JFK WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Week of March 7, 2022
Greetings, JFK Families!
I hope you are having a great weekend. We are a week into life without a mask mandate in school, and it has been wonderful to see our community supporting one another in whatever choice individuals make. As a continued reminder, as part of our updated policy around face coverings, masks are now optional for students and staff in the building and on buses and vans. We encourage families to continue to make the decisions that are best for them and their student(s), and each choice will be respected and supported. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!
The full, updated Face Covering Policy can be viewed here: Face Covering Policy
This week, we kick off our major CAPT fundraiser, Raise Craze! It is an awesome opportunity to support our school, and a great way to spread kindness around the community. Please see below for more information about how to sign up and get in on the kindness!
As a reminder, there is no school for students PK-12 next Friday, March 11, as it is a Professional Development day for CPS staff.
This week also brings Kindergarten Registration, World Language Week, Civics Learning Week and Health Screenings! A very exciting, full week at the Kennedy! More information can be found below.
We wish you all a wonderful week ahead!
Last Week: Read Across America Week
Raise Craze Info: March 7-March 21 (PDF Linked Below)
World Language Week!
Beginning on Monday, we plan to feature morning announcements each day that include a student greeting in languages other than English, and teachers will continue to celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity within our community. It is going to be a great week and a wonderful reminder of the beautiful of our Kennedy and Canton community!
Health Screenings This Week
We will be conducting State Mandated health screenings for grades K-4 on Wednesday 3/9/22 and Thursday 3/10/22. If your child wears glasses please make sure they have them with them for the screening.
We make every effort to conduct screenings in a timely manner and are conscientious about minimizing the students time out of the classroom for these screenings. We believe these screenings are a beneficial tool that may help identify potential issues that may affect your students' health and learning. If you have any questions or concerns about these screenings please reach out to me. Thank you!
~Nurse Stenmon
Screening by Grade Level
Kindergarten: Vision, Hearing
1st: Vision, Hearing, Height and weight (BMI)
2nd: Vision, Hearing
3rd: Vision, Hearing
4th: Vision, Height and weight (BMI)
5th: Vision, Postural (these will be conducted at a later date and parents will be notified once they have been scheduled)
Updated Health Forms:
If your student has had a physical with their pediatrician within the last year, please forward the health form to me so we can update your students records. Thank you.
This Week: Kindergarten Registration
This week, we welcome incoming JFK Kindergarten students and families into the building for Kindergarten registration for 2022-23! For those that will be attending the Kennedy next year, registration will happen right here at the school on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, March 8 - 9:00 - 10:30 am
Wednesday, March 9 - 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Thursday, March 10 - 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Please click here for the Kindergarten Registration Information Flyer, which contains all that you need to know if you have an incoming Kindergarten student for 2022-23.
The information is also linked on the registration website.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Kennedy Office if you have any questions!
Massachusetts Civics Learning Week : March 7 - 11
Next week is Massachusetts Civics Learning Week! In this flyer, there are some wonderful opportunities for students to participate in throughout the evenings, and we are excited to include experiences for students during our school days as well. Please be sure to take a look at the flyer for more information and links to register for sessions of interest!
CAPT Seeking new Spirit Wear Aficionado!
We are hoping to identify someone soon, so that they can work alongside Tena before she vacates her position! Please reach out to CAPT at jfkcapt@gmail.com if you are interested!
RESHARE: Gym Shorts- March 2022
In February, we finished our winter gymnastics unit. Students spent time working on body control with balancing and tumbling skills on the mats. Students also got some time with larger apparatus such as the balance beam, cargo net, bars, and vault. Students focused on improving their fitness throughout this unit. Grades 3-5 also began work on using a variety of game implements in game situations. Grades K-2 worked on using their hands in a variety of ways for catching, bowling, and overhand throwing.
As a reminder, please be sure that your child is prepared to move with sneakers on the day they have Physical Education. Boots are not ideal for movement and can scuff up the floor. If the weather is not great and they need to wear boots, then please send a pair of sneakers in your child’s bag so they are prepared for PE class. Thanks for your attention to this.
SAVE THE DATE: The Kennedy Olympics (AKA- Field Day) will be on Friday, June 3rd (a ½ day for students). There will be an online signup for volunteers in next Months newsletter. Please consider volunteering as there will be many activities offered for the students to participate in. Should be fun for both students and parents!
Monthly PE Sneaker Award Winners for Excellence in PE
Gold Sneaker- Tie, Mrs. Griffin (5th Grade) and Mrs. Sylvia (3rd Grade)
Silver Sneaker- Tie, Mrs. Myerson (1st Grade) and Mrs. Eagles (Kindergarten)
PE Students of the Week for February
Jonathan Mutesasira (4th Grade)
Kira Trainor (2nd Grade)
Anjali Buddha (3rd Grade)
RESHARE: March STEAM Connection
The March issue of The STEAM Connection is now available! This newsletter provides fun information, resources, and activities to engage families in conversations about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math at home. Be sure to check out the CPS STEAM for Students website for more resources and past issues of The STEAM Connection.
RESHARE: Spring MCAS Testing Dates
RESHARE: 5th Grade Families: Photos Needed!
RESHARE: Community Connections
Canton Public Schools has a new Community Resources and Information Page on its website titled Around Town. This page lists resources that are available in our community for families and students. Information on this page will be updated periodically.
This site can be reached at this link: About/Around Town.
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We invite you to visit our website for access to the At-Home Antigen Testing FAQ, and information related to our recently approved substitute and bus driver pay increases.
Please access our website here: website
The FAQ's are on the homepage in the COVID-19 box. The Sub and Bus Driver pay increase information can be accessed on both the homepage AND the Human Resources Page (Under Administration).
Absence Hotline
Daily attendance for all students is a critical element of their learning, though we understand that absences sometimes occur. As a friendly reminder, if your child will be absent from school, please call the JFK Absence Hotline at 781-821-5080, Option 1.
What's Coming Up?
- March 7-21 - Raise Craze!
- Monday, March 7 - Friday, March 11 - Massachusetts Civics Learning Week
- Monday, March 7 - Friday, March 11 - World Language Week
- Tuesday, March 8 - Thursday, March 10 - Kindergarten Registration
- Friday, March 11 - No School (Staff Professional Development)
- Friday, March 25 - Report Cards Emailed to Families
- March 8-10 - Kindergarten Registration (see flyer linked above for details!)
Contact Info
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Kate Gallahue, Team Chair/Administrator
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Instagram: @jfk_elementary
Twitter: @JFKGallahue
Email: didonnae@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/kennedy
Location: 100 Dedham Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781-821-5080
Twitter: @JFKGallahue