The new JFK Football Field is shining green with new artificial turf. Even though it looks finished, some fine tuning is needed to put the finishing touches on the new field. This pristine field remains untouched as the Eagles' football team is practicing on the fields north of the school.
Parent Teacher Conference dates set for 2010-11
It's still plenty early, but not too early to mark your calendars for the Parent Teacher Conference scheduled dates for this coming school year. Parent Teacher Conference dates are as follows: October 7, December 9, February 24, and May 5th (note: these dates coincide with Jefferson High School conferences also).
Bloomington Heritage Days is Sept. 18
Bloomington Heritage Days is a new annual festival celebrating Bloomington's unique and rich community. This event is set for Sept. 18, 2010. By celebrating Bloomington, this event hopes to build a stronger community by weaving together Bloomington's families, neighbors, community group and businesses. There will be activities for all ages at the event. Visit the Heritage Days website for more information. Auditions for a Heritage Days talent show will be held the first days of the 2010 school year.
Heritage Days 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney set
One of the many activities going on at the Bloomington Heritage Days on September 18 is a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament sponsored by the Bloomington Athletic Association (BAA). This tournament is for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Interested players should download and review the following participation forms:
These completed forms, along with the team registration fees, can be returned to the Kennedy or Jefferson Activities Offices. The cost is $75 per team before Sept. 9 and $85 after that date.
BEC TV re-broadcasting
2010 Kennedy graduation
Re-broadcasts of this past spring's Kennedy Graduation are still periodically airing on BEC TV. Check out the broadcast schedule for Kennedy graduation, and follow the links to order DVD copies of the graduation also.These broadcasts are on local cable channel 15.
Kennedy wrestler featured on Ch. 9 TV
Bloomington Kennedy student and wrestler Ben Cousins was featured on a recent Channel 9 Fox TV news segment. The segment, which aired during a recent evening newscast, highlighted Cousins' considerable determination in living with and overcoming autism, especially amidst the sport of wrestling. Cousins is a junior at Kennedy and wrestles at 160 pounds. Here is a link to the story and to the Fox 9 video segment (available only on YouTube, so far).
Athletic forms, fees updated
Student athletes who will be participating in fall sports for 2010-2011 should make sure and fill out all necessary participation forms. These forms have recently been revised and updated and combined into one downlodable PDF file, and are available below. Both Fine Arts and Athletics PDF file (each about 8 to 10 pages) contain ALL of the forms that parents should review, sign, and return to the JFK Activity Office before being able to participate in activities during the 2010-2011 school year:
Feel like experiencing a 'senior moment?' Here it is . . . a quick glance back at some video segments from this past 2009-10 school year at Kennedy High School. Watch the class picture-taking session, some Kennedy events like "Kennedy's Got Talent" show, the student vs staff basketball game (won by the seniors . . .), the Mayhem Poets, some dancing and some cheerleading. It's not everything, but it's a sneak peek back at a fun year.
Donate used athletic equipment Aug. 28
The Education Foundation of Bloomington is sponsoring a day to collect your used athletic equipment. Donations from Kennedy parents can be made at the Activity Center during normal business hours on Saturday, Aug. 28, or view this informational flyer for more sites and other dtes and times. All equipment and/or monetary donations are tax deductible. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Food for Thought (CFT) program, meeting the needs of Bloomington students for the 2010-11 school year. Contact Ann Tillotson at 952-994-6537 if further information is needed.
Events, news, deadlines
Events
Decile Rankings for students available
Decile rankings are available and are automatically and dynamically updated for Kennedy students. The updated reports are posted to the following website link as they are available. These Decile Rankings provide students a glimpse of where they rank (i.e. top 10%, top 20%) in their class, based on their GPAs (grade point averages).This Decile Ranking replaces the straight class ranking as of the 2009-10 year. This decile ranking provides a snapshot approximation using a cumulative GPA deciles report. Read more about this change to decile rankings in this Q & A document.
2010 Senior Transcript Form
Add to the 'list of things to do' for graduating seniors, requesting the very important senior transcript form.This final transcript form will show grades through the end of the senior year. It will be stamped "Graduate" and is a legal document. Click the "senior transcript form" link above to see the form and read why this document is important to have and is important to safeguard. By law, the Counseling Office is not allowed to release your transcript without this written request and permission.
News
Reciprocity forms (for out--of-state tuition) now available
If you are planning on attending a college in Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota students need to complete an Online Tuition Reciprocity Application. Completion of this form will allow you to pay in-state tuition. This form can be found at www.getreadyforcollege.org. Please see Mrs. Mayerle in the Kennedy Counseling Office if you have any questions.
As if there isn't enough news about current Kennedy students, Kennedy alums continue to make news and headlines with their accomplishments:
Erik George (2007 JFK grad) has been elected Student Government President at Concordia College - Moorhead, for 2010-2011. Erik has also been instrumental in spearheading Concordia College's Student Environmental Alliance (SEA), which is a club that has grown from five students per meeting to up to 30. Their campus advisor said he's never seen such interest in environmental issues in the 22 years he's been at Concordia. Read more about this environmental activism here.
Fred Ominde (2006 JFK grad) signed a national letter of intent to play football at North Carolina Central University. Fred played two years of football at RCTC in Rochester, Minnesota, and recently signed his letter of intent with the NCCU Eagles. Read news about his signing at the NCCU sports site and view some of his RCTC football highlights.
Trevor Born (2007 JFK grad) and a junior at the University of Minnesota was named the 2009 William Reed Award Winner. The Big Ten Conference annually honors former commissioner William Reed by presenting this award to a student journalist from one of the 11 Big Ten campuses who, through his or her writing during the previous academic term, best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and dedication to the Big Ten and intercollegiate athletics. A junior journalism major, Born is the beat writer for football and men's basketball at the Minnesota Daily, a post he has held since the second semester of his freshman year. Born was named the 2008 Sports Reporter of the Year by the campus daily publication and has spent time freelancing for the Associated Press. In addition to his excellence as a reporter, Born has also won two academic scholarships through the College of Liberal Arts and a third through the School of Journalism.
Kellen McCrary (2007 JFK grad), a UW-LaCrosse freshman, captured the Division III National Title in long jump for UW-LaCrosse with a jump of 23-6 at the 2010 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships at DePauw University. Kellen (pictured at right) also competes in the triple jump, is a sprinter, and plays football for the UW-LaCrosse Eagles.
Jenna Smith (2006 JFK grad) concluded an outstanding basketball career at Illinois. Jenna was an All Big Ten honoree for three consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010) for the Fighting Illini and averaged over 18 pts. a game for three of her four seasons. She was drafted 14th overall by the Washington Mystics of the WNBA, but was recently waived by that same team, due to injuries. View Jenna Smith's career retrospective.
Do you have some interesting news (academic, fine arts, career, or athletic) about Bloomington Kennedy alumni? Email it to Keith Johnson at Kennedy High School (kdjohnso@bloomington.k12.mn.us). Please include graduation year and any web links to more information. Contact information for the alum would also be helpful. Note: use of any alumni news will be at the discretion of the webmaster.
William Reed Award Winner
Kellen McCrary (2007 JFK grad), a UW-LaCrosse freshman, captured the 