JFK Weekly Update

Dear Families of JFK,

Last week was Massachusetts STEM week, and in Canton we celebrate it as STEAM (science, technology, engineering & arts, mathematics) week. This year's theme focused on “STEM starts now” – at any age you can learn about STEM, from our youngest learners to adult learners, and STEM educational opportunities and jobs are here at this very moment in Massachusetts. Teachers engaged students in STEAM related learning in classes throughout their day, which were fun and exciting.

We had a wonderful first All School Meeting on Wednesday led by our Student Council members. They reminded us how to be good audience members, informed us of the fall food drive and ended with a story. They did a wonderful job and I look forward to watching them be leaders in the building this year.

I want to share a playground update. We have met with 2 design firms and are looking forward to seeing the designs they have created based on the feedback from the students. After reviewing the designs a firm will be chosen and then the real work will begin. The installation is projected to begin late spring/early summer.

Sincerely,

Saundra Watson, Principal

• October 30, 2024: Picture Retake Day
  
• November 2, 2024: Cantonstock 12:00-4:00 PM, CHS
• 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
  

The lost and found is packed already! Prior to Thanksgiving break it will be organized and donated so please remind your students to take a look. Thank you!

Hello,

I am one of the Vice President's of Canton High School Boosters. We are running a fundraiser in the spirt of Halloween. We are selling Boo-Buckets which will be delivered to individual student homes. I am hopeful you may consider including this opportunity to the parents in your respective schools, via your school newsletters.

The cost is $20 and all proceeds support Canton High School athletes and athletic programs.

The order form is here:

https://forms.gle/osE5uwFxzaVX1Nd26

Thank you in advance and CHS Boosters greatly appreciates your consideration.

Sincerely,

Debbie McCready

*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

stenmone@cantonma.org

1. Family Photos are back! Book your mini session now HERE!
2. 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..
3. To stay up to date, follow CAPT on Facebook and Instagram!

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.

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.

1. Parking is limited. All students K-5 are encouraged to walk or use the driveline.
   

   
   

2. Do not get out of your car in the driveline to assist your child. A staff member will be there to assist you.
   
   

3. 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:

1. Avoid the traffic. You are encouraged to walk or park on streets adjacent to JFK.
   
   

2. Encourage independence. Pick a nearby meeting spot in the neighborhood and have your child walk off campus to meet you.
   
   

3. 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.

   
   

4. 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.

   
   

   
   

Canton Helpline

Canton Food Pantry

The Food Pantry has moved to 1860 Washington Street (formerly St. Gerard’s).

Canton Farmers Market

The Canton Farmers Market also accepts SNAP and HIP

Canton Holiday Helpers

Quincy Family Resource Center

My Brother's Keeper

How to Get Help | The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Boston

Join the Canton Public School celebrations and highlights by following our social media platforms! #CantonBulldogs #ChampionsofExcellence

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)

Walk Bike Hike Committee Clean Up Event - 10/26/24

This webpage will be updated periodically.

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)

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.