Weekly Family Newsletter: 3/6/22

Posted March 6, 2022

Dear Commander Community,

Thank you to the families who were able to join our Commander Conversation last Wednesday, it is so great to hear your questions and to connect during this time. See here for the slide deck with important updates from the Commander Conversation and join us for the next one on 3/16/22 at 5 pm here. 

This month’s PRIDE Value is RESPECT. We know that showing respect looks differently depending on how we are raised, our family values, and our cultures. I encourage you to think deeply about what respect looks like and feels like to you. I also challenge you to show respect to other Commanders and the people in your life. If you are not getting the respect you feel you deserve, speak up and self-advocate in a kind and professional way. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking up, send me or another trusted adult an email and we will help you to gain the respect we know you deserve. 

This week, I asked staff to shout out shout out specific students, check them out below:

  • JROTC got a 99 or 100 on their CIP Briefing!
  • Alexandra Burciaga went above and beyond to make a new student feel welcome on his first day at JFK. She gave him a tour, helped him with his locker, and had lunch with him. Her generosity eased his nerves tremendously on his first day at a big high school!
  • Priscilla Pauda-Perez won 2nd prize in the ESU Denver Howard Beckley Writing Competition. She earned a $250 prize for her voice of a generation essay about Taylor Swift. 
  • Teresa Padilla has shown significant growth this week.
  • Michael Romero – Check out his art in the window installation across from the 3rd floor art room. This student is an incredible sculptor with creativity beyond belief! He is quick to catch on to any math concept in class, and always does his best and works hard –  even on assignments from asynchronous day.
  • Adali Lopez-Sanchez for helping her classmates understand difficult concepts in math and internalizing what she learns from math fellows and showing that knowledge in our math class.
  • Steele Ibarra has shown significant growth in all areas during semester 2.
  • Cody Whitworth for doing his best to focus in class and always trying to find the answer and help his neighbors. 
  • Aleena Garcia and Dominic Rodriguez for showing up to math class every day, very early, ready to learn, and with a good attitude.

Just a reminder, Quarter 3 ends 3/17 and ALL classwork and homework (process grades) are due by March 10th. Take advantage of office hours and after school tutoring to get caught up and on track!

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR SCHOOL YEAR
  • Attendance Email Error: We have been notified of an access issue to our attendance email (jfkattendance@dpsk12.org) and are working on getting this fixed. If you recently emailed the attendance email to get your student excused, please be patient to see that reflected in your portal accounts as we work with our department of technology services to get this issue corrected. We will send out a communication once we have regained access and can reflect those changes. 
  • ELA PAC Meeting: We hosted our ELA PAC meeting on 3/3 and invited Elizabeth Burciaga from Movimiento Poder to share more information about how this organization serves our community. Movimiento Poder believes that all students, regardless of race, income, or immigration status, deserve safe, healthy, and equitable learning environments. They are led by working-class Latine immigrants, queer, youth, women, and families and build collective power through community organizing, leadership development and civic engagement.

    If you missed the meeting, you can watch the recording here and we highly recommend doing so because Movimiento Poder is such a valuable resource! Our guest speaker from the meeting, Elizabeth, would love to hear from our families if you have any additional questions. Her cell phone is 720-672-3154 and it is connected to her whatsapp if you prefer to communicate through that platform. You can also email her at elizabeth@movimientopoder.org.

  • Senior Events: More details to come!

    • Senior Cap and Gown Pictures will be taken on March 8th between 9:30a – 1:30p in the JFK Auditorium. Please select a picture appointment time and view packages that will be available using the link below. Students will use loaner cap and gowns for their photos.

      There is a $15 sitting fee that will need to be paid when scheduling your time. The $15 can be applied to your picture purchase as a coupon code. Picture proof link and coupon code will be sent by email and available to view Friday 3/11 at 6pm.

      Sitting Fee is nonrefundable.

      Click here for Event Description and Packages Available

    • Prom tickets will be on sale starting March 8th with the treasurer
    • Senior Checkout will take place on May 20th
    • Senior Parade will take place on May 21st
    • Senior Awards will place on May 23rd
  • Brew's News: Here’s what you need to know about the latest and greatest in activities going on at JFK! 
  • SAT Prep: Attention Juniors! JFK is offering an SAT Prep program in the JFK Room. Look around the halls for the flyers which contain the instructions on how to participate as well the schedule.

    Language sessions will take place Every Monday from 2:45-4:00 and Math sessions will take place every Friday from 2:45-4:00.

    Reach out to Mrs. Blue or Ms. Frank for any further information.

  • Commander Connection Meeting: We are hosting another Commander Connection Meeting on March 9th. This month's meeting will be held virtually and you can find the joining information below:

    Video call link: meet.google.com/gmk-ahpd-pze

    Join by phone

    ‪(US) +1 530-350-6489‬
    PIN: ‪920 709 128‬#

    Our mission is to support the growth and success of Kennedy by building a strong network of parents and guardians. Join us if you: 

    • Want to help JFK raise funds for student activities through concession sales
    • Want to recognize JFK Teachers successes
    • Want to help recruit more families into our network

      We hope to see some new faces there!

  • Library Newsletter: Here is the newsletter for March!
TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT
  • 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. 
 
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
 
 
TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR FUTURE

 Counseling Updates:

  • Link Crew New Kids on the Boat (NKOTB) – This event for new 9th and 10th graders will take place on March 8th, and on March 9th for new 11th and 12th graders. It will be in the JFK room, during Advisory. The purpose is for Link Crew Leaders to connect with new students,  see who might benefit from additional check-ins, and for everyone to enjoy donuts.

  • Choice of Studies for Incoming 9th Graders – We have received our official list from the 1st round of school choice. Counselors will be reaching out to students and parents to collect their class choices for next school year

  • Seniors and Competency – Assessment opportunities to demonstrate competency have officially commenced. Students that still need to demonstrate competency will be working on the Transition Capstone with their counselors and IEP case managers.
 
TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY

On Feb. 9, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment announced that the public health order requiring masks in schools will expire at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 25. 

Masks are still required in all indoor school settings through that date. 

The decision by DDPHE means that, beginning Monday, Feb. 28, masks will no longer be required, but will be strongly recommended for all students, staff, and visitors across DPS. 

Our health partners made this decision based on high rates of immunity and lower rates of severe disease.

We know that we are still in unprecedented times and that this announcement may cause many different emotions to arise amongst our families. We are tremendously grateful to each and every one of you for coming together during the pandemic to follow the guidelines set forth by our health agencies. Please know, JFK is still committed to doing our best to adapt to these changes, while helping to ensure the healthiest conditions in our schools and worksites. Here are some examples of how we are still maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff across the district:

  • DPS is in full compliance, across all schools and worksites, with the city’s vaccine mandate.
  • DPS has and will continue to closely with our state and local health partners, including DDPHE and Denver Health. Our COVID-19 plan and procedures continue to be guided by their medical and public health expertise.
  • JFK continues to share information about vaccination and covid-19 testing opportunities in the community.

If you or your family members have not yet been vaccinated or boosted, please consider doing so as soon as possible, as it remains the best way to protect our children, families and neighbors. Thank you, again, for your partnership and understanding throughout all of the changes and challenges of this pandemic.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • 3/8 — Senior Cap and Gown Photos

  • 3/9 — Commander Connection PTSA Meeting

  • 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