JFK Weekly Update
February 4, 2024
As we turn the calendar to February, it is National Black History Month, a time to celebrate the vast contributions of Black Americans to our country and recognize that Black history is American history and that Black culture, stories, and triumphs are at the core of who we are as a Nation. This year's theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression." There are many people highlight, such as Hattie McDaniel, in 1940 became the first African American performer to win an Academy Award for her portrayal of an enslaved governess in Gone With the Wind; Ta-Nehisi Coates, New York Times bestseller, award winning author and journalist who writes about cultural, social and political issues regarding African Amricans and white supremacy; and Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and award winning writer. Like many before and after them, African American artists have historically served as change agents through their crafts.
National School Counseling Week is Feb. 5-9, 2024 and the theme is "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused." Jen MacLea, Molly Piaseczny and Kate O’Brien play a tremendous role in helping to remove the barriers to academic achievement and support social/emotional development.
Ms. MacLea, Mrs. Piaseczny & Ms O’Brien, Thank you for always listening. Thank you for being kind. Thank you for being compassionate. Thank you for caring so much.
As we approach the100th day of school (2/6) and enter the second half of the school year I welcome feedback. As a school leader it is helpful to hear specific examples of what is going well, the questions you have and any concerns that may have come up. My door is always open for feedback, questions and conversation. Please reach out to Alana Marino to schedule a time with me.
Grade 5 parents, please make sure you read the letter from Galvin Middle school about course selection. As the district implements PowerSchool, our new student information system, families will be able to create their own accounts. Our Director of Technology and Data Analytics, Josh Fogel, emailed parents the week of January 29th with instructions on how to create your PowerSchool account. It is very important to have your PowerSchool account setup and ready in order to make course selections for your child through PowerSchool. Course selection process will be open on February 12th and will close on February 29th.
Please peruse the Lost & Found next time you are in the building. Items will be donated on February 16, 2024.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
*JFK will be the "late" school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. The student school day will be 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM.
Lunar New Year
Canton Writes
Canton Writes is a town-wide writing contest, sponsored by Friends of the Canton Public Library and the Canton Citizen. 2024 marks the 15th consecutive year of this terrific program! The Canton Writes program kicks off in early February each year.
Last year, there were 97 contributing authors: 49 elementary school, 9 middle school, 8 high school, and 31 adult participants. We are hoping that with your help in promoting this program we will see even more students participate this year!
All authors must be Canton residents and may submit a short story, poem, or non-fiction/memoir and are entered into one of four age groups: elementary school, middle school, high school, and adult.
First, second, and third-place prizes are awarded for each age group and genre. Winners are notified by email and announced in the Canton Citizen in May. All winners will have the opportunity to read their work to an audience at an awards night. Winning entries are also printed in the Canton Citizen and in a printed book (which may be purchased for a nominal fee).
Canton Writes is a great community program that encourages young authors. They get to see their work published!
Message from Galvin Middle School
January 18, 2024
Dear Grade 5 Parents and Guardians:
Greetings from the William H. Galvin Middle School! We hope all is well with you and your family. Although we are in the middle of January, we are beginning our first steps to plan for your child’s arrival to the Galvin in September.
As the district implements PowerSchool, our new student information system, families will be able to create their own accounts. Our Director of Technology and Data Analytics, Josh Fogel, will email parents the week of January 29th with instructions on how to create your PowerSchool account. It is very important to have your PowerSchool account setup and ready in order to make course selections for your child through PowerSchool.
Course selection process will be open on February 12th and will close on February 29th.
Entering grade six students can choose between the following: general music, band, chorus, or orchestra.
Descriptions for each course can be found on the following page.
Please reach out to incoming 6th grade guidance counselor, Katie Doherty, dohertyk@cantonma.org with any questions. More information regarding your child’s transition to the Galvin, including our parent evening, will be provided in the coming months.
Respectfully,
GMS Administration
General Music Course
General Music is the study of music in a classroom setting. Through the General Music curriculum, students are given the opportunity to create music and to refine and rework their compositions in collaborative groups. After interpretation and analysis, students then present their work to their peers. Throughout their musical studies, students build a language to respond to musical examples and performances, identifying meaning and intent. Students also connect their musical knowledge to their personal life, historical events, culture, as well as other classes they take throughout the day.
Band
Band students play flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba, or percussion instruments. Students in band will participate in a sectional rehearsal twice per seven-day cycle. The Band curriculum includes instrument specific technique, score reading, audiation, and basic music theory.
If your student is selecting Band as their music option, please choose one from the following choices:
“Band: Woodwind” - Students who play flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, oboe or bassoon
“Band: Brass” - Students who play trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba
“Band: Percussion” - Students who play percussion
Orchestra/Strings
Orchestra students play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students in orchestra will participate in a sectional rehearsal twice per seven-day cycle. The Orchestra curriculum includes instrument specific technique, score reading, audiation, and basic music theory.
If your student is selecting Orchestra as their music option, please choose one from the following choices:
“Orch: Violin” - Students who play violin
“Orch: Viola” - Students who play viola
“Orch: Low Strings” - Students who play cello or bass
Chorus
Chorus members sing in Soprano, Alto, and often tenor/Baritone voice parts. Chorus rehearses twice each seven-day cycle. The Chorus curriculum includes vocal technique, score reading, audiation, and basic solfege for sight reading.
MCAS Dates
Please mark your calendars with the following spring MCAS testing dates. We have restricted testing windows so if there will be an absence during the time your student will be taking MCAS please let the classroom teacher know as soon as possible so we can account for make-up testing.
Grade 3
-March 26 & 27: English Language Arts
-May 6 & 7: Math
Grade 4
-April 1 & 2: English Language Arts
-May 13 & 14: Math
Grade 5
-April 3 & 4: English Language Arts
-May 8 & 9: Math
-May 15 & 16: Science
CAPT has a great opportunity for a super cool coding workshop for kids at Code Ninjas in Canton! It's all about fun and learning. The workshop is specially designed to make learning coding fun, interactive, and accessible for kids in grades 2-5. Whether they are beginners or already have some coding experience, this workshop will cater to all skill levels. Bring your little tech whiz and let's code some awesome adventures together!
To secure a spot for your child in this exciting workshop, please visit the link or use the QR code on the attached flyer to complete the registration process. Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon! Code Ninja's will donate 50% of the proceeds back to the JFK CAPT!
Gym Shorts
All classes worked on tumbling and gymnastic movements both with and without gymnastic apparatus in January. Students were creative by moving their bodies in different ways to improve their fitness! Students strived to learn and practice ways to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance in a safe and developmentally appropriate way.
As a friendly reminder, students are expected to wear sneakers to PE classes. During the winter many students wear boots due to the snowy conditions outside. In this case, students should be prepared for PE class by bringing in a pair of sneakers to change into on days they have PE. Boots are difficult to run in and mark the floor. I appreciate your attention in helping the students to be prepared on PE days. Gymnastics has ended so students will need sneakers for PE the rest of the year. K-2 students are currently working on throwing games, while grades 3-5 are improving their skill and control using a variety of game implements.
Lastly, as a reminder, please have Grade 5 students participating in the “Get Fit” program should turn in their January calendar ASAP. February calendars are now available in the file outside the gym. Have a great month!
Monthly PE Sneaker Award Winners for Excellence in PE
Gold Sneaker- Tie, Mrs. Griffin’s Class (5th) and Mrs. Dunlap’s Class (2nd)
Silver Sneaker- Mrs. Rabe’s Class (4th)
PE Students of the Week for January
Ariana Gonzalez (1st Grade)
Emily O’Malley (2nd Grade)
Madeleine McMahon (3rd Grade)
Jason Lam (4th Grade)
Marie Ryan (5th Grade)
From the JFK Health Office:
New Nursing Newsletter!
You should have received a copy of the new elementary Nursing Newsletter. This is a collaborative effort from all of the elementary school nurses in the district. Please take a moment to read it and provide feedback to help us improve our communication with you!
December K-5 Nursing Newsletter
If you have any questions or concerns please fgeel fre to reach out to me as needed.
Thank you!
Ellen Stenmon M.Ed, BSN, RN
JFK Nurse
781-821-5080 ext 5102
Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence
Preschool News
The Rodman Preschool Program has posted their COMMUNITY PEER applications for the 2024-2025 school year! Found here: https://www.cantonma.org/preschool/index. If interested, please make sure to send an application to Susan Crespi at crespis@cantonma.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Family Resources
The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).
The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP
What's Coming Up?
- February 9, 2024: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- February 19 - 23, 2024: No School, Winter Break
- March 15, 2024: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- March 29, 2024: No School, Good Friday
- April 4 & 5, 2023: Conferences
- April 15 - 19, 2024: No School, Spring Break
Things You May Want to Come Back To
If you have a child with ADHD and you are seeking practical, applicable advice to help your children enhance focus and reduce inattention this upcoming webinar provided by Child Mind Institute may be a support for you.
Please see this brief video giving a Fall Update on kindergarten literacy instruction.
The recording of Wayfinder Parent/Guardian Information Session can be accessed here. Additional information can be found at the Wayfinder Parent Information Hub.
Elementary Curriculum Overviews: Curriculum Overviews.
The slides from the Title 1 Information Night can be accessed here and in our Title 1 Frequently Asked Questions.
We ask that all parents and guardians please take a moment to review our Home School Compact.
UFLI Home Practice Pages and a youtube video that helps explain what to do to can be accessed at the preceeding link. Click the following link to find a copy of UFLI Parent Letter, which tells more about the phonics program.
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.
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.
Please be mindful of the following practices in order for us to have a safe parking lot.
In the morning:
-Enter the lot at a slower pace and stay to the right.
-Be cognizant of the cones. There have been many instances where cones have been clipped or run over and dragged underneath a car.
-Watch for families walking through the parking lot on the side closest to the building.
In the afternoon:
-Enter the lot at a slow pace and stay to the right only. Exit on the side of the parking lot by the building.
-If you see a spot on the side of the lot by the building please stay to the right and go all the way around.
-Watch for families walking through the parking lot.
-Do not park in a handicapped spot if you do not have a handicapped parking permit.
We realize everyone is trying to drop off an doick up in a timely manner, but it is important that unsafe situations are not created. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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 includes 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.
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.
*If your family chooses to go on vacation during the school year teachers will not be expected to provide work to be completed while your student is away.
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.
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 Youth Basketball Sign-Ups
- Canton Writes
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
*JFK will be the "late" school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. The student school day will be 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM. Early Dismissal will be 12:20 PM. Office hours will be 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM.