Commander Communicator 9/20

• Fall Welcome Week: Since we are unable to gather in person, we will be posting videos all week long with opportunities to get to know you JFK Staff as well as discover opportunities to get involved. On Monday, follow this link to get started or visit our homepage at jfk.dpsk12.org and click on the banner. The schedule for Fall Welcome Week is as follows: 

  • Monday, September 21st: Prerecorded Admin Welcome Videos & School Tour

  • Tuesday, September 22nd: Prerecorded Teacher Welcome Videos

  • Wednesday, September 23rd: Live Town Hall from 5PM-6PM

  • Thursday, September 24th: Prerecorded Metal Health and SSP Welcome Videos, Whole Child Distinguished Resources for Families

  • Friday, September 25th: Prerecorded Clubs Fair Videos

• All parents must fill out the JFK Parent/Guardian Online Tool Consent Form which can be found here.

• Chromebooks/Hotspots: If you have a hotspot that doesn't work, please come to JFK in order to trade it in for a new one. If you still need a hotspot, we still have some left to give out! If you are in need of a Chromebook , you can come to the school any day between 8-3 PM next week. You can park in the main entrance parking lot and we will take care of you at the open window. If students are having issues with their Chromebook, they can also come in to exchange the one they have for a new one. It is always a good idea to call the main office (720-423-4300) prior to coming in to ensure we still have Chromebooks and hotspots available. 
  
  DoTS has been working with CenturyLink in regards to the issue of slow internet speeds on Chromebooks and have narrowed it down to newer modems that have built-in security features.  
   
  CenturyLink has created an email address specifically to provide customer service for families who may be experiencing slow network speeds on their DPS-issued Chromebooks.  
   
  For any families continuing to experience these issues, please have them email chromebook@centurylink.com for continued troubleshooting on their end.

• Troubleshooting: Please contact laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org if you are having issues attending your courses in Schoology.

• CSC Meeting: If you missed the meeting on Tuesday the 15th of September you can rewatch the meeting here. The minutes can be found here. 

• Hey Seniors! Are you interested in a FREE senior portrait photoshoot?

  We know times are hard right now but we still want to celebrate all of you for working hard to make it to your senior year! We are collaborating with some local photographers to provide this opportunity to our Senior Commanders.

  Please read the information on this form and fill it out if you would like to receive a free senior portrait: https://tinyurl.com/jfkseniorportraits

• Commander Connection PTSA: JFK is looking for motivated, committed parent visionaries to join our PTSA! Our goal is to create a network amongst parents and guardians who are looking to support fundraising initiatives to generate revenue for family resources, to celebrate our staff, and to host/plan community events. Email laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org if you're interested in joining!

• SCHEDULE: Here is a "How To Get to Class in a Remote World" guide in English and Spanish. You can check your Student Portal for your schedule so you know which period you need to attend each class. Check out our block schedule here. If you can't remember if it is a green day or a blue day, please check the Blue/Green Calendar that is also linked on our homepage. 

• In person, socially distant, engagement activities: Despite being in remote learning, we want to offer small, socially distant in-person activities (~25 students) at JFK High School, but first we want to hear from you! Please complete the survey below to help us create fun activities to help bring our Commander community together during these difficult times. https://forms.gle/yd1LvCYN29G3naAb8

• FLU VACCINES are now available at our Denver Health Clinic!
  • You must be a DPS STUDENT
  • You must be consented for the Denver Health Clinic and also for the Flu Vaccine
    • English E-Sign
    • Spanish E-Sign
  • To make an appointment: E-mail SBHC@dhha.org or call 303-602-8958 or the JFK Clinic direct number: 720-423-4355

• All students, no matter if they are virtual or in person will have the same courses and teachers from 10/21/20 to 12/18/20 (Semester 1). We will continue semester blocking for semester 2 (4 courses completed in one semester).

• We are awaiting schedule approval from our Regional Instructional Superintendent’s team, but you can expect the following:

  • School will begin at 8am as it does now. 

  • Students can arrive to be supervised by 7:30am. 

  • Students must take a health screen prior to entering the building, preferably at home AND wear masks.

  • Students will have access to at least 2.5 hours of in person learning per day.

  • Students will be released to return directly home at lunch, UNLESS they need to stay at school to engage in virtual learning. Examples of instances when students would not leave at lunch to log on for virtual learning at home: 
    • No transportation home
    • Unstable Internet connection at home
  • Students will be in ONE cohort (a fixed group of students) for an extended period of time up to one quarter) when they are attending in person.
  • Students will receive at least 30 minutes of social emotional learning through Warm Welcomes; and, they will have access to our Mental Health Team if needed.
  • Students may receive specialized small group instruction outside of their cohort if their coursework, language development, or academic learning requirements necessitate this type of accommodation.
  • Anticipated class sizes are no more than 24 students per class, which ensures we have the space to keep students 3 feet away from each other.
• Transportation: due to social distancing constraints DPS is only able to offer transportation to:
  • Students legally entitled to transportation, such as those in special education or students experiencing homelessness.
  • Students who typically receive an RTD pass from DPS Transportation will continue to do so.

• 9/8 — CSC Meeting
• Week of 9/21 — Back to School Night
• TBD — ARISS Ask an Astronaut Event

• Here is the link to the Virtual Town Hall Q&A Document.
• Here is the "How To Get to Class in a Remote World" guide in English and Spanish.
• Here is the link to our 20-21 Attendance Policy.
• Here is the link to our step by step online Registration process. All families are required to register their children each school year.
• Schoology Parent One-Pager English | Spanish 
• Parent Portal Login Presentation
• Parent Portal Login Video
• Schoology App Login Guide - English | Spanish
• Schoology Parent/Guardian FAQ - English | Spanish
• Here is information on where to get Free Meals from DPS.
• Here is the link to access DPS Coronavirus Resources. 
• 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

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

2855 S. LAMAR ST. DENVER, CO 80227