JFK Family Update
Ogdensburg City School District
News from our Principals: Mrs. Frank (UPK-2) & Mrs. Bouchard (3-6)
It's the most wonderful time of the year, JFK!
Please be sure to review the important updates in this month's newsletter, especially regarding our holiday concerts. You'll also find an update regarding communication from the school district in the event of inclement weather. Lastly, the JFK Student Council will honor the holidays with a spirit week, so get your outfits ready!
As we prepare for the cold weather to come, and likely growing snowbanks, we ask that you please be cautious when dropping off and picking up your children from school. Please drive slowly, as we have many students who walk to and from school. Unfortunately, children are not always visible around corners or when they are crossing between cars. Please also keep in mind that the doors at school are opened at 7:50 am. For the safety of your child, please do not drop him or her off prior to 7:50 am.
Please consider joining our monthly Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting on Tuesday, December 14th at 6:00 pm. The work of our PTO brings tremendous opportunities to our students, and its success depends on our volunteers.
Our Positivity Project focus for the month of December will encourage our students to explore kindness, self control, and dive deeper into the "Other People Matter" mindset considering how our words and actions affect others. We continue to be proud of the character displayed by our students every day at JFK!
If you have questions or concerns at any time during the school year, please do not hesitate to contact us at the email addresses below or via telephone at (315) 393-4264. We look forward to a joyous December at JFK!
We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Frank
Principal UPK-2
Mrs. Bouchard
Principal, 3-6
Holiday Concert Update
Grades 4-6 Chorus & Grades 5-6 Band
The 4th, 5th and 6th grade chorus students and the 5th and 6th grade band students will be bussed to O.F.A on December 14, 2021 at 8:20 a.m. The students will rehearse the holiday music they have been working on with the Madill chorus and band students.
We will be recording the performance of the 4th, 5th and 6th grade chorus and the 5th and 6th grade band. Students will return to Kennedy School for lunch and dismiss at their regular time. The recording will be available for you to watch on the school website.
Please have your child come to school on December 14, 2021 in concert dress for the recording of the performance. Girls can wear dresses, skirts or pants with a shirt. Boys can wear pants, a nice pair of jeans and a polo shirt or dress shirt.
Due to the number of students performing and COVID guidelines there will be no in person audience allowed at O.F.A. The students have been working hard and are very excited for this performance!
If you have any questions, please call the Kennedy School main office at 315-393-4264.
Thank you,
Kathy Tessmer
Carrie Montgomery
Haven GothamGrades UPK-3 Holiday Programs
The holiday program for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten classrooms (Mrs. Wilkinson and Mrs. Spooner) will take place on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 9:00 am (inclement weather date of Tuesday, December 21). Please note that only two family members may attend for each child or family (in the case of siblings performing in the same program) in order to provide for social distancing, and universal masking is required. The two family members attending should plan to enter at the main entrance of JFK. Doors will open at 8:45 am.
The holiday program for our Jr. Kindergarten classrooms (Miss Beaudin and Mrs. Jacobs) will take place on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:00 am (inclement weather date of Tuesday, December 21). Please note that only two family members may attend for each child or family (in the case of siblings performing in the same program) in order to provide for social distancing, and universal masking is required. The two family members attending should plan to enter at the main entrance of JFK. Doors will open at 9:45 am.
The holiday program for our Kindergarten (Mr. Doyle, Mrs. Lalone, and Mrs. LeClair) and Grade 1 (Mrs. Langley, Miss Mashaw, Mrs. McCallus & Ms. Baker) will take place on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 9:00 am (inclement weather date of Thursday, December 16). Students will travel via school bus to the auditorium at Ogdensburg Free Academy, where the holiday concert will take place. Please note that only two family members may attend for each child or family (in the case of siblings performing in the same program) in order to provide for social distancing, and universal masking is required. The two family members attending should plan to enter at the auditorium doors on the circle at Ogdensburg Free Academy. Doors will open at 8:45 am.
The holiday program for our Grade 2 classrooms (Mr. Dwyer, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Williams) and Grade 3 Chorus students (Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Ouderkirk, and Mrs. Powers) will take place on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 10:00 am (inclement weather date of Thursday, December 16). Students will travel via school bus to the auditorium at Ogdensburg Free Academy, where the holiday concert will take place. Please note that only two family members may attend for each child or family (in the case of siblings performing in the same program) in order to provide for social distancing, and universal masking is required. The two family members attending should plan to enter at the auditorium doors on the circle at Ogdensburg Free Academy. Doors will open at 9:45 am.
Important Dates:
Kindergarten & Grade 1 Classrooms
Wednesday, December 15 @ 9:00 am (snow date: 12/16/21)
Grade 2 Classrooms & Grade 3 Chorus
Wednesday, December 15 @ 10:00 (snow date: 12/16/21)
Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Monday, December 20 @ 9:00 am (snow date: 12/21/21)
Jr. Kindergarten
Monday, December 20 @ 10:00 am (snow date: 12/21/21)
*NOTE: ONLY two family members may attend per child. If siblings are performing in the same program, only two family members TOTAL may attend to allow for social distancing*
Each of our holiday programs will be recorded and posted to the school district website for additional family members to enjoy. We appreciate your understanding and support as we strive to honor the holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic as best as possible given the current guidelines for social distancing.
Inclement Weather & School Cancelations
If the decision is made to delay or close school, the public will be notified as follows:
- One Call Now
- On the school district website: www.ogdensburgk12.org
- WSLB, WPAC, WGIX, YES FM, PAC 98.7, WNCQ in Ogdensburg
- WPDM and WSNN in Potsdam
- WMSA, MIX 96.1, FOX 101.5 in Massena
- North Country Public Radio
- WWNY-TV 7
If you do not currently receive One Call Now notifications from school and would like to be added to the list, please contact your child's building principal.
Holiday Spirit Week!
Monday, December 13th: Jersey day!
Wear your favorite sports gear or jersey!
Tuesday, December 14th: Tie Dye day!
Throw on your crazy socks, pants, shirt, hat, or try tie dye from head to toe!
Wednesday, December 15th: Holiday Best!
In honor of the grades K-3 holiday concerts, wear your fanciest holiday clothing!
Thursday, December 16th: Twin or Triplet day!
Partner up with a friend or two and rock the same outfit!
Friday, December 17th: Crazy Hair day!
Let's see some color, mohawks, or wildly teased hair!
JFK School Store
Students of the Month
Physical Education: Mr. Bouchard
Paetyn Trimm | Kindergarten | Mrs. LeClair
Paetyn gives it her all during every activity we do. She never complains during activities, and she always sets a great example for the rest of her classmates. If a classmate is having a difficult time, she is also the first to offer help. Keep up the great work Paetyn!
Cruz O'Brien | Grade 4 | Mrs. Mousaw
Cruz has a great attitude, and never gets down or discouraged. He always wants to help in any way he can. For example, he always wants to be the referee, help pick up equipment, organize the teams, help keep score, etc. He is a great example of how every student should carry themselves. Keep it up Cruz!
Art: Mrs. Gilmour
Griffin Sias | Universal Pre-Kindergarten | Mrs. Wilkinson
Griffin is a hard worker in the art room! He follows directions well, uses his imagination in his work, and completes whatever he starts! HE is always helpful during cleanup, too. You're a great artist, buddy!
Karly Skelly | Grade 6 | Mrs. Mathews
In art class, Karly shines. She is helpful to her peers, stays on task, pays attention to detail and has the ability to see things in 3D. We recently began using sculpey clay and Karly is an amazing sculptor. Keep practicing your art skills, you make a fantastic artist!
Physical Education: Mrs. Halladay
Abel Driscoll | Jr. Kindergarten | Mrs. Jacobs
Abel Driscoll is the student of the month for December. Abel always comes to the gym ready to play. He is a good listener and leads by example. Abel is also one of the most polite students I have ever had in class. Keep on being you Abel. You are appreciated.Chloe Frank | Grade 5 | Mr. Brenno
Chloe Frank is the student of the month for December. Chloe has really stepped up since we started basketball. I can tell that she has found a sport that she really enjoys. She has been pushing herself and has come out on top in dribble derby and knock out. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Keep it up Chloe!
Music: Mrs. Woodcock & Miss Gotham
Chloe Marsh | Grade 2 | Ms. Flint
Chloe is always excited to participate, and uses creative ways to express herself in music. She is well-behaved and treats her classmates with respect. Keep up the great work, Chloe!
Drake Francis | Grade 3 | Mrs. Powers
Drake has been working very hard to learn the songs for our upcoming holiday concert. He does an excellent job following directions, and he makes thoughtful choices in music class. Keep up the great work, Drake!
Art: Mrs. Willmart
Patricia Belile | Kindergarten | Mrs. LeClair
Patricia always comes to art class with great enthusiasm, and she puts her best effort into the work she makes. She also is very kind and helpful to her classmates!
Caelum Rider | Grade 4 | Mrs. Mousaw
Caelum works hard and he isn’t afraid to try new techniques in his painting. It’s a joy to have him in art class and see his creativity!
Instrumental Music: Mrs. Tessmer
Ryder Charlton | Grade 4 | Mrs. Mousaw
Ryder has been working hard on the trombone. Ryder has an amazing sound and he is always prepared for his lesson each week. Ryder is off to a great start! Keep up the great work!
Isiah Warner | Grade 5 | Mrs. Doyle
Isiah started the trombone as a fifth grader this year and he is doing an amazing job. Isiah has a great sound and he works hard learning to play his assignment every week. He is very talented and I am excited to see how far he progresses this year! Keep up the great work!
December Calendar
From Our School Counselors: Mrs. McNichol (UPK-2) & Mrs. West (3-6)
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is how children learn to understand and manage their emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These skills are based on five strategies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Social Emotional Learning is at the forefront in our schools, as children are facing many challenges in their lives. At John F. Kennedy Elementary, we are focusing on this every day. Check out the information below for some ideas to practice Social Emotional Learning at home!
As always, please feel free to reach out to us with your emotional health needs. If we can support your child in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Mrs. McNichol (UPK-2) jmcnichol@ogdensburgk12.org
Mrs. West (3-6) awest@sllboces.org
From the Health Office: Mrs. Kroeger & Ms. Driscoll
Winter Weather
COVID-19 Information
Please DO NOT send your child(ren) to school when you believe you or your child(ren) have been in contact with a known COVID-19 positive individual OR when they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, which include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If your child(ren) have experienced any of the above situations, please contact the school nurse.
If we are to continue to stay open for full in-person instruction, we must all take responsibility and stay home when we are not feeling well.
Join the JFK PTO!
The John F. Kennedy Elementary School PTO is seeking volunteers. Meetings are held monthly, with volunteers helping to provide our harvest reading event, family sleigh rides, holiday door decorating contest prizes, Art to Remember fundraiser, Scholastic Book Fairs, and much more. PTO events are much loved by our students, and we would love your support!
Our next meeting for the 2021-2022 school year will take place on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the library at JFK. Please note that meetings may be moved to a Zoom platform as we monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are interested in joining, please email Mrs. Frank at cfrank@ogdensburgk12.org or Mrs. Bouchard at sbouchard@ogdensburgk12.org, or join us at our meeting!
Block O
Block O will be hosting several exciting events in the coming month, and we hope to see you there!
Blue Devils fan gear will be available for sale on Friday, December 10th and Monday, December 13th from 5:30 until 8:00 pm in the main hall at Ogdensburg Free Academy during the first home basketball games of the season for our girls and boys basketball teams. Adult sizes only are available. Contact Block O President Tamara Graveline with questions or for details at 315-528-7223.
On Saturday, December 18th Block O will host a Rock and Skate event at Lockwood Arena. Cost is $5 per person, and a concession stand will be available. Students in grades K-6 will skate from 6:00 until 7:30 pm, and students in grades 7-12 will skate from 7:30 until 9:00 pm. Skate rentals will be available, too!
We are always looking for new volunteers to help us. Please email Block O President Tamara Graveline for information at blockobooster@gmail.com.
We are on Facebook!
Opt in to the school district's emergency notification system, One Call Now, by texting ALERT to 22300 from your cell phone.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Website: https://kennedy.ogdensburgk12.org/
Location: 801-809 Park Street, Ogdensburg, NY, USA
Phone: 315-393-4264