With the change to the 6-period day, Kennedy High School continues to look for creative pathways for students to meet course requirements for graduation while still maintaining choice.  This year, many students took advantage of the early bird/zero hour option, taking an extra class in the morning to fit courses like music and world language into their schedules.  While early-bird/zero hour will continue at Kennedy in 2012-13, we would also like to provide an alternative opportunity for 9th and 10th grade students to take a required course in the summer.  With this in mind, we are pleased to offer PE 9 and Health to 9th and 10th grade students.
Click here for for more information and access to registration

Golden Torch students have been named for the spring trimester. Two deserving students are nominated from each of the various academic departments.  The students chosen are those who have shown exceptional academic achievement or improvement.  Each student is invited to an awards breakfast where they receive a certificate. The students' pictures are also displayed in the school showcase and on the Kennedy website. Visit the Spring 2011-12 Golden Torch page to view more information about these 28 students. You can also check out the past Fall or Winter Golden Torch winners.

It’s that time of year again for the Box City Vigil (BCV) an annual event that takes place each spring held at the Minnesota State Capitol. This year's event takes place May 25-26. The primary goal of BCV is to raise awareness for youth homelessness in our home state. As many as 2,500 youth are homeless on any given night in Minnesota, but there are fewer than 50 beds designated for homeless youth in the Twin Cities. At the event JFK organizers will provide cardboard boxes, plenty of snacks, and there will be a midnight pizza delivery. View this YouTube video to learn more, or find out more info about Avenues here or check out the Avenues Facebook group. Interested? Fill out this Registration form and return it to the main offices of Kennedy and Jefferson by Tuesday, May 15th, if you want a shirt.. If you want a T-shirt. Forms submitted after that time can be brought to the BCV event.

JFK's Fine Arts & Activities Hall of Fame inducted Ed Donahue and Sam Hudson this past weekend. Donahue is a former JFK principal, while Hudson is a 1985 Kennedy graduate. Learn more about them at the Fine Arts Hall of Fame page. The induction was Friday, May 11 in the Kennedy Auditorium. The Annual RIG Concert followed the induction ceremonies.

"The Torch" parent newsletter -- final edition for 2011-12 -- is now available here. Check out past issues in the Parent Resources page.

The Kennedy Robotics team has qualified for the first-ever MSHSL/FIRST State Robotics Championship set for Saturday, May 19 at the U of M campus. The JFK Robotics team qualified through a point system set by FIRST leaders. Kennedy is one of 28 teams to qualify. The JFK Robotics team recently won the 10,000 Lakes Regional, then competed in the National Championships in St. Louis recently. The team won 2 out of 9 matches, which was good for 94th place. Kennedy is ranked 9th in state. The Kennedy Robotics program is only four years old, and staff advisor is science teacher, Mr. Dave Doty. Keep abreast of the Kennedy Robotics news at their website.

Six Kennedy students were selected to participate in the Genesys Works Program for next year: Alejandro Caballero, Brandy Parker, Connor Frye, Devaunghe Glass, Madusu Jawara, and Niat Tesfai. Kennedy had 18 applicants, 12 interviewees, with these six student selected. These students will participate in an 8-week training session this summer. This consists of technical training and professional skills development, followed by paid internship jobs next fall.  They will also be provided assistance with the college application and scholarship application process next year. Click here to learn more about this program. JFK seniors Haley Coller and Faduma Warsame participated in this program this past year, which is coordinated through Business Ed teachers Dan Gasner and Cheryl Martin.

Here are key bits of information parents and students need to know. Visit the 2011-12 Graduation page for information as it becomes available (will be updated periodically):

Senior year-end letter: full of 'need to know' information about the upcoming 2012 graduation.
Senior release form to be signed before attending the All-Night Party.
Parent Busing to Graduation form: download the signup form to ride the bus to the Graduation Ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center (save on parking, save on gas, save on time).
Graduation: Thursday, June 7th
     Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, 8 p.m.
Graduation practice: Wednesday, June 6th
     Location: JFK Activity Center, 3 p.m.
Graduation All-Nighter Party: Thursday, June 7th: cost $50 until March 31st, $65 until June 1, then $85 thereafter.
Last day of school for graduating seniors: Friday, June 1st.