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Principal's Letter
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November 2011
Dear Kennedy Students, Parents and Community Members,
It's free, it can be big or small, and it can make your child feel good whether she gets it or gives it away. What is it? Kindness!
Middle School students who are considerate get along better with classmates and adults. They also tend to be happier and feel better about themselves. Foster kindness with these ideas.
TALK ABOUT WHY
Tell your child that when you help others, it benefits you as well as the person you're helping. You can get your mind off your own problems and feel good about making a difference. Plus, kindness makes life better for people in your youngster's school and community. Ask her to look for examples (a teacher helping parents learn English, a neighbor clearing snow from community sidewalks).
TAKE ACTION
Encourage your middle grader to be kind whenever possible. For example, if there is a new student in her classes, ask her how she might feel if she was new. Putting herself in someone else's shoes makes it easier to be compassionate.
CELEBRATE KINDNESS
Highlight your child's kind behavior when you see it. You might say, "That was so nice of you to put away your brother's laundry while he's sick." Or declare "Kindness Week" at your house. Family members can write down random acts of kindness they see each other do. At the end of the week, take turns reading them out loud at dinner. Try to guess which family member did each one.
Kindness makes our world a little better for everyone. As I travel through our hallways and classrooms I often see Kennedy Middle School students displaying acts of kindness. Please help us support the idea that "Kindness Counts".
Enjoy the holiday season...be kind to yourself and to others.
Sincerely,
Mr. Smith, Principal
As always, if you have ideas, comments, questions, or thoughts you want to share, please don't hesitate to contact me at any time via phone (541-790-5500) or e-mail.
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Book Drive
New and Used Books
We have a group of 6th grade students who were former students of Karen Olsen at McCornack Elementary who are using their leadership abilities to make a difference in the world.
These students are asking for new and used book donations to fundraise $360 to send a student to school in Cambodia.
Linda Suy is a 5th grade student who is receiving an education in Northern Cambodia this year thanks to their fundraising last year.
This year they are hoping to inspire your help in sending Linda Suy to school for another year.
Thank you for dropping of your new or used books donation to the Kennedy office and for helping our students participate in making a positive difference in the world.
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Greetings!
This is the first edition of the Kennedy Middle School eNewsletter. We are eager for your feedback. Please contact Cecilia Sloan with your feedback. |
 The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive Caring Kennedy students wanted to help children in our community.
Over the last two years, students across the country donated over 110,000 pairs of pajamas and Scholastic book Clubs matched every single pair with a new book. This year, Scholastic Book Clubs and the nonprofit Pajama Program joined forces again to bring us The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.The mission of this drive was to provide 125,000 children in need brand new pajamas and books.
Our Kennedy community of students collected over 13 pair of brand new pajamas to help children in need. Thank you to everyone who participated in helping us share the gift of a good night's sleep and a sweet bedtime story to the children in our community.
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 Canned Food Drive
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 Volunteer Central
Tutoring/Mentoring
If you have an hour a week or half a day per week, we would wisely utilize your time in helping our students succeed in school through your help with tutoring or mentoring.
Student Center
Our brand new student center is open in the morning before school, during lunch and after school. We need parents to help us supervise this great student opportunity. We could use an hour per week or more. Call the office at 541-790-5500.
Lunch/Activity Assistance
We need help supervising our two lunches which run from 11-11:30 am and 12-12:30 pm. We also need help organizing/coordinating special lunchtime activities around a theme such as St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de Mayo, and sports, such a kick ball.
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 Urgent Immunization Reminder Oregon Law has added requirements for the school year 2011-2012. Your 7th grade child should have one additional vaccine by January 2012. An appropriate medical or religious exemption is also acceptable. Please check your child's records to be sure that she/he has the following:
TDAP VACCINE-1 DOSE-Tdap offers adolescents and adults protection against three serious diseases: Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis (whooping cough). In 2004, Pertussis in Oregon reached the highest number since the 1950's with 635 cases: this was two times the national average. If your child does not have the Tdap shot, contact your child's doctor or call one of the following health clinics below for an appointment. It is important to get an early start on updating your child's immunizations this fall. Please give all updated immunization information to your school office as soon as your child receives the Tdap.
STATEWIDE EXCLUSION DAY IS FEBRUARY 15, 2012 (YOUR CHILD CANNOT ATTEND SCHOOL)
Lane County Public Health - 682-4041, South Eugene Health Center - 790-8020, North Eugene Health Center - 790-4445 and Sheldon Health Center - 790-6644.
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 Emergency Contact Info
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Kennedy Receives EEF Grants!
Elizabeth Nordling's proposal "EEF-Funded Literature" was awarded $2,000 on Nov. 14 by the EEF Board of Directors.
Also funded was Amy Burrow's proposal "EEF-Funded Sensory Integration Squeeze Machine" for $500.
Across 4J, a total of 80 grants summing to $154,538 were made. Of these, three grants went to programs serving the entire district: school-based health centers, science kits for all elementary schools, and transportation for homeless students.
Additional grants will be made from now until December 31, as additional gifts arrive and make them possible.
This grant support is in addition to donor-earmarked gifts our school gets through EEF.
 Some of our dreams remain unfulfilled here at Kennedy Middle School. If you have not already made a gift this year, would you consider doing so now?
Make your check payable to "Kennedy Middle School EEF" and mail it to Eugene Education Fund, P.O. Box 1015, Eugene, Oregon 97440.
You can also contribute by credit card or monthly bank transfers. For more information go to www.eef.lane.edu or call 541-343-6877.
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No-hassle Fundraising
Buy Fred Meyer or Albertson's Scrip...its easy. Fred Meyer cards are available in $50 and $100 increments and Albertson's cards are available in $50 only.
Kennedy purchases the scrip from these stores at a 5% discount. You then buy them from our school at face value. This is a very easy way to raise funds for our school. Fred Meyer cards can also be used for gasoline purchases. You can collect orders from family and friends who shop there too.
and return it to the Kennedy Office. When your order is ready, you will be contacted to arrange payment and delivery details. If you have questions, please contact Janell "Scrip Mom" Schoellhorn (541) 465-9286 or email her at subarumom@aol.com.
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Sincerely,
Kennedy Middle School
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