SOARing through the Week at JFK
January 17, 2025
Dear Hawk Families,
We hope that all of our Hawk families had a wonderful week! One of the highlights of the week for our school community was our 4th and 5th grade Band and Strings Concert that was held at Parsons Auditorium on Wednesday evening. For the first time, our JFK band and string musicians played alongside 4th and 5th graders from Pumpkin Delight, Meadowside, and Mathewson Elementary Schools. It was impressive to watch musicians from all four schools come together to play under the direction of our Band and Strings teacher, Mr. Brian Boots. We look forward to their future performance in the spring.
A gentle reminder that schools will be closed on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day. The weather forecast looks like we might be able to enjoy some fun in the snow that day! We will see everyone back at school on Tuesday, January 21st. Please be reminded that this Wednesday, January 22nd is an early dismissal for all students.
Enjoy the long weekend! 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:
January 20th- No School - MLK Day
January 21st- PTO Sponsored Programming- Sky Dome ✨
January 22nd- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
January 25th- JFK Skate Night 6:15-7:45 pm ⛸️
February 5th- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
February 10th - 13th - JFK Kindness Week 💛
_____________________
📷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!
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.
This week 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. The drill was a success. It was efficient and timely. If you have any feedback please reach out. Thank you to our students and staff for their interest and participation in making our schools a safer place for learning.
Smart Watches, I-Phones and other Personal Devices
Teachers have noticed that some students have returned to school from the winter break with new personal technology. While we know that these new devices are exciting, we appreciate your help in keeping these items at home or in backpacks so that they do not become a distraction to our learning environment.
Please note the MPS BOE Policy regarding personal technology in our schools:
At the elementary level - No use of a cell phone/smartwatch or other personal communication device will be permitted during school hours. These devices must be turned off or on silent and left in backpacks, stored in a student’s locker/cubbie or other place designated by building administration. MPS Policy
❄️JFK Community: Winter Traditions❄️- We need your help to build our display of family winter traditions. It’s not too late to participate in this great family project!
Winter officially began on December 21, 2024, and ends on March 20, 2025. There are MANY winter holidays, events, and traditions that families take part in from December to March to celebrate winter. We want to learn more about our JFK family traditions and ways you spend time during winter!
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.
Kindergarten registration for SY 2025-2026 is now open!
We are pleased to announce that Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on Monday, January 6, 2025. If you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, registration information will be posted to the district website www.milforded.org. You must register your child for Kindergarten at the school determined by your street address, unless placed by Pupil Personnel Services. School/Street Assignments are available on the district website under “District Information.”
Children born on or before September 1, 2020 are eligible to register for Kindergarten. If your child is not age eligible (born September 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020), please use the online registration form to request a waiver.
Any current MPS Preschool or Ready To Learn (RTL) students will not need to complete an online registration form. However, we ask that you complete the Kindergarten Notification Form located in PowerSchool.
If you need assistance with the registration portal, please contact the main office of your district assigned school. School contact information can be found on the district website under “ Schools.”
We are excited for your children to join us! Fully registered families, please be on the lookout for more information from your school’s Principal about an in person kindergarten event in the spring. In the meantime, click here for a sneak peek of what to expect in Kindergarten!
We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2038!
Congratulations! 🎉
Congratulations to two of our grade five students, who have been chosen to represent JFK at the Connecticut Association of Schools Elementary Celebration of the Arts.
Charlotte van Vlierden was selected for excellence in Visual Arts, &
Grace Tagliapietra was selected for excellence in Music.
Charlotte & Grace and their families will join Ms. Voss and Ms. Benedetti at a dinner at the Aqua Turf in February to celebrate their recognition.
Well done, JFK artists!
🎨 🎶
Please join us in welcoming Speech and Language Graduate Student Mariana Senedez to JFK!
Mariana is a graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University, originally from Brazil. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, she is passionate about the field of speech-language pathology because it allows her to connect with individuals, learn from their unique experiences, and support them in achieving their communication goals. Inspired by her own journey of learning a second language, Mariana is deeply committed to helping others overcome language challenges, fostering confidence, and creating meaningful change in their lives.
Welcome, Ms. Senedez
Older, But Important 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 have your child check the lost and found 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!
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
Community Connections Center
CCC News for the week of January 17, 2025
This week's CCC News is packed with helpful information and fun activities! We're excited to highlight several Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations happening across Connecticut. In Milford, you can check out Foran High School Learning Center's Open House, Bridges Mental Health Training, and Milford Park & Recreation's "Drama Night." Also, don't miss a visit to the Vintage Radio & Communications Museum in Windsor.
For all the details, check out our CCC Newsletter. And if you're looking for more community resources, be sure to visit the CCC Website. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
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
Circle of Security Parenting Workshop
Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25 & March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 6:30-7:30pm for parents and caregivers
Parents and Caregivers, we invite you to join us for an enriching 8-session program where we'll spend quality time exploring our roles and the connections we build with our children through the Circle of Security model.
In this program, we’ll dive into attachment styles and the vital importance of connection in our relationships with our kids. Together, we'll reflect on our parenting approaches and examine the cues—and occasional miscues—our children give us as we navigate the challenges and joys of daily life.
This 8-week journey is designed to offer live facilitation, video content, and group discussion, providing both insights and practical tools to support your growth as a parent or caregiver. We’ll meet once a week to connect, learn, and grow together.
This program is brought to you thanks to the partnership of the Milford Public Schools and the Milford Public Library. Registration is required. Please contact Cara Dascenzo at cdascenzo@milforded.org or Mary-Kate Williams at mwilliams@milforded.org with questions.
Sign Up for STEAM Explorers Club
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.
JFK: A Community Where
ALL
Learners S