JFK WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Week of April 11, 2022
Greetings, JFK Families!
We hope you have enjoyed a lovely weekend!
Last week, our Grade 3 & Grade 4 students did an amazing job on their ELA MCAS! This week, our Grade 5 students will complete their ELA MCAS on Monday & Wednesday! Thank you to all families who participated in conferences last week; it was great to see you all connecting with teachers!
We have a short week, with no school on Friday in observance of Good Friday. We wish all those celebrating Good Friday, Easter and Passover wonderful holidays, and a belated Ramadan Mubarak to all those who are observing Ramadan this month.
In addition to no school this Friday, we are also closed the entire following week for April break, with a return to school on Monday, April 25.
We wish you all a wonderful week ahead!
MCAS Continues this Week!
This week, Grade 5 students will participate in two days of ELA MCAS on Monday and Wednesday. Students are prepared and we know they will put forth their best effort! MCAS serves as one data point for student performance and progress, and while important, we also do not want any of our students to worry about this! Give it your best, and we are proud of you!
Canton Writes!
Canton Writes Announces 13th Annual Call for Entries
Canton residents are invited to sharpen their pencils, dust off their typewriters, or
boot up their word processors and participate in this year's Canton Writes.
• Four age groups: elementary school, middle school, high school, and adult.
• Categories: short story, poem, or non-fiction/memoir (limit of one entry per category).
• Length: maximum of 1,000 words.
• Submit entrees by May 13 via email in Word compatible format to cantonwrites@town.canton.ma.us, along with a submission form available
at www.library.canton.ma.us.
• Winners will be announced in June and will have the opportunity
to read their work at the Awards Night in late June.
• The Canton Writes 2022 print edition will be available for purchase.
Canton Writes is sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Public Library
and the Canton Citizen
Full rules and detailed information at: https://library.canton.ma.us/301/Enter-Canton-Writes
Contact: cantonwrites@town.canton.ma.us
Please check out the flyer attached at the bottom of this update for more information!
GMS Night for Incoming 6th Graders!
5th Grade Student Council Fundraiser
The JFK is having a penny drive for the World Wildlife Fund. If you would like to contribute, you may bring in loose change. Each classroom will have a container to collect change. The class that donates the most money will win a prize. This is being run by the Fifth Grade Student Council.
NEW! STEAM Connection - April Edition!
The April 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.
Health Class Notes
3rd Grade students will be going outside for some Immune System Tag this week so please WEAR SNEAKERS FOR HEALTH. Thank you!
4th Grade students are currently completing their Interview Projects and their posters will be do the week after April Vacation:
Mrs. Gillon: April 25th
Ms. Pallotto: April 26th
Ms. McNamara: April 27th
Mrs. Grogan: April 28th
Re-Share: Field Day!
The Kennedy Olympics (a.k.a. Field Day) is quickly approaching, and I wanted to take a moment to inform you about the day. As in the past, the entire school will be divided into 3 teams. The teams will represent the 3 colors of the flag. Teachers will soon be notifying students of their team color-Probably after vacation. On Olympic Day, students should wear clothing that identifies them with their team (i.e. red team wears red, blue team wears blue, white team wears white.). The three teams will compete in a variety of events and gain points based on their participation. At the end of the day, all the points will be added up. The team with the most points will win the prestigious Kennedy Cup. Last year, the WHITE Team came away with the cup!
Although the teams are competing for the Kennedy Cup, it is not the primary focus of the day. The objective is to have the children actively participate in a variety of fitness events and to have fun doing it with their classmates! The students have worked hard this year (especially with all of the COVID obstacles!) and this is an opportunity for them to display their skills. The event setup lends itself to maximum participation by all students. They will be encouraged to complete each event as many times as possible. They will earn at least 1 point for their team every time they participate. All students will receive a participation ribbon and snack from CAPT at the end of the day. The date of the event is Friday, June 3rd . The rain date is Tuesday, June 7th. So, please mark your calendars!
*All Grades will participate from approximately 9:00-11:40
(Volunteers will need to arrive by 8:30)
Lastly, each classroom will need a few volunteers to ensure a successful event. Volunteers will stay with their child’s grade level for grade 3-5 students and take turns helping at just 1 event for grade K-2 students. If you are interested in helping, please go to this link to sign up: https://volunteersignup.org/78K9B
All volunteers must be CORI checked with the main office. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS, so please consider helping out. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to another fun and exciting Kennedy Olympics!
Warm Regards, Mr. Sasin
Re-Share: CAPT's Music Bingo Night!
Please click HERE for info about the event & a link to buy tickets!
Re-Share: Order Next Year's School Supplies….and check that box Now!
Dear Kennedy Parents,
It is that time of year to think about next year’s school supplies! We will again be using the convenient services of SchoolKidz, Inc. and their Teacher Tailored™ back-to-school supply kit program.
For students ENTERING 1st-5th grade NEXT fall, each JFK teacher has picked out what their grade needs for school supplies for next year. All you have to do is order a kit and it will be waiting for your child in their classroom on the first day of school. IT’S THAT EASY!!!!!!!!
We are offering this program as a tax free service to the students and parents of our school. THIS IS NOT A FUNDRAISER. This program is well loved by all! Teachers love that the kids all have the exact school supplies requested, parents LOVE how easy it is, and the kids love to walk into their new classroom and see their new Schoolkidz “box” on their desk!!!
This program will save you time….ALL of your children’s back-to-school supplies in one box.
If you would like to participate, please submit your order online, using link and info below, by Friday, April 15th. Please note that only online orders will be accepted.
Ordering Info:
Order online at: www.shopttkits.com
School Account #: 86218***
***Make sure to order for the grade your child will be in NEXT year.
***All sales are final, no returns or exchanges are accepted.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Lauren Doherty at lauren.m.doherty@gmail.com or 781-856-8333.
A few items to note:
If you have a child moving on to the Galvin Middle School, those orders are handled by the GMS and you will receive a separate notice for ordering.
If you have a child entering Kindergarten, you will receive a supplies list before the start of the school year, kits are not available for Kindergarten students.
In the event you choose to purchase supplies on your own, you will still receive a list from the teachers over the summer outlining all the supplies they would like you to purchase for next year.
Please stay safe everyone!
Thank you!
Re-Share: 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?
- Friday, April 15 - No School (Good Friday)
- Monday, April 18 - Friday, April 22 - No School (April Vacation)
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