JFK Weekly Update
January 8, 20223
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a great break. I can't believe it is January already! I have heard talk about the 100th day, but we have so much more to accomplish before we get there. Our first concert of the year is on the 17th, Annie will make its debut at the end of the month and CAPT is working on scheduling some grade level assemblies. So many fun activities on the horizon.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
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 after Thanksgiving break. 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.
Recess
Winter is here! We believe that students should get outside as much as possible to get fresh air and exercise. Please send your student to school with the appropriate clothing for the weather- sweatshirts, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. If those items are in backpacks they are easily accessible if students get cold.
Spare 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 may be a good idea to put an extra outfit in a labeled zip lock bag to leave in backpacks or cubbies for emergencies.
What's Coming Up?
- January 16, 2023: No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- January 17, 2023: Grade 4 (strings)/5 (all) Music Concert for parents at 9:00 AM
- January 27, 2023: Early Release & Annie at 7:00PM
- January 28, 2023: Annie at 3:00PM
Universal Screening Assessments
We will be using the STAR 360 universal screener this year as our universal screener. This assessment is designed to help us identify students who may need additional support and/or intervention in reading and math. Students will be assessed three times this year: Fall, Winter and Spring. The next assessment window for grades K-5 is January 3 - January 13. This will be the first universal screening with STAR Early Literacy for Kindergarten.
Students will need to bring their school issued iPad or Chromebook to school on days that they are testing. Parents should expect an email from their teacher with more specifics on the dates for their class.
Teachers will also be using the STAR Curriculum Based Measures to monitor progress.
More information is available on the Renaissance parent page: Parent Resources
This video contains additional information:Universal Screening
Annie Information
Hello Annie Families,
Between now and the play - things are going to be fast and furious - and coming at you the same way via email. So thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we send things your way!!
1. the Playbill and You, the family member - a possible "shout out" (personalized message) to your budding star or advertisement for your business or family's for our playbill. Click on the google form below and check it out. Please keep in mind that all of the proceeds go directly to our 5th grade, and the students LOVE seeing their own messages from loved ones in the playbill!
https://forms.gle/eWJKr8AujhPCpqsk6
2. the Playbill and Your Student's Bio - every student in the play - whether acting on stage, working behind the scenes, or ushering audience members in are to write their own BRIEF bio to be placed next to their picture in the playbill. Just like a real one you'd find on Broadway!! It's a great keepsake for the kiddos at the end of it all!! Have them click on the google form below to fill it out - they might need a gentle nudge from you guys to get it done though, so thank you for your help!
https://forms.gle/MDs2qaBRz5cnEDya9
3. the Playbill and Your Student's Cover Artwork Design Entry - each year a student's original artwork is chosen to be on the cover of the playbill. So now is the time to let your child's creative juices flow! Click below for specifics!
*** The Shout Outs/Advertisements, Student Bios and Student Artwork Entries for the Playbill NEED TO BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 13th!
So, if you are anything like me, I would suggest doing the shout out or ad right away - like NOW - before you forget - and put a sticky note on your fridge to have your child complete the bio and to start drawing tomorrow!!
Once I have everything, I will be constructing the playbill online and will be printing it up in a real booklet!! Since time is of the essence here, my cell phone number is 978-500-0371 - (Danielle Ripple) if you need to reach me immediately!
4. If you're interested in helping out, please respond to this email with what you would like to do - or where your "expertise"/"interests" lie! Just to keep you updated though, based on the handout that went home and the google survey form, we've put little teams together and a lot of parent volunteers have already started to spark things up! Thank you so much to those worker bees out there!!
Thank you for everything!!!
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns!!
- Nikki Gallagher (Lui's mom) and Danielle Ripple (Lila's mom)
Around Town
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.
At a Glance - New Event(s)
- CPACSS Event: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
This webpage will be updated periodically.
Morning Recess
Morning recess is a great way for students to socialize and burn some energy before the day begins. If your student is coming to morning recess they are to be dropped off at the gate and they will walk themselves to their designated spots, which are listed below. There are plenty of adults outside supervising so family members do not need to walk students to their spots.
K: Playground
1 & 2: Basketball court
3: Courtyard
4: Blacktop behind basketball court
5: Blacktop by the recess door
School Info.
School Hours: 8:40 - 2:55; Adult supervision provided at 8:20 for breakfast or morning recess.
Breakfast: 8:20-8:35
Early Release: 11:50 (no lunch served)
JFK Bus Routes:
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Cathy Spera, Administrative Assistant
Kathryn Gallahue, Special Education Team Chair
Email: watsons@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/kennedy/index
Location: 100 Dedham Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 821-5080
Twitter: @JFKGallahue