Weekly Family Newsletter: 4/4/22

Posted April 4, 2022

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Dear Commander Community,

I hope that you had a restful break in which you had the opportunity to relax, reflect, and recharge. We are now in the home stretch and I know that coming off of a break can be tough for all of us. Check out this ASSET strategy, Mental Vacation Visualization, and these reflection questions to help you manage stress and find gratitude as we end the year strong together: 

  • What are you looking forward to in Quarter 4?

  • What are you grateful for?

  • What is one way you can celebrate someone else’s strengths?

  • What is one way you can celebrate your own greatness? 

Also, check out these resources to help you prepare for the CMAS, SAT, and PSAT. 

SAT – 4/13/22

PSAT 10 – 4/13/22

PSAT 8/9 – 4/14/22

CMAS 11 – 4/14/22

ALL SENIORS will participate in Anchors Away Day (Senior option during testing on April 14th), see below for details.

SHOUT OUTS!

  • Rhina Serrano, Ariana Rodriguez, Wendy Hernandez, Jacqueline Mendez, Brianna Cabrera, Diego Lopez, Irvin Calva and Cristopher Valdez represented our school at North HS for the celebration of the Model United Nations (MUN) drill in Spanish. Our students represented 4 of the 16 participating countries (El Salvador, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua).

  • Our JFK eSports Team (we compete in a CHSAA recognized competitive video games league called PlayVS) got their first win last week! The whole team focused on playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and both The JFK Big Kidz (“JV”) and JFK Smash Squad (Varsity) won their matches.

  • Congratulations to Zachary Cole who was awarded the DPS Distinguished Curiosity Certificate. Thank you, Michelle Blue, for nominating him!

REMINDERS:

Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, worship, and prayer for our Muslim community, kicks off on Satruday April 2nd and ends May 2nd. If you are a student who celebrates Ramadan, and need a quiet and safe place for engaging in prayer at school, please see the main office for a key to room 14. 

Parents and students, please see the Class 2025 Meeting Deck for reminders of upcoming events and reminders for Quarter 4.

Have a Commander Kind of Week!

Tiffany Almon
Proud Principal
She, her, hers and why they matter
tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org
 

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TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR SCHOOL YEAR
  • Anchors Away Day: The 4 Workshop Choices are below.

    Freshman year 101: Presentation for all college-bound students, on important things to know about their first year ex: difference between financial and the bursar, imposter syndrome, what an add-drop date is, etc…

    Resume/Interview workshop: Put on by Ms. Aragon with College and Career Success, students will have a chance to create their own personalized resume, and possibly (if time allows) practice their interview skills with Ms. Aragon for applying to jobs after Kennedy.

    Financial Aid and Scholarships: Students will get support from Denver Scholarship Foundation staff to complete the FAFSA/CASFA or any remaining scholarships they are working on, specifically the DSF Scholarship.

    Apprenticeship Fair: Julian Martinez from College and Career Success is organizing 3-5 Trade Union reps to come and speak to any student interested in an apprenticeship. Students will have the chance to speak directly to Union recruiters and get personalized connections to hiring managers for when they graduate and turn 18. Also, learn about the benefits of this career pathway.

    All seniors must RSVP to one workshop by 4/7 Attendance will be taken at all workshops and considered as part of normal school attendance. RSVP link: https://forms.gle/RsRHm8QN2eUm7v878

  • Senior Parent Meeting: After Spring Break, we will be hosting a Senior Parent Meeting to cover what the last 6 weeks will look for our seniors. Please prioritize attending this meeting on Wednesday, April 6th from 5:30-6:30 PM as we will be covering important updates on the finals schedule, end of year events, graduation details, and how to pick up your cap and gowns as well as your graduation tickets. 

    You can join using the following information: 
    Video call link: https://meet.google.com/von-bgte-qfu
    Or dial: ‪(US) +1 442-284-1297‬ PIN: ‪777 908 178‬#
    More phone numbers

    There will be Spanish Translation available at the meeting as well. We hope to see you there!

  • Commander Conversations: Join us for another Commander Conversations on 4/6 at 5 PM. We conduct these meetings in English and Spanish. This meeting will cover mental health literacy. It includes information about the mental health stigma in the Hispanic/Latinx community as well as basic mental health information and resources.   

    Joining Information:

    meet.google.com/eph-ixyy-dvs or ‪(US) +1 650-817-8449‬ PIN: ‪990 578 846‬#

  • Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry will be open on 4/5 from 3 to 5 pm. Please note that you MUST have your student’s ID # in order to access the pantry as this resource is only be available to the families of JFK students. Food is available on a first come, first served basis.

    We ask that you please access the pantry through the staff parking lot doors.

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 Leaders will be sharing information about the importance of GPAs with Freshmen Advisories April 7th and 8th. 

  • Shea Caballero will be on maternity leave from April 11th through the end of the school year. Her caseload will be divided amongst the other Counseling team members during that time.

    • Joe Naughton and Meghan Martiniere will take over Class of 2021/2022 students while she is gone to ensure that they are prepared for graduation.

      • Meghan Martiniere: A-Ch

      • Joe Naughton: Co-Go

    • Class of 2025-2023 students will be assigned as soon as we know more about who is supporting the Counseling department while she is out.

 
TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY

Did you know Denver Health is offering mobile vaccine clinics around Denver?

Please call 303-602-6115 before attending any of the Mobile Heath Center vaccination clinics to check for cancellations. See the full schedule at https://den.health/MHC-Schedule

Remember, JFK’s own Denver Health clinic offers the vaccine as well! If someone needs an appointment or has general questions, please call our clinic at 720-423-4355 .

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
  • 5/2 — Senior Signing Day

  • 5/20 — Senior Checkout

  • 5/21 — Senior Parade

  • 5/23 — Senior Awards

  • 5/25 — Class of 2022 Graduation

  • 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