News from JFK Middle School
Updates from JFK Middle School - 11/4/22
Principal's Letter to Caregivers
We hope that everyone has had a great week! We are excited for tonight's Fall Fest Dances, and are thankful for the PTO for organizing this event.
Here are some reminders for the coming week:
-Today marks the end of the first quarter
-There is no school next Tuesday (Election Day) or Friday (Veterans' Day)
-The first set of Principal Coffee Hours will be next week; thanks to those who have responded to the survey (I will link the surveys below):
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lauren
Chromebook Care
-> Your chromebook is yours. No one else should use it.
-> Your chromebook is for school-related use only.
-> Keep your chromebook in its case
-> Keep food and drinks away
-> Charge your chromebook each night
-> Check your Gmail regularly and keep it clean
-> Bookmark Google Classroom and any websites
-> Check your assignment due date calendar
->Keep your Google Drive organized (folders)
Your chromebook is in your hands. Please be ACCOUNTABLE, SAFE, and KIND!
Give Thanks Fundraiser!
From the JFK PTO:
The amazing JFK staff have big plans for our students this school year! From the creation of outdoor learning areas, to engaging field trips, to flexible classroom seating, to new PE equipment....and so much more! The list of JFK staff funding requests grows each week and the PTO is excited to get to work supporting our school and its students!
But we need the help of our generous JFK community to make all of these great educator ideas a reality! Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the JFK PTO in any amount that feels comfortable to you before December 31, 2022. Every dollar counts and no amount is too small!
There are two other super easy ways to support JFK educators! Families can shop Amazon Smile and designate JFK PTO as your charity so that a percentage of all purchases is donated directly to the PTO. In addition, Florence Bank customers can vote for the JFK PTO in Florence Bank's Community Grants Program--the more votes, the more money for the PTO!
See the attached flyers for additional information. And please consider sharing these fundraising opportunities with family and friends!
Thank you for your support!
Gratefully,
The JFK PTO
The Youth Performance Festival
From The folx at the YPF:
The Youth Performance Festival is a free opportunity for youth ages 8-18 to create
original works of theater, dance, music, video/animation, and spoken word/poetry under
the guidance of mentor artists.
Our orientation for interested families will take place at
the Northampton Center for the Arts on Sun. Dec 4th, 2:30-3:30.
We'll then have a series of 6 Saturdays of open rehearsals (12.17, 1.7, 1.14, 1.21, 1.28,
2.4) for the students to work on developing their own piece. The festival will culminate
in 2 performances, 1 at the Community Music School of Springfield on Sat. Feb 11th
and one at the Northampton Center for the Arts on Sun. Feb 12th.
Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs - Recovery Theatre
Football Playoff Game Versus Easthampton
Please go to South Hadley High School this Saturday to watch your Northampton Youth Senior Football team play their rival Easthampton in a final four SAFL matchup. Gametime is 6:30pm.
***REMINDERS! ***
Antique Show!
For many years pre-COVID, JFK has been the site for a late fall antique fair, a terrific fundraiser that directly benefits our Student Activities Fund. Happily, the fair is scheduled again this year for Sunday, November 20th. We are in need of someone to coordinate the bake sale. We are also in need of parent volunteers to sell tickets for 2 hour shifts during the event. Please contact Kathy Casale if you can help: kcasale@northampton-k12.us or sign up here
10th Annual Toy Exchange
From the Northampton Kiwanis Club and the Northampton High School Key Club:
Northampton is celebrating its 10th Toy Exchange on December 2nd and 3rd this year at Northampton High School, sponsored by Northampton Kiwanis Club and Northampton High School Key Club.
People can drop off toys, games, costumes, and books in excellent condition on Friday, December 2nd and people can come on Saturday morning, December 3rd to take whatever they want from 11 am to 2 pm.
The event was started by Northampton’s ReUse Committee as a way to keep forgotten but still usable toys in good condition out of the landfill by making them available to those that need them.
Hundreds of people will drop off toys and/or pick up items that they can use for holiday gifts.
There’s even a raffle of the highest-value items. In the past this has included bicycles, Lego sets, train sets and a giant constructed Ferris wheel.
Items can be dropped off at the Northampton High School cafeteria between 4:30 and 7:30 on Friday, December 2nd.
Items can be collected at the Northampton High School cafeteria between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, December 3rd.
The event is free and open to the public. The event is organized and run by the Northampton High School Key Club. Please share this information and spread the word!
Bingo Night at JFK!
The PBIS team at JFK is thrilled to announce that we will be holding a BINGO night on Tuesday November 22nd from 6:30 - 8:00pm! However, in order to provide some amazing bingo prizes we need the help and generosity of our JFK Community! We are collecting donations for our various prize baskets for this Bingo Night! Please consider donating one or some of the items on this online sign-up!
Donations can be brought to JFK beginning the week of November 7th and can be accepted through November 16th in preparation for the event on the 22nd! There will be a cart in the main foyer of the building where donors can put their donations!
The Grand Prize Bingo winner will win a shopping cart full of supplies for a Thanksgiving dinner!
Reminder: Coffee Hours with the Principal
The first Coffee Hours are next week!
11/9/22 from 9-10am - In person in the JFK Middle School Community Room
11/10/22 from 9-10am - Zoom Coffee Hour (link will be shared in the future)
In Every Edition
Important Dates
November 4 - School Dances (TODAY!)
November 8 - Election Day - No School
November 9 - Principal's Coffee Hour (9-10am); JFK Middle School
November 10 - Virtual Principal's Coffee Hour (9-10am); Zoom (link will be sent out next week)
Novermber 11 - Veterans Day - No School
November 20 - JFK Antique Fair (JFK Middle School)
November 22 - BINGO! (JFK Middle School; 6:30 - 8:00 pm)
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please see the following information from the JFK office staff regarding early dismissals:
JFK Early Dismissal Procedures:
Please ring the doorbell to speak to someone in the Main Office.
The office staff will call the classroom to dismiss the student.
Students should report to the office before leaving the building.
*Caregivers do not need to call the school or send a note ahead of time (unless someone other than the caregiver is picking up the student). Students cannot be dismissed until the caregiver arrives at school.
Resources
I will use this space to link accessible resources for caregivers. Please let me know what additional information would be helpful. The resources below are from specific caregiver requests. I intend on continually adding more information as the school year progresses.
JFK Counseling Department Information
Grade Level Curriculum (please note that there is a district-wide initiative to update all curriculum)