Kennedy Parent Newsletter
January 2022
Principal's News
Welcome 2022! I wish our Kennedy students, staff, and families a Happy New Year!! In 2022, we appreciated the support you have provided our students and their teachers. Educating children is a "all hands on deck" process. Our Kennedy staff has appreciated the team work with our families which helped our students to be successful. I hope the winter break allowed each of you time with family and friends.
I anticipate that after the break we will (unfortunately) have another bout with the cold and flu. Please review the guidelines below regarding illness.
I have included information below regarding a 2-hour late start. Doors will open at 9:45 am. Buses will run their route 2 hours later.
If you have a new phone number or address, please update your information in PowerSchool. If you have questions or need assistance, please call the office at 701-446-4200.
Some notable events coming up:
Kindergarten Registration for 2022-23. If your child is going to be Kindergartner at Kennedy in fall of 2022. Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2022 opens online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration on February 1, 2022. Child must be age 5 by July 31, 2022 to attend school in the fall. See full details below.
On Monday, January 17th, there will be no school in honor of Martin Luther King.
REMINDER - School Hours: Students are allowed in the building at 7:47 am (First Bell) - Second Bell is at 8:02 am - at this time your child is expected to be in their classroom. We are averaging over 35 tardy/late students per day.
Masks: Pull those masks out of the drawer and put them in your child's backpack. Masks are still required. Your child should have a mask to start their school day and at least one extra mask in their backpack.
Inclement Weather: Please be sure your child has winter clothing which includes: gloves, hat, winter coat, snow pants, and boots. If your child does not have these items, they will remain on the side walk during recess in order to keep their clothes and shoes dry for the remainder of the day.
Also, if the weather is inclement, we will bring students in the school and they will wait in the hall under para supervision. This means there will be NO ADULTS helping in the drop off loop.
Check out the Kennedy Elementary Home page https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kennedy You will find morning announcements, bus information (click on the transportation button), monthly newsletters and other information under Quick Links.
Community Resources
School counselors and staff are available during the school day to assist students. After hours and during weekends and holiday breaks, families need to utilize community supports. If you are in need of assistance for yourself or someone else, please contact the following resources:
- FirstLink: Dial 2-1-1
- (24/7 hour help line for community resources and emotional support)
- Suicide Lifeline (answered locally): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Red River Regional Dispatch: 701-451-7660
- If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1
COVID Testing REMEMBER: if any member of your family is tested- please make sure you keep your students home until the test results have been received. Please share the results with the school. Working together will allow us to keep in school learning happening. Thank you for continuing to keep us updated!
Thank you for allowing us to educate your children and working with you toward a bright future. We are here to work with you to provide the best education possible. If you have questions please contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation and showing other's empathy and kindness.
Fargo Public Schools Accepting Nominations Beginning January 17 for Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff of the Year Awards
Parents and community members are invited to nominate a Fargo Public Schools teacher, administrator, or support staff member they feel serves our students with excellence for consideration of a yearly recognition award. Online instructions, forms, and the application process can be found at: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/StaffRecognitionProgram.
Nominations will be accepted online January 17 – 28, 2022.
The District will award the following this spring:
Teacher of the Year Award − awarded to a certified staff member
Administrator of the Year Award − awarded to a principal, assistant principal, director, or coordinator
Support Staff of the Year Award − awarded to an educational support staff member, custodial/maintenance department staff member, or nutrition services staff member
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2022.23
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2022 is open online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration on February 1, 2022. Your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2022 to attend school in the fall.
Registration is a two-step process:
STEP ONE: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete online registration forms at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person. Masks are required for all visitors.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school by August 25 to finalize registration.
· Child’s certified birth certificate
· Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
· Document (i.e. current city utility bill or bank statement) that includes parent/guardian name and current address for verification
If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps.
Illness Guidelines
Children with the following symptoms should not be sent to school and/or school activities. We ask that you keep your children home when they are ill so that other children and our staff do not become ill.
If these symptoms are present, the student should be sent home:
• Any indication of communicable diseases as listed on the communicable disease regulations.
• Thermometer indicates a temperature of 100 degrees or above
• Undiagnosed rash or sores.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Deep and severe cough, heavy or discolored nasal discharge.
• Contagious infection diagnosed by a physician. Students may not return to school until:
•When the student is diagnosed by a physician to have a contagious infection and places the student on a prescription medication, the student may not return to school until they have taken the medication for a full 24 hours and the student’s temperature has remained below 100 degrees for 24 hours, without the use of acetaminophen (i.e.,Tylenol), etc. to keep the temperature down.
• There has been no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.
These guidelines are for the safety of the ill student as well as for the other students and staff.
Two Hour Late Start
When there is a 2-hour late start, doors will open at 9:45 with grab and go breakfast available. No students will be allowed in the building prior to 9:45 am. Classes will start at 10:02 per their classroom schedule. Buses will pick up students 2 hours later than the regular pick up times. (i.e., If you usually are picked up at 7:42 am, you would be picked up at 9:42 am-which is 2 hours later.)
EARLY DISMISSAL
Occasionally, the school day may need to be shortened due weather, water, electrical, or other unforeseen circumstances. In these instances, the district will contact the media to make a public announcement about the time of dismissal as well as any other circumstances that may be important. The usual bus routes will be run if possible. The school will follow parent’s plans
as indicated on Emergency Early Release form that is completed online at the beginning of each year.
BUS DELAY NOTIFICATION PROCESS
In the rare event that Valley Bus does not have enough staff to cover all the school bus routes for Fargo Public Schools, Valley Bus would implement a “delayed bus route plan” rather than canceling routes. This plan could be used in either a morning route or an afternoon route.
Delayed Bus Route Plan–The “delayed bus route plan” would have the drivers cover for the missing driver after they have completed their assigned route. This would cause the identified route to be delayed by 15 to 30 minutes. Families would be notified the day of the delay by email, text, and voice messaging. Morning route delay notifications will occur between 5:30-6:30 am and after-school delay notifications will occur by 1:00 pm if a driver shortage occurs. This means students may be standing at their bus stop for additional time or they may be returning home up to 30 minutes later than normal. Each route affected would cause a delay for both the elementary and secondary students riding that bus.
The Bus Delay message will only be sent to the affected route and it will say the following:
“Attention FPS families of Bus Route ###. Today, [Monday, October 9, 2021], your morning route will be 15-30 minutes later than normal. Your principal has been notified of your late arrival. “
Or
“Attention FPS families of Bus Route ###: Today, [Monday, October 20, 2021], your after-school route will arrive home 15-30 minutes later than normal. Students will be supervised at their home building until the bus is available.”
Since communication with families is based on what was entered into the FPS PowerSchool System, we asked that each family review their listed emails and cell phone numbers in the Parent PowerSchool Portal. Please update if needed by calling your child’s main office. This type of communication may be used for other situations that cause significant bussing delays.
Students will be excused in the morning if they arrive late to school due to the delayed busing. The buildings will implement a supervision plan for students if the after-school bus is delayed.
Please remember if you decide to drop your student off at their building more than 15 minutes before school the students will wait outside. Please make sure they have dressed appropriately for the weather.
Parents can check their child’s pick-up time using the “bus route by address” options on the FPS Website at https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/165.
Although the 2021-22 school year has been challenging, the transportation department and staff at Valley Bus are responding to these challenges and working hard to keep students safe. We thank families for their patience and trust as we navigate staffing challenges.
Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions.
Dr. Grosz & Mrs. Eidsness
Associate Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools
GENERAL INFORMATION
All students are to be at school no later than 8:00 am.
School hours are 8:02 am to 2:24 pm.
If your child is going to be absent or late, please call 701-446-4206 prior to 8:00.
Make sure your child has lunch funds. Free and Reduced Lunch forms are available.
Dress your child in appropriate attire for the current weather. (Winter - coat, snow pants, boats, hat & mittens)!
If you are picking up your child, come in to the office to sign them out. Office staff will call them down when you arrive.
End of Day Arrangements - if you need staff to relay a message for a change in plans - the office needs to be notified by 12:00 to ensure that we catch your student before the end of the day. If you know in advance you can always write a note in their planner / communication folder.
DROP OFF PROCEDURES:
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, you can 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.
- 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 there to assist with the safety of dropping off and picking up of of your child/ren.
Thank you for your patience and kindness.
CELL PHONE & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Below is a modified version cell phone and electronic devices as found in the Fargo Public School Elementary Handbook. For a full description, please go the the Elementary Handbook (page 9).
Standards for responsible use at school, on buses or at school activities:
- Students shall not use any electronic devices that in any way disrupts or detracts from the educational environment.
- Electronic devices should not be visible unless designated by the teacher for classroom use.
- The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items or individual service plan charges related to use of electronic devices.
- All electronic devices, including cellular phones, iPods, MP3 players, PDAs, e-Readers, and other devices (this would include smart watches and Gizmo type devices) capable of transmitting data or images be turned off anytime the device is not in use for educational purposes.
- The USE of cellular phones or other personal electronic devices is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.
Violations of these guidelines may result in loss-of-use privilege, other consequences, and/or confiscation of the device based on the discretion of school administration, teachers or other school personnel. If you need to reach your child, please call the office at 446-4200.
AD-Ventures Publications — Seasonal Activities for Kids
AD-Ventures is a district publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May). AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.
AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.
VIRTUAL ACADEMY REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SECOND SEMESTER
Hello, FPS families!
As we approach the second semester, Virtual Academy wants you to be aware of our learning platform available to all students. Second semester begins Tuesday, January 18, 2022. If you’d like more information about Virtual Academy, please click here.
If you believe this would be a good fit for your student, the survey to request registration information is here. Requests should be submitted no later than Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
For additional information, please contact:
Lori Nappe, Virtual Academy Elementary Dean (K-5) (701) 446-1601 nappel@fargo.k12.nd.us
Holly Fiechtner, Virtual Academy Secondary Dean (6-12) (701) 446-1602 fiechth@fargo.k12.nd.us
WHEN WILL KIDS HAVE RECESS INSIDE?
Students will have indoor recess when:
- it is raining, students will be inside for recess.
- it is -10 or colder (with wind chill)
Fargo Public Schools has a new guideline of -10 or colder (with the wind chill) for students staying in for recess. The classroom teacher will monitor the temperature before taking their students outside using the Fargo Public Schools weather information center resource. The FEELS LIKE temperature will be used. Each teacher will lead various activities with their students which will be different class by class.
POWERSCHOOL ATTENDANCE CONFUSION
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)446-3113
TARDIES
PTA
Kennedy PTA meeting – January 10th @ 6:30pm
Our Kennedy PTA meeting is set for Monday, January 10th at 6:30pm. It will be held at Kennedy in the K/1 Pod and masks will be required per current FPS policy. The meeting will also be broadcast via Facebook Live for those unable to attend. Our next Kennedy PTA meeting is set for Monday, February 7th at 6:30pm
We need YOU in Kennedy PTA
We are still looking for a lot more Kennedy families to join PTA this year. Like any membership organization our PTA finds the best ideas when we have lots of people involved, and our offerings are most successful when they represent all of us. If you have not yet joined, please visit our MemberHub store here: https://kennedyfargo.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships.
MARK YOUR CANENDARS!
December 23 - January 2nd - No Classes - Winter Break
January 3rd - School starts at 8:02
January 10th - 6:30 PTA Meeting K-1 Pod
January 17th - No School - Martin Luther King Day - PD Day
January 18th - 7:00 pm Virtual Music Night
January 24th - PTA Family Game Night
January 25th - 7:00 pm Choir and Orchestra
February 7th - 6:30 PTA Meeting K-1 Pod
February 21st - No School - Presidents' Day - PD Day
March 17 & 18 - No School - Spring Break
Fargo South Activities Briefing
Fargo South Activities Briefing
Welcome to the third Fargo South Activities Briefing! This has been included in your newsletter to provide information on the value of kids participating in activities, the events happening at South High, and information on the great things that our South students are doing.
Did you know . . .
Studies have shown that participants in activities do better in the classroom. A Colorado study demonstrated that its athletes maintained nearly a 3.1 grade – point average, while non – participants had a 2.44 grade – point average – a substantial 26% difference.
Fargo South sponsors 24 varsity sports and over 30 groups, co-curricular activities, and co-curricular clubs. You can find the full list of opportunities at https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/domain/138.
*All times and dates are subject to change. Please find the most current information on the South High Calendar at https://www.fargocalendars.org/public/genie/187/school/39/.
Kennedy Elementary School
Email: ragek@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kennedy
Location: 4401 42nd Street South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-4200
Twitter: @KennedyFargo