JFK Weekly Update
October 13, 2024
Dear Families of JFK,
I know that the construction on Dedham Street over the last few weeks has been challenging, especially at arrival and dismissal times. We appreciate your patience facing detours and waiting on delayed buses. It looks like all the paving is complete and I am hopeful the street will be lined at times that are not too inconvenient.
I am pleased to announce that we have hired a second Special Education Team Chair, Lindsay Moonan. Lindsay is not new to the district. She previously worked at Canton High School as the Special Education Team Chair. Lindsay will work Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a focus on grades 3-5. She will begin Tuesday, October 15th.
Sincerely,
Saundra Watson, Principal
What's Coming Up
- October 14, 2024: Indigenous People's Day
- October 21-25, 2025: Scholastic Book Fair
- October 23, 2024: Early Release, 12:20 PM Dismissal
- October 24, 2020: Scholastic Book Fair Open to Families 3:30 - 7:00 PM
- October 30, 2024: Picture Retake Day
- November 5, 2024: No School
- November 11, 2024: No School, Veteran’s Day
- November 19, 2024: Evening Parent Conferences
- November 20, 2024: Early Release (Conferences), 12:20 Dismissal
- November 27, 2024: Early Release (Thanksgiving Break), 12:20 Dismissal
- November 28 & 29, 2024: Thanksgiving Break
- December 11, 2024: Early Release, 12:20 PM Dismissal
- December 12 & 13, 2024: Holiday Shop
- December 20, 2024: Early Release (Winter Break), 12:20 DIsmissal
- December 23, 20024 - January 1, 2025: No School, Winter Break
- January 2, 2025: School Resumes
Calendars/Information Sheets
Bus Evacuation
On Friday, we practiced a Bus Evacuation Drill and reviewed bus safety and expectations with
Grades K-2. We will continue this Drill with Grades 3-5 this upcoming week. We were lucky to have the 5th Grade Student Council members present this information! They did an outstanding job modeling and sharing examples! Please see the following presentation to help review at home so we are able to work in partnership with messaging of bus safety and expectations.
Note from the Health Office
*Annual health screenings will be taking place on November 6th and November 13th. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me.
Elementary Health Screenings:
Hearing: K-3
Vision: 1-5
Postural: 5
Height/ Weight: 1 and 4
Health Forms:
*When your child has their annual check up please be sure to send in an updated health form to keep on file for them. If your child has had any medical changes/ updates please be sure to let me know. Thank you!
Nurse Stenmon
781-821-5080 ext 5102
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!
October 21st - 25th; JFK Library
Thursday October 24th open until 7:00 PM for families to shop
Cantonstock
Galvin Middle School Building Project
The Galvin Middle School Project is heading toward two key town votes. Save the Dates: November 18 Special Town Meeting and an Anticipated Ballot Vote on December 10.
Want to learn more about the GMS Building Project, see design renderings, or review timelines, please click on this LINK. If you have any questions, please email info@galvinmsproject.com.
The Galvin Middle School Project Team will be at the Sunday, October 20 Fall Fest at the Canton Farmers Market, and there will be a Community Forum at GMS on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m.
JFK Policies and Procedures
The Elementary Handbook contains important information regarding school operations, policies, curriculum, and discipline. Please take a moment to review it.
Please remember that students are not permitted to wear SmartWatches at school and cell phones must be put in their backpacks for the day. We encourage you to send your children without these devices. Please communicate with your classroom teacher, the Nurse and front office if your child needs their device for a medical issue.
Arrival & Dismissal
An important aspect of our community is keeping children safe during arrival and dismissal. I'd like to share our longstanding protocols and ask you to please comply. School administrators and the School Resource Officer will be working to enforce our procedures for the safety of everyone.
ARRIVAL:
Students arriving by car are dropped off in the parking lot by the playground. Please follow the flow of trafffic to assist us in making morning drop off as smooth as possible.
Parking is limited. All students K-5 are encouraged to walk or use the driveline.
Do not get out of your car in the driveline to assist your child. A staff member will be there to assist you.
Kids should exit on the passenger side only.
DISMISSAL:
Students are dismissed beginning at 3:25 PM. Parking is limited. Some suggestions to make the situation less stressful for everyone:
Avoid the traffic. You are encouraged to walk or park on streets adjacent to JFK.
Encourage independence. Pick a nearby meeting spot in the neighborhood and have your child walk off campus to meet you.
Avoid the awkwardness. You don’t want a staff member to talk to you about parking in the middle of the lot or in the handicap parking spots -- and we don’t want to talk to you about it. Please park in legal, marked spots only. If none are available please exit the lot and come back in five minutes.
Walkers will be dismissed onto the playground blacktop. An adult will wait with students until 3:40 PM. After that point students will be brought to the front office and a parent will be called.
Dog's are not allowed on the JFK property while school is in session, including during arrival and dismissal. Simply put, not everyone loves dogs as much as dog owners. In fact, your friendly, bouncy pup might be terrifying to someone who is two and a half feet tall. Dogs are welcome to ride along in the car for carline drop off and pick up. I'd especially ask community members who run their dog on the field (which is not technically allowed) to pick up after their dog so that teachers do not have to add student shoe-washing duty to their list of responsibilities. Thank you in advance.
CAPT Corner
Lots of Updates--
- Family Photos are back! Book your mini session now HERE!
- Parent’s Night – Music Bingo is October 25th at 7 pm at the Town Club. Get your tickets HERE now!
- ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS - Want to see how your Kindergartener is doing so far? See them in action by volunteering for a Character visit! FIRST visit is next week: Wednesday, October 9th! Sign up HERE.
- Looking for something to do this Columbus Day?? Head to Altitude in Avon and mention JFK CAPT and they will give 20% back to JFK CAPT! This is a great way to burn some kiddo energy on the day off WHILE supporting the programs that enrich their days in school! More information HERE.
- Colder weather is coming, which means indoor activities. Get ready with Dave & Busters Power Cards WHILE supporting JFK CAPT! From now through October 18th, order power cards HERE and they will give 50% back to JFK CAPT! D&B will ship the cards right to you! More information HERE.
- To stay up to date, follow CAPT on Facebook and Instagram!
Family Resources
The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).
The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP
Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence
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.
At a Glance - New Event(s)
- Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Committee - Survey and Information Sessions
School Info.
School Hours: 9:10 AM - 3:25 PM
Adult supervision provided at 8:50 AM for breakfast or morning recess
Breakfast: 8:50 - 9:05 AM
Early Release: 12:20 PM (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
Office hours will be 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM.