The Torch September 2013

Volume 4, Issue 2

Message from Principal Beaton

Great start for Kennedy High School with kids arriving on time and ready to go. I am looking forward to visiting with students and parents at Open House on September 12th from 5pm to 7pm. Students should attend with their parents/guardians so they can help navigate the building when moving from class to class. Please arrive promptly at 5pm, as we will be running a bell schedule. During Open House, you will have a chance to visit with each of your child’s classroom teachers to learn about course learning outcomes and expectations for the term.

I also want to inform families of a change that we have made in our grading practices at both high schools in Bloomington. While we value non-academic factors such as behavior and attendance, this will no longer be included in a letter grade and will be reported separately. Our goal is for a letter grade to accurately re!ect what a student knows and can do based on the standards for a particular course. "is fall you will also hear teachers and students speak about an 80/20 split between summative and formative assessment.

A minimum of 80% of the grade in a course at JFK must be based on summative assessment, which is evaluative at the end of learning. An example would be a unit exam or #nal draft of a paper.

A maximum of 20% of the letter grade can be based on formative assessment. Formative as-sessment is done while a student is learning. Information collected from a formative assessment allows teachers to adjust their instruction and provides feedback to students for ways to improve. Examples of formative assessment may include homework, a rough draft ofa paper or a quiz.

"is is just one of the many ways that Kennedy sta$ is insisting on success which is our school motto. Here’s to a great start to the 2013-14 school year!

Contact Info:

John F. Kennedy High School

952-681-5000http://khs.bloomington.k12.mn.us/

REMINDER: Open House - Thursday, Sept. 12th

5 - 7 pm

Picture Make-up Day is here!Thursday, September 12th

Picture make-up is only for students who missed getting their picture taken

at Kennedy Connect.

Please note: Retake pictures will be done October 9th.

CAREER CENTER NEWS

Northern Michigan University Wed. Sept. 11th at 9:30 am

Carleton College Mon. Sept. 23rd at 9:00 am

U of M-Twin Cities Thurs. Sept. 26th at 10:30 am

University of Northwestern Thurs. Sept. 26th at 12:30 pm

St. Mary’s Mon. Sept. 30th at 10:30 am

Iowa State University Tues. Oct. 1st at 9:30 am

NDSU Mon. Oct. 7th at 12:30 pm

St. Olaf Tues. Oct. 8th at 9:00 am

St. Bens/St. Johns Wed. Oct. 23rd at 9:00 am

Carlton College Wed. Oct 23rd at 1:30 pm

National College Fairs – Minneapolis Convention Center

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm & 4:30 pm-8:00 pm **

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013 – 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Avoid waiting in line!! Information to preregister available in Counseling.

** Students are encouraged to attend the evening session and

to register online at www.gotomyncf.com **

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�������������ϐ��������Attention juniors!! PSAT test date is Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Registration will begin in late September. There will be limited seating.

Listen for announcements at school and on website.

Homework Help

Mondays & Tuesdays

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Media Center

We have teachers available on Mondays and Tuesdays along with other tutors to help. Students may also use this time

to do recovery for an unexcused absence. There is an activity bus available.

‘Stretch’ earns place in Harley-Davidson Museum

Kennedy High School tech. ed. instructor Kevin Baas was recently informed that “Stretch,” a chopper bike that was custom constructed by

Kennedy students in his chopper class, has earned a place in the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Kennedy Chopper class’s motorcycle was included in the museum just in time for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary Celebration, taking

place Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.

Kudos

Upcoming EventsMark your calendar

Thursday 12 Picture Make-up Day

Thursday 12 Kennedy Open House 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Friday 13 Athletic Hall of Fame Night at Lincoln Stadium

Tuesday 17 Academic Lettering Breakfast 8:00 am

Saturday 21 Bloomington Heritage Days

Freshmen Retreat

October 1st and October 4th

6LJQ�XS�QRZ�LQ�WKH�&RXQVHOLQJ�RIÀFHThe cost is $25.00

The Freshmen Retreat, ran by Youth Frontier and our Ignite Mentors,

enhances Self-Awareness, Social Awareness and Relationship Skills.

This is a must for every Freshmen.

If the cost is preventing you from signing up speak to your counselor.

Don’t miss the fun!

Activity Date Time Versus Location Volleyball: Varsity 09/03/2013 7:00pm Edina Kennedy High School Tennis: Girls Varsity 09/05/2013 3:30pm Mpls. Southwest Kennedy High School Soccer: Girls Varsity 09/05/2013 5:30pm Robbinsdale Cooper Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Swimming/Diving: Girls Varsity 09/05/2013 6:00pm Lakeville North Oak Grove Middle School

Football: Varsity 09/06/2013 7:00pm Lakeville North Bloomington Stadium Tennis: Girls Varsity 09/09/2013 3:30pm Rosemount Kennedy High School Volleyball: Varsity 09/09/2013 7:00pm Mpls. Washburn Kennedy High School Soccer: Boys Varsity 09/10/2013 4:45pm Eastview Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Soccer: Girls Varsity 09/10/2013 7:00pm Eastview Bloomington Stadium Volleyball: Varsity 09/10/2013 7:00pm Mpls. Southwest Kennedy High School Tennis: Girls Varsity 09/12/2013 3:30pm Apple Valley Kennedy High School Swimming/Diving: Girls Varsity 09/12/2013 6:00pm Rosemount Oak Grove Middle School

Tennis: Girls Varsity 09/13/2013 3:30pm Apple Valley Kennedy High School Swimming/Diving: GirlsVarsity 09/13/2013 6:00pm Eau Claire North Oak Grove Middle School Football: Varsity 09/13/2013 7:00pm Rosemount Bloomington Stadium Soccer: Boys Varsity 09/14/2013 12:00pm Buffalo Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Swimming/Diving: Girls Varsity 09/14/2013 1:30pm Section Meet Oak Grove Middle School

Tennis: Girls Varsity 09/17/2013 3:30pm Burnsville Kennedy High School Soccer: Boys Varsity 09/17/2013 4:45pm Prior Lake Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Volleyball: Varsity 09/17/2013 7:00pm Prior Lake Kennedy High School Soccer: Girls Varsity 09/17/2013 7:00pm Prior Lake Bloomington Stadium Football: Varsity 09/20/2013 7:00pm Burnsville Bloomington Stadium Soccer: Boys Varsity 09/21/2013 2:00pm St. Louis Park Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Soccer: Girls Varsity 09/26/2013 4:45pm Lakeville South Kennedy - KHS Turf Field Swimming/Diving: Girls Varsity 09/26/2013 6:00pm Bloomington Jefferson Oak Grove Middle School Soccer: Boys Varsity 09/26/2013 7:00pm Lakeville South Bloomington Stadium Volleyball: Varsity 09/26/2013 7:00pm Lakeville South Kennedy High School Soccer: Girls Varsity 09/28/2013 11:00am Henry Sibley Kennedy- KHS Turf Field

Sports This Month

Schedule is subject to change - Please Check South Suburban Conference atwww.southsuburbanconference.org for the most updated schedule

+HDGV�83�IURP�<RXU�+HDOWK�2IÀFH�Welcome back! Just a reminder that if you would like your student to have medication available at school, you will need to send a signed doctor’s note and the medication in WKH�RULJLQDO�FRQWDLQHU�WR�VFKRRO�ZLWK�\RXU�VWXGHQW��WR�EH�NHSW�LQ�WKH�+HDOWK�2IÀFH���7KLV�LQFOXGHV�RYHU�WKH�FRXQWHU�DQG�DQ\�KHUEDO�SUHSDUDWLRQV���3OHDVH�FDOO�WKH�+HDOWK�2IÀFH�DW�952-681-5008 if you have any questions. We hope you and your student have a great and healthy year here at Kennedy!

Thank you!

Your Nurses, Denise Schneider, RN, HSALaurel Kuplic, RN, HSA

Referendum 2013: Creating Safe & Innovative Schools

Bloomington Public Schools is proposing a new Capital Projects Levy to fund $6 million a year for 10 years for:

�� Safety & Security Measures that will better prepare for, protect against and respond to future school incidents and emergencies; and

�� Education Technology that will prepare students to compete in a global economy.

If approved by voters, the Capital Projects Levy is structured so property owners will not see a tax increase from the school district portion on their property tax statements��$�³QR�WD[�LQFUHDVH´�UHIHUHQGXP�XWLOL]HV�VDYLQJV�IURP�UH¿QDQFLQJ�current debt and periodic levy and future debt adjustments.

For more information, please visit the district’s referendum website by going to the district homepage, click on About Us and then Referendum: www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/2013-referendum

Reminder:We are hosting an OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, September 12th from 5 pm to 7 pm. Students and parents will be walking their schedule at 10 minute intervals to visit teachers in their classrooms. This is a great opportunity for us to share the great work that we do here at Kennedy andcontinue to forward our momentum with families. Please mark your calendars and arrive promptly at 5:00 pm as we will be running a bell schedule. Below is the bell schedule for next Thursday night.

Parent Arrival @ 5pm

5:15pm to 5:25pm 1st Hour 5:30pm to 5:40pm 2nd Hour 5:45pm to 5:55pm 3rd Hour 6:00pm to 6:10pm 4th Hour 6:15pm to 6:25pm 5th Hour 6:30pm to 6:40pm 6th Hour 6:45pm to 6:55pm EB or Advisory

John F. Kennedy High School2013 Athletic Hall of Fame

Please join Kennedy High School in welcoming our 6th annual Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees.

Friday, September 13th, 2013

7:00 p.m. Football Game Kennedy verses Rosemount

Halftime - Recognition of Inductees

Dave Dillon Mike Dwyer Connie Manuel Steve Strommen Ted Van Kempen

Get Involved!PTSA 2013-2014

Come to our 1st meeting onTuesday, September 17th at 6:00 pm

in the Media CenterWho:If you are interested in getting involved with your student’s education, the PTSA is agreat way to go. This group allows you to work with other families in making Kennedy abetter place for all. Monthly group meetings are held for discussions with a representative of the Kennedy Administrative team. Come have your voice heard in a casual, welcomingenvironment. Everyone is invited to attend the meetings; it is not for “members only.” Your RSLQLRQV�DUH�LPSRUWDQW�WR�.HQQHG\�+LJK�6FKRRO�DQG�WR�WKH�376$�

When and Where:The PTSA meetings are usually held in the Media Center the third Tuesdays of the month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. The interim contact person for PTSA information is the Kennedy Principal’s Secretary Terri Robertson (trobert@bloomington.k12.mn.us or phone 952-681-5003).

FeeThe Kennedy PTSA is not a fund-raising organization - a $10.00 membership fee is asked for ($5.75 for state and federal PTA membership lobbying efforts for better educational standards and parent involvement; the remaining amount to help fund initiatives at Kennedy High School).

Why:You can make a difference, whether you attend one or all of the PTSA meetings! You are an integral part of the home and school connection that makes our students successful!

Homecoming week is Sept. 30-Oct. 4��5R\DOW\�DSSOLFDWLRQV�GXH�)ULGD\��6HSW�����

��&RURQDWLRQ�LV�GXULQJ�WKH�VFKRRO�GD\��������������RQ� Wednesday, Oct. 2 - open to parents. Royalty will volunteer at elementary schools afterwards.

��3HSIHVW�RQ�)ULGD\��2FW�����WDLOJDWLQJ�LQ�WKH�.HQQHG\� parking lot immedately after pepfest until game at 7.

��'DQFH�IURP������RQ�2FW���Kennedy Students only

Tickets are $5 and will be sold all week. �<RXU�VWXGHQW�PXVW�EH�LQ�JRRG�VWDQGLQJV��LH��1R�RXWVWDQGLQJ�ÀQHV��

Spirit Days Monday: PJ day

Tuesday: Hawaiian Wednesday: Western

Thursday: Throwback Friday: Blue and Gold

Homecoming

Week

Welcome Back from Normandale TRiO Educational Talent Search!

Welcome back for the 2013-14 school year. We are excited to continue working with the TRiO ETS students at Kennedy High School! TRiO Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a college readiness program that works with 6th -12th grade students to help them prepare to succeed in post-secondary education. This year Erik Torgerson will be working with students at Kennedy. He will be in the building on Mondays from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and Tuesdays from 7:30 am to 2 pm. Stop by the FRXQVHOLQJ�RI¿FH�GXULQJ�WKRVH�WLPHV�WR�PHHW�(ULN�DQG�¿QG�RXW�KRZ�\RX�can get involved. You can also call Erik at (952) 358-8550 if you have any questions.

Reminder to the Parents:Attendance

Regular attendance in all classes is vital to insuring a quality educational experience. Regular class atten-dance instills self-discipline, and helps prepare the student for the world of work. Absences affect student academic performance. A student can never fully replace the learning experience when absent from class.One way you may help is to please limit absences by scheduling appointments, vacations, college visits, etc. to non-school days and after school hours.If a student must miss school because of an illness or appointment, please call 952-681-5002 and include the following information: a) Your name and relationship to the student� � � E���3OHDVH�VSHOO�WKH�¿UVW�DQG�ODVW�QDPH�RI�\RXU�VWXGHQW�VORZO\�DQG�FOHDUO\�VWDWH�WKH� student’s grade level c) State the day of the week (Monday-Friday) and the date of the absence. d) Give a daytime phone number where you may be reached which allows us to verify your call, if there is a need.Tardiness:The goal of the Hall Sweeps Program is to protect instructional time from the interruption of students arriving late to class. Kennedy also wants to send a strong message that punctuality is part of showing UHVSHFW�IRU�\RXUVHOI�DQG�RXU�VFKRRO���$IWHU�WKH�¿QDO�EHOO�VWXGHQWV�ZKR�DUH�LQ�WKH�KDOOZD\�DQG�GR�QRW�KDYH�D�SDVV�ZLOO�UHSRUW�WR�WKH�DWWHQGDQFH�RI¿FH���6WXGHQWV�PXVW�FRQWDFW�WKHLU�SDUHQW�JXDUGLDQ�E\�SKRQH�LQ�RUGHU�to receive a pass to class. If a guardian cannot be reached, lunch detention will be assigned before they receive a pass to class. Students who are repeatedly late to class will receive an additional consequence.

DancesSchool dances are held from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm in compliance with the Hennepin County Curfew. Students are not allowed to leave the dance and re-enter. Students must follow the guidelines in the student handbook (on-line) when bringing a guest to Sadie Hawkins and Prom.

New this year: Before students can purchase Prom tickets they must have passing grades or demonstrate a commitment to improving failing grades.

Our Student handbook is now on our website.