SOARing through the Week at JFK
February 28, 2025
Hello Hawk Families!
It has been a fantastic week of learning at JFK! With the warmer days, our students have loved getting outside for recess and enjoying fresh air and movement. We can now feel that Spring is just around the corner, and we’re excited for all the great learning and fun moments ahead!
Looking ahead, Read Across America Week kicks off next week! We can’t wait to celebrate our love of reading with exciting activities and some Hawk-some spirit days. Be sure to check out the information below for ways your child can participate. Let’s make it a week to remember!
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:
March 1st- Community Conversations #2-Long Range Facilities Planning @ Foran 9:30-noon
March 3rd-7th- JFK Celebrates Read Across America Week 📚- See Spirit Days below
March 5th- No School for students- Staff Professional Learning
March 5th- JFK PTO Meeting- Join in person or virtually
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- PTO 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!
Dismissal Reminder:
If you are picking up your child as a walker, please do not enter or park in any of the spaces in the front parking lot. The front lot entrance is exclusively for car pick ups. Thank you!
Spring Conferences:
We are pleased to announce our Spring 2025 Elementary Conference Schedule:
Tuesday, March 18th 5:30-8:00pm
Wednesday, March 19st 1:45-3:45 p.m.
Thursday, March 20th 1:45-3:45 p.m.
*Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule.
Students will be dismissed on March 18th, March 19th, and March 20th at 1:15pm.
Parents/guardians will once again have the opportunity to select a conference time through My Conference Time. All conferences will be in person unless a parent/guardian requests a Google Meet link directly from the teacher. Spring conference sign up information will be live on our school website from Wednesday, March 5th, at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, March 17th, at 12:00 p.m. If you prefer a virtual session, please contact the teacher to request a Google Meet link to conduct your conference virtually after you have confirmed your conference time through My Conference Time Online Scheduler. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s learning!
Quick tip: Look for emails from “noreply@myconferencetime.com” when searching email for conference confirmation communications.
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
Welcome to this week’s Community Connections Centers newsletter! We’ve packed it with exciting updates, fun events, and great opportunities for you and your family. From a youth football camp to a free family concert, there’s something for everyone. Plus, be sure to check out the financial assistance and stargazing events. Dive in and see what’s happening around Connecticut!
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
Specialist Spotlight: Physical Education
Hello JFK Families and Friends!
It has been a blast having TWO P.E. teachers! Mr. Oliver is teaching more and more! He is taking over teaching K-2 P.E. and 2nd grade Health classes this week and will take on additional teaching and responsibilities as his placement continues.
Pre-K classes are working on self-control, listening skills and hand-eye coordination by playing games like Oscar the Grouch and Builders vs Bulldozers!
In kindergarten, first and second grades we are learning about hand-eye coordination - what it is and how we use it everyday. We are playing games like partner roll and hula hoop roll to apply this learning to underhand roll skills!
In third, fourth and fifth grade we are getting creative in our hand-eye coordination exploration stations. Students create their own challenge to develop their hand-eye coordination skills by free building with different materials, bucket tossing, javelin throwing and rock-wall climbing!
In second grade Health we are working on our interpersonal communication skills by focusing on good sportsmanship. Through enriching conversation and fun games, we are able to understand and develop positive communication styles and problem solving skills!
Mr. Oliver and I are having the best time watching each student grow their skills and knowledge in both P.E. and Health!!!
Ms. Anastasiou & Mr. Oliver
Older, But Important Reminders
Winter/Early Spring Attire - It’s still chilly! Coats are needed for recess!
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!