SOARing through the Week at JFK
February 13, 2025
Hello Hawk Families!
This week may have been short, but it was filled with kindness, community, and celebration! We proudly celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Week on our “Kind campus”, thanks to the wonderful efforts of Mrs. Koosa and our student leadership team. They organized engaging activities that encouraged students to show kindness to themselves, others, our school, and the community. Our students truly impressed us with their thoughtful and heartfelt messages and acts of kindness! Below, you’ll find photos of the Hawksome kindness walls our student leaders constructed where students shared their kind acts, as well as the beautiful Kindness Tree provided by our PTO—thank you, PTO, for your support!
Additionally, our JFK McDonald’s fundraiser was a huge success! We never could have imagined such an incredible turnout. A special shoutout to our PTO for organizing the event, our truly Hawk-mazing staff for working behind the counters and serving food, and the many, many families who came out to dine with us. It was a true testament to the strength and spirit of our JFK community!
To end the week, many of our classes celebrated Valentine’s Day or spread kind messages throughout the school. The outpouring of love and positivity was felt all across our campus.
Thank you, JFK families, for making this week so special! ❤️🦅
Wishing all of our families a wonderful 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:
February 14th & 17th - No School - Winter Break
February 20th- Grade 3 Torrance Test (Make-up test - 2/21)
February 26th- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
February 27th- Grade 3 OLSAT Test (Make-up test - 2/28)
March 1st- Community Conversations #2-Long Range Facilities Planning
March 5th- No School- Staff Professional Learning
March 5th- JFK PTO Meeting
March 11th- PTO Paint Night
March 13- JFK PTO Silver Sands Pizza Night
March 18-20th- Spring Conferences- Early Dismissal- 1:10pm
March 18-20th- Spring Book Fair
March 21st- PTO Glow Night Dance
March 25th- JFK Arts & Music Night
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📷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!
Kindergarten registration for SY 2025-2026 is now open!
2025-26 Kindergarten Registration Press Release
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!
Community Connections Center
This week's Community Connections Centers News is full of great info and fun events!
Milford Prevention Council: Free mental health first aid training at West Haven Library for anyone wanting to support those with mental health challenges. Perfect for parents, educators, and community members.
Tax Tips for Families with Disabled Dependents: Workshop with Atneciv Rodriguez, CEO of Executive Leadership, on tax tips for families with disabled dependents. Atneciv is a certified financial coach and tax preparer.
Bulldog Swim Academy: Splash Week (Feb 17-21) at 200 Indian River Rd, Orange, CT. Swim lessons focused on safety and fun.
Yale Concert Band: Valentine’s Day Winter Concert, Feb 14th. Free, no tickets required.
Yale Symphony Orchestra - Awakening: Feb 16th, 3-4:30pm at Woolsey Hall. Free tickets for a performance of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.
For all these and others 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 Wiliams & Cara Dascenza
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
Specialist Spotlight: Music
Greetings from the music room at JFK! Our Pre-K & K students are learning new echo songs and simple songs, working on matching pitch and singing independently. They also enjoy hearing stories told in song, like “Momma, Buy Me a China Doll”, or “Had a Little Rooster”. Ask them about those! Grade 1 has been learning circle dances, which are teaching them teamwork, spatial awareness, and some common dance moves. Grade 2 has been taking a deep dive into the story of "Peter and the Wolf". Ask them who wrote it, and why! Grade 3 is finishing up their orchestra unit, and they will begin playing recorder very soon! Grade 4 has begun instruction on ukulele. We will also begin singing in preparation for our spring performance! (Save the date - 5/28, 6:30pm (note the change!) In gr 5, we are learning all about the keyboard, and playing beginning melodies. Whew! There is a lot of music being made by JFK students!
Three of our Grade 5 students have been selected to represent JFK in the CT Elementary Honors Festival. They will join other 5th and 6th graders from across the state to rehearse and perform a concert on March 21st. Congratulations to Amadou G, Olivia Z, and Ray John L!
Please save the date for our 2nd Annual Arts & Music Night, to be held on Tuesday, 3/25, 6:30 - 8:00pm. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 may now sign up to perform. Please ask your kids if they are planning a musical act! (Sign-up form is in my Google Classroom.)
I hope you all enjoy the upcoming February break, and seek opportunities to explore music together! Feel free to reach out to me with any music questions at tvoss@milforded.org
Raffles for Wishes is a nonprofit initiative that collaborates with Connecticut high schools to create opportunities for youth to engage with varsity sports while supporting a meaningful cause. We sell $5 raffle tickets to local families and the winning child gets to join a Law varsity sport for a special game All funds raised from raffle ticket sales and donations go directly to the Connecticut Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. This program was started last year in Daniel Hand and was super successful in raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation in Connecticut so we wanted to bring it to Milford in hopes that we could do the same.
Website: JONATHAN LAW RAFFLE LINK
Presentation: RFW Presentation
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.
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
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
Join the JFK PTO
It’s never 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 SOAR!