JFK Weekly Update
October 2, 2022
JFK Families,
Happy October! It feels like it was October weeks ago and the weather is finally starting to feel like fall.
We have had a busy week here at JFK. Kids are becoming more independent with routines, they are filling each others buckets (ask your student what they learned about this and how they are doing it) and they are learning new things.
STAR Assessment reports, for students in gades one through five, were sent home on Friday. If you have not seen it check your students backpack. STAR Assessments are short tests that provide teachers with data to learn what students already know and what they are ready to learn next, to monitor student growth, and to determine which students may need additional help. If you have any questions about the report pplease reach out to your childs teacher.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, JFK Principal
What's Coming Up?
- Wednesday, October 5- No School (Yom Kippur)
- Monday, October 10- No School (Columbus Day)
- Friday, October 21- Early Release-- Dismissal at 11:50
- Monday, October 24 - Friday October: Book Fair
School Issued Device Agreement
Notes From The Nurse
We will be conducting State Mandated health screenings for grades K-4 on Wednesday 10/12 and Wednesday 10/19. Grade 5 will be on Wednesday 10/26.
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.
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 (scoliosis)
** If your child wears glasses please make sure they have them with them for their screening. **
If you do not want your 5th grade student to be screened for scoliosis please notify me with a written note or email.
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.
If you have any additional questions or concerns please let me know.
Thank you!
~Nurse Stenmon
781-821-5080 ext 5102
Kennedy PE Notes
We are off and running with a new school year at the Kennedy. It has been nice to see all our returning students as well as meet our new incoming students to start the year. We have many new students and I’m doing my best to learn all their names and individual strengths. Classes have been working hard on learning our routines and focused on our golden rules of “Play Safe, Play Fair, Play Hard, and Have Fun”. These expectations will be a focus throughout the year along with the many skills we will seek to improve in Physical Education. Please remind your child to be prepared for PE by wearing sneakers and appropriate clothing for movement when they have PE. In October, grade 3-5 students will be working on a variety of coordination and skill challenges/games using basketballs and grades K-2 will focus on a variety of manipulative skill challenges and games.
We will be starting the Grade 5 “Get Fit” calendar program in October. Participating students will keep track of their fitness activities on a calendar throughout the month. At the end of October, they will be sure that they have completed a minimum of 16 days of physical activity, have a parent/ guardian sign it to verify their activities, and return the calendar. Students participating will earn a “fitness foot” token for each month they hand in as well as be on my fitness chart outside the gym. This is a nice way for students to ensure that they are getting enough physical activity outside of school. I encourage all grade 5 students to take part and see if they are dedicated enough to complete every month of the program this year.
Monthly PE Sneaker Award Winners for Excellence in PE
Gold Sneaker- Miss Pallotto’s Class (4th Grade)
Silver Sneaker- Tie, Mr. Houle’s Class (5th Grade) and Mrs. Eagles Class (Kindergarten)
PE Students of the Week for September
Alayna Ryan (5th Grade)
Claire Northon (4th Grade)
Will McKendall (3rd Grade)
Hazel Brodney (2nd Grade)Note from Literacy Specialist
What can I do to support my child’s literacy development at home? This is a question I am often asked during Parent-teacher conferences, meetings, or an Open House. The truth is, there is no precise answer depending on each child’s unique profile and where they are in their literacy development, but I always like to begin with the child’s reading life environment. Is there a quiet place for them to read? Do they have opportunities to choose new (not necessarily from a bookstore, but new to them) books? In my home, I created a home library for my own kids to enjoy. It includes books at their level that I often switch out based on seasons, holidays, or interests. Do the kids see you as a reader? Your child will be off to a great start this school year with opportunities to foster the love of reading as a family. For more ideas, click on Growing Readers resource from Reading Rockets.
Happy Reading,
Erin Aylward, aylwarde@cantonma.org
K-5 Literacy Specialist
Elementary Curriculum Overviews
Information about the curriculum taught at each grade level in core subjects; English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, can be found in the new Curriculum Overviews that are available on the District website. They have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. If you need a different language, please contact Deborah Rooney at rooneyd@cantonma.org or your child's teacher.
Parents and Guardians can access this information on the Teaching and Learning page of the District website: https://www.cantonma.org/curriculum-and-instruction/elementary-curriculum-overviews
CAPT Corner
CAPT needs YOU to volunteer. Please join them at the first meeting to hear about the program and how you can help. If you are interested in volunteering or helping with the team, please email JFK CAPT at jfkcapt@gmail.com. Monthly meetings will be the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the JFK Library. https://sites.google.com/view/jfkcapt
The fall homecoming event, which is a fun family-oriented event to reconnect with your JFK community, is coming. CAPT needs volunteers to make it a great event. Go to the sign-up genius below to learn more and sign up to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094CA5AB29A6F49-jfkhomecoming
Around Town
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: https://www.cantonma.org/about/around-town
At a Glance - New Events
- Canton Community Calendar
The webpage will be updated periodically.
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:
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
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