SOARing through the Week at JFK
November 1, 2024
Hello, JFK Families!
Happy November! The fall season is certainly zooming right by as our learning community continues to SOAR. This week our whole learning community enjoyed coming together during our annual costume parade! What fun! The children were excited and they had a great time sharing their costumes. Thank you to all that were able to attend and cheer on our community at the parade. If you weren’t able to make it, it was a BEE-utiful day and the building was certainly BUZZING with all the “Be Kind Bee’s” buzzing around. Our beeKEEper, Mr. Kee led our parade! Throughout the day many of the students enjoyed coming up with BEE-themed puns to keep us all laughing! Please be sure to check out the many pictures included in the “Glimpse at the Week” linked below to see some great pics!
As we turn the calendar page and turn the clocks back this weekend, it’s time to look forward to another fantastic month of learning here at JFK! November always brings with it an emphasis of gratitude, and I am so grateful to be a part of such a strong school community! JFK is a special place to learn and grow! Families, thank you for your continued support and partnership!
I wish you all wonderful weekend, JFK! Happy Diwali to those who will be celebrating. 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:
November 5th- No School~ Election Day
November 6th- November PTO Meeting 6:30 pm (Join in person or virtually)
November 11th- Veterans Day Assembly (see info below)
November 13th- JFK Pantochino Theater Performance Alice in Wonderland 6:30pm
November 20th- Early Dismissal for Students (Staff Professional Learning)
November 27th- Early Dismissal (Thanksgiving Break)
November 28 & 29th- No School - Thanksgiving Recess
December 11th- Early Dismissal for Students (Staff Professional Learning)
December 19th- JFK Chorus Concert (4th & 5th Grades)
December 23rd-January 1st- Winter Recess
📷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 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.
Pre K & Kindergarten Families:
Dear Families,
Our Early Childhood Department is interested in receiving your input regarding family engagement workshops/events that you would like to see offered during this school year by completing this brief five question survey; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HDB4ykmsBRXhl1vbLo5Xf-LuLYkGCd5hv0yEuFe4ASM/edit
We will utilize the survey results to plan future workshops.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Terese Maguire
MPS Coordinator of Early Childhood Education
Specialist Spotlight - Music
Music learning is moving right along here at JFK! We have been working hard the past week preparing for our Veterans Day celebration Nov. 11! Every student will be singing one of our patriotic songs, to honor our Veteran guests. Ask your child to sing their song for you–it is good practice for them! Beyond our patriotic songs, we are continuing to work on many other aspects of music learning. Grades K and 1 are learning new songs, and have enjoyed playing hand percussion, working on keeping a steady beat. Grade 2 has been using their music reading and ear training in new ways, plotting notes on the staff and finding rhythms in 'hide and seek'. Grade 3 has begun their study of the orchestral instruments. Ask them how sound is produced on a string instrument! Grade 4 is learning to understand time signatures and write rhythms, and will apply that learning next to writing rhythmic ensemble pieces. Grade 5 is preparing their concert music, which will be performed on the Winter Concert. Grade 4 and 5 families, please check your email today for a letter with all of the concert details.
Please reach out if you have any questions. Hope to see you soon!
Attention Current and Former Instrumental Music Students and Parents:
A research study around retention in instrumental music in Milford Public Schools is being conducted by Amy Perras, Supervisor of Music, Art, and Media and doctoral candidate at Fairfield University. This study is for current students and parents as well as former students and parents in the instrumental music program in grades 5-12. If you are a current or former student or parent who would like to participate, please click HERE for more information. Forms are due Friday, November 8, 2024.
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.
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.
❤️🩹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 : Access Health Open Enrollment, Where to vote in Milford and CT River Museum's "River Crafts".
See our new format for the CCC Newsletter Looking for more resources visit the CCC Website .
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
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!
http://john-f-kennedy-elem-pto.square.site/
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!