Weekly Family Newsletter: 2/21/22

• Schedule for Next Week: There is no school for students on Monday, February 21st due to President's Day. There is also no school on Tuesday, February 22nd as it is a Teacher Professional Work Day.

  The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows:

  Wednesday (2/23): Commander Day

  Thursday (2/24): Green Day

  Friday (2/25): Blue Day 

• Senior Events: More details to come!
  • Senior Cap and Gown Photos will take place on March 9th
  • Senior Checkout will take place on May 20th
  • Senior Parade will take place on May 21st
  • Senior Awards will place on May 23rd
• Brew's News: Here’s what you need to know about the latest and greatest in activities going on at JFK! 

• 5-Country Europe ‘23! Who’s in??: Are you interested in being part of our summer 2023 travel group to Berlin, Germany, Prague, Czech Republic, Krakow, Poland, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, & Budapest, Hungary (WHEW)! This will be an incredible opportunity for students to explore another place and culture, and we can't wait to see them discover more about themselves in the process. We know that a lot seems different in today’s world, so we want these experiences to be something that everyone can look forward to on the horizon!

  In case you couldn’t make it, or want to review anything, here’s a recording of the presentation, where you can learn about all the details of the trip: VIDEO RECORDING

  Here is a PDF version of our presentation: PRESENTATION 

  Excitement is extremely high. 8 of our 12 spots have already been claimed, meaning we have just 4 guaranteed spots left as of this writing. However we want every single one of you to participate, if possible, so we are working on additional chaperone support, and will start a waitlist if necessary to accommodate all of the interest. 

  The deadline to enroll is Friday, February 25, 2022, at 10pm Mountain. Enrollment is first-come, first-served, so if you know this opportunity is right for your child, please do not wait to enroll. EF’s Risk-Free Enrollment Period allows you to enroll by our deadline, start making low monthly payments and cancel for any reason with a full refund before May 1, 2022 so you have the peace of mind of knowing your investment is protected should your plans change.
  
  The easiest way to enroll is online through our tour website: www.eftours.com/2508805VZ. 
  
  Please call EF with general tour/payment/enrollment questions at 800-665-5364. We look forward to sharing this impactful experience with all of you!

• JFK Hiring Committee: If you are a student and are interested in joining our hiring committee to have your voice heard during our interview process, please email tiffany_almon@dpsk12.net. 

• Clothes to Kids Denver: With so many families continuing to struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to remind you that Clothes To Kids of Denver is here to help. In case you aren’t familiar with their service, they provide every shopper with 5 outfits, 1 coat, 1 pair of shoes, 1 bra (optional) and 5 pairs each of new underwear and new socks, all for FREE in a welcoming store-like setting. Students ages 3-21 (enrolled in preschool-12th grade or pursuing a GED) can visit every four months as long as they meet the basic eligibility requirements.

  Curbside & In-Person Service Available – No Referral Required

  Families wishing to make a shopping appointment should call at 720-379-4630 or email at appointment@clothestokidsdenver.org. For families who would prefer a contactless option, they are offering wardrobes via Curbside Service. This option enables parents and caregivers to request a wardrobe for any student in need, and our staff will shop on their behalf. No matter how families choose to shop, they do not require any type of referral or proof of income to shop.

  Have Questions?

  Please visit: https://www.clothestokidsdenver.org/referral-process/

​

• 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. 

• 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

 Counseling Updates:

• Choice of Studies (COS) 

  • COS for current JFK students is complete for the 22-23 school year. We will now begin making our plan to collect Course Requests from current 8th grade students.

  • Counselors will meet with students who requested CEC or CE off-site to register them for their courses on 2/24 during lunch.

Future Center Updates:

• Students MUST complete the free applications FAFSA or CASFA to receive financial aid from any college or university. Students that are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will complete the FAFSA and students who are undocumented or have DACA status will complete the CASFA. Students do not complete both.  

  Even if your student is still deciding about going to college next year, applying for financial aid will help your family understand how much financial support is available from the colleges. Completing the financial aid application keeps all of the options for next year available for your student. 

  *COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT’S FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION IN FEBRUARY & ENTER TO WIN PRIZES* 

  Parents and legal guardians play such an important role in this process because your student needs your information to start the process. We value your time and want to incentivize you in completing this crucial step throughout the month of February with a FINANCIAL AID FRENZY!  

  Support your student in completing their financial aid application in the month of February, submit confirmation of FAFSA or CASFA submission, and you and your student will be entered to win A $50 GROCERY GIFT CARD PLUS A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!! 

  Please check out these videos to learn why financial aid is important!  

  FAFSA or CASFA will require the following documents:   

  • 2020 Tax Return for Parents (including any step-parent)  

  • 2020 Tax Return for Students (if applicable)

  • FSAID for parent, if possible (if completing FAFSA)   

  • FSAID of student (if completing FAFSA)  

  • 2020 parent W2  

  • 2020 student W2 (if applicable)   

  • Amount in all checking and savings accounts of parent and student  

  • Parents’ birthdates   

  • Date parents were married or divorced  

  • Proof of any additional income you have   

    If you have any questions or would like help to complete FAFSA or CASFA, Kennedy’s College Advisor, Emily Weiss, is here to answer your questions and help your family. You can reach Emily at 720-423-4465 or eweiss@denverscholar

Health and Safety Protocols:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth

  1. Masks will be required for all students, visitors, and staff while in all DPS schools and buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This mask requirement includes times when staff are meeting without students, regardless of vaccination status. 

  2. Masks will not be required outside, since the risk of COVID transmission is significantly lower outdoors. 

  3. Monitor who you eat lunch with and eat lunch outdoors when possible.

• Monitor your symptoms, stay home, and get a COVID test if you are feeling sick

• If a student is in close contact with someone who has contracted the COVID-19 Virus, Nurse Shirley (shirley_sorensen@dpsk12.org) will contact the student and their family.  See COVID-19 Exposure decision tree here for more information.

• Staff and students are exempt from quarantine if you are: 

  • Fully vaccinated without symptoms. It needs to be 2 weeks since the last recommended vaccine dose. 

  • Previously positive in the past 90 days and are without symptoms.

  • Both parties were wearing a mask properly over the mouth and nose at the time of exposure and without symptoms and maintained 3 foot distance between individuals for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period.

• Denver Health School-Based Clinic is proud to offer the Pfizer COVID vaccine right here on campus.  This vaccine is available to students, families of students, and DPS staff (including 3rd dose if immunocompromised).  To get a vaccine or for more information, make an appointment at 720-423-4355 or walk-in to the clinic.  Protecting our community is our priority.

• 2/21/22 — No School – President's Day

• 2/21/22 — No School – Teacher Professional Work Day

• 3/2 — Kennedy Accelerated Learning Day

• 3/2 — Commander Connection PTSA Meeting

• 3/3 — ELA PAC Meeting

• For more information on any of these events check jfk.dpsk12.org

• 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