Kennedy Parent Newsletter
9/1/2022
Principal's News
Welcome back!
TRANSPORTATION/BUS INFORMATION:
The bus (Transportation) button on the Kennedy Home Page will help parents to find out their child's busing information. If your are using your phone, click on "Pages", then click on "Bus Routes by Address" to find your Bus number (Route number) and times of pick up and drop off. Please make sure your child(ren) scan on and off the bus. It is good practice to make sure your child(ren) are familiar and comfortable with their bus drop off location. To help the younger students you could meet them at their bus stops. Here is the link: http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=FPS05818038563
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 (6); Grades 3 - 5 enter through Gym Doors (7)
All doors will be available to exit.
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 they are they to assist with the safety of dropping off and picking up of of your child/ren.
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
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 ( 446-4206) or email Dawn Sanders at sanderd1@fargo.k12.nd.us.
If your child arrives at school after the bell rings at 8:02 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.
Family HealthCare
MID-MORNING BEVERAGE BREAK / LUNCH
You will need to sign into Powerschool - click School Pay on the lower left hand side - this will allow you to set up your account to pay for lunch and mid morning milk break.
Nutrition Fees are as follows: Student breakfast $1.45 and $2.45 for student lunches and
LUNCH
If you bring a bag lunch from home and would like to have milk your child will have to purchase milk for lunch. The cost is $.40/ carton.
FIRST SEMESTER -
Students K-5 will have a choice of 1% white milk or fat free chocolate milk. First semester milk will begin on Monday, August 29, 2022 through Friday, January 13, 2023. The cost will be $0.40 per day @ 85 days or $35.20 for the first semester. Payments can be made when logging into PowerSchool and selecting SchoolPay or by dropping a check off in the office. Please indicate your child's name and beverage choice in the memo on your check.
Free and Reduced Meal Application: https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx
PTA NEWS
Kennedy PTA Meeting, September 12th, 6:30pm
This year’s first PTA meeting will be held on Monday, September 12th at 6:30pm. You can enter through the main doors and will find us in the K-1 pod (north side of the school).
Join us before the meeting from 6-6:30pm in the gym for a special guest appearance by some players from the NDSU Men's Basketball team! Shoot some hoops with them and find out what they have learned about sportsmanship and teamwork from playing their favorite sport!
Skate City Night, September 20th
Join us for some skating and fun at Skate City from 6 to 8pm on Tuesday, September 20th! Kennedy students and their families receive discounted admissions on these nights.
Walk/Bike to School Day, Friday September 16th
Kennedy students are invited to walk or bike to school on Friday, September 16th or engage in some physical activity that week. Several students who participate will be randomly drawn to win prizes. You can volunteer to help students lock their bikes in the bike rack in an efficient manner and help collect entries for prizes by using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d48adac23abfb6-bikewalk3
School Spirit Day, September 23rd
Show your Comet spirit by wearing past or present Kennedy logo clothing! Students may also wear school colors (navy blue, white, & gray). Need some Kennedy wear? We will be opening a Spirit Gear drive from September 12th until October 10th. Flyers will be sent home with students or you can pick one up at our September PTA meeting!
Kennedy Walk-A-Thon – Friday September 23rd (A day) and Friday, September 30th (B day)
The annual Kennedy Walk-a-thon will be held on Friday September 23rd (A day) and Friday, September 30th (B day) during your child(ren)'s gym time. Kindergarten and 1st grade will particapte on both dates. This is our main fundraiser for the year and our goal this year is $15,000! Last year, we raised over $10,000 and were able to purchase the outdoor, weatherproof tables for the patio/outdoor classroom space. We heard our friends at Eagles Elementary raised over $20,000 last year and we know we can beat that! A signup for volunteers will be coming. Parents are encouraged to walk with their children on their scheduled dates. More information will be sent out soon!
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. You can also join in-person at our first PTA meeting September 12th (check or credit card).
PTA Chairpersons needed
Kennedy PTA has a number of openings for anyone to be involved and participate. Whether you want to help put on outstanding events, help recognize and support teachers and staff, or want to help lead our PTA as an officer we have something for everyone. You can review open positions here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d48adac23abfb6-202223, visit with us at our first PTA meeting on September 12th, or email us anytime at kennedypta@gmail.com.
PTA Volunteers
Just like joining the PTA does not require you to volunteer, volunteering does not require you to be a PTA member. We welcome all families and staff to support our events when possible. Many employers match volunteer hours with donations to the PTA. Our volunteering opportunities range from as little as one hour one time to organizing an event to serving as a Chair or Officer. Please visit with us at the next PTA meeting to learn more!
DATES TO REMEMBER
September 5 - No School - Labor Day
September 12 6:30-7:30 pm - PTA Meeting - K1 Pod
October 6 -School Picture Day
October 13 & 17 Parent Teacher Conferences (a link will be sent closer to this date)
October 20 & 21 NDCEL Conferences - No School
November 7 6:30-7:30 pm - PTA Meeting - K1 Pod
November 11 - Veteran's Day - No School
November 23, 24 & 25 Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 23 - January 2 - Winter Break - No School
January 3 - Classes resume
January 9 6:30-7:30 pm - PTA Meeting - K1 Pod
Dispute Resolution Policy
Federal and state regulations require districts to adopt procedures for receiving and resolving disputes. A complaint may include an investigation by district staff that will result in a determination of findings of facts, conclusions, and reasons for the final decision.
Any individual who believes the Fargo School District has violated the regulations or law governing the federal Title program should submit a detailed, written statement of facts supporting the allegation to:
(Manager of Specific Title program)
Fargo Public Schools
700 7th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103
Fargo Public Schools Title Managers
Title I Part A (Disadvantaged Students) Jan Anderson anderja@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title II Part A (Teacher Training/Recruitment) Robert Grosz groszr@fargo.k12.nd.us
Missy Eidsness eidsnem@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title III (English Language Acquisition) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title IX (Discrimination/Sexual Harassment) Tamara Uselman uselmat@fargo.k12.nd.us
Section 504 (Students with Disabilities) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Any complaint must include:
• The date;
• The name of the district, unit, or individual the complaint is against;
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the complaint;
• A detailed description of the complaint, including specific facts; and
• The signature of the person making the complaint.
When a complaint is filed, the appropriate Fargo Public Schools Title Manager will investigate and issue a written response within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the complaint is received.
Reconsideration
The complainant may submit a reconsideration request in writing to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services, and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Superintendent The Secretary of Education
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction U.S. Department of Education
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201 555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440 Washington, D.C. 20208
North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services
100 Railroad Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Girls Basketball Youth Skills - Ask Ms. Steckler for more information.
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