|
|
John F. Kennedy High School |
|
|
|
|
March 28th - April 5th: Spring Break!
April 6th - 10th: CMAS Testing for 11th Graders
April 8th: Mandatory Senior Meeting, 3 p.m., Parent Meeting 5 p.m.
April 13th - 17th: SAT Testing
April 30th: DPS Safety Summit, 4 - 7 PM
|
Teachers like Taylor Roholt embody what it means to create meaningful, engaging and high-quality learning experiences for students. With over 10 years in education, Mr. Roholt has realized not every student thrives in a traditional classroom.
See the full story here: https://www.dpsk12.org/article/2791090
|
|
|
|
Tuesday 4/14: 9th and 10th Grade Testing
Wednesday 4/15: 11th Grade Testing
Friday 4/17 is a Green Day! Students are done at 3:00pm.
|
Mandatory Senior Meeting on Wednesday, April 8th, at 3pm, and the parent meeting on Wednesday, April 8th, at 5pm. Both meetings will be in the auditorium. |
We recently administered the BESS (Behavioral and Emotional Screening System), a social-emotional screener that helps us better understand and support our students’ well-being. Students were given time during one of their classes to complete the screener at school.
We encourage families to connect with their student and ask about their experience with the BESS screener. If your student did not have the opportunity to complete it during the school day, they can still do so at home.
Please look for an email from Merlinda Maldonado with instructions and access to the screener.
Thank you for partnering with us to support the social and emotional health of our students. |
DPS Safety Summit on April 30th is being held at JFK! |
DPS Safety Summits are community-focused events that bring together schools, families, and local partners to share important safety information and resources. Topics will include school safety, emergency management, bullying prevention, substance use awareness, and available community services. These events are a great opportunity for families to ask questions, connect with resources, and build relationships with schools and safety teams.
What the Summits Offer:
Resource Fair: A chance to connect directly with departments and local organizations dedicated to student well-being
Breakout Sessions: Two rounds of workshops where families can choose topics most relevant to their needs and interests, including but not limited to bullying prevention, youth violence prevention, and emergency management.
Find Additional Information Here:
District 4 Flyer - Tailored for your specific community.
All 6 Summit Dates Flyer - A comprehensive look at the DPS-wide schedule.
Family Registration Form - Families can sign up directly here or use the QR code on the flier below.
|
Strategic Roadmap Student Promises Survey |
This is a quick reminder that the Strategic Roadmap Student Promises Survey is open until 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. Take the survey by clicking the anonymous, single-use link you received from Sogolytics in a separate email. Your ideas will directly inform the new DPS Strategic Roadmap, which is our big plan for the years 2026 through 2030. This plan tells the world exactly what we stand for. If you have any questions, please contact surveys@dpsk12.net.
|
Neighbors Supporting Neighbors
|
Are you a member of the Bear Valley Community that might need a little extra help? Your neighbors are here to support you! The Bear Valley Village is available for grocery shopping, child pick up, or other errands that you may need support with. Please reach out to thebearvalleyvillage@gmail.com directly if you would like to connect.
|
We are offering targeted PSAT “Level Up” sessions in the Library every Thursday after 6th period from 1:30–2:20. During this time, students receive focused support using official SAT practice to strengthen key skills before the April test.
This is a great opportunity for students to increase scholarship potential, strengthen college and career options, and build confidence.
|
DPS Health and Screening Information
|
Denver Public Schools provides free vision, hearing, and dental screening for students as required by the Colorado Department of Education. Screening can help us find early problems that may make learning harder for your child.
All 9th grade students will be screened on March 16th & 17th. If you choose to opt out your student from screening, please fill out the attached forms linked here and return it to the school nurse.
Click here for translated "How Sick is Too Sick" fliers: https://aptg.co/qVQ87L
|
Drill is Life: The Prestigious Legacy of JFK’s Most Decorated Leaders |
John F. Kennedy’s reign over Denver Public Schools’ JROTC program is not new knowledge. For decades, JFK has held the legacy as one of the best teams in the entire nation. Seniors Mia and Brooke reflect on their experience as they prepare to graduate as some of the most decorated leaders in DPS history.
Read their full story here.
|
College and Career Success
|
College and Career Success is asking for your help in identifying and encouraging students to apply for the #MyPlanDPS Student Achievement Award. This award is an opportunity to recognize students who have shown perseverance, growth, and determination, especially those whose hard work may not always be visible but has made a powerful impact.
This is a wonderful opportunity to share positive stories and recognize students who have achieved success despite challenges. By celebrating them, we not only honor their accomplishments but also uplift others by showing what is possible. These students become role models and sources of encouragement for peers who may need inspiration.
Thank you for helping us shine a light on our students’ successes and the amazing schools who are providing the environment for our students to thrive.
#MyPlanDPS Student Achievement Award Application
|
If you would like to share your voice and opinions at the upcoming DPS Board Meetings, here is the schedule for Open Public Comments:
March 5th: Work Session & Public Comment - 4:30pm
April 15th: Work Session & Public Comment – 4:30pm
May 7th: Work Session & Public Comment – 4:30pm
June 4th: Work Session & Public Comment – 4:30pm
https://www.dpsk12.org/page/board-meetings
|
DPS is Cooking Up a Surprise |
Submit Artwork for the Chance to be Featured in the Superintendent's Notecards
|
Commander students are encouraged to submit original artwork for a special opportunity! Selected art pieces may be turned into greeting cards used by DPS Superintendent, Dr. Alex Marrero, throughout the year! This is a chance for our JFK students to share their creativity, celebrate their voice and have their art seen and shared across DPS and beyond. Submissions are now open through Feb. 27. More details are linked in this submission form. We can’t wait to see what our students create!
|
Khan Academy
We are excited to share that our students now have access to Khan Academy, a free SAT tutoring platform that offers personalized lessons tailored to each student’s needs, helping them master important SAT standards.
To ensure all students benefit from this resource, we will provide embedded time for SAT practice within their core content area classes. Additionally, we strongly encourage students to continue practicing at home to reinforce their skills and maximize their progress.
To further motivate our students, we will offer weekly incentives for those who log in and practice beyond class time, as well as for students who demonstrate mastery of key skills. Thank you for supporting our students as they prepare for success on the SAT!
Student Drop-Off
We understand that there are times when students need to get to school a few minutes before 8:00 am. As the weather gets colder, we invite students who arrive before 8:00 am to sit in the atrium on the East side of our building. Students can wait in the heated atrium until the building opens at 8:00 am.
Yearbook Pages
Seniors – if you would like your yearbook photo this year to be your formal senior photo, instead of your default school picture, please complete this link.
To submit any of your own photos from this school year, with the chance for them to be featured in the yearbook, please upload them here.
|
Access or Donate to Local Food Resources |
Dear JFK Community,
JFK offers K-Mart, a place where all JFK students can find a range of essentials. Open daily, please contact your counselor and Dre Calloway at dre_calloway@dpsk12.net. If you have any donations, please drop off in the main office or contact Dre.
|
If you need support securing food…
City and County of Denver: Visit their website to find food assistance across the city.
Tasty Food Program: Afterschool meals for children will be offered at Denver recreation centers. Visit the Tasty Food website for locations and hours of operation.
Food Bank of the Rockies: Find a food pantry near you using their Pantry Locator tool.
Colorado 211: This confidential and multilingual service connects people to vital resources across Colorado. Call 2-1-1, 866-760-6489 or visit 211colorado.org. Note: The hotline is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, however, expect long wait times. To avoid waiting, use the call-back feature.
Feeding Colorado: The collaborative effort of the 5 Feeding America food banks that serve Colorado and Wyoming to coordinate and enhance food resources, ensuring food insecure Coloradans have access to healthy, fresh foods. Visit feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email info@feedingcolorado.org.
Hunger Free Colorado: Connects Colorado families and individuals to SNAP/food stamps, food pantries, free meal sites, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and other nutrition programs geared toward families, children and older adults. Call 855-855-4626 Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. -
School breakfast and lunches will continue as normal and remain free to families.
The City and County of Denver’s Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue processing SNAP applications and renewals to make sure benefits are processed in a timely fashion as soon as the government shutdown ends. SNAP beneficiaries will receive SNAP benefits retroactively once the government reopens. DHS strongly encourages families to continue submitting SNAP paperwork in the meantime.
If you would like to support local efforts…
Denver Public Schools Foundation: Support the DPS community by donating to the DPS Foundation Food Security Fund.
City and County of Denver: Visit their website to learn more about donating food, money and/or time.
Denver Recreation Center Drop-off Locations: Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Denver rec center. Visit the City and County of Denver website to learn more.
Denver Animal Shelter: Donate pet food to the Denver Animal Shelter located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. or through their Amazon wishlist.
10 Ways to Support Your Community Now:This slide deck from the City and County of Denver provides resources, suggestions and ideas on how to take immediate action in your community.
|
Update on Student Drop-Off
|
We understand that there are times when students need to get to school a few minutes before 8:00 am. As the weather gets colder, we invite students who arrive before 8:00 am to sit in the atrium on the East side of our building. Students can wait in the heated atrium until the building opens at 8:00 am. |
|
|
|
Click here to view the most recent CSC notes.
CSC Meeting Dates:
March 4th, 2026
May 6th, 2026
|
Doors open at 8:00 AM every day. Class begins at 8:20 AM every day. On Commander Days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays), class ends at 3:50 PM.
On Green Days (Wednesdays), class ends at 3:00 PM. Students may stay until 3:50 to engage with clubs, participate in study hall, or meet with teachers. On Blue Days (Thursdays), class ends at 1:30 PM. Open office hours for teachers are held weekly on Blue Days from 1:30-2:30. |
School Breakfast and Lunch
|
This is a reminder that every student has the opportunity to receive free breakfast and lunch here at Kennedy. Families can access the menus through the SchoolCafé website. Useful features include:
|
All students are required to have their student ID out and visible at all times. |
Attendance Line:
Call the Attendance Line at 720-423-4354 or email jfkattendance@dpsk12.net to excuse your student’s absences.
Office Support:
Phone Number: 720-423-4300
Follow Kennedy on Social Media!
Quick Links:
|
|
|
|
|
