Commander Communicator 2/12/2023

Posted February 12, 2023

Commander Communicator

A Message From Principal Almon


Dear Commanders,

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ve compiled a short list of love I witnessed this week:

  • As of Friday, JFK students raised almost $5,000 to grant the wishes of children with critical conditions  like Hunter through Wish Week fundraising events. Please take 18 seconds to view Hunter’s video thanking the Commander Community. 

  • Many of our teachers sacrificed their lunch this week to tutor students.

  • Our student body created signs and cheered on our Unified Basketball team.

  • Several parents connected with me this week to determine ways to best support their students in academics and athletics. 

  • Our support staff and special service providers spent hours planning and implementing our Fentanyl Education Night. 

You’ll note that none of these involved teddy bears or chocolates (though I am not at all opposed to chocolates). As we enter a week that will pull our attention toward the superficialities of love, let’s keep it simple: love is when we behave in committed, connected, passionate ways.


So instead of a Valentine, try this: lift someone up with your strengths.


Please take a moment to read about the new digital pass system that we began implementing this week. Read the SMART PASS UPDATE here.


Have a Commander Kind of Day!

Tiffany Almon, Proud and Grateful Principal

She, her, hers, and why they matter

tiffany_almon@dpsk12.net

Take Command of Your Future!

Upcoming Dates!

  • Monday, February 13th

    • Girls JV basketball vs Westminster

      • 5:00 – 6:00pm

  • Tuesday, February 14th

    • Food Pantry

      • 2:45 to 4:00 pm 

  • Wednesday, February 15th

    • SAFE TEEN DRIVING ASSEMBLY 

      • Freshmen and Juniors

      • 8:45am – 9:45am

    • PTSA Meeting 

      • In the Community Room. (103 B) From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

  • Thursday, February 16th

    • SAFE TEEN DRIVING ASSEMBLY

      • Sophomores and Seniors

      • 8:45 am – 9:45 am

    • Black Family Alliance Check-in Before Arts Night 

      • 5:00 5:30pm

      • Arts Night

        • 5:30 – 7:30pm

  • Friday, February 17th

    • Wrestling Match 

      • 7:00 am at the Ball Arena

  • Monday, February 20th – NO SCHOOL – PRESIDENT’S DAY

  • Tuesday, February 21st – NO SCHOOL – TEACHER PLANNING 

Important Message From the Counselors!

Counselors are hosting a CEC and Emily Griffith registration event on 2/14 during Advisory to help interested 10th and 11th graders apply for the upcoming school year.

Last week, Counselors helped administer the Accuplacer exam to seniors who still need to meet Competency for graduation. This week, seniors who still need to meet Competency will be assigned to take the WorkKeys exam.

Counselors are meeting individually with qualified seniors to help them apply for the ASCENT program.


Counselors are working with Alissa Warren to prepare for Choice of Studies for the 23-24 school year. Choice of Studies will kick off this week in Advisory, and Counselors will work with students through March to complete their course requests.


Take Command of Your Involvement!

We have a new Instagram! Follow us Today!

Do you want to have more of  a voice in the school? Are looking for a way to clock some more volunteer hours? Sign up for the Principal’s Advisory Committee!

Events & Activities Calendar 
JFK Athletics Website
JFK Events Calendar


Take Command of Your Health and
 Safety!

Vaping Prevention – Resources for Parents 

Parents play a critical role in preventing vaping, so make time to talk with your child today. This handout has great tips for starting that conversation. Catch My Breath has great resources including a Parent Training Video (also in Spanish) and a Parent Toolkit with information on how to support your child, how to spot a vape, six signs your child may be vaping and other tools for tackling the vaping epidemic. For students needing vaping intervention, MyLifeMyQuit, is a free, confidential quit line. Additional resources for adolescents using substances can be found here.

***Safe2Tell***

DPS has been seeing a rise in the number of misused and malicious reporting on our Safe2Tell safety tip lines. The Safe2Tell tip line is not a resource for general complaints and should only be used in cases of emergency. False reports are a felony, and subject to criminal penalties according to Senate Bill 21-081. If you have a complaint, please reach out directly to the JFK leadership team directly for more information on how you can receive help or new accommodations.

Opportunities to get Involved!

If interested in joining the PTSA, please go to https://tinyurl.com/JFKPTSA to sign up! We will hold an informational meeting in the library on Wednesday, February 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Community Room 103b. *Park in the student lot or flagpole lot.