Cougar Connect

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Dear Kennedy Community:

Welcome back to another week of learning! Please be sure to review this newsletter about the week ahead. I've included updates about Vision to Learn, our dine-out event at Sushi Plus, and an updated section about our Kennedy Clubs.

October is Bully Prevention Month. At Kennedy, we’re focusing on kindness and standing up for one another. During Homeroom last week, students learned about bullying prevention and what it really means to be an upstander. One topic that came up was cyberbullying—how much words and actions online can affect someone in real life.

Families, I encourage you to talk with your students every day about what’s happening at school and online. Remind them to be kind to everyone and to talk to an adult right away if they see or experience something that doesn’t feel right. Please don’t wait to report concerns; addressing issues early helps us keep everyone safe.

I also want to say how proud I am of our students who have been speaking up, standing up for others, and reminding their peers to be kind. Those small acts of courage make a big impact and help create a school where everyone feels they belong.

I've reminded students that even if they apologize for their actions, unkind words and actions still have the ability to echo in someone's mind. Kennedy Cougars know their words matter, so use them to uplift and encourage others.

Finally, please take a moment to check your student’s phone and social media accounts regularly. Many problems start online and carry over into school, and your involvement really does make a difference.

Together, we can make sure Kennedy continues to be a place where every Cougar feels seen, supported, and safe.

Family Challenge

We also want to highlight the various cultures and backgrounds at Kennedy, so your students may come to you to ask you about your family history, culture, and traditions. This month's Family Challenge encourages families to cook a meal together. Take a picture of your family cooking a meal, send the photo to kennedyfc@rcsdk8.net, or text it to 650-656-0501. We will randomly select a family to win a $100 gift card to the restaurant of their choice.

Grades

Have you checked your student's grades? Are you signed up with PowerSchool? Our Family Center will identify which families do not have access to PowerSchool and they will reach out to make sure you are connected. Families should check their students' grades at least once per week to monitor progress. If you need support with PowerSchool, please reach out to Cynthia Cardona (ccardona@rcsdk8.net) and Maria Segundo (msegundo@rcsdk8.net) in our Kennedy Family Center.

Attendance Contact

When attendance concerns arise, please email Jessica Perez. She will update your student's attendance.

The Kennedy office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Phone Contact: (650) 482-2409

Principal: Chandra Leonardo cleonardo@rcsdk8.net

Assistant Principal: Dr. Shanna Laney slaney@rcsdk8.net

Assistant Principal: Enrique Pin epin@rcsdk8.net

Office Manager: Liz Avalos lmavalos@rcsdk8.net

Office Assistant (Attendance): Jessica Perez jpperez@rcsdk8.net

Office Assistant (Student Records, Student Health): Maritza Gutierrez mggutierrez@rcsdk8.net

Have a great week!

Chandra Leonardo

Principal

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Kennedy Clubs are created by students and advised by teachers. Student sign up is not required to join a club. Students can attend clubs during their lunchtime. If a club meets after school, students can attend. All Kennedy students are encouraged to join a club.

Mondays

• 6th Grade Board Game Club: Meets in room B-5 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Crafts Club: Meets in room 535 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Book Club: Meets in Room 208 at lunch
• 6th Grade K-Pop Club: Meets in Room 211 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Photojournalism Club: Meets in room 316 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Lunch Bunch: Meets in Room 207 at lunch

Tuesdays

• 7th & 8th Grade FIFA Champions League: Meets in room 424 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Ping Pong: Meets in room 208 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Bible Break Club: Meets in room 317 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Hispanic Heritage Club: Meets in room 315 at lunch
• 7th & 8th Grade Science Olympiad: Meets in room 535 at lunch
• 6th Grade Crafts Club: Meets in room 103 at lunch
• All grades: Girls Who Code: Meets after school in room 530
• All grades: Science Olympiad: Meets after school in room 535

Wednesdays

• 7th/8th Grade: FIFA Champions in Room 424 at lunch
• 7th/8th Grade: Chess Club in Room 535
• 7th/8th Grade: Make Your Own Book Club in Room 314
• 6th Grade: Art Club in Room 526

Thursdays

• 7th/8th Grade: Wellness Club in room 207 at lunch
• 7th/8th Grade: Origami Club in room 314 at lunch
• 7th/8th Grade: Board Game Club in room 106 at lunch
• 6th Grade: Lunch Bunch in room 207 at lunch
• 6th Grade: Crochet Club in room B-6 at lunch
• 6th Grade: Video Game Club in room 102 at lunch
• All: Friends for Youth in room 211

Fridays

• 6th Grade: Loteria Club in room B-8 at lunch
• 7th/8th Grade: Girls Martial Arts/Cardio in room 318 at lunch (parent permission required)
• 7th/8th Grade: Environmental Club in room 535 at lunch

Vision screening will take place on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, for all students through Vision to Learn (VTL). Screenings will be completed in the Kennedy Library during PE. Students who wear glasses should bring them for the screenings.

All students will receive information about the program and what it offers for them prior to receiving vision screenings or exams. This information was sent home last week. Parents and guardians will not need to complete a consent form to participate in the program. However, if they choose to decline services for their student(s), they will need to complete an opt-out form, which must be signed and returned to Vision to Learn.

Please email Nurse Lisa Cox with questions: lcox@rcsdk8.net.

Each month, families can download and read the Parent Institute newsletter. Each newsletter provides tips and updates for families about how to support their Kennedy Middle School student.

This month's topics include how to monitor your student's time after school, how to strengthen math skills with estimation challenges, and how to reduce your students' test taking anxieties.

Kennedy's Fall Dance will be held this Friday, October 17, in the Kennedy Gym from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Students with positive behavior, good attendance, and good grades can attend. Students should not have any Ds or Fs. A teacher’s approval can apply if a student is actively working to improve their grades.

Tickets will be sold at lunchtime near room 532. Tickets are $5. Tickets will be sold each day at lunch; no tickets will be sold at the door.

The dance is for Kennedy students. Students from other schools cannot attend the dance. Parents and guardians must pick up their students at the Kennedy Gym by 8:00 p.m.

Students cannot walk, bike, or ride scooters home.

Dance Help and Chaperones needed for 10/17. Please sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48ABA62CABFD0-44674854-kennedy#/

Support Kennedy!

October 15, 2025

Sushi Plus/Corner Table Dine-out Fundraiser

When: all day

15% goes back to KMS

Chaperones needed for Fall Dance Oct 17! Sign up here!

Direct Drive Continues! Our Direct Drive is under way with the goal of raising $75K towards our total annual goal of $245k. Please join your Kennedy Community in contributing to raising crucial funds for our students. We ask each family to contribute $500 or an amount comfortable for them. Our community goal is 100%

participation. More details here at https://kennedycougarspto.org/direct-drive!

The PTO is looking for a parent to help as co-communications chair. This person would help create fliers for events and school activities and help post events on our social media accounts. The PTO is also looking for a Parent Liaison for both the Music and Art programs. The Program Liaisons support Kennedy’s electives by working with the elective teacher and representing the programs needs within the PTO.

Volunteers Needed!

All Kennedy event volunteer opportunities here

Here is a list of our PTO Leadership Opportunities

Or complete this Kennedy parent volunteer form to let us know how you can help!

PTO Monthly Meeting

Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, October 28 from 7-8:30p in the Kennedy room 101. Please join us in person! If not possible, then our Zoom Meeting Link is: https://zoom.us/j/94614875671

Meeting ID: 946 1487 5671

Have an idea or a question? Email info@kennedycougarsPTO.org

Don’t forget to check out our website: https://kennedycougarspto.org/

We are continuing to partner with the Marine Science Institute (MSI) for the 2025-26 school year. Our 6th-grade students will learn about the Bay Area's watershed through canoe field trips and creek studies. This week, Maestra Adriana's fifth-period science class will go on the canoe field trip on Tuesday, October 14. Mrs. Virnich's first-period class will go on the canoe field trip on Wednesday, October 15. Field trip permission slip forms must be turned in by Tuesday in order for students to attend.

Dear 7th Grade Families,
We’re excited about this year's Grand Canyon field trip! If your student is interested in joining, please remember that we are still accepting interest applications until September 26. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore and learn outside the classroom.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, feel free to reach out!

Grand Canyon Application 2026

🏀Redwood City PRCS Basketball Registration August 1-October 30🏀

🍂OCTOBER: Identity, Courage & Belonging

Know Your Story, Honor All Stories

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day ~ No School Oct. 13 All Day
• ELAC Meeting Oct. 15 Room 101 6:00-7:00 p.m.

• Food Distribution Day for Families Oct. 16 Blacktop 2:30-4:00 p.m.
• 6th-8th Grade Fall Dance Oct. 17 Gym 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• 8th Grade Yosemite Trip Oct. 19-24 Yosemite National Park
• PLCs-District Wide-Minimum Day Oct. 22 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Picture Day Make-up Oct. 28 Gym 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
• PTO Meeting Oct. 28 Room 101/Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• School Site Council Oct. 29 Virtual 5:00-6:00 p.m.

All events are subject to change. Please read the weekly newsletter for updates. Click here to view the Calendar of Events.

Our Kennedy PTO has added our Calendar of Events to their website. You can click the link on the calendar to add all Kennedy events to your own Google Calendar. Click here to view and add these events to your calendar.

Volleyball Games

6th Grade.

• Thursday, October 16: Kennedy Green vs. Redeemer @ MIT 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 16: Kennedy White vs. Clifford @ Kennedy 4:45 p.m.

7th Grade

• Thursday, October 16: Kennedy White vs. Kennedy Green @ Kennedy 6:15 p.m.

8th Grade

• Thursday, October 16: Kennedy White vs. Kennedy Green @ Kennedy 4:00 p.m.

Flag Football Games

• Wednesday, October 15: Kennedy vs. North Star @ Hawes Field 4:00 p.m.

• Please click this link to view information about high school shadowing and other details from Sequoia Union High School District and local charter high schools.
• Please click here to view the information presented to families on Thursday, September 11 at Back to School Night.

Design Tech High School Open House Info RSVP link: click here.

Please join us for the Meet the Principal Feeder Event hosted at a private home in our community. This is a great opportunity for parents of current 7th and 8th grade students to hear directly from our wonderful principal, Karen van Putten, staff, and current students, while learning more about what makes Woodside High School special. This important gathering gives parents the chance to hear stories, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into WHS. Event details are as follows:

Kennedy Middle School Feeder Event

Date: Monday, November 3rd, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: 343 West Oakwood Blvd in Redwood City

Sign Up Link: click here

Stay up to date on all things Wildcats - check out the FUTURE FAMILIES PAGE and the WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL - SHADOW PROGRAM

Please join us for TIDE Academy's 8th Grade Information Night on Thursday October 23rd at 6 PM and hear from our academic departments, students, administrators, parents, counselors and our partner Foothill College about our dual enrollment program. Click here to RSVP.

Kennedy students will have nightly math and reading homework. If your student says they do not have homework or they finished their homework, please ask them to show you what they completed or worked on during the day.

All 6th grade students will have planners, and they will write in their planners. Students will also have homework folders with sections for assignments to complete and assignments to turn in.

Your student should have at least one reading book at their reading level that they enjoy reading. They will also have texts to read in their English language arts, ELD, and/or Expository Reading & Writing classes.

Attendance is important at Kennedy. We continue to improve our attendance rates, and our goal this year is to improve our attendance by 5%. Students need to be at school on time every day. Please schedule doctor's appointments after school and schedule vacations and trips during RCSD's scheduled breaks.

If your student must be absent, caregivers are expected to notify our office staff by calling our attendance line and leaving a message. You may also email the details of your student's absence to Ms. Perez: jpperez@rcsdk8.net.

Click here to read Kennedy's attendance policy and guidelines.

Remember

• Calling in an absence does not mean the absence is excused. An absence is excused if a student is ill, has a medical need, must attend a funeral of an immediate family member, or for religious reasons. You may view the California Ed Code policy on excused absences here. If a student's absences do not meet these guidelines, the absence is unexcused.

• Absences must be called in during the week the absence occurs. We are unable to change or update absences after the school week ends.

• A doctor's note is required after two days of illness.

• Truancy letters are generated by our district and are sent to families.

• Caregivers should check PowerSchool weekly to ensure attendance is accurate.

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