Cougar Connect

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Dear Kennedy Community,

Thank you for joining us for Back to School Night last week! Your presence and partnership mean so much to our Kennedy community. We encourage you to stay engaged by participating in upcoming school events and by keeping up with your student’s progress throughout the year. A strong home–school connection helps ensure that every student thrives, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen this bond together.

If you were unable to attend Back to School Night, or you want to keep track of teachers' presentations and syllabi, you can find teacher presentations and syllabi on our Back to School Night Directory.

Student Goal-Setting Conferences September 15-19

This week, Kennedy students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for RCSD's Student Goal-Setting Conferences. Students will lead their conferences with their homeroom teacher and set academic SMART goals. At this conference, families will be able to view their students' current grades and review their most recent i-Ready scores. We understand that families may wish to connect with more than one teacher, but teachers will only confer with students in their homeroom class. Families are encouraged to connect with individual teachers by email or phone call. Families can find teachers' contact information using our Staff Directory.

Transportation Reminders for the Week

RCSD transportation and Siena Youth Center transportation will arrive at dismissal time. Unfortunately, samTrans is unable to accommodate our early dismissal, so the samTrans public bus will arrive at its regular time each day.

6th Grade Social Sunday, September 21

Attention, 6th grade families! Our PTO is hosting a 6th grade social on Sunday, September 21, on the Kennedy Field. Please scroll down to the PTO section for more information.

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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Due to Student Goal-Setting Conferences, there will be no Homework Help in the Kennedy Library this week. Homework Help will continue next Monday.

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

🍁SEPTEMBER: Heritage & Belonging

Somos Kennedy: Celebrating Hispanic Cultures

• Fall Goal Setting Conferences Sept. 15-19 Campus 1:00-3:15 p.m.
• Super Minimum Days Sep. 15-19 Campus 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• ELAC Meeting Sept. 17 Library/Zoom 6:00-7:00 p.m.
• Food Distribution Day for Families Sept.18 Blacktop 2:30-4:00 p.m.
• Picture Day Sept. 23 Gym 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
• PTO Meeting Sept. 23 Room 101/Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• School Site Council Sept. 24 Library/Zoom 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Planning Day~No School Sept. 29

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.

At Kennedy, all students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach. Classroom teachers review and teach expected classroom behaviors for all students. We expect Kennedy students to be on time and prepared for all classes. Teachers will follow a progressive discipline policy that is designed to support students in making positive choices. This begins with gentle reminders and private conversations. If a student needs additional support, they may be given time to reset in another space, reflect on their choices, and review expectations with their teacher. Families are included in the process so that we can work together to support student success. If challenges continue, students may experience a loss of certain privileges or be referred to the office for further support and guidance.

We appreciate your continued support.

samTrans bus passes are now available in the Family Center. Students can come during brunch or lunch to pick them up. Students must ask their teacher for a pass. Students should not come to the Family Center during class time for bus passes. Thank you!

samTrans Route 79

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 help your student transition into middle school, how to connect with teachers, and how to help your student stay organized.

PowerSchool access codes and access IDs were distributed to students during their homeroom class on Thursday, September 4. Please ask your student for the form to get your access code and ID.

This week, we have one PowerSchool Information Session for families who need support creating the account and navigating PowerSchool. See the information below.

Kennedy Middle School is requesting nominations for School Site Council. We invite you to nominate yourself or another Kennedy parent/guardian/caregiver for School Site Council.

A School Site Council (SSC) must be established at all Redwood City School District schools. The elected members represent parents, students, school community members, and school staff in school governance.

The SSC is expected to:

• Review and analyze student data.

• Solicit community input and develop a needs assessment.

• Assist the principal, or designee, in developing the SPSA, school site budget, and Safety Plan.

• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the SPSA on an ongoing basis.

• Approve the Academic Plan and categorical school site budget before it is submitted to the District for final review and approval.

The school council and committees are needed to support all school programs. You are invited to become a candidate for membership on the council. The school & district are responsible for providing you with the information and training you need to be an effective member. Generally, the groups meet three to four times a year for up to two hours. Each member is elected for a two year term. Family members often offer insights on how effective our school is in creating a positive learning environment and how well their children understand their assignments. Perspectives and parent participation/involvement are important to our school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Leonardo cleonardo@rcsdk8.net 650-482-2409.

Please click this link to nominate yourself or another Kennedy parent for Kennedy's SSC. . Voting will begin on Monday, September 15, 2025.

• 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.

Attention 6th-grade families! As we start this new middle school chapter, let’s get together to mix, mingle, and get to know each other at the first 6th grade social!

Sunday, September 21st from 3:30-5:30 on the Kennedy field

We will have drinks and snacks; the whole family is welcome. We hope to see you there!

If you’d like to help with setup, cleanup, activities, or would like to bring something to share, please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/xNAqqoN

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Save the date for Kennedy’s Fall Carnival, Friday, October 3rd 5-9pm!

Enjoy games, music, and food, and celebrate our community. Volunteers needed! Sign up to help make it a success here

Direct Drive Kickoff! Our Direct Drive has begun 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!

PTO overview Slides and Flyer

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, September 23 from 7-8:30p in the Kennedy Library. 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/

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