February 21, 2025
Hello Hawk Families!
This week, we’d like to give you a glimpse into what Hawk-some collaborative learning looks like in our classrooms! At JFK, we know that learning isn’t just about what happens between students and teachers—it’s also about the connections students make with one another. Collaborative learning plays a crucial role in student growth, helping children develop problem-solving skills, communication, and confidence in their ideas. When students work together—whether through partner discussions, shared reading, solving math tasks, STEM activities, through intentional play, or by giving peer feedback—they learn how to listen, share, and build upon each other’s thinking and grow as a learning community. By engaging with their peers, students strengthen their ability to work as a team, effectively communicate their ideas, respect different perspectives, and develop essential social-emotional skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom.
At JFK we are proud to foster an environment where collaboration is at the heart of learning! Take a look at some of the pictures below and in the “Glimpse at the Week” that highlight what student learning and collaboration looks like in some of our classrooms.
Have a wonderful long weekend, JFK! Remember to take care of yourself, our community and most of all BE KIND!
In partnership,
Amy E. Rizzo
Amy E. Rizzo, Principal
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @JFKPrincipalRIz
Important Dates:
February 26th- Early Dismissal- Staff Professional Learning
February 27th- Grade 3 OLSAT Test (Make-up test - 2/28)
March 1st- Community Conversations #2-Long Range Facilities Planning
March 3rd-7th- JFK Celebrates Read Across America Week 📚
March 5th- No School- Staff Professional Learning
March 5th- JFK PTO Meeting
March 11th- PTO Paint Night 🎨
March 13- JFK PTO Silver Sands Pizza Night 🍕
March 18-20th- Spring Conferences- Early Dismissal- 1:10pm
March 18-20th- Spring Book Fair
March 21st- PTO Glow Night Dance (see info & sign up below)
March 25th- JFK Arts & Music Night
_____________________
📷A Glimpse at the Week:
Click here to view pictures of some of the HAWK-SOME learning and events that happened at JFK this week!
Click for JFK’s Student Reading Tracker Challenge!
JFK Read Across America Spirit Days!
Thank you Mrs. DePuma, Mrs. Rosengrant for organizing Read Across America Week for our JFK learning community!
Kindergarten registration for SY 2025-2026 is now open!
2025-26 Kindergarten Registration Press Release
We are pleased to announce that Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on Monday, January 6, 2025. If you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, registration information will be posted to the district website www.milforded.org. You must register your child for Kindergarten at the school determined by your street address, unless placed by Pupil Personnel Services. School/Street Assignments are available on the district website under “District Information.”
Children born on or before September 1, 2020 are eligible to register for Kindergarten. If your child is not age eligible (born September 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020), please use the online registration form to request a waiver.
Any current MPS Preschool or Ready To Learn (RTL) students will not need to complete an online registration form. However, we ask that you complete the Kindergarten Notification Form located in PowerSchool.
If you need assistance with the registration portal, please contact the main office of your district assigned school. School contact information can be found on the district website under “ Schools.”
We are excited for your children to join us! Fully registered families, please be on the lookout for more information from your school’s Principal about an in person kindergarten event in the spring. In the meantime, click here for a sneak peek of what to expect in Kindergarten!
We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2038!
Community Connections Center
This week's Community Connections Centers newsletter is packed with exciting updates and fun events! Join Zoom for a workshop by Atneciv Rodriguez, CEO of Executive Leadership, who will share valuable Tax Tips for Families with Disabled Dependents on Friday, February 28th at noon.
Also, check out Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo's FrogWatch project where you can become a Citizen-Scientist and help monitor local wetlands. And don’t miss Sunday Fundays at the Whittingham Discovery Center – a free, fun way to spend Sundays with your family!
For all these and others check out our CCC Newsletter. And if you're looking for more community resources, be sure to visit the CCC Website. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Mary-Kate Wiliams & Cara Dascenza
Milford Community Connection Centers
203-882-6094
The CCC honors all family inquiries as private and confidential unless parent permission is given or Connecticut mandated reporting applies
Older, But Important Reminders
Winter Attire
Whenever the weather permits, our students have outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child has proper attire to stay warm when they are outside. We recommend a warm winter coat, hat, and gloves. If you need assistance please reach out to our school Social Worker, Mrs. Dougherty.
Return Library Books
Please return any JFK library books your student has finished reading. We have many popular books checked out that other students are waiting to read!
Please label your child’s sweatshirts, jackets, lunch bag, and water bottles. Our Lost and Found continues to grow! Please have your child check the lost and found email Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org) or your child’s classroom teacher if any of these items belong to your family.
Smart Watches, I-Phones and other Personal Devices
Teachers have noticed that some students have returned to school from the winter break with new personal technology. While we know that these new devices are exciting, we appreciate your help in keeping these items at home or in backpacks so that they do not become a distraction to our learning environment.
Please note the MPS BOE Policy regarding personal technology in our schools:
At the elementary level - No use of a cell phone/smartwatch or other personal communication device will be permitted during school hours. These devices must be turned off or on silent and left in backpacks, stored in a student’s locker/cubbie or other place designated by building administration. MPS Policy
Hawks SOAR Awards - Our JFK Hawks SOAR award is designed to recognize student and staff behaviors and actions that enhance our school community and those individuals who exemplify citizenship within this community beyond the expected norms. When your child comes home with a sticker, please ask them how they SOARED that day!
Attendance Reminder
A reminder that absences should be reported in PowerSchool.
Click HERE for instructions on how to report absences. Be sure to update the date on the top of the form each time you fill it out.
Arrival and Dismissal Information -
Please do not leave students unattended at the school prior to 8:20 am.
Please note that our Walker Pick Up should be utilized for families who are walking to the building. If you are driving to JFK to pick up your child, please use our car pick up procedure. Families of students who are being dismissed as walkers should not be parking in our parking lot and then picking up at the walker door. Doing this interferes with the flow of traffic in our car pick up line. Thank you for adhering to our dismissal procedures.
Parents, please be sure to drive slowly and safely through our parking lot at drop off and pick up times. We understand that mornings can be hectic getting students off to school and adults off to work, but please drive slowly and with caution on our school grounds.
If you are dropping off your child please pull all the way forward in line and remain in the car for safety. If you wish to get out of the car, please park in a designated parking spot and walk your child to the parking lot crosswalk. Mr. Kee will assist your child in crossing safely.
Dismissal Car Tags should be placed on your dashboard/mirror when lining up for pick up. We ask that you please do not line up in the parking lot prior to 3pm.
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
MPS Health Department Guidelines
With the weather getting colder please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor clothing for recess. Additionally, we have many students with very chapped lips as the weather is getting colder. Please provide chapstick for your child as needed.
If clothing is borrowed from the school health office please wash and return :)
If possible, pack a spare set of clothes in your child's backpack. Accidents happen! Students can get wet on the playground or spill on themselves at lunch. It's always helpful to have extra clothing available
~Nurse Jacqueline Campbell
Join the JFK PTO
It’s never too late and our PTO supports so many of our wonderful school community events. Your membership matters!
We welcome and encourage everyone to join the JFK PTO. Membership is simple and in no way commits you to volunteer and/or attend meetings (although we would love to have you). Simply click the link below and submit your dues/donation. Don't forget to fill out the membership form as well. Once both steps are complete you are able to join our PTO Membership page which has all upcoming events and updates! https://john-f-kennedy-elem-pto.square.site/
Additional MPS information can be accessed through the district website at www.milforded.org.
JFK: A Community Where ALL Learners SOAR!