Kennedy News

Dear Kennedy Families,

The first couple months of the school year have flying by at Kennedy! We have had so many great things happening in the first 30 days. During this time, our Cubs have been working hard on their academics every day. Additionally, we have celebrated our first students of the month, we met our fundraiser goal, we had a great open house, and we had our annual tailgating party. What a great start to the year!

As we move into November, we have some great things coming up! The most important dates to have on your calendar are conferences and Thanksgiving break. We we will have conferences on November 16, 17, and 19 from 3:20 PM to 8 PM. There will be a conference sign up link emailed to families in early November. Also, mark your calendar for Thanksgiving break. We are off of school from Tuesday, November 24 - Friday November 27. We are back to school on Monday, November 30th.

Thank you all so much for your partnership!

It’s GREAT to be a Cub!

Steve Rustad

Kennedy Principal

srusta1@isd77.org

Kennedy B.E.S.T.

Be Safe - Engage - Show Empathy - Together WE are Kennedy!

We recently celebrated our September Students of the Month. Students of the Month are selected by their teachers for showing their Kennedy B.E.S.T. at school. Congratulations to all the students selected for the month of September!

At Mankato Area Public Schools, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. To ensure our preparedness for various emergency situations, we will be conducting a safety drill known as "Lockdown" on Thursday, 10/29/2026.

Purpose of the Drill: “Lockdown” is designed to prepare students and staff for an exceedingly rare circumstance - when an intruder enters the school premises. During this drill, teachers will follow specific safety protocols, including locking classroom doors, turning off lights, moving individuals away from windows and doors, not opening doors, instructing students to remain silent, and ensuring that students remain out of sight.

Opt-Out Option: We want to inform you that, as per Minnesota Statute 121A.038, parents have the option to opt their student(s) out of this required safety drill. If you choose to opt your student out, please notify the school office. You will be able to pick up your student(s) 30 minutes before the drill begins and return them 30 minutes after it is completed. This absence will be excused, and no adverse actions will be taken due to their absence.

Special Considerations: If your student has experienced violence or trauma that participating in this drill might reactivate, we kindly request that you notify the school office. We are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodations to ensure the emotional well-being of our students.

Our Commitment to Safety: Rest assured that these drills are conducted with the utmost care and attention to safety. Our staff is well-trained to oversee the process, and our primary goal is to equip both students and staff with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations.

We sincerely hope that we never have to put this training into practice, but preparedness is an essential aspect of ensuring the safety of our school community.

Contact Information: Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the lockdown or our school's safety procedures, please feel free to the principal, Steve Rustad, at srusta1@isd77.org. We are here to address any inquiries you may have and to work together to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for our students.

Snow season is just around the corner! In preparation, here is an important resource that is available on the ISD77 website for your review:

Weather Related Information - includes details on where to find out about weather related closings and late starts. Please note the MAPS Notification Line: 507-387-6046.

Please contact the Kennedy office with any questions or concerns.

Kennedy Families,

Every day at school matters. When students attend school regularly and arrive on time, they have more opportunities to learn, build friendships, connect with their teachers, and feel like an important part of our school community.

We understand that illnesses, appointments, family needs, and other unexpected situations happen. Our goal is not only to track attendance, but also to work with families to help students be at school as much as possible.

This year, we are strengthening the way we support student attendance. Families can expect:

• More communication: We will reach out more often when we notice attendance concerns. Early communication helps us work together before missed days become a larger concern.

• Support when needed: If something is making it difficult for your student to attend school, please let us know. We can help connect families with school and community resources for needs such as transportation, health care, routines, or other challenges.

• Written verification of absences: After a student has reached 5 unexcused absences or 10 excused absences, written medical verification will be required for future absences until further notice.

• Attendance Support Plans: When attendance becomes a concern, school staff will work with families to create a plan. Together, we will identify challenges, set goals, and decide what supports may help improve attendance.

Families are important partners in building strong attendance habits. Regular bedtime and morning routines, preparing for school the night before, scheduling appointments outside of the school day when possible, and making attendance a priority can all make a difference.

If your student is having difficulty attending school regularly or arriving on time, please reach out to us. We want to listen, understand what may be getting in the way, and work with you to find solutions.

Thank you for your partnership in helping every student be here, on time, connected, and ready to learn.

It's GREAT to be a Cub!
Steve Rustad
Kennedy Principal

We’re excited to announce that our PTO now has a NEW WEBSITE!

We’ll still continue to share updates, reminders, and announcements here on Facebook, but we wanted to create a place where ALL families—including those who aren’t on Facebook—can easily find PTO news and information.

The Kennedy PTO is a great committee that supports our school by hosting events that celebrate the school community and connect families to each other. Learn all about the PTO through the Kennedy PTO Facebook page. Click the button, give the group a like, and follow the group to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Kennedy!

The purpose of Title I, Part A under the Federal ESEA Act is to supplement services to students to help them learn what they need to know to be successful on high academic standards. Kennedy is a Title I school, meaning we receive additional funding to provide supplemental interventions or services to students.

Start the new year with some new Kennedy gear! Now is the time to shop! All orders will be shipped directly to your home and 10% will come back to our Kennedy PTO.

• November 3rd - PTO Meeting 6 PM - 7 PM
• November 5th - Picture Retake Day
• November 11th - Early Release
• November 13th - No School - Teacher Prep Day
• November 16, 17, & 19 - Conferences from 3:20 PM - 8 PM
• November 24, 25, 26, & 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break