Main Office
The Sense of Urgency
As the saying goes, “if you want to get something done at work, give it to the busiest person”. This really does seem true: personally, it feels that I can get more done on days when I am busiest, and when I think about it, most of the busiest people I have worked with are also the most effective.
The reason for this is that when we are busy we have a sense of urgency about what we are doing, and that in itself motivates us to become more effective and efficient with our time.
The reason for this is that when we are busy we have a sense of urgency about what we are doing, and that in itself motivates us to become more effective and efficient with our time.
This world is changing very rapidly. They say that the amount of knowledge in the world doubles every 18 months, and somehow as a school we need to look for ways to prepare our students to cope with this and to learn to adapt to an unknown future. Our IB programs, now in all grade levels, provide the students with the skill sets to take on the challenges of life. Now, as a school, and as parents at home, we need to build the life habits needed to know when to act with a sense of urgency, with the ability to act decisively, but also to recognize when to stand back to think before acting, to have the moment to consider others and the consequences of our actions.
Regardless of what people aim to achieve, whether in their academic life, sports, music, or other hobbies, those who set themselves apart from the rest of us maintain a sense of urgency in order to be the best they can be. They choose not to disconnect from what they are aiming to achieve, and they pursue it, because their sense of urgency is an integral part of who they are.
Urgency is actually the greatest protector of time. With a sense of urgency, every second becomes precious to the students. Dawdling, chatting to friends, and waiting for things to do may seem like ‘moments of relief’ to the students but in fact do not help them be prepared for this world. Activities at home and a rhythm for learning at school all help our children learn to respect and make more effective their use of time. Classwork should be meaningful and interesting, and home activities including chores, homework and allocated ‘free time’ can be planned. It is through this process that we can engage our students most effectively, and to help them learn to become successful in later life.
We are working at school to protect and make effective the time available for students. This may mean the reduction in the amount of content to be learned, but it does not mean reducing the quality of learning. We aim to keep students busy, to make use of their time effectively and to engage them in productive learning with a deeper understanding of the subjects and how they apply to the world. When students gain a deep understanding from their classes, and work at a pace that is not too stressful but where time is considered precious and there is a sense of urgency, we can better prepare them for success in life.
None of the above is easy, and much of it requires a careful reflection of our teaching practices and curriculum content. Nevertheless, this is a challenge that we are aware of, and one that we are excited about moving forward with “Our Journey to Achieve the Extraordinary” as the value of the IB programs becomes more embedded in all we do at JFK.
Adrian Leece
Main Office
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Sports Results
Soccer Results click here
Volleyball Jaguar Cup
Congratulations jaguars!
Click here for the photo gallery
Sports Team
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Don’t miss our 4th edition of the JFK Environmental Fair “Our Actions Today, Tomorrow’s Present”
On April 12th from 9am to 2pm, we invite you to the 4th edition of our JFK Environmental Fair, to strengthen our culture towards sustainability, promoting sustainable tasks and value the cultural procedures from native communities.
On our 4th JFK Environmental Fair, several students’ projects from all the school’s sections will be displayed; many volunteer moms will in charge of the “Sustainable Store” with different products such as traditional medicine, cakes, infusions, aromatic and medicinal plants from Amealco.
Also, some of our guests will be organizations and institutions related with sustainable projects and activities such as: Instituto National Institute of Native Cultures, State Water Commission, Environmental Network, Youth Commission, Queretaro Environmental Trustfund, Lobo Center, Sustainable School, CONANP Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, UAQ-jaguars conservation, and the vivarium from Science Faculty of Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.
There will also be local organic producers offering organic fruits and vegetable, ice cream, organic personal care products, goat cheeses, honey, humus fertilizer and crafts to promote local consumption.
On this edition we will have conferences taking place at the MS multipurpose room for our students and all guests.
| Theme | Time | Institution | Speaker |
| Separate and recycle | 9:00- 10:00 |
Environmental Network |
Ing. Luis Chaparro Responsabilidad social |
| Cultural Diversity in Mexico | 10:00- 11:00 | National Institute of Native Cultures | Lic. Maria de los Angeles Lazcano Picazo |
| Sustainable Management of Water Resources | 12:00- 13:00 | Water State Commission | Dra. Marina Herrera. |
| Intercultural health | 13:00-13:45 | Health Center Amealco | Dra. Samantha Bautista |
| Conservation of our Jaguars UAQ | 14:00- 14:30 |
UAQ |
Ing. Fernanda Morán |
Also, we will have the participation of the Traditional Medicine Health Center Amealco, who bring specialists in cleansing, midwives and bones specialists who are part of this center and will show us more about these types of treatments. This proposal is active and authorized by the Health Department. They will provide free consultation. Make your appointment sending an email to Marlene Cruz [email protected] before April 10th (subject to availability).
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
Luz Arredondo
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Environmental Program Coordinator
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Preschool
Official PYP Course for Teachers
School will be closed Thursday and Friday April 4th and 5th as we prepare for our PYP verification visit. All Preschool and Elementary School teachers will be taking an official PYP training course delivered by certified IB instructors from April 4th-6th. We look forward to putting our new knowledge into practice and receiving our verification visitors on May 20th.
Spring Break
Spring break will begin on April 13th. Even though break is a time to take vacations and enjoy the outdoor activities such as swimming and picnicking, it is important to preserve some routines because consistency is important for Preschool aged students. Some great activities to enjoy with your children this break could be: reading a good book together, watching movies or TV shows in English, playing board games, doing arts and crafts and enjoying the outdoors. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the 29th!
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
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Elementary School
Excellent performance at SpongeBob Squarepants
Even though flu season is coming to a close, let’s keep our guard up and stay healthy. Keep following the flu protocols.
On another note, a big applause to the JFK Elementary Drama Club for their excellent performance at SpongeBob Squarepants. Drama is alive and well at the JFK. See you at the High School Play in a few months.
Thank you community.
Elementary School Principal
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Middle School
Achieving the extraordinary
Hello Middle School Community,
This Monday, I had a special moment of Middle School and High School students “achieving the extraordinary” that I want to share with you. I had the pleasure of attending the closing ceremony for our Volleyball Jaguar Cup, and our teams did very well: women junior category A 3rd place and women junior category B the 1st place.
In addition to them showing a winning attitude on the court, I saw something amazing: the students formed a tunnel with their arms, allowing the recognized team to run through the tunnel. Someone later explained to me that this was a volleyball tradition that had been started some time ago, and now they always did it at each tournament. I was struck by the level of positivity, caring, and plain, old-fashioned fun that the students showed in this simple gesture.
Sports often brings out the best in our students’ potential on the court or on the field: they show us their capacity for teamwork, problem-solving, and their resilience and resolve. This Monday, I witnessed how our students also show their best during recognition ceremonies with friends from other schools. I appreciate all the work that our coaches put into helping our young athletes show their values at all times.
Remember we have a Professional Development day for teachers on Friday, April 5th, and have a great week!
In addition to them showing a winning attitude on the court, I saw something amazing: the students formed a tunnel with their arms, allowing the recognized team to run through the tunnel. Someone later explained to me that this was a volleyball tradition that had been started some time ago, and now they always did it at each tournament. I was struck by the level of positivity, caring, and plain, old-fashioned fun that the students showed in this simple gesture.
Sports often brings out the best in our students’ potential on the court or on the field: they show us their capacity for teamwork, problem-solving, and their resilience and resolve. This Monday, I witnessed how our students also show their best during recognition ceremonies with friends from other schools. I appreciate all the work that our coaches put into helping our young athletes show their values at all times.
Remember we have a Professional Development day for teachers on Friday, April 5th, and have a great week!
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
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High School
Extended Essay
One of our goals this year is to provide platforms for our IB Diploma students in High School to present their knowledge, opinions, understandings and experiences to different audiences in authentic, real world contexts. We believe this is the best way to live our mission to lead, serve, and create beauty.
This year in 11th grade, we want our students to have a public platform to share their initial Extended Essay research findings and receive feedback not only from JFK teaching staff but also a range of external professionals. We envision an “Extended Essay” panel event modeled on universities where they ask students to present a thesis to a panel of experts for feedback and comments. We want our students to have a similar experience in the IB Diploma Program.
I am asking for the support of our talented parent community to volunteer to serve on “Extended Essay” panels in May 3rd-9th and give feedback and comments to our students on their initial research findings together with JFK faculty to give them an authentic academic experience. I am looking for parents with expertise in the following areas:
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If you would be willing to help provide an authentic university academic experience for our students in High School on between May 3rd - May 9th, please complete the Panels form link click here or contact me at [email protected]. I thank you for your support and helping our students be the best version of themselves.
Catapult Challenge
High School Principal