Parent/Guardians:

It was wonderful to see so many of you in the building for Curriculum Night! We were thrilled to once again offer this in person event after a two year hiatus due to covid. We encourage families to be in touch with teachers often throughout the year; we want to partner with you for the success of your student. Please save the date for individual conferences with teachers: Wednesday, January 25th from 12-3PM and Thursday, January 26th from 6-8PM. Much more information will be shared closer to the event.

I also want to share some information with families of Grade 12 students about end of the year activities.

Senior Awards Night - Wednesday, May 24th at 6PM at Keefe Tech (You will receive an invitation if your student is receiving an award.)

Graduation Rehearsal - Tuesday, May 30th at 12PM (Required for graduates), at Keefe Tech

Senior Cookout - Tuesday, May 30th, immediately following graduation rehearsal

Graduation - Wednesday, May 31 at 6PM (Rain Date, June 1st) at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland.

Please note that graduation is outdoors, and while mostly under tents, it is partially weather dependent. Last year we had to use the rain date due to the threat of a thunderstorm. Please reserve both dates for the event. We make every effort to hold graduation on the date planned, but we cannot be under the tents if there is a chance of thunder or lightning, and therefore may need to use the rainn date.

We look forward to these culminating events every year. Please be in touch with your students' School Counselor if you have any questions or concerns about their path towards graduation or would like to discuss options for life after Keefe Tech!

Friday, November 11, 2022: No school - Veterans Day

There is a BPA informational meeting today on Monday from 2:00-2:30PM in Room 321. Any

questions, please see Mr. Hamilton or Mr. Rabidou.

Attention SkillsUSA Chapter Members: There will be a SkillsUSA Meeting Wednesday,

November 16th at 2:05PM in Room 323. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Graham or Mr. Ingram.

The Keefe Tech Special Education Parent Advisory Council (KT SEPAC) will meet on November 17th at 4:30 in the main conference room. To participate virtually, please go to KT SEPAC Mtg. 11-17-22. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Dolan; Director of Special Education at mdolan@jpkeefehs.org.

Thursday, November 17, 2022: Career Night Open House for prospective students from 5:30PM - 8PM

Good news! JostensPIX was recently at your school to photograph picture day, and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering! Click on the button below to get started.

VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE
https://shop.jostenspix.com

PHOTOS NOT APPEARING IN YOUR GALLERY?
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE83822

DID YOU KNOW?

• You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and
  text
• Photos are shipped directly to your home
• High-res digital downloads are available
• If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay
  once

Orders will go out to the company every couple of weeks and families will be notified that they are ready to pick up at Keefe Tech.

All students should have received a Student/Parent Handbook signature form sent to their student email account. Please fill out and submit as soon as

possible.

Information to create and/or login to ipass to view grades and student progress can be found below:

Gratefulness causes our brain to release more positive neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin which can improve our mood.

Dear Keefe Tech Families,

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Keefe Tech will be taking part in a One-time At-Home COVID-19 Test Distribution.

This test distribution will supply participating students with four tests (two boxes of two tests each) to take home and use at parent/guardian discretion before students return to school following Thanksgiving and December breaks.

• Participation in the one-time test distribution is completely voluntary and is available for all students regardless of vaccination status.
• The test provided is iHealth, a 15-minute at-home FDA-approved rapid antigen test. Please note, these tests may have an expiration date of late January 2023.
• Families are asked to report any positive results to their student’s school nurse
• Tests will be distributed to students and staff that have opted-in to this one-time test distribution on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Please remind your student to pick up their test kits if you have opted them in.
  
  

To opt-in your child to receive the at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests please fill out this STUDENT OPT-IN FORM by Thursday, November 17th. Please fill out the Student Opt-In Google Form once for EACH of your students. You may opt-out your student from this test distribution any time. Please contact the Keefe Tech Nurses at any time with any questions or concerns.

Seniors who are planning to apply to 4-year colleges and universities should be working on their college applications, completing necessary essays and making sure they have connected with teachers about recommendations. Students should make an appointment with their School Counselor if they have not done so already. Deadlines come up quick and we want to make sure they everyone is on track.

Financial Aid Information:

Presentations in English and Spanish from our MEFA Financial Aid Night on October 19th are below!

Would you like even more help with your FAFSA form? Use this link to schedule one-on-one Zoom sessions with a MEFA Advisor
https://masfaa.org/fafsaday/

MassBay offers Free FAFSA Help at times that are convenient for you! Text “MassBay” to (857) 309-2942 to receive confidential and individual assistance completing your FAFSA. They are hosting a help session on November 15th beginning at 6:30PM - Click here for more information!

Ongoing workshops: Need to learn about financial aid? The trusted experts at MEFA are hosting FREE webinars to help. Register at https://bit.ly/3eaiKwD, or watch the on-demand recording anytime at https://bit.ly/3AAaQEd.

School Counselor Caseloads and additional contact information are below:

Counselor Caseload Information 2022-2023 School Year

Counselor Contact Information 2022-2023 School Year

• Fill out this counselor request form online
• Stop by the counseling office to fill out an appointment request
• Email your School Counselor
• Call your School Counselor
• Text their google voice number during school hours to connect

Dear parents/guardians:

Next week, Nov. 14-18 is National Bullying Awareness Week. Here at Keefe Tech we focus on supporting students if anyone comes forward with information about bullying.

As a parent, it's important to detect the warning signs if your student is struggling with bullying at school. According to empoweringparents.com, some students may feel ashamed or worried that they are to blame somehow. The signs to know, as a parent, include:

- Reluctance to go to school or get on the computer

- A mood change after going on social media.

- Your child is frequently sick, with headaches and sleeping problems and wants to stay home.

- Your child is moody, anxious, or withdrawn.

What can parents do if their student admits to being bullied? The experts suggest not to overly personalize or minimize the issue. Instead, listen to your child and validate how hard this is for him or her. Having open conversations is also important. And please reach out to your student's guidance counselor if you have any concerns.

You can also visit https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/child-and-teen-bullying-how-to-help-when-your-kid-is-bullied/ for more advice.

You can also go to https://www.stopbullying.gov/ for more information about the different kinds of bullying.

Thank you,

Julia Fairclough LICSW, SAC

Adjustment Counselor

SAME DAY ACCESS FOR FRAMINGHAM and MARLBORO CLINICS - EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

No matter what age, insurance, language spoken, etc- we will set you up with an intake and review service options.

Framingham Clinic:

Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm;

Fridays 9:00am-5:00pm;

1st and 3rd Sundays 9:00am-1:00pm

354 Waverly Street, Framingham MA

508-661-2020

Marlboro Clinic:

Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm;

Fridays 9:00am-5:00pm;

2nd and 4th Sundays 9:00am-1:00pm

340 Maple Street, Marlboro MA

508-485-9300

For questions, please contact the Advocates Community Counseling Intake Department at 508-661-2038 or counseling2@advocates.org

Informational Flyer in English

Informational Flyer in Portuguese

Informational Flyer in Spanish

Pearl Street Cupboard and Cafe - The Pearl Street Cupboard & Café provides monthly groceries to Framingham residents. Individuals and families in need are provided with a monthly supply of nutritious foods like chicken and fish, produce, dairy, bread and grocery items to prepare meals at home. A community meal is served 7 days each week for residents of Framingham and surrounding towns.

Daniel's Table - Daniel's Table distributes food to Framingham residents with children 18 and under and persons over 60 years of age.

Project Bread - Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. If you are in need of food security, call 1-800-645-8333.

Metrowest YMCA Food Distribution - The MetroWest YMCA believes that fighting food insecurity makes their community stronger. As part of their commitment to healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility, they provide year-round grocery distribution at the Framingham Branch and meal distribution at various community sites throughout the summer.

• Grocery distribution takes place on Monday's and Friday's from 3:00pm - 5:00pm (while supplies last) at the Metrowest YMCA. No membership is required to access these resources.
  
  

A Place to Turn - A Place To Turn is committed to providing emergency food and clothing to our neighbors in the MetroWest community. We will serve those in need in an atmosphere of caring and mutual respect.

Salvation Army Framingham - On Tuesdays and Thursdays, clients arrive at 12 to stock up on fresh produce, bread, sweets and miscellaneous items donated from Trader Joe's, BJ's, Stop & Shop, Wegmans and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

SNAP Benefits Application - SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It was formerly known as food stamps and is run by the Department of Transitional Assistance. 1 out of 9 people in Massachusetts receive SNAP benefits. Apply for SNAP in 20 minutes or less.

WIC - The Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program keeps pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy. WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify.