News from JFK Middle School
Updates from JFK Middle School - 3/24/23
Principal's Letter to Caregivers
Dear JFK Caregivers,
Spring is definitely in the air here at JFK. It's been nice seeing so many students outside during school hours at recess, taking a hike on our nature trail, or participating in a team-building activity during Flex.
Spring also means that our first MCAS assessments will begin soon. We are scheduled to take the ELA MCAS on April 4th and 5th.
It is so important that your child has the opportunity to take the MCAS exams. As you may or may not know, students must take and receive a passing score on their 10th grade MCAS exams. Additionally, by having all students take these assessments, it helps us learn where our strengths and areas of growth are at JFK. The data from these exams is essential in building better and stronger instruction for all students. I am happy to discuss the upcoming exams with anyone who still has lingering questions. Please reach out!
On another note, this morning, the JFK admin and guidance team addressed an issue regarding the use of hate speech that has been occurring on one of our buses. We will continue to address issues as we become aware of them. We are asking that you have conversations with your child/ren about continuing to report hate speech, symbols, or any inappropriate language that they may hear. We are also asking you to stress the importance that words matter, and why hate speech is not to be tolerated.
Have a beautiful weekend,
Lauren
JFK Spotlight
Science!
P.E.
Academics in the Library
4th Quarter Will Begin 4/10
If you have any concerns regarding any of your child's classes, please reach out to the teacher or guidance counselor to set up a meeting. We are here to support you and your child/ren!
EARTH WEEK CELEBRATION - APRIL 10-14TH
Thanks to Ms. Terry and the Environmental Club for hosting an Earth Week celebration the week before Spring Break (April 10th-14th).
In order to make this happen we need to collect some materials to use in sustainable art projects.
They are looking for the following materials:
Rolls of craft wire
Glue sticks for a glue gun
Chicken wire (about 10 ft)
beading wire
Embroidery thread
A collection box will be in the library.
Please let us know if you have any items to donate.
Additional thanks go the PTO has approved $200, mostly for prizes.
After School Program Updates - From After School Coordinator, Chris Amirault
The after school program is happy to announce that we are halfway through session 3!
Session 3 ends on April 13th. Starting March 31st, anyone interested in signing up for session 4 offerings, can stop by the front office for registration paperwork and a copy of available programs.
If you have any questions about the after school program, please feel free to email camirault@northampton-K12.us .
***REMINDERS! ***
Upcoming Clothing Drive
PTO News
Do you love our JFK teachers and staff and want a quick and easy way to show your appreciation?
If the answer is YES, the PTO has just the opportunity for you! We need caregivers to help organize a teacher appreciation event: the April 13th Breakfast Bar.
What’s involved?
- Create a SignUp Genius for caregivers to donate food items and volunteer their time to set up/clean up (the PTO and JFK leadership will blast out to caregivers);
- Monitor the sign up and respond to any questions about the event;
- Work with JFK office staff on logistics of set up/clean up;
- If possible, be on site for a bit the day of the event to see that things go smoothly.
The April 13th Breakfast Bar will start at 8:00 a.m.
Ideally we would have at least two caregivers coordinating each event, so grab a friend (or two) to share the fun. You will not be in this work alone – PTO leadership is committed to being available to help provide guidance and answer any questions you might have.
Interested or have questions? Email the JFK PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support of our teachers and staff!
MCAS Dates and Survey
Here are the MCAS testing dates for 2023:
ELA: 4/4 and 4/5
Math: 5/10 and 5/11
STE: 5/17 and 5/18
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
NPS - Spring Sports
The following sports are available to JFK students this spring:
- Softball - 7th and 8th Graders
- Boys Tennis - 7th and 8th Graders
- Girls Lacrosse - 7th and 8th Graders
- Boys Lacrosse - 8th Graders
Registration is open and families can sign up at the following link: https://www.familyid.com/northampton-high-school-athletics/spring-athletics-2023-5
Please reach out to David Proulx, Northampton Public Schools Athletics Director at dproulx@northampton-k12.us
Contact Information Reminder
Please call 413-587-1489, or email Ms. Velez at jvelez@northampton-k12.us
JFK Announcements
Policy ACF - Protections from Discriminatory Bias
"provide a means by which students, staff members, and visitors who experience bias (defined below) may have their concerns heard and receive support, conflicts may be mediated, parties may be educated regarding the impact of harm, and, when called for, effective community responses forged."
We will be discussing this document and its implications as a faculty beginning on Monday during our faculty meeting. We will be creating a presentation for staff, students and caregivers so that there is a clear process for identifying, reporting, and responding to incidents of discriminatory bias at JFK Middle School.
This tool can be used to isolate the standards for all classes and grade levels. It might be helpful in determining the expectations for your child/ren for each of their academic classes.
From DESE: The learning standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks set expectations for what all students should know and be able to do by the end of each school year. Educators, students, families, and others can use the Standards Navigator to explore the Massachusetts learning standards and find related resources such as student work exemplars, quick reference guides, and definitions of terms.
Chromebook Care
-> Your chromebook is yours. No one else should use it.
-> Your chromebook is for school-related use only.
-> Keep your chromebook in its case
-> Keep food and drinks away
-> Charge your chromebook each night
-> Check your Gmail regularly and keep it clean
-> Bookmark Google Classroom and any websites
-> Check your assignment due date calendar
->Keep your Google Drive organized (folders)
Your chromebook is in your hands. Please be ACCOUNTABLE, SAFE, and KIND!
In Every Edition
Important Dates
March 30 - "Careers in the Community" - Dr. Simon Ahtaridis (Flex Block by interest)
March 30 - Caregiver Information Evening (6-7:30) - for incoming caregivers
April 4th/5th - ELA MCAS
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please see the following information from the JFK office staff regarding early dismissals:
JFK Early Dismissal Procedures:
Please ring the doorbell to speak to someone in the Main Office.
The office staff will call the classroom to dismiss the student.
Students should report to the office before leaving the building.
*Caregivers do not need to call the school or send a note ahead of time (unless someone other than the caregiver is picking up the student). Students cannot be dismissed until the caregiver arrives at school.
Technology Resources
Resources
I will use this space to link accessible resources for caregivers. Please let me know what additional information would be helpful. The resources below are from specific caregiver requests. I intend on continually adding more information as the school year progresses.
JFK Counseling Department Information
Grade Level Curriculum (please note that there is a district-wide initiative to update all curriculum)