Our kids and their academic life
Research clearly tells us that parental involvement in school really does help children. Children with involved parents tend to have less behavioral problems and better academic grades.
Many studies have also shown that parents become less involved at school as children get older, with far less parents of high school children willing to get connected at school as those of younger children. This in itself is such a shame, especially when we can all recognize that adolescence can be a very difficult and dramatic stage of development for many young people. It is very important to support your child when there are issues at school, but never knowing about the achievements and involvement in their work, and even what they actually do at school, is far from providing a solid parental balance.
To support parents in becoming more involved in school life we have established a series of different ‘talks’ that offer a range of opportunities for all to come in and become more involved. We have just completed the first series of these, “Back to School”, which are aimed at helping parents become orientated to the new grade level and basic expectations for the year.
This week we are beginning our first conferences and talks, and to explain the purpose between these and the others, please read this simple outline:
- Coffee Talks: each year principals and other key educational leaders will offer talks for parents on specific educational issues. These include explanations for the IB, new assessment procedures, and similar subjects. Attending Coffee Talks provides you with a chance to understand more about the academic life of your child, the great programs in which your children are participating.
- Parent Talks: these have been selected by request from parents, and we have looked for experts from around Mexico who can best guide us on each topic. The intention behind this program is to provide parents with advice and a deeper understanding of social and emotional issues surrounding the students in today’s society. Dealing with bullying, understanding the challenges of the alcohol culture, managing the dangers of the internet at home… these are all the types of subjects that our expert guest speakers will deal with. Attending these talks help parents to build on parenting skills to help support your children as they grow and meet new challenges in their life. (We always welcome new ideas for subjects that can help us as a community!)
- Career Talks: these talks involve community members, alumni, and parents who have interesting careers or wish to share with older students the challenges and advantages of their line of work. These are not only for the students and parents are always very welcome. Don’t wait until your child is in 12th grade to begin helping them to sort through the massive array of options for careers and study that exist in today’s world!
- Informational meetings: these are usually to advise on trips, sporting opportunities or other such occasions that are on offer to your children and that otherwise you may not get to hear about.
There are many other ways to help your children and the school with your involvement. We have a volunteer service, social service projects, offering time to help in our library and some other departments as a volunteer; as part of the school governance process or by offering expertise and support in the many areas of professional knowledge that can help keep our school as the number one educational choice in Queretaro.
But beyond volunteering to the school, please just take note of the various events and talks to which you are invited by email, and whatever the grade level of your child, just remember that by attending these talks you can gain valuable support to help you become more involved in your child’s life and help build stronger family bonds.
“Going together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success”
Henry Ford
Adrian Leece
Main Office
"Family and Self protection before new challenges"
Date: September 25th
Place: Elementary School Multipurpose Room
Time: 8:30 am
Time: 8:30 am
Speaker: Walter M. Farrer
- We still have places for our Extended Learning activities and/or for our sports training, if you are interested and you have not yet registered go to the Extended Learning offices with Fe García [email protected] and/or the Auditorium with Paty Serment [email protected] of JFK Sports.
- JFK Sports medical certificates. We remind you that the due date for the certificates is September 20th at the latest.
- Flag Football program will begin on October 14
- Cheer & Dance Team: Elementary School Monday & Wednesday 6-9 years (3:15 - 4:45),10-12 years (4:50 - 6:20)
Join us!
Sports Team
- From September 17th through the 20th, we’ll be having a Firefighters Campaign to collect food for the 5 stations in the city.
- Leave your donations at the entrance. Thank you so much.
Luz Ángela Arredondo
Environmental Program Coordinator
- Firefighters: We are excited to welcome the firefighters to our campus this Friday, Sept. 20th.
Please come dressed in red, and we will be collecting supplies to donate to them. The firefighters
will be supporting our K2 unit of inquiry by describing how they work as a team to keep people safe.
K1 Toothpaste
K2 Bar soap
K3 Toilet paper - Positive Discipline Workshop
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
Elementary School
- The voice of the student is an important part of being at the John F. Kennedy, the American School of Queretaro. Student Council is an excellent medium to hear their voices, ideas, and concerns.
ES Student Council has been elected and they are ready to:
*act as the voice of 592 constituents
*lead service learning projects
*build school spirit
*conduct meetings using parliamentary procedure. - I am very proud to announce the Student Council 2019-2020. Also, I congratulate all students who gave speeches because they were risk-takers to stand in front of their classmates, speak from their hearts, and share great ideas.
- The JFK ES Student Council is:
President: Macarena Soto
Vice-President: Pia Villareal
Secretary of State: Amanda Zuñiga
Treasurer: Renatta Hawayek
Vice-President: Pia Villareal
Secretary of State: Amanda Zuñiga
Treasurer: Renatta Hawayek
4A Representative: Alexa Rocha
4B Representative: Santiago Junco
4C Representative: Valeria Costal
4D Representative: Andrea Xihuitl
4B Representative: Santiago Junco
4C Representative: Valeria Costal
4D Representative: Andrea Xihuitl
Mark Dunn
Elementary School Principal
- Thank you, parents, for following protocols for requesting meetings! Our administrative staff is able to solve problems and provide efficient service.
- Sixth grade students are being very responsible with their Chromebooks, following teachers’ instructions and charging them at night at home. In this recommended phase, we know that not all families have purchased the Chromebooks. Teachers will not penalize those students who do not have one; they will provide equitable learning opportunities.
- Chromebook use is organized around MYP units and lessons planned, and it’s designed to enhance learning and skills, not replace paper and pencil. Students may not be using their device in every class, every day.
- Congrats to the House members who are in the Chess Tournament, which will end next week. Currently, North is still in the lead but maybe the Chess winner changes everything!
- Congratulations to the newly elected Student Council officers:
- Spokesperson: Luisa Fernanda 'Fernie' Herrera,
- Events: Nyah K.,
- Treasurer: Maro C.,
- Secretary: Ana Lucia S.,
- Vice-president: Valentina d.,
- President: Natalia P.
I know you will have a great year.
Thank you so much to the PTA for the delicious buñuelos. We love those Mexican sweet treats!
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
- Coffee Talk: Navigating the JFK College Fair - Wednesday, September 18th from 8:00-9:00 in Elementary Multipurpose Room
- Personal Project Boot Camp - 10th Grade Students
- Jaguar Induction Program Topics for 9th Grade - Self-Esteem
-
Interested in studying in Spain? Come see what some Spanish Universities have to offer! Monday, Sept. 23rd from 11 am to 12:30 pm, UNITOUR will be in the Multi-Purpose Middle School Room! Students and Parents are welcome!
Bob Callahan
High School Principal