Kennedy Parent Newsletter
March 2024
Principal's News
Parent Teacher Conferences The last night of conferences will be held on Monday, March 4th. To sign up for Conferences. To schedule a conference, you can also call the office at 701-446-4200 to schedule a conference time.
Storm Make up Day Due to our storm day on February 27th, we will have school on April 1st (an A2 day).
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.
Lost and Found Table Make sure you check out the lost and found table. All items will be donated after conferences on March 6th. Please make the effort to pick up your items before that time!
Tardy/Late Slips Students can enter the building at 7:40 am. 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 February 2024, our Kennedy student attendance rate is 93.1%. This is down almost a full percentage point compared to last year at this time 94% (-0.9%) at this time from the 2023-24 school year.
Appointment Slips Please bring appointment slip to the office following any appointments (dentist, doctor, etc.).
Indoor Recess Policy Outdoor recess is canceled when the temperature and wind speed create a wind chill factor of 10 degrees below zero or colder. Full outdoor clothing is necessary as it remains wet. Information can be found in the Elementary Handbook.
School Start and End Times
School start time is 7:55 am and dismissal time is 2:17 pm. Doors will open at 7:40 am. Do not drop children off any earlier than 7:40 am to ensure that students are supervised.
Grades K-2 enter through Main Door (Door 6); Grades 3-5 enter through Gym Doors (Door 7).
All doors will be available to exit.
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.
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.
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
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
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2023 - STARTS FEBRUARY 1st
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 March 21th 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:
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.
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.
School Visitation Policy
Spring Photo's
DATES TO REMEMBER
March 11 - 15th - Spring Break - No Classes
March 29th - No School
April 1st - No School
Kennedy Elementary School
Email: Dr. Pederson at mailto:pedersk@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/kennedy
Location: 4401 42nd Street South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-4200
Attendance Phone: 701-446-4206
Attendance Email mailto:keattendance@fargo365.org or keattendance@fargo.k12.nd.us
Twitter: @KennedyFargo