Kennedy Newsletter for Families
November 2020
Principal's Post
Kennedy Families,
I hope this update finds you well! I have been pleasantly surprised at the easy transition we have had from the first 9 weeks to the second. We were so excited to welcome back many of our RCL students! School continues as usual inside our building. Well- not as "usual" as far as adults are concerned. But, our students in many ways seem un-phased by our extra protocols of masks, hand washing, disinfecting, distancing, and cleaning. We are covering state standards just like always and kids are working hard.
I was recently thinking about the fact that we cannot have any visitors at school, and how I hope you all still feel connected to our school just like you have before. We are striving to make this school year as Early Childhood friendly as possible. When our Spooky Literacy night was cancelled, our Kennedy Leadership Team made up of teachers and adults from around the building voted to let kids wear their Halloween costumes to school. In my 15 years in education, I can't remember kids wearing costumes to school. Ms. Debbie Allen and I think it was THE MID-NINTIES WHEN COYOTES LAST WORE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES TO SCHOOL! I love it! Elementary school should build students as leaders, but it should also be full of JOY! Thanks for trusting us with your child(ren). Our teachers and staff are so good that mine are here, too.
Proud to serve you and the Lynn Garden Community,
Janice Irvin, Ed. D.
Proud Principal
Kennedy Elementary
What should my child bring to school? (Cheat sheet from this Mama!)
- Mask
- Extra Mask in backpack
- Extra clothes in backpack (accidents happen)
- Water bottle (water fountains are turned OFF)
- Jacket/Coat with NAME IN IT. We donated over 100 coats each year to the Goodwill without names.
- Gloves
- Hat
Ideas for Talking to your Kids about the Election
- Process your own emotions and make home a safe space.
- Ask: "What have you heard and how are you feeling?" (You'd be surprised what goes around.)
- Use this as a learning opportunity. Talk about the Consitution and the 3 branches of government.
- Put the election in the context of history - including our "hard history" for older students.
- Don't demonize the other side. We need to teach kids the fine art of tolerant disagreement.
- Put civics into action. "Society is service. You have to serve other people."
Adapted-See below for the full article.
Half Day Dismissal
Revision in KCS Data Dashboard Reporting
KCS Frequently Asked Questions
Self Regulation is a Lifeskill!
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
Kennedy Office Staff
Kennedy is a Bully-Free Zone! #CoyotesAreKind
Help us make Kennedy a BULLY FREE Zone!
Bullying is defined in our Kingsport City School handbook as: "...unwanted behavior among youth...that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated...over time".
My goal is that bullying does not stand a chance here at Kennedy. We can't fix what we don't know. Use our app, call us, or email us.
Kennedy Constants
We hope you find this permanent section helpful! Please let us know if we can clarify anything for you.
Attendance, Absences, and Tardiness
Birthdays
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)
Per school policy, students cannot bring fast food in the cafeteria. Please have your student eat his/her meal prior to arriving at school.
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
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 (Some Cancelled Due to COVID-19)
AM Tutoring (5th Grade)
Big Brothers Big Sisters (all grades)
Breakfast Club (for students with sensory needs)
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 qualifying 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
Our vision, our students, our community, our future!
Hear us HOWL!
Highlights - more pictures can be found on Twitter! @KCS_Kennedy