About Us

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." --Inaugural address, January 20, 1961

• Presidency term: 1961-1963
• Birth: May 29, 1917
• Death: Nov. 22, 1963
• First Lady: Jacqueline Kennedy
• Political Party: Democratic
• Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the son of Joseph Patrick Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald and the the second of nine children. Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940.

After college, Kennedy served in the US Navy, where he received the Navy Marine Corps Medal for Heroism. When Kennedy was only 29 years old he ran for Congress. He served three terms in the House of Representatives beginning in 1947. Kennedy also served in the U.S. Senate until his presidency.

John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States was the youngest person ever to be elected president. He was also the first Roman Catholic president and the first president to be born in the 20th century. One of the most famous quotes in American history was made by President Kennedy in his inaugural address, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy gave the first live televised press conference, six days after taking office.

Unfortunately, Kennedy was assassinated before he completed his third year as president. He was shot on November 22, 1963, while traveling in a motorcade in downtown Dallas, Texas. His achievements, both foreign and domestic, were therefore limited. Nevertheless, his influence was worldwide, and his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis may have prevented war.

Many Americans admired Kennedy, and perhaps no other president has been so popular. He brought to the presidency an awareness of the cultural and historical traditions of the United States and an appreciation of intellectual excellence. Kennedy eloquently expressed the values of 20th-century America. And because of this, his presidency had an importance beyond its legislative and political achievements.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS

Our school now qualifies for free breakfast for all students under the Community Eligibility Provision. This means that all students will be able to participate in our breakfast at no cost.  We will be taking part in the "Breakfast After the Bell" program. This insures that every student is offered a breakfast after the school day begins. This will also replace the daily snack and milk break, so you no longer need to supply a snack or send money for snack milk. Due to these changes, we will no longer have a "Breakfast Club" before school.

The daily lunch menu is published in the Janesville Gazette, and sent home with each student.

The instructional day for children in grades K-5 is from 8:15 – 3:08 with a 30-minute LUNCH/recess and a 15-minute recess in the daily schedule.

If you are looking to have lunch with your student, please be sure to fill out the volunteer form first. 

Parent Information for Dropping-off / Picking-up Children at School
 

Arrival

Playground supervision will begin at 8:05 am.  Students should not arrive at school before then.

 We do ask all drivers to observe the following guidelines.

• When ever students are present, the maximum speed limit on school grounds is 5 Miles Per Hour.
• Do carpool - this will help reduce the quantity of cars in the front and rear of the school.
• Do teach your children to cross the street only at the crosswalks.
• Do drive carefully when approaching a crosswalk. If the crosswalk has safety patrols, they cannot go into the street to direct traffic.
• Do observe the one-way signs when entering and exiting the two parking lots.
• Do not park in the crosswalk at any time.
• Do not double park or pick up a child in the passing lane of the driveway
• Do remember to Stop - Drop / Pick-Up - Go
• Do not park in the drive and leave your vehicle. Use the parking stalls or park in the street.

Dropping Off Children

• Do drop off all children in a car at one spot rather than two or three different ones
• Do keep the flow of traffic moving by pulling up as far as you can to drop off students
• Do not park between the bus/van signs. These are for handicapped students

All Janesville residents are required by law to follow these and other Janesville City Ordinances:

• 6.04.110 Pets are prohibited on leash or not
• 10.32.030 Obedience to crossing guards - violation with penalty
• 10.36.010 Prohibited acts: It is unlawful to block hinder or retard any street traffic, whether it is vehicular or otherwise including by receiving or discharging passengers from a vehicle in a lane designated for the movement of traffic.
• 10.40.025 No parking, stopping or standing contrary to official traffic or parking sign or marker - No Exceptions.
• 10.40.140 Vehicle left with motor running is prohibited. 

DISMISSAL DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If a student needs to leave the school during school hours, they should bring a note from their parent/guardian to the office, stating the time the student needs to leave and the reason for leaving. A yellow Passport will be issued. This yellow Passport goes with the student to the appointment.and must be signed by the doctor, or dentist. It must be returned to the office when the student returns to school.

If a student comes to school at 8:20 am or after the student must stop at the attendance office so their reported absence may be corrected. The student must take a red Rocket Pass from the office and give it to their teacher.  The confirms the student stopped in the office to correct their absence.

Late Pick Up

If a parent is to be detained from picking a child up at dismissal time, the office should be notified so the child is not left standing outside the doors or at the curb. (The office is open until 4:00 P.M.) Late pickups should be rare. If late pick ups become frequent, Kennedy staff will work with the family to address the issue.

Picking Students up After School

Parents, guardians and others authorized to pick up students may walk up to the sidewalk in front of the building or wait for their students outside their grade level exit doors.

Bike and Skateboard Riding

Children who bring bicycles to school do so at their own risk.The school does not provide special supervision for the bike rack and will not be responsible for bikes that are damaged or stolen.

Bikes are to be parked and locked (students need to provide their own bike lock) in the bike racks provided.Although our safety patrol provides some supervision, bikes are the responsibility of their owners. Bikes and skateboards are not to be ridden on school grounds. Once a student enters Kennedy property, they must walk their bike or carry their skateboards on school grounds. 

Absences / Homework Information   

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

State Statute 118.15 (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/15) requires that all children of school age be in school during all days and hours that school is in session.  Students who must be out of school due to reasons of health or family emergency must return to school with a statement from parents, guardians, or physician to the attendance office.  Parents or guardians are expected to call the attendance office if their child is going to be out of school.  Students who skip a class or a school day or who exceed the 10 day/80 hours of parentally excused days are subject to disciplinary action.  Every time a student reaches the equivalent of 5 unexcused absences (40 hours), a referral to the school resource officer will be made and a truancy ticket (fine) will be issued.  Attendance records transfer with the student to any School District of Janesville middle school.

When a student is absent, it is important that the parent text (608-531-8613) or call (608-743-7530) to leave a message and report the absence as early as possible. If a parent forgets to text or call, the school attendance clerk will make a telephone call to follow-up on the absence.

• The Board of Education policy states that parents must contact the school office when their child is absent. 
• Please give the following information: student’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, reason for absence and if you are requesting homework be gathered.
• Homework requested is not guaranteed to be ready until 3:15pm.
• In addition, parents may provide a written excuse for each absence when the child returns to school.
• After 10 unexcused absences, a student is considered Habitually Truant and a parent / guardian will be required to meet with the school principal and/or social worker to discuss the situation.

When a student is to be excused before the end of the school day for any reason (example: doctor or dentist appointment), a note from the parent must be written to the child's teacher. The office will then issue a yellow passport slip, which must be signed by the doctor or dentist and returned to the school office when the child returns. A parent or the adult who picks up the child MUST come into the school office - NOT the classroom or entryways, and sign the child out of the building before the child can be released during the school day. A passport DOES NOT take the place of a written note from parents regarding illness or other absences. 

After a child has been sick absent from school for two consecutive days our teachers will arrange for homework upon parent request. Parents may call or email your child's teacher and leave a message or send a written request. Homework can be picked up by 4:00 pm the day after it is requested.  Most students can make up their missed work upon return to school.

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center encourages parent-school partnerships and helps strengthen parent-child interactions. Family Resource Centers promote choice, responsibility and independence.

The Family Resource Center is a special place within the school where all parents can stop by, relax, browse, meet other parents, and check out family games, videos, toys, books, community information, and parenting information. Students may also check out items during the school day. We have something for every family to enjoy!

Family Resource Center Guidelines:

• Help find a safe place at home to store and play with checked-out materials
• Depending on the child's age, play/work with him or her so they know how to use these items.
• Due Date: All materials may be kept for 1 week
• Please return materials promptly to the FRC
• Check-out Limit: 1 game &/or 3 books per child
• If books or pieces of a game or toy are lost or broken. please list what is missing on a piece or paper and put it inside the bag or box.

Throughout the district, parenting workshops and family nights are offered. Watch your school newsletter for these events.

Emergency Drills/Evacuation Location

Fire drills are held at least once a month. We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) are held in the fall and spring and classes are assigned a safe place in the basement of the school. “Lockdown” drills are also scheduled twice during the year.

Emergency Drills/Evacuation Location

Fire drills are held at least once a month. We can evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado drills) are held in the spring, and classes are assigned a safe place in the school's basement. “Lockdown” drills are also scheduled twice during the year.

LOST AND FOUND

PLEASE, PLEASE mark your children’s clothing, boots, lunch boxes, etc., with tape or a marker. If they lose any article, please have them check the LOST AND FOUND lockers near the office. The amount of unclaimed lost clothing during the year is tremendous, and we are unable to return many of these articles because of no name. If glasses are lost, please check in the office.

Medications at School / Student Illness/Injury/Emergency Care

MEDICATION POLICY

All medication prescribed by a physician that is to be given at school, requires a permission form giving instructions, dosage, etc., signed by both physician and parent. This form is kept in the office along with the medication.

ILLNESS / INJURY/ EMERGENCY CARE DURING SCHOOL

If a child becomes ill during the school day, the parent will be contacted. If the parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact number will be called about picking up the child. If no one can be reached by phone, the child will remain at school until dismissal time. It is important that you notify the school of any phone number changes.

A. If your child has a minor accident, the following action will be taken:

• First Aid will be administered according to school approved procedures.
• Your child will be returned to class if he/she is all right.

B. If your child is unable to return to class because of illness or minor injury, the following steps will be taken:

• You will be contacted, and when arrangements have been made with you, your child be allowed to leave the school premises.
• If you are not available, the emergency contact number recorded on the student information card will be called. 
• Once contacted, you or the emergency contact will have the responsibility for providing transportation for your child to leave school in a timely manner.
• If we are unable to reach you or the emergency contact, your child will be kept at school and continued attempts will be made to reach you or the emergency contact.

C. If your child is in need of immediate medical attention, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• Transportation to a medical facility will be arranged for your child.
• You will be called. If you cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called.
• When necessary, if you or your designated emergency contact cannot be reached, your child will be taken to a local emergency room.

D. If your child receives a head injury during the school day, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• A letter will be sent home with your child to inform you of the head bump/ injury and a call home will be placed to inform you of the head bump/injury.
• If your child is unable to return to class because of the head bump/injury or if school personnel feel that the head bump/ injury is serious, you will be contacted.

E. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device is available when the need arises.  An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to the heart. For a person who has just experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, the electrical shock from an AED may help save the person's life. Persons on the Emergency Response Team in each school have received CPR and AED training through the American Red cross. These responders will bring the AED to emergency calls in the building.

We need your cooperation in putting this plan in effect for each child. Please insure that the emergency contact information on your child's Student Information Card and emergency contact information on Infinite Campus is accurate. Failure to provide the school with emergency contact information or with any other necessary up-to-date information will give the school district authority to provide emergency care as needed according to school approved procedures.

Emergency Procedures

Fire drills are held once a month.  We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) and lockdown drills are held in the fall and spring. Students are assigned a place in the building with their classmates and are taught how to assume a safe position in the event of such an emergency. Lockdowns are practiced twice a year with the staff and students. In a case of a lockdown, students will be kept at school and released when the "all clear" has been given by the municipal authorities.

Campus Messenger will service as our primary means of notification to let parents know when students will be released. 

Visitors / Volunteers/ Chaperones

VISITORS

We encourage the experience of watching your child interact with others in a learning environment. We also know that when parents visit the classroom, they foster a sense of cooperation between parents and teachers.  Parents are requested to contact their child's teacher in advance to seek approval to schedule a classroom visit.  All visitors must sign in with the school office and wear a visible visitor's Badge during their stay.

For safety reasons, visitors who are participating in classroom activities or chaperones on field trips, etc. must complete a volunteer form for approval. Approval is good for the current school year, with a background check each following year.  Approved visitors must stop into the office to sign in and receive a visitor's badge.   

The final decision to accept or deny a visitor to the school, a classroom or on a field trip rests with the designated building or district administrator. 

Parents wishing to have lunch with their children must sign in with the school office and wear a visible visitor's badge during their stay, proceed directly to the lunch area, and sign out in the office after the lunch period.

Student visitors are allowed only with prior district approval, and teacher and principal permission.

For additional information on visiting or volunteering at your child's school, please refer to

• Board Policy 1230 and Administrative Regulation 1230.1 - Volunteers in Schools;]
• Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 - Visitors to Schools
• Board Policy 1241 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 Registered Sex
  • Offenders. The school District of Janesville recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of all students and will take appropriate precautionary measures in situations where the District has been notified that a registered sex offender wishes to visit a school building or persons on school premises. 

For a volunteer/visitor form please visit our Community Page 

Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines

Thank you so much for volunteering to chaperone for Kennedy Elementary School field trip. Please read and follow the guidelines below to help ensure a safe and successful experience.

• Chaperones are required to follow current District and Rock County Health Department mandates, including the wearing of face masks 
• If you find out that you cannot be a chaperone, please contact the teacher immediately so other arrangements can be made.
• Stay alert to the whereabouts / activities of your group.  "Count heads" FREQUENTLY.
• Avoid being distracted by conversations with other adults.
• Remember that you are setting an example for the children, so please be respectful to the visited area and enforce school rules.
• Follow the directions of the teacher in charge.
• Refrain from drinking, smoking, bringing weapons or using profane language during the field trip. 
• Verbally correct students in a calm manner who are not following the rules (Please walk. Please do not talk during the performance, etc.) If the behavior continues, advise the classroom teacher of the problem.
• Follow the bus rules.
• Wear appropriate attire. Be sure all slogans on clothing and hats are suitable for the elementary school environment.  (NO adds for liquor, smoking materials or inappropriate language.)
• Smoking at a school activity is prohibited by law.
• For safety reasons and due to liability concerns, no siblings or other children will be allowed to accompany a chaperone.
• Supervise public bathrooms very carefully.
• Because this is a school-sponsored trip, all students must stay with their assigned group and chaperone.
• If possible, please bring a cell phone with you for emergencies. Please provide that number to your child's teacher prior to the trip.