Cougar Connect

Dear Kennedy Community,

As we end our three-day weekend, let's pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on their sacrifice and express our gratitude. I hope your family finds a moment for remembrance, reflection, and connection on Memorial Day.

Reminders

We have two weeks left before our school year ends. We have three important events this week: our final Dine Out Event at Woodside Roadhouse on May 28, Open House on May 29, and Field Day on May 30. Please scroll down to find the information for the Dine Out Day. Our PTO is also hoping to connect with as many 8th-grade families as possible.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are in need of volunteers to support our Field Day this Friday and our 8th-grade dance on Friday, June 6. Please reach out to Liz Avalos for Field Day. Please read the PTO section to sign up to support our 8th-graders.

Thank You

Our 8th-graders took their annual trip to Great America on Friday. Thank you to our PTO for making this event possible. Krissie Rice and Anne-Marie Knokey did a great job making sure our 8th-graders were able to attend the trip! In addition to our Kennedy staff, we had Kennedy parents and family members take time out of their day to chaperone our students! Thank you to Krissie Rice, Anne-Marie Knokey, Lilli Milton, Ameena McNamara, Marty McNamara, Whitney Glockner-Black, Ann Hynecek, Liska Grosser, Tracie Sugiyama, Jessica Bryski, Melissa Paulino-Romero, Krista Cuschieri, Marie Ramirez-Granville, Diane Rivers-Powers, and Shannon Joliet. We appreciate your support!

Welcome Back, 7th-Graders!

Our 7th-grade students made it back from the Grand Canyon on Friday! Thank you to the Kennedy Foundation for continuing this annual experience for our students.

Chromebook Collection

Students will turn in all Kennedy Chromebooks and chargers beginning May 27. Students will be asked to report all Chromebook issues and concerns at the time of turn-in. Chromebooks should be free of stickers and writing. Students will turn in their Chromebooks during their science class.

Kennedy Open House: Thursday, May 29

Our annual Open House will be on Thursday, May 29, at 6:00 p.m. Open House is for current and incoming families. Spread the word! We will also have a mural dedication ceremony after Open House. The information is listed below in the newsletter.

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

Report Cards

Final report cards for trimester three will be mailed home after June 6. For the most up-to-date information, please check PowerSchool.

Super-Minimum Days

We will have super-minimum days on Wednesday, June 4-Friday, June 6.

We will have regular dismissal on Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Leonardo

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.

Dear Kennedy Parents,

As your PTO, we wanted to share some important updates and opportunities to get involved as we cruise to the end of our school year together.

Final PTO Meeting of the Year – May 27

Everyone is welcome to join us in-person or on Zoom for our last PTO meeting of the school year. Agenda items will include voting on next year’s PTO budget and PTO Executive Committee members. We’ll meet at 7:00 PM in Room 101 and online here: Meeting ID: 931 1904 0816; Passcode: Kennedy

Dine Out at Woodside Roadhouse – May 28

Join us for our last Dine-Out fundraiser of the year at Woodside Roadhouse (1515 Woodside Rd). Kennedy Middle School will receive 15% of sales on orders placed between 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Mention Kennedy when ordering or write “Kennedy” in the memo when ordering online.

Open House & Mural Celebration Ice Cream Social – May 29
Celebrate our students' creativity and tour classrooms!
6:00 Open House; 7:30 Mural Celebration

8th Grade Graduation Dance – June 6

8th Grade Parents: We need your help to set-up and decorate the gym, donate food and clean up afterwards. Sign up to help HERE!

6th and 7th Grade Parents: We need your help to chaperone the dance and staff the food tables. Sign up HERE to help!

Donations Needed: Kleenex!

It's allergy season and our school needs some extra tissues/Kleenex. Please donate tissue boxes to the Front Office for our students to use. Their noses will thank you!

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible support and enthusiasm of our Kennedy community. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, or cheered from the sidelines, your involvement makes a real difference. Let’s finish the year strong—celebrating our students, showing appreciation to our teachers and staff, and coming together for all the fun and meaningful events ahead. We can’t wait to see you there!

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