JFK Weekly Update
January 28, 2024
The Lion King Jr was fantastic! The cast and crew did an amazing job sharing Simba’s trials and tribulations with the audience. It was exciting to witness the fifth graders journey into theater and feel their confidence and enthusiasm. Bringing Pride Rock to Canton would not have been possible without Mrs. Rabe, Ms. Akan, Mrs. Steidel and Ms. Carlson. It was exciting to see so many students shine!
STAR Family Reports for Grades 1-5
Your child has recently taken a Renaissance STAR assessment. Your child's teacher uses the results to measure general achievement in reading and/or math, and to determine your child's learning needs. It is important to understand that these test scores provide only one picture of how your child is doing in school. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. In addition to the Star Family Report your child received, click this link to provide more context about your child’s scores and performance.
There has been an uptick in unsafe behavior and inappropriate behavior on the bus. We review bus safety and the rules periodically throughout the year and more often on buses that are having the most trouble. We will continue with this practice. Going forward some buses will have assigned seats. If you have children that ride the bus please remind them that their job is to stay safe by staying in their seats, talking quietly, using appropriate language and following the drivers directions. Thank you for your help with this.
Please peruse the Lost & Found next time you are in the building. Items will be donated on February 16, 2024.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
*JFK will be the "late" school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. The student school day will be 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM.
Hedgie the Hedgehog vists Mrs. Eagles's class.
Second graders share "My Book of Everything Awesome."
Hedgie the Hedgehog vists Mrs. Dixon's class.
Message from Galvin Middle School
January 18, 2024
Dear Grade 5 Parents and Guardians:
Greetings from the William H. Galvin Middle School! We hope all is well with you and your family. Although we are in the middle of January, we are beginning our first steps to plan for your child’s arrival to the Galvin in September.
As the district implements PowerSchool, our new student information system, families will be able to create their own accounts. Our Director of Technology and Data Analytics, Josh Fogel, will email parents the week of January 29th with instructions on how to create your PowerSchool account. It is very important to have your PowerSchool account setup and ready in order to make course selections for your child through PowerSchool.
Course selection process will be open on February 12th and will close on February 29th.
Entering grade six students can choose between the following: general music, band, chorus, or orchestra.
Descriptions for each course can be found on the following page.
Please reach out to incoming 6th grade guidance counselor, Katie Doherty, dohertyk@cantonma.org with any questions. More information regarding your child’s transition to the Galvin, including our parent evening, will be provided in the coming months.
Respectfully,
GMS Administration
General Music Course
General Music is the study of music in a classroom setting. Through the General Music curriculum, students are given the opportunity to create music and to refine and rework their compositions in collaborative groups. After interpretation and analysis, students then present their work to their peers. Throughout their musical studies, students build a language to respond to musical examples and performances, identifying meaning and intent. Students also connect their musical knowledge to their personal life, historical events, culture, as well as other classes they take throughout the day.
Band
Band students play flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba, or percussion instruments. Students in band will participate in a sectional rehearsal twice per seven-day cycle. The Band curriculum includes instrument specific technique, score reading, audiation, and basic music theory.
If your student is selecting Band as their music option, please choose one from the following choices:
“Band: Woodwind” - Students who play flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, oboe or bassoon
“Band: Brass” - Students who play trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba
“Band: Percussion” - Students who play percussion
Orchestra/Strings
Orchestra students play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students in orchestra will participate in a sectional rehearsal twice per seven-day cycle. The Orchestra curriculum includes instrument specific technique, score reading, audiation, and basic music theory.
If your student is selecting Orchestra as their music option, please choose one from the following choices:
“Orch: Violin” - Students who play violin
“Orch: Viola” - Students who play viola
“Orch: Low Strings” - Students who play cello or bass
Chorus
Chorus members sing in Soprano, Alto, and often tenor/Baritone voice parts. Chorus rehearses twice each seven-day cycle. The Chorus curriculum includes vocal technique, score reading, audiation, and basic solfege for sight reading.
CAPT has a great opportunity for a super cool coding workshop for kids at Code Ninjas in Canton! It's all about fun and learning. The workshop is specially designed to make learning coding fun, interactive, and accessible for kids in grades 2-5. Whether they are beginners or already have some coding experience, this workshop will cater to all skill levels. Bring your little tech whiz and let's code some awesome adventures together!
To secure a spot for your child in this exciting workshop, please visit the link or use the QR code on the attached flyer to complete the registration process. Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon! Code Ninja's will donate 50% of the proceeds back to the JFK CAPT!
From the JFK Health Office:
New Nursing Newsletter!
You should have received a copy of the new elementary Nursing Newsletter. This is a collaborative effort from all of the elementary school nurses in the district. Please take a moment to read it and provide feedback to help us improve our communication with you!
December K-5 Nursing Newsletter
If you have any questions or concerns please fgeel fre to reach out to me as needed.
Thank you!
Ellen Stenmon M.Ed, BSN, RN
JFK Nurse
781-821-5080 ext 5102
Message for 4th and 5th Grade Parents/Guardians from Miss O'Sullivan, Health Teacher
Please see the "JFK Health Puberty Education 2024" PDF attached below regarding information about the puberty education unit that will begin on Monday, January 8th.
Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence
Preschool News
The Rodman Preschool Program has posted their COMMUNITY PEER applications for the 2024-2024 school year! Found here: https://www.cantonma.org/preschool/index. If interested, please make sure to send an application to Susan Crespi at crespis@cantonma.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Family Resources
The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).
The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP
Sammy Gustafson, a senior at Canton High School and a member of the CHS National Honors Society, is collecting donations for "School on Wheels Massachusetts" for their Winter, Warmth and Wellness drive, https://www.sowma.org. The goal of this drive is to provide items to students facing homelessness throughout the winter season. Items being accepted include: new blankets, hats, gloves, socks, hygiene products, hand sanitizer, and books/school supplies for grades K-12. The collection will be from Tuesday, January 16th through Friday, January 26th. Any donations would be greatly appreciated! A donation bin will be located in the JFK lobby.
What's Coming Up?
- February 9, 2024: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- February 19 - 23, 2024: No School, Winter Break
- March 15, 2024: Early Release, 11:50 AM Dismissal
- March 29, 2024: No School, Good Friday
- April 4 & 5, 2023: Conferences
- April 15 - 19, 2024: No School, Spring Break
Things You May Want to Come Back To
If you have a child with ADHD and you are seeking practical, applicable advice to help your children enhance focus and reduce inattention this upcoming webinar provided by Child Mind Institute may be a support for you.
Please see this brief video giving a Fall Update on kindergarten literacy instruction.
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.
The slides from the Title 1 Information Night can be accessed here and in our Title 1 Frequently Asked Questions.
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.
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 an doick up in a timely manner, but it is important that unsafe situations are not created. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
CORI Forms & Fingerprinting
A CORI check IS required for all volunteers.
Fingerprinting IS required if you are interested in voluntering with direct and unmomitored interactions with students. This includes chaperoning fieild trips.
Fingerprinting is NOT required if you are volunteering under supervision of a school staff member. This included 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.
- Canton Unified Basketball Program
- Canton Youth Basketball Sign-Ups
- Girl Scouts- Kindergarten "Try It" Event
- Canton Writes
- CDEI Event
This webpage will be updated periodically.
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.