ABSENCES: On the day of a student's absence, it is important that his/her PARENT OR GUARDIAN CONTACT THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE giving the reason for the absence. When this is done and the reason is excusable, the student will be readmitted to class without having to obtain a readmit slip from the attendance office when the student returns to school. When a student is absent for  more than 3 days, it is recomended that the attendance office be contacted in order to request the student's homework. For a list of school phone numbers, please go here

ABSENCES NOT CLEARED: When no parent contact is made, or if the student's absence is unexcused, it will be necessary for that person to bring a note or other verification to the Attendance Office upon return to school and obtain a readmit slip, which will be carried by the student and signed by all of his/her teachers. The readmit slip should be left with the last period teacher. If an absence is not cleared either by a note or by parent contact on the telephone, the absence will be considered a truancy and disciplinary action will be administered. Students have 48 hours from the time they return to school to clear an absence. Failure to do so within the prescribed time allotment will result in a Saturday Work/Study.

If for any reason it is necessary for a student to leave campus, he or she must bring proper verification from parent/guardian. The student must sign out through the Attendance Office before leaving school.

If a student is detained in any office or by a teacher during the day, he or she must have a verified pass to gain admittance to the next class.

ATHLETICS/ELIGIBILITY: Kennedy High School is a member of the Empire League and competes under CIF Southern Section rules. Eligibility rules apply to all games including practice, inter-school scrimmage, league, tournament and play-off games. In order to compete in interscholastic athletics, a student must:

• Be under nineteen years of age by August 31 of the current school year.
• Be eligible scholastically. A student must pass the equivalent of 20 semester credits in the quarter prior to the athletic sport. One of the subjects must be physical education. Also, the students must comply with the 2.0 non-weighted grade point average rule.
• Have met the residence requirement.
• Meet citizenship requirements.
• Not participate in any tryout for a professional or collegiate team
• Not compete or practice with outside teams during the season of sport
• Be an amateur
• Complete a valid physical exam form
• Complete a parent consent card for treatment of injury
• Complete the Kennedy athletic code card signed by both the parent and the student athlete
• Enroll in C.I.F. Student Athletic Insurance Plan or have your parents complete the declaration of insurance waiver form by showing proof of personal insurance.

BICYCLES: A fenced-in area for the storage of bicycles during the school day is available near the student parking lot. This bicycle enclosure is locked shortly after the start of the school day and is opened just before lunch and at the end of fifth period. Students should provide strong locks for their bicycles as Kennedy High School cannot be held responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property.

CAFETERIA: The school cafeteria is available for breakfast and lunch daily. It offers a variety of food and meal choices at very reasonable prices. Breakfast is$1.50; lunch is $2.25.  Meals can be purchased for one week or more at a time. Prepay for 20 lunches and receive one extra lunch free. Applications for a free lunch are available in the cafeteria or school health office.

CLOSED CAMPUS: The AUHSD and Kennedy High School maintains a policy of a closed campus. Students leaving campus or visitors to the campus must adhere to the following procedures:

COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES: 4 counselors, Mr. Bannon, Ms. Yee, Mrs. Bennet, and Ms. Chung, are available to assist students and their parents with questions regarding scheduling, grades, testing, college information and career planning. In addition to coordinating special programs such as GATE, ROP and the testing program, the counselors act as liaisons for resources within the district and the community for students who may be experiencing personal problems. The counseling center is open for students both before and after school, or the student can complete a "Request to See Counselor" form to have an appointment with a counselor during the school day.

GRADUATION: The graduation ceremony is a privilege limited to seniors who have successfully completed all of the district required subjects, have earned at least 230 credits, have successfully passed the district proficiency exams, the high school exit exam, and have earned a grade point average of at least 2.0.

The ceremony is the final dignified gathering of seniors recognizing the culmination of their twelve years of formal education. The standards of behavior for those participation are strictly enforced and any abuse of these standards will result in removal of the offenders.

HOMEWORK DURING ABSENCE: If an absence extends into a period of three days or longer, it is best to call the school and request homework from teachers. Please check the phone numbers section of this site and call attendance to request homework. Then allow 24 hours for the work to be collected before picking it up in the attendance office.

LIBRARY SERVICES/MEDIA CENTER: The library is open from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and is curriculum supportive with books, pamphlets, clippings, and electronic resources, including the Internet. It is staffed by one library teacher, one library technician and several student aides who will assist students in the selection of materials and the use of equipment. Students are expected to be quiet, courteous, and use the library, its resources and computers in a responsible manner.

Library Cards: A student's ID card is the library card that is used to check out library materials. Fines are charged for overdue, damaged and/or lost books.

Library Passes: A student will be admitted to the library during class time with a signed hall pass stating the purpose of his visit. The student may present his pass at the circulation desk and sign the pass "log" book when he enters the library during class time.

Textbook Fines/Charges: Textbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Students are required to sign an acceptance slip indicating the book number and condition. Each student is responsible for his/her textbook and will be issued a charge slip upon exiting the course for any damages incurred to include: writing, torn pages, binding and other related damages (including lost or stolen books). Charges must be paid immediately in cash or money order. Transcripts will be held and/or resignation will be delayed until the payment for textbooks or lost library materials have been received.

LOCKER INFORMATION: Lockers will be issued on a first come, first serve basis during August registration. No choice of location will be available. Students may share a locker, and will keep their same locker all four years. The school is not responsible for any items placed in the lockers, including textbooks.

LOST AND FOUND: Personal property which is found should be turned in to the Activities Office and inquires for lost property may be made there. Books that are found should be returned to the library and all inquires should be made in the school library.

PARKING PERMITS AND RULES: Student parking at Kennedy High School is a privilege, not a right, and should be treated accordingly. Failure to have a parking permit may result in a parking citation or the car being towed away at the owner's expense. Parking permits may be purchased from the Activities Office if the student is eligable and if spots are available.

Kennedy High School is NOT responsible for damage, theft, or vandalism that may occur in the bike racks or in the student or staff parking lots. The faculty lot and designated faculty parking spaces are not to be used by students.

Students who violate safety rules within the parking lot will not be allowed to use the facility and will be subject to the following:

• La Palma Police Department citations
• Towed off the school site at owner's expense
• Parking permit revoked
• School disciplinary action

PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Students who have had perfect attendance for the semester and for the school year will be recognized during the Renaissance activities during the start of each new semester.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLOTHING: Clothing for physical education at John F. Kennedy High School must be purchased through the physical education department. T-shirts are $10, shorts are $10; and combo locks are $5.

PROGRESS REPORTS: In order to provide timely information to parents regarding a student's academic progress, both progress reports (sent if a student is below average, almost failing, or failing) and grades are mailed home on a regular basis. Listed below are approximate mailing dates for the progress reports and grades:

STUDENT INSURANCE: Neither the AUHSD nor Kennedy High School provides accident insurance for students. Therefore, parents must provide their own insurance. All athletes who desire to participate in the Kennedy Athletic program must have verified medical insurance. Accident insurance is available on a group plan for parents and students who desire this form of insurance.

STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Students of the district have the right to exercise free expression including but not limited to the use of bulletin boards, the distribution of printed materials or petitions and the wearing of buttons, badges, and other insignia, except that expression shall be prohibited which is obscene, libelous, slanderous, or material which so incites students as the create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on school premises or the violation of lawful school regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. All materials distributed or posted on the Kennedy High School campus MUST have prior approval by the assistant principal in the student services office.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH AWARD: The purpose of this award, given by the Kennedy ASB, is to give special recognition to outstanding seniors each month as recommended by faculty members.

WORK PERMITS: Students ages 12 through 17 are required to get work permits before starting a job. A work permit may be obtained by contacting Mr. Buie in the Counseling Center.