Weekly Family Newsletter: 2/14/22

• JFK Food Pantry: We are so excited to launch our JFK Food Pantry! Beginning on Tuesday, February 8th, JFK families will have the opportunity to come by every Tuesday, from 3-5 PM to pick-up FREE items such as fresh produce, meat, and dairy products. Our Food Pantry is located on the south end of the main hall and you may enter through the teacher parking lot doors to get access to this resource.

  This collaboration is made possible through a non-profit organization called STIGMA. They will work diligently to build supply off of demand, however our first round will be on a first come, first serve basis and we anticipate serving 30 families. Any JFK family is welcome to this resource, but please note that you MUST have your student’s ID # in order to access the pantry. We can’t wait to serve you!

  Please reach out to flor_chavez@dpsk12.net and michael_laguardia@dpsk12.net if you have any questions.

• WISH WEEK: Wish week is one week out of the school year dedicated to a child in need as well as to have fun. We are assigned a child with an illness, and throughout the week we sell items and raise as much money as we possibly can. Here's how you can help:

  • Repost our social media fundraising links during the week of February 14th 

  • Donate to our Fundraising Campaign HERE anytime between now and February 18th
• Brew's News: Here’s what you need to know about the latest and greatest in activities going on at JFK! See here for more details on Wish Week Spirit days and more.
• Library Newsletter: Here is a link to the library news for February.
• Did you know that Kennedy has a blog? Check it out here. This blog is in collaboration with the YESS Institute at John F. Kennedy High School.
• Kennedy Accelerated Learning Day: JFK is hosting an Accelerated Learning Remote Day on March 2nd.
  • Why: The purpose of this Accelerated Learning Remote Day is three-fold:
    • To give students an opportunity to get on track with credits and ICAP for Quarter 3
    • To give our teachers a chance to dig into and respond to student data and grades
    • To provide our custodial staff with a day to deep clean the building with no students in attendance
  • Who: 
    • All students will be remote, working asynchronously to complete assignments to get on track for quarter 3 with coursework and ICAP. Students will also have the opportunity to meet virtually with Counselors, our mental health team, and the Future Center
  • Schedule:​​

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• Athletics:
  • Spring Sports Registration is still open! Click this link for directions and links to register. Here's to an exciting season!
• Parent Involvement:
  • 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. 

• 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

• This week is National School Counseling Week! Thanks to the JFK community for supporting our nationally recognized program!

• Counselors are proctoring the Accuplacer test with Gayla Power on February 7-9th for all seniors who have not yet met the Competency graduation requirement

• Choice of Studies for the 22-23 school year is in progress! During this process, students learn about JFK classes and submit their requests for next year. Students will be meeting with their Counselor during Math class on the following dates, so attendance will be crucial!

  • Class of 2025 – January 27th & 28th (complete)

  • Class of 2024 – February 3rd & 4th

  • Class of 2023 – February 10th & 11th
    
    Here are some Choice of Studies resources to assist students and families with the course request process:

    • The Anchor – Course Catalog

    • Academic Planning Guide

    • Class of 2023 Handout

    • Class of 2024 Handout

    • Class of 2025 Handout

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.

• 2/21/22 — No School – President's Day

• 3/2 — Kennedy Accelerated Learning Day

• 3/2 — Commander Connection PTSA Meeting

• 3/3 — ELA PAC Meeting

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

• Click here to access Student Schoology Supports
• Here is a Schoology Parent Guide
• Parent Portal Login Presentation
• Parent Portal Login Video
• Schoology App Login Guide – English | Spanish
• Schoology Parent/Guardian FAQ – English | Spanish

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

2855 S. LAMAR ST. DENVER, CO 80227