Kennedy Newsletter for Families
Week of August 31
Principal's Post
Kennedy Families,
Greetings from the Kennedy Elementary Office!
We are so excited to welcome our Face-to-Face students back into our hallways on Monday, August 31. Secretaries, Office Assistants, Custodians, Cafeteria Workers , Instructional Assistants, Teachers, School Counselors, Family Liaisons, and Administrators have been working non-stop to make sure your child(ren)'s return to school is as safe as possible. We feel confident in our plan and have tried to account for every moment of a student's day. Because school looks different this year we have some new procedures to tell you about. It will take a week or two for us to get everything running smoothly. Please be patient with us as we begin a school year that will be like no other!
Some changes you'll see in this Newsletter include:
- New School Start time (8:30 AM) and end time (3:30 PM)
- New Drop-off procedures (ALL STUDENTS ARE DROPPED OFF IN THE BACK-CAFE DOORS)
- New Pick-up procedures (for some)
- No Friday drop off/pick up of work for Face-to-Face (bring your work Monday)
- To reduce close interactions with students and cafeteria monitors please only pack things for your child's lunch that your child can open. We will not open lunch items at this time (with the exception of IEP needs).
It is a true joy to be the principal of Kennedy Elementary. I am someone who is lucky enough to say, "I love my job!". If there is ever anything I can improve upon, please let me know. I want to ensure that your child(ren) and mine have a wonderful elementary school experience.
Proud to serve you and the Lynn Garden Community,
Janice Irvin, Ed. D.
Principal
Kennedy Elementary
All Students MUST Wear Masks!
Family Tip: Put your child's mask in their backpack the night before.
Bus Riders
- Bus Riders will have assigned seats for the AM run and the PM run.
- Please ensure your child doesn't have a fever before they get on the bus.
- Masks are mandatory for the entire ride.
- Bus Riders will be kept in the smallest groups possible while waiting to be picked up from school.
- Riding a school bus is a privilege. We expect outstanding behavior from our students.
A Day in the Life of a Coyote!
Important Logistical Information (Please read prior to the first day of school.)
Our doors will open for students at 7:30 a.m. each morning. We will serve a boxed "grab and go" breakfast each day from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Students planning to eat breakfast at school need to arrive prior to 8:15 a.m. in order to ensure an on-time arrival to class.
Upon arrival, students should proceed to the following areas:
The ideal time to drop your child off is between 8:15 and 8:30 at the cafe doors. This will allow them to grab a breakfast and report to their classroom without having to sit in the Cafeteria. This is a great option for families wishing to cut down on their child's "contacts".
7:30-7:45 - All students will report to the gym where they will be seated by homeroom and will be socially distanced from other homerooms. (Few students arrive during this time span.)
After 7:45 all students will be moved out of the cafeteria to provide smaller numbers awaiting the 8:30 school start time. Students will be reading silently or completing other practice work during this time.
New procedure: ONLY TARDY STUDENTS (8:30 and after) WILL COME THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS THIS YEAR. THEY MUST COME IN WITH A GUARDIAN AND BE TEMP CHECKED AND GET A TARDY SLIP.**
**ALWAYS BRING YOUR ID - In regards to dismissal, we want to be as proactive and safe as possible in dismissing our students. Therefore, it is essential that anyone picking up students during the day must ALWAYS be prepared to show identification.
CAR TAGS - We have a drive-through car line dismissal system at Kennedy. Car tags have been assigned and will be sent home the first day in student folders. Please use these every day to keep the car line moving quickly.
Kindergarten, 1st Graders and their siblings will dismiss out the Kindergarten side doors.
2nd and 3rd Graders and their older siblings will exit out the Cafeteria doors.
4th and 5th Graders will walk out the 4th and 5th grade hallway and go to the detached parking lot by the kickball field.
ARE YOU CONFUSED OR FEELING NERVOUS ABOUT ANY OF THIS? :) DON'T WORRY! WE'LL BE OUT THERE TO HELP DIRECT YOU! :0)
*Car line begins at 3:30 and all parents must be in car line by 3:40 p.m.
*Walkers must live within 1 mile of our school. Students may not be "walkers" and walk to a car. Thanks for understanding!
Information about Kindergarten
Kindergarten Schedule for the Week of August 31st:
Monday: Group A attends from 9:30-12:00
Tuesday: Group B attends from 9:30-12:00
Wednesday: Group A attends from 9:30-12:00
Thursday: Group B attends from 9:30-12:00
Friday: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS, Parent/Family/Teacher Conference Day (by appt)
No School - Coming Up!
Friday, September 4th or Monday, September 7th (Labor Day)
September 4th is Family/Parent/Teacher Conference day. If desired, please request a conference with your child's teacher via email or ClassDojo.
Parent/Family/Teacher Conferences
At this point, due to the delayed start to school and virtual learning format, we do not feel our knowledge of your child’s individual development is keen enough to discuss in a conference on Friday, September 4th. Should you still wish to have a virtual conversation at this point in time, we will make ourselves available throughout the week of August 31. These virtual appointments will be scheduled upon request and in collaboration to accommodate the teacher and families’ schedules.
We would like to thank you for your patience and perseverance as we have navigated these first weeks of school. We have enjoyed connecting virtually with you and your students. We look forward to continuing the process of getting to know your child(ren) as learners. The upcoming week of Face to Face instruction will help us get to know your child on a more personal and individual level. It is through such personal knowledge, quality of work, and observation that we plan our discussion points and next steps prior to a parent/teacher conference. We do, however, offer conferences by appointment at any time throughout the year and we would be happy to share details of your child’s progress, strengths, and areas to strengthen in a future meeting.
Kennedy is a Bully-Free Zone! #CoyotesAreKind
**** Kennedy Office Staff ****
Cindy Salyer - Office Assistant
Kem Padgett - Award Winning KCS Secretary
Debbie Allen - Family Liaison
Kim Oaks-Blair - School Counselor
Brett Herron - Associate Principal
Dr. Janice Irvin - Principal
Kennedy Constants
We hope you find it helpful! Please let us know if we can clarify anything for you.
New Policy in Effect - No Visitors
Attendance, Absences, and Tardiness
Birthdays
Please only send healthy snacks as a birthday treat for your child's class. We cannot accept cupcakes, cakes, or homemade items. Please make arrangements with your child's teacher before sending in healthy treats.
Flowers, balloons, etc. should not be sent to the office for students. Please give these sweet gifts at home.
Breakfast and Lunch Programs
Later this year....
Ice-cream day is Friday and must be purchased ($1)
Healthy chips can also be purchased ($1)
Bus Transportation
The number to the transportation garage is 392-4416, if needed.
Carline
- During AM drop off, please stay in your car and allow your child to exit independently.
- During AM drop off, please unload at all 4 numbers/lanes. No need to stop at the bottom of the hill.
- During AM drop off, students can walk into the cafe from 7:30-8:15.
- In the afternoons, 4th and 5th grade cars (side parking lot) please turn RIGHT after you pick-up.
- In the afternoons, PLEASE USE YOUR CAR TAG! :) There is often a glare and I cannot see faces until you are right beside me. This helps our line move as quickly as possible.
Communication & Class Dojo
Contact us!
857-2700 - Main Office
857-2704 - Cafe, Karen Mullins
857-2702 -Nurse Lundy
378-2340 -Fax
1500 Woodland Avenue
Kingsport, TN 37665
Discipline
They are:
H- Helping Others
O- Overcoming Challenges
W- Willingness to Learn
L- Leading with Respect
Hear us HOWL!
In addition to these expectations we use Positive Discipline with Lifeskills at Kennedy Elementary. We know that a part of growing our students as leaders includes citizenship and character. We believe our students are the best in Tennessee.
Kennedy Family Lifeskills for Reference
Kennedy Family Positive Discipline Reference
Positive Discipline really boils down to discipline that is kind and firm. We focus on fixing the behavior, not necessarily punishment. It's based on respect and character building.
Drills/AED
Health and Medical
Additionally, we have a tele-medicine program where a child can be seen via a camera and equipment in Nurse Lundy's office. They can receive antibiotics through this program if needed! We encourage you to use this program! It's awesome!
Homework
Lost and Found
Opportunities for Coyotes
To be determined depending on how our school year goes with Covid-19:
Ambassadors (4th and 5th Grade Student Council)AM Tutoring (5th Grade)
Big Brothers Big Sisters (all grades)
Chorus (all grades)
DBYes (DB student mentors)
HOWLers (Boys, 4th and 5th)
Kiwanis Club Readers (volunteers)
RTI - Response to Intervention (time set aside to catch up academically)
STREAM Club
Ladies of Lynn Garden (Girls 4th and 5th)
Lego League
Maker Space (only one in a KCS elementary school!)
Morning Mile (Coach Robbins - 7:45-8:00)
Speech Services for approved students
Spelling Bee (3rd, 4th, and 5th)
Snacks/Water Bottles
Testing Policies
Our KCS Website can be found here: https://www.k12k.com/
Visitors (None this Year)
Zones of Regulation
In addition to addressing self-regulation, the students will be gaining an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading facial expressions, perspective on how others see and react to their behavior, insight on events that trigger their behavior, calming and alerting strategies, problem solving skills and much more. You can connect this work to parenting as home. We are excited to help our Coyotes stay in the Green Zone!
Taken from Zones of Regulation Content
Zoning and Tuition
If you have any questions feel free to contact Alisa Strong (astrong@k12k.com) via email or by calling (423)378-2100.
Approvals are based on: Attendance, Behavior, and Classroom Space