form should be turned in to homeroom teachers by Thursday, December 5.

Families of students who have a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 after trimesters one and two were sent emails and text messages on Sunday, March 30. Kennedy administrators will meet with families and students to make sure they are aware of the next steps for students.

Families of students who have a cumulative grade point average between 2.0 and 2.5 were also sent emails and text messages explaining that their students must continue to do well trimester three.

8th-grade Letter

All incoming Sequoia freshmen who are interested in joining the Sequoia Cheer team are welcome to join us for the parent informational meeting, clinics, and formal tryouts! Click here for more information regarding the tryouts for the Sequoia HS Sideline Cheer Team 2025-2026.

Visit the Kennedy Outdoor Ed website for more information about the Kennedy Yosemite trip for our rising 8th-grade students: https://www.kennedyoutdoored.org/yosemite/

Email the trip coordinator here: kennedyyosemitetrip@gmail.com

Learn more about the trip and sign up here: click this link.

Click here to read the brochure. A video of the Zoom meeting is below.

Kennedy's color Run Fundraiser will launch today April 14th! Please be on the lookout for your fundraising page in your email. If you do not receive a fundraising email please contact kennedycolorrun@gmail.com.

Important Dates

– April 14th Personal fundraising links sent to parents via email

– May 4th: Donations collected now through May 4th will count toward student raffle tickets that students can enter into the raffle for the prizes listed above. This is the only way to earn raffle tickets.

– May 9th: The Color Run

– May 11th: Last day to collect donations. The top two students who collect the most by this date will win Target gift cards.

We are working hard to find sponsors for the May 9th Color Run! The sponsorship would cover the cost of the event so that any money earned would go directly to our students! Thank you to the following sponsors so far:

Primary Sponsors:

Rim Orthodontics

Biohackr Health

Secondary Sponsors:

Allison Fujimoto Real Estate

Mountain Mikes

Homeskillet

Sassy Diva Designs and Events

West Bay Contractors

Dehoff's Key Market

If your company or a company you know well would like to be a secondary sponsor ($300), this is a tax-deductible donation! Feel free to reach out to Melinda Moye (melindakayemoye@gmail.com) or Krista Cuschieri (kcuschieri54@gmail.com) for more information!

The Kennedy Office is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Liz Avalos, Office Manager: lmavalos@rcsdk8.net

Maritza Gutierrez, Office Assistant (student records, medical notices): mggutierrez@rcsdk8.net

Jessica Perez, Office Assistant (attendance, independent study): jpperez@rcsdk8.net

APRIL

• PTO Meeting Apr. 29 Library/Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• CAASPP Testing Begins Apr. 29

MAY

• State Testing Apr. 28-May 16
• Last School Site Council May 7 Library/Zoom 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Color Run May 9
• 7th Grade Grand Canyon Trip May 14-23 Grand Canyon National Park
• ELAC May 20 Library/Zoom 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• 8th Grade Field Trip May 23 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Memorial Day ~ No School May 26
• Last PTO Meeting May 27 Library/Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• Open House May 29 5:00-7:15 p.m.
• 6th-8th Grade Field Day May 30 Kennedy Field 10:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Please click here to view our Calendar of Events. Events are subject to change. Please read the Cougar Connect newsletter for changes.

Raise a glass to education at the Redwood City Wine Walk, hosted by the Redwood City Education Foundation and Rotary Club of Redwood City! Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 PM for an unforgettable evening of drinks, food, and fun in downtown Redwood City.

Start at the Library and stroll through over 20 local restaurants, bars, and ice cream spots offering exclusive food and drink specials. Stop for a complimentary glass of wine at Sound Union, the event headquarters. Catch up with friends or meet new ones—it’s an evening full of good vibes and local pride, all while supporting local students.

• Check-in opens at 4:30 PM in front of the Redwood City Library
• The first 200 attendees will receive a special Wine Walk glass
• All ages are welcome at select participating restaurants—only adults participating in tastings need a ticket

Tickets + Info: tinyurl.com/RWC-WineWalk-2025

Kennedy uses Treering for our yearbooks. Visit www.treering.com/validate to order your student their yearbook. Yearbooks are $38.29; they will be distributed in June to students.

Kennedy's school passcode is 1015926081674110.

Students can get help with homework and assignments on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays after school in the Kennedy Library from 3:15-4:15 p.m. If students are enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club after school program, they need to sign in first.

Students must be actively working on assignments. Students should not come to Homework Help to hang out or be off task.

We look forward to helping students succeed!

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.

Click to view and save the Kennedy Student & Family Handbook.

We appreciate you thinking of our teachers.

Kennedy's Amazon Wishlist

With a commitment to excellence, Kennedy Middle School engages, encourages, and empowers students in challenging and creative learning opportunities while preparing them for their futures in high school and beyond.

Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/kennedy
Location: 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool