Remote Learning for 1st Quarter

Dear Commander Community,

Superintendent Cordova announced today that “DPS will start the school year in fully remote learning starting August 24 based on the latest health guidance from Denver Health experts. We will stay in Remote Learning through the first quarter through October 16 to give schools a runway to launch school well and meaningfully engage students. We will monitor the health data to plan for a gradual return to  in-person instruction. Families will continue to have the option for 100% Virtual Program. During registration/AFU, families will still have the option to choose a virtual program for the entire fall semester. This enrollment through registration will be non-binding and families will have an opportunity to change their decision prior to the start of in-person school.”

With this new information, I want to give a few updates on what this means for Commanders. As always, I am committed to keeping you informed, and I value your feedback, opinions

NEW UPDATES:

• Annual Family Update: The guardian who is the primary contact for ALL students must confirm each student’s registration at John F. Kennedy High School! If you have not already done so, be sure to complete the Annual Family Update in the Parent Portal at https://portal.dpsk12.org/. The Annual Family Update will be available on the Parent Portal starting July 27th.  This is step one of our registration process.
• Schedule Blocking:
  • The schedule is still in draft form, but we were able to receive feedback from student leaders, some of our parents, and some of our community members. We are looking to finalize our schedule by this Friday. We know we will:
    • Have a blue/green rotating block schedule that offers students the opportunity to complete a course within a semester
    • Students will have the opportunity to take up to 4 courses a semester and this will not affect your status as an eligible student for CHSAA guidelines if you have off periods
    • We will still offer almost 100% of the courses we were able to offer through Spring course selection
    • We will house all courses on Schoology
•  

• We are expecting an update from the transportation department by the end of the week. We know that district provided transportation options will be limited, but students with documented disabilities who require transportation per their IEP will maintain their transportation. We will continue to provide RtD passes for families who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. 

• Mr. Brewer will send the most recent update regarding sports asap!

• Here is a link to the CSC notes and slide deck for even more information
• I met with Student Council and Student Board leaders today and we are coming up with a plan to make this year memorable and get creative in how we hold tight to our amazing traditions. We are thinking through Homecoming and will share plans asap.

UPDATES FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK (just in case you didn’t read them):

• Remote Learning: We have taken your feedback regarding remote learning!
  • You will have live, synchronous classes throughout the school day. With an option to view the instruction asynchronously if you are unable to attend at the scheduled class time.
  • We will revise due dates for assignments and the amount of assignments you have.
  • We will have a tight communication plan to keep you informed and connected.
  • We will have one primary on-line platform through which all classes will be structured and assignments provided.  This platform is Schoology.  Teachers may still use other on-line resources, but Schoology will be the main platform holding all of the information that you need to know about a class. To learn more about Schoology, view this ENGLISH video or this SPANISH video. More information also found here.
• DPS Virtual School Option: If you are electing to participate in the 100% Virtual School Option, as offered by DPS, you are committing to participating in that program for the full first semester of the school year.  Go to dpsk12.org to access the DPS Virtual School option.
• Health and Safety Requirements for in-person learning:  In partnership with CDPHE, DPS has identified Health and Safety requirements, including the wearing of masks, handwashing, and other specific notes, that will be in place when we are in the hybrid and full-time in-person learning contexts.  Information is available at dpsk12.org.
• Accessing Technology:  We are committed to ensuring that every student has the device and the Internet access they need to successfully engage in remote learning.  While many of our parents responded to the district technology survey several weeks ago, we will also soon be asking you to confirm whether or not you have the technology your student will need.  Chromebooks and Internet access will be provided at request.

Kennedy Priorities as we Take Command of our Future during a pandemic:

1. We will ensure physical, social, and emotional health and safety for students, staff, and community. 
2. We will provide consistent, high-quality instruction and feedback to all students.We will provide clarity, consistency and simplicity for families and students in their home language. 
3. We will support our students and their individual needs. 
4. We will ensure the JFK Rejoin plan is feasible and manageable for staff, students, and community. 
5. We will tighten our focus on EQUITY and the tenets of our vision. 

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Here is the link to required Summer Homework also found on our website
• Here is the link to our step by step online Registration process, as well as the dates of our in-person registration. All families are required to register their children each school year.
• Here is the link to information for signing up for Ninth Grade Academy if you are an incoming Freshman
• Here is the link to our COVID Relief Go Fund Me page, donate if you can, and reach out to me at tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org if you need support from this fund

Please reach out with questions and concerns. We are here to serve you and we are stronger together!

With gratitude, 
Tiffany Almon
Proud Principal
John F. Kennedy High School
tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org