JFK Elementary School
March 1, 2024
Hawks’ Herald
SOARing through the Week at JFK
Hello, JFK Families!
Last night we had an amazing time at our Ben’s Bells Kindness Night! A huge hawk thank you to our PTO for organizing such a meaningful event and also a big thank you to all the families and staff members who attended. As one student commented as she left, “This was the best night! Can we have more of these kind of events?” It is heartwarming to see our students investing in spreading kindness throughout our community. Cody from Ben’s Bells commented on how impressed he was with how much the JFK school community has embraced being a kind campus! It makes my principal heart happy to see our community SOAR with kindness!
This week I’d also like to take a moment to spotlight another way you can continue to encourage our learners to make their thinking visible at home. This week our focus is: What Questions Did You Ask Today? Inquiry is the heart of learning! In our classrooms we encourage students to be curious, to ask questions and to problem solve answers. At home you can also place value on the importance of questions by asking your child what questions they asked during the school day rather than what they “did at school.” Asking your learner about their questions encourages them to think and to take risks in school and it focuses on the process of learning over the product..
Lastly, I’d like to draw your attention to the information in this newsletter about our upcoming parent conferences on March 20-22nd. Below you will find information about signing up for conferences. We encourage all families to schedule a conference with our teachers during our Spring conference days. Please reach out to your teacher if you have any questions.
As always, JFK, take care of yourselves, our community 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:
March 4th- Author Visit, Alicia Klepeis, Sponsored by the PTO
March 4-8th- Read Across America Week
March 6th- No School (Professional Learning for Staff)
March 13th - Early Release Day - 1:25 PM & PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM
March 20th, 21st and 22nd - Spring Conferences - Early Dismissal 1:15pm
March 27th - Spring Photos
March 29-April 5- Spring Recess
❄️ In the case of inclement weather please check the MPS website and your email for delays, cancellations, or early dismissals.
Spring Conference Information
Greetings, MPS Families!
We are pleased to announce our Spring 2024 Elementary Conference Schedule:
Wednesday, March 20th 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 21st 1:45-3:45 p.m.
Friday, March 22nd 1:45-3:45 p.m.
*Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule. Therefore, students will be dismissed on March 20th, March 21st, and March 22nd at 1:15pm.
Parents/guardians will once again have the opportunity to select a conference time through My Conference Time. All conferences will be in person unless a parent/guardian requests a Google Meet link directly from the teacher. Spring conference sign up information will be live on our school website from Friday, March 4th, at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, March 18th, at 12:00 p.m. If you prefer a virtual session, please contact the teacher to request a Google Meet link to conduct your conference virtually after you have confirmed your conference time through My Conference Time Online Scheduler. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s learning!
National Reading Month - Media Center News
March is National Reading Month, and to celebrate, all of the elementary library classes in Milford are reading the same books. It is part of a unit we call “Book Madness.” Similar to the NCAA tournament, each grade level votes for a favorite picture book. The chosen books “battle” new books in the next round. After three rounds, a winner is named for the school, and ultimately, a book is crowned the winner for the district! In addition to the great books, the students appreciate the complementary activities that match the titles. Just look at the amazing tower built by Ms. Stuart’s class when told to “reach for the sky!”
I hope to see many of you at the upcoming conferences and the Spring book fair!
Ways to Support Student Independence at Home from Ms. Truscello
(Click on the image for a full sized view)
Read Across America Week
March 4th-8th
Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.
Would you like to be a Guest Reader for Read Across America Week (March 4th-8th) ? Can’t make it into school? Want to set up a Google Meet or send a recording?
Thank you in advance!
Elise Rosengrant & Gina DePuma
JFK Instructional Coaches
Personality Portraits - Wednesday March 27th
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Kindergarten registration is available online for the 2024-2025 school year.
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
Hello families!
With cold/flu season upon us please remember to be diligent with handwashing. There is a copy of the illness guidelines on the MPS JFK website under the nurse's office tab.
Remember to make sure your student has a winter coat for outdoor recess.
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. 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 activities. Among the community services you will find links for "Foodshare Mobile Pantry date and additional food resources. The Milford Public Library's "Wednesday Morning Music" registrations open on March 1, 2024. Also you will find information about CT Post Mall's "Read Across America " event on March 2, 2024.
For Family fun you'll find information for two programs celebrating Maple Sugaring. There is also information about Milford's Giggling Pigs summer camps.
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!
Have a great week!
Mary-Kathryn Williams, Coordinator
Milford Community Connection Centers
203-882-6094
Learn more about our Hawk-some 3rd Grade Team!
Specialist Spotlight - Physical Education
Hello JFK Families and Friends!’
Ms. Anastasiou is out on maternity leave and we have a wonderful long-term sub in P.E., Coach Ashley! Coach Ashley, is an avid soccer player and coach, as well as, a sports enthusiast in general. She is excited for the opportunity to work with our amazing JFK community!!!
Right now, in P.E., we are working on hand-eye coordination with a focus on underhand and overhand throwing in all grades. We are playing games like Oscar the Grouch in Pre-K classes and grades K-5 are beginning monster ball to practice these skills in a fun and exciting way.
Spring is just around the corner and hopefully warmer weather will be with us soon!!!
~Ms. Anastasiou & Coach Ashley~
Click here to see photos of the Anastasiou family and the newest member of the Hawk family, Alex!
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.
Spring Chess Club!!
Get ready for the return of our exciting after-school chess program! We're thrilled to offer your child another chance to be coached in the game of chess by a local resident and Chess Olympiad participant. Our program caters to children at every level, from novice to seasoned players. We aim to equip your child with the fundamentals of chess and foster lifelong strategic thinking abilities. This after-school chess program provides a convenient platform for your child to strengthen friendships, both new and existing, while having fun and acquiring a valuable skill. Any new children who are beginners will get the beginner training, while those who already got the beginner training and come again will receive more advanced training.
Don't miss out on securing a spot for your child in our sought-after program. The program will run Fridays April 12-May 31st from 3:25-4:45 and the price is $240. Spaces are limited. Register here: https://keap.page/fu903/after-school-chess-program-apr-2024.html
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!