JFK Weekly Update
November 20, 2022
As hard as it is to believe, last week was our final five-day week of school for November! This week we have three days, with Wednesday being a half day with dismissal at 11:50. Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate! I hope the time next week allows for plenty of time with family and friends, good food, and opportunities to recharge and relax!
It was great to see so many families last Thursday night and Friday afternoon during Parent/Guardian Conferences. If you did not have a chance to attend a conference and would like to meet, please reach out to your students teacher.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
A Few Reminders...
Family Survey
A Family Survey was sent last week for you to complete. We hope you can take a moment to fill it out. It has been streamlined and only takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Hearing your voice and feedback will help us set our district and school goals.
Attendance Reminder
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 after Thanksgiving break. 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.
The month of November is recognized as World Diabetes Awareness month. Please wear blue, which is the color for T1D, on Monday 11/14 to recognize World Diabetes Awareness Day. Diabetes is a daily struggle that becomes more and more the new norm each day. It is heartwarming for students to see their school community support.
What's Coming Up?
- Wednesday, November 23rd: Early Release
- Thursday, November 24th & Friday, November 25th: No School
- Thursday, November 24th & Friday, November 25th: No School
- December 9th: Early Release
- December 23rd: Early Release (Winter Break)
- December 26-30 & January 2nd: No School
- January 3, 2023: School Resumes
3Moore Walking Snack
Bus Evacuation Drill
Kindergarten Conference
Title 1 information night
Puberty Education Webinar For 4th/5th Grade Families
Adam Hughes, our Pre-K-12 Wellness Coordinator, will be hosting a puberty education webinar for families of 4th/5th Grade students on December 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Please see the flyer below.
Reading Nook
National Family Literacy Month is celebrated in November. National Family Literacy Month is an opportunity for families to learn and read together. There are many ways to celebrate; here is a list to help you get started.
Visit a local library with your family. Canton Public Library has many free resources children of all ages will enjoy. From museum passes, community events, and an abundant amount of books that will pique anyone’s interest, Canton Public Library is a fantastic addition to any family’s routine.
Try reading in a different format. If your child typically only reads graphic novels, try reading a chapter book together. With so much focus on early reading skills in K-2, it is so important to read books with your child as they get older. Be sure to discuss characters, story elements, or lessons learned. Another option is to read more nonfiction if this is something your child typically does not gravitate towards. They may find a new hobby or interest that will surprise both of you.
Join and participate in a book club or start a book club. Make it fun and get creative with your book club meeting by having activities or serving food related to the books your group is reading.
Find the closest Little Library in your neighborhood. Donate a few books and choose the one you or someone you know may be interested in.
Donate books. Everyone has a least a few books that they have read and that are now lying on a shelf someplace in their home, waiting for eager eyes to enjoy them all over again. Consider donating your gently used books to a local charity. Save the environment by recycling damaged books rather than tossing them in the garbage.
Share the love and joy of reading. Read a book to a family member, neighbor, or friend.
Write a note. Writing is a major part of literacy. Consider writing notes of appreciation, thanks, or love to the special people in your life. The recipient of such a note will appreciate the time and effort you took to hand-write it along with your expressed sentiments.
Read, read, and read some more. Read about any and everything that interests you. No matter what it may be, read for the enjoyment of reading.
Check out my webpage, which you can access at home, for more literacy ideas. Categories such as building background, blending boards, decodables, heart word practice, and more parent information can be found here. Skills are targeted and aligned with the Science of Reading.
Throughout November, please email me or send a picture of your child or family enjoying a Family Literacy Month activity. I will be sure to display it for the community to see!
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Aywlard
CAPT Corner
Thank you to CAPT for the yummy breakfast treats! We appreciated them after a long night of conferences.
Purchase Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/JFKCAPTBingo
For those of you that couldn't make it last spring, this is NOT your Grandmother's Bingo
Check out this video to see! https://www.facebook.com/nubingoe.../videos/121783989252441/
Food Drive
Jasmine Findlen and Tara Geoghan, CHS students, will be hosting a food drive November 14-23 in support of the Canton Food Pantry. Please consider donating at any of the donation bin locations found in the flyer below. There will be a bin in the JFK lobby. Even one can will make a difference to all the families that use the pantry prior to Thanksgiving. You may also make monetary donations through PayPal on the pantry's website. Thank you!
Around Town
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.
At a Glance - New Event(s)
- CPACSS Coffee Night
This 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