JFK Weekly Update
April 28, 2024
Hello!
May 1st - 7th is National Physical Education and Sports Week. It’s a week-long celebration giving importance to fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and a sound mind and body. There are so many fun ways to be physically active- organized sports, school Physical Education classes, the JFK Fun Fitness Walk, running around at recess. Mr. Sassin uses the Physical Education curriculum to engage students in a variety of activities that keep students' bodies moving, while learning and having fun. I am going to use this week to reinvigorate my number of active days despite my busy schedule.
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year's theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” which pays tribute to the visionaries who have shaped AANHPI history and continue to influence the future. AANHPI leaders have made lasting contributions to our Nation’s economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social/political change through their creativity while navigating significant cultural and systemic barriers.
It is a big Boston sports weekend and hopefully everyone in their sports gear on Friday gave the Bruins and Celtics good playoff luck!
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
*Snow Day/School Year Calendar Update: As a result of the snow day on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the last day of school is currently Friday, June 14. This will be an early release day for grades 1-5. Kindergarten's last day is now Monday, June 10. This will be a full day of school.
*JFK will be the "late" school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. The student school day will be 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM.
SchoolKidz Kits
Order Next Year's School Supplies….and check that box Now!
It is that time of year to think about next year’s school supplies! We will again be using the convenient services of SchoolKidz, Inc. and their Teacher Tailored™ back-to-school supply kit program.
For students ENTERING 1st-5th grade NEXT fall, each JFK teacher has picked out what their grade needs for school supplies for next year. All you have to do is order a kit and it will be waiting for your child in their classroom on the first day of school. IT’S THAT EASY!!!!!!!!
THIS IS NOT A FUNDRAISER. This program is well loved by all! Teachers love that the kids all have the exact school supplies requested, parents LOVE how easy it is, and the kids love to walk into their new classroom and see their new Schoolkidz “box” on their desk!!!
This program will save you time and from my experience money as well….ALL of your children’s back-to-school supplies in one box.
If you would like to participate, please submit your order online, using link and info below, by Friday, May 10th. Please note that only online orders will be accepted.
Ordering Info:
Order online at: www.shopttkits.com
School Account #: 86218***
***Make sure to order for the grade your child will be in NEXT year.
***All sales are final, no returns or exchanges are accepted.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Lauren Doherty at lauren.m.doherty@gmail.com or 781-856-8333.
A few items to note:
This sale is for students entering 1st-5th at the JFK only next year.
If you have a child entering Kindergarten, you will receive a supplies list before the start of the school year, kits are not available for Kindergarten students.
In the event you choose to purchase supplies on your own, you will still receive a list from the teachers over the summer outlining all the supplies they would like you to purchase for next year.
Thank you
Principal Elburg announces Pajama Day on May 3rd.
Principal Elburg visits grade 5.
Principal Elburg had a productive meeting with Superintendent Folan.
Principal Haggard gets an important call from the office.
Principal Haggard had a productive meeting with Superintendent Folan.
Book Fair
JFK Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, April 29 - Friday, May 3 2024
Open Wednesday, May 1st until 7pm
Hundreds of books from Scholastic will be available for purchase!
Grades 1-5 will visit the book fair during their regularly scheduled library time. All proceeds benefit the JFK Library. Please let your students do some shopping!
Please have your child bring cash or check payable to JFK CAPT in an envelope or Ziploc bag, marked with your child’s name. Parent volunteers can fill in the check amount if you wish.
Online shopping April 29-May 3 at this link: JFK SPRING BOOK FAIR
Orders will be delivered free of charge to your child’s classroom.
Thank you to all the JFK families who make these fairs so successful.
Questions? Email Mrs. Bayliss at baylissm@cantonma.org.
Students from 1MacKay make the morning announcement.
Fun and Fitness Walk
Fun and Fitness Walk
What's Coming Up
- April 29 - May 3, 2024: Book Fair
- May 6 & 7, 2024: Grade 3 Math MCAS
- May 8 & 9, 2024: Grade 5 Math MCAS
- Ma 10, 2024: Early Release, 11:50 Dismissal
- May 13 & 14, 2024: Grade 4 Math MCAS
- May 15 & 16, 2024: Grade 5 Science MCAS
- May 20-23, 2024: Art Show at CHS, 6:00-8:00 PM
- May 24, 2024: Grade 5 Unity Day
- May 27, 2024: No School, Memorial Day
- May 31, 2024: Field Day
- June 3, 2024: Field Day Rain Date
- June 6, 2024: Grade 5 Unity Day Rain Date
- June 10, 2024: Last Day of Kindergarten (full day)
- June 14, 2024: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony, 9:30 AM
- June 14, 2024: Last Day 1-5 (Early Release)
Art Show
We are happy to announce the dates for Canton’s Annual K-12 Art Show! This year the show will be held May 20-23, 6-8pm in the gym at Canton High School. Every student at the JFK will have at least one piece of work on display.
Students will be working this month to prepare selections for the big event. We will work together to select a very special example of their favorite artwork for show. Students will then bring home their artwork that was not selected for display. All of the work from the show will be returned before the end of the school year.
HELP WANTED
Help is needed setting up the show on Friday, May 17, during the day and dismantling on Thursday, May 23 in the evening. Please email Mrs. Eaton, (eatonk@cantonma.org),if you would like to help.
Sign Up Genius: Please Click Here to Volunteer
This is a wonderful event for all of our students and we hope to see you there!
Grade 5 Transition to Galvin Middle School
Volunteer Opportunity: Challenger Division
On Monday, May 13th the Galvin Middle School will host a welcome event for all families of current 5th graders. The event will run from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the GMS cafetorium. Please plan to attend if you can.
A welcome email, which includes a scheduling information letter, will be sent from GMS to all 5th grade families this coming Monday, April 29th. Please watch your inboxes!
If you have any questions, please reach out to GMS Principal Jon Mulhern at mulhernj@cantonma.org.
The Challenger Division aims to give developmentally and physically challenged boys and girls the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of participation in a Little League program structured to their abilities. The Challenger Division accommodates participants ages 6 to 18, or anyone still enrolled in high school. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play the great game of baseball. Playing with the same equipment on the same fields, Challenger Division participants have the opportunity to experience the joys of pulling together as a team and hearing the cheers of the crowd. In addition to learning the game of baseball, the value of the Little League Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports; the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem; and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play, which are the hallmarks of the Canton Little League program.
An additional benefit of the Challenger Division is the mentor or “Buddy” role. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field and are always nearby to help when needed. Parents and children are encouraged to become involved in this uniquely-rewarding division of Canton Little League.
Information and requirements on becoming a “Buddy” can be found below.
Games are tentatively scheduled to be played on Sunday afternoons, early-May through June, at Walsh Field in Canton.
Players and volunteers may register on-line at our website: www.cantonlittleleague.org (here)
For more information on the Canton Little League Challenger Division please contact League representative Scott Lysko (slysko1@yahoo.com).
Canton Little League Challenger Division is looking for “Buddy” volunteers for the 2024 season.
Are you interested in volunteering as a Challenger Division Buddy?
Requirements:
- Ages 11 and up and currently registered in Canton Little League Baseball or Softball.
- A warm heart, patience, and a love for our community.
- Each Buddy is required to attend approximately 6 games from early May to mid June on Sunday afternoons each week. Each game will last approximately 90 minutes.
- Each Buddy will be assigned to a specific player or to a specific position/role on the field (Buddy’s choice).
- Buddy volunteers are required to attend a pre-season training/information session.
- Buddy volunteers must complete the Challenger League Volunteer Registration Form.
Buddies are essential to the success of this division and we would love to have your help.
If you would like to volunteer as a buddy, please register on our registration page www.cantonlittleleague.org(here).
PAY AND RIDE APPLICATIONS
Please check your emails for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride Forms. An electronic form was emailed for each student, to one household member. Please check with other household members and your spam inbox if you do not see this email.
The Pay and Ride form must be completed every year whether your student will require transportation or not. The cut-off date for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride form is June 7th. Please complete the electronic form as soon as possible.
Incoming Kindergarten Pay and Ride forms were completed at the time of registration. You will not receive an email for your incoming 2024-25 Kindergarten student.
More information regarding the Pay and Ride Program, including fees and payments can be found HERE. Payment is not due at this time. Applicable invoices will be sent by MySchoolBucks by the end of June.
If you have questions or did not receive the 2024-25 Pay and Ride email, please email transportation@cantonma.org with your student’s name and school of attendance.
DEI Committee Website & Letter
The following is an update about some of the initiatives the John F. Kennedy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JFK DEI) committee is currently working on.
The committee is working to create opportunities to offer additional cultural events at the JFK. These could be events for the whole community or within individual classes or grades. And this is where you can join in and have a major impact on our community.
We invite all families to share elements of your student’s or your family’s life in the classroom or in the school as a whole. You can share cultural celebrations and/or elements of your student’s life and open up new experiences for the whole class.
Parents and their students sharing elements of their lives is how the fourth grade was introduced to Braille and several classrooms and grades were introduced to Lunar New Year celebrations. When our students share elements of their lives and cultures that not everyone is exposed to, we all learn more about the world, and build excitement and empathy for other people and cultures. The more we know about each other, the more equitable and inclusive our community will be!
We are planning on creating a cultural heritage spirit week, in conjunction with the cultural heritage spirit week at the Galvin Middle School, in May. Please keep an eye out for additional communication about how we plan to celebrate with our community.
If you would like to learn more about visiting classrooms to share, or support your student sharing, more about your family, please visit the JFK DEI Hub. Here you can find ways to get involved in efforts to sustain the JFK’s supportive community, have access to resources and newsletters, and learn more about the DEI committee’s efforts to make the JFK open and welcoming to all.
The more your family can share with us, the better the whole community becomes!
Sincerely,
DEI Committee
P.S. If you are looking for additional ways to support JFK’s efforts to maintain an inclusive community, please consider joining the JFK DEI Committee.
Grade 4 Living History Performance
Grade 4 Living History Performance
Kindergarten led All School Meeting!
Title I Survey
Did your child receive Title 1 intervention in reading or math this year? If so, we would appreciate your feedback on this brief survey: 2023-24 Parent/Guardian Survey.
CPS Device Policy
Reminder: The Canton Elementary schools are Away-For-the-Day schools. All cell phones and other electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, music players, smart devices (including smartwatches), airpods, video-game systems, laser pointers, voice or video recorders, must be off and in backpacks, unless authorized to be used for medical situations. Students will be reminded to put devices away. If the rule is ignored the device will be confiscated. Students are not allowed to take pictures or video or audio record students or staff when on school property, inclusive of the bus. Cell phones will be confiscated, and parents/guardians will be notified if that occurs. If an issue persists, parents/guardians may be required to pick the device up from the school. Thank you for your help enforcing this rule.
CAPT Corner
(1) Spring is a busy time of year. Make dinner a little easier and help the JFK at the same time! Dine In or Take Out at Playa Bowls on Tuesday, April 30th from 5pm to 9pm. Please show this flyer or mention JFK Elementary School when placing an in-store order to ensure 10% of the proceeds go back to the JFK!
(2) Join CAPT for their last 2 meetings this year! (Please note the location change for June's meeting)
- May 14th at 7pm in the JFK Library
- June 11th at 7pm at Jake n Joes (Norwood)
(3) To stay up to date, follow CAPT on Facebook and Instagram!
Field Day Info- Volunteers Needed!
"The Kennedy Olympics (aka Field Day) is quickly approaching and will be Friday, May 31st (rain date: 6/3). We need parent volunteers to help with the activities. Please consider helping out and sign up at this link: https://volunteersignup.org/FFYE4
MCAS DAtes
Please mark your calendars with the following spring MCAS testing dates. We have restricted testing windows so if there will be an absence during the time your student will be taking MCAS please let the classroom teacher know as soon as possible so we can account for make-up testing.
Grade 3
-May 6 & 7: Math
Grade 4
-May 13 & 14: Math
Grade 5
-May 8 & 9: Math
-May 15 & 16: Science
Family Resources
The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).
The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP
Things You May Want To Come Back To
The recording of Wayfinder Parent/Guardian Information Session can be accessed here. Additional information can be found at the Wayfinder Parent Information Hub.
Elementary Curriculum Overviews: Curriculum Overviews.
We ask that all parents and guardians please take a moment to review our Home School Compact.
UFLI Home Practice Pages and a youtube video that helps explain what to do to can be accessed at the preceeding link. Click the following link to find a copy of UFLI Parent Letter, which tells more about the phonics program.
Health Office Newsletter Feedback Form
Important Safety Reminders
One of the things we do before the start of every school year is to review the opening school protocols with members of the Fire and Police Departments. I am sharing three key updates that will impact those in our community.
Locked Doors -- As school employees we will continue to be vigilant about keeping exterior doors closed and locked at all times.
Buzz In -- When we buzz in a visitor, we will say, "Welcome to JFK. What is your name and how can we help you?" If the office staff has any concerns about the visitor, they will not let them in.
School Grounds --School campuses are closed to the general public during school hours (including playgrounds, fields, basketball courts, walkways near and around our buildings). There are signs on the basketball and playground fences. If a non-school person is on the grounds during the school day they will be asked to leave.
If you have any questions regarding safety, please contact me.
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Arrival:
Students should go to the grade level area. The faculty will be holding colorful signs with each grade level for the next week. Given the short amount of time and various student arrivals we are asking for students to not play with equipment (i.e. soccer balls, tennis balls) so it is a safe AM recess.
- Do not get out of the car, school staff are there to help students who arrive via the car line.
- If possible, put car seats on the passenger side of the backseat. That makes for an easy exit.
Dismissal:
Walkers will exit the main gate or basketball gate.
- Car Pick up students will be met at the main gate and walked to car.
- When driving through the parking lot to enter and exit, please be aware of others walking. Do not drive close to the cones and roped off area.
Bus students will go to the appropriate bus area.
*Please alert the classroom teacher and main office if a dismissal plan changes.
Please be mindful of the following practices in order for us to have a safe parking lot.
In the morning:
-Enter the lot at a slower pace and stay to the right.
-Be cognizant of the cones. There have been many instances where cones have been clipped or run over and dragged underneath a car.
-Watch for families walking through the parking lot on the side closest to the building.
In the afternoon:
-Enter the lot at a slow pace and stay to the right only. Exit on the side of the parking lot by the building.
-If you see a spot on the side of the lot by the building please stay to the right and go all the way around.
-Watch for families walking through the parking lot.
-Do not park in a handicapped spot if you do not have a handicapped parking permit.
We realize everyone is trying to drop off and pick up in a timely manner, but it is important that unsafe situations are not created. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence
CORI Forms & Fingerprinting
-Fingerprinting IS required if you are interested in volunteering with direct and unmomitored interactions with students. This includes chaperoning field trips.
-Fingerprinting is NOT required if you are volunteering under supervision of a school staff member. This includes room parents, guest speakers and volunteers at field day events.
*They can take awhile to porcess so please fill them out early so they have enough time to be returned prior to a field trip.
-Please provide a copy of your fingerprinting receipt to the school office, or send them an email to marinoa@cantonma.org to let us know you completed fingerprinting.
A Few Reminders
Attendance
As you know, school attendance is a key factor in student success. Whether excused or unexcused, frequent absences can lead to academic difficulties and can negatively impact social-emotional development. Students who regularly attend school are more likely to read well by the end of elementary school, pass important courses in the upper grades, and stay on track for graduation. We ask that families set expectations for good attendance and monitor their children's absences. Students who accumulate at least 3 absences will receive an attendance letter. This letter, in accordance with our elementary school handbook, is to inform you that your child has accumulated at least 3 absences this school year. Of course, some students have been absent because of illness and those families should be especially cautious about any other unnecessary absences for the remainder of the year.
*If your family chooses to go on vacation during the school year teachers will not be expected to provide work to be completed while your student is away.
Extra Clothing
Having some spare clothing at school is a good idea. We see food and drink spills, wet clothing from playing on the wet playground equipment as well as bathroom accidents. There is a limited amount of spare clothing available in the health office so it is a good idea to put an extra outfit in a labeled zip lock bag to leave in backpacks or cubbies for emergencies. We highly recommend it for K-2 students.
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: About/Around Town.
This webpage will be updated periodically.
- Canton Celebrates Earth Day - April 27, 12-4 at the Mass Audobon MABA Education Center
School Info.
School Hours: 8:40 AM - 2:55 PM
Adult supervision provided at 8:20 AM for breakfast or morning recess
Breakfast: 8:20-8:35
Early Release: 11:50 AM (no lunch served)
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Alana Marino, Administrative Assistant
Kathryn Gallahue, Assistant Principal
Email: watsons@cantonma.org
Website: https://www.cantonma.org/kennedy/index
Location: 100 Dedham Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 821-5080
Twitter: @JFKGallahue
*JFK will be the "late" school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. The student school day will be 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM. Early Dismissal will be 12:20 PM. Office hours will be 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM.