KHS Update

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Hello, Kennedy families!

As we enter November and move toward the end of the first trimester, we celebrate a great fall season of academics, sports and activities. Check out all of the excellence in the Belonging section below!

Finals for trimester take place on Thursday, November 21 & Friday, November 22. There is a special schedule on both days, so please plan ahead for early dismissal times.

Trimester two starts on Monday, November 25. There are a lot of breaks during trimester two, so please make sure your family is aware of all of the non-student days by regularly checking this calendar.

ALL FAMILIES - PLEASE COMPLETE - WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please help our students receive additional funding and reduced fees for programs by completing this Educational Benefits & Free and Reduced Lunch application.

In partnership,

Molly Hollenbeck

Principal

952.681.5050

mhollenbeck@isd271.org

I'm proud every day of the excellence our students show, especially since the start of the year.

Some highlights include:

• A fun Homecoming Week led by our student-selected Senior Ambassadors, Maya Neequae, Billy Le and Shaban Laban.

• We celebrated over 40 students who were recognized by the College Board as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, AP Scholars with Distinction and AP National Recognition with a breakfast on October 24.

• Three students, Mercury Bertram, Arthur Colvin, and Emily Kwon were named National Merit Semifinalists and represent less than 1% of graduating high school seniors across the country. These incredibly academically talented students now have an opportunity to continue in the National Merit Scholarship competition.

• Over 100 Sophomores and Juniors took the PSAT test on October 9 which helps them prepare for the ACT and also provides them opportunity to earn National Merit Semifinalist status.

• Junior Molly Miller became the first student to qualify for the State tennis tournament in Kennedy’s history.

• Junior Marlon Seahorn was named to the AAA 1st All State Team and Senior Junior Ontiveros was named to the AAA 2nd All State Team.

• The Kennedy Theater Company put on a fantastic fall musical, Seussical, with over 1,200 tickets sold!

I'm proud of our students for adapting well to our school-wide "red zone" policy, which keeps cell phones, AirPods, and headphones out of all classrooms. Students have noticed that focusing without these devices allows them to engage more fully with their teachers, classmates, and the learning process. We’re monitoring this policy to ensure it supports our students' success.

Starting Trimester 2, we’re refining the policy: students will now leave their phones in the classroom when using a bathroom pass, as bathrooms are also red zones. This change, already in place in some rooms, will be consistent across all classrooms. Please discuss this update with your student.

Keeping our students safe is a top priority. Morning drop-off lines can be long, which can make it hard for students to arrive on time for 1st hour (starts at 7:50 a.m.). Please use the designated drive-through lanes on school property for drop-offs. Do not drop off students at medians on 98th Street or Nicollet Avenue, and avoid using the bus loop from 7:00-8:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation!

Have a question? If it is class related, start with your student’s teacher. If you need another place to start, our student support team members are here to provide support.

We continue to work toward our school-wide goals of 1) increasing the percentage of students who attend school 90% of the time or more as measured by unexcused tardies and absences, and 2) increasing the percentage of As, Bs, and Cs students earn. I will share final trimester results in December but for now know that we are seeing improvement in both of these areas compared to this time last year.

% of As, Bs, and Cs = 5% increase

Unexcused tardies = 7% decrease

Unexcused absences = 20% decrease

How you can help: Please review your student’s attendance and grades on a regular basis. Students know how to look at both of these areas on their phones or computers, so if you don’t have the Canvas (grades) and Campus (attendance) apps on your phone, they will be able to show you!

Directions to dowload the Canvas and Campus apps are listed below. Email kennedytechhelp@isd271.org for support!

Report cards for trimester one will be available in Campus for you to see around December 10.

To find Report Cards on Infinite Campus Parent Portal on a browser:

1. Login.isd271.org on a browser

2. Infinite Campus Portal

3. > Documents > Report Card

To find Report Cards on Infinite Campus Parent Portal on the app:

• November 21 & 22: Trimester 1 Finals; Early release at 12:15

• November 25 - 1st day of trimester 2

• November 27, 28 & 29 - No school, Thanksgiving break

• December 23 - January 3 - No school, Winter break
  
  

24-25 School Year calendar + Lunch menu