PTO News: 9/18-24

Reminders:

• Mon, 9/18 — Picture Day during PE. The company uses green screen technology, so don’t wear the color green!
• Thurs 9/21 — Dine Out at Crouching Tiger in downtown RWC. 4p-9p. Mention ‘Kennedy Middle School’, and 15% goes back to KMS! Eat in or take out.

Message from our PTO President

Hello, Kennedy Community!

As we settle into the school year, I’d like to explain exactly what the PTO is and why you should care about joining us. If you want to have a direct impact on your child’s academic, social and emotional life at school, the PTO is for you!

What is the PTO?

“PTO” stands for “Parent Teacher Organization.” Whether you are a parent, guardian, or extended family member of a Kennedy student, YOU are automatically a member of the Kennedy PTO! We are a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to help students thrive and grow during middle school. This means that your voice matters and you can actively participate in your child’s education.

Why is the PTO Important at Kennedy?

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. Our amazing elective programs, Art, Drama, Music and STEAM, all receive monetary support from the PTO’s fundraising.

Kennedy Middle School is also a community school, a special designation given to a limited number of “full service” schools in Redwood City where educational success is achieved by addressing any social and economic barriers to learning. To this end, the Kennedy PTO’s fundraising also supports our Kennedy Family Center located on campus.

How Can You Help?

The great thing about the Kennedy PTO is that you can be involved as much or as little as you’d like – whatever fits your availability, interests and talents! The PTO is a team effort and no one works alone. All of our leadership roles find us working in small groups to put on activities and events, fundraise, and make Kennedy the best it can be for the students, teachers and staff!

Do you love books and literacy? Help out with the KMS Book Fair in November. Are you a fabulous party planner? Join the Student Activities team to help organize 2 school dances. Do you want to see lots of students showing their school spirit with KMS gear? Assist with the school spirit wear webpage. Are you motivated to seek out creative ways to fundraise to keep our elective programs thriving? Join the fundraising team. AND SO MUCH MORE!

Here are some other key PTO roles we are looking to fill:

• 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.
• STEAM Liaison – Work with KMS STEAM Program lead teacher to support the program. Coordinate 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.

Do you have other ideas or feedback around making the Kennedy Middle School experience extra-special for students? Please contact us directly and let’s chat! info@kennedycougarspto.org

Finally, everyone is invited to our next PTO meeting on Tuesday, September 26, from 7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom.

A 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.

Needed – Parent Volunteers

• Lunch Volunteers: Help monitor kids during lunch, from 10:58 AM-12:21 PM
•  Parent Grade-Level Liaisons: Work with PTO to communicate needs and ideas for each grade level. Ensure parents know what’s happening in each grade.
• Contact info@kennedycougarspto.org if you’re interested!

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.
• Fundraising/Grant Writing Help – Help with KMS PTO fundraising through grant writing and procuring corporate donor partnerships.
• 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.

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