Commander Communicator: 5/30/22

Posted May 28, 2022

Dear Commander Community,

In light of the tragic events that took place in Uvalde, TX and Buffalo, NY, I want to ensure that you have the resources you need to persevere and maintain emotional well being. Please check out the self care, community, and suicide prevention resources on our website. Additionally, I want to reinforce Superintendent Dr. Marrero’s messaging in today’s DPS Weekly:

"The recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas leaves everyone deeply saddened, and wondering what we as a society can be doing differently. Leaving politics aside, one immediate action any parent can do TODAY is to absolutely ensure that, if there are any guns in your home, or in places where your children visit, the guns are stored LOCKED UP (lockbox, gun cabinet, cable locks), UNLOADED (ammunition locked and stored separately from the gun) and that your children CAN NOT access the locking device (using unfamiliar codes, hiding the keys). These safety measures are proven to decrease unintentional injury, suicide and homicide, as access to guns is THE critical factor contributing to firearm injury in children and adolescents.”

Reminders:

If you are a Junior and missed the Rising Senior information session on Thursday evening, please check out the information that was shared HERE.

Please check out the finals schedule below. If you missed your period 1, 2, 3, or 4 finals today or yesterday, please make an appointment with your teacher to make up the final on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon or all day on Thursday.

9th – 11th Grade Spring Finals Week Schedule
	Thursday 5/26	Friday 5/27	Tuesday 5/31	Wednesday 6/1	Thursday 6/2
7:30-9:30	Period 1 Final	Period 3 Final	Period 5 Final	Period 7 Final	7:30-11:35	Make-ups by Appointment Only
9:35-11:35	Period 2 Final	Period 4 Final	Period 6 Final	Period 8 Final
11:35-12:25	Grab n' Go Lunch	Grab n' Go Lunch	Grab n' Go Lunch	Grab n' Go Lunch
12:25-3:00	Grading/Make-Ups	Grading/Make-Ups	Grading/Make-Ups	Grading/Make-Ups

If you are a student who is enrolling in a school outside of the DPS district See HERE for important information regarding technology. Otherwise, all students will keep their Chromebooks for the summer to use for the 22-23 school year.

SHOUT OUTS:

Congratulations to all the Seniors who graduated on Wednesday, check out the recording of graduation here.
Congratulations to our top 10:

Valedictorian — Christopher Tran

Salutatorian — Melanie Valadez

#3 Richard Le

#4 Eternity Lomeli

#5 Tammy Le

#6 Aaliyah Rodriguez

#7 Dariela Hernandez

#8 Chiaya Thach

#9 Lizbeth Borrego-Castaneda

#10 Brisa Andrade-DeLaTorre

Shout out to all the students who spoke at graduation!
Shout out to all the 9th, 10th, and 11th graders who showed up and worked hard on their period 1, 2, 3, and 4 finals!

Please read the updates and reminders below to prepare for the week ahead.

Have a Commander Kind of Week!

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

EMAIL ME MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR DONATE VISIT OUR SITE PARENT PORTAL

14px;">Athletics:

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR SCHOOL YEAR

JFK Summer Programs: Do you know an incoming freshmen who will attend JFK next year? Please invite them to our summer programs.
These programs offer an excellent opportunity to get familiar with our building, learn about our school culture, make new friends, meet teachers, and get a head start on high school credits! We have two programs to offer:

Ready for 2026: July 18th – Aug 5th
The purpose of the Ready for 2026 program is to give students an advantage in learning what it will be like to be a high school student.

– Students will be provided opportunities to engage in learning activities related to both Math and English.
– Students will build relationships with staff members and other students.
– Students will receive 2.5 credits towards high school graduation
– BUT most importantly students will have FUN and become part of our Commander family!

Ninth Grade Academy: Aug 9th – Aug 12th

During 9th Grade Academy students will dive deeper into our school culture as well as continuing to engage in daily learning activities. Students will also understand graduation requirements and earn an additional 2.5 credits.

*Freshmen have the option for choosing both of the programs or just one. If you are going to send your student to just one of these programs, Ninth Grade Academy is highly recommended.

For more information or questions:

Call: (720)423-4460
Email: thomas_brandt@dpsk12.net

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 Southwest Denver Free Activities Calendar

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR FUTURE

Counseling Updates:

Registration for the DPS Regional Summer School program is now open! All details of the program are outlined in the form. The deadline to register is Monday, May 30th, 2022. https://tinyurl.com/JFKRSS2022
Some of the counseling offices have moved! You can now find Mr. Naughton in 203CA and Ms. Martiniere in 203B.
Class of 2023 – Counselors will be reaching out soon about scheduling your Senior Contract Meeting. This is a mandatory, virtual 20-minute meeting that will occur over the summer with you and your parent/guardian to set you up for senior year.

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

7/18 – 8/5 — Ready for 2026
8/9 – 8/12 — Ninth Grade Academy
For more information on any of these events check jfk.dpsk12.org

EVENT CALENDAR

HELPFUL LINKS

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