Commander Communicator 11/11/2022

Posted November 10, 2022

Commander Communicator

A Message From Principal Almon

Dear Commander Community,

Please join me in recognizing the diverse and rich culture and impactful contributions of  Native and Indigenous People as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. We look forward to the Native American Heritage celebration occurring on November 30th in our Gym during Advisory. 

A special message from our National Honor Society sponsor, Ms. Kelly Brick:

On Thursday night, we inducted 14 students into the National Honor Society.  They are joining the 38 current members in representing JFK in the best of the NHS pillars of leadership, character, scholarship and service.  The current NHS members did an amazing job during the ceremony, many of whom served as speakers, and they all represented JFK with outstanding PRIDE!  Rachel Marlow did an amazing job playing our National Anthem.

Please read below for important updates.

Have a Commander Kind of Day,

Tiffany Almon, Proud Principal

She, her, hers, and why they matter

Tiffany_almon@dpsk12.net

If you would like to donate to our COVID Relief Fund, Venmo @JFKCommanders

Take Command of Your Future!

Upcoming Dates!


 Thank you toKate Leaf for collecting election results from our students! Click here to see the Kennedy election results!

Highlight: According to most polling, one of the most important issues to Gen Z is climate action. This is SUPER evident in how our student body voted in Waste No More, which will require Denver businesses/ apartments/ hotels to offer composting and recycling services. Nearly 90% of Kennedy voters said yes to this. Here’s to Gen Z gaining the power to vote and running for positions of power!

 Check out this week’s Future Center Newsletter  for Important messages for Senior families!

Take Command of Your Involvement!

Congratulations to our JROTC Marksmanship Team who competed in the Colorado State Air Rifle Championship in Fountain, Colorado! The team of Emily Serrano, Aramndo Garcia, Ivan Marquez, Juliette Valdiviezo and Tan Tran finished in 1st Place with three of the shooters posting new personal best scores. If you are interested in Air Rifle, come down to the JROTC Range to learn how you can join.

Winter Sports

Winter registration is required for students to tryout and/or practice beginning 11/14/22.
*You must have a current physical in order to participate.  

We are offering
Girls Swimming,
Boys & Girls Basketball,
and Wrestling.
Please use this link to register >>>> 
Winter Sports Registration Link 
Sign up to get a Physical

The Girls in STEAM club got the opportunity to have lunch with satellite engineer, Karen Rucker!

Congratulations to The winners for the Orgullo Hispano picture contestCharlene Torres and Ruby Guzman! Come to the main office and see Miss Tiffani Belcher to collect your prize!

Events & Activities Calendar 
JFK Athletics Website
JFK Events Calendar


Take Command of Your Health and
 Safety!

Parents and students, we are experiencing an uptick of vaping and vandalism in the bathrooms. Vaping and marijuana use poses serious health risks. Vandalism is not only cause for disciplinary action, but also imparts unnecessary costs on the school which takes away funding from our students’ education.

If students are suspected of vaping or smoking marijuana on campus or during school hours, they will be searched, parents/guardians will be contacted, the student will be medically checked by our school nurse, subject to disciplinary action, and sent home if they are under the influence. To be proactive with these safety issues, we have closed down our 2nd and 3rd floor bathrooms and have increased supervision in our hallways. All students have access to the 1st and 4th floor bathrooms.

How Sick is Too Sick?
When Students and Staff Should Stay Home from School

During Colorado’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students and staff who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should receive testing, and follow the COVID-19 isolation guidance until testing is completed or if they test positive. If the individual tests negative for COVID-19, the individual should then follow the recommendations for their disease or symptoms using the below guidance.
There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home:
1. The student or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact.
2. The student or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual activities.
3. A student needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other students.
4. The student or staff member has symptoms or an illness is on the following list, and staying home is required.

COVID-19 symptoms which must be fully resolved before a student or staff member returns to school. Symptoms Include:

When to seek emergency medical attention

  • Feeling Feverish, having chills or Fever (Temperature of 100.4°F or greater.)

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Nausea,Vomiting/

  • Throwing Up

  • Diarrhea

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny nose

  • Congestion

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  •  Fatigue

  • New Loss of Taste or Smell

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion

  • Inability to wake or stay awake

  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone

These are not all possible symptoms.
Please call your medical provider forany other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operatorthat you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

If all symptoms are consistent with the usual symptoms of a known chronic condition and the child is otherwise well enough to return to school, no further evaluation is necessary. If the test is positive, or the individual has not yet been tested, the individual should follow CDPHE’s isolation guidance,
Covid19.colorado.gov
Further guidance for the school or child care can be found at Covid19.Colorado.gov

If a Covid test is negative AND the symptoms are explained by a specific
illness other than COVID-19, then the student or staff can return to school or child care following exclusion guidelines for that illness. If the test is negative and the illness is not explained by a new illness or a known chronic condition, the ill individual should still stay home until symptoms have been resolved for at least 24 hours without medication.

Opportunities to get Involved!

 Gratitude Baskets and Holiday Gift Drive!

The holiday season is upon us and we are continuing our wonderful Kennedy tradition of Gratitude Baskets and Holiday Gift Drive! Gratitude Baskets are delivered by staff during Fall Break and include all the fixins for a great holiday meal (turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc.) Our Holiday Gift Drive allows JFK staff and community members to donate presents for families in need. As we work to finalize more details, if you are interested in participating, please email Ms. Annie at anne_walden-newman@dpsk12.net. More details to come!

Black Family Alliance

Commander Conversation -Town Hall & Collaborative School Committee

Thank you to those who joined in for the Commander Conversation- Town Hall & Collaborative School Committee meeting where we talked about :
1. The TuVoz Survey Data
2. What it means to be a Title 1 school
3. Signs of Suicide presentation
Here are the Google Slides and Q&A from that meeting! 

Commander Connection

Want to join our Parent Teacher Student Association, the Commander Connection? Email our Dean of Operations, Tiffani Belcher at Tiffani_belcher@dpsk12.net.