Student-Parent Handbook

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at John F. Kennedy Middle School! I am excited to welcome our returning students and families and to extend a special welcome to those joining the JFK family for the first time.

At JFK, we believe every student deserves meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and succeed. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive, student-centered learning environment where every student is known, valued, and empowered for lifelong success. We will continue to inspire growth, foster innovation, and empower every student to reach their full potential.

Our vision extends beyond academic achievement. We want every student to walk through our doors each day feeling safe, supported, challenged, and inspired. We strive to create classrooms where curiosity is encouraged, learning is engaging, and every student has opportunities to think critically, collaborate with others, and discover their unique strengths. Whether students are excelling in the classroom, performing in the arts, competing in athletics, serving through student leadership, or participating in clubs and extracurricular activities, we want every Star to find a place where they belong and can shine.

Success at JFK requires a strong partnership among students, families, teachers, staff, and the community. We ask every student to come to school each day ready to learn, follow expectations, treat others with respect, take responsibility for their choices, and strive for continuous growth. In return, our faculty and staff are committed to providing high-quality instruction, meaningful relationships, and the encouragement students need to reach their full potential. Together, we will foster a school culture built on respect, responsibility, perseverance, and excellence.

Our theme for this school year is: Be Great. Do Great Things. We are JFK. This is more than a slogan—it is our call to action. It reminds us that greatness is demonstrated through our daily actions, our commitment to learning, the way we treat others, and our willingness to make a positive difference in our school and community. Every student has the potential to achieve great things, and we are committed to helping them discover and develop that potential.

I look forward to an outstanding school year filled with learning, growth, leadership, and memorable experiences. Together, we will continue building a school community where students are challenged to dream big, encouraged to lead with confidence, celebrated for their accomplishments, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves.

Welcome to another incredible year at John F. Kennedy Middle School—where Stars shine bright!

Sincerely,

Dr. Doniethia Williams
Executive Principal
John F. Kennedy Middle School

Mission

John F. Kennedy Middle School provides every student with meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and succeed through an inclusive and student-centered learning environment where they are known, valued, and empowered for lifelong success.

Vision

John F. Kennedy Middle School strives to inspire growth, foster innovation, and empower every student to reach their full potential.

Executive Principal

Dr. Doniethia Williams

Administrative Team

Dr. Marina Soliman, Assistant Principal

Mr. De’Andre Gaines, Assistant Principal

Dr. Chassie Combs, Dean of Instruction

Mr. Jonah Cavalier, Dean of Students

Counseling Team

Mrs. Brandy Seals, Grade 6 Counselor

Dr. Johnetta Mooreland, Grade 7 Counselor

Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Grade 8 Counselor

Mrs. Tarae Manogin, Tier III Counselor

School Directory

School Doors Open: 8:40 a.m.

Breakfast Begins: 8:40 a.m.

Instructional Day Begins: 8:55 a.m.

Students Are Tardy After: 9:00 a.m.

Half-Day Attendance Mark: 12:40 p.m.

Last Early Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.

School Dismissal: 3:55 p.m.

Attendance

All students must be in attendance during the days and hours that school is in session. Students are expected to attend every class and instructional period in which they are enrolled unless they have an acceptable excuse.

There is a direct relationship between a student’s attendance rate and academic success. Under ordinary circumstances, students should not be excused from school unless it is necessary. We understand that illnesses and family concerns will occasionally arise, and we are always willing to work with families when these circumstances become an attendance concern.

Excessive Absenteeism

The primary responsibility for ensuring regular school attendance rests with the parent or guardian. If a student’s rate of absenteeism becomes excessive—more than five (5) absences in a semester—a parent conference may be arranged to discuss concerns, interventions, and supports.

A student may be referred to juvenile authorities for truancy, and/or a parent or guardian may be issued a citation for contributing to the student’s truancy.

Parent Notes and Medical Documentation

Parents and guardians may submit parent notes to excuse up to five (5) days of absence per school year due to illness. Once a student has used all five parent-note days, any additional illness-related absences must be accompanied by documentation from a medical provider to be considered excused for the remainder of the school year.

Absences

Per Board Policy, to be considered an excused absence, the absence must be one of the following:

• Illness or medical reasons
• Medical appointments
• Death or illness in the family
• School field trips
• Religious holidays
• Emergencies

Parents and guardians are permitted to submit only five (5) parent notes per school year. All absence documentation should be submitted within three (3) days of the student’s absence.

Submitting Absence Documentation

Parents and guardians should submit all absence documentation, including parent notes and medical excuses, within three (3) days of the student’s absence. Documentation may be emailed to the school or delivered in person to the JFK front office.

Tardiness

Students are expected to be on time for all classes, including homeroom. Teachers will mark students tardy when they arrive late to class. All tardiness will be treated as unexcused unless the reason is accepted by the principal.

Students who are tardy to class because they were detained by a faculty member must obtain a pass from that faculty member before reporting to their next class. This pass will verify the reason for the student’s late arrival.

John F. Kennedy Middle School is committed to providing a safe, respectful, orderly, and productive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for themselves, others, school property, and the learning environment.

At JFK, our approach to student behavior is firm, fair, and consistent. Students should be recognized for positive choices, provided opportunities to reflect and repair harm when mistakes occur, and held accountable through appropriate interventions and consequences when expectations are not met.

LiveSchool at John F. Kennedy Middle School

JFK uses LiveSchool as part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system to recognize positive student behavior, document behavioral concerns, and strengthen communication with students and families. Teachers and staff may award positive points for behaviors that contribute to a positive school culture. Points may also be deducted when students do not meet school or classroom expectations. Parents and students may view certain data and receive weekly summaries.

Demerits and Referrals

When students demonstrate inappropriate behavior and require redirection, points may be deducted in LiveSchool. If behaviors continue after redirection, a LiveSchool referral may be submitted to document repeated behavior and involve additional support or consequences as needed.

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices are an important part of JFK’s approach to discipline. They help students understand the impact of their choices, take responsibility, repair harm when appropriate, and develop better decision-making skills. Being restorative is about building relationships and connections with students, which can positively impact academic performance and school culture.

The fundamental premise of restorative practices is that people are more cooperative, productive, and likely to make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them.

Progressive Discipline

Once students receive five (5) LiveSchool Referrals, grade level administrators will start to assign appropriate consequences.

Students will generally complete each step twice before moving to the next step. Administration reserves the right to skip steps based on the nature, severity, frequency, or circumstances of the behavior and applicable MNPS policy.

• Community Service — Students perform appropriate service within the school.
• Lunch Detention — Students serve detention during lunch to reflect on behavior and complete assigned reflection activities or academic work.
• After-School Detention — Students complete community service and academic assignments.
• Saturday School — Students complete community service, academic assignments, and reflect on behavior.
• In-School Suspension (ISS) — Students reflect on behavior in Mandatory In School tutoring (MIT) setting, complete academic work, community service, and SEL component.
• Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) — Students serve an out-of-school suspension.

Classroom-Managed vs. Office-Managed Behavior

JFK recognizes that consequences are a natural result of behavioral misconduct but should be paired with additional supports designed to change repeated or chronic misbehavior. Teachers are expected to manage Level 100 behaviors and use appropriate classroom interventions before referring repeated low-level behavior to administration, unless immediate administrative involvement is required.

Teacher/Team Interventions

• Private conference with the student.
• Parent or guardian contact.
• Reset location.
• Loss of privilege.
• Service learning or an opportunity to make things right.
• Classroom peace corner or restorative reflection.

Referral Process

At the third occurrence of repeated Level 100-200 behaviors, appropriate restorative support staff should be notified so additional interventions may be provided, including a student and/or parent contact. At the fifth occurrence of repeated Level 100-200 behaviors, an office referral should be submitted. Administrators will provide feedback to the teacher in a timely manner.

Behavior Levels

• Level 100 Behaviors — Low-level, passive, and/or nonthreatening behaviors. Responses generally do not include removal from instruction.
• Level 200 Behaviors — Behaviors that should be managed cooperatively by the teacher and an administrator. Responses generally do not include removal from school but may include detention or in-school suspension.
• Level 300 Behaviors — Behaviors that significantly interfere with the safety or learning of others, are threatening or harmful in nature, and/or may involve legal violations. Consequences may include ISS or Out-of-School suspension.
• Level 400 and 500 Behaviors — Serious violations that significantly affect the learning environment or safety. Responses may include expulsion proceedings, referral to law enforcement, or other actions required by MNPS policy. If a student is placing themselves or others in imminent danger, staff should immediately contact the front office.

STARS- Restorative Peace Center

STARS is JFK’s designated peace and restorative support room. It provides immediate support for students experiencing emotional challenges who need an opportunity to reset, reflect, and prepare to return successfully to the learning environment. Students may self-refer when appropriate. The goal is to return to class within approximately 30 minutes with strategies, tools, and, when needed, a care plan monitored by appropriate school personnel.

Non-Negotiables

Our focus at John F. Kennedy Middle is to help students develop crucial academic and personal skills needed for both short and long-term success. In order to support students' engagement and ultimate success in passing coursework we will strive to keep interruptions to the learning environment to a minimum. The following is a list of behaviors not tolerated in the classroom and will require intervention by an administrator.

• Fighting
• Bullying-Physical and Cyber
• Hazing
• Sexual Assault & Harassment
• Theft
• Cursing at an Adult or Direct Disrespect towards an Adult
• Elopement
• Threats
• Gang Activity
• Destruction of Property

School begins promptly at 8:55 a.m. School doors open at 8:40 a.m. for breakfast. Please do not drop students off before 8:40 a.m. due to the lack of adult supervision. Students will remain outside until 8:40 a.m., even in the event of inclement weather.

At 8:40 a.m., all students must enter through the front doors and be screened through the Evolv security system before proceeding into the building. After completing the security screening process, students may get breakfast and report directly to their classrooms.

All students must be seated in their classrooms and ready for 1st Block by 8:55 a.m. Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. are considered tardy and must be signed in by an adult in the front office.

The school day ends at 3:55 p.m. Students must follow the dismissal procedures for their assigned mode of transportation and leave campus promptly unless participating in an approved, supervised activity.

No early dismissals will be permitted after 3:30 p.m. This allows the school to maintain a safe and orderly dismissal process for all students.

For early dismissal, an authorized adult must report to the main office, present identification, and follow all student check-out procedures.

Half-Day Attendance

Metro Nashville Public Schools policy requires students to be present for at least half of the instructional day to be counted present for the day. At John F. Kennedy Middle School, the half-day attendance mark is 12:40 p.m.

Families should keep this requirement in mind when scheduling appointments or requesting an early dismissal. Students who are checked out before 12:40 p.m. will be marked absent for the day. Students who are present until 12:40 p.m. or later will be counted as present for the day.
 

Students who ride school buses, along with their parents, are responsible for understanding the rules and consequences related to bus transportation. Riding the school bus is a privilege, and all students are expected to follow the driver’s directions and behave appropriately at all times.

Bus discipline is handled using progressive discipline. If a bus driver brings a student to the office and files a formal complaint, the student may receive a warning for the first offense. Continuous or serious misbehavior will result in the suspension of a student’s bus-riding privileges and may also lead to suspension from school. This policy extends to school bus stops, as they are considered part of school territory.

Bus drivers must approve any requests for additional passengers or transportation changes involving another bus. These requests must be made and approved at least 24 hours in advance of the requested change.

If there is a change in your child’s regular transportation arrangements, please send a written note or contact the school office.

Bus Rules

To receive the privilege of school transportation, a student must be eligible based on the appropriate distance from school and must observe all transportation rules and expectations.

Rules for Boarding the Bus

• Students must be at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.
• Students who must cross the road before boarding the bus must wait for the bus to arrive, wait for the driver to display the proper warning signal, and wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the road.
• Students must always cross the road in front of the bus—never behind it.
• Students must always stand a safe distance away from the road and should never stand in the roadway while waiting for the bus.
• While at the bus stop, students must conduct themselves in an orderly manner, avoid littering, and respect nearby private property.

Rules for Disembarking the Bus

• Students must use the regular service entrance door when exiting the bus and not the emergency exit. The emergency exit is to be used only in emergencies.
• Students who must cross the road after exiting the bus should cross at least ten (10) feet in front of the bus and look both ways to ensure that no traffic is approaching from either direction.
• Students should walk across the road—never run.
• Students may not ask to be dropped off at stops other than their assigned bus stop.

At JFK, we strive to ensure that the school lunch period is an enjoyable and orderly time for all students. To maintain a safe, clean, and positive cafeteria environment, students are expected to follow these basic rules:

• Remain seated during lunch.
• Follow all instructions given by cafeteria monitors and staff.
• Cell phones are not permitted in the cafeteria.
• Clean up your table and the surrounding floor area before dismissal.
• Backpacks are not permitted in the cafeteria.

Additional Expectations

Outside food is not permitted in the cafeteria. If a parent or guardian brings outside food for a student, the parent or guardian will be required to eat lunch with the student in the guidance suite. Outside food may not be brought into the cafeteria.

Yondr Pouches and Locked Tech Tubs

JFK uses Yondr pouches and Locked Tech Tubs to securely store cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the instructional day. During school hours, students are prohibited from using or having visible cell phones, earbuds, AirPods, smart watches, iPads, or other personal electronic devices. Using another person’s phone, lending a phone, or taking pictures or videos are violations.

Daily Expectations

• All personal electronic devices must remain in the assigned Yondr pouch for the entire day; phones must be powered off.
• Pouches are labeled with students’ first and last names.
• Late students must check in at the front office and show staff the secured pouch before receiving a pass.
• Early dismissal students unlock pouches in the front office.
• If a student forgets a pouch, the phone goes to the front office. A parent or guardian must pick it up between 8:40 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.
• Devices may not be removed during the school day, including for instructional purposes.
• Students claiming they did not bring a phone must sign a document confirming this.

Phone Confiscation and Parent Pickup

For second offenses and beyond, a parent or guardian must personally retrieve the phone. This responsibility cannot be transferred to another student’s parent or guardian. Devices may only be collected from office administration during designated office hours.

If a phone is not picked up within five (5) school days, it will be returned to the student at the end of the fifth day. Going forward, the student must turn in the phone to the front office upon arrival each day.

In Case of an Emergency

Students must follow school safety protocols. Students may unlock phones once they reach a safe location and are directed to do so. Emergency phone use requires teacher or administrator approval. Students with documented medical needs may access phones in the nurse’s station.

Consequences and Damaged Pouches

• Refusal to place a device in a pouch results in immediate administrator involvement.
• Damage or attempted damage to a pouch must be reported to administration.
• Administrators may conduct random pouch checks.
• Yondr pouches are school property. Parents and guardians are responsible for a $20 replacement fee for lost or damaged pouches.

Student Responsibility for Personal Devices

Students are responsible for all cell phones and personal electronic devices they choose to bring to school. Teachers and staff will not search for devices that are lost, stolen, or misplaced. JFK Middle School is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal electronic devices brought onto school property.

Metro Nashville Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and secure environment. In addition, a proper learning atmosphere is essential for the education of every student.

MNPS Standard School Attire (SSA) is an effective strategy for promoting appropriate student appearance and behavior—key components of a positive learning environment in which student safety and academic achievement are the highest priorities.

Permitted

• Skirts, shorts, skorts, dresses, etc. that extend below the fingertips
• Leggings of any color or pattern when worn under a skirt, ripped jeans, or dress
• Appropriate footwear; sandals must have a strap around the heel. Athletic footwear is required for PE.
• JFK Star Spirit Wear
• Belts
• Fashion headbands
• Headwear for religious purposes only

Not Permitted

• See-through clothing
• Short shorts
• Clothing that exposes the midriff or undergarments
• Gang paraphernalia
• Head coverings except for religious purposes
• House shoes, pajamas, or clothing designed to look like them
• Flip-flops, slides, or shoes without a heel strap
• Torn clothing above the knees
• Offensive, inappropriate, or profane language or writing on clothing
• Leggings or spandex without appropriate torso coverage
• Blankets

Hoodie Expectations

Students may wear hoodies; however, hoods may not be worn on the head inside the school building. Students are expected to remove hoods immediately when directed by any adult. If a high number of students violate this expectation or repeatedly refuse to remove hoods, administration reserves the right to immediately suspend the privilege of wearing hoodies for all students. Once implemented, no student is exempt. Students who fail to comply will receive immediate consequences.

Enforcement Process

1. Staff members will correct students’ correctable dress code issues without consequence unless a pattern of noncompliance has been established.
2. Staff members will refer non-correctable or repeated correctable dress code violations to administration.
3. Parent will be called, and student and/or parent given the option for parent to bring a change of clothes or student will remain in ISS for the remainder of the day.

• First Offense – Student will contact parent to bring a change of clothes.
• Second Offense – Admin parent notification and contact parent for required change of clothes.
• Third Offense – After-School Detention, documented referral, and parent conference.
• Repeat Violations – ISS and documented referral.

Each student will be provided a locker for school use. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase a lock and keep the locker closed, locked, and clean. Locker combinations should never be shared. The school accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen, or misplaced articles. Trading or switching lockers is not permitted.

Stickers, tape, writing, or other markings on lockers are not permitted. Kicking, hitting, or intentionally damaging lockers will not be tolerated.

Coats and backpacks must be stored in the assigned locker. Backpacks are not permitted in classrooms and must be placed in lockers at the beginning of each school day.

The school reserves the right to inspect student lockers at any time in accordance with Board policy, including canine searches for drugs or other prohibited items.

JFK students are expected to engage in bell-to-bell instruction, complete assigned work, participate actively in learning, and demonstrate academic integrity. Instruction emphasizes rigorous grade-level standards, student discourse, small-group learning, checks for understanding, and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate mastery. All Core classes will average two or more items (summative, formative, or homework) posted with scores in the gradebook every week.

General Grading Procedures

• Each school must have clear, documented grading procedures approved by school administration including but not limited to retakes, multipliers, calculation by point or percent, etc.
• Overall grades are based on work products that address grade/course level content standards.
• For each grading period, grades shall be determined and recorded using multiple forms of assessments in relation to work products, which may include but are not limited to:
  • Oral performance
  • Written performance
  • Quizzes, Tests, Summative Assessments
  • Classwork/Homework
  • Observations
  • Portfolio Assessments
  • Performance Tasks
  • Projects/Presentations
• When assessing standards throughout the year, grades should reflect the level of mastery expected at the time of the assessment.
• Students are allowed opportunities to retake assignments per each school’s retake practice defined in school grading procedures.
• Makeup work for excused and unexcused absences should be submitted within the agreed upon timeframe specified by the school. Makeup work will be graded without penalty when submitted within this timeframe.
• Extra credit will not be assigned.
• Students who verifiably cheat or who do not attempt an attempt an assignment or exam may be given zeros or may be allowed to resubmit the work or similar work per the school’s retake policy.
• In the gradebook the following categories and percentages apply:

Gradebook Categories (6-12)

• Summative Assessments: 90%
• Homework: 10%
• Formative Assessments: 0%

As the school year progresses, we recognize that it is often necessary to provide students with relearning plans and retakes so they can become academically successful.  Listed below are the criteria of the relearning and retake plan for John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Retakes

• Students will be allowed two retakes per summative assessment. 
• Any student can retake an assessment regardless of their original grade.  The student is responsible for asking for the retake.
• All summative retakes must be completed before the last week of any grading period (7 calendar days).
• No retakes will be given for any previous grading periods unless the summative assessment was given during the last week of the grading period.
• Student grades for retakes are capped at 90%.
• Students must complete formative work at mastery level or show clear improvement over time to be allowed to retake the summative assessment.
• Teacher discretion concerning situations where academic dishonesty is involved.
• Summative reassessments may be a different version and/or format from the original assessment.
• The highest grade made will be what grade is entered into the gradebook. 
• With admin approval a teacher may adjust retake deadlines/requirements due to unforeseen circumstances.

Grading Scale

A: 90-100 (Excellent)

B: 80-89 (Very Good)

C: 70-79 (Satisfactory)

D: 60-69 (Needs Improvement)

F: 0-59 (Unacceptable)

Students are expected to be in assigned locations, on time, and actively engaged in learning. Hallway movement should be orderly and purposeful. Students must have authorization to leave class and follow the school’s pass procedures.

Running, horseplay, excessive noise, unauthorized wandering, and other conduct that disrupts the learning environment are not permitted.

Students are only allowed to go to the bathroom during grade level scheduled bathroom breaks and transition. No students will be allowed to use the bathroom for the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10 minutes of class. This will eliminate congestion in the hallway and allow students to settle into class so teachers can start on instruction. Students will not be allowed in the hallway with a hall pass from a teacher.

Administration reserves the right to modify scheduled bathroom breaks if students are destroying the bathroom, vandalizing the bathroom , and not using the allowed transition time to use the bathroom. 

JFK offers students opportunities to participate in athletics, clubs, leadership activities, and other extracurricular experiences. Participation is a privilege and may require satisfactory attendance, academics, behavior, required forms, physical examinations, insurance verification, and compliance with team or activity expectations.

Sports Offered

• Girls and Boys Basketball
• Girls and Boys Soccer
• Girls Volleyball
• Football
• Girls Flag Football
• Girls and Boys Track and Field
• Cheerleading
• Wrestling

All students who wish to participate in any athletic team must have a current physical on file with the school before they are allowed to practice or compete. Physical forms are available in the front office or online through the school website.

We are proud of our student athletes and look forward to a successful and spirited sports season! For more information, please contact the Athletic Director or visit the Athletics section of our school website.

All visitors must follow school check-in procedures, present identification, and receive authorization before entering student areas. Visitors must comply with all MNPS and JFK safety expectations. All visitors must adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a safe environment.

• Visitor’s parking is designated in the parking lot. Additionally, please use the spaces adjacent to the football field.
• Parents & Visitors must use the MNPS Raptor System when visiting campus.
• Visitors must sign in at the front office. No visitor will be allowed to move about the school building or school grounds unescorted. After signing in, please wait to be escorted.
• Wear a "Visitor" badge in the building at all times.
• Schedule parent-teacher conferences and classroom observations ahead of time.