Cougar Connect

Dear Kennedy Community,

It's the last week of school--WOW! As we wrap up another school year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support, collaboration, and dedication to our school community. Together, we've created countless moments of growth, learning, and success for our students.

As we head into the summer break, I encourage you to continue fostering a love for learning at home. Whether it's through reading together, exploring nature, or engaging in fun educational activities, every moment counts in shaping our students' future. I've listed a link to Redwood City Library's summer reading program below. I've also included information about Sequoia Union High School District's summer reading assignment for our 8th-graders and information about food pantries within San Mateo County.

Listed below are a few updates for the last week of school:

Super-Minimum Days This Week

Monday and Tuesday are super-minimum days. Students will be dismissed at 12:00 pm. samTrans will arrive at 3:20 pm on Monday and Tuesday, so if your student takes public transit, please be aware that samTrans will run at its usual time.

RCSD Mental Health Survey

In an effort to continue improving our mental health services, RCSD has developed three surveys to gather feedback from students, staff, and parents.

Here is the link to the parent survey: RCSD Mental Health Survey.

Italian Club Fundraiser

The Italian Club is working hard to raise money for their club. They will make and sell candy leis for graduating Kennedy 8th-graders. The candy leis are $12 and can be pre-ordered by clicking this link.

Library Books are Due

We need students to return their library books as soon as possible. If a book is lost or damaged, students should talk to our librarian, Ms. Cooper, to make arrangements for a replacement. All 8th-graders must turn in their library books in order to receive their diploma.

Report Cards

Report cards will be mailed home on June 13. However, for the most up-to-date grades and comments, please check PowerSchool.

Kennedy Office

Our office staff's last day of work is June 20th. The Kennedy Office will be closed from June 20-August 5th.

Maze Days

I will send more information about Maze Day in July, but here are the dates:

6th-Grade Only: Wednesday, August 7 1:00-3:00 pm

All Grades: Wednesday, August 7 5:00-7:00 pm

All Grades: Thursday, August 8 4:00-7:00 pm

Summer Bridge for Incoming 6th-Graders

We will have Summer Bridge at Kennedy the week of June 17th. We do have a waitlist, so we aren't adding new students at this time. Please email Maria Segundo with any Summer Bridge questions: msegundo@rcsdk8.net.

Future Cougar Leaders

We are recruiting future 8th-graders to be Kennedy Cougar Leaders. Our Cougar Leaders will mentor next year's 6th-graders. Cougar Leaders will need to be available August 6th for training and August 7th for 6th-grade orientation. We will notify families by the end of this week if their student has been selected to be a Cougar Leader.

First Days of School

Our first day of school will be August 14th. We will have regular minimum days Wednesday, August 14-Friday, August 16th. Students will be dismissed at 1:50 pm each of those days. There will be no block days that week.

Back to School Night

Add Back to School Night to your calendar: Thursday, September 12.

Reminders for 8th-grade Families

• Students receive four (4) tickets for graduation. Tickets will be distributed to students on Monday, June 10, after we practice.

• Gowns will be distributed to students on Tuesday after we practice. Students are to take the gowns home and hang them up. Horseplay and eating should be avoided while the gown is being worn. All gowns belong to Kennedy and need to be returned by 7:30 pm on Tuesday, June 11.

• Our ceremony begins on Tuesday, June 11 at 6:00 p.m.

• The ticketed entrance is on Maddux Drive and will open at 5:00 p.m.

• Guests without tickets can enter on the blacktop at 5:45 p.m.

• Students must be dropped off at the front office entrance no later than 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.

• All library books, Chromebooks, chargers, gowns, and other RCSD materials must be turned in before students receive their diplomas.

• An additional update for 8th-grade families will be sent on Monday evening.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. I wish you all a safe, restful, and joy-filled summer. We look forward to welcoming our students back in the fall, refreshed and ready for another amazing year ahead.

Mrs. Leonardo

All high schools encourage students to read during the summer vacation. If your high school is not listed below, contact the school directly to find out about any summer reading assignments.

Click here to get more information about SUHSD's summer reading requirement for all high schools. Please reach out to Cynthia Cardona, our community school coordinator, if you need assistance with purchasing a book from the reading list.

Your future Kennedy 8th-grader has an opportunity to attend the 8th-grade Yosemite field trip this fall. Here are important details:

• Payment for the trip is due July 1st. The cost is $950. A deposit of $500 is due on July 1st, with installment payments due by September 9th. Installments are due August 5th and September 9th ($225 each). If you require financial assistance, you must make the $500 deposit by July 1st.

• We accept two forms of payment:

1. Electronic transfer through the ZELLE® portal

2. Paper Check, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order

We do not accept cash.

To make a payment through ZELLE®:

1. The first step is to initiate the payment process. Please sign up for the ZELLE® platform by either downloading the application or using your online banking portal to register. To enroll in Zelle®:

If your bank is listed with Zelle®: Log into your bank’s app and look for Zelle®, then follow the instructions.

If your bank is not linked to Zelle®: Download the Zelle® app in the App Store or Google Play and enroll an eligible Visa® or Mastercard® debit card. After you enroll, you can send and receive funds.

2. Once enrolled, add John F Kennedy Middle School Expeditionary Education Foundation (or JFKMSEEF) as a recipient. Our account uses our email address: kennedyyosemitetrip@gmail.com

3. Send us your deposit, and we will confirm receipt via email. YOU MUST LIST YOUR CHILD’S NAME IN THE MEMO LINE of the ZELLE® transaction.

• By Check:

· Make your check payable to JFKMSEEF.

· Write your child’s name in the memo line and “YOSE.”

· Hand deliver the check to JFKMSEEF, 1943 Kentucky Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061

Cancellation Policy: We are a non-profit with a mission to provide Kennedy students with the opportunity to discover their national parks in an immersive environment with dedicated instructors and parents who enthusiastically embrace the outdoors. We organize these experiences with cost in mind and must cover our expenses and financial commitments. Your fee is non-refundable because we sign binding contracts according to your commitment to participating.

Your student will have weekly assignments starting the first week of September. The weekly assignment includes walking a certain distance, compiling items on the Packing List, and doing research and writing. Without these assignments, your child will not be prepared to participate in the field trip and will risk being removed from the field trip. Each participating student must be physically prepared to walk 5-7 miles a day at 4,000-6,000 feet above sea level. By packing their own clothing and equipment, they will know what they have with them and will be responsible for tracking it, as we change locations during the trip, and they are required to carry some equipment with them during the day. Lastly, the research done prepares them for the outside environment: being in the wild and having an understanding of the historical and cultural aspects of Yosemite National Park. Each weekly assignment must be submitted through Google Classroom or by email.

In addition, there is a mandatory Practice Hike on Saturday, November 16th, from 8:00 to 11:00 am, starting and ending at Kennedy Middle School. Every participating student and chaperone is expected to attend, with no exceptions. Your students will have no physical issue with the hike, this is not the purpose of this hike. The hike is for the chaperones to meet and gauge their trail group abilities and behavior. Hiking boots, water, and a snack will be required for the hike.

Parent responsibilities will be communicated through email regarding the legal forms that need to be submitted, as well as issues regarding medications, food accommodations, and missing student assignments. Before the end of this school year, you will be provided with a pack list so you can start purchasing clothing and equipment now. A sleeping bag, hiking boots, water bottle, and outdoor clothing are necessary for this program. Redwood Trading Post (1455 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City) provides a 10% discount for purchases when you mention “Kennedy Middle School Yosemite Trip discount.”

Lastly, the field trip requires adult chaperones. If you are interested, please let Mrs. Leonardo know. All expenses are paid; you cannot be in the same trail group as your child; you sleep in the adult cabins; you are on duty 24 hours during the trip; and are required to participate on the practice hike, the chaperone meeting, at bag check-in, and at trip check in.

Please email kenndyyosemitetrip@gmail.com with questions. Please copy Mrs. Leonardo on all communications cleonardo@rcsdk8.net.

Yosemite Brochure