PTO News: 12/11-17

Reminders & Upcoming Events

• Dec 8-18: Kennedy Giving Tree — help out a family in need! See flyer below
• Wed 12/13 6-8pm: Winter concert in the Kennedy Gym. There will be a raffle (see info below) and items for sale at the event. Admission is FREE (suggested $5 donation per adult). Please consider volunteering at the event — SIGN UP HERE

• Tues 12/19 @ 7pm: PTO meeting — IN PERSON!! Theme = Ugly Xmas Sweater, wears yours and show your holiday spirit! In the Kennedy Library.
• Wed 12/20: Teacher Appreciation Event – Cookies & Treats! Sign up HERE to volunteer, and show your love for our KMS teachers!
• Wed 12/20: Minimum Day before Winter Break
• Thurs 12/21 11am-8pm: Dine Out at Sushi Plus in Woodside Plaza

• Tues 1/9: Happy New Year! Back to school….

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.

Message from our PTO President

Hello, Kennedy Community!

I’d like to challenge you to flex your empathy muscles … Did you know that some of our Kennedy teachers work two jobs to make ends meet and pay their rent?

Did you know that some of our Kennedy staff have recently moved to the US, leaving their families and children in their home countries, unsure when they will see them again? Did you know that there are approximately 30 of our students and their families who are unhoused? And over 30 families new to our country?

During this season of giving, there are many ways you can directly support ALL of our Kennedy Cougars – students, teachers, and staff!

• Donate directly to our PTO using this link: https://kennedycougarspto.org/donate.
• Double your donation impact by using a matching program through your workplace.
• Stop by the KMS front office to choose a tag from the Christmas tree with items for families in need. Purchase, wrap, label the item and return it to the office by Dec. 18!
• If you can’t stop by the office, click this link to help the Family Center with donations: Kennedy Holiday Gifts
• Purchase an item on Kennedy’s Amazon wishlist to support our Music, Drama, Art and STEAM electives: KMS Wishlist

Volunteer Opportunities: Please support our students and teachers!

• The PzTO will have a table at the Red Morton Light Show on Monday, Dec. 18, from 6:00-8:00 pm. We’d like to do some fundraising. Contact info@kennedycougarspto.org with your ideas or to help staff our table.
• Before winter break begins, the PTO will host a cookie buffet for our staff and teachers on Weds, Dec. 18. Here is the link to sign-up: Cookie Buffet

Finally, please mark your calendars for December 19 at 7:00 pm in the library for our in-person meeting. The theme is UGLY HOLIDAY SWEATERS! Everyone is invited to join us for hot cocoa, a little PTO business, and lots of friendly fun.

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.