Bulletin #36 | May 28, 2019
The PYP Authorization Visit
Last week we hosted the Visiting Team of experts from IB to review our school, documentation, educational processes and to observe how we are implementing PYP (Primary Years Programme) in Pre-school and Elementary school. The Visiting Team’s purpose is to compile a report for IB who will determine if we receive authorization to implement the PYP formally or not. Although I am now being frequently asked ‘if we have it’, the answer must remain that we are never sure until we receive that official notice. The discussion I had at the end of the visit with the team was tremendously positive though, with lots of praise for our school, our teachers, our students and families… all who have helped make this a reality for us.
The visit was the culmination of three years of planning, training and modification to everything connected to how we teach and learn in those sections. It has been a considerable amount of work and effort by many people. This not only involved the PYP Implementation Team, but also 88 teachers and support staff who have learned entire new approaches to learning and adapted new practices and new content to change the way we teach and learn as a school. It has also involved all of the families in participating in workshops and Coffee Talks to help explain the way forward. Everyone has noticed the changes happening in both school and the way the children think and act. In addition, of course, all the children, who are adapting so well to the new challenges and pleasures of participating in our new approach to education.
Only 0.001 % of children around the world have the advantage in life to participate in IB education, and JFK itself will be just one of 14 schools in Mexico who will have achieved the authorization for all three programs (PYP, MYP, DP), taking our children from K1 to 12th grade in the series of aligned, prestigious programs.
Thank you all for your participation and involvement both in the work preparing for these changes over the last three years, and for those involved in the visit itself. We have left an excellent impression on professionals who visit a great many schools around the world, and we look forward to their recommendations, ideas and ways to build JFK even further. Moreover, of course, for their authorization to proudly carry the PYP banner.
Before they left I asked the Visiting Team for a single sentence message to the school community, and they responded, “This is a wonderful school, keep on enjoying Your Journey!”
Adrian Leece
Main Office
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Requirements for a scholarship
We now have the list of requirements in order to apply for a scholarship from the Secretaría de Educación del Estado de Querétaro for 2019 – 2020. If you want a copy of that list, please ask for it in the Student Records Department or follow this link click here to download it.
Ana Torres
Student Records Coordinator
JFK Band Concerts
You are cordially invited to attend
Musical June
JFK BAND CONCERTS
Musical June
JFK BAND CONCERTS
*Monday, June 10th at 17:00 hrs. at the Middle School Multipurpose room
*Wednesday, June 12th at 17:00 hrs. at the Antea Mall.
*Thursday, June 13th at 13:45 hrs. at the JFK Auditorium
*Monday, June 17th at 7:30 at Pre-school.
Fé del Carmen García
Extended Learning Coordinator
Xtreme Challenge
On June 2°, we will have at school one of the most challenging competitions, the 5th edition of our famous XTREME CHALLENGE. This year in its medieval version.
Each team at the bases will compete with an opposing team to ensure the victory at the end of the race.
Each team at the bases will compete with an opposing team to ensure the victory at the end of the race.
Do not miss it! Register your team (9 participants) at the entrance of the school from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Check the details: https://www.jfk.edu.mx/apps/pages/XtremeChallenge
Gaby Platas
Institutional Development Coordinator
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XXIX Pre-School Mini-Olympics "IB ATTRIBUTES"
Friday, May 31st we will have this great traditional event in which our Pre-School students will leave the inauguration experience, parading and enjoying emotional moments.
They will participate in races, long jump, throwing, circuits,; along with their parents.
We will have a closure ceremony where everyone will be awarded with a medal!
They will participate in races, long jump, throwing, circuits,; along with their parents.
We will have a closure ceremony where everyone will be awarded with a medal!
Sports Results
Sports Team
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Preschool
Mini Olympics
We will have our Mini Olympics on the school track this Friday, May 31st from 8:00 AM- 10:30 AM. Students should wear the school uniform pants or shorts and a t-shirt that will be given to them by the Parents Association reps on Thursday. This year our theme is the IB Learner Profile Attributes, and we hope that during the event you can observe your children being thinkers, good communicators, risk-takers, caring, reflective, principled, balanced, knowledgeable, open-minded and inquirers.
Piggy Bank ChallengePYP Verification Visit
Thank you for your participation in the Piggy Bank Challenge this month! We will be collecting the last donations this Thursday, May 30th. It has been a pleasure seeing students and parents so eager to help raise money for our new plaza! I’m sure it will be a space that we can all enjoy. The winning classroom will be announced at flag ceremony on Monday, June 3rd.
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
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Elementary School
Guidelines for Community Interaction
The school takes into account a variety of information when making decisions about classroom placements for the following school year, and each one is complex. We consider:
-Previous teachers feedback (teachers work hard to ensure diversity in groups considering the child’s uniqueness)
-Student Support Services feedback (they provide feedback about individual cases and group dynamics)
-mixing groups according to gender, academic, social, and emotional development.
After all, information is gathered, classroom lists are developed and students are placed. Each classroom has its own unique, special feel and the teacher works hard to make all students feel welcome.
One of the most important aspects of the JFK mission is to help students work collaboratively with others. The “Guidelines for Community Interaction” document, point #9 addresses its importance and states: “JFK students encourage integration and interaction among all peers.” Part of this integral formation is the formation of new friendships. We are preparing our students to be flexible, adaptable leaders of the 21st century, and in the real world many times we cannot choose our boss, our clients, or the people we work with. Likewise, it wouldn’t be congruent for our students to be with all of their best friends and their favorite teacher all the time (and it is not healthy).
Placing students in groups is something we take very seriously, and invest all of our available resources. Please honor that process by not making special requests for teachers or classmates. We appreciate your support and trust in the decisions made by the ES team.
For the time being, I send my regards and wishes for a wonderful and safe final push in the school year.
-Previous teachers feedback (teachers work hard to ensure diversity in groups considering the child’s uniqueness)
-Student Support Services feedback (they provide feedback about individual cases and group dynamics)
-mixing groups according to gender, academic, social, and emotional development.
After all, information is gathered, classroom lists are developed and students are placed. Each classroom has its own unique, special feel and the teacher works hard to make all students feel welcome.
One of the most important aspects of the JFK mission is to help students work collaboratively with others. The “Guidelines for Community Interaction” document, point #9 addresses its importance and states: “JFK students encourage integration and interaction among all peers.” Part of this integral formation is the formation of new friendships. We are preparing our students to be flexible, adaptable leaders of the 21st century, and in the real world many times we cannot choose our boss, our clients, or the people we work with. Likewise, it wouldn’t be congruent for our students to be with all of their best friends and their favorite teacher all the time (and it is not healthy).
Placing students in groups is something we take very seriously, and invest all of our available resources. Please honor that process by not making special requests for teachers or classmates. We appreciate your support and trust in the decisions made by the ES team.
For the time being, I send my regards and wishes for a wonderful and safe final push in the school year.
Ms. Sarah's Musical Theatre Playhouse presents:
The Lion King
June 10th 3:30-5pm
June 12th 3:30-5pm
Admission is free!
Elementary School Principal
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Middle School
Exciting events
Hello Middle School Community,
To use a cliché...the year has flown by. We are coming to the end, and students are working hard to make sure their grades reflect their work. Please check in with your child about his or her averages, and pay special attention on PowerSchool to any anomalies.
Seventh grade students have received a parent permission slip in their Second Step class about a Social Media study, which includes a short, anonymous survey about their activities online. This is optional, however the answers will help us enrich the Second Step curriculum next year to address cyber citizenship in a more applicable way. Thanks in advance for letting your child take the survey!
I would like to recognize the extraordinary achievement of Ana Janet Vera in 8th grade, who successfully published a book of poetry! Ana, we are very impressed and proud of your accomplishment.
Also, we have some exciting events coming up:
- Thursday, May 30th is our last Piggy Bank Challenge lunchtime sale. The group with the most overall earnings will be invited to speak to the Infrastructure committee and contribute their ideas for the Plaza de las Banderas. Thank you for showing our school your support!
- Friday, June 7th is our “Make Art, Make Time, Make a Difference” social service art auction event in the Elementary Multipurpose Room. At 5pm, 8th graders will be presenting their Social Service portfolios, and at 6pm the auction begins. Seventh and 8th graders must attend, for 6th graders it’s optional.
Have a great week!
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
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High School
Key dates for the end of the school year
I want to take some time to communicate some key dates for the end of the year in High School:
June 3rd - Student’s Day - Last Day of normal classes for 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade
June 4th - June 7th - Voluntary Semester Exams for 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade
June 11th and 12th - SEP PLANEA 9th Grade
June 13th - Last Day of normal classes for 9th Grade (we are still waiting confirmation of the exact SEP Planea Exam Dates)
June 17th - Graduation Rehearsal at 11:00 am for 12th Grade
June 18th - Graduation
June 11-19th - Extraordinary Exam Dates for 9th - 12th Grades
June 4th - June 7th - Voluntary Semester Exams for 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade
June 11th and 12th - SEP PLANEA 9th Grade
June 13th - Last Day of normal classes for 9th Grade (we are still waiting confirmation of the exact SEP Planea Exam Dates)
June 17th - Graduation Rehearsal at 11:00 am for 12th Grade
June 18th - Graduation
June 11-19th - Extraordinary Exam Dates for 9th - 12th Grades
Thank you for your support this year!
Shrek The Musical
The JFK 11th graders are preparing an incredible recreation of Shrek The Musical, featuring a three-meter dragon! Performances on June 5th and 6th.
Do not miss out on this fantastic adventure about love and friendship.
Bob Callahan
High School Principal