We are excited to welcome you and your children to the 2024-2025 school year at JFK and can’t wait to see all the joy, learning, and growth that this year will bring!

The start of preschool or kindergarten can be an exciting yet emotional time for both children and parents. Our staff is here to support you and make this transition as smooth as possible. We are grateful for your partnership, and entrusting us with your child's education, care, and wellbeing each day at JFK. We look forward to an incredible year filled with growth, learning, and lots of fun! We are here to support your child’s learning and well-being and appreciate all you've done to make for a smooth start to the year.

Important Reminders:

• Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Thank you for your patience in the beginning of the year as students get in the routine of dismissal. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure a safe and efficient process for everyone.
• Communicating Changes in Transportation: Please inform the office of any changes to a student's normal transportation plan as early as possible, preferably before 1:00pm.
• Sign up for SeeSaw: To keep you connected with your child's classroom experiences, we will periodically share photos and updates through our school's website and social media channels. Teachers will also post announcements via SeeSaw, so take a moment to make sure you've signed up and are connected to your child's teacher.
• Dress for the Weather: As the seasons change, please remember to dress for the weather. Particularly in the months of September and October, we may have some cool mornings with warmer temperatures in the afternoon.
• School Hours: Student Arrival begins at 7:40am and dismissal begins at 2:10pm. Students are considered tardy after 8:00am. On Early Release Wednesdays, JFK will dismiss at 11:50am.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Yours in Education,

Bryan Litchfield & Meghan Schrader

Co-Directors: John F. Kennedy School

Children learn about classroom rules, daily schedules, and the importance of kindness and respect. Check out some of our proud students who earned Awesome Blossoms for spreading kindness around JFK!

Through stories, songs, and play, we teach children how to express their feelings, take turns, and build positive relationships as they explore the world around them through hands-on activities, creative arts, and play-based learning.

We spent the first couple weeks building classroom community through games and play. Students explored new math tools and learned new math games.

Our young learners have settled into their new routines and have been making new friends. It's been wonderful to witness their enthusiasm and curiosity each day as they engage in a variety of new activities and experiences.

We continue to focus on helping students adjust to their new routines, build friendships, and develop a sense of community. Our teachers have planned fun and engaging activities that promote social, emotional, and academic growth.

• September 23 - 27: JFK Fall School Sprit Week (Check out our daily schedule below!)
• September 24: JFK Flu Clinic
• October 2: Early Release / NO PreK
• October 2: Kindergartener's Lunch with a Loved One
• October 9: Picture Day
• October 11: No School / Teacher Professional Development
• October 14: No School / Indigenous Peoples' Day

September 23 - 27

Monday: Wear something with your favorite color on it!

Tuesday: Wear socks that don't match!

Wednesday: A school wide dance party!

Thursday: We will make hats and crowns out of paper and wear them at school!

Friday: Wear your black and orange to show your Tiger Pride!

Check-off your holiday gift list today and help fund activities, events, and experiences for students at JFK. Visit Charleston Wrap JFK Fundraiser and use code 24285!

JFK will have an influenza (Flu) vaccination clinic on Tuesday, 9/24/24. We will be partnering with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice to provide this clinic to our students.

Although the vaccine is provided at no charge, there is a cost to administer the vaccine. We appreciate it if you included accurate insurance information. There is no out-of-pocket cost, and those without insurance will be vaccinated with the appropriate form completed. Children presenting with an incomplete form will not receive their vaccine.

All clinics will have injectable vaccine. In addition, FluMist (nasal spray) may be available at some clinics. We cannot guarantee it for all clinics. Unless you clearly mark which type of vaccine you prefer, and there is no contraindication to either type of vaccine, the nurse at the clinic will determine which type of vaccine to use for your child.

For information about flu and the vaccine, click here. If you need a translated form, are unable to complete an electronic form, or have specific questions about the vaccine clinic, please call the school nurse directly.

We use a variety of communication tools to reach families. Please make sure you're connected with JFK and Biddeford Schools so we can maintain the home to school connection!

Stay informed by downloading the Biddeford Schools mobile app! It will allow parents to choose JFK and receive notifications from us, access the live feed, important documents, emergency notifications, and more! Simply download the relevant app at the link below:

• Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3fu8z4q
• Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2QFUBST
• Video - https://youtu.be/IEc79nbB43c

We may send text alerts in addition to email messages regarding important changes in the school day. Texts will be coming from a 98900 number. Please be advised this is a legitimate number, and blocking it could affect future messaging.

The School District has partnered with Talking Points to bring families a two-way translated communication tool. Please see the information below for more information and how to download the app.

• Android users: Download the app here

• Apple users: Download the app here