JFK Weekly Update
May 12, 2024
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. I hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful day.
We felt incredibly valued and appreciated this Teacher Appreciation Week! A huge thank you to our amazing CAPT and parents for making it so special. From the delicious breakfast to the snacks, scratch tickets, gifts and lunch, every detail showed how much you care. We're truly fortunate to have such thoughtful supporters.
Thank you to those who completed the Caregiver Survey. Overall the results were positive and we will use the feedback given to make improvements.
Jewish American Heritage Month in May recognizes Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more. The month serves as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the range and depth of Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture, representing the many walks of life that have helped weave the fabric of American history.
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year's theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” which pays tribute to the visionaries who have shaped AANHPI history and continue to influence the future. AANHPI leaders have made lasting contributions to our Nation’s economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social/political change through their creativity while navigating significant cultural and systemic barriers.
Saundra Watson, M.Ed
JFK Principal
*Snow Day/School Year Calendar Update: As a result of the snow day on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the last day of school is currently Friday, June 14. This will be an early release day for grades 1-5. Kindergarten's last day is now Monday, June 10. This will be a full day of school.
*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.
Room 13 Poetry Reading
Room 14 Poetry Reading
Kindergarten and Grade 4 Reading Buddies (and brothers)
What's Coming Up
- May 13 & 14, 2024: Grade 4 Math MCAS
- May 15 & 16, 2024: Grade 5 Science MCAS
- May 20-23, 2024: Art Show at CHS, 6:00-8:00 PM
- May 24, 2024: Grade 5 Unity Day
- May 27, 2024: No School, Memorial Day
- May 31, 2024: Field Day
- June 3, 2024: Field Day Rain Date
- June 6, 2024: Grade 5 Unity Day Rain Date
- June 10, 2024: Last Day of Kindergarten (full day)
- June 14, 2024: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony, 9:30 AM
- June 14, 2024: Last Day 1-5 (Early Release)
MCAS Dates
Please mark your calendars with the following spring MCAS testing dates. We have restricted testing windows so if there will be an absence during the time your student will be taking MCAS please let the classroom teacher know as soon as possible so we can account for make-up testing.
Grade 4
-May 13 & 14: Math
Grade 5
-May 8 & 9: Math
-May 15 & 16: Science
Art Show
We are happy to announce the dates for Canton’s Annual K-12 Art Show! This year the show will be held May 20-23, 6-8pm in the gym at Canton High School. Every student at the JFK will have at least one piece of work on display.
Students will be working this month to prepare selections for the big event. We will work together to select a very special example of their favorite artwork for show. Students will then bring home their artwork that was not selected for display. All of the work from the show will be returned before the end of the school year.
HELP WANTED
Help is needed setting up the show on Friday, May 17, during the day and dismantling on Thursday, May 23 in the evening. Please email Mrs. Eaton, (eatonk@cantonma.org),if you would like to help.
Sign Up Genius: Please Click Here to Volunteer
This is a wonderful event for all of our students and we hope to see you there!
CAPT Corner
Grade 5 Transition to Galvin Middle School
On Monday, May 13th the Galvin Middle School will host a welcome event for all families of current 5th graders. The event will run from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the GMS cafetorium. Please plan to attend if you can.
A welcome email, which includes a scheduling information letter, was sent from GMS to all 5th grade families on Monday, April 29th. Please check your inboxes!
If you have any questions, please reach out to GMS Principal Jon Mulhern at mulhernj@cantonma.org.
PAY AND RIDE APPLICATIONS
Please check your emails for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride Forms. An electronic form was emailed for each student, to one household member. Please check with other household members and your spam inbox if you do not see this email.
The Pay and Ride form must be completed every year whether your student will require transportation or not. The cut-off date for the 2024-25 Pay and Ride form is June 7th. Please complete the electronic form as soon as possible.
Incoming Kindergarten Pay and Ride forms were completed at the time of registration. You will not receive an email for your incoming 2024-25 Kindergarten student.
More information regarding the Pay and Ride Program, including fees and payments can be found HERE. Payment is not due at this time. Applicable invoices will be sent by MySchoolBucks by the end of June.
If you have questions or did not receive the 2024-25 Pay and Ride email, please email transportation@cantonma.org with your student’s name and school of attendance.
Family Resources
The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).
The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP
Things You May Want To Come Back To
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.
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.
Health Office Newsletter Feedback Form
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.
CPS Device Policy
Reminder: The Canton Elementary schools are Away-For-the-Day schools. All cell phones and other electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, music players, smart devices (including smartwatches), airpods, video-game systems, laser pointers, voice or video recorders, must be off and in backpacks, unless authorized to be used for medical situations. Students will be reminded to put devices away. If the rule is ignored the device will be confiscated. Students are not allowed to take pictures or video or audio record students or staff when on school property, inclusive of the bus. Cell phones will be confiscated, and parents/guardians will be notified if that occurs. If an issue persists, parents/guardians may be required to pick the device up from the school. Thank you for your help enforcing this rule.
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.
Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence
CORI Forms & Fingerprinting
-Fingerprinting IS required if you are interested in volunteering with direct and unmomitored interactions with students. This includes chaperoning field trips.
-Fingerprinting is NOT required if you are volunteering under supervision of a school staff member. This includes 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.
This webpage will be updated periodically.
- Special Olympics Unified Track
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.