Commander Communicator

• April 16: PSAT 9 and SAT (11th graders) testing

• April 17: PSAT 10 testing

• April 18: No School for Students

• April 18 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: HOSA Blood Drive

Prom is this Saturday, April 12 at Baldoria on the Water. We hope all our students in attendance have a wonderful experience! Have fun and be safe, Commanders!

There's less than a week until P/SAT testing begins! Per both Colorado and Denver Public School requirements, all 9th-grade students are expected to take the PSAT 8/9, all 10th-grade students are expected to take PSAT 10, and 11th-grade students are expected to take the SAT during both the fall and spring semesters. Students’ grade level testing assignments are determined by current credits not graduating class.

To accommodate testing, we will have adjusted schedules. Please note the following changes:

• 9th graders will take the PSAT on Wednesday, 4/16 

• 11th graders will take the SAT on Wednesday, 4/16 

  • Students will be released when testing is complete, around noon. If students cannot secure transportation home, the library will be open for students to use as a work space until 3:50 p.m.

  • 10th graders will not have school on this day.
    

• 10th graders will take the PSAT on Thursday, 4/17.

• IB Juniors have the opportunity to come to school on Thursday, 4/17 to makeup missed instructional time with their teachers.  

  • 9th graders will not have school on this day. 

  • 10th grade students will be released when testing is complete, around noon. IB Juniors will complete their day at 1:20 p.m., in alignment with the Early Release dismissal.  

It’s critical for guardians to know that attendance is mandatory for students on their respective days of testing. Parents/ guardians are permitted to opt their students out of testing. This means that students would not be obligated to take the PSAT or SAT. The “opt out” process applies to state and national assessments and, once completed, is in effect for the entirety of the school year, though it must be resubmitted each year.  If students opted out of assessments in the fall, students do not have to opt out again in the spring.  

Opt Outs must be submitted prior to students’ designated  testing day. To opt your student out, either: 

• Complete this OptOut form and submit it via email to Kennedy’s Dean of Instruction, Justin Jeannot, at justin_jeannot@dpsk12.net.  The form must be sent from a registered guardian's email address.

• Get a copy of the paper OptOut form from the JFK Main Office.  Have your parent/guardian complete and sign the form and then turn it into room 321. If the door is locked, slide it under the door.  

The Colorado Department of Education requires our school to administer the PSAT to 95% of all eligible students! Your student’s participation helps JFK meet that goal!

What are you waiting for, Commanders? Get your yearbook for $55 before the deal is over! Orders can be made here.

Thank you to our three wonderful Assistant Principals for their unwavering dedication and support! We are grateful that you're a part of our Commander family. Your dedication to our students and school is unmatched and invaluable. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.

Teacher Appreciation week is Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9. Help show our Kennedy teachers some love! Please take a moment to shout-out your favorite teacher in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Please be advised that these celebrations may be shared on Kennedy's social media channels and newsletter. 

All DPS students and their families are invited to explore Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver! We will have all tours and info sessions in English and Spanish. Free breakfast, lunch, and transportation (Lyft codes available upon request) available to all DPS students and their families!

Kennedy HOSA students are hosting a blood drive on April 18 from 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.! It's not too late to donate! Sign up now through this link. Donation time slots are available every 15 minutes. Donors must be over the age of 18 (or 16 with parental consent), and donors must weigh more than 100 lbs.

This event is a great opportunity for HOSA students to shadow industry professionals and make a positive impact in the community. Please register and support HOSA! This is HOSA’s first time hosting a blood drive, and we want to thank you in advance for helping us ensure this event is a success.  

Students and families, please note that April 18 is a Teal Day, and students do not have school.

• Prom: Saturday, April 12 Must have 85% higher attendance from 1/21-4/4

• Cap and Gown Pick Up/Senior Signing Day: Thursday, April 24 during Lunch

• Senior Product Work Due: May 9

• Senior Finals: May 12, 13 and 14 (During class periods)

• Last Day for Seniors: May 14

• Makeup Senior Finals: May 15 and 16 (By appointment)

• Edgenuity Deadline: May 20 at 4 p.m.

• Senior Awards: Tuesday, May 20 at 5 p.m., JFK Auditorium (by invitation only)

• Senior Checkout: Thursday, May 22 8:20 a.m.-11 a.m., JFK Gym

• Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal: Friday, May 23 from 8:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m., JFK Auditorium

We'll have more information regarding Collaborative School Committee (CSC) Elections coming soon!

We are partnering with Eye Love Care to provide comprehensive eye exams and glasses to Commanders onsite at Kennedy later this month. Eye Love Care’s goal is to ensure that ALL students are getting the proper vision care they need to succeed.  

Eye Love Care will set up a full optometry clinic at Kennedy and licensed optometrists will perform complete eye exams for those who participate.

Each student who receives care at Kennedy will be given a comprehensive report from the optometrist and, if applicable, a copy of their vision prescription. Eye Love Care also provides glasses; there is no need for families to purchase glasses elsewhere. If your student has insurance, it will be billed. If your child does NOT have insurance, it will be covered through the "No Vison Left Behind Program."

Please sign your Commander up here (o aqui) with our online links. There are also vision permission packets in the front office.  If your child damages or loses their glasses during the school year or summer, just inform us or the nurse of your school, and we will make them a new pair and either deliver it to the school or, during school breaks, we can mail it to you! If glasses are damaged or lost, please email, dylan@eyelovecare.com or call 719-596-2020. 

Want to learn more? Watch Eye Love Care videos below:

• Watch YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8r1uu42iYc 

• Spanish: https://vimeo.com/1028571888 

Baseball: Congratulations to the team for their win against Montview! Way to come out strong, Commanders! The team is striving to keep this momentum while focusing on becoming the best student athletes they can be. The team also wanted to shout out Sam McReynolds for supporting the team and their athletes every single day.

Upcoming Games:

• Tuesday, April 15

  • Boys Baseball vs. Manual at John F. Kennedy at 4:15 p.m.

  • Girls Tennis vs. Vista Peak at Vista Peak High School at 4:15 p.m.

  • Boys Volleyball vs Gateway at John F. Kennedy High School at 5:00 p.m.

  • Girls Soccer vs. DSST: College View at DSST: College View at 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 16

  • Track and Field Meet vs Vista Peak at Vista Peak High School, time TBD

• Thursday, April 17

  • Girls Tennis vs. Denver North at Bear Valley Park at 4:15 p.m.

  • Soccer Girls vs. DSST: Cedar at John F. Kennedy at 4:30 p.m

  • Boys Volleyball vs. DSST: Cedar at John F. Kennedy at 5:00 p.m.

• Friday, April 18

  • Boys Baseball vs. DSST: Montview at John F. Kennedy at 4:15 p.m.

• Saturday, April 19

  • Boys Baseball vs. Standley Lake at Standley Lake High School at 11:00 a.m.

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

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Quick Links:

• Student Handbook

• 2024-25 School Calendar

• Bell Schedule

• 2025-26 DPS School Calendar

• Parent and Student Portal