PATRIOT POST
KENNEDY NEWSLETTER - August 2026
Welcome Back!
Welcome to the 2026–27 School Year!
Dear Kennedy Families,
What a wonderful way to start our year! Thank you for the incredible turnout at Open House last night. It was so good to have our hallways full again and to see so many of our Patriots and their families back at Kennedy. We are grateful for the partnership of our families and excited for the year ahead!
This year, our Kennedy team will be Rooted in Purpose. Together We Thrive. Over the past several years, we have continued to grow together around a shared belief: what we do matters, and together we make a difference for kids. This year, we will stay focused on what matters most- strong learning, meaningful relationships, and creating a school where our students and staff can grow and thrive.
We are also excited to welcome several new members to our Kennedy team:
- Amanda Zielony-Smith – Social Emotional Advocate
- Tim Hammett-1st Grade Teacher
- Jacquelynn Ramer – Primary MAPS Teacher
- Cole Song, April Roberts & Kaylie Peters– SPED Assistants
- Jazmin Gonzalez – EL Assistant
- Lindsey Kingsbury & Kaylene Mahaffey – ESS Assistant
Our mission continues to guide everything we do: preparing our Patriots to be lifelong learners who learn, lead, and serve their community.
We are ready for a great year and so thankful to have our Kennedy families alongside us. Here’s to a year of learning, connection, growth, and thriving together!
With gratitude,
Tiffany Hyden
Principal
August Calendar
31 First Day of School for Grades 1-5 (7:50 AM - 2:35 PM)
1/2 Kinder Soft Start / Family Meetings
3 Kindergarten Half day soft start (either am or pm session)
4&7 Schools Closed
9/8 First Full Day of School for Kindergarten Students
MSD Providing School Supplies for ALL Elementary Students
School Supplies
As in previous years, Medford School District will provide school supplies for all elementary students. Families do not need to purchase items from a traditional classroom supply list.
The supplies students need for learning will be purchased by the district and delivered directly to classrooms, ready for students to use.
We simply ask that each student come to school with:
- A backpack
- A water bottle (if desired)
We hope this continued support helps make the start of the school year a little easier for our families.
Kindergarten Soft Start
The week of August 31st has been set aside for our Kindergarten Soft Start! This is an important opportunity for you to come to school with your kindergartner to meet teachers and staff and discuss your child’s specific needs. We will discuss schedules, transportation, health and safety guidance, and making a successful transition to kindergarten! All information gathered during this appointment is essential for a smooth and positive start to the grade school experience!
Teacher Meet & Greet (includes Student & Guardian) Sessions are listed below- Choose ONE:
Tuesday August 26- 9:00 am-10:30 am
Tuesday August 26- 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Wednesday August 27-9:00 am-10:30 am
Wednesday August 27-12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Soft Start Thursday August 3rd (students only):
9:00am-11:00 am session (last name A-L) or 12:00-2:00 pm session (last name M-Z)
Families of students in Mrs. Hobgood's and Mrs. Ramer's classrooms:
Mrs. Hobgood and Mrs. Ramer will be reaching out to families directly to schedule an individual time to meet, connect, and prepare for your child’s start to the school year. You do not need to select one of the Kindergarten Meet & Greet sessions listed below.
The first official day of school for your kindergartener will be on Tuesday, Sept. 8th 7:50-2:30.
Class Lists
Publicity Denial
Medford School District staff often take photos and videos of students during field trips, school events, sports activities, performances and during classroom instruction to share the work and accomplishments of students. Those accomplishments are shared through the district
website, social media, print publications, fliers and brochures. The district also works with local news media to promote student work, as well as district projects and initiatives.
If you do not want your students’ image to be published, please visit your school office to fill out a Publicity Denial form. We will make every effort to protect the privacy of your student.
Please note, the district cannot guarantee a student’s image will not be published if the student is photographed/videotaped in a large group or crowd setting such as school assemblies, sports events, and public meetings.
Please contact the Communications Department at msd.communications@medford.k12.or.us with any questions.
HELPFUL REMINDERS
- School starts at 7:50 am
- Tardies begin at 7:55 am
- Gates will open at 7:30 and students will either go into the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to our track to walk the track. Classroom doors will open at 7:50.
- Parents must sign in to enter through our gates during drop off time starting the second day of school Sept 1st (grades 1-5) or September 9th (Kinder). After the first week of school we kindly ask that parents remain behind our gates unless approved by the principal.
Students who bring a beverage to school in the AM must go to the cafeteria to finish it. All beverages must be finished before going into the classroom.
Parents Dropping off students- 7:45- in our circle drive. Please use both lanes. We will have staff to assist with students crossing over to the sidewalk. Please do not let students out in the “left” lane where they have to cross the “right” lane until staff are present. The circle drive is continually moving, if you need to come into the office please be sure to park in our parking lot. Please be aware dropping students off too early results in students standing around and waiting.
Student cell phones must remain in their backpacks in the “silent mode”. Students are NOT to use their cell phone during the school day.
Student dress- hats and hoods are not permitted indoors
School ends at 2:35, Kindergarten students 2:30. Wednesday dismissal 1 pm
Contact Information
Email: tiffany.hyden@medford.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.medford.k12.or.us/Domain/15
Location: 2860 North Keeneway Drive, Medford, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 842-3810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyElementaryMSD