Kennedy Parent Newsletter

May 2024

Principal's News

Mental Health A Resource for Parents through Parent Guidance - https://parentguidance.org/ Parent Guidance.org

Update PowerSchool Please make sure your information is UPDATED out in PowerSchool, such as new address, phone numbers, and emergency contact information. Also, we have several families that have not filled out their forms. Please take a minute to make sure these forms are completed. If you need help logging in, please call the office at 701-446-4200.

Tardy/Late Slips Students can enter the building at 7:40 am. Do not drop children off any earlier than 7:40 am to ensure that students are supervised.

Instruction BEGINS at 7:55 am. Please make sure your child is on time for school. We need to have the lunch counts in by 8:45 or we will not have enough lunches for all students! From August 2023 to March 2024, our Kennedy student attendance rate is 93.1%. This comparable to last year's percentage at this time of 93.24% (-0.1.4%) at this time from the 2023-24 school year. The end of the school day is 2:17 pm.

Appointment Slips Please bring appointment slip to the office following any appointments (dentist, doctor, etc.).

School Visitation Policy (AP 4650) If a parent comes to eat with their child at school, please bring a bag lunch or notify the office that you plan to eat the "hot" or "cold" entrée and pay upon your arrival. Parent can not charge their lunch to their child's account. When coming in to join your child for school lunch, parents need to bring the exact amount ($3.75). We do not have change at the school! Food purchased from a restaurant will not be allowed in the lunchroom. Parents who wish to eat restaurant food with their child can sign their child out of school and return their child after their scheduled lunch break. The Visitation Policy (AP 4650) will be followed.

Kindergarten Round Up - May 2nd

On Thursday, May 2nd at 5:30 pm, Kennedy kindergarten teachers and administrators will be hosting Kindergarten Round up for parents and their upcoming Kindergarten student.

Parent Coaching

After a long winter, spring blooms with hope. Parent coaching can be that breath of fresh air that guides you to sunnier days. Parent Coaching is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL resource provided by your school district that connects you with a coach and content created by therapists. All coaching correspondence is HIPAA protected. Click here to register for on-going support from a coach: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

Spring coaching flyer

In partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection, Fargo Public Schools will be offering a four-part mental health series in April and May. The attached poster is being printed and will arrive in your building early in the week. Please hang the posters in prominent places for parents and staff (e.g., school office, counseling office, main doors), and use the attachment for any additional copies for your building or as an insert into parent and staff communication. All of the sessions will be recorded and available on the FPS website.

Upcoming Sessions are:

5/7/2024

Effects of Screen Time

https://cookcenter.info/May7Fargo

Effects of Screen Time

5/21/2024

Understanding Video Game Addiction

https://cookcenter.info/May21Fargo

Understanding Video Game Addiction

Past Sessions (available in recorded sessions)

4/2/2024

Your Child's Anxiety

https://cookcenter.info/Apr2Fargo

Your Child's Anxiety

4/16/2024

Social Media

https://cookcenter.info/Apr16Fargo

Social Media

Daily Attendance is Important to Future Success

Youth Basketball Summer Camps

My name is Will Glisky, assistant coach for MSUM MBB team. We are very excited to invite your students to our Youth Camps this summer on June 17-18 at Nemzek Fieldhouse located on our campus! Our youth camps are a great way for local students to interact and learn from one of the top college basketball teams in the country! Our youth camps also play a crucial role in supporting our program's growth. As a significant fundraiser for us, the proceeds from the camp directly contribute to our program so we can travel during our nonconference schedules, afford meals on the road, afford team gear, etc.

We believe that participation in our camp will not only be enjoyable but also beneficial for the development of young minds. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, learn teamwork, and discover the joy of staying active and healthy all through the game of basketball!

We would be immensely grateful if you could help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity among your students and their families. I have attached our flyer and a few bullet points of information below. You can also find our flyer on our MSUM Men’s Basketball social media pages!

Skills Camp

K – 8th Grade
9:00am – 11:30am
Focusing on developing skills like shooting, ball handling, passing, etc.
Kids will get to meet the coaches and players on the MSUM basketball team!

Registration Link: https://mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=4207&p=1 <https://mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=4207&p=1>

Competition Camp

• K – 8th Grade

• 12:30pm – 3:30pm

• Fun, competitive atmosphere focusing on shooting competitions and other mini games!

• Kids will get be able to have fun and play with other campers as well as the MSUM staff and players

Registration Link: https://mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=4208&p=1 <https://mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=4208&p=1>

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me through this email or my cell phone number (320)-292-5241 for any additional questions. We look forward to seeing you on campus very soon!

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POWERSCHOOL ATTENDANCE CONFUSION

Have you gone into PowerSchool and noticed your child has a large number of absences, but was really only gone a short amount of time??? Please don’t panic, our school day in PowerSchool is made up of 6 periods (1 for each hour of the school day.) For example, if a student is out sick for the day, it will show 6 absences for that one day instead of 1 absence for the whole day. To calculate the number of days missed, divide the total periods by 6. If you have any questions regarding your student’s attendance please call the office at (701) 446-4200.

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TARDIES

Our first bell rings at 7:40 AM. This is the time when students are allowed to go to their lockers and inside their classrooms. Students must be in their classrooms by 7:55 AM. The time from 7:40 to 7:55 AM is important for organizing, preparing for the day and getting a breakfast if your child would like. It is important for all of our students to be on time. Students need to be in the classroom and ready to learn by 7:55 AM. Teachers will mark students tardy when they arrive in the classroom after 7:55 AM.

How can you help? Please talk to your child about the importance of being on time, completing their tasks and entering the classroom prior to the bell ringing. Attendance line: (701) 446-4206.

How can we help you? Often times parents and children struggle. We have all been there. Kennedy staff is here to work with you!! If you need help, please call. We are able to help with a VARIETY of things from supplemental food assistance, clothing, helping parents/guardians to schedule doctor appointments. Sometimes your child needs to talk about events at school and/or home, we are here to help. If your child or you need support, please contact Mrs. Bucholz, our school counselor at 701-446-4268 or email her at buchols@fargo.k12.nd.us

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MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT

Is your current address a temporary living arrangement?

Is this temporary living arrangement due to loss of housing or economic hardship?

If you can answer “yes” to either of these questions, please contact:

Jan Anderson

Homeless Liaison

Fargo Public Schools

(701)446-3187

4th & 5th Grade Students: Fargo Public Schools Elementary School Meet at Fargo North High School

May 7th, 2024

We are excited to extend an invitation to all elementary students who are currently in grades 4 and 5 enrolled in a Fargo Public Schools elementary school. The first events will begin at 4:30 pm. Parking is available in the south parking lot for buses and spectators. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the event.

Important information for students, parents, and coaches:

● Team camps should be in the stands, and only students and coaches are allowed on the infield when they are competing or preparing to compete.

● Parents: please stay out of all competitor areas.

● Coaches and athletes should listen for event calls over the speaker system. Cones of a variety of colors will be placed throughout the complex as landmarks for athletes to identify where to check in for events.

● No starting blocks will be used in this meet.

● No official timing will be used for this meet. Instead, we will do our best to start the stadium timer for each race heat. Spectators and coaches are encouraged to time their athletes, as well.

● The formation of relay teams is the responsibility of the teams. We will have coaches and high school athletes around to help with exchanges.

● Ribbons will be awarded to places 1st-8th in each event.

● Order of track events: 4th Girls, 4th Boys, 5th Girls, 5th Boys unless otherwise stated.

● Field events (jumps and throws) will all be open throughout the entire duration of the meet.

● Admission is free.

● All field events will be cafeteria-style with time limits; athletes should get their three attempts in during the allotted time.

● Please help us keep our facilities clean by encouraging your students to pick up after themselves.

Order of Events

Running Events-Order of track events: 4th Girls, 4th Boys, 5th Girls, 5th Boys unless otherwise stated.

Start time is 4:30 pm.

1600-meter run – 4th + 5th Grade Girls Heat, then a 4th + 5th Grade Boys Heat

4x100 Co-Ed Relay (4th Grade, then 5th Grade)

50-meter dash (4th Grade on South straightway, 5th Grade on North straightway)

100-meter dash (4th Grade on South straightway, 5th Grade on North straightway)

400-meter dash

Hurdles (4th Grade on South straightway, 5th Grade on North straightway)

200-meter dash

800-meter run (four heats: one per grade/gender group)

Field Events – Open at 4:30 until the last track event. Get your three attempts in at any time.

Long Jump

Softball Shot Put

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2023

Fargo Public Schools is excited to welcome incoming Kindergartners on Wednesday, August 28, 2024!

Parents can register online beginning on February 1, 2024. The registration process should take approximately 15–20 minutes per student. Collecting the following information before beginning the online registration process is recommended:

Student Address and Contact Information
Parent Address and Contact Information
Emergency Contact Information
Student Health Information, including physician and dentist name and contact information

Please note: your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2024, to attend school in the fall.

Attention ECSE families: students currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program or students who are currently in its evaluation process do not need to register for kindergarten at this time, as students are already in the FPS system and will be promoted to kindergarten status accordingly. ECSE families will receive an email to update registration forms in July.

PTA NEWS

Still Time to Join Kennedy PTA

We are only as great as our members, and need every family at Kennedy to join PTA. Memberships are only $15 per individual and gives you a formal voice in what the PTA does. Joining does not require you to volunteer, although our small army of dedicated volunteers always appreciate the extra help! You can join online on our MemberHub store: https://kennedyfargo.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships.

Next PTA Meeting will be held on May 14th 6:30 - in the K1 Pod. PTA meetings are OPEN to all Kennedy parents. (You do not need to be a member of PTA to attend.) These meetings are informational and collaborative. Please come and learn about Kennedy and the GREAT work happening at our school!!

DROP OFF PROCEDURES:

Please do not drop off your students in the south parking lot. The north lot is the BUS LOOP. The south loop is the parent drop off loop. Dropping students off in the wrong loop is unsafe. If you would like to drop off in park in the lot, you are expected to walk your child across the crosswalk. The parking lots are NOT be use as an alternate drop off loop.

If you drop off your child or children at school, we ask that you be kind and patient to others in the drop off loop. If the loop gets congested, pull to the tennis court for extra parking and drop off space.

Have your child ready to get out of the car once you are stopped. Have their backpack and device beside them, so they can exit the car as quickly as possible..
All children being dropped off in the loop should get out on the passenger side door.
Adults are to ALWAYS remain in the vehicle.
If your child needs assistance in dressing or gathering their belongings, please park in the parking lot to assist them. Fast drop offs keeps the drop off line flowing. Please do not drop off your students in the south parking lot - it is not a drop off loop. This is very unsafe to have children walking through the parking lot. If you would like to pull into the south lot and park and walk your child to the crosswalk - that is great but no not just drop them off and and let them go on their own to the crosswalk.
The north loop is for buses and daycares only, NOT for parent drop off or parent pick up.
Parents picking up Kindergarten & 1st grade students, please park on the south side of 44th Ave ONLY for the safety of your children. We do not want them crossing the street to get into your cars.
Pull up as far as you are able.
Be courteous to staff and others while dropping off - they are they are they to assist with the safety of dropping off and picking up of of your child/ren.

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ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

ATTENDANCE – TARDINESS - ABSENCES`-See Administrative Policy 6220: Student Attendance

The Attendance Policy will be updated online in the Fall of 2022. It is important that parents and their student(s) develop the practice of good attendance and punctual behavior patterns early in their school years and continue to understand their importance.

Parents should call the school when a child is to be absent, so the school can account for all students. When a child is absent and the reason for the absence is not known, the school secretary will contact the parent/guardian as soon as possible to determine the reason for the absence. When school absenteeism (excused/unexcused and/or tardiness) becomes excessive the parents will be contacted to work with school staff on resolving the issue.

Commonly Asked ATTENDANCE Questions:

What if my my child refuses to go to school?

Parents can call the school for assistance in getting their child to school. Parents/guardians are responsible for getting their child to school.

Why do I have to notify the school by 8:15 AM if my child will be absent?

This is necessary to determine the safety of your child. If contact cannot be made, school administration may work with the Fargo Police Department to conduct a welfare check. We have automated calls at 8:30 and 9:15 am. You will receive these calls if your child is marked unverified - not in attendance at school. Please make sure you call the school when your child is not in school.

Can a school require a medical excuse for absences due to illness?

Yes, schools can ask for medical documentation for illness.

ND Century Code on Attendance 15.1-20-01:

All children between the ages of 7 and 16 are required by law to be in attendance every day that school is in session. Illness and certain other physical or mental incapacities are exceptions. Regular attendance habits require maximum cooperation of parent, students, and school. Parental responsibility is clearly noted in the North Dakota Century Code.

Six late slips = 1 absence / 3 absence = Tier 1 Attendance

Please help us with our daily attendance by calling the school if your child is absent. By calling the school we are able to insure that your child is safe and accounted for each day.

Please call the office (701-446-4206) or email Amy McTavish at mailto:mctavia@fargo365.org or Kennedy Attendance at mailto:keattendance@fargo365.org

If your child arrives at school after the bell rings at 7:55 AM, they will need to stop at the office to get a tardy slip before going to the classroom.

APPOINTMENTS: If you need to pick up your student for an appointment during the school day, come to door 6 and ring the security bell to enter the school. Your child will be called down to the office once you arrive and you may sign them out at that time. Please remember to bring your appointment slip back to school. We will attach it to your reenter slip.

Field Trips and In School Experiences Kindergarten - Grade 5

See Kennedy Calendar for Schedule - https://www.fargocalendars.org/public/genie/212/school/18/

For more Field Trip information Click Here

Note to Parents:

We are excited to offer these opportunities to parents. The Field Trip Information link shares with you a list of field trips and events and presentations, including the grade level that your child will receive during the school year. All students will be included in these events and presentations. If you wish to opt your student out of an opportunity, scroll to the last page of the above link and chose the "Opt Out Form". Once the "Opt Out Form" is complete, please fill out the form and return it to your child's teacher or building principal.