John F. Kennedy High School Parent/ Community Newsletter

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1 John F. Kennedy High School Parent/ Community Newsletter August Newsletter 2017 Dear John F. Kennedy Community, Welcome to the School year. I am very happy to be returning for my fifth year as the principal of John F. Kennedy High School. Last year was a year where our teachers and staff started to see success in our goal that every student can succeed at high levels. The school year ended with the state of California recognizing our school as a Gold Ribbon California Distinguished School. Last year, we built on our success by challenging ourselves to create a school with even more opportunities for success for every student. We also began the process of developing opportunities for intervention within the school day. This year, we are entering our third year as a Title I school. As part of this process, you will notice in this mailer an application for Free and Reduced Lunch which is to be filled out by every family and brought to Maze Day. This form is the basis for determining the direction and types of continued programming for the coming year. Please remember to complete this form (even if you do not feel you will qualify). This will help fulfill the school goal of accurately identifying every student whom we can assist in providing equity and opportunity at JFK. In addition to this, it is important that each family read over the Titan Compact which is included in this packet as well. This form must be signed by all students and parents / guardians and returned on Maze Day. The Titan Compact is a 3 Way Pledge between parents, students, and staff which clarifies the roles and commitments we are willing to make in order to ensure that our students succeed. As always, our goal at JFK is to continue to build on the success of the last three years. Last year, over 60% of our students made the honor roll with a GPA of 3.0 or better. There were increases in the number of students who took AP and Honors classes (evidence that students are being exposed to rigorous coursework). The number of JFK students who took AP Tests doubled from that of 2014, and increased by 10% from that of The JFK staff has worked collaboratively to lay the foundation for Professional Learning Communities. Each department is in the process of developing common standards, common assessments, and intervention strategies to assist students before they fail. This has helped to bring JFK to the forefront in a true community of learning. At the core of this new philosophy are the Four Essential Questions that drive our work here at JFK: What do we expect students to learn? The teachers are establishing 7-10 essential standards for each course which identify what students need to know in order to be successful at the next level. This has been done through many hours of discussion and debate by each department. How do we know when each student has learned it? The staff is in the process of creating common assessments (tests) and ways to truly check for understanding during units in order to ensure our students are learning, and more importantly, how to identify students who need intervention and follow up on material and concepts before they fail. Our staff has set the goal of getting through these first two steps this year with the support of ongoing professional development. How will we respond when some students do not learn it? The intervention piece is an integral part of the PLC process. The Titan staff has agreed that the best approach to intervention is immediate support and intervention during the school day. This is a monumental task that our staff is working towards developing toward the end of this school year and throughout next school year. In short, our staff is committed to serving our students in a way that helps them to succeed with immediate and very calculated support, without students having to come before and after school. How will we respond when some already know it? It is just as important for our staff to develop enrichment opportunities that further challenge our students when they understand concepts. Every lesson and activity will have components attached which will increase levels of depth and rigor as students begin to master concepts. The staff has continued to incorporate CER (Claims Evidence Reasoning) and three common strategies into lessons which have proven to help students access higher level thinking skills. These strategies are referred to as The Big Three. When applied in the classroom and at home, these strategies help students better analyze and process what they are learning. They are (1) Annotation, (2) Cornell Notes, and (3) Compare and Contrast. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege to meet many parents and students who are proud to be Titans. I have watched this community take responsibility and action needed to build upon the success of previous years. I can say with pride that we have answered this call and gone beyond expectations in achieving success in all areas, and we have done so at high levels. I have no doubt that this will be a year of continued growth and success for Kennedy. All of these changes are positive ones which will continue to increase the opportunities and experiences of our students. As always, I continue to encourage all members of this community to get involved and be as active as possible. Make an effort to attend parent conferences, Tittle I Parent Night, college nights, student performances, and athletic events to help support the students. Take every opportunity to become a member of this Titan family and join us as we continue to bring pride and excellence to John F. Kennedy High School. Go Titans! Edward Velez Principal, John F. Kennedy High School. Build Trust. Build Capacity. Achieve Success.

2 School Attendance The school year starts on Wednesday, August 30. Per FUSD policy, students who do not arrive by the first day, may be dropped from the school s enrollment roster. If a student is dropped, his or her seat may be assigned to another student. If the student subsequently reports to school, he or she will be required to register as a new student. Exceptions will be made for students with an illness or injury that prevents them from attending school. If a student is ill or injured, his or her parent or guardian must notify the school each day the student is absent, as required by district policy. Student attendance is extremely important to assure student success! In the block schedule each school day missed is the equivalent of two days of instruction in a traditional school schedule. If your student must be absent from school, please call the attendance office and ask for your student s attendance clerk at and dial in the correct extension. You may dial the extension as soon as you hear the recording begin. ALL students whose last names begin with: A-F G-L M-RI Mrs. Tegner x27022 Mrs. Moscon x27024 Mrs. Gonzales x27020 RO Z Mrs. Damewood x27026 MINIMUM DAYS/FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR Minimum Days We follow State and District guidelines in attendance: If you fail to call on the day of your student s absence, we will attempt to contact you at home or work. If we fail to make contact with you, your student must bring a note explaining the absence on the day he or she returns or within three days of the absence. Detention/Accountability lab is assigned for unexcused absences, so please clear any legitimate absences to avoid any unnecessary disciplinary action. To insure the safety of every student, an Off Grounds pass must be obtained before a student leaves campus. Please schedule medical appointments after school hours when possible. However, if your student must visit a doctor during the day, he or she must obtain an Off Grounds Pass from the front office. For your convenience, You may call and have an attendance clerk prepare the pass ahead of the scheduled appointment. Currently, we have an Accountability Lab (A-Lab). Students who do not attend after school detention may be assigned A-LAB for part/all day intervention. Bell Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Block 1 8:00-9:23 Brunch 9:23-9:33 Block 2 9:38-11:01 Block 3 11:06-12:29 Lunch 12:29-12:59 Advisory 1:04-1:32 Block 4 1:37-3:00 Sept 1, :30-12:30 Sept 12, :00-12:30 Oct 10, :00-12:30 Nov 17, :00-12:30 Dec 22, :00-12:30 March 9, :00-12:30 March 29, :00-12:30 May 25, :00-12:30 Finals Schedules and Dates Finals - January 25 8:00-12:25 Finals - January 26 8:00-12:25 Finals - June 12 8:00-12:25 Finals - June 13 8:00-12:25 Wednesday Schedule Block 1 8:35-9:45 Brunch 9:45-9:55 Home Room 10:00-10:25 Block 2 10:30-11:40 Lunch 11:40-12:10 Block 3 12:15-1:25 Block 4 1:30-2:40

3 Calendar - John F. Kennedy High School Dates subject to change. For most up to date information, check our website calendar at jfkhs.org August 21 Senior Maze Day 9:00-11:00 22 Junior Maze Day 9:00-11:00 22 Sophomore Maze Day 1:00-3:00 23 Freshmen Orientation 8:00-12:00 23 Freshman Maze Day 1:00-4:00 30 First Day of School Rally 8:30-3:00pm September 1 Minimum Day 8:00-12:30 4 Labor Day No School 7 Senior Picnic 12 Minimum Day 8:00-12:30 14 Back to School Night 6:30 28 Senior & Parent College Night 6:30 28 Picture Make-Up Day October 5 College Financial Aid Night 7:00-8:30 10 Minimum Day 8:00-12:30 11 College Application Lab 2:45-5:00 11 Senior Activity 11 PSAT During School 8:35-2:10 11 Parent Conferences 3:30-6:30 12 Parent Conferences 5:00-8:00 12 College Application Lab 5:00-8:00 14 Fall Booster BBQ 16 Homecoming Week Begins 18 College Application Lab 2:45-5:00 20 Homecoming TAK, Var-7:00 21 Homecoming Dance 7:00-10:00 25 College Application Lab 2:45-5:00 November 1 College Application Lab 2:45-5:00 1 End of Semester 1 8 College Application Lab 3:00-5:00 10 Veteran s Day No School College Application Labs 3:00-5:00 16 College Night, Freshman Parents 6:30 17 Minimum Day 8:00-12: Thanksgiving Break College Application Labs 3:00-5:00 December 7 College Night, Sophomore Parents 6:30 14 Winter Concert - 7:30 22 Minimum Day 8:00-12: Winter Break No School January 1-5 Winter Break No School 8 Return to School 15 Martin Luther King Day No School 18 College Night, Junior Parents 6: Finals Schedule 8:00-12:25 29 Term 2 Begins February 10 Winter Ball Open House, 6:30-8:00 19 President s Day No School March 7 Parent Conferences 3:30-6:30 8 Parent Conferences 5:00-8:00 9 Minimum Day 8-12: Multi-Cultural Week. 15 International Night 8:00 29 Last Day for Prom Tickets-Lunch 29 Minimum Day 8:00-12:30 30 Spring Break April 2-6 Spring Break 9 Return to School 10 End of Semester 3 21 Prom May 7-18 AP Testing SBAC Testing 25 Minimum Day 8:00-12:30 28 Memorial Day No School 31 Spring Concert 7:30 June 7 Senior Awards Night 6: Senior Finals Regular Schedule 11 Senior Activity 12 Senior Breakfast & Check Out 12 Finals 8:00-12:25 13 Finals 8:00-12:25 Last Day of School 13 Graduation 9:00 13 JFK TAK, 7:00 pm

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5 SERVICE LEARNING The 2018 graduates are required to complete 40 hours of Service Learning before graduation. Service Learning is not the same as Community Service; it must be connected to an academic area. Service Learning must be pre-approved by a teacher and verified by the Service Learning Coordinator. Please address any questions you might have to the Coordinator, Ms. Dee Clark at x27114, dclark@fremont.k12.ca.us or the counseling staff. EMERGENCY CARD Please complete the Emergency Card with current information for your student. It is absolutely critical that the school be able to reach either a parent/guardian or other designated adult in case of an emergency. This card was mailed to each student and must be returned on MAZE Day to receive a class schedule. HAVE YOU RECENTLY MOVED? Do not rely on the emergency card to notify the school you have moved. We may not know you have moved for some weeks unless you specifically notify the office staff of any changes to your address and/or phone number. Our Website address is jfkhs.org Please visit our frequently updated website. It is full of information regarding notices from FUSD, minimum day schedules, testing dates, athletic schedules and highlights, meetings, dances, concerts, college and career planning, senior events, daily campus announcements, picture days, club meetings and all information regarding happenings a Kennedy. Stay informed! If you are not on-line, you can ask your student to print important information in the school library. Each page on our website can be translated into many languages. FUSD Parent and Student Handbook Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook is available on the FUSD district website under: Board & Community Tab/Students and Parents/ Parent Resources/Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook. A limited amount of handbooks have been provided by FUSD. Students may ask for a hard copy of the handbook on MAZE Day when they receive their schedule. The Technology/Notice of Rights/Consent Form was included in the mailed packet and MUST be completed and returned at Maze Day. Child Nutrition Applications Please complete the Application for Free and reduced lunch that was sent home in the MAZE Day packet and bring to Maze Day. Free & Reduced Meal Applications for 2017/2018 will be available online after July 15th at Additional paper applications will also be available at the District Child Nutrition Office from July 1st and at your school site when they open in August.

6 Physical Education Clothing All students participating in gym classes are required to change from regular school clothing into clothes that are modest, functional, and appropriate for physical education. The P.E. uniform will be worn as follows: Black shorts with Kennedy logo or plain black knit shorts Ash colored shirt with Kennedy logo or plain ash colored t-shirt Socks Tennis shoes (any color) Black sweatshirts with Kennedy logo may be substituted with plain ash or plain black sweatshirts Black sweatpants with Kennedy logo may be substituted with black shorts or plain black t-shirt The above-mentioned items are available during the first few weeks of school through the PE Department. In the event of financial hardship, please don t hesitate to call us at , ext. PE Clothes Shirt $12.00 S M L XL Shorts $15.00 S M L XL Sweatshirt $15.00 S M L XL Sweatpants $15.00 S M L XL Entire Uniform $57.00 Work Permit Application: Cash or Checks Only. Please make checks out to JFKHS If a student is under 18 and is working, they need a permit! Permits must be renewed each school year. Please see Mrs. Clark in room 114 for an application. In order to work, a student must have good attendance, pass every class and have a 2.0 GPA. A social security card will also be needed to finish the application process. ATTENTION 9TH GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS The Board of Education recognizes that Education Code states that if any part of a school s instruction in health conflicts with the religious training and beliefs of a parent or guardian of a pupil, the pupil, upon written request of the parent or guardian, shall be excused from the part of the instruction that conflicts with the religious training and beliefs. Also, Education Code states a parent or guardian of a pupil has the right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual health education, HIV/AIDS prevention education, and assessments related to that education. Students will be given an alternate lesson for 2-3 days the topic will be covered. Questions about these program choices may be directed to the high school guidance staff, Health Department chairperson or school administration. Please see the district website for more information. JFK Needs You!! John F. Kennedy High School is looking for Parent and Student representatives to serve on the following important committees: School Site Council Safety Committee ELAC We are looking for parents who speak languages other than English at home for our ELAC committee. For more information regarding the above committees, Please call Mrs. Kiester at x JFK Los Necesita! La escuela de John F. Kennedy busca padre y alumno representantes para que sirvan en los siguientes comités: El Concilio Escolar El Comité de Seguridad El Comité de Aprendizaje de Ingles Buscamos padres de familia que hablan otro idioma además de inglés para nuestro comité. Para más información acerca de los siguientes comités, favor de llamar a la Sra. Kiester al extensión

7 John F. Kennedy High School Emergency Release Form In case of school closure due to disaster, I have talked with my student and instructed him/her to do the following: (Check one only) Remain at school until I or person(s) designated below pick him/her up. Designated person(s): Phone #: Designated person(s): Phone #: Designated person(s): Phone #: Leave school and proceed directly home. Leave school and proceed to the following address: List any medical and/or other special problem that should be known: I understand that once a student is released from school, the school has no way to be certain of his/her whereabouts or safety. Student name (please print) Parent/Guardian Signature FOR SCHOOL USE ONLY Name: Student Checked Out: Date: Time: Released To: Relationship: Student s Stated Designation: Checked Out By:

8 JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL PARKING PERMIT CONTRACT WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED $ The granting of a student parking permit is subject to the following regulations: The Student must have a valid driver s license; The Student must provide current proof of insurance (card or copy of policy); The Student may not register more than one (1) car per permit; Any change in the information below must be reported to the business office within 48 hours; Student vehicles must be parked in the south lot only, and within the lines of marked stalls; A speed limit of 5 miles per hour must be observed at all times. Exhibitionist driving will result in issuance of a ticket and the permanent loss of parking privileges; Drivers will grant pedestrians the right-of-way at all times; There will be NO LOITERING in or about vehicles, or in the parking lot; Parking permits are NOT TRANSFERABLE; All school rules, City of Fremont municipal codes, and CA DMV codes apply at all times; No passengers may be transported in the bed of trucks - Doing so will result in the loss of the permit; Student Drivers of unregistered vehicles, vehicles without permits, vehicles with improperly displayed permits, and illegally parked vehicles will be subjected to disciplinary actions and incur a $5.00 debt by the school/fremont Police Department (FPD) for each occurrence. Please note if the FPD issues a ticket, the cost is more than $5.00. It is a municipal ticket. ************************************************************************************* I have read the above rules and regulations and agree to abide by them at all times. I understand that any violation of the above will be cause for disciplinary action including detention and/or suspension from school. PRINT PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE PRINT STUDENT S NAME STUDENT S SIGNATURE Driver s license # Auto(s) Insured by: License Expiration date: Insurance Expiration date: Vehicle Make: Year: Color: License Plate # FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Permit # Date:

9 MAZE DAY/ ORIENTATION INFORMATION Day and Times: Please arrive during your assigned time slot based on grade and alphabet. Seniors (Class of 2018) Monday, August 21 A L 9:00 10:00 am M Z 10:00 11:00 am Juniors (Class of 2019): Tuesday, August 22 A L 9:00 10:00 am M Z 10:00 11:00 am Sophomores (Class of 2020): Tuesday, August 22 A L 1:00 2:00 pm M Z 2:00 3:00 pm Freshman (Class of 2021): Wednesday, August 23 Orientation 8:00-12:00pm MAZE 1:00 4:00 pm ARE YOU READY FOR MAZE DAY/ORIENTATION? Please bring this Maze Day Checklist to assist you. In order for students to get their schedules, you must bring these items to Maze Day Emergency Card (mailed home) Emergency Release Form (mailed home) Technology Signature Form (mailed home) Title 1 Compact (mailed home) Free and Reduced Lunch Application (mailed home) Checklist for optional items to bring to Maze Day: Parking Permission Form with complete documentation Booster Membership Form and check PTSA Membership Form and check Picture order form and check Check/Cash/Credit for Student package Extra money for Titan Gear (see JFK website for options) 12th Grade Senior Picnic Due to Ms. Lavaud by Sept. 1 VARSITY JACKETS JFK's Athletic Department is encourages the tradition of the Letter Jacket. JacketBack is a company that you may use to order your student s jacket. Please view their flier on the JFK website under Athletics and then Letterman Jackets. The ASB Accepts CREDIT CARDS!!!!! Credit cards can now be used to make purchases for any ASB JFK purchase. This includes ASB sticker, Yearbook, and class packages. The card and the person to whom the card is registered must be present. LOCKER INFO: Lockers may be reserved during Maze Day. Find an empty locker, sign up for that # locker at the designated table in the cafeteria. Please come with THREE or more choices. First come, first served. After you have completed MAZE and received your locker assignment, find your locker and place a lock on it. This will insure that no one else takes your locker. If you do not sign up for a locker during Maze, you will need to sign up in the front office after school begins.

10 Maze Day Packages Class of 2018 Senior Package: $ (GRAD NITE NOT INCLUDED) Package includes a ticket to Water World (September 7 * Vegetarian option available, must note at MAZE). Tickets to Homecoming and Winter Ball dances, Yearbook, ASB Sticker, Prom, Homecoming Shirt, Senior Activities Tickets (Dave and Busters (October), Senior Activity at Aqua Adventure (June), Senior Farewell Breakfast, Sober Grad presentation provided by FPD, and more), and senior Sweatshirt. Note: Prom tickets go up to $ after Maze Day and will stay this price until November 3, From November 4 until January 31 tickets are $ February 1 28 tickets are $ From March 1 29 tickets are $140, Tickets will not be sold after Lunch, March 29, Water world goes up to $80.00 after Maze day and tickets will stop being sold on Thursday, August 31 Class of 2019 Junior Package: $ Package includes a tickets to Homecoming and Winter Ball dances, Yearbook, ASB Sticker, Prom, and Homecoming shirt. Note: Prom tickets go up to $ after Maze Day and will stay this price until November 3, From November 4 until January 31 tickets are $ February 1 28 tickets are $ From March 1 29 tickets are $140, Tickets will not be sold after Lunch, March 29, Class of 2020 Sophomore Package: $ Package includes tickets to Homecoming and Winter Ball dances, Yearbook, ASB Sticker, Homecoming shirt, and one lock. Note: Students need two locks PE and book locker Class of 2021 Freshman Package: $ Package includes tickets to Homecoming and Winterball dances, Yearbook, ASB Sticker, Shirt, and a lock. Note: Students need two locks PE and book locker Individual Prices: All Color Yearbook/ASB Sticker Combo $ *After Maze, sold separately All Color Yearbook only $80.00 *After Maze day, price goes up to $85.00 ASB Sticker only $30.00 *After Maze day, price goes up to $35.00 Senior Picnic/Waterworld (Sept. 7) $75.00 *After Maze day, price goes up to $80.00 *Vegetarian option available, must note at MAZE Prom $ *After Maze Day, prices go to $ Senior Activities (Dave & Busters, Breakfast, Aqua Adventure) $85.00 *After Maze Day, prices go up and are sold individually. Locks $5.00 Parking permit $15.00 *Must have a valid license and insurance on the spot Homecoming/Winter Ball Dance Tickets $15 w/asb, $18 w/o ASB, $20 at the door Senior Sweatshirt $30.00 Homecoming Shirts: 10th-11th-$15, 12th-$18 Last day to order, September 9th at lunch *After Maze Day, Prices go to 10th -11th-$18.00 and xx 12th-$20.00 Not included in Packages : Name Plate for Yearbook $5.00 Athletic Year-Long Home Game Pass $70.00 Titan Gear Cost Varies NOTE: ALL ITEMS ABOVE CAN BE WRITTEN IN ONE CHECK MADE OUT TO JFKHS. CREDIT CARDS CAN BE TAKEN FOR ABOVE ITEMS ONLY!!!!

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