Cougar Connect

Dear Kennedy Community,

I hope you were able to watch one of our Kennedy musical performances this weekend. I was able to make opening night, and I was very proud of all of the hard work from our students under the direction of Ms. Rosenbloom! Great job, everyone!

As we start the week, please be aware of a few things: our 8th-graders will choose their electives during a presentation from Sequoia Union High School District on Monday, 8th-graders will take their panoramic photo on Thursday, we have a minimum day on Friday, 7th-graders have their PBIS field trip on Friday, and Friday is Career Day for our 8th-graders. We have a very busy week!

Last week was my first week back after two weeks on medical leave, so my calendar needed to be adjusted. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Here is what you need to know for this week:

Minimum Day Friday, April 4

• Students will be dismissed at 1:50 p.m. on Friday, April 4. The day before a holiday or break is a minimum day.

• The samTrans bus will arrive at 3:20 p.m. If your student takes the public bus, please be aware of this schedule.

Updates to the April Calendar

• 8th-grade Panoramic Photo on Thursday during homeroom; students will be sent a link to purchase the photo from the photographer's website after spring break.

• Our final parent tour for incoming families is Tuesday, April 15

• Principal's Coffee is now Thursday, April 17

Spring Break April 7-11

• There will be no school April 7-11.

• School will resume on Monday, April 14.

LAST DAY: Submit 8th-grade Baby Photos

If you would like to share your 8th-grade student's baby photo for this year's yearbook, please submit the photo using this link by Monday, March 31. Please include clear photos that include a close-up photo of the 8th-grade student. Please do not include any other people in the photo. This is only for Kennedy 8th-grade students. We are working to get our yearbook submitted. Late photos will not be accepted. Please scroll down to find the link to purchase a Kennedy yearbook.

Be Here, Be Amazing!

In addition to continuing to improve in English and math, attendance is also an area of focus for Kennedy. We aim to decrease chronic absenteeism and increase student attendance (95% daily attendance or higher). The first step is to ensure all students and families know the importance of attendance and why school attendance matters.

• Please schedule vacations during scheduled school breaks.

• Schedule medical appointments after school.

• Reach out to the Kennedy administration if students do not want to attend school due to emotional factors.

• Notify our attendance clerk about absences.

• When absent, students are still responsible for missed assignments and work. We understand that students at the elementary school level may not have to make up for work when absent. At the middle school level, students must connect with each of their teachers upon their return to get missed assignments. Those assignments must be finished and submitted by the required deadlines.

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.

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

Kennedy's second annual career day will be held on Friday, April 4. We are seeking guest speakers and volunteers for the day. Please fill out this form to be a Career Day Speaker. Please email Cynthia Cardona to volunteer: ccardona@rcsdk8.net.

Hello, Kennedy Community!

The March PTO meeting has been rescheduled. Everyone is invited to join us on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00PM in Room 101 and also on Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/93119040816?pwd=aq7QW86bXugaq08Dswoavf3wTxcd0M.1

Meeting ID: 931 1904 0816; Passcode: Kennedy

We’ll hear updates about our electives and events, review fundraising efforts and the budget, plan for celebrating our two new school murals and discuss ways for parents to be involved!

Remember that your voice matters and your support makes all the difference for the students and staff.

Are you looking for ways to volunteer for our school? This link shows you ALL of the available opportunities throughout the entire year: Volunteer Needs.

Remember that our Direct Drive is going on and our students depend on our community’s financial help to make their middle school experience the best it can be! We suggest a $500 donation per family. Payments can be made manageable by choosing to donate $50 a month throughout the school year! Click here to donate: PTO Direct Drive

Kind regards,

Jess Bryski

KMS PTO President

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

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

• Minimum Day Apr. 4 Campus 8:30-1:50 p.m.
• Spring Break ~ No School Apr. 7-11
• School Site Council Apr. 16 Library/Zoom 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Principal’s Coffee Apr. 17 Library 8:45-9:45 a.m.
• Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal Apr. 22 Gym 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Spring Concert Apr. 23 Gym 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• PTO Meeting Apr. 29 Library/Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.

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

Camp Kara is a free bereavement camp for youth ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives. Children and teens come together for one weekend to participate in traditional fun camp activities and peer support focused grief activities. Campers are supported throughout the weekend by Kara’s highly trained volunteers and staff.

Since 2008 Kara has operated an annual bereavement camp dedicated to creating a safe and caring space for grieving children and teens to share experiences around grief and loss, acquire coping skills, and gain support from making connections with peers. Read a spotlight story about Camp Kara in the March 2023 edition of Bay Area Parent here.

Camp Kara 2025: July 18th-20th

Click here for the 2025 Application and Information

Parenting Tech-Savvy Kids: Promoting Safe and Healthy Decisions Online

Sameer Hinduja, PhD, Cyberbullying and Safe Social Media Expert

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

Register: https://sameerhinduja2025rcsd.eventbrite.com

Sameer Hinduja, PhD, is a leading expert on cyberbullying and safe social media use. In this talk, he will help parents/caregivers understand cyberbullying, spot potential risks, and offer practical strategies to help children make smart choices when using technology.

Parents/caregivers, students, educators, health professionals, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.

This presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Healthcare District, Redwood City School District, and Redwood City Together, in partnership with The Parent Venture.

Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture (The Parent Education Series), at cmargot@parentventure.org.

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.

Below are some updates from our 7th-grade Grand Canyon field trip team.

• Reservations for Havasu Falls have been made! We can now move forward with this year's trip!

• We are accepting donations for students that will need gear for this year's trip. Click HERE for more information on how to donate.

• Please email Maestro Alfredo Oropeza (aoropeza@rcsdk8.net) if you have any questions.

• Intramurals Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays at lunch
• Wellness Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Mondays Room 207
• Anime Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Mondays Room 314
  
• Photojournalism Club Mondays Room 532
• Calligraphy/Cursive Writing Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Mondays Room 318

• 6th-Grade Lunch Bunch 6th Grade Lunch Tuesdays and Fridays Room 207
• Chess Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Tuesdays Room 535
• Video Game Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Tuesdays Room 314
  
• GSA Skittles 7/8th Grade Lunch Tuesdays Room 315
  
• Art Club 6th Grade Lunch Tuesdays Room 104
• Art Club 7th/8th Grade Lunch Tuesdays Room 526
• Badminton Club 7th/8th Grade Lunch Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Gym
• 7/8th-Grade Lunch Bunch Wednesdays Room 207

• Hispanic/Latine Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Wednesdays Room 530

• Book Club in the Kennedy Library Dates/Times TBD
  
• Board Game Club Thursdays in the Kennedy Library
• Origami Club Thursdays 6th Grade lunch in B-8
• Video Game Club 6th Grade Lunch Thursdays Room 102
• Environmental Club 7/8th Grade Lunch Thursdays Room 535

• VinylHeadz (Music Discussion) 7/8th Grade Lunch Fridays Room 528

We encourage every Kennedy student to join and participate in at least one club this school year. Clubs are a great way to make connections, make friends, and create a joyful school environment. Clubs are created by students for students. Students need to find a teacher to advise their club. Clubs generally meet once a week. Students need to listen to the morning announcements for updates.

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!

Your students should have homework Monday through Friday. Our English language arts and math teachers will assign homework nightly. Here are the general homework guidelines for each grade level:

6th Grade: 30-45 minutes

7th Grade: 45-60 minutes

8th Grade: 60-75 minutes

These times may vary depending on the assignments and projects, but students should have some math or reading assignment each night. If your student says they do not have homework, please make sure they show you their assignments in Google Classroom. You can also check PowerSchool for grades. If your student says they finished their assignments at school, make them show you their finished work.

If students are finished with their assignments, they can still:

1. Read their independent reading books.

2. Practice reading or math i-Ready or Khan Academy lessons.

3. Review notes from classes to make sure they understand their lessons.

4. Create flashcards for key vocabulary terms and review them.

5. Clean out or organize their backpacks, binders, and folders.

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