SOARing through the Week at JFK
December 20, 2024
Hello, JFK Families!
As we head into the holiday break, we want to take a moment to wish you all a joyful and restful holiday season. This week has been nothing short of magical at JFK! From the delight of our Holiday Store, to the PreK Gingerbread Bakery Celebration, to our 5th Grade DARE Graduation, to the talent showcased by our 4th and 5th graders during their concert at Parsons, the many special classroom memories and guest readers, and culminating in our heartwarming all-school winter sing-along! It has been a week filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness.
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support and generosity of our families, which make these special moments possible. Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community.
Wishing you peace, happiness, and cherished moments with your loved ones. We look forward to seeing you in the new year! Remember to take care of yourself, our community and most of all BE KIND! Cheers to a healthy and Happy New Year!
In partnership,
Amy E. Rizzo
Amy E. Rizzo, Principal
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @JFKPrincipalRIz
Important Dates:
December 23rd-January 1st- Winter Recess- No School
January 2, 2025- School is back in session
January 8th- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
January 8th- JFK January PTO Meeting Virtual Link
January 11th- MPS Community Conversation- Long Range Planning
*January 15th- 4th & 5th Grade Band and Strings Concert
January 20th- No School - MLK Day
January 22nd- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
February 5th- Early Dismissal- 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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First Trimester Report Cards
Elementary first trimester report cards are now available on PowerSchool. Click on “Report Cards” on the menu bar on the left side of the screen. Please note that report cards can be viewed when you log into the web based PowerSchool site, but they are not accessible via the PowerSchool app. Please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
❄️Winter Traditions❄️
A great family project for over the winter break!
Winter officially begins on December 21, 2024, and ends on March 20, 2025. There are MANY winter holidays and events from December to March. We want to learn more about our JFK family traditions!
All JFK families are invited to share a winter tradition or winter holiday tradition with our school community by completing this Google Slide template. The template includes a space for your family name, a picture, and a brief description of your family tradition. Families are welcome to submit more than one slide.
Slides can be returned as soon as they are completed. Share your slide(s) with Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org) or print your slide at home and return it to the Main Office. Hard copies can be sent home by request. Please contact your classroom teacher or Mrs. Koosa if you have any questions.
Slides will be displayed in our school hallway for our community to see throughout the winter season.
Specialist Spotlight - Music
Music sounds are filling the halls here at JFK! We have been busy learning new seasonal songs (and brushing up on some familiar ones) for our all-school Winter Sing-Along! Every JFK member sang their hearts out to celebrate winter this afternoon, and it was a great way to close out the week. Ask your child to sing their favorite song for you–and sing along! Beyond our winter songs, we are continuing to work on many other aspects of music learning. The younger grades are working on keeping a steady beat in various tempos. Grade 3 will soon finish their survey of the orchestra's four instrument families, and will then do a group presentation to the class with their new knowledge! Grade 4 and Grade 5 performed beautifully in their Winter Concert last night, and will begin more in-depth music reading and writing practice in January to prepare for a composition project and instrument study later in winter.
Enjoy your extended vacation, and the very best of the holiday season to you all! Please reach out with any music questions to tvoss@milforded.org
Band & Strings Winter Concert Information
Attention all 4th and 5th Grade instrumental music students and families (Band and Strings)
Our 4th and 5th Grade Band and Strings Winter Concert will be held on
Wednesday, January 15th 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Parsons Complex Auditorium
This concert will feature band and string students performing from Mathewson, Meadowside, JFK, and Pumpkin Delight Elementary Schools.
Students are requested to wear a white or light top and black or dark bottoms
and report to the Parsons Complex by 5:45 PM to set up
Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Boots.
Have a safe and happy holiday season
Reminders!
Winter Attire
Whenever the weather permits, our students have outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child has proper attire to stay warm when they are outside. We recommend a warm winter coat, hat, and gloves. If you need assistance please reach out to our school Social Worker, Mrs. Dougherty.
Return Library Books
Please return any JFK library books your student has finished reading. We have many popular books checked out that other students are waiting to read!
Please label your child’s sweatshirts, jackets, lunch bag, and water bottles. 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.
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.
Yesterday, JFK conducted a fire drill. This was only a drill and was in accordance with the School Incident Management Protocols established by the district, in partnership with our local first responders. I am pleased to report that the drill was a success. It was efficient and timely. If you have any feedback please reach out to Mrs. Rizzo (arizzo@milforded.org) or Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org). I want to thank our students and staff for their interest and participation in making our schools a safer place for learning.
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!
Attendance Reminder
A reminder that absences should be reported in PowerSchool.
Click HERE for instructions on how to report absences. Be sure to update the date on the top of the form each time you fill it out.
Arrival and Dismissal Information -
Please do not leave students unattended at the school prior to 8:20 am.
Please note that our Walker Pick Up should be utilized for families who are walking to the building. If you are driving to JFK to pick up your child, please use our car pick up procedure. Families of students who are being dismissed as walkers should not be parking in our parking lot and then picking up at the walker door. Doing this interferes with the flow of traffic in our car pick up line. Thank you for adhering to our dismissal procedures.
Parents, please be sure to drive slowly and safely through our parking lot at drop off and pick up times. We understand that mornings can be hectic getting students off to school and adults off to work, but please drive slowly and with caution on our school grounds.
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
With the weather getting colder please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor clothing for recess. Additionally, we have many students with very chapped lips as the weather is getting colder. Please provide chapstick for your child as needed.
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
January Lunch Menu - Coming soon!
Community Connections Center
This week's CCC News contains information and links for a mix of resources & fun activities. Featured this week : "Elks Christmas dinner on December 25th,Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony in West Haven, Chapel Street Ice Carving Demonstrations and New Years Celebrations in Connecticut.
Find these and more in our CCC Newsletter. Looking for other community resources, visit the CCC Website.
Have a great weekend!
Mary-Kate Williams & Cara Dascenzo
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
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 winter break, JFK!
JFK: A Community Where
ALL
Learners SOAR!