SOARing through the Week at JFK
October 18, 2024
Hello, JFK Families!
It’s been a busy week at JFK! Thank you to all of our families who attended parent conferences. We appreciate your partnership and involvement in your child’s education. If you were unable to schedule a conference we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher directly to schedule a phone conversation.
In addition to conferences and the excitement of early dismissal days, we had several other exciting events. The PTO hosted our Fall Scholastic Book Fair, which is always a highlight of the year for our students. It is wonderful to see our learners so happy to shop for books! Thank you PTO for bringing the book fair to our school. We look forward to a spring book fair during March conferences!
This week also brought some special events. We held a very successful Bus Evacuation on Thursday. The students did an outstanding job practicing bus safety! October marks Fire Safety Month and we were fortunate to have Chief Fire Inspector Marc LaBrecque meet with our 4th and 5th graders to discuss Fire Safety and to launch the Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Today, our Kindergarten students got to spend time with the adorable pup, Fire Dog Danny. Be sure to check out pictures of these events shared in the “Glimpse of the Week.”
The whole school is anticipating a wonderful evening at our PTO sponsored “Trunk or Treat” event. Many thanks to those of you who have generously fed the Candy Monster and to those families who will be decorating a trunk. We can’t wait for this annual JFK family event! Please be reminded that this event is for JFK students and their family members only.
Enjoy what promises to be a beautiful 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 18th- TONIGHT! Trunk or Treat 6pm
Week of Oct 21-25- We will conduct a fire drill
October 25th- October Pink Out! Breast Cancer Awareness
October 31st- Costume Parade 9:15 am (students wear costumes to school)
November 5th- No School~ Election Day
November 6th- November PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
November 11th- Veterans Day Assembly
November 13th- JFK Pantochino Theater Performance Alice in Wonderland
November 20th- Early Dismissal for Students (Staff Professional Learning)
📷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!
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JFK Costume Parade
Thursday, October 31, 2024, 9:15am
PreK4 Parade at 2:45pm
Please see this memo for more information about our costume parade and for costume guidelines.
JFK Honors Our Veterans
In recognition of Veterans Day, we will honor those in our lives who have served or are actively serving as members of the armed forces. We will hold an in-school assembly on Monday, November 11th.
Complete this Google Form by Monday, November 4th if your family knows a veteran who would like to visit JFK when we celebrate Veterans Day. Our PTO is arranging for breakfast to be served beginning at 9am followed by an all-school assembly at 9:45am. Please see the form for additional details. Email or call Mrs. Koosa with any questions. dkoosa@milforded.org or 203-301-5659.
We will also create a Wall of Honor to recognize and celebrate the veterans in our lives. Please click on this template to make a copy of the Wall of Honor slide. You and your child(ren) can add a picture and type a summary of why that veteran is special to you. Be sure to include your veteran’s name and armed service as well as your student’s name, grade, and room number. Families can honor more than one veteran too! Please email submissions to Mrs. Koosa dkoosa@milforded.org by Monday, November 4th. You can also print and send in a hard copy.
¡Hola familias de JFK!
I am so excited to share that on October 24th we will have a PTO sponsored school assembly to honor the culmination of Hispanic Heritage month, which is celebrated from September 15- October 15. We are thrilled to welcome back Alisa Bowens, owner and dance instructor from Alisa's House of Salsa, along with professional percussionists who will provide latin dance instruction and latin educational perspectives for JFK students. We will have two different sessions so students have room to dance and explore the music and instruments. Students will be paired up with their "buddy class" to attend the assembly, adding another element of fun and community building. Thank you to the JFK PTO for sponsoring this event and allowing students to have the opportunity to learn more about Hispanic and Latino culture!
Staff Spotlight: Meet our JFK STEM Educator, Mr. Joe Messina!
Specialist Spotlight - Media
Happy Fall, JFK families! This week, our students were treated to an amazing book fair, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Jen Conroy, Amanda Soda, and the many volunteers from our PTO. Your contributions and selflessness have made this event a memorable experience for our students, and they truly loved it!
In our Library Media Center, all students have completed, or are nearly completing, our first unit titled Empowered Learner. This unit serves as a welcome introduction, guiding students through both the physical and virtual spaces of our library. It includes exploring the library, learning circulation procedures, and with the older students, reshelving books. Culminating projects included making digital maps of the space, writing online book reviews, and even producing learning showcase videos!
As we transition into our next unit, we will be focusing on Digital Citizenship and Online Safety. This is a crucial topic in today's digital world, and we aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online environment safely and responsibly. For families interested in discussing technology use with their children, I highly recommend visiting Common Sense Media’s website. It's an excellent resource for understanding digital safety and finding age-appropriate content.
If you ever need to reach me, please feel free to email me at ksoder@milforded.org. Thank you for your continuous support. I look forward to working with you and your children this school year!
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)
Upcoming Fire Drill
Conducting emergency drills (fire, crisis, lockdown, etc.) is one of the most important ways we enhance our preparedness for students and staff during an emergency. Drills allow us to practice what we need to do when an emergency arises in our school.
JFK School will be conducting a fire drill 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 feedback please contact Mrs. Rizzo (arizzo@milforded.org) or Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org). We thank you for your cooperation and partnership in making our schools a safer place for learning.
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.
It’s Still Not Too Late To Order School Pictures!
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 jfk
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.
Gr 4 & 5 “Minute Meetings”
We are excited to start Minute Meetings with all of our 4th and 5th graders. Minute meetings are brief, face-to-face conversations that our school counselor will have with each 4th and 5th grader this fall. The purpose is to get to know our students better so we can best meet their needs and to make sure all of our students are connected with an adult in school they can go to if they need support. School counselors get to know each child by asking them a few simple questions about their friends, what adult they go to if they need help, their challenges, and their interests. Please contact Mrs. Swope, our School Counselor, at jswope@milforded.org if you have any questions about Minute Meetings.
Jessica Swope
(203)783-6095
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
MPS Health Department Guidelines
Within the next few weeks the school health office will begin hearing and vision screenings.
With the weather getting colder please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor clothing for recess.
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
~Nurse Jacqueline Campbell
Community Connections Center
This week's CCC News contains information and links for a mix of resources & fun activities. Featured this week : Adams House, Milford Cub Scouts and Touch A Truck Presented by Junior Woman's Club of Milford.
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.
Click here for the Community Connections flier in Spanish
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaCtWrvIT1YP8dYLYJRGrfGCoxNET-N1mG-MNriusWM3ZIkA/viewform
JFK PTO Fall Calendar of Events
JFK is excited to be working with Room 17 inc. to offer an after school math program, run by Ms. Colandro and Ms. Curria, once a week for 5 weeks beginning on November 12th. This program is for all grades K-5. Please see the information here on the flyer and a signup link here.
Space is still available! Sign up today!
Join the JFK PTO! It’s not too late and our PTO supports so many of our wonderful school community events. Your membership matters!
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/
Additional MPS information can be accessed through the district website at www.milforded.org.
Have a great weekend, JFK!
JFK: A Community Where
ALL
Learners SOAR!