Cougar Connect

Dear Kennedy Community,

Thank you for your support as your students worked hard to complete all their summative tests for our annual state testing. We have about 137 students who still need additional time to complete their assessments, so we will work hard to ensure that these students can finish this week.

Our 8th-graders will start the California Science Test on Tuesday of this week. They will continue the assessment on Wednesday or Thursday during the block days. Then, they will finish by Friday. If your student has an IEP or 504 Plan with testing accommodations, these accommodations will be followed.

Here are a few reminders for this week:

Elective Selection

Our 6th and 7th-grade students will choose their electives during homeroom on Wednesday. We hope to have all 7th-grade students going to the Grand Canyon choose their electives on Tuesday, before they leave for the Grand Canyon. Here is our elective catalog for current students. Please be aware that elective classes are subject to change. Electives are made available based on teacher credentials and student interest.

Grand Canyon Field Trip

Our 7th-grade students will leave for the Grand Canyon on Wednesday morning! We wish them a safe and amazing trip. I will send text messages to update families as students make their way to the Grand Canyon. Make sure you are signed up to receive Kennedy emails and text messages.

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 during the week of May 27.

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!

8th-Grade Information Session: Thursday, May 15 @ 6:00 p.m.

I will host a virtual meeting via Zoom for 8th-grade families. This meeting will be recorded and the presentation and recording will be sent out in next week's newsletter. I will discuss the following:

• requirements to participate in the 8th-grade promotion ceremony

• details about the promotion ceremony (times, date, seating, gowns, after the ceremony, dance)

• Great America field trip on May 23 (expectations, tickets, timeline, rules)

Our 8th-grade Committee will also be on the call to discuss the details about the 8th-grade dance. This session is for parents only. Students will get this same information the following week in advisory.

The Zoom Information is listed below:

Join Zoom Meeting https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/j/86539118243?pwd=HYdILevcKhQbPsZwd0OVW7wpoipMiI.1

Meeting ID: 865 3911 8243

Passcode: Kennedy

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

Thank you to our awesome PTO for making sure our Color Run was another success this year! Krista Cuschieri took the lead this year, and she did an amazing job. Our students had a lot of fun, and it was a well-deserved reward after two long weeks of CAASPP testing!

Mr. Balogh and the jazz band traveled to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk over the weekend and earned a first-place rating in the excellent category. Congratulations!

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.

• 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.

Dear Kennedy Parents, 👋

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.

🎢 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)

📅 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 7:00PM in Room 101 and online here: Meeting ID: 931 1904 0816; Passcode: Kennedy

🍦Open House & Mural Celebration Ice Cream Social – May 29
Celebrate our students' creativity and tour classrooms!
5:00 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!

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

6TH & 7TH GRADE PARENTS: It is a Kennedy tradition for the 6th & 7th grade parents to chaperone and help with food tables at the 8th grade dance - Pay it forward so you can enjoy the night off when your student is in 8th grade!! Thank you for signing up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E45ACAE2DA3FE3-56178386-8thgrade#/

8TH GRADE PARENTS: We need your help to set up/decorate the gym for our kiddos 8th grade dance on Friday, June 6! Set-up begins Monday, June 2 and runs through Friday, June 6. We need lots of parent help to make this happen for our kids! Please sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E45ACAE2DA3FE3-56178650-8thgrade#/

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

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.

Sign up and pay your deposit by June 1, 2025 to go on the trip in October.

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

MAY

• State Testing Apr. 28-May 16
• 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

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.

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