Main Office: 720-423-4300 & Attendance: 720-423-4354
Main Office: 720-423-4300 & Attendance: 720-423-4354
12
Oct

Commander Communicator 10/12/20

By
0

Dear Commander Community,

On Monday many of us will observe Indigenous Peoples Day to honor, learn more about, and begin to take action for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Please read this land acknowledgement as a first step in our process towards recognizing and taking action for our Native American students and their families:

John F Kennedy High School would like to acknowledge the Native history of the Denver region and Colorado more broadly, and recognize the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. 

The land that Denver sits on originally belonged to the Arapaho tribe, as laid out in the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. When gold was discovered in the late 185os, white settlers arrived in the area in large numbers and began asserting their right to the land, leading to the Treaty of Fort Wise in 1861 and cessation of the land by some tribal leaders. In 1864, the Sand Creek Massacre resulted in the deaths of hundreds to Arapaho and Cheyenne people, and soon after these nations would be relocated out of Colorado. 

Other nations native to Colorado include the Apache, Comanche, Shoshone, and Ute. The latter includes the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, federally recognized tribes that have their current headquarters in Ignacio, Colorado and Towaoc, Colorado, respectively. These groups have historically lived in the southern and western portions of the state. In Denver Public Schools, we have over 1,000 Native students representing over 70 tribes. By acknowledging that we are on Native land, please recognize the students you are all called upon to support. 

Special thanks to Rosie Molina for compiling this Land Acknowledgement. “It is important to understand the longstanding history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation.” Northwestern University. 

Please read the attached return to in person learning plan shown here. Click on this LINK to see an In Person and Virtual student schedule that we will follow beginning on 10/21. Additionally, JFK Administration holds Wednesday Town Halls for students and families to ask questions and give feedback, meet us here from 5 - 6 pm on Wednesdays. We are SO MUCH stronger together and need your input and want to answer any questions you may have about our return to in person plan. Students will receive detailed information regarding what a day in the life of an in person student will look like during Warm Welcomes every day next week. 
With love and gratitude,

Tiffany Almon
Proud Principal
She, her, hers and why they matter
tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org
 
EMAIL ME REGISTER DONATE VISIT OUR SITE PARENT PORTAL
UPDATES
  • The last day of the quarter "semester" with blocking is October 15th. There is no school on October 16th. Fall Break for students will take place from October 16th to October 20th. Students will return for quarter 2 on October 21st!

  • We will host Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences on October 14th and 15th from 4 - 7pm. Please make appointments with your student's teacher's here. During these conferences, senior families can also sign up for FAFSA/CAFSA support here. 

  • We launched our Commander PRIDE Podcast this month! You can check it out here and then vote on the masked singer segment here. 

  • Our Homecoming Parade is going to take place on October 24th! Check out this flyer to see the route and how you can participate.

  • JFK will be hosting its first ever District Film Festival! If you or someone you know would like to submit a self-created film, please email it to tboyles@dpsk12.net.

    The screenings of the films will take place on November 6th at 5:00 PM as a drive-in movie format in the JFK High School parking lot. We will also host a virtual screening as well! For more information click here.

  • Our JFK Student Council was featured on 9 News because of their efforts in getting our Commanders informed on the upcoming election! Check out the article and video here.

  • JFK wants to invite you to learn more about the Coach and Mentoring Program, which helps students explore and learn more about their area of interest. Our program is designed to inspire students to pursue careers related to their CareerConnect courses. We are lucky to work closely with Namaste Solar and during the program students will connect with professionals from Namaste. Mentors will support, guide and provide resources for students to help their academic and professional development. Our school is also one of the three schools who has a Spanish Affinity Cohort, which connects students with Spanish Speaking professionals. For more information check out this flyer. If you would like to join you can fill out this interest form.

  • College and Career Success Month (Take Command of Your Future Month): October is Career and College Success Month. October 13th is Free College Application Day. Start your applications early and hit send on all of them today to save money. Email Ms. Emily at eweiss@denverscholarship.org for support! 

    We also want to celebrate the postsecondary achievements and plans of our parents/guardians, alumni, and our students. Please use this form to share your story so we can highlight you on our website and/or district wide platforms! 

    Also, FAFSA/CASFA support will look different this year, but our Future Center is still here to help! Please read the following instructions and complete ALL of the steps BEFORE you make an appointment to get support.
    To sign up please have completed ALL steps of the My FAFSA planner on Schoology. Parents, you can log into your student's Schoology to complete the My FAFSA planner. We have made appointments for 2 hrs, IF you complete all the steps you can complete your FAFSA in 1.5 hrs. So please complete the entire My FAFSA planner.
    If you have questions about signing up OR the planner please reach out to Ms. Emily at eweiss@denverscholarship, on schoology or text at 720-588-3287. You can make appointments for FAFSA/CAFSA support here.

  • Upward Bound is a pre-collegiate program offered at JFk that serves first-generation and limited income students in the Denver area. We offer one-on-one advising, college visit trips in and out of state, Saturday enrichment events, and a 6-week non-residential and residential summer program. This program is FREE for students who get accepted.
    **It looks a little different at this time, due to the pandemic all services are virtual**
     WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING!! This program is competitive and spots are limited, we have openings for 10 freshmen and 5 juniors. (Sophomores will be considered, Senior class is full). For information on how to join, click here. 

  • The SAT will take place on October 27th and is for all seniors only. The PSAT will take place on October 29th and is for all juniors only. 

  • Parent Teacher Home Visit: If you are interested in setting up a virtual meeting with one of our staff members that can talk to you about additional supports for your child please contact laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org to schedule one!

  • Information to receive free RTD passes: Do you need an RTD pass to support your in-person attendance? Here is an opportunity for free RTD passes, thanks to a partnership with the City of Denver. As a reminder, students who traditionally receive an RTD pass from DPS will continue to do so.

  • JFK Virtual Town Hall: Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 14th at 5 PM by clicking this  link.

  • 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. Watch this video to see how you can get involved.
RESOURCES
  • Here is information on an organization that helps families get access to food.
  • Here is information on where to get Free Meals from DPS.
  • Here is the link to access DPS Coronavirus Resources. 
  • Here is the Southwest Denver Free Activities Calendar
  • 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
    • To make an appointment: E-mail SBHC@dhha.org or call 303-602-8958 or the JFK Clinic direct number: 720-423-4355
  • For more information on resources click here.
 
 
IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL LEARNING UPDATE

  • Please watch this video for a guide on a Safe Return to School

  • Please fill our this survey to help us plan for return to in person learning on 10/21.

  • The district is requiring that all students complete a health screener every day prior to entering the school. Students can complete these screeners daily at this link. We are still tentatively planning a return to in-person learning on October 21st pending Superintendent Cordova's decision. Please save this link so your student can have easy access to it each morning!

  • UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OUT OF HOTSPOTS FOR THE TIME BEING. WE WILL UPDATE OUR FAMILIES ONCE WE HAVE MORE AVAILABLE.

  • Click here for our Return to In Person Plan

  • Click here for A Day in the Life of a Commander In Person/Virtual starting 10/21/20

  • 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. 

  • Parents and Guardians, PLEASE make sure you are connected to Schoology and Parent Portal, as these are the online platforms that will help you stay up to date on your student’s attendance, grades, and course work. 

    Parent Portal Registration 

    Schoology Parent Video 

    Schoology Parent Guide 

    Student Schoology Supports 

    JFK Schoology Class Access 

  • Chromebooks: 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.
 
 
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
  • 10/13 — Colorado Mesa Rep Visit
  • 10/13 —  Fall College Info Sessions: How College Admissions Decisions Are Made
  • 10/13 — FREE APPLICATION DAY
  • 10/14 — FAFSA DAY
  • 10/14 — Fall Conferences
  • 10/15  — Fall Conferences
  • 10/15 — Colorado School of Mines Info session
  • 10/15 — FAFSA Q&A Session (English)
  • 10/24 — Homecoming Parade
  • 11/06 — JFK Horror Film Festival Drive-In Screening
  • TBD — ARISS Ask an Astronaut Event

For more information on any of these events check jfk.dpsk12.org
   EVENT CALENDAR

 

HELPFUL LINKS

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

2855 S. LAMAR ST. DENVER, CO 80227
  

 

 

 

 
   
 
 

Leave a Reply

en English
en Englishes Spanishvi Vietnamese