Dear Kennedy Community,
This week is Teacher Appreciate Week, with Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 7. I look forward to recognizing Kennedy teachers' hard work. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible educators. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment inspire us all.
In the face of challenges, you've shown resilience, creativity, and compassion. Your impact on our students' lives is immeasurable, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.
Let's celebrate our teachers this week with gestures of gratitude and appreciation. Thank you for making Kennedy Middle School such a great place to learn and grow!
Thank you to our PTO, who will provide food, coffee, and treats for Kennedy's teachers on Tuesday and Thursday of this week!
Kennedy Color Run Update
We are SO close to our $30,000 goal! Continue sharing the link with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family. Thank you for supporting Kennedy!
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/kennedycolorrun2024
For additional Color Run details and to see a highlight video from last year, https://kennedycougarspto.org/color-run.
We need VOLUNTEERS! Please sign up here to help:
https://tinyurl.com/KMScolorrunvolunteers
Please Check Your Student's Grades
Please log on to PowerSchool this week to view your student's progress. The end of the trimester is June 11. It is essential to ensure your student completes nightly ELA, reading, and math homework. Students need to make sure they submit assignments on time. They should also ask for support when they need it. Teachers have office hours by appointment, so please contact each teacher with questions. If you need support communicating with teachers, please visit our Kennedy Family Center from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. If your student says their work is turned in, ask them to show you their finished work. If you do not have PowerSchool access, you can always ask your student to show you their grades at least once weekly on their Chromebook. All students have PowerSchool access.
State Testing (CAASPP/SBAC) Continues This Week
State testing continues on Tuesday. Thank you for making sure your student was present during testing. Our students were trying their best on the ELA portion of the test! This week, we want them to keep that same energy for the math portion of the test. Thank you for encouraging them.
Please make sure your student is present at school every day during testing. Students will take the state test in the morning, and we will modify our bell schedule for testing. Please schedule all appointments after school hours. We want every Kennedy student to be present for this important test. Here is our modified schedule. Students will test with their third-period teacher. All IEP and 504 separate setting accommodations will be followed; students will be told on Monday about their separate setting location. If your student has any additional IEP accommodations, we will follow these guidelines as listed in the IEP or 504.
Students need fully charged Chromebooks, so please ensure they charge them each night and bring them to school each day.
Encourage your student to try their best. Ensure they get a good night’s sleep--lights out by 9:00.
Thank you for your support!
Here are more important details for this week:
School Site Council Tuesday, May 7
Our School Site Council will meet on Tuesday, May 7 at 5:00 pm via Google Meet. Here is the proposed agenda. We will work as a team to complete goals two and three of our Site Needs Assessment in order to complete our Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).
Children's Book Week
It's Children's Book Week! We will have teachers and students share their favorite books each day. Plus, we encourage families to snap photos of their students reading while at home, soccer practice, in the car, or...anywhere! Then, send a photo of your student to kennedyfc@rcsdk8.net or text (650) 656-0501. Make sure you include your student's name and grade. We will raffle off prizes for those who enter. Read more about Children's Book Week here.
Kennedy is Getting a Mural!
Kennedy is finally getting a mural! Funded by the PTO, with paint donated by Hassett Hardware, Mrs. Segal's art students will be led by local artist Elizabeth Gomez Freer in this exciting project. Ms. Gomez Freer has done gorgeous murals around Redwood City and is a former Kennedy parent. View some of her beautiful work here: https://www.elizabethgomezart.com/school-murals
The mural will be 10' x 8' and painted on a wall facing the blacktop where the students gather and be visible from Washington Street. KMS is thrilled to have our students showcase their creativity and engage in beautifying the campus. To make the project a success, we are seeking parent volunteers to assist the artist, Mrs. Segal, and students during the week of May 13-17. We need at least ONE ADULT per period to support Ms. Gomez Freer as she guides students through gridding and painting the artwork. Use this link to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E45ACAE2DA3FE3-49355526-kmsmural#/
Best of Bay Area 2024
Kennedy Middle School was nominated for a Best of 2024 award in the middle school category. Please review the ballot and cast your vote here. Voting closes May 19.
May Family Challenge
Listen to May's podcast here. Join us for our last family challenge! We invite all families to participate in our upcoming school event on May 29th, where we will be hosting an Open House extravaganza!
Get ready to capture precious memories with your loved ones at our special photo booth! Strike a pose, showcase your smiles, and create lasting moments together. Plus, by joining in, you'll have the chance to win fantastic prizes!
Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to bond, laugh, and celebrate together! Save the date and get your family ready for a day of fun-filled activities at our school's Open House on May 29th. See you there!
If you cannot make it to OPEN HOUSE, you can still participate in our Family Challenge by joining any of our other school events. Check out our Calendar of Events for more information.
Send us your photographs to KennedyFC@rcsdk8.net or text (650) 656-0501.
Yearbook Update
Kennedy uses Treering to create and sell our yearbooks.
We are working to finish up our yearbook!
In order for students to get their yearbooks in the school delivery, please purchase your yearbook by May 13, 2024. If a yearbook is purchased after this deadline, the yearbook will be shipped to students' homes.
Yearbooks can be purchased online by clicking this link.
If you are asked for a school code, please use Kennedy's code: 1015926081674110.
The yearbook price before taxes is $38.29.
Yearbooks will ship to Kennedy. We will then distribute the yearbooks to students in late May or the first week of June.
Tutoring and Academic Support Opportunities
Students can get drop-in math support on Mondays and Wednesdays with Ms. Le, Mrs. Figueroa, and Ms. Paz in room 533.--Canceled during testing weeks.
Students can reach out to individual teachers to schedule a time to meet during teacher office hours.
Students with IEPs and identified learning disabilities can get targeted intervention and support from
College Advising Prep (CAP). Please reach out to Michelle Fryer Phan for additional information at mfryerphan@rcsdk8.net.
We also partner with Healthy Cities Tutoring. Students can get individual support from a volunteer once a week. Please contact our Kennedy Family Center for more information about Healthy Cities Tutoring kennedyfc@rcsdk8.net.
Missing Assignment Study Hall (MASH) is held after school once per week in the Kennedy Library for any student who is currently earning an overall D+, D, D-, or F in any class. We will have time dedicated to support students with missing assignments, test corrections, essays, etc. Our Kennedy admin team will support students during this time. Students will meet in the library after school from 3:15 to 4:15 pm.
Reminders for Families About Color Run
Students with any behavior concerns will not be allowed to participate in this event. Students who have been suspended or have had repeated behavior concerns will be notified on Monday. We will call and inform parents and guardians.
Reminders for 8th-grade Families
Our next event for 8th-graders is the annual trip to Great America. Students must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and no behavior problems to attend this field trip. Kennedy staff will accompany students on the field trip. We plan to leave Kennedy at 9:00 and return by 5:00 pm. We will have more details to send home by the second week of May. Please check your email for details by the end of this week.
Please be reminded that your 8th-grade students were given a letter in November that explained Kennedy's expectations for students to participate in 8th-grade activities and the promotion ceremony. The letter was supposed to be read by students and their families. Then, a signed acknowledgment form was to be submitted by December 1. 8th-Grade Letter
Our 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony is Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm on the Kennedy field.
A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for all 8th-grade activities and the ceremony. Please be sure to check your student's grades each week.
Please refer to this newsletter with information from the 8th-grade information night.
Student Clubs Meeting This Week
Math Homework Support canceled during testing
Writing Club during 7th/8th grade lunch on Monday in room 318
6th-Grade Gaming Club Monday at lunch in room 102
Book Club Tuesday after school in the library
6th-Grade Student Council Reps Tuesday at lunch in room 103
Italian Club after school in room 318 on Tuesday
Makerspace and Robotics Club Tuesday during 6th-grade lunch in room 104
Wellness Club Tuesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 636
7th & 8th-Grade Lunch Bunch Wednesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 636
K-Pop Club Wednesday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 208
Rock Band Club after school on Wednesday in room 314
Chess Club Wednesday during 6th-grade lunch in the library
D&D Wednesday during 6th-grade lunch in room 102
Missing Assignment Study Hall cancelled this week.
7th-Grade Executive Council Thursday at lunch in room 314
Art Club Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 527
Jazz Club Thursday morning before school in room 312
GSA Kennedy Skittles Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 315
GSA Kennedy Skittles Thursday during 6th-grade lunch in room 102
Chess Club Thursday during 7th/8th grade lunch in the library
K-Pop Club Thursday at 6th-grade lunch in room B-9
6th-Grade Lunch Bunch Friday during 6th-grade lunch in room B-6
Environmental Club Friday during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 535
Anime Club Friday during 6th-grade lunch in room B-7
Have a great week!
Mrs. Leonardo
- Please make sure you have your high-top hiking boots ready for the trip! If you purchased new boots, make sure to break them in. We encourage you to go on a few practice hikes to feel more comfortable hiking at the Grand Canyon.
- Backpack Check-in is on Tuesday, May14th from 3:15 to 4:30 PM in the small parking lot at the front of the school, near the Drama Room.
- All items must fit in the backpack that was provided (boots must be tied to the outside of the backpack).
Departure is on Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30 AM. Morning check-in will begin at 5:30 AM near the Drama Room.
- If students want to bring money for souvenir shopping, we can store the money and distribute it to students the days we are gift shopping.
- Here is a packet with more information for this year's trip.
Please reach out to Maestro Alfredo (aoropeza@rcsdk8.net) if you have any questions.
Cell phones are to be turned off and placed in backpacks from the time students get on campus until they exit the campus. If you need to get a hold of your student, please avoid texting or calling during the school day. Please call the office and let us know you would like to speak to your student and we can have them come to the office and call you directly.
We have too many students using and accessing their cell phones during the school day in order to use social media. This is a waste of instructional time.
If your student is caught using their cell phone during the school day, they will be required to check their phone in and out of the office before and after school each day.
We need your continued support with this rule, so we thank you in advance for your help.
Click here to listen to this month's podcast for May.
Join us for our last family challenge! We invite all families to participate in our upcoming school event on May 29th, where we will be hosting an Open House extravaganza!
Get ready to capture precious memories with your loved ones at our special photobooth! Strike a pose, showcase your smiles, and create lasting moments together. Plus, by joining in, you'll have the chance to win fantastic prizes!
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to bond, laugh, and celebrate together! Save the date and get your family ready for a day of fun-filled activities at our school's Open House on May 29th. See you there!
If you cannot make it to OPEN HOUSE, you can still participate in our Family Challenge by joining any of our other school events. Check out our Calendar of Events for more information.
Send us your photographs to KennedyFC@rcsdk8.net or text (650) 656-0501.
Padres de Kennedy 2023 WhatsApp Group
Cynthia Cardona, Community School Coordinator ccardona@rcsdk8.net
Maria Segundo, Admin Assistant msegundo@rcsdk8.net
Kathryn Lige, Lead Mental Health Counselor klige@rcsdk8.net
Contact the Kennedy Family Center by phone: (650) 482-2110
What's Happening in the Kennedy Library?
Book Club will continue to meet on Tuesdays after school now that the musical is finished. If you are interested in joining, come by the library to sign up or sign up here.
Get more details from Ms. Cooper and the awesome Kennedy Library by visiting the Kennedy Library Website.
We are incredibly grateful for your support! Thank you!
Our wishlist contains items requested by teachers at Kennedy. It now contains items we need for our STEAM and art electives.
Kennedy Middle School
Email: cleonardo@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://kennedy.rcsdk8.net
Location: 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2409
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedymiddleschool