Commander Communicator

• May 9 at 4 p.m.: Senior Work Due

• May 9 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.: Commander Community Fair

• May 9: May Cabaret

• May 14: Last Day for Seniors

• May 14 from 6-7:30 p.m.: Spring Band Concert

• May 28-30: Finals for freshmen, sophomores and juniors

• Senior Product Work Due: May 9 (TODAY!)

• 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

Graduation will be Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. @ DU Magness Arena. Please review Graduation Expectations here. Additional information about Graduation can be found here.

Be advised: All DU events now enforce a clear bag policy. Only clear bags no larger than 12"x16"x4"are allowed. Small clutches or purses no larger than 4"x6"x2" are allowed. Medical supplies or baby supplies are subject to search.

Are you ready for an afternoon/evening of fun? We'll see you shortly at the Commander Community Festival happening TODAY from 4:30- 7 p.m. at John F. Kennedy High School.

Kennedy will be sending out a survey about vaping habits in middle and high school to students soon. This anonymous survey will provide us with information around the motivations for students choosing to or not to vape. This data will inform a larger anti-vaping campaign that the district will be working on with the Substance Use Prevention team. Our goal is to better understand why students are choosing to vape and what would motivate them to stop, as well as understand why other students are choosing not to vape. 

Individual student responses are kept private and anonymous; they are only viewed in combination with hundreds or thousands of others. Students are not required to take the survey. The survey will remain open until June 6. The survey will also be sent to the family email on file and responses will be accepted until June 6.

If you would like to review the questions in the student survey, please click here.

If you prefer that your student not participate in the vaping survey, please complete this form by May 14 to opt them out. 

If you would like to participate in a family focus group around vaping, please complete this form. Food and refreshments will be provided at the focus groups and family participants will receive gift cards for their participation. 

Thank you so much for helping us learn more about how we can support our students!

The Bear Valley Improvement Association is awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in Bear Valley. Applicants must reside within BVIA boundaries and  apply by May 15, 2025. Finalists will be contacted for interviews within 2–3 weeks. Apply for the scholarship today!
Funded by community donations, this scholarship supports Bear Valley youth in reaching their career goals!

Do you have a student entering 9th grade at Kennedy next year? We want them to feel prepared for high school AND get a jump start on credits!

To assist in the transition from middle school to a successful high school experience JFK will be hosting a Ninth Grade Academy for incoming students. This exciting, fun, and informative program will last four days and all of John F. Kennedy High School’s incoming ninth grade students are invited and encouraged to attend.  

During the Ninth Grade Academy, students will:

• Learn ways to succeed in high school, such as understanding graduation requirements and the importance of a GPA and reading transcripts.

• Meet school staff and other JFK students.

• Earn 2.5 elective credits for completing the NGA and receive a small backpack with school materials.

• Participate in engaging activities designed specifically for JFK students. 

Details for the John F. Kennedy High School Ninth Grade Academy are as follows:

• Dates: August 4  –  August 7, 2025

• Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Location:  John F. Kennedy High School

More information on Ninth Grade Academy can be found here.

Happy School Nurse Day to Nurse Melissa! Thank you for being an advocate for our Commanders and ensuring they thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. You're always there for us, whether its for a Band-Aid or big feelings. We’re lucky to have you.

Please encourage your Commander to join us for our final Saturday School Sessions! Our last two sessions of Saturday School be on:

• May 10

• May 17

• 🗓 Mon, June 9 - Fri, July 18

• 💵 Earn $1500 upon completion!

• 🎓 Get 10 Elective Credits!

• 👔 Must participate in the Traits of a Young Professional Training on May 15, an Early Release Day from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

• 📍 For more info, see Mrs. Aragon in Room 230

• ⚠️ Limited positions available – don’t miss out!

See the list of Internships here. (Seniors welcome)

Does your student need an opportunity to earn additional credits? Did they fail a class this school year, but want to get back on track before August? Please consider enrolling them in Summer School! Families will have the option of requesting a seat at JFK's Summer Program or in DPS's Regional Summer School. 

Please click here for more information and to register your student. Seats are reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis and by those with the greatest credit deficit. Priority registration is due by 12PM on Monday, May 12th.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's counselor!

• Last Names A-Go: Haley Gordy (haley_gordy@dpsk12.net)

• Last Names Gr-N: Joe Naughton (joe_naughton@dpsk12.net)

• Last Names O-Z: Michelle Wellman (michelle_wellman@dpsk12.net)

We're looking to grow the Parent Teacher Student Association, or PTSA, at Kennedy. If you're interested in getting involved, contact Dre Calloway at dre_calloway@dpsk12.net.

Thank you to the generous members of the Commander Community who donated and helped make Teacher Appreciation Week special for our educators! We appreciate you helping to recognize and celebrate our staff.

JFK Honor Platoon was awarded 2nd place in the nation in Regulation! Our Commander Cadets have so much to be proud of

Upcoming Games:

• Monday, May 12

  • Boys Baseball Tournament vs TBA at All City Field at 4:30 p.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

Follow Kennedy on Social Media

• Instagram

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Quick Links:

• Student Handbook

• 2024-25 School Calendar

• Bell Schedule

• 2025-26 DPS School Calendar

• Parent and Student Portal