This is your go to page for information. Check this page often for updates.
Cap and Gown orders can be picked up from the Main Office. If you have not yet ordered your cap and gown you must do it immediately in order to have one for graduation. Information on how to order is listed below. If you only need a tassel for your cap those are also available in the Main Office. The cost is $10.
Senior Check list
| Order Cap and Gown | There is a late fee for orders after January 2024 |
| Prom | Saturday, May 11. Tickets must be purchased before the event |
| Submit photo for “Then and Now” slideshow | Due May 13 |
| Graduation Rehearsal | Thursday, May 23, 1-3pm |
| Graduation Ceremony | Thursday, May 23, students should arrive at 6pm |
Senior Slideshow
Seniors are invited to submit photos for the “Then and Now” slideshow that will be played before the commencement ceremony. Seniors should upload a baby/child and a recent photo (does not have to be an official senior photo) at: https://forms.gle/m7VLBe1PTeTm22Nb8 . Pictures are due no later than Monday, May 13th so we can get them included.
Graduation
Graduation will be Thursday, May 23rd at 7pm. The ceremony will be downtown at the Powerhouse Center. There is no admission charge for general seating on the upper level and everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets for reserved seating on the floor level will be available at the PowerHouse Box Office beginning May 1. The cost is $5, cash only and are only available for purchase at the PowerHouse center. The box office hours are: Monday – Friday 10am -1pm, 2pm -5pm. Wednesday the box office is only open in the afternoon. The box office is not open Saturday or Sunday.
Graduation rehearsal will be from 1-3pm on the same day. Students must attend the rehearsal if they are going to participate in the ceremony. You will not need your cap and gown at rehearsal.
Senior Recognition
Senior Recognition was Sunday, April 21st at 3pm. If you would like a copy of the final program with the student names, we have copies in the Main Office.
Senior Meetings
There will be several Senior Meetings throughout the year. Each meeting will have important information students need to know as a Kennedy Senior. They will usually be held during Homeroom. The slideshow from the meetings will be posted here when available but it is always best to attend in person so that any questions can be fully answered. Topics covered include: ordering cap and gowns, scholarships, prom, commencement, post graduation information, and more. In addition, in the spring, a letter is mailed out to all seniors and their parent/guardian with end of the year information.
Friday, October 6 Senior Meeting – If you missed the meeting, please check out the slide deck for important information. Herff Jones packets are available in the Main Office and Counseling Office.
Friday, March 22 Senior Meeting. Here is the slide presentation of the meeting. If you have questions, please contact the Main Office- Slide Show.
Cap and Gown
Students must have a cap and gown to participate in the graduation ceremony. You can borrow one from a friend or sibling or you can order one from HerffJones. Please do not use other vendors as the color might not match. Order forms can be picked up from the Main Office or you can order online. Click the button below for the link. Make sure to choose John F Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. Please order by January 2024 to avoid rush shipping fees. Herff Jones also has additional senior items for optional purchase including class rings, t-shirts and hoodies, announcements and more.
Scholarships
There are many scholarships available to all students. Check the daily announcements, the Counseling board, your counselor, Mrs. Koch, and the Scholarship page for other opportunities. In addition, Kennedy High School has many scholarships and awards specific for our students. Click on the buttons below for the links.
Prom
Prom will be Saturday, May 11, 2024. The theme this year is Masquerade Ball. The cost for the dance is $30, the cost for the Post Prom party is $10. Tickets must be purchased in advance, there will be NO tickets sold at the door. There is no charge for the Grand March.
Grand March-4-6 pm
Prom- 7:30-10:30 pm at the Czech Museum, 1400 Inspiration Place SW
Post Prom- 11 pm – 2:30 am at Kennedy High School
Click on the link below for information on purchasing tickets and volunteering.
Senior Pictures/Yearbook
Each year, seniors are invited to submit their senior picture for the yearbook. These can be, but do not have to be professional photographs. If you are having professional photos taken, they can submit the photo for you. If you take the photo yourself, please no selfies and do not edit it before submitting. The yearbook staff also has a studio where they can take your photos. The deadline for submitting your photo is usually mid January.
In addition, you can submit other photos that you would like to see in the yearbook. Photos must be “actual size” or the largest size possible, do not edit before submitting, and wherever possible, identify the people in the photos.
Seniors are also invited to submit an appropriate Senior Quote. Be watching for your opportunity to do this.
To purchase a yearbook, click on this link and in the search box type in “Kennedy Cedar Rapids”. Yearbooks must be purchased by mid May, and if you order before mid October, there is usually a discount. Yearbooks will be distributed the end of the school year. There will be a spring sport insert available in the fall.
Yearbook Senior Ads can be purchased to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. Revenues from ads help our school create a better yearbook. Ad sales are handled by Jostens, the publisher of the yearbook so all questions and content should be sent to them. Click here to purchase an ad from Jostens. Choose your ad size and layout, enter your text, and upload your photos. Easy!
CPR
The Healthy Kids Act requires that every high school student receive CPR training by a certified instructor prior to graduation. We offer several opportunities to complete this requirement and dates will be communicated through the daily announcements. This is not a complete CPR course and no certificate will be given.
Outside CPR courses taken can fulfill this requirement. Bring your certificate to the Counseling Office and they will update your record. If you do not take the course at Kennedy, you must arrange to take an outside course to fulfil this requirement.
To check if you have completed this requirement, log on to your Infinite Campus account. Click on Documents. Under “Other” click on Academic Progress. Click on Academic Plan then generate a report. Your status will be at the bottom right.
Lunch Account
Seniors who have money left in their lunch account when they graduate have three options. Parents can request a refund, they can move the money to a sibling’s account, or they can donate the money to help provide meals for students in need. Go to the Food and Nutrition website and fill out the appropriate form: https://crschools.us/students-and-families/school-meals/paying-for-meals/