News from JFK Middle School
Updates from JFK Middle School - 5/12/23
Principal's Letter to Caregivers
Dear JFK Caregivers,
It was great running into so many of you and your children during last week's Pride Parade. Hoping to see some of you at tonight's JFK Art Exhibit at Forbes Library tonight (from 4-6pm).
We are so proud of your students for handling two days of math MCAS testing with grade. Last MCAS tests are next week, but only for 8th grade (STE MCAS).
A reminder that Monday is an early release day for students (12:25 dismissal time).
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Have a great weekend,
Lauren
8th Grade Mayor's Dance
More information will follow on Monday (to 8th grade families).
6th/7th Grade Dance
Hate Speech/Title IX Violations and Process
The hate speech policy, as well as learning opportunities/consequences for aggressors, is a work in progress. We are working to streamline the communication process, as well as working on consistent and timely responses.
Here is the information and plan that has already been shared with all JFK students:
What is hate speech?
Hate speech includes verbal or written communication that attacks people based on their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, neurodiversity, religion, or nationality.
Written or verbal statements may include slurs, negative stereotypes, etc.
Hate speech also includes symbols such as the swastika
Hate speech extends to gestures
What should you do if you hear someone using hate speech?
If you hear someone using hate speech, you should tell a trusted adult.
If you see written hate speech including words or symbols anywhere within our school you should tell an adult as soon as possible.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you can tell those using hate speech to “stop”. This is called being an upstander and it is a core value at JFK.
What happens after you report hate speech?
- Each report of hate speech will result in an investigation. Your identity as the reporter will remain confidential.
Hate Speech Plan
-Students who use hate speech need an education on the harm these words, symbols, and gestures cause. Therefore, students will engage in learning activities about the word(s) or symbol(s) used. This may occur during flex, after school, or at another time of administration’s choosing.
-Students who use hate speech will also need to repair the harm done by apologizing to the affected person or group.
-Students MAY also receive a disciplinary consequence if the hate speech use is also a violation of the bullying policy and/or the code of conduct. This will be determined on a case by case basis.-Students who have been targeted by hate speech will be invited to speak with a trusted adult, and their caregivers will be notified. We will proceed with a repair only if they feel comfortable doing so.
For repeat hate speech violations:
2nd offense
Caregivers will be required to come in for a meeting with administration
Enrollment in a longer term flex for continued education around hate and the harm it does
3rd offense and beyond
Individualized success plan, safety plan, and or consequences per the bullying laws, code of conduct, etc.
***REMINDERS! ***
JFK Art Exhibit at Forbes!
The JFK Drama Club Proudly Presents...
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Teachers!
Come and support the drama club on May 31st!
More details to come...
NEF Plant Sale!
The NEF plant sale is coming up soon! Please read the attached flyer!
Greetings From the Library!
Don't forget to check out our blog! This week's post spotlights four wonderful books with autistic protagonists!
Yearbook Reminders!
Yearbooks! Get your yearbooks! The online store will be opened to ALL students/families on Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 26. The yearbooks cost $24. If you want one, order it online because we won't have extras to sell in June. If you need financial assistance, the PTO has generously donated money for students who would like one. Please email Jessica Engbretson if you need financial assistance. jengebretson@northampton-k12.us
Incase the link doesn't work, the store can be found at: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/johnfkennedymiddleschool
MCAS Dates
Here are the remaning MCAS testing dates for 2023:
STE: 5/17 and 5/18 (grade 8 only)
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Contact Information Reminder
Please call 413-587-1489, or email Ms. Velez at jvelez@northampton-k12.us
JFK Announcements
Policy ACF - Protections from Discriminatory Bias
"provide a means by which students, staff members, and visitors who experience bias (defined below) may have their concerns heard and receive support, conflicts may be mediated, parties may be educated regarding the impact of harm, and, when called for, effective community responses forged."
We will be discussing this document and its implications as a faculty beginning on Monday during our faculty meeting. We will be creating a presentation for staff, students and caregivers so that there is a clear process for identifying, reporting, and responding to incidents of discriminatory bias at JFK Middle School.
This tool can be used to isolate the standards for all classes and grade levels. It might be helpful in determining the expectations for your child/ren for each of their academic classes.
From DESE: The learning standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks set expectations for what all students should know and be able to do by the end of each school year. Educators, students, families, and others can use the Standards Navigator to explore the Massachusetts learning standards and find related resources such as student work exemplars, quick reference guides, and definitions of terms.
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!
In Every Edition
Important Dates
May 12th - Art Show Launch at Forbes Library (4-6pm)
May 15th - 1/2 day
May 17th and 18th - STE MCAS (grade 8)
May 21st - Mayor's Dance (8th graders) from 6-8:30 pm
May 26th - 1/2 day
May 29th - Memorial Day (no school)
June 9th - 6th/7th Grade Dance (6:30-8:00pm)
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.
Technology Resources
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)