JFK Weekly Update
February 17, 20223
Wednesday February 15th was School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. First grader Isaiah Ortiz helped us thank Officer Kascavitch for all the ways he helps keep us safe. We are in great hands with Officer Eric!
Have a wonderful vacation!
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
A Few Updates
Galvin Middle School is actively seeking candidates for a Math Tutor position. If anyone in our community knows someone who might be interested in applying, please feel free to share the job posting. All qualified candidates are welcome!
It's time for Canton Writes! Canton Writes is a town wide writing contest, sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Library. This is a great opportunity for students to share their voices in an authentic way. This year there are age groups for K-2, 3-5, middle school, high school, and adults. Information will be displayed in the library and Maura will start to spread the word. Entries are due April 12th. If you could find some time this month to talk this up to classes, that would be really helpful. We know we have some talented writers in our schools and hope to see their incredible work published in Canton Writes! Information docs about this year's contest are below.
Grade 5 Author Visit
David Buyea visits Grade 5
David Buyea visits Grade 5
A Note from the Humanities Coordinator
Hi CPS families,
We often hear questions about how families can help support students at home. One of the themes my colleagues and I are noticing relates to vocabulary knowledge. Students are coming to school knowing the meaning of fewer words than ever before. Students will often ask the meanings of words we assumed they already knew. We are making adjustments to our instructional practices to do more with vocabulary development, but it got me thinking.
I started reflecting on my own children and what might account for this overall decrease in vocabulary knowledge. I wonder about the shift in children now watching more You Tube videos than television shows. I wonder about how much we all use technology in our daily lives, and how that might reduce the opportunities for rich conversation and vocabulary building. We may never know the root cause, but we have some tips for how to work on this important skill at home.
- Use sophisticated vocabulary at home when you are talking to children. Hope that they ask you what that word means. If they don't, draw their attention by asking, "Do you know what motivated means?"
- When children talk to you, say something back to them and insert a word that will make what they said richer and deepen their understanding. For example, "Oh, you had a substitute today? Hmm, did the class take advantage of that situation?" "Taking advantage means the class used an opportunity to be extra silly because they know your teacher wasn't in."
- Read aloud to children and stop at words that you think they might not know. Ask them about the word and then explain the word's meaning.
- Think aloud as you move through the world with children. Talk to them and with them. While you are waiting at a doctor or dentist appointment say, "This office is sterile." "I wonder if this clipboard has been disinfected." "Look at that intricate design on the wall."
Building vocabulary is all about exposure and conversation about words. The more you can play with language, the better!
You might also want to check out this article from Reading Rockets:
Tips for Building Vocabulary at Home
Jaclyn Abrams
Pre-K to 5 Humanities Coordinator
Canton Public Schools
960 Washington Street, Canton MA 02021
Mrs. Dunlap's class sings for Superintendent Folan
Duncan's photo op with Mrs. MacKay's class
Officer Zepf and Duncan
Little League Registration
Registration for Spring 2023 Canton Little League Baseball & Softball - Canton, MA is now open! See below website for details.
Summer Programs
Preschool Information
The Rodman Early Childhood Program is now accepting applications for the community peer lottery for the 2023-2024 school year. This district preschool is an integrated preschool servicing students with and without disabilities. For more information visit their web page at https://www.cantonma.org/preschool/index or reach out to our Early Childhood Coordinator, Donna Kilday at kildayd@cantonma.org. Applications are due by February 27th. The preschool will host an open house on Thursday, February 9th from 6-7.
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.
Recess
Winter is here! We believe that students should get outside as much as possible to get fresh air and exercise. Please send your student to school with the appropriate clothing for the weather- sweatshirts, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. If those items are in backpacks they are easily accessible if students get cold.
Spare 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 may be a good idea to put an extra outfit in a labeled zip lock bag to leave in backpacks or cubbies for emergencies.
What's Coming Up?
- February 20-24, 2023: Winter Break
- March 2, 2023: Grade 3 Meteorologist Visit
- March 8, 2023: Clifford visits kindergarten
- March 10, 2023: Early Release
- March 17, 2023: Harney Academy Irish Dance Assembly 10:15
- March 24, 2023: CAPE SPelling Bee, 6:00PM
- March 31, 2023: Early Release, Conferences
Note from the Health Office
Please see the attached note below from Nurse Stenmon regarding communicable diseases guidelines.
* Good hand washing will help prevent illness and the spread of it to others. At JFK we are working hard to practice good hygiene by washing our hands before snack and lunch.
MCAS Testing Schedule
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.
- CDEI 2023 Black History Month Celebration - Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 pm at the Canton Public Library
- CPACSS Resource Fair - Canton Parent Advisory Committee to Student Services (CPACSS)is hosting a Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 8, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Canton High School Cafeteria. This event will showcase local and regional services available to children with needs and their families. Get a chance to speak directly with representatives from various state agencies, recreational opportunities and support programs available to you. This event is free for families and will include a raffle for all who attend. Contact us at cpacss@gmail.com with any questions.
This webpage will be updated periodically.
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
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:
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