JFK Weekly Update
October 1, 2023
We have had a full week! Pictures, an assembly with a BMX daredevil and Garden Club began. All that on top of continuing to practice routines, beginning to learn new reading and math strategies and diving into science topics. What a great frost week as we "fall" into October!
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
Parent Demographic Forms in Rediker
Families are asked to login into their Rediker family portal to submit annual permissions, verify contact information for each student, and confirm parent/guardian contact information. This task is required annually, even if no information has changed from last year, as the process includes the student handbook acknowledgement, media permissions, permission to be included in the school directory, and other questions. Please make sure you log in as soon as possible to review the forms, sign and submit. It is extremely important that we have update permissions and student information.
Social Emotional Learning: Wayfinder Webinar
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 6:00-6:30pm we will host a webinar to help parents learn more about the new Social Emotional Learning curriculum, Wayfinder. The sessions will be recorded and shared out with families in the weekly s'more following the webinar.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
https://cantonma-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VbiXFj3ESx-zGfNfqaDmYA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
https://www.withwayfinder.com/resources/family-information-hub
CAPT Corner
Next meeting: October 10th at 7:00 PM, JFK Library
Start lining up your sitters because we are bringing Music Bingo BACK for JFK Parent’s Night! Join us for a night (Cctober 27th) filled with great music, games, prizes and fun! Buy your tickets now at https://bit.ly/jfkparentsnight or by scanning the QR Code. All profits will go to JFK CAPT which funds our school programming, field trips, supplies and so much more!
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors Needham Mechanical, Arrow Sports Group, Gillespie Management Group, and Donahue Real Estate for making this great event happen!
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.
Looking to stay up to date with CAPT? Opt into the CAPT Directory here to receive reminder emails about CAPT meetings and events like, Homecoming, Dine Out, Parents Night, Raise Craze, The Holiday Shop, Teacher Appreciation, Spirit Wear, and so much more!
Title I
Gym Shorts
We are off and running with a new school year of Kennedy PE. It has been nice to see all our returning students as well as meet our new incoming students. We have many new students and I’m doing my best to learn all their names and individual strengths. Classes have been working hard on learning our routines and focusing on our golden rules of “Play Safe, Play Fair, Play Hard, and Have Fun”. These expectations will be a focus throughout the year, along with the many skills we will seek to improve in Physical Education. Please remind your child to be prepared for PE by wearing sneakers and appropriate clothing for movement when they have PE. Boots, Crocs, sandals, are not ideal for PE!
In October, grade 3-5 students will be working on a variety of coordination and skill challenges/games using basketballs. We will focus on coordination with dribbling and moving as well as some shooting activities. Grades K-2 will focus on a variety of manipulative skill challenges and games. They will be improving manipulative skills that use the hands (dribbling, catching, shooting, etc.) as well as their feet (kicking, punting, foot dribbling, etc.)
We will be starting the Grade 5 “Get Fit” calendar program in October. Participating students will keep track of their fitness activities on a calendar throughout the month. At the end of October, they will be sure that they have completed a minimum of 16 days of physical activity on their calendar, have a parent/ guardian sign it to verify their activities, and return it to the gym. Students participating will earn a “fitness foot” token for each month they hand in as well as be on my fitness chart outside the gym. This is a nice way for students to ensure that they are getting enough physical activity outside of school. I encourage all grade 5 students to take part and see if they are dedicated enough to complete every month of the program this year.
Monthly PE Sneaker Award Winners for Excellence in PE
Gold Sneaker- Tie, Mrs. Griffin’s Class (5th) & Mrs. Mourad’s Class (1st)
Silver Sneaker-Tie, Mrs. Ngo’s Class (5th) & Ms. Horyn’s Class (4th)
PE Students of the Week for September
Tess Erickson (3rd Grade)
Gavin Gould (5th Grade)
Danny Pietro (2nd Grade)
Elaina Morris (4th Grade)
Alisha Anton (3rd Grade)
Cantonstock 2023
MUSICCOUNTS! and the Canton Performing Arts Department proudly present Cantonstock 2023 on November 4th 12-4pm.
- Cantonstock is the annual music extravaganza that showcases hundreds of student musicians representing all performing ensembles in the Canton schools, and is the primary fundraiser for MusicCounts, the volunteer, non-profit group dedicated to supporting all music programs in all the Canton Public Schools!
- The mission is to raise funds for music programming for all students! Visit our website at: www.MusicCountsinCanton.org
Here are several ways you can help:
Sponsor a Student for Cantonstock (https://donorbox.org/musiccounts-sponsorstudentcantonstock-2-2-2)
T-shirt orders must be received by October 16th! Each student who receives $50 in sponsors will receive this year’s version of the popular Cantonstock T-Shirt! Shirts are 100% Cotton and the colors change each year so students enjoy collecting them as they progress through the schools! (Additional students in the same household only need to raise $15 each to qualify for a shirt too!)
Be an Individual Sponsor (https://donorbox.org/musiccounts-individual-sponsors-2021-2-2)
This option gives you different donation levels to select from and isn't tied to a specific student or deadline. We'll be happy to recognize your contribution on our website, social media, and other channels too!
Be a Business or Organizational Sponsor (https://donorbox.org/musiccounts-business-sponsors-2021-2-2)
We’re so grateful to the businesses and organizations for their past support, and hope they continue again this year. We’d really love to add new business and organizational sponsors too! Please view our current and previous list of sponsors and be sure to support them!
• Learn More & Get Involved (https://www.musiccountsincanton.org/contactus.html)
Visit our website to learn more about MusicCounts and all the great things we’ve funded the past few years. Contact Us to Donate an Item for Raffle and Silent Auction, become a volunteer and more!
MusicCounts in Canton! • P.O. Box 182 • Canton, MA 02021 • CantonMusicCounts@gmail.com
Recess Fun
Recess Fun
Ms. Mourad's Class enjoys a story with Mrs. Bayliss
Art Gallery
Our first collaborative art piece is complete! Students contributed decorated paper pieces for our woven together display. Great things can happen when we all work together!
Here are a few important things to know about art classes at the JFK.
All students at the JFK have a scheduled art class once a week for 45 minutes.
Art class can be messy! While all of the materials we use in art are non-toxic, some of them can stain clothing.
In the spring, we have a huge art show at CHS! In preparation for this big event, students will save many of their completed art projects at school.
Donations are always welcome! We can put all kinds of items to good use here! Cardboard tubes, yarn, fabric remnants, paper towels, wet wipes (for hands), etc…
World Languag Club
World Languages Club - Spanish will be Wednesdays at JFK with CHS Spanish teacher, Mrs. Marisa Munzi Noe.
The year long WL club will start on 10/18/23 and run through 5/8/2024. Attached to. the bottom of this document you will find copies of the registration and information sheets. Families will send registrations directly to Heidi Olson, Pre-K-12 World Languages Department Coordinator, and can reach out to her via email at olsenh@cantonma.org with questions. Registrations are due on 10/13/23. In the event that the club fills up, there will be a wait list.
Garden Club
What's Coming Up?
- 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 1, 2023: Grade 5 Skating Party 9:00-11:30
- 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
Important Safety Reminders
One of the things we do before the start of every school year is to review the opening school protocols with members of the Fire and Police Departments. I am sharing three key updates that will impact those in our community.
Locked Doors -- As school employees we will continue to be vigilant about keeping exterior doors closed and locked at all times.
Buzz In -- When we buzz in a visitor, we will say, "Welcome to JFK. What is your name and how can we help you?" If the office staff has any concerns about the visitor, they will not let them in.
School Grounds --School campuses are closed to the general public during school hours (including playgrounds, fields, basketball courts, walkways near and around our buildings). There are signs on the basketball and playground fences. If a non-school person is on the grounds during the school day they will be asked to leave.
If you have any questions regarding safety, please contact me.
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.
Construction on the Baseball Field
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.
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.
Star Reports
Students in grades 1-5 took the Renaissance 360 Universal Screeners this month. On Thursday, each student was given the paper copy of their reports for reading and math. Families, please checkfor an envelope in backpacks. Additional information about Star can be found here. If you have questions about your child's score report, please contact your child's teacher.
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.
- Canton Public Library Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
- Canton Public Library Jack-o-Lantern Carving
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