Main Office
Creating beauty, having fun, and building community
Most of our extra-curricular activities have a great value for the participants, and among the most impressive is Theater.
It is quite impressive how many studies have shown repeatedly the connection between involvement in drama and theater at school and other successes, including academic success. In fact, one study among high school graduates even showed that students who had been involved in school theater productions had outscored others on their SAT exams (a university entry exam taken by all at JFK). This was the case not only for the language part of the exam but also the math!
Students who participate in theater and drama classes also usually have improved self-esteem and confidence, reading comprehension, general oral and public speaking abilities, and stronger memory/recall skills, but that’s not all. The skills required to learn and perform written plays also helps students to build a greater ability to remain engaged in activities in general, which in turn also helps encourage attendance and improved grades across all subjects.
It is for these reasons, along with the obvious pleasure students and families get from these productions, that we continue to work hard to produce plays each year in each section. This year Gaby Lacuna has joined us to lead our theater projects, and last year we had the pleasure of seeing her first production. The Middle School students delighted us with their version of School of Rock. Like everyone present, I remained completely engaged for the full play, enjoyed the music selection, and was so impressed with the acting and live singing of some songs. Well done everyone! A wonderful example of creating beauty, having fun, and building community all with one activity!
It is quite impressive how many studies have shown repeatedly the connection between involvement in drama and theater at school and other successes, including academic success. In fact, one study among high school graduates even showed that students who had been involved in school theater productions had outscored others on their SAT exams (a university entry exam taken by all at JFK). This was the case not only for the language part of the exam but also the math!
Students who participate in theater and drama classes also usually have improved self-esteem and confidence, reading comprehension, general oral and public speaking abilities, and stronger memory/recall skills, but that’s not all. The skills required to learn and perform written plays also helps students to build a greater ability to remain engaged in activities in general, which in turn also helps encourage attendance and improved grades across all subjects.
It is for these reasons, along with the obvious pleasure students and families get from these productions, that we continue to work hard to produce plays each year in each section. This year Gaby Lacuna has joined us to lead our theater projects, and last year we had the pleasure of seeing her first production. The Middle School students delighted us with their version of School of Rock. Like everyone present, I remained completely engaged for the full play, enjoyed the music selection, and was so impressed with the acting and live singing of some songs. Well done everyone! A wonderful example of creating beauty, having fun, and building community all with one activity!
Adrian Leece
Main Office
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Mercadito Navideño
Institutional Development Coordinator
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Communications
Yearbook photo retake!
We inform you that on December 7th, those students that didn’t get a chance to have their picture taken previously, will be able to do so in a schedule from 8am-1pm in the Elementary Multi-purpose Room. Please come in casual clothing and well groomed.
Mónica Duarte
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
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Sports
Basketball Jaguar Cup from November 24-26th
Ping Pong
9 years and up. Come have fun!
For more information, contact Jorge Luis Hernández.
[email protected]
Sports Results
Sports Team
Mark Dunn
Bob Callahan
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Jaguar Shop
GPS , the perfect tracker for your children…
Its design and size is discreet which makes it ideal to satisfy you tracking and localizing needs for children, senior citizens or any person.
Get it now at the Jaguar Shop!
Get it now at the Jaguar Shop!
The new lightweight fabric long-sleeve shirt is here!
Since you loved the short-sleeve with its soft, lightweight and dry-fit so much, now you can get it long-sleeved!
Come to the Jaguar Shop and take yours!
Do not miss out on this life memory. This year theme was inspired by the wonderful world of literature.
So many students already have theirs. What are you waiting for? Come and get your dry-fit short-sleeve shirt. It’s so light and comfortable!
Nayeli Muñoz
Jaguar Shop coordinator
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Preschool
December events
The holiday season is right around the corner and we are preparing for many fun events. Mark your calendar:
December 6th - Individual holiday photos (wear Xmas clothes)
December 7th - Class photo with Santa (wear winter clothes)
December 11th - Christmas concert JFK Band (internal event)
December 19th - Kinder Pastorela (auditorium 8:00 AM)
December 7th - Class photo with Santa (wear winter clothes)
December 11th - Christmas concert JFK Band (internal event)
December 19th - Kinder Pastorela (auditorium 8:00 AM)
Debra Cortney
Preschool Principal
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Elementary School
JFK grading is evolving to reflect the changing world
JFK parents tell us at workshops and on surveys that they want their children to be happy, possess good values, and be ready for success in the changing world. JFK parents value critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving skills, and they hope their children enjoy learning, know how to learn, as well as develop research skills and communication skills. This is great news because these are the goals of the JFK teaching staff, too.
JFK grading is evolving to reflect the changing world. Grading with quizzes and tests ,and ranges from 50 to 100 no longer reflects what the children’s skills are. That is why we are using a 1 to 4 scale with rubrics as a better and accurate way to measure skills and assign grades to those skills. More commonly now, students will be experiencing performance based assessments. In the JFK grading system, we now focus on giving feedback on the development of the essential elements of knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills, attitudes, and action in order to support our learners as they grow in the attributes of the PYP learner profile. You can learn more about this evaluation philosophy at www.ibo.org.
So what does this mean for children and parents when they look at grades on PowerSchool? First, you will see less grades reported. We used to have more grades reported based on knowledge, and usually described as tests, quizzes, and/or assignments. We still have some tests, quizzes, and assignments, but also projects, performances and demonstrated skills. Parents and students can see the formative assessments graded during a trimester and the summative assessment in all the graded subject areas including reading, language, unit of inquiry (science and/or social studies), math, music, art, physical education, and technology (as well as conduct and responsibility). This is the internal JFK report card. We use the grades gathered for our internal report card to also assign grades to SEP subjects. The science lab, English math, and library classes are really important to support the learning of the students; however, those classes are not formally graded on the report card.
I hope this information helps. Please contact the classroom teacher if you have any doubts about a particular graded assignment or project so that you can support your child in their academic development.
JFK grading is evolving to reflect the changing world. Grading with quizzes and tests ,and ranges from 50 to 100 no longer reflects what the children’s skills are. That is why we are using a 1 to 4 scale with rubrics as a better and accurate way to measure skills and assign grades to those skills. More commonly now, students will be experiencing performance based assessments. In the JFK grading system, we now focus on giving feedback on the development of the essential elements of knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills, attitudes, and action in order to support our learners as they grow in the attributes of the PYP learner profile. You can learn more about this evaluation philosophy at www.ibo.org.
So what does this mean for children and parents when they look at grades on PowerSchool? First, you will see less grades reported. We used to have more grades reported based on knowledge, and usually described as tests, quizzes, and/or assignments. We still have some tests, quizzes, and assignments, but also projects, performances and demonstrated skills. Parents and students can see the formative assessments graded during a trimester and the summative assessment in all the graded subject areas including reading, language, unit of inquiry (science and/or social studies), math, music, art, physical education, and technology (as well as conduct and responsibility). This is the internal JFK report card. We use the grades gathered for our internal report card to also assign grades to SEP subjects. The science lab, English math, and library classes are really important to support the learning of the students; however, those classes are not formally graded on the report card.
I hope this information helps. Please contact the classroom teacher if you have any doubts about a particular graded assignment or project so that you can support your child in their academic development.
Elementary School Principal
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Middle School
Congratulations School of Rock actors
Congratulations to our fabulous actors on their exciting, high-energy rendition of School of Rock last week. We had a packed auditorium on both nights! A special recognition goes to Miss Gaby Lecuna for her hard work and dedication to our students.
We have started working hard in our second trimester now, with many classes finishing up assessments and projects. Our students are getting more mature and responsible everyday, thanks to the example and organization from their teachers. At home, you can help by making sure your child is checking PowerSchool every night. This routine will help with their time-management skills, as well as easing their minds if they are wondering about their grades.
If your child missed out on his or her yearbook photo, there is re-take on Friday, December 7th.
We have started working hard in our second trimester now, with many classes finishing up assessments and projects. Our students are getting more mature and responsible everyday, thanks to the example and organization from their teachers. At home, you can help by making sure your child is checking PowerSchool every night. This routine will help with their time-management skills, as well as easing their minds if they are wondering about their grades.
If your child missed out on his or her yearbook photo, there is re-take on Friday, December 7th.
Camille Casses
Middle School Principal
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High School
JFK Canvas Day
This week, we inaugurate our new tradition and first annual JFK Canvas Day sponsored and led by our Student Council. I would like to thank all the students from each group who presented their mural ideas to the Mission and Vision Leadership Team last week, all the teachers who used their optativa class for students to get organized, and our Student Council leaders for committing to the project despite all the challenges. Thank you to General Director, Adrian Leece, for supporting the project!
To Mr. Jacob, Ms. Chelsea, Mr. Lucas, and Mr. Steve….thank you for all the additional hours working with Student Council and planning outside the school day. You’ve inspired our students to create beauty - to take action - and for that, I am grateful.
To Mr. Jacob, Ms. Chelsea, Mr. Lucas, and Mr. Steve….thank you for all the additional hours working with Student Council and planning outside the school day. You’ve inspired our students to create beauty - to take action - and for that, I am grateful.
High School Principal