Save John F. Kennedy's Athletics Program
Save John F. Kennedy's Athletics Program
The Issue
UPDATE 5/17/24:
Thank you to all the supporters who came out last night to make a difference. The battle is not over and even though the call was made to parents, our athletic trainer is still without a contract. #dobetterVazquez
UPDATE 5/10/24:
After five years of tireless commitment the School Admin will NOT be renewing the contract of our Athletic Trainer. At NO time has the Athletic Dept, Parents and Students been involved or notified of this unimaginable decision. This brings about a HUGE Safety concern for our student athletes. The only medical attendant that will now be available is the School Nurse only during school hours. At this time the Lack of Transparency continues. It has been mentioned to School Admin since the start of 2024 the possible options that could be pursued in retaining the Athletic Trainer with NO response ever given.
Since the school opened in 1971, the John F. Kennedy HS Athletics Program has always been a huge part of the campus/community and now it is in danger of surviving from poor School Administrative decisions. Within the last 13 months, the decisions made by both Principal Oscar Vazquez and AP/Athletics Kevin Chong have devastated a once proud and tradition based Athletic Department. We need these individuals removed, they do not have the experience or ability to continue to drive this strong athletic tradition.
• Lack of Knowledge and Experience: Neither individual has any indication of the importance of Athletics on the campus. The opportunity it provides our students to become involved in additional school activities in a structured and safe environment. Their current actions indicate a disregard to Students, Parents and Adults who are trying to be positive role models and assist in the development of these student-athletes.
• Elimination of Tradition: Not understanding/ignoring history is the downfall of most leaders. Using School Money (during a time of tight budgets) to paint over/eliminate important ties to the past, show complete disrespect to what has come before them and helped to build what is currently in place. Promoting new logos in the colors of our rivals is inconsiderate to our past.
• Lack of Communication and Transparency: Over the last 13 months there has been an endless number of coaches investigated, removed, reassigned, fired, banned and dismissed from the JFKHS Athletic Dept based on unconfirmed accusations/allegations.
o Coach Ray – Fired based on unsubstantiated complaints
o Coach Lope – Currently being recommended for Dismissal based on yet to proven complaints.
o Coach Jo – Banned based on unproven accusations/allegations.
o Coach Eric – Removed based on unsubstantiated LASAR accusations.
o Coach Garcia – Reassigned without any explanation or reasoning.
o Coach Carbs – Reassigned twice for unproven accusations.
o Coach Donnie – Reassigned without any explanation or reasoning.
o Athletic Trainer – Removed from campus on false claims that a contract was never signed.
o Coach Don – Banned based on unproven LASAR accusations.
o Coach K – Reassigned under false allegations during a time period in which the current School Admin were not even members of the school. Removed and told that the Athletics community is going in a “NEW” direction without any reason and never once speaking to anyone in athletics about it.
▪ His replacement will be someone at a Small School (with only 8 sports) with not even half of his years of experience.
o There are many more internal investigations taking place with other coaches.
• Inadequate Leadership: Athletic decisions are solely being made at the school site by these two individuals based on inferior knowledge of LAUSD Athletic Rules/Guidelines and with preferential treatment to those that are attendant to their wants/needs. The individuals that they choose to consult also do not have any Athletic experience.
• Refusal to Work Collaboratively: Contrary to what is being said to the public, School Admin have ignored conversations and made decisions without making efforts to partner with those involved to promote the success of our student-athletes.
• Ignoring the Value of the Athletic Dept: Kevin Kanemura (Coach K) is a JFKHS Alum, JFKHS teacher/coach since 1999, Athletic Director for 20 years. His Athletic Director accomplishments/involvement include:
o CA State Athletic Director Association (CSADA Member)
▪ Norm MacKenzie Award - Rookie of the Year ‘10 (CIF-LA City Section)
▪ Athletic Director of the Year ‘17 (CIF-LA City Section)
o National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association (NIAAA Member)
▪ Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA ‘18)
o CA Coaches Association (CCA)
▪ Jim Brownfield Mentor Award ‘23
o CIF-LA City Section Board of Managers (BOM Member)
▪ Voting Member (’00 – ’20)
▪ Officials Committee Chairperson (’15 – Present)
▪ League Commissioner
• Valley Mission League (’08 – Present)
• North Valley League (’20 – Present)
• Unable to Fulfill Basic Needs: From lack of Administrative Athletic experience, not providing any Athletic Budget, bullying/intimidating of coaches, hiring of inexperienced coaches, jeopardizing the safety of students by not renewing the Athletic Training program and poor decision making without any communication. These are all indications that the “NEW” direction is one of downsizing and eliminating Athletics which does not fulfill the needs of the JFKHS Community.
By joining us in this petition, John F. Kennedy HS Community is asking LAUSD Leadership to replace Principal Oscar Vazquez and AP/Athletics Kevin Chong, along with bringing back Athletic Director Kevin Kanemura so our Athletic Program can get back on track and continue to move forward. Our rich Athletic Tradition is in serious jeopardy, the safe/healthy school environment is in danger and the extra-curricular activities cannot continue to grow.
Below is some school statistical information comparing where the replacement AD is coming from compared to John F. Kennedy HS.
Other School/JFK
School Enrollment: 752 compared to Kennedy's 2100
Participants Per Sport
Baseball - 33 Male compared to Kennedy's 52 Male
Basketball - 33 Male & 25 Female compared to Kennedy's 44 Male & 33 Female
Cheer - 4 Male & 43 Female compared to Kennedy's 4 Male & 71 Female
Cross Country - 17 Male & 13 Female compared to Kennedy's 25 Male & 33 Female
Golf - 5 Male & 7 Female compared to Kennedy's 8 Male & 6 Female
Soccer - 22 Male & 19 Female compared to Kennedy's 69 Male & 41 Female
Softball - 15 Female compared to Kennedy's 31 Female
Volleyball - 24 Male & 22 Female compared to Kennedy's 39 Male & 55 Female
Additional Sports that JFKHS offers that other school does not:
Water Polo – 15 Male & 21 Female
Football – 122 Male
Tennis – 14 Male & 17 Female
Swim – 13 Male & 25 Female
Track – 71 Male & 48 Female
IS Track – 7 Male
Flag FB - 70 Female Sign Ups
Sports/Levels
Other School – 8 Sports, 18 Levels compared to Kennedy's 15 Sports, 43 Levels.
**If you wish to stay in the know or have testimonials to share, please send to demandingchangeatjfkhs@gmail.com.
2,601
The Issue
UPDATE 5/17/24:
Thank you to all the supporters who came out last night to make a difference. The battle is not over and even though the call was made to parents, our athletic trainer is still without a contract. #dobetterVazquez
UPDATE 5/10/24:
After five years of tireless commitment the School Admin will NOT be renewing the contract of our Athletic Trainer. At NO time has the Athletic Dept, Parents and Students been involved or notified of this unimaginable decision. This brings about a HUGE Safety concern for our student athletes. The only medical attendant that will now be available is the School Nurse only during school hours. At this time the Lack of Transparency continues. It has been mentioned to School Admin since the start of 2024 the possible options that could be pursued in retaining the Athletic Trainer with NO response ever given.
Since the school opened in 1971, the John F. Kennedy HS Athletics Program has always been a huge part of the campus/community and now it is in danger of surviving from poor School Administrative decisions. Within the last 13 months, the decisions made by both Principal Oscar Vazquez and AP/Athletics Kevin Chong have devastated a once proud and tradition based Athletic Department. We need these individuals removed, they do not have the experience or ability to continue to drive this strong athletic tradition.
• Lack of Knowledge and Experience: Neither individual has any indication of the importance of Athletics on the campus. The opportunity it provides our students to become involved in additional school activities in a structured and safe environment. Their current actions indicate a disregard to Students, Parents and Adults who are trying to be positive role models and assist in the development of these student-athletes.
• Elimination of Tradition: Not understanding/ignoring history is the downfall of most leaders. Using School Money (during a time of tight budgets) to paint over/eliminate important ties to the past, show complete disrespect to what has come before them and helped to build what is currently in place. Promoting new logos in the colors of our rivals is inconsiderate to our past.
• Lack of Communication and Transparency: Over the last 13 months there has been an endless number of coaches investigated, removed, reassigned, fired, banned and dismissed from the JFKHS Athletic Dept based on unconfirmed accusations/allegations.
o Coach Ray – Fired based on unsubstantiated complaints
o Coach Lope – Currently being recommended for Dismissal based on yet to proven complaints.
o Coach Jo – Banned based on unproven accusations/allegations.
o Coach Eric – Removed based on unsubstantiated LASAR accusations.
o Coach Garcia – Reassigned without any explanation or reasoning.
o Coach Carbs – Reassigned twice for unproven accusations.
o Coach Donnie – Reassigned without any explanation or reasoning.
o Athletic Trainer – Removed from campus on false claims that a contract was never signed.
o Coach Don – Banned based on unproven LASAR accusations.
o Coach K – Reassigned under false allegations during a time period in which the current School Admin were not even members of the school. Removed and told that the Athletics community is going in a “NEW” direction without any reason and never once speaking to anyone in athletics about it.
▪ His replacement will be someone at a Small School (with only 8 sports) with not even half of his years of experience.
o There are many more internal investigations taking place with other coaches.
• Inadequate Leadership: Athletic decisions are solely being made at the school site by these two individuals based on inferior knowledge of LAUSD Athletic Rules/Guidelines and with preferential treatment to those that are attendant to their wants/needs. The individuals that they choose to consult also do not have any Athletic experience.
• Refusal to Work Collaboratively: Contrary to what is being said to the public, School Admin have ignored conversations and made decisions without making efforts to partner with those involved to promote the success of our student-athletes.
• Ignoring the Value of the Athletic Dept: Kevin Kanemura (Coach K) is a JFKHS Alum, JFKHS teacher/coach since 1999, Athletic Director for 20 years. His Athletic Director accomplishments/involvement include:
o CA State Athletic Director Association (CSADA Member)
▪ Norm MacKenzie Award - Rookie of the Year ‘10 (CIF-LA City Section)
▪ Athletic Director of the Year ‘17 (CIF-LA City Section)
o National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association (NIAAA Member)
▪ Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA ‘18)
o CA Coaches Association (CCA)
▪ Jim Brownfield Mentor Award ‘23
o CIF-LA City Section Board of Managers (BOM Member)
▪ Voting Member (’00 – ’20)
▪ Officials Committee Chairperson (’15 – Present)
▪ League Commissioner
• Valley Mission League (’08 – Present)
• North Valley League (’20 – Present)
• Unable to Fulfill Basic Needs: From lack of Administrative Athletic experience, not providing any Athletic Budget, bullying/intimidating of coaches, hiring of inexperienced coaches, jeopardizing the safety of students by not renewing the Athletic Training program and poor decision making without any communication. These are all indications that the “NEW” direction is one of downsizing and eliminating Athletics which does not fulfill the needs of the JFKHS Community.
By joining us in this petition, John F. Kennedy HS Community is asking LAUSD Leadership to replace Principal Oscar Vazquez and AP/Athletics Kevin Chong, along with bringing back Athletic Director Kevin Kanemura so our Athletic Program can get back on track and continue to move forward. Our rich Athletic Tradition is in serious jeopardy, the safe/healthy school environment is in danger and the extra-curricular activities cannot continue to grow.
Below is some school statistical information comparing where the replacement AD is coming from compared to John F. Kennedy HS.
Other School/JFK
School Enrollment: 752 compared to Kennedy's 2100
Participants Per Sport
Baseball - 33 Male compared to Kennedy's 52 Male
Basketball - 33 Male & 25 Female compared to Kennedy's 44 Male & 33 Female
Cheer - 4 Male & 43 Female compared to Kennedy's 4 Male & 71 Female
Cross Country - 17 Male & 13 Female compared to Kennedy's 25 Male & 33 Female
Golf - 5 Male & 7 Female compared to Kennedy's 8 Male & 6 Female
Soccer - 22 Male & 19 Female compared to Kennedy's 69 Male & 41 Female
Softball - 15 Female compared to Kennedy's 31 Female
Volleyball - 24 Male & 22 Female compared to Kennedy's 39 Male & 55 Female
Additional Sports that JFKHS offers that other school does not:
Water Polo – 15 Male & 21 Female
Football – 122 Male
Tennis – 14 Male & 17 Female
Swim – 13 Male & 25 Female
Track – 71 Male & 48 Female
IS Track – 7 Male
Flag FB - 70 Female Sign Ups
Sports/Levels
Other School – 8 Sports, 18 Levels compared to Kennedy's 15 Sports, 43 Levels.
**If you wish to stay in the know or have testimonials to share, please send to demandingchangeatjfkhs@gmail.com.
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Petition created on May 6, 2024