Why Pupils Choose Kennedy, Lincoln Elementary

Get to know DSUSD Elementary Schools in this ongoing series

Desert Sands Unified School District has been introducing its schools to the community in an ongoing series. This week, DSUSD introduces two more of its elementary schools.  As a district of choice school, descriptions are provided for families who desire to know more about individual schools.

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Coyote PAWS at Kennedy Elementary

By Principal Patricia Rice

Welcome to John F. Kennedy Elementary School – home of the Coyotes! We are located in the heart of Indio, off Clinton Street. Kennedy Elementary has been a key part of the city since 1965. We are currently under construction in a revitalization of our campus. This includes three new classroom buildings, a new administration center, and modernization of the other buildings. When completed all classrooms will have state-of-the-art technology and a beautiful setting for student learning.

Kennedy Elementary is a science and math magnet school where students explore, investigate, and study through the lens of math and science. We also support our students in academics and social emotional learning through our core values of P.A.W. (Perseverance And responsibility With respect for all)! Students earn PAWs throughout the day by demonstrating these core values and we celebrate them daily, weekly, and monthly.

The exceptional staff at Kennedy Elementary understands that every student has different needs and we individualize learning to accommodate those needs. Students have the opportunity to try new things through our enrichment activities. We have football, soccer, and basketball teams, after school ASES program, choir, 5th grade art program, Battle of the Books, Math Field Day, and Spelling Bee.

John F. Kennedy is a wonderful place to learn and create a love for future learning. As President John F. Kennedy once stated “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”

Leopard PRIDE

By Principal Maryalice Alberg Owings

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School is located in the heart of Palm Desert, at Portola and Rutledge Way. Our public school is part of the Desert Sands Unified School District. During the 2020-2021 school year Abraham Lincoln will be under construction, building a new office building and classroom space, replacing buildings that have been in use since 1963. We are very excited about this new space.

Abraham Lincoln serves 610 students, 92% qualify as socioeconomically disadvantaged, 48% qualify as English Learners, and 9% as students with disabilities. Our school uses Leopard PRIDE, Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Engagement, to create a supportive, risk-taking environment. We combine the efforts of students, their families, our staff, and the Palm Desert community to support all children to achieve academic success.

Lincoln is an AVID Elementary School (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Our goal with AVID is to foster students’ individual determination to become college and career ready. We work on organizational skills, note-taking, collaborating with peers, and planning for college and/or careers. Parents are asked to daily sign a calendar for grades TK-1 or an agenda for grades 2-5.

For the past four years, Abraham Lincoln Elementary has offered music to all TK-5th grade students. Students learn to play instruments and sing. Each grade level performs for parents. Over the past year, Lincoln has been building a “Makerspace” where students can explore robotics, coding, and creative endeavors.

We look forward to expanding what students can do in this space.

For more information on Desert Sands Unified School District, John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln elementary schools, click here.