SOARing through the Week at JFK
September 27, 2024
Hello, Hawk Families!
It’s hard to believe that our Hawk-a-thon is right around the corner! Keep collecting those pledges, JFK! For those of you who are new to the JFK community, the Hawk-a-thon is our major school fundraiser for the year and helps us build our community spirit! This one main event is an effort to streamline our PTO’s fundraising, so that we aren’t asking for money from families throughout the year. All funds raised through our Hawk-a-thon directly benefit the programing and PTO support of our school community. We appreciate all of your donations- every little bit helps our Hawk-some school community provide amazing programing and school sponsored events.
In a similar vein, I’d like to take a moment to shout out or Hawk-mazing PTO and our many parent volunteers. This week marked “National School Parent Group” appreciation and we are so fortunate to have an amazing PTO supporting our school. WE APPRECIATE YOU and the countless ways you make our school SOAR!
Have a great weekend, JFK! Remember to take care of yourself, 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:
October 1st- Grow a Little Spot of Happiness (for PreK & K @ OAS)
***October 2nd HAWK-A-THON! (Rain date, October 4th)****
October 2nd- PTO Mum Sale Pick Up
October 2nd- PTO Meeting 6:30 pm -Unable to attend in person? Join us virtually!
October 3rd- No School Rosh Hashanah
October 4th- Spirit Day Disney/Marvel Day
October 4th- PTO Pie Sales Begin
October 8th Picture Day
October 9th- Early Dismissal (Staff Professional Learning)
October 15-17th PTO Book Fair
October 15-17th- Fall Parent Conference
October 18th- Trunk or Treat!
October 31st- Costume Parade (more info to come)
Get excited…we are days away from our biggest school-wide event of the year! Please support our Hawk-a-thon!
Hawk-a-thon fliers were sent home with your child.
Please check your child’s backpack for more information. We appreciate any and all support of our school fundraiser. Proceeds from our Hawk-a-thon support so many of our school activities and this is our major fundraiser for the year.
Elementary Parent Conferences will be held
Tuesday, October 15th, 1:45-3:45 pm
Wednesday, October 16th, 5:30-8:00 pm
Thursday, October 17th, 1:45-3:45 pm
Greetings, MPS Families! We are pleased to announce our Fall 2024 Elementary Conference Schedule:
*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 October 15th, October 16th, and October 17th 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. Fall conference sign up information will be live on our school website from Friday, October 4th, at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, October 14th, 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! Quick tip: Look for emails from “noreply@myconferencetime.com” when searching email for conference confirmation communications. |
Please remember to send in a reusable water bottle with your child. Students have access to our water stations and can refill as necessary throughout the day. Please note that students are allowed to drink water during the school day. Outside drinks (DD, Starbucks, etc are not encouraged)
Please label your child’s sweatshirts, jackets, lunch bag, and water bottle. Our Lost and Found continues to grow! Please review the pictures and email Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org) or your child’s classroom teacher if any of these items belong to your family.
Picture Day - JFK Photo Day is October 8th. Our school prepay is now active until Oct.22nd. If there are underclass siblings in the same school, then you may enter the next child's name after placing the first child's package in the cart.
Also note, Robert Taylor offers the underclass 3rd child free package for the same school. You may prepay the first and second child's orders in the school's prepay when you list your third child it will be free. This is a special only available thru the end of the prepay period Oct.22nd and at the same school.
The link is listed below and on the information sheet, along with instructions:
JFK photo prepay link active until Oct. 22nd password jfks24
Hawks SOAR Awards - Our JFK Hawks SOAR award is designed to recognize student and staff behaviors and actions that enhance our school community and those individuals who exemplify citizenship within this community beyond the expected norms. When your child comes home with a sticker, please ask them how they SOARED that day!
Arrival and Dismissal Information Please do not leave students unattended at the school prior to 8:20am. If you are dropping off your child please pull all the way forward in line and remain in the car for safety. If you wish to get out of the car, please park in a designated parking spot and walk your child to the parking lot crosswalk. Mr. Kee will assist your child in crossing safely.
Dismissal Car Tags should be placed on your dashboard/mirror when lining up for pick up. We ask that you please do not line up in the parking lot prior to 3pm.
Specialist Spotlight
Welcome to STEM at JFK! In the STEM Lab, PreK is learning what all living things have in common including plants and animals. Kindergarten students are learning about weather and how the sun helps the earth. Grade 1 is exploring the parts of plants and animals that help them survive year to year. Grade 2 students are exploring the different states of matter and their properties. Grade 3 is preparing for their Audubon trip by researching ecosystems we'll explore in October. Grade 4 is in the midst of explaining how the earth's surface changes over time. Grade 5 is working to explain why we get more sunlight in the summer than in the winter as part of their Earth's Systems unit. 5th grade will visit the Foran Planetarium as part of the unit. I'm looking forward to an awesome year of STEM!
Joe Messina, STEM Educator
Community Connections Center
This week's CCC News contains information and links for a mix of resources & fun activities. Featured this week : Milford Public Library October programs the FREE "Fiesta Latina" at Yale Peabody Museum and several Connecticut Fairs.
For additional information go to the CCC Website which is updated with links to community resources.
Have a great weekend!
Mary-Kathryn Williams, Coordinator
Milford Community Connection Centers
203-882-6094
The CCC honors all family inquiries as private and confidential unless parent permission is given or Connecticut mandated reporting applies.
Find out more about what our school counselor has been doing this month at JFK.
Jessica Swope
(203)783-6095
PreK & K Families:
Grow a Little Spot of Happiness Registration Link
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
Be sure to send in any updated health forms!
MPS Health Department Guidelines
All PK and K students need a physical on file dated within the last 12 months. Please send these in as soon as possible!
If clothing is borrowed from the school health office please wash and return :)
If possible, pack a spare set of clothes in your child's backpack. Accidents happen! Students can get wet on the playground or spill on themselves at lunch. It's always helpful to have extra clothing available.
JFK PTO Fall Calendar of Events
Join the JFK PTO!
We welcome and encourage everyone to join the JFK PTO. Membership is simple and in no way commits you to volunteer and/or attend meetings (although we would love to have you). Simply click the link below and submit your dues/donation. Don't forget to fill out the membership form as well. Once both steps are complete you are able to join our PTO Membership page which has all upcoming events and updates!
https://john-f-kennedy-elem-pto.square.site/
MPS” Back to School Central” webpage includes links to Food Services, Bus Routes, and other important MPS information
Additional MPS information can be accessed through the district website at www.milforded.org.
📷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!
Have a great weekend, JFK!
JFK: A Community Where ALL Learners SOAR!