Weekly Family Newsletter: 1/17/22

Posted January 17, 2022

Dear Commander Community,

Today we remember and honor one of the most influential leaders in the pursuit of racial equity, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An inspirational, peaceful, and courageous figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made more progress towards racial equity In 13 years than was made in the 350 years prior (The King Center).  I hope to see some of you at the Marade downtown today to march remember the work the enormous amount of work that still needs to be done to fulfill the call to end racial discrimination in Dr. King’s, “I Have a Dream” speech.

Let’s hold Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words in our hearts as we continue to embark on what has already been such a tough start to Semester 2, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

We are stronger together, Commanders, and we can definitely see the light in the darkness when our students and families  communicate their needs, feedback, and suggestions to continuously improve the student experience here at Kennedy. Please take a moment to complete this feedback survey and please get involved by either joining our Commander Connection PTSA (email lisa1115@hotmail.com or laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org) or by attending our upcoming Commander Conversation virtual town hall on 1/26/22 from 5 – 6pm here.

REMINDERS:

Quick note: Seniors, there is no attendance percentage requirement to attend graduation. We want all of our graduating Seniors to be able to enjoy the ceremony and have an opportunity to be celebrated by their families, peers, friends, and staff members. The Graduation Ceremony date and location have not yet been determined; but, we will keep everyone in the loop as soon as we have this information.

COVID UPDATE:

It is our priority to keep you informed of incidents related to safety. We want to make you aware that this week, we have 6 students or staff members that have been diagnosed with COVID-19. We have notified those people who were in close contact with these individuals.

Each case of COVID-19 is interviewed by public health. As part of this public health investigation:

  • The people diagnosed are being kept home from school until they are no longer infectious. 
  • The people’s activities when they could have spread COVID-19 were assessed. 

If you have any concerns about your health, we encourage you to contact the Denver Health School Based Health Center at 303-602-8958 (or your primary care provider) for further evaluation and possible testing.

Here is the link to more information from Dr. Steve Federico at Denver Health with more information about the Omicron variant and the impacts on our district. Stay safe and wear your masks!

UPDATES

  • Mark your calendars for May 20th as Sabin World School, Bear Valley International, and John F. Kennedy High School team up to present the Southwest World IB Festival, which will be hosted at Sabin World School. Please click the link(s) below if you are interested in supporting this event!

    English: https://forms.gle/ATibbu7EewLYabGi6
    Spanish: https://forms.gle/wQb6LoHRLCy8DFyY6
    Vietnamese: https://forms.gle/vNAZaZ7p8wScPZMi8

  • Futures Football: Commander Football is excited for the upcoming season. We are looking for 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in playing for the Kennedy Commanders Futures Team next Fall. Please spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested! Broncos Futures Football was designed to promote the sport of football in Denver Public Schools. The program was developed with the Denver Broncos in 2008. The first official season began in the spring of 2009. We dedicate our resources to the betterment of our students / athletes and encourage all of you to help us build for the FUTURE.

    There will be an informational meeting for anyone interested in playing with the Futures Football program in the upcoming season on Thursday, 1/20 at 6 PM. They should have the information you are requesting by then so they can share with families that are interested. Please share with anyone who might want to attend! 

    Link to Join: meet.google.com/tmg-rnfi-ssk
    Join by phone: (US) +1 262-682-3965 (PIN: 889622006)

    What you need to participate in the Futures program:

  • Please contact Coach Horta, Coach Sisneros, or Coach LaGuardia using their contact information listed below:

    Coach Horta: victor_horta@dpsk12.net

    Coach Sisneros: j_gonzales-sisneros@dpsk12.net

        Cell: 303-669-1792

    Coach LaGuardia: michael_laguardia@dpsk12.net

          Phone: 720-423-4426
GET INVOLVED
  • Want to join our Parent Teacher Student Association, the Commander Connection? Email our Communications Specialist, Laurentz Gilmore at laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org.
  • Want to be involved in making decisions in regard to our English Language Acquisition programming? Join our ELA – Parent Advisory Committee by emailing laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org. See HERE for more information regarding the ELA – Parent Advisory Committee. 
 
RESOURCES
  • IMPORTANT RESOURCES TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS: The JFK Mental Health & Culture Teams wanted to share important resources for families to utilize in need after school hours.

    How Can You Help Your Teen?

    • LEARN the warning signs/risk factors (what you are doing right now!) 
    • TALK to your teen about depression and suicide 
    • LISTEN to your teen’s concerns 
    • TEACH your teen to stand up for others who are being bullied either by telling a trusted adult or by reporting it anonymously to Safe2Tell 
    • SUPPORT JFK STAFF in school suicide prevention programming (If Necessary) 
    • FIND HELP for your teen, either through JFK staff or outside mental health providers
    • IF EMERGENCY: Call 911 OR Take teen to closest emergency hospital 
    • Make a Safe2Tell Report through their hotline 1-877-542-7233, their website (https://safe2tell.org/), or via app @Safe2TellCO. 
    • Contact Colorado Crisis Services – 24/7 Hotline & Clinics 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 24 hour suicide prevention phone hotlines 
    • Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (English and Spanish) 1-800-273-8255 
    • When possible, follow up with JFK’s Mental Health Team. They may complete a Suicide Risk Review (SRR) or Self-Injury Protocol (SII) (Denver Public Schools suicide/self-injury assessments) when school resumes. 
  • Our school nurse created a virtual health office containing links to lots of different information. Click on LINK for helpful resources.
  • Here is a link to a list of various food assistance resources around Denver!
  • Here is a link to information on Free Covid Tests.
  • Here is the link to access DPS Coronavirus Resources. 
  • Here is the Southwest Denver Free Activities Calendar
 
 
COUNSELING UPDATES

  • Message from Michael Kelly (JFK Counseling Intern) in 203A:

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be back at JFK for Spring semester as I finish my masters in School Counseling at the University of Denver. Originally from the Bay Area, I’ve been in Colorado since 2013 and love it. In my spare time I love playing/watching sports (especially basketball & the Dubs), skiing, eating tacos, and spending time with my Irish Setter named Dre. Here at JFK I’ll be a school counselor in-training so I welcome and ask for any and all constructive criticism. Go Commanders and anchor down!!

  • Counselors are meeting with off-track 11th and 12th grade students and parents/guardians to discuss their graduation plans.

  • Wednesday, 1/19 – Counselors are hosting an ASCENT program info session during lunch in the JFK room

  • Friday, 1/21 – Counselors are hosting a Choice of Studies Fair during lunch. This will provide students with an opportunity to explore their pathway options before selecting their classes for the upcoming school year.

  • Choice of Studies (COS) is coming up! Students will meet with their Counselor to review their course requests for the 22-23 school year. Teachers are also encouraged to talk with their students in advance about course options for next year. See the COS timeline below:

    • Jan. 21 – Choice of Studies Fair during lunch

    • Jan. 27 & 28 – Class of 2025 pick classes

    • Feb. 3 & 4 – Class of 2024 pick classes

    • Feb. 10 & 11 – Class of 2023 pick classes
 
HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health and Safety Protocols:

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth

    1. Masks will be required for all students, visitors, and staff while in all DPS schools and buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This mask requirement includes times when staff are meeting without students, regardless of vaccination status. 

    2. Masks will not be required outside, since the risk of COVID transmission is significantly lower outdoors. 

    3. Monitor who you eat lunch with and eat lunch outdoors when possible.

  • Monitor your symptoms, stay home, and get a COVID test if you are feeling sick

  • If a student is in close contact with someone who has contracted the COVID-19 Virus, Nurse Shirley (shirley_sorensen@dpsk12.org) will contact the student and their family.  See COVID-19 Exposure decision tree here for more information.

  • Staff and students are exempt from quarantine if you are: 

    • Fully vaccinated without symptoms. It needs to be 2 weeks since the last recommended vaccine dose. 

    • Previously positive in the past 90 days and are without symptoms.

    • Both parties were wearing a mask properly over the mouth and nose at the time of exposure and without symptoms and maintained 3 foot distance between individuals for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period.

  • Denver Health School-Based Clinic is proud to offer the Pfizer COVID vaccine right here on campus.  This vaccine is available to students, families of students, and DPS staff (including 3rd dose if immunocompromised).  To get a vaccine or for more information, make an appointment at 720-423-4355 or walk-in to the clinic.  Protecting our community is our priority.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • 1/26/22 — Commander Conversation

    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