Kennedy Elementary School
Grades: 3-5 | Manistee Area Public Schools
KENNEDY QUICK LINKS | Handbook : Nutrition Services : Student Resources : Parent Resources : Forms & Docs.
Welcome to Kennedy!
As Manistee Chippewas, we are all leaders in our own way. Chips Lead at school, with friends, and in the community by developing healthy relationships, using responsible decision-making and respectful communication.
As leaders, we inspire each other to dream more, learn more, and do more.
Chips Lead!
Monday Morning Care
Welcome! At Manistee Area Public Schools we want the very best for all of our students. We have developed a continuum of education from Pre-School to 12th Grade that support each student on their Chippewa Journey.
Each Monday morning, the MAPS educational community engages in the critical work of professional development at each school. This means schools start approximately 30-35 later than a typical school day.
To address any Monday Morning child care needs, MAPS will be piloting Monday morning child care at Madison for student KG-5th.
Please let us know if you are interested in receiving more information about Monday Morning Care by completing this registration form:
Join the Conversation.
Community Forums
Last spring Manistee Area Public Schools held community forums to gain feedback regarding three potential plans for a 20-year vision for the school district facilities. After collecting input from district and community stakeholders, MAPS is ready to reveal the MAPS 2020 Facilities Vision at two public forums scheduled for:
Thursday, September 5th at 7:00pm at the Kennedy Elementary Library
Monday, September 9th at 7:00 pm at the Kennedy Elementary Library
We hope you will join us!
Facilities Survey
Please lend your voice to the MAPS 2020 Vision by participating in our survey.
- Takes Less Than 5 Minutes
- Facilities Future Focused
- Invitation to share your ideas
Kennedy Announcements
Power Outage -September 3
There is currently a power outage at Jefferson and Kennedy schools. The schools are prepared to deal with the outage and students should arrive as normal. We anticipate that power will be restored by 8:30am.
read moreBack to School Night – Tuesday, August 27
Kennedy Elementary will be hosting its annual Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 27, 2019. We are excited for the new school year. Below is our Back to School Night schedule.3rd Grade starts at 4:304th Grade starts at 5:305th Grade starts at 6:15Students will be...
read moreMAPS Summer Feeding Program
Manistee Area Public Schools announce the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for children. Free meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or...
read moreYour Kennedy Team
Location: 550 Maple St, Manistee, MI 49660 | Map
Telephone: (231) 723-3271
Fax: (231) 723-5879
School Office Hours: M-F: 7:30am – 4pm
Principal: Kevin Schmutzler | Vice Principal: Kenn Kott
View Kennedy Staff
Administrative Team
Principal: Kevin Schmutzler | kschmutzler@manistee.org
Assistant Principal: Kenn Kott | kkott@manistee.org
Administrative Assistant: Holly Dahlquist | hdahlquist@manistee.org
Instructional Staff
Wendy Adamski
Specials - PE/Health wadamski@manistee.org
Jennifer Abel
3rd Grade Teacher jabel@manistee.org
Leah Antal
3rd Grade Teacher lantal@manistee.org
Laura Brown
4th Grade Teacher lbrown@manistee.org
Dana Dobis
Resource Room ddobis@manistee.org
William Edmondson
5th Grade Teacher wedmondson@manistee.org
Amanda Feyen
Elementary Music afeyen@manistee.org
Tanya Hunter
5th Grade Teacher thunter@manistee.org
Amanda Johns
4th Grade Teacher ajohns@manistee.org
Taylor Johnson
5th Grade Teacher tjohnson@manistee.org
Andrea Mack
Specials - Instrumental Music amack@manistee.org
Emily Noteware
Resource Room enoteware@manistee.org
Josh Smith
4th Grade Teacher jsmith@manistee.org
Scott Solberg
SafeNet ssolberg@manistee.org
Kayla Szokola
3rd Grade Teacher kszokola@manistee.org
Jaclyn Trahan
5th Grade Teacher jtrahan@manistee.org
Mary Wahr
Specials - Art mwahr@manistee.org
Andrea Wegener
Resource Room awegener@manistee.org
Jane Wojciechowski
3rd Grade Teacher jlwojciechowski@manistee.org
Kelly Zimmerman
4th Grade Teacher kzimmerman@manistee.org
Para-Professionals
Johanna Beverly jbeverly@manistee.org
Ingrid Bond ibond@manistee.org
Alysha Heck aheck@manistee.org
Karla Lidtke klidtke@manistee.org
Tara Lange tlange@manistee.org
Tiffany Nitz tnitz@manistee.org
Amy Rankin arankin@manistee.org
Beryl Salzman bsalzman@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Carol Hansen chansen@manistee.org
Terri Morski tmorski@manistee.org
Julie Polcyn jpolcyn@manistee.org
Custodial Staff
Clarence Schultz cschultz@manistee.org
Don Froncek dfroncek@manistee.org
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Don Demeuse
It is with full hearts that Kennedy Elementary says goodbye this year to our long time 5th grade teacher, Don Demeuse. For every family that has been a part of Manistee Area Public Schools in the last 40+ years, it is likely that somewhere in their Kennedy Elementary memory is a fond one of Mr. Demeuse. It is fitting then to close out this school year, and the start of the first ever Chippewa Staff Spotlight, to get to know a little more about Don, his career, his passions, and his hope for the future.
Don grew up right here in Stronach, Michigan. At Manistee High School, he played football, track & baseball (1st year baseball was offered at MAPS.)
Don attended Central Michigan University to become a teacher. His passion lies in history, science, math, but mostly inspiring children and colleagues to become something special. He knows first hand how an education can impact one’s life. He has coached football, track, basketball, softball, baseball, swimming plus has been involved in Science Olympiad and the Sleighbell Parade. He also attends students games, band concerts, and eats lunch (if you call a bag of carrots or canned green beans lunch) with kids in the cafeteria every day.
He has 2 daughters, Nicole & Jessica. Nicole is teaching science in Los Angeles and Jessica is a chemist and lawyer in Nebraska. He has one granddaughter, Audrey.
Don’s long career in education bears witness to his joy and passion for children. He has mentored numerous teachers over his years, and his relationships with students and staff has set an exemplar to those who know him. He considers the past 40+ years in education a true honor and blessing.
When asked to share something that most people don’t know about him, Don replied, “I compete in triathlons in the summer. I swim a half mile and bike 25 miles. My knee is too bad for the running part.”
When asked to share some final words of wisdom, Don replied, “Same thing I tell all the teachers, no matter how the day is going, have fun. If you take it too serious, you are not a good teacher. Go in today and have fun.”
As for his future plans, Don plans to travel to see his own children and grandchildren. Maybe you’ll even see him back at Kennedy, roaming the halls, and continuing to love the students and staff that he has blessed for over the 40+ years. The memories he has made, have made him so rich!
MAPS Elementary ATP
Action Team for Partnership (ATP)
What is ATP?: ATP is our parent-teacher group for all of the MAPS Elementary buildings – Madison, Jefferson, and Kennedy
Parents who become involved in their child’s education can make a positive difference. Contact or Kenn Kott kkott@manistee.org, or Kevin Schmutzler kschmutzler@manistee.org for more information or to join our ATP family.
What are the objectives of the ATP?
The Manistee Area Public Schools parent group Action Team for Partnership (ATP) is a group of dedicated parents that spearhead projects to benefit our students. It is similar to a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) only a little more prescriptive and based on committees, including:
- Parenting
- Communicating
- Volunteering
- Learning at Home
- Decision Making
- Community Collaboration
What does ATP do?
We fundraise to help support our schools and students. We pay for field trips, school supplies, recess/playground equipment, books, staff appreciation activities, and more! We also organize many family events: Fall Carnival, Daddy-Daughter and Mother-Son nights, Holiday Caroling, Birthday Lunches, Book Fairs, and Santa Shop are some examples.
ATP Fundraiser
2018 Fundraiser - Wesco Popcorn Buckets! - MAPS Elementary ATP is pleased to announce that we are again selling the Wesco Popcorn Buckets this year. We are so excited to partner with our local Wesco Stations to make this possible.
Buckets will sell for $12 each and can be refilled for FREE at all Wesco stations around the state from now until December 31, 2019! This is a great holiday gift idea! See the announcements section on this page for details about our 2018 fundraiser, and check back for future fundraising information.
ATP Points Tracker
Starting January 2019, ATP is starting a point tracker for volunteers!
How do I earn points?
- Every ATP event (popcorn day, slushy day, winter carnival, etc.) every 2 hours you volunteer, you earn 1 point.
- For showing up to our ATP meeting that’s once a month, you earn 1 point.
- For suggesting a friend to volunteer & they show up for at least 2 hours, you earn 1 point.
All the points you earn will be entered for a drawing. At the end of the year, we will choose two winners. We hope to have a ton of volunteers!
Your Chippewa Journey Continues at Kennedy Elementary
The staff at Kennedy Elementary are looking forward to an exciting school year. Kennedy Elementary offers a challenging academic program along with many athletic opportunities and after school programs. We are proud of the programs our school offers and encourage you to work hard, do your best, and find success both academically and in your personal accomplishments.
We offer the following programs throughout the year:
- PowerLearning 1:1 iPad instruction
- Data Driven Instruction
- Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum
- Educational based field trips & assemblies
- Paraprofessional Assistance
- After-School Tutoring
- Response to Intervention (RTI) & Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Safenet
- Child Study Meetings
As Manistee Chippewas, we are all leaders in our own way. Chips Lead at school, with friends, and in the community by developing healthy relationships, using responsible decision-making and respectful communication.
T | TRUSTWORTHY — Chips tell the truth and are responsible
R | RESPECTFUL — Chips listen and value others
A | ACCEPTING — Chips are friendly to all
C | COOPERATIVE — Chips work together as a team
K | KIND — Chips are helpful and caring
“TRACK” is the Manistee Area Public Schools global, district-wide, leaders platform that all educators, staff and students follow throughout their Chippewa Journey. This initiative is connected to course curriculum, extra curricular programs, disciplinary procedures, and internal culture.
Academic Excellence
- Collaborative Classroom ELA Curriculum: Academic and Social-Emotional Learning
- Needs Focused Enrichment Opportunities
- Field Trip Travel Opportunities
- Quiz Bowl
- Science Olympiad
- Team Teaching
- Breakfast in the Classroom (free breakfast for all students)
- Collaborative Classroom (SEL)
- At Recess: Buddy Bench & Conflict Corner practices
- MMHS Mentors
Extracurricular Activities
- Expanded MRA Athletics
- Student Council
- Band
- Social Skills Group (Mondays & Wednesdays)
- Young Men’s Breakfast Club (2nd & 4th Tuesday before school)
- Ladies First Breakfast Club (2nd Wednesday before school)
- Blessings in a Backpack (Fridays)
- Child Study and Student Staffings with TC, SSW, OT, PT, VI, etc. (varies)
- Lego Robotics team (Thursdays after school)
- Student Council and student council fun events like Movie Night, Dodgeball, etc.
- Career Day during March Reading Month
- Swim & Growing Up lessons (4 days in March)
- Fieldtrips:
- Mackinac (3rd Gr) (June)
- Sleeping Bear Dunes (4th Gr) (February)
- Tall Ship (5th Gr) (May)
- After School Opportunities: Boy & Girl Scouts, MRA, Cheerleading, Jr. Dance Team, Annual Talent Show
Parent Involvement
Action Team for Partnership (ATP)
What is ATP?: ATP is our parent-teacher group for all of the MAPS Elementary buildings – Madison, Jefferson, and Kennedy.
The Manistee Area Public Schools parent group Action Team for Partnership (ATP) is a group of dedicated parents that spearhead projects to benefit our students. It is similar to a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) only a little more prescriptive and based on committees, including:
- Parenting
- Communicating
- Volunteering
- Learning at Home
- Decision Making
- Community Collaboration
What does the ATP do?: We fundraise to help support our schools and students. We pay for field trips, school supplies, recess/playground equipment, books, staff appreciation activities, and more! We also organize many family events: Fall Carnival, Daddy-Daughter and Mother-Son nights, Holiday Caroling, Birthday Lunches, Book Fairs, and Santa Shop are some examples.
At Kennedy:
- Movie Night
- Popcorn Days
- Slushy Days
- Birthday Lunches
- Book Fairs
- Winter Carnival
- Books for Bikes
- …and more
Parents who become involved in their child’s education can make a positive difference. Contact or Kott kkott@manistee.org, or Kevin Schmutzler kschmutzler@manistee.org for more information or to join our ATP family.
Seesaw
Seesaw is a service that we use K-6 at MAPS and is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what’s happening in the classroom. Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student gets their own journal and will add things to it, like photos, videos, drawings, or notes. When there are new Seesaw posts, families can be notified via app notification, email or SMS. Parents are only notified about their own child’s work, and all data is safe and secure.
Contact your student’s classroom teacher to get more information about how you can get connected via Seesaw.
Staff Training & Student Support
Training and Practices:
- Safenet
- “Love & Logic” Jim Fey (Ex: student choices, empathy, logical consequences, SRC, etc.)
- “No Such Thing as a Bad Kid” with Charlie Appelstein
- “Poverty’s Influence on Learning” Eric Jensen
- “Stewards of Children” Child Abuse and Neglect Training (Child Advocacy Center)
- “Take Time for You Self-care action plans for educators” Tina Boogren
- Restorative Justice practices and Professional Development for Administrators
- Teachers Involving Parents in Schoolwork practices
- QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention
- CRASE training (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events)
- NightLocks installed throughout the building
- Emergency Operation Plan (in revision/updating process)
- Annual Staff: CPI/1st Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention, Bloodborne Pathogen, AED, Concussion, EpiPen, Emergency Drill Schedule
- Annual Students: Cybersafety including OK2Say app, Stop-Walk-Talk anti-bully program,