JFK Weekly Update
September 17, 2023
Routines continue to be a topic on the agendas in every classroom. It has been another good week of learning as we finished our first full week of the school year.
One fun routine that happens at the end of September is picture day. Picture day is September 27th and we need volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please email Alana Marino at marinoa@cantonma.org with your availability. She will coordinate volunteers and confirm times via email. Remember- you need to have a completed CORI.
Some of our community members are celebrating a religious holiday and contributions of a shared cultural group--
Rosh Hashanah began at sunset on Friday and concludes tonight at sunset. Shana Tova Umetuka to all who celebrate.
From September 15 – October 15, which is National Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. government celebrates the contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans, Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx-identifying people to our culture and society. Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States today, and generations of Hispanic Americans have consistently helped make our country strong and prosperous by leaving a mark on our government, culture, and economy.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
Social Emotional Learning
After a thorough vetting process last spring, the District has chosen the social-emotional curriculum Wayfinder because it incorporates many resources that can help us address social emotional learning. Teachers have begun their professional learning and we want to share the program with you. Below is a link to a short video and the parent resource page you are able to peruse to become more familiar with the program.
https://www.withwayfinder.com/resources/family-information-hub
There will be more communication regarding an upcoming family webinar soon.
School Council Members Needed
The School Council is a representative group of students, faculty/staff, and parents/guardians. The purpose of the School Council is to meet directly with the building principal, and to serve as an ad hoc advisory for school-based decisions and initiatives. School Council members are expected to serve a 2-year term beginning in the fall of 2023.
Interested parents/guardians should email me with their name, students name & grade and briefly describe your interest in serving on the JFK School Council and any additional information you wish to share. Candidates will be selected with the goal of ensuring membership representative of the greater John F. Kennedy School community.
Amy DiBattista is a current council member. If you have any questions please feel free to email her at amydibattista@gmail.com.
Please respond by September 22, 2023. Thank you.
CORI Forms & Fingerprinting
A CORI check IS required for all volunteers.
Fingerprinting IS required if you are interested in voluntering with direct and unmomitored interactions with students. This included chaperoning fieild trips
Fingerprinting is NOT required if you are volunteering under supervision of a school staff member. This included room parents, guest speakers and volunteers at field day events.
*They can take awhile to porcess so please fill them out early so they have enough time to be returned prior to a field trip.
Please provide a copy of your fingerprinting receipt to the school office, or send them an email to marinoa@cantonma.org to let us know you completed fingerprinting.
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Arrival:
Students should go to the grade level area. The faculty will be holding colorful signs with each grade level for the next week. Given the short amount of time and various student arrivals we are asking for students to not play with equipment (i.e. soccer balls, tennis balls) so it is a safe AM recess.
- Do not get out of the car, school staff are there to help students who arrive via the car line.
- If possible, put car seats on the passenger side of the backseat. That makes for an easy exit.
Dismissal:
Walkers will exit the main gate or basketball gate.
- Car Pick up students will be met at the main gate and walked to car.
- When driving through the parking lot to enter and exit, please be aware of others walking. Do not drive close to the cones and roped off area.
Bus students will go to the appropriate bus area.
Please alert the classroom teacher and main office if a dismissal plan changes.
Grade 4 Indoor Recess
Grade 4 Indoor Recess
Grade 4 Indoor Recess
CAPT Corner
Save the Date! The JFK Homecoming is back! Join us on 9/24 for a day of fun as we celebrate back to school!
We are still looking for Sponsors! If your business is looking to get some great exposure while supporting the JFK students, please reach out to us at at jfkcapt@gmail.com.
Gym Shorts
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! My name is Mr. Sasin and I am the Physical Education Teacher here at the Kennedy School. I look forward to seeing all our returning students as well as meeting our new students soon. The Kennedy Physical Education program will give your child the opportunity to participate in a variety of game, fitness, team-building, gymnastic, and movement activities this year. These activities will help your child gain a broader understanding of physical activity, improve a variety of his/ her individual skills, and encourage participation in movement activities to improve their health and wellness outside of physical education classes. The following guidelines will help your child have a successful physical education experience:
-Make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for activity on days that he/ she has physical education class. Tight clothing, blouses, and dresses may be difficult and uncomfortable for vigorous movement and should not be worn. Loose fitting clothing, such as sweat pants, wind pants, shorts, T-shirts, and sweatshirts, is more appropriate for physical education class. Jewelry is discouraged for it may get lost or broken.
-Have your child wear or bring sneakers to school on days of physical education class. DO NOT WEAR CROCS! Boots, sandals, crocs and dress shoes can be difficult to move in and mark up the gym floor. Students consistently not wearing sneakers will not be allowed to participate. Students can switch into sneakers before PE if needed.
-Please, write a note to the Nurse if your child is unable to participate in physical education class due to illness or injury. In most cases, activities can be modified so every student is able to participate in some way. Knowing about possible accommodations ahead of time allows me to make the best modifications for your child during physical education class. Please email me directly when possible as the nurse is busy and sometimes unable to communicate these situations to me as quickly as she’d like. Some situations may allow for minimal participation as opposed to no participation in the lesson, so please discuss this if you are seeing a doctor for an injury.
-Situations that may affect your child’s performance and/ or behavior during physical education class should also be made known to me as soon as possible. This will help your child have a more successful experience.
-Lastly, students will be graded based on the following expectations: overall effort and attitude during activities, cooperation with others, sportsmanship/ fair play, preparation for class, and understanding of skills and concepts. Please discuss these expectations with your child to ensure him/her the best possible experience in Physical Education.
Following these guidelines will help make the physical education experience a successful one for your child. I look forward to a great year ahead! Any questions or concerns that you might have are welcomed. I can be reached through the main school phone number at (781) 821-5080 ext. 5126 or by email at sasinm@cantonma.org.
Regards,
Mr. Sasin
Physical Educator
Grade 4 Indoor Recess
Grade 4 Pallotto & Grogan Meet with Mrs. Gallahue
Kindergarten Stars
What's Coming Up?
- September 19, 2023: Grade 2-5 Open House for Students and Families, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- September 24, 2023: JFK HomeComing 2:00 - 5:00 PM
- September 25, 2023: No School, Yom Kippur
- Seotember 27, 2023: Picture Day
- October 9, 2023: No School, Indigenous People's Day
- October 27, 2023: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- November 3, 2023: Grade 3 Plimouth Patuxet Museum Field Trip
- November 7, 2023: No School
- November 10, 2023: No School, Veteran’s Day
- November 16 & 17, 2023: Conferences
- November 22, 2023: Early Release, Thanksgiving Break
- November 23 & 24, 2023: No School, Thanksgiving Break
- December 8, 2023: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- December 22, 2023: Early Release, Break
- December 25, 2023 - January 1, 2024: No School, Holiday Break
- January 2, 2024: School Resumes
A Few Reminders
Attendance
As you know, school attendance is a key factor in student success. Whether excused or unexcused, frequent absences can lead to academic difficulties and can negatively impact social-emotional development. Students who regularly attend school are more likely to read well by the end of elementary school, pass important courses in the upper grades, and stay on track for graduation. We ask that families set expectations for good attendance and monitor their children's absences. Students who accumulate at least 3 absences will receive an attendance letter. This letter, in accordance with our elementary school handbook, is to inform you that your child has accumulated at least 3 absences this school year. Of course, some students have been absent because of illness and those families should be especially cautious about any other unnecessary absences for the remainder of the year.
Extra Clothing
Having some spare clothing at school is a good idea. We see food and drink spills, wet clothing from playing on the wet playground equipment as well as bathroom accidents. There is a limited amount of spare clothing available in the health office so it is a good idea to put an extra outfit in a labeled zip lock bag to leave in backpacks or cubbies for emergencies. We highly recommend it for K-2 students.
Benchmark Assessments
We will be using the STAR 360 Benchmark Assessments this year as our universal screener. This assessment is designed to help us identify students who may need additional support and/or intervention in reading and math. Students will be assessed three times this year: Fall, Winter and Spring. The first assessment window for Grades 1-5 is from September 11-22. Kindergarteners will be screened later in the year.
Students will need to bring their school issued ipad or chromebook to school on days that they are testing. Parents should expect an email from their teacher with more specifics on the dates for their class.
Teachers will also be using the STAR Curriculum Based Measures (CBM) to monitor progress for any students who are below benchmark.
Parent reports will be coming home in October to help parents understand the assessment results.
More information is available on the Renaissance parent page: Parent Resources
This video contains additional information: Universal Screening
Curriculum Overviews
Around Town Events
Canton Public Schools has a Community Resources and Information Page on its website titled Around Town. This page lists resources and events taking place in our community. To access the information on this webpage, use this link: About/Around Town.
New Event(s):
Annual Canton Cub Scouts Rocket Launch - Sept. 16, 2-4 @ JFK
Canton Road Race - September 24
This webpage will be updated periodically.
School Info.
School Hours: 8:40 AM - 2:55 PM
Adult supervision provided at 8:20 AM for breakfast or morning recess
Breakfast: 8:20-8:35
Early Release: 11:50 AM (no lunch served)
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Alana Marino, Administrative Assistant
Kathryn Gallahue, Assistant Principal
Email: watsons@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/kennedy/index
Location: 100 Dedham Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 821-5080
Twitter: @JFKGallahue