Hello JFK Families!
I can’t believe it is already winter recess. I hope everyone has a safe, restful, and fun filled holiday break! We are looking forward to seeing all our students in the new year!
Mr. Brennan
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM FOOD SERVICES: As we all prepare for the new year, we are writing to you today to inform you that the last day for free meals for all students in the Milford Public Schools has been extended to Friday, January 6, 2023. Beginning on Monday, January 9th, our district will return to serving meals for purchase. If your family previously qualified through the Free/Reduced Price Application (filed during the 2022-23 school year), discounted or free meals for those children will not be disrupted. Letters to approved families for discounted (reduced price) or free meals have already been sent so if you have received one of these letters, you do not need to complete any additional forms. If you have NOT received a letter – or if you never completed a Free/Reduced Price Application this school year – we urge you to do so as soon as possible. The application, as well as other information, is located on the district website HERE.
Meal Prices, as of January 9, 2023.
BREAKFAST
Elementary: $1.75
Middle School: $2.00
High School: $2.50
LUNCH
Elementary: $3.35
Middle School: $3.60
High School: $3.85
At all levels, reduced-price breakfasts for qualifying families are 30¢.
At all levels, reduced-price lunches for qualifying families are 40¢.
SNAP Program: An Alternative for Free/Reduced Price Meals
Back in October, the income level required for eligibility for SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) was increased, so some families who previously did not qualify for SNAP may now qualify. Any student who receives SNAP benefits is automatically eligible for free school meals. Click HERE to go right to Connecticut’s dedicated website page about SNAP funds and directions on how to apply.
Paying For Lunches
For families who will need to purchase meals for their children, we have several convenient options for you to do so. The online payment portal, Titan, offers you many advantages for keeping track of your child’s meal spending and is a great way to manage his/her account. You can access your child’s Titan account 24/7/365 – from anywhere. If you haven’t created a payment portal account in the Titan system, please consider doing so as soon as possible. Details and directions on how to do this appear on the district website; click HERE to get started.
The Milford Foodservice Department will also accept checks; please complete a deposit slip and send it in with your child along with your check. Please make sure to indicate your child’s name on the note line on the check.
At this time, cash cannot be accepted in the Milford Foodservice program.
We thank you for your patronage and your support in the coming year. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact your child’s school cafeteria manager or the Milford Foodservice Central Office at (203) 783-3490.
Eileen S. Faustich
Report Cards: Your child’s Report Card will be available on Friday 12/16 after 1 pm to view/print in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The report card can be accessed right from the grades and attendance screen. You must access it from your web browser and not the Powerschool App. Below is a screen-shot of the page. Should you have any issues logging into PowerSchool please contact the IT Department - computerhelpdesk@milforded.org or 203-783-3446.
Student Attendance Matters! - Please keep in mind that the school day officially begins at 8:40am. We ask that students arrive at school before 8:40 am so that they have time to walk to class and get settled in. Working in partnerships with our families will ensure that all our children come to school on time and ready to learn each day. A few tips from attendancematters.org
Milford Public Schools Attendance Policy
Community Connection Center - This week's Community Connection Center's Newsletter (CCC News) has links for the food pantries, Beth-El's calendar for food and fun programs to do during break. Each week information about Milford's providers & their programs are listed . You will also find ideas for family friendly activities & places to visit. And don't forget that the CCC website is also updated with links to community resources.
The CCC honors all family inquiries as private and confidential unless parent permission is given or Connecticut mandated reporting applies.
Mary-Kathryn Williams, Coordinator
Community Connection Center
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 four instrument families, and will then do a group presentation to the class with their new knowledge! Grade 4 is learning about the musical form “ballet”, as they study “The Nutcracker”. Grade 5 performed beautifully in their Winter Concert earlier this month, and will begin more in-depth music reading and writing practice in January to prepare for a composition project later in winter.
Attached you’ll find some pictures of our Grade 5 students performing in their Winter Concert (photo credit: James Altieri). 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.
Important Dates:
Friday, December 23rd - Monday, January 2nd - Holiday Break - No School
Tuesday, 1/24 - Family Paint Night!
Pictures from this week at JFK!
PTO News
Holiday Fun from the PTO!
This week all students participated in two fun activities sponsored by your PTO contributions.
Snowflake Art Project - Everyone got to paint a cute little snowflake ornament to bring home. Definitely check your backpacks! They’re cute, but small. Special thanks to our fabulous art teachers for helping make that possible!
Hands-On Science Project - For a hands-on experience related to last week’s Mad Science assembly, we bought science kits for each student to make their own “elephant toothpaste” in their science groups! Be sure to ask about all the steps that went into making that colorful mess. Special thanks to Mr. Sabo for being adventurous and letting our kids learn with their own hands!
Holiday Staff Treats
We also put together small goodie bags for all our wonderful JFK staff to give them a headstart on enjoying their holiday break. Thank you for all you do!
Family Paint Night is Coming Back!
We’re hosting Family Paint Night again next month on Tuesday, 1/24. Stay tuned for more details…
January Starts Membership Month!
In January, we’re kicking-off a membership drive for those of you who haven’t quite gotten around to joining the PTO yet. Hopefully, you’ve been able to enjoy one of our fun family events - or you’ve heard your kids talk about one of the fun, in-school activities we sponsored. It’s never too late to support the PTO! Here are links for Family Membership forms and Staff Membership forms.
Stop & Shop Community Program
We have again been chosen by Stop & Shop to be the recipient of their Community Bag donation program. That means that for every reusable bag they sell during the month, the JFK PTO gets $1. You know you need plenty of grocery bags this time of year, so be sure to swing by the Stop & Shop right off of Bridgeport Ave and stock up!
Attention 5th grade families
We would like to be able to reach out to 5th grade families directly throughout the year to gather information for the yearbook (pictures, memories etc ) as well as the end of year celebration planning opportunities. If you have a 5th grader, please complete this form as soon as possible to avoid missing out on our important communications about your child's final year at JFK!