Dear Students,

Welcome to John F. Kennedy High School! We appreciate the decision you have made to join the Kennedy Crusader family. All faculty and staff members are committed to doing all we can to provide you with the best and safest public educational experience possible in the great City of Chicago. We believe in you and your potential. Through willful action, disciplined effort and determination, you will succeed in helping Kennedy realize its mission and vision of preparing you for college and career readiness and success. John F. Kennedy High School is recognized by the North Central Accreditation Association as a community high school offering rigorous and relevant academic programs to all students. This is an exciting year as Kennedy will partner with the University of Illinois at Chicago and District 214 – John Hersey High School to develop a curriculum to maximize each student’s college and career skills development. We will also utilize Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) which will instill in each student the JFK Crusader Way! We will all be challenging all students to get “PRIDE On Your Side!” Crusader PRIDE includes being Positive, Respectful, acting with Integrity, Determined, and striving for Excellence. This mantra was developed in collaboration with Kennedy students and staff.

The Garfield Ridge and Clearing community provides our school with a student population rich in cultural diversity. We know the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect. We take PRIDE in this fact! Our school is stronger as a result of the diversity of perspective students bring with them to school each day. We need you to believe in and support each other as students, classmates and new friends throughout your high school academic, social and extra-curricular activities. We invite you to participate in the many extracurricular activities at Kennedy High School. Be sure to ask your counselor, homeroom teacher, or AVID coach about all of our various clubs and sports programs. Getting involved in school activities is a great way to stay connected to your classmates and make you into a well-rounded student. We not only help you with high school, but we are serious about helping you make a smooth transition toward post-secondary success. Please be sure to visit our College and Career Resource Center in Room 223. We care about you and your future! On behalf of our entire Kennedy High School staff, I wish you the best for a successful 2011-2012 school year! We expect great things from each of you and look forward to helping each one of you reach your full potential.

Sincerely,