Kennedy Newsletter for Families
April 15, 2020
Sorry this is late!
We spent about 48 hours ripping carpet out and running fans and de-humidifiers. Turns out the Irvin family needs a new roof and gutters. :( While this is not ideal, I know our friends in Chattanooga are dealing with a tornado so that definitely puts this situation into perspective.
I hope you all are staying healthy and dry!
Now onto the Newsletter! :)
Principal's Post
Hello Kennedy Families,
I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend and have been able to find a schedule that works for your family during these trying times. I know many of you are trying to work, teach your children, referee :-), cook, breathe, and enjoy family time. We know that all families are feeling the stress of trying to do it all. Please remember to give yourself flexibility and grace- every day cannot go as you'd like and that is okay! We understand! We are in this together and we are all making the best of a tough situation.
Please take the time to fill out the Family Survey in this newsletter. It will help us support your family. If you have additional questions or concerns please email me at jirvin@k12k.com. We will continue to make adjustments and improvements to our processes based on your feedback!
There are many resources in today's newsletter. Do not let that overwhelm you. These are all optional resources to provide additional support for families who would like the utilize them. My best advice during our time away from school is to make sure your child(ren) are READING EACH DAY! Nothing is more important for your child's education.
Please let me know if we can be of assistance to your family during our school closure. We are looking forward to the day we are back in the hallways of John F. Kennedy!
I miss you all so much!
Janice Irvin
ReadyRosie Available for Students in PreK-3rd
Through a partnership with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, families can access ReadyRosie’s Modeled Moments library. Hundreds of short videos available in both English and Spanish, provide families with simple, fun and engaging instructional activities that they can then replicate with their own children and are rooted in learning goals for children on topics such as literacy, early math, health and well-being. These videos help build upon the important work that happens in the classroom.
Parents can easily sign up to receive emails or text messages with curated videos: https://readyrosie.com/tn
Question and Answer Section
Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions just for you!
Answer: Please email kpadgett@k12k.com or jirvin@k12k.com and we will make arrangements for your to pick up those items.
Question: How can I get the bus to deliver lunches to my address?
Answer: Please call 423-392-4416 and leave a voicemail to schedule delivery.
Question: My child needs additional work/advanced work/modified work.
Answer: Please reach out to your child's teacher. They can provide additional resources at this time. Current work packets go through April 24th. Should our closure be extended, we will communicate additional plans.
Question: I worry about my child falling behind academically.
Answer: Packet work is meant to review and maintain what was already taught this school year. We will address any untaught standards when we return to school. Insuring that your child is reading each day is a great way to help them stay on track academically.
Question: My family cannot attend Zoom meetings.
Answer: Zoom meetings are completely optional. Join if you are able. You can also call into Zoom meetings by phone. Your teacher can share directions for joining by phone.
Question: How can we get correct answers for math/literacy problems?
Answer: Please reach out to your child's teacher for help. If you are struggling, there are likely many others feeling the same. Teachers will address questions in Zoom meetings, via Class Dojo, or email. Teachers are constantly asking for additional ways to help students and will be more than happy to assist you.
Question: I am struggling to keep up with log-ins and websites.
Answer: Please reach out to your child's teacher via Class Dojo or email for help. They can send you the needed info.
Hope some of these are helpful to you and yours!
Related Arts Website!
Online Book Fair coming!
We miss you so much!
Helping Others
Overcoming Challenges
Willingness to Learn
Leading with Respect
Low-cost Internet Information
(WJW) — Amid the coronavirus pandemic that is closing schools, businesses, attractions and events across the country, Comcast Cable is reaching out to low-income families to offer assistance so they can stay connected.
“For millions of low-income Americans who don’t have Internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage,” Comcast said in a press release. “As schools and businesses close and families are encouraged, or even mandated, to stay home, Internet connectivity becomes even more important.”
Starting Monday, Comcast is putting in place two program enhancements to help low-income families.
Here is the breakdown on the packages:
- Low-income families in the Comcast service area can sign up for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
- Also, we are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward.
To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Playgrounds Still Closed
As we continue to work with and align with the city on safety decisions, please note that playgrounds will now be closed to the public, starting immediately.
At this time (based on information from the city), other outdoor spaces, such as tennis, tracks, and walking paths, have not been closed. If anything should change regarding this, we will let you know as soon as we are able. This makes me incredibly sad and I can't wait to open it again.
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
Heather Hobbs - Associate Principal
Dr. Janice Irvin - Principal
Kennedy Constants (always included)
We hope you find it helpful! Please let us know if we can clarify anything for you.
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
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 7:30-8:05.
- 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
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/
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