Hello JFK Families,
We have some exciting events and activities coming up this month, please check out the information below for important news and updates!
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend! I am really excited to watch the Superbowl, even though my team is not playing :) I am just hoping for a good, exciting game!
Have a great weekend!
Mr. Brennan
Nurse Update - D’Arcy Jeffery has returned to JFK as the school nurse. She has subbed at JFK school over the past few years and knows many of our students. We are glad to have her back on the JFK team. She can be reached at (203)301-5616 or at djeffrey@milforded.org
Swipe Card Rollout - We are pleased to inform you that beginning next week, elementary schools will be rolling out a student swipe card system. All students will be issued an ID card that is specific to them. To begin with, the cards will be used for school bus attendance and checking out books from their school libraries/media centers. The cards, along with a lanyard and plastic card holder, will be distributed to the student beginning on Monday.
Students will be required to carry their cards at all times during the school day.
Lost or damaged cards should be reported to the school secretary right away.
If you have any questions please call Judy Messologitis at 203-783-3438.
Black History month - Throughout the year, there are many celebrations focused on acknowledging the history and contributions of different groups. Black History Month begins on February 1. Milford Public Schools continues our commitment to celebrating diversity and the unique gifts and experiences of our Milford Public Schools students, families and staff that make our community so special. Our ongoing goal is to provide opportunities for all learners to see themselves within our curriculum. If you would like to explore some of the Black History Events events happening across the state you can visit: https://www.ctvisit.com/articles/black-history-month-activities-connecticut
Read Across America Week - Read Across America Week is February 28th - March 4th, 2022! Throughout the week, we will be celebrating authors, books, and the love of reading! We have several fun activities planned, which are listed below. More details will be forthcoming!
Community Virtual Guest Readers
March Madness Class Book Bracket
Book BINGO with prizes
Virtual Family Literacy Night- Thursday, March 3rd - “The Masked Reader!”
Author of the Day (with featured book/spirit day)
Monday- Laura Numeroff- If You Give a Pig a Party- Party Clothes~Dress Your Best Day
Tuesday- Jeff Kinney- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot- Sports Jersey Day
Wednesday- Dr. Seuss (Birthday)- My Many Colored Days- Dress in as many colors as you can Day
Thursday- Mo Willems- Knuffle Bunny- Bring your favorite stuffed animal to School Day
Friday- Peter Reynolds- Be You! - Dress Like a Book Character Day
District Message- be sure to review - Dr. Cutaia’s 2/8/22 Mask Update
Valentine’s Day treat - A thank you to our MPS food service who will be providing a special Valentine’s day treat to all students on 2/14.
Kindergarten registration - coming soon: Please check out this press release about upcoming Kindergarten registration. Kindergarten Press Release
Spring Conferences - We are pleased to announce our Spring 2022 Elementary School Virtual Conference Schedule:
Wednesday, March 30th 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 31st 1:45-3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 1st 1:45-3:45 p.m.
*Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule. Therefore, students will be dismissed on March 30th, March 31st and April 1st at 1:15pm.
Our spring conferences will be held virtually and parents/guardians will once again have the opportunity to select a conference time through My Conference Time. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s learning! Spring conference sign up information will be live on our school website from February 28 at 9:00 a.m. through March 25 at 12:00 pm . Quick tip: Look for emails from “noreply@myconferencetime.com” when searching email for conference confirmation communications.
Important Dates:
Please click here for the revised Academic Calendar for 2021-22.
Friday, February 18th and Monday, February 21st: No School Winter Recess
Wednesday, February 23rd: Early Dismissal for Teacher Professional Learning. Students dismissed at 1:25
Wednesday, March 30th, Thursday, March 31st, Friday, April 1st: Early Release day for Spring Conferences NOTE: Students dismissed at 1:15 (10 minutes earlier that normal)
Tuesday, February 22nd - Celebrate 2s-Day!
School Attendance
Regular school attendance and overall student safety and well-being are always vital for laying a foundation for success during the school year. Paying attention to attendance is even more essential this year, given the unique challenges created by COVID-19 for schools, families, students, and community providers.
Stay home if you are sick! Complete the COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist at home before you send your child to school. If your child(ren) has any symptoms, no matter how mild they seem, do not send them to school. Notify your school of the absence using the current MPS Student Absence Reporting Procedure and your School Nurse will follow-up regarding next steps.
If your child is feeling well and answered “no” to the COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist, please send your child into school. We know that students learn best with regular attendance. In-person attendance each day is the best school experience for our students when other challenges do not prevent students from getting to their schools.
Specialist Spotlight - Music
Greetings from the music room at JFK! Our Pre-K, K, grade 1, and grade 2 students just finished exploring various pieces of music and how they make us feel, plotting each one on the Mood Meter. Perhaps you can tell your learners about a song that makes you feel calm or happy! Grade 3 is finishing up their group posters about families of the orchestra, which will be on display in the halls near the music room. (You can also find them in Google Classroom.) Grade 4 has been reading rhythms in duple and triple meter. We have also begun our singing in preparation for a spring performance! (More on that soon.) In grade 5, students have enjoyed writing their own compositions on the score-writing website "Flat.io". Next week we will all celebrate Black History Month as we explore Rhythm and Blues and the origins of Rock & Roll.
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
PTO News
Mark Your Calendars for 2s-Day!
This year, 2/22/22 just so happens to fall on a Tuesday! We obviously can’t let this fun opportunity go by, so on Tuesday, 2/22/22, dress up in your most creative sets of 2 - could be 2 shirts, 2 bows, 2 ties, or even a tutu! We’re also collecting donations for 2 amazing Milford charities: Purple Pantry Boxes Food Bank and the Milford Animal Control/Shelter. Bring 2 food donations for either one! Let’s get creative, JFK!
Valentine’s Day Fun!
This year the PTO sponsored 2 fun Valentine’s treats to show some love to our JFK kids and staff. Each student will get to decorate a cute little craft in class to bring home - so be sure to check those backpacks! We’ll also give each of our JFK staff a sweet treat to show them how much we love and appreciate all that they do. Our kids are lucky to have you!
Attention 5th Grade Families!
We need your photos! The 5th grade committee is building the yearbook for our graduating 5th graders, but we need your help. We’re looking for a baby photo of each kid, plus any classroom pics or any photos from any school function since your kid started at JFK. Please send all photos to Stjohn.l@gmail.com. Thank you!
Stay Connected With Us!
Sign up for our email list, join our FB page, or just reach out via email to get all the latest info about PTO plans and how you can get involved. ptojfk@gmail.com We’re always talking about something or sharing new information, so come check it out!
Spirit Wear Store is stocked!
We have updated our JFK PTO store with some items from our recent spirit wear sale. Orders will be sent home from school with your student or you can arrange for alternate pickup. We have adult and youth size t-shirts, baseball tees, baseball hats, masks, bows and even a few hoodies! https://john-f-kennedy-elem-pto.square.site/
Spirit Fridays
At JFK we celebrate the first Friday of every month with a SPIRIT DAY!
Friday, March 4, 2022 - Tie Dye Day
Friday, April 1, 2022 - Mismatch day
Thursday, April 14, 2022 - Hat day
Friday, May 6, 2022 - Dress like a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 27, 2022 - Red, white and blue day!
Friday, June 3, 2022 - Crazy sock day
Pictures from this week
100th Day Celebrations
Look at some of the great learning that happened at JFK this week!
