Weekly Commander Communicator

• There is no school on Monday, September 28th.

• This week we kicked off our first P.R.I.D.E celebration of the year. If you missed it, you can watch it here. 

• College and Career Success Month (Take Command of Your Future Month): October is Career and College Success Month. We want to celebrate the postsecondary achievements and plans of our parents/guardians, alumni, and our students. Please use this form to share your story so we can highlight you on our website and/or district wide platforms! Check out ALL of the events happening this month that students should take advantage of. This will also outline the dates for PSAT/SAT for all JFK Juniors and Seniors.

• Parent Teacher Home Visit: If you are interested in setting up a virtual meeting with one of our staff members that can talk to you about additional supports for your child please contact laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org to schedule one!

• Information to receive free RTD passes: Do you need an RTD pass to support your in-person attendance? Here is an opportunity for free RTD passes, thanks to a partnership with the City of Denver. As a reminder, students who traditionally receive an RTD pass from DPS will continue to do so.

• Thanksgiving Basket Fundraiser: Are you interested in supporting JFK families in need this Thanksgiving holiday season? Each year, JFK partners with the Epworth Foundation who donates fully-filled Thanksgiving baskets for our students in need.
  
  Due to COVID, funding has been severely cut for the program, and they are asking participants to fundraise to help offset the costs to build these baskets for families. Thank you so much for your support of our Southwest Denver community!

• Provide feedback to central leadership and school leaders on your experience with remote learning. Here is the link to the survey that will remain open through Oct. 2.

• JFK Virtual Town Hall: If you missed this week's town hall you can watch it here. Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, September 30th at 5 PM by clicking this link.

• Student Clubs: Is your student interested in joining a club? Check out out club information here.

• Monitoring your student during remote learning:  Here is a Schoology Parent Guide and click here for access to Student Schoology Supports.

• All parents must fill out the JFK Parent/Guardian Online Tool Consent Form which can be found here.

• Chromebooks/Hotspots: If you have a hotspot that doesn't work, please come to JFK in order to trade it in for a new one. If you still need a hotspot, we still have some left to give out! If you are in need of a Chromebook , you can come to the school any day between 8-3 PM next week. You can park in the main entrance parking lot and we will take care of you at the open window. If students are having issues with their Chromebook, they can also come in to exchange the one they have for a new one. It is always a good idea to call the main office (720-423-4300) prior to coming in to ensure we still have Chromebooks and hotspots available. 
  
  DoTS has been working with CenturyLink in regards to the issue of slow internet speeds on Chromebooks and have narrowed it down to newer modems that have built-in security features.  
   
  CenturyLink has created an email address specifically to provide customer service for families who may be experiencing slow network speeds on their DPS-issued Chromebooks.  
   
  For any families continuing to experience these issues, please have them email chromebook@centurylink.com for continued troubleshooting on their end.

• Troubleshooting: Please contact laurentz_gilmore@dpsk12.org if you are having issues attending your courses in Schoology.

• Hey Seniors! Are you interested in a FREE senior portrait photoshoot?

  We know times are hard right now but we still want to celebrate all of you for working hard to make it to your senior year! We are collaborating with some local photographers to provide this opportunity to our Senior Commanders.

  We just opened up Round 2 of this initiative! Please read the information on this form and fill it out if you would like to receive a free senior portrait: https://tinyurl.com/jfkseniorportraits

• Commander Connection PTSA: JFK is looking for motivated, committed parent visionaries to join our PTSA! Our goal is to create a network amongst parents and guardians who are looking to support fundraising initiatives to generate revenue for family resources, to celebrate our staff, and to host/plan community events. Watch this video to see how you can get involved.

• SCHEDULE: Here is a "How To Get to Class in a Remote World" guide in English and Spanish. You can check your Student Portal for your schedule so you know which period you need to attend each class. Check out our block schedule here. If you can't remember if it is a green day or a blue day, please check the Blue/Green Calendar that is also linked on our homepage. 

• In person, socially distant, engagement activities: Despite being in remote learning, we want to offer small, socially distant in-person activities (~25 students) at JFK High School, but first we want to hear from you! Please complete the survey below to help us create fun activities to help bring our Commander community together during these difficult times. https://forms.gle/yd1LvCYN29G3naAb8

• Here is information on where to get Free Meals from DPS.
• Here is the link to access DPS Coronavirus Resources. 
• FLU VACCINES are now available at our Denver Health Clinic!
  • You must be a DPS STUDENT
  • You must be consented for the Denver Health Clinic and also for the Flu Vaccine
    • English E-Sign
    • Spanish E-Sign
  • To make an appointment: E-mail SBHC@dhha.org or call 303-602-8958 or the JFK Clinic direct number: 720-423-4355
• For more information on resources click here.

• The deadline to choose in-person or virtual learning has been extended to Monday, September 28th. This is a family - based decision and Kennedy will support your decision and provide the best possible education no matter which choice you decide upon.

  Our Focus for In Person Learning 10/21/20 - May/2021: 

  • Relationship Building and Interpersonal Connection

  • The Possibility for Small Group Instruction

  • Providing Academic Support

• Health and Safety Guidelines that Define our Plan: These guidelines are given to schools by the Denver Health and CDPHE in collaboration with Denver Public Schools Senior Leadership Team.

  • Students must wear masks.

  • Students can be in ONE cohort (group of students) of up to 35 students for an extended period of time. Kennedy cohorts will not exceed 24.

  • Students will be socially distanced a minimum of 3 feet.  6 feet for adults.

  • Up to four adults per classroom per day.  Teachers can support up to 2 cohorts.

  • Health screens must be completed prior to entering school.

  • Cohorts will be assigned one entrance to enter and exit through and will be assigned a stairwell if necessary.

  • We will not use water fountains, students must bring water bottles. 

• Logistics we Know Now for In Person:

  • Students arrive between 7:30 am and 8:00 am

  • Students will engage in 30 minutes of social/emotional learning and relationship building through Warm Welcomes.

  • Students will engage in 120 minutes of asynchronous learning with 2 Anchor Cohort teachers.

  • Students will be encouraged to leave at lunch at 10:30 at to log back on to remote learning at home by 11:20 am.

  • Students who need to stay at Kennedy will have a safe, supervised place to log in at school to learn.

  • DPS Transportation is limited to students legally entitled to transportation such as students with documented disabilities and homeless students.

  • Click here for A Day in the Life of a Commander returning to in person learning.

• No Matter Which Option You Choose

  • Synchronous Learning Time - at least 3 hours of live instruction daily

  • Emerging Multilingual Student Supports - at least 225 minutes a week

  • Math Instruction - must be continuous throughout the school year, taking place regularly each week through either the math course or Mcubed

  • Social Emotional Learning Time - at least 30 minutes daily

  • Attendance - taken every day for every period in IC

  • Graduation Requirements - Class of 2021 do not need to meet Competency, they need Courses and Career Plan

• • Flexibility - Must be able to flex schedule to a remote or in person instruction mode

• 09/29 — Emily Griffith Technical College Trades Info Session
• 09/29 — UNC Rep Vist
• 09/29 — Emily Griffith Technical College Health Science Info Session
• 9/30 — Winning Wednesdays (College Application process)
• 9/30 — FAFSA Q&A Session (English)
• 9/30 — Virtual Town Hall
• 10/01 — MSU Denver Rep Visit
• 10/01 — Fall College Info Sessions: Financial Aid and Affordability
• 10/01 — FAFSA OPENS
• 10/14 — Fall Conferences
• 10/15  — Fall Conferences
• TBD — ARISS Ask an Astronaut Event

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

• Here is the link to our Thanksgiving Basket Fundraiser
• Click here to access Student Schoology Supports
• Here is a Schoology Parent Guide
• Download our Free Online Tutoring App
• Here is a resource outlining Mask Guidance
• Here is the link to the Virtual Town Hall Q&A Document.
• Here is the "How To Get to Class in a Remote World" guide in English and Spanish.
• Here is the link to our 20-21 Attendance Policy.
• Here is the link to our step by step online Registration process. All families are required to register their children each school year.
• Schoology Parent One-Pager English | Spanish 
• Parent Portal Login Presentation
• Parent Portal Login Video
• Schoology App Login Guide - English | Spanish
• Schoology Parent/Guardian FAQ - English | Spanish
• Here is the link to our COVID Relief Go Fund Me page, donate if you can, and reach out to me at tiffany_almon@dpsk12.org if you need support from this fund

JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

2855 S. LAMAR ST. DENVER, CO 80227