Kennedy Sunday School Newsletter

Dear Kennedy High School Families and Community,

What an absolute whirlwind of Irish Pride we experienced this past week! From the classroom to the courts, and from the stage to the pool, our students continue to demonstrate the talent and heart that make Kennedy such a special place.

Our week kicked off with a focus on the future. On Monday, over 30 of our seniors attended the Future Hornet Jumpstart Field Trip to Fullerton College. They explored the incredible opportunities offered through the AUHSD Pledge, our unique partnership with Fullerton and Cypress Colleges that paves a clear, supported path toward higher education.

By Friday, the energy on campus was electric as our ASB leadership students produced the final assembly of the year: the legendary Clash of Classes. After a series of hard-fought games and spirited cheers, the Seniors were declared the overall winners! A special shout-out goes to the Sophomore class for having student teacher Mr. Riggins do a special cameo during their performance; he actually danced AND hit every single move!

Our performing arts department also shone brightly this weekend. Our Choir performed their annual Pop Show on Friday and Saturday. It was a spectacular showcase of vocal talent, concluded by a deeply emotional send-off for our graduating senior singers. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

This week was a major milestone for our sports programs as we wrapped up several Spring seasons. Our Boys Volleyball team, the reigning Empire League Champions, qualified for the CIF Division 3 playoffs, an amazing accomplishment considering we competed in Division 5 just last year. They traveled to Valencia High School to face a team loaded with potential Division 1 stars. While our Fighting Irish lost the match 0-3, we aren't letting that result dampen our spirits. Considering the last time the team was held scoreless was back in March, our Fighting Irish have every reason to be proud of an incredible season.

Our Boys Golf team also had an impressive showing at the Empire League Finals. Based on our season placement, we were able to send four golfers with the best 9-hole averages to compete: Mateo Aguilar, Alonzo Alvarez, Joel Lee, and Joseph Izadi. Out of 24 league qualifiers, both Mateo and Alonzo made the cut during Tuesday's 9-hole tournament to advance to the 18-hole finals the following day. While the competition in our league is incredibly stiff, with only the top four advancing to CIF, our boys represented us well. It has been a phenomenal year for the program, especially as we saw enough growth to host JV matches for the first time in many years. The sport is rapidly growing at Kennedy, and the future looks bright!

To top off a week of hardware, both our Boys and Girls Swim teams clinched the Orange Coast League titles, and our Girls’ Varsity Track team won league as well! We are officially a school of champions. Even though our Spring sports are winding down, we encourage you to come out and support our scholar-athletes at our upcoming home matches. Notably, this Wednesday, May 6th, our Varsity Softball team takes on Valley View HS at home at 3:30 pm. We share any upcoming Championship events that might be scheduled this week on our social media: #KHIGH4LIFE.

As we look to the coming week, we enter a period of high stakes and high appreciation. We are currently knee-deep in Kennedy’s rigorous IB and AP testing schedule, and we wish our students focus and clarity as they demonstrate their hard work. Simultaneously, it is Teacher Appreciation Week. We pause to celebrate our incredible faculty and everything they do to prepare our students for their hopes and dreams. In education, it often feels like we only hear when things have gone wrong; if you have the time, please consider sending a few of your student's teachers an appreciation email to brighten their week!

We also have several opportunities for community recognition and involvement. On Tuesday, May 5th, our winning Winter sports teams will receive recognition at the La Palma City Council meeting at 6:30 pm. On Thursday, May 7th, our Girls Basketball CIF Champions will be honored at the AUHSD Board Meeting at 6:00 pm.

Finally, I invite you to join us for a Kennedy HS Track & Field Community Meeting in the Library at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 6th. We will discuss the voter-approved Measure K project for our new synthetic running track and sports turf. As with any construction project, there will be noise and vibration during normal working hours (7:00 am to 7:00 pm), and we want to ensure our neighbors are informed of the design and scope. We are so excited to break ground and can't wait for you all to see this project get started!

Go Irish!

Warmly,

Poppy Hill-Bonales

Proud Principal, Kennedy High School

Home of the Fighting Irish

With the approval of Measure K funding, we are getting a new track and field stadium! Please come out and learn more about this project and what this means for the community on Wednesday, March 6th at 5:00 pm.

AP testing begins on Monday, May 4th - May 22. Students have received their individual schedules and the test prep sheet. Please make sure you student brings their school issued Chromebook fully charged to each test that they are taking. For morning tests students need to be on campus at 7:30 am and afternoon tests can go as late as 4:30 pm. Students are not allowed to access their phones during tests. Please see the attached schedule and test prep sheet for more information.

Good luck to all of our AP testers!

Test/Prep Sheet | AP Testing Schedule

The Kennedy Class of 2026 will be graduating on Friday, May 22nd at 2:00pm at Western High School. The Senior Letter and Timeline is being presented to all Kennedy Seniors this week in their social science classes.

Please click on the Senior Letter and Timeline to view the Class of 2026 Graduation information. Please click on a Map of Western High School to see parking.

Congratulations to the Kennedy Class of 2026!

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2026 Senior Letter and Timeline.docx.pdf

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TGR is having a family fun night inviting all families from the district. I recommend attending if you want your student to participate in their summer programs! Please click on the flyer to RSVP

This is where you can find special announcements and events from our counselors!

This includes support, classes, webinars, and so much more! Please click on the flyers and attachments below and take advantage of this resource!

This month, College Bound is offering lots of resources for students. Take a look at their offerings below!

Please consider joining the PTSA this year to help foster the connection between the school and the community. Even if you are busy, you can still participate! Take a look at our birthday and graduation announcements available to purchase. We are also hosting a Paint Night! Please click on the flyer to purchase your ticket.