A Message From The Principal

Dear Commander Families and Students,

This message is a bit difficult to write because of the dichotomy of emotions and feelings that have arisen from last week’s events and the events to come.  I know that many members of the Commander Community are grieving from the loss of one of our beloved students, Cedric Allen, who passed away on Wednesday from medical complications. Feelings of grief and loss are extremely challenging to deal with. Commander families and students, please see the resources below to support you through your grieving process.

Many of our Commanders are extremely excited to walk across the Bellco Theater stage on Monday morning to celebrate the culmination of their high school experience and by participating in the John F. Kennedy High School Graduation Ceremony. I am filled with pride and gratitude for our entire Class of 2023 and am looking forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you. 

9th – 11th grade students, please remember that Monday is an ASYNCHRONOUS, REMOTE day due to the graduation ceremony. We will resume with a Green Day on Tuesday and aBlue Day on Wednesday. Finals begin on Thursday and end on Wednesday May 31st. Please note the adjusted FINALS schedule below. 

GRADUATING SENIORS, please note the reminders regarding the graduation ceremony on Monday:

1. Please be at Bellco Theater at 10 am!! DIRECTIONS and PARKING INFO HERE. We will meet in room 702!!!!  The entrance to the Bellco Theatre is closest to the intersection of Stout and Speer. If you’re coming from 14th and Stout, you can get there by walking down Stout St toward Speer. The address is 1100 Stout St. Denver, CO 80204.

2. There is an accessibility drop off at the entrance. For those guests who require ADA accessibility services, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU USE THIS AREA FOR DROP OFF.

3. Parking is available at the convention center, you will enter it from Speer Blvd. 

• It will cost to park!

1. Be prepared to go through security at Bellco. 

2. HEREis the information on parking and security.

3. The ceremony will begin at 11:00am

All graduates – Wear the authorized navy blue, clean graduation cap, if your cap is decorated it must be school appropriate, gown and 2023 tassel, and if in good standing a National Honor Society stole, IB Diploma stole/cord, Cum Laude, JROTC stole, HOSA, SBOE, Student Council, TSA, DECCA,TRI-M, and Honor Platoon stole.  Accessories that are not part of the authorized apparel will not be permitted.  No purses or other items are allowed in the staging area, arena or on the stage. 

Have a Commander Kind of Week!

Tiffany Almon, Proud and Grateful Principal

She, her, hers, and why they matter

tiffany_almon@dpsk12.net

We Miss You Cedric, and the world won’t be as beautiful without You! In The Words of Cedric,

“You’re Fired!” 

RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

The best thing for those who have experienced grief is to have increased attention and support from their loved ones in the days and weeks following the loss. The following signs may indicate that your student is having difficulty, but with time they should decrease. Signs of stress potentially caused by grieving a loss

• Marked changes in usual ways of behaving, including decline in school productivity or mood changes

• Changes in sleeping or eating problems

• Disorganization

• Withdrawing behaviors

• Easily distracted

• Physical symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, headaches

• Acting out behavior, including aggression

• Passivity or listlessness

• Tearfulness

In addition, click here for general tips and resources for parents and caregivers supporting students who have experienced a recent loss. 

There may be times you would like support with talking to your child about loss, depression or suicide. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the school, or one of the community providers below:

• Colorado Crisis and Support Line

  • 1844-493-8255, or Text TALK to 38255

    • Resource for mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis help – information and referrals

• National Suicide Hotline – 988

  • 800-273-8255

    • 24-hour toll-free confidential suicide prevention hotline

• Second Wind Fund

  • 303-988-2645

• Provides free counseling to underinsured and uninsured youth that are at risk for suicide 

  • Trevor Project Hotline

    • 866-488-7386

• Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth

  • Safe2Tell Colorado

    • 877-542-7233

      • An anonymous way to report any concern impacting students (phone, app, online reporting options)

We Need to Hear From You!

We know that surveys take time to complete thoughtfully. Please know that your completion of these surveys is critical to helping DPS address safety in all our schools and provides a blueprint on how we can work toward ensuring Every Learner Thrives

• Please complete the JFK Community SRO interest survey by June 5th. YOUR VOICE MATTERS! 

• The Long-term Safety Plan survey is open now through Sunday, May 21. After reviewing version 1.0 of the Long-term Safety Plan, please share your thoughts on this version of the plan by completing the interactive survey. 

• The DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz Family Survey has been extended through Sunday, May 21. This survey is your opportunity to share your experiences in DPS. Your input is valuable to how we shape our System, Adult and Student Experiences.
  

Check – Out Your Chromebook over the Summer!

Over the summer of 2023, students in DPS-managed schools (non-charters) have an opportunity to check out a Chromebook and a Chromebook charger for use over the summer.  This includes DPS students in K-11th grade returning to a DPS school for the 2022-23 school year.

If you are interested in this option for your student, the parent/guardian must complete this Chromebook Check Out survey. Students who check out a Chromebook for the summer will bring the same Chromebook to their DPS school at the start of next school year.

If you do not want your student to check out a Chromebook and charger for the summer, please ensure they return the Chromebook and charger to their DPS-managed school by the end of the school year, otherwise a MySchoolBucks fee will be added to their account for replacement costs.

Take Command of Your Future

2023-2024 Bell Schedule

Please check out our 23-24 School Year Bell Schedule here. To find out more information regarding the DPS School Board Healthy Start Times resolution starting next year.

Summer School Opportunities 

Parents/Guardians – Registration for Summer School is now open. Summer school is an opportunity for students to make up a previously failed course(s) that is required for graduation. Please use this link to register – tinyurl.com/23summerschool. Space is limited, please sign up as soon as possible. Counselors will be visiting middle schools (Grant Ranch and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy) to collect choice of studies for incoming 9th graders.

Denver International Airport Aviation Program

Commanders, are you interested in a career in Aviation?

John F. Kennedy High School has the opportunity to partner with Denver International Airport. This is a year long mentorship program that can lead to internship and apprenticeship opportunities. This program will start in the

2023 – 2024 school year. Please take this survey to help us identify interested students.

Attention students:

Check out this job list of internship opportunities Here. Virtual interviews are happening next week, May 15th-May 19th.  

• See this  Slide Deck for details. 

Summer Internship Start and End Date:

• Monday, June 12, 2023 to Friday, July 21, 2023.

PERKS:

• Earn a $1,500 financial award! Plus 5-elective credits. Receive guidance and mentoring.
• Step one: Students sign up here!
• After signing up, wait for an email from JFK’s Career Navigator Mrs. Aragon to set up an appointment. Interviews are next week so hurry! There’s only a few internships left!  Check out the Business opportunities (no experience required) Just a willingness to learn, a good attitude, attention to detail, good attendance and punctuality!

Congratulations to JFK Choir students Symphonic and City Lights who were adjudicated at the Elitch’s Festival that is open to all schools statewide. Both groups received the gold medal award with a score of 92/100!! This is a huge accomplishment for our students! Way to go Commanders! And a Huge shout out to Ms. Linn for getting them there!

Congratulations to the JFK Biz Kids for launching a new businesses as their final project! On Tuesday they delivered Coffee to classrooms and on Friday they delivered delicious homemade brownies from scratch! Way to go! Shout out to Ms. Mastel for all her dedication in teaching entrepreneurship! 

JFK Library

All books need to be returned to the library by 5/30from students and teachers. Seniors will need to return books by 5/18 or during senior checkout. You can renew or check out a book for summer if you are returning to JFK next year. Remember everyone will have access to Sora all summer long. 

Take Command of Your Health & Safety

Denver Health School-Based Clinics Open During Summer!