Parents support
Research clearly tells us that parental involvement in school really does help their children. Children with involved parents tend to have less behavioral problems and better academic grades.
Research also tells us that parental involvement at school decreases, as the children get older, with far less ‘High School parents’ attending school events as ‘elementary parents’.
Parental involvement in school life should be far more than just helping with homework or agreeing to talk with the teacher when your child has a problem or concern.
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.
• Back To School: these talks are the most traditional and help parents become orientated to the new grade level and basic expectations for the year.
• 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 and 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 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 grown 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. Do not 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 advice 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.
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
Anonymous
Research also tells us that parental involvement at school decreases, as the children get older, with far less ‘High School parents’ attending school events as ‘elementary parents’.
Parental involvement in school life should be far more than just helping with homework or agreeing to talk with the teacher when your child has a problem or concern.
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.
• Back To School: these talks are the most traditional and help parents become orientated to the new grade level and basic expectations for the year.
• 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 and 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 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 grown 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. Do not 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 advice 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.
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
Anonymous
Adrian Leece
General Director
DIBELS and PELI
This week, our support teachers are applying the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and PELI (Preschool Early Literacy Indicators) to K3 and K2 students. These measures from the United States help us prepare students to become proficient readers in English.
Firefighters
We are talking about what it means to be caring and support others in our PYP units of inquiry. This week, we will be practicing this by supporting the Queretaro Firefighters with donations. We will also have the opportunity to learn more about their work when they visit our school on Friday, September 21st. You are welcome to come dressed in red or firefighter outfits (if you already own one) on Friday to welcome our visitors.
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
Tips for an emergency plan
The JFK School has an emergency plan to keep students safe from threats of violence or natural disasters and, in fact, we will practice this week. JFK families should have a plan, too. Preparation is key to help you remain calm and act fast in an emergency. Here are some tips:
- Talk it out. Discuss, in an age-appropriate way, the emergencies your family might encounter.
- Memorize the essentials. Make sure your children know their full name, address, phone number, and parents’ full names. Teach your children how to dial 911, but stress that they should only do so in case of an emergency.
- Make a plan and practice the plan. Create your family’s escape plan to be used in case of a home emergency.
- Build a disaster kit. Make sure you have a stocked first-aid kit at home, and gather the supplies for an emergency kit, including water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, medicines, and batteries.
- Talk it out. Discuss, in an age-appropriate way, the emergencies your family might encounter.
- Memorize the essentials. Make sure your children know their full name, address, phone number, and parents’ full names. Teach your children how to dial 911, but stress that they should only do so in case of an emergency.
- Make a plan and practice the plan. Create your family’s escape plan to be used in case of a home emergency.
- Build a disaster kit. Make sure you have a stocked first-aid kit at home, and gather the supplies for an emergency kit, including water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, medicines, and batteries.
Mark Dunn
Elementary School Principal
Extracurricular activities
Hello Middle School community!
Now that the extracurricular clubs have started, there are even more opportunities for students to get involved. So many elements of the IB Community Profile connect to these fun clubs. It’s no wonder how they enrich Middle School life!
For example, if you consider yourself a Thinker, talk to Mr. K in the 6th grade. He is the advisor for MathCounts; a club that uses teamwork and concentration to complete math problems competitively. If you are Balanced, consider joining Miss Lupita in the Student Council. The Council works on projects to connect students, improve the section and have fun!
If you look in the mirror and see Risk-taker, try MiddleMUN, our Model UN club. Miss Tania, Miss Raisa, and Miss Ana can help teach you debate procedures, and you can compete at other local schools while learning about global issues.
Finally, perhaps you see yourself as Caringand a Communicator. Then, the National Junior Honor Society might be the perfect place for your talents. It works on projects that showcase the four pillars of the Society: Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Talk to Mr. U to learn about the pre-requisites.
These extracurricular offerings are key in making Middle School such a great place to be!
Now that the extracurricular clubs have started, there are even more opportunities for students to get involved. So many elements of the IB Community Profile connect to these fun clubs. It’s no wonder how they enrich Middle School life!
For example, if you consider yourself a Thinker, talk to Mr. K in the 6th grade. He is the advisor for MathCounts; a club that uses teamwork and concentration to complete math problems competitively. If you are Balanced, consider joining Miss Lupita in the Student Council. The Council works on projects to connect students, improve the section and have fun!
If you look in the mirror and see Risk-taker, try MiddleMUN, our Model UN club. Miss Tania, Miss Raisa, and Miss Ana can help teach you debate procedures, and you can compete at other local schools while learning about global issues.
Finally, perhaps you see yourself as Caringand a Communicator. Then, the National Junior Honor Society might be the perfect place for your talents. It works on projects that showcase the four pillars of the Society: Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Talk to Mr. U to learn about the pre-requisites.
These extracurricular offerings are key in making Middle School such a great place to be!
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
Student Council
Congratulations on an impressive first event to unify four generations of High School based on cooperation and our new school values. You impressed faculty with your organization, attention to detail, and efficiency as you only had two weeks to prepare for such a large event!
In the coming weeks, I will also be publishing important information about our College Fair and the way we are structuring it this year so our students can see what amazing opportunities are out there for JFK students!
Some upcoming events:
- College Thursday: Panamerican University (UP) at 14:20 hrs on the High School Patio
- 12th Grade Parent Meeting for Class Trip to Nayarit: Monday, September 24th at 8:00 hrs.
- 10th Grade Parent Meeting for Class Trip to Valle de Bravo: Tuesday, September 25th at 8:00 hrs.
Bob Callahan
High School Principal
Informative meetings
This week we’ll have the following Informative Meetings of Preschool Motor Workshops:
- Cachibol (based on volleyball), Mini Basketball, Psicomotricidad (psychomotor activities), Ballet 1 and 2, Coed Soccer Team and Tae Kwon Do
Date and place: Wednesday, September 19, 13:00 hrs, Middle School Multipurpose Room.
- Male Soccer Team 2013 (K3) Mini Jaguars Blue and White, Male Soccer Team 2014 (K2)
Date and place: Thursday, September 20, 13:00 hrs, Middle School Multipurpose Room.
- Cachibol (based on volleyball), Mini Basketball, Psicomotricidad (psychomotor activities), Ballet 1 and 2, Coed Soccer Team and Tae Kwon Do
Date and place: Wednesday, September 19, 13:00 hrs, Middle School Multipurpose Room.
- Male Soccer Team 2013 (K3) Mini Jaguars Blue and White, Male Soccer Team 2014 (K2)
Date and place: Thursday, September 20, 13:00 hrs, Middle School Multipurpose Room.
Fernando López
JFK Sports Coordinator
Electronic Waste Campaign
September 24 to 27
Mexico generates around 1.032 million tons of electronic waste annually and recycles a little less than 17%.
Electronic waste contains pollutants that cause harm to human health, some associated with cancer, and if the electronic waste is burned or not properly recycled, highly toxic substances are produced. This is why it is so important to gather electronic waste and recycle it properly.
We invite you to participate in our annual campaign of Electronic Disposal. Bring the appliances you do not use at home and we’ll take care of recycling them.
"Each kilogram of recycled electronic equipment is equivalent to one kilogram of unused fuel, one kilogram of unburned garbage, buried, thrown into the sea, or illegally exported to other countries."
*We highly recommend deleting any data contained in your electronic equipment to avoid misuse of your personal information.
Luz Arredondo
Environmental program coordinator
Download our new JFK app
We invite you to know and download our new app in 4 simple steps. You will be able to read the bulletins, newsletters, school calendar and receive important school notifications.
Mónica Duarte
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Marketing and Communications Coordinator