News from JFK Middle School
Updates from JFK Middle School - 5/26/23
Principal's Letter to Caregivers
Dear JFK Caregivers,
It's hard believe that it is almost the month of June! There are many exciting events that will be occurring for students in all grade levels. Please help us out by reminding your child/ren to be safe, follow staff directions, and by supporting our ability to provide consequences when behavioral expectations are not met. We are always happy to meet with caregivers if clarification regarding consequences is needed.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend,
Lauren
Year Books!! Last Day to Purchase!!!
Last PTO Meeting!
Greetings From the Library!
Just an FYI to everyone, the final due date for all books is June 16. If your student has a very overdue book, you may have received a letter or email about it. Please help your student find their missing book! If they can't, please get in touch with me ( jfklibrary@northampton-k12.us ).
Don't forget to check out our blog! This week's post spotlights just a small selection of our wonderful books with AAPI protagonists!
***REMINDERS! ***
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Teachers (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)"
The JFK drama club is proud to present their first production post-pandemic! “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Your Teachers (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)” will be a one night engagement in the JFK cafeteria on Wednesday, May 31st! Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30 performance! $5 suggested donation at the door!
JFK PTO Donations
Dear JFK Community Members,
Heartfelt thanks to those of you who let the JFK Education Team know how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication to our students during the recent Teacher Appreciation Week!
The PTO is also grateful for the financial donations to the PTO in the name of an administrator, teacher or staff member who has made a difference in the lives of our community members' students. To date, the PTO has raised $650 through its Education Team Appreciation Campaign, and is keeping the Campaign open until the end of the school year in order to be in a position to adequately support our JFK educators and staff next school year. Tax deductible gifts can easily be made online with the simple click of a button!
Wondering what your PTO donations are used for? This year the PTO funded $9,000 in staff grants (e.g., classroom supplies, curricular materials, technology equipment, field trips, and team-centered student activities); $1,600 in student events; $2,000 in teacher appreciation events; and over $1,000 in direct support to JFK families in need.
The PTO could not have done this work without the support of our amazing JFK community! In light of the budget constraints facing NPS, and JFK in particular, the PTO is encouraging JFK community members to make a donation to the PTO so that we can continue to assist the JFK Education Team in providing quality instruction and care for our students and their families. Please know that gifts in any amount are deeply appreciated, so help us end the year on a high note by donating!
If you prefer not to donate online, you can make a check payable to the "JFK PTO" and mail it to: JFK PTO, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA 01062 (or send it into the JFK office). The JFK Education Team member you choose to honor will receive a special note of thanks from the PTO acknowledging their important contribution to the school, and community members are welcome to enclose their own special message of gratitude with the donation form.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to JFK caregiver Stephanie Pouliot if you have any questions or would like more details on the financial support the PTO provides to JFK.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and its students!
Gratefully,
The JFK PTO
Please see the flyers from Northampton Parks and Recreation, Mass Cultural Council, and the Northampton Survival Center below.
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.
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 29th - Memorial Day (no school)
May 31st - School Play!
June 2nd - JFK Band Festival
June 5th - 9th - PBIS Spirit Week
June 6th - JFK Chorus Concert
June 8th - ACTivism Theater Performance (1:30 - 3)
June 9th - 6th/7th grade dance (6:30-8:00 pm)
June 14th - JFK Band Concert
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)