PTO News: 11/6-13

Reminders:

Nov 9 & 10 — No school

Nov 13-17 — Book Fair! See signups below, in Message from our PTO President

Message from our PTO President

Hello, Kennedy Community!

Heading into November gets us closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, and I’m thinking about gratitude. I’m very grateful to be part of this community of caring, generous, and supportive parents and families.

As you may know, a parent of one of our 7th-grade students recently passed away. This loss impacts all of us – even if we don’t know the family personally. Can you imagine what this family is going through? My heart aches for them and hopes that we can come together to care for one of our own. Though a small gesture, there will be an envelope in the Family Center where anyone can drop off gift cards (Target, Costco, Safeway etc.) to help support this family. Together we can provide some relief and wrap them in our love.

Just as we lean on each other in times of hardship, we also come together to create and assist with the fun stuff. A perfect example of this parent involvement is Marcela S., who organized the amazing Halloween Dance last week! If you saw Mrs. Leonardo’s pictures in the Cougar Connect or heard from your own kiddo, the dance was fire (that means lots of fun!)!!! Marcela and her crew of parent volunteers decorated the gym, provided pizza, drinks, and sweet treats, and then helped clean it all up afterward. Our wonderful community of families worked together to make sure the kids had a night to remember! THANK YOU!

Are you feeling inspired to help out at KMS too? Are you looking for opportunities to be more involved at school? We have plenty of ways to help out this month. Check it out!

Our Scholastic Book Fair is only a few weeks away! We need volunteers who have been registered and approved through the RCSD process to help in the library. The library is open to ELA classes, as well as during brunch and lunch to give the kids lots of time to browse and shop! The book fair is an excellent way to celebrate our love of reading and spread this joy to all the students.

Please sign up at the link below to help https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948AFAE2EAA8-45098932-scholastic#/

Our STEAM teachers are also in need of some field trip chaperones for two upcoming field trips. The trips will be on November 15 to the Pulgas Water Temple and on December 6th to a water quality processing plant. Chaperones must be cleared through the district. Bus transportation is provided and the trips will last all day, 8:30-3:15. If you are available to help out please contact info@kennedycougarspto.org to express your interest.

Finally, don’t forget that another way to be involved is by contributing financially to our school. The PTO’s Direct Drive fundraising efforts support academics, student activities, staff appreciation events, and our elective programs. Whether it’s $25, $50, $100, or $1,000, every dollar helps us reach our fundraising goal and our students are worth our investment.

To support KMS, donate at the link below: https://kennedycougarspto.org/donate

KMS Spirit Wear is on sale now. Order online at the link below: https://kennedyrwc.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Follow the KMS PTO on Instagram and Facebook, @KennedyCougarsPTO. Check out www.kennedycougarspto.org for more info.

Message from Mrs. Leonardo

Check out the most recent Cougar Connect for a message from Mrs. Leonardo, as well as additional information regarding school policies and programs Kennedy has to offer. Prior Cougar Connects are now easily found under the ‘Home’ tab.

Donate to our ‘Community Needs’

 Our Family Center is collecting clothing items to provide students when there are dress code violations, stains, ripped clothes due to PE, etc. If you have some of the following items available, please drop off at the Kennedy Family Center, anytime between 8a-4p. Our students thank you!!

Scan the QR code below, or use THIS LINK

Yearbook 2023-2024

Capture your memories in this year’s John F. Kennedy Middle School Yearbook!

10% OFF IF YOU PURCHASE BY SEPTEMBER 30!

Direct Drive

Kennedy Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a nonprofit volunteer organization (tax ID 47-1531115) whose mission is to help students thrive and grow into the next generation of community and business leaders. To support this mission, we raise funding and organize parent volunteers to help our school better serve its students.

Kennedy offers an array of programs to support our students’ social, emotional, physical and academic needs, many of which are funded by the efforts of the PTO.

In 2023/2024, our direct drive fundraising goal is $30,000. We are asking $200 per family, but please consider donating any amount that fits your personal financial situation. Whether it’s $25, $50, $100 or $1,000, every dollar helps us reach our fundraising goal and our students are worth our investment.

• Online donation options are on our donate page: Click HERE
• Check payments may be left in the PTO box inside the office or mailed to the school: Kennedy PTO, 2521 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061. Please make checks payable to JFK Middle School PTO.
• Double your donation – check with your employer to see if they will match your generous donation.
• Please also consider a donation of your time. The PTO is always looking for volunteers to help with school events. For more information, please visit: www.kennedycougarspto.org/volunteer.
• Feel free to email info@kennedycougarspto.org with questions or for more information.

For more info: https://kennedycougarspto.org/direct-drive

2023/2024 PTO Open Positions

Please consider taking on one of these vital roles this year! We’d love to have you join us in any way you can – Reach out to info@kennedycougarspto.org with questions and for more info!

• 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade-Level Community Leaders – Work with PTO to communicate needs and ideas for each grade level. Ensure parents know what’s happening in each grade.
• Parent Volunteer Coordinator – Create sign-up forms and help recruit and coordinate volunteers for PTO and school events.
• Safe Routes To School Coordinator – Work with PTO to encourage students to bike and walk to school. Help kids with traffic safety skills and work to reduce traffic congestion.
• Spirit Wear Lead – Manage spirit wear webpage and work with the vendor on designs. Help promote sales with the PTO communications team.
• STEAM Liaison – Work with KMS STEAM Program lead teacher to support the program. Coordinating family volunteers for program activities as needed.
• Student Activities Coordinator – Help plan two school dances
  (October & March); organize DJ, food and decorations, and recruit volunteers.
• Student Store Coordinator – Work with KMS administrators to procure, organize, and distribute Student Store items.

Spirit Wear

Welcome to the Kennedy Middle School spirit wear store! Here’s a sneak peak – Get yours today!

The store will remain open throughout the school year.  Orders will be processed on Mondays and take 10-15 working days to complete.  Upon completion an email notification will be sent letting you know that the order is ready for shipping or for pickup at Goetz Bros. Sporting Goods (1125 Industrial Rd, San Carlos)

Amazon Wishlist

If you’d like to contribute directly to a teacher’s classroom, check out the Kennedy’s Amazon Wishlist , created by Mrs Leonardo. The wishlist will be updated based on classroom needs.

Stay in Touch

Follow the KMS PTO on Instagram (@Kennedycougarspto) and Facebook to stay up-t0-date.

If you’d prefer information in Spanish, join this WhatsApp Group

Feel free to email with questions or concerns info@kennedycougarspto.org.