Kennedy News

Kennedy Families,

This school year is flying by so quickly! This week we are expecting temperatures in the high 50s. That will make recess time extra fun for all students!

As we head into the warmer weather, please know that are playground and fields will be very wet and muddy. Our great playground supervisors, Ms. Stacey and Ms. Evalynn, do their best to keep students away from the mess. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to avoid it this time of year. As we transition out of winter, I would recommend that you still send your students with their boots so that they do not ruin their shoes in the wet and muddy areas.

At Kennedy, we value and honor the diversity of our community. In February, we spent time celebrating Black History Month by honoring an impactful African-American each Monday during the Monday Morning Message. Additionally, we had a school wide lesson on the history and importance of Black History Month. Click here to see the presentation that guided the lesson. Many of our classrooms included read alouds about the lives and accomplishments of African Americans, as well has having students do presentations and research projects. The month of March is Women's History Month and our staff have access to a presentation to teach students about it's importance and to highlight some of the great accomplishments of women in our nation. Click here to see the presentation that is available to all teachers.

I am looking forward to the last few months of the school year. Our students have worked so hard and have done such great work. The last few months are the opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic and social growth. Standardized tests, such as NWEA, MCA, and DIBELS will all take place. Additionally, teachers will have many great learning opportunities for students so that they can demonstrate their understanding in multiple ways. Through all these indicators and more, we get to see the great academic and personal growth that has taken place in each one of our Kennedy Cubs.

We value each Kennedy student and family. The "T" in Kennedy B.E.S.T. stands for "Together WE are Kennedy!" Thank you so much for partnering with and supporting our great school!

Together We Are Kennedy!

Steve Rustad

srusta1@isd77.org

BE SAFE

ENGAGE

SHOW EMPATHY

TOGETHER WE ARE KENNEDY!

Spring Conferences at Kennedy are on Tuesday, March 15th, Thursday, March 17th, and Monday, March 21st. They run from 3:20 PM to 8 PM each evening. If you have not already done so, click here for the link to sign up for conferences. You can also call Kennedy at (507)387-2122 to speak with Sara Dahms. She can also get you signed up.

Has Kennedy been a great place for your Cubs? Do you love the experience that your children are getting at Kennedy? If so, please take a couple of minutes to tell us why. Mr. Rustad will be presenting to the school board in April and he would love to share some messages from our families about why they love Kennedy.

Click here to access the We Love Kennedy form. The form will be active until March 27.

• Do Not Pick Up By the Stop Sign on Kennedy Street: The area between the stop sign and the bus lane on the northbound side of Kennedy Street is not for picking up or dropping off. That area is reserved for YMCA and MY Place vans. There is a significant traffic jam when cars also try to pick up there. Additionally, it becomes increasingly unsafe for students trying to cross at the crosswalk when cars are stuck in the lane. The curb is painted yellow there and that means that it is not a place to sit and wait. An alternative spot would be on Main street by the soccer field in the westbound lane.
• Do Not Drop Off or Pick Up in Bus Lane: Please stay out of the bus lane during drop off and pick up times. The lane is reserved for school busses and daycare vans.

To see other helpful reminders about pick up and drop-off, please scroll to the bottom of this newsletter.

This Kennedy tradition is back! Students will be playing Leprechaun Bingo on March 23rd. Please consider sending in some prizes for our students!

Below are the pictures of our students of the months of January and February. Thank you for showing your B.E.S.T.!

Kennedy families are encouraged to participate in the PTO. To learn more about it and to get the most current information, you are encouraged to follow the Kennedy Elementary PTO Facebook page. Click here to visit the official PTO website.

We have a couple of great opportunities available here at Kennedy. Check them out and see if they would be a great fit for you! If so, you are encouraged to email Steve Rustad with questions or apply through the links provided.

• Substitute Teachers: Do you have a four year degree and would like work the same schedule as your student? Consider applying to be a sub! If you are interested, you can choose to sub throughout the school district or only at KENNEDY! We are always looking for great people to work with our students and that are part of the Kennedy community. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND APPLY TO BE A SUB!
• Cafeteria/Playground Supervisor: Looking for a couple of hours of work with kids each day? We have an open playground supervisor position at Kennedy. This position is 2.25 hours per day on student contact days. If this is something you are interested in, please click here to fill out the application or email Steve Rustad with questions.

We have just a few quick reminders about arrival and dismissal at Kennedy.

• Do Pick Up By the Stop Sign on Kennedy Street: The area between the stop sign and the bus lane on the northbound side of Kennedy Street is not for picking up or dropping off. That area is reserved for YMCA and MY Place vans. There is a significant traffic jam when cars also try to pick up there. Additionally, it becomes increasingly unsafe for students trying to cross at the crosswalk when cars are stuck in the lane. The curb is painted yellow there and that means that it is not a place to sit and wait. An alternative spot would be on Main street by the soccer field in the westbound lane.
• Always use the Crosswalk: Please remember that students and families should only be crossing the street at the crosswalks at the corners of Kennedy Street and East Main. There is crossing guard there and they will make sure you and your student can cross safely.
• Please Do Not Make U-Turns: Please do not make u-turns in the middle of the road. This can be a safety issue and can create traffic issues.
• Please Stay Out of the Bus Lane: Do not drop off your student(s) in the bus lane. This lane is on the Kennedy Street side and in front of door 14. The bus loop is only for school buses and pre-school parents.

Click the button below to see all of the Kennedy Arrival and Dismissal Procedures.

The breakfast and lunch will once again be free for all MAPS students this year. Families should still plan to fill out the Educational Benefits form even if there is no cost for school lunch and breakfast this year. If you have Educational Benefits extend beyond support for breakfast and lunch. They extend in to other things such as athletic fees, technology fees, and community education programs. Funding for many great programs at Kennedy comes out of financial support we receive based on the completion of the Education Benefits form.

• Thursday, March 17th - Conferences
• Monday, March 21st - Conferences
• Wednesday, March 23rd - Leprechaun Bingo
• Thursday, March 24th and Friday, March 25th - No School
• Tuesday, March 29th - PTO No Cook Night - Chipotle on Madison Avenue
• Thursday, April 7th - PTO Meeting
• Monday, April 11th -PTO DQ Fundraiser
• Tuesday, April 12th - Late Start
• Friday, April 15th - No School

Principal:

Steve Rustad

Email:

srusta1@isd77.org

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) is committed to working together equitably, with families and communities, so that each learner has the knowledge and skills to be a successful and contributing citizen in a diverse global society.

Email: ke@isd77.org
Website: https://ke.isd77.org/
Location: 2600 East Main Street, Mankato, MN, USA
Phone: (507) 387-2122
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISD77MAPS/
Twitter: @ISD77MAPS