PATRIOT POST

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. We are giddy with excitement as we move forward together this year! We hope that families have had a wonderful relaxing break full of all your favorites. Summers are crucial for rest, rejuvenation, and reflection as we prepare to kick off a new school year with renewed energy.

As we all embark on another year, we are thrilled to extend our warmest welcome back to all our families and staff; new and returning. A special welcome to our new staff joining Kennedy this year!

New Staff Joining our Kennedy Team:

Julie Scull-Kindergarten Teacher

Brooke Costanzo- Kindergarten Teacher

Bonnie Havens-1st Grade Teacher

Greg Franklin-STEAM Teacher

Holly Emerick-Title Support Staff

Daniel Brown-Evening Custodian

Don Stewart -Head Custodian

Our Mission is to teach and prepare all Kennedy Elementary students to become life-long learners who lead and serve their community. Our Vision & Motto is for all students of Kennedy Elementary to learn to ask, “What can I do to learn, lead, and serve?”

We are seeking parents who are interested in joining our school Site Council and PTO. Please call the front office or email tiffany.hyden@medford.k12.or.us if you are interested.

Once again, welcome back! We look forward to seeing our Patriots and their families very soon!

Tiffany Hyden & AJ Schultz

Principal and Assistant Principal

In the Medford School District, we know many families are experiencing some level of financial difficulty, making it challenging to purchase school supplies. We want to ease some of the costs associated with the rising prices in stores as you send your child back to school. That’s why we are providing school supplies for all elementary school students this year. Parents will not need to purchase items from their school’s supply list for any elementary school child.

Medford School District will purchase the items your child has traditionally needed to bring to class. Those supplies will go straight to the classroom, ready for your child to use on the first day of school.

We do ask that students come to school with a backpack for any materials that need to come home from school as well as a water bottle.

All new to MSD students must register online AND returning students will need to verify information via our online portal. Log into ParentVue to register or verify your information online. If you are having trouble, please contact the Kennedy Office when offices open on Aug. 15th.

The week of August 28th has been set aside for our Kindergarten Soft Start! This is an important opportunity for you to come to school with your kindergartner to meet teachers and staff and discuss your child’s specific needs. We will discuss schedules, transportation, health and safety guidance, and making a successful transition to kindergarten! All information gathered during this appointment is essential for a smooth and positive start to the grade school experience!

Teacher Meet & Greet includes Student & Guardian- Sessions are listed below- Choose ONE:

• Monday August 28- 5:30 pm-7:00 pm

• Tuesday August 29- 9:00 am-10:30 am

• Tuesday August 29- 12:00 pm-1:30 pm

Soft Start Wednesday and Thursday August 30th and 31st- 9:00am-11:30 am all Kindergarten students (students only)

The first official day of school for your kindergartener will be on Tuesday, Sept. 5th 7:50-2:30.

This year we are welcoming our students and families back a little differently. Instead of holding our typical back to school night on Thursday the week before school starts, we are going to kickstart the upcoming school year with a splash of sweetness! Our Meet and Greet Ice Cream Social will take place on August 24th from 2:45 to 4:00 pm in our cafeteria and new Patriot Pavilion. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet our students and families, share summer stories and welcome in a new school year.

Our traditional Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, September 7th from 5-7pm. Please use your student's last name to determine which session to attend.

(1st-5th grade students)

A-E 5:00-5:25

F-L 5:30-5:55

M-R 6:00-6:25

S-Z 6:30-6:55

Class lists will be ready and available by August 23rd. Log into ParentVue to view your student's teacher. Be sure to join us and meet your teacher at our ice cream social on August 24th from 2:45-4:00.

Help your kids start the school year strong at the Healthy Start Block Party, a back-to-school event for all Jackson County families at McLoughlin Middle School. There will be free food trucks, kids’ haircuts, health checkups, sports physicals, and dental screenings. Plus, giveaways, community resources and much more. Join us on Wednesday, August 16 from 3-7 PM at McLoughlin Middle School. Presented by Medford School District and Jackson Care Connect.

• School starts at 7:50 am
• Tardies begin at 7:55 am
• This year, upon arrival gates will open at 7:30 and students will either go into the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to our track to walk the track. Classroom doors will open at 7:50.

• Students who bring a beverage to school in the AM must go to the cafeteria to finish it. All beverages must be finished before going into the classroom.

• Parents Dropping off students- 7:45- in our circle drive, Please use both lanes. We will have staff to assist with students crossing over to the sidewalk. Please do not let students out in the “left” lane where they have to cross the “right” lane until staff are present. The circle drive is continually moving, if you need to come into the office please be sure to park in our parking lot. Please be aware dropping students off too early results in students standing around and waiting.

• Student cell phones must remain in their backpacks in the “silent mode”. Students are NOT to use their cell phone during the school day.

• Student dress- hats and hoods are not permitted indoors

• School ends at 2:35, Kindergarten students 2:30. Wednesday dismissal 1 pm

Medford School District staff often take photos and videos of students during field trips, school events, sports activities, performances and during classroom instruction to share the work and accomplishments of students. Those accomplishments are shared through the district

website, social media, print publications, fliers and brochures. The district also works with local news media to promote student work, as well as district projects and initiatives.

If you do not want your students’ image to be published, please visit your school office to fill out a Publicity Denial form. We will make every effort to protect the privacy of your student.

Please note, the district cannot guarantee a student’s image will not be published if the student is photographed/videotaped in a large group or crowd setting such as school assemblies, sports events, and public meetings.

Please contact the Communications Department at msd.communications@medford.k12.or.us with any questions.

Email: tiffany.hyden@medford.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.medford.k12.or.us/Domain/15
Location: 2860 North Keeneway Drive, Medford, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 842-3810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyElementaryMSD