JFK Elementary School
January 5, 2024
Hawks’ Herald
SOARing through the Week at JFK
Hello JFK Families!
Happy New Year!
The new year always brings with it opportunities to reflect and to set our goals and intentions for the year to come. In reflecting on this past year, I am most grateful for the opportunity to lead our wonderful school community. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to work with your children, your families, and with our talented JFK staff each day. I hope to continue to build trusting relationships with all of you and I hope to foster a strong sense of community and kindness at JFK. I’d like to take a moment to especially thank our PTO and our parent community for the tremendous support and partnership so far this year. And as you know, JFK is a special place to learn and grow! I am so proud to be a JFK Hawk!
It is with a grateful heart that I wish all of our JFK families peace and prosperity in 2024. Have a wonderful (and hopefully snowy❄️) weekend! Please take care of yourselves, others, and most of all, be kind!
In partnership,
Amy E. Rizzo
Amy E. Rizzo, Principal
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @JFKPrincipalRIz
Important Dates & Information:
Early Dismissal on 1/10
JFK PTO Meeting 1/10 @ 6:30pm in person or join virtually
No School 1/15
4th Grade Band/Strings Informance 1/16 @ 6:30pm
PTO Skate Night 1/20
Early Dismissal on 1/24
Jersey Day 2/2
❄️ In the case of inclement weather please check the MPS website and your email for delays, cancellations, or early dismissals.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
The December assessment appointment window is closed for those families that have requested a waiver for their child to enter into Kindergarten for the 2024 - 2025 school year. If you requested a waiver, but did not have the opportunity to schedule a December appointment, you will receive a communication in the near future to make an appointment for the next Kindergarten Waiver assessment. The online Kindergarten registration will remain open, if you have not had the opportunity to register, please do so.
Fire Drill Next Week
JFK is scheduled to conduct a fire drill by the end of next week. This will only be a drill and will be conducted in accordance with the School Incident Management Protocols established by the district and in collaboration with our local first responders. Please discuss the importance of our emergency drills with your children. If you have any questions please reach out to our Teacher Leader, Mrs. Koosa dkoosa@milforded.org, or Mrs. Rizzo arrizzo@milforded.org. Thank you for your partnership!
Morning Snack/Breakfast
The cafeteria does not serve breakfast on delayed opening days. Please be sure your child has breakfast before coming to school. On delayed opening days lunch is served at the regular times.
K & 2 - 11:10-11:40
1 & 4 - 11:45-12:15
2 & 5 - 12:20-12:50
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
Hello families!
With cold/flu season upon us please remember to be diligent with handwashing and notify the school nurse of any communicable illnesses. There is a copy of the illness guidelines on the MPS JFK website under the nurse's office tab.
Reminder - all PreK students need a flu shot by the end of the year.
Remember to make sure your student has a winter coat for outdoor recess.
With the weather changing a lot of children have been getting very chapped lips, send in chapstick if possible.
The school health office will be continuing to conduct hearing and vision screenings.
Change of Clothes - If your child comes home with clothing from the Nurse’s Office, please wash the item and return it to school as soon as possible so it is available for other children when needed. We do encourage parents of our students to pack a change of clothes in their child’s backpack.
Community Connections News - This week's CCC News contains information and links for a mix of resources & fun seasonal activities. Among the community services you will find links for the CT FoodShare's Mobile Pantry, TEAM's heating assistance and Milford's Park & Recreations Family Movie Night.
For Family fun you'll find several links to activities all around Connecticut!
In the CCC News Feed you will see the SPARKLER "Ring in the New Year" Family Night for families with preschool or kindergarten students! This will take place at Pumpkin Delight School on Tuesday, Jan. 9th from 5:00pm-7:30pm Contact the MFRC today for registration information by calling Kathy or Judy at 203-783-3626.
Remember that the CCC Website is updated with links to community resources.
To locate the CCC’s web page go to Milford’s main page and click on the Menu tab & scroll down under district Information to find the Community Connections Centers!
Have a great week!
Mary-Kathryn Williams, Coordinator
Milford Community Connection Centers
203-882-6094
Specialist Spotlight - Art
Happy New Year JFK Families!
I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing break! As we get back into the swing of things, our artists are back creating beautiful art! We are currently working on winter projects! Kindergarten students are working on making hot cocoa cups using shape, pattern, and practicing watercolor techniques! Grade one is working on painting with analogous colors to make winter trees. Second graders are learning how to weave with paper to make backgrounds for our polar bears. Third graders are making painted paper to practice their cutting skills to make collage animals! Fourth graders are learning about wax resist and watercolor techniques to create winter scenes! Lastly, grade five students are working on their Ted Harrison inspired landscapes and using different painting techniques such as tints, shades, and how to properly mix colors!
As the new year begins, we will continue to work on practicing new techniques in art within our new projects!
News from the JFK PTO:
Be sure to check out the Newsletter from the JFK PTO this week that includes important information on upcoming events, programming and fundraisers! When you support the PTO you are directly supporting our school community.
Join us for our next PTO meeting on January 10th, 2024!
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A Glimpse at the Week:
Click here to view pictures of some of the HAWK-SOME learning and events that happened at JFK this week!
JFK: A Community Where ALL Learners SOAR!