Dear KT Community -

It was wonderful to see and meet so many of you last night at Curriculum Night! We appreciate your partnership as we work together to provide a rigorous and meaningful education for students.

I wanted to provide some important information about attendance. School attendance matters. Missing a day or two here and there may not feel like much, but absences add up! When a student misses 2 days a month, they will miss 20 days a year; when a student misses 4 days a month, they will miss 40 days of school a year. Students need to be present to fully take advantage of their educational experience.

A few important attendance reminders:

• Please make every attempt to schedule appointments outside of school hours
• Do not take the entire school day off for a medical appointment that occurs during school hours - come in before and/or after
• A note from your or your child’s physician does not make the absence go away
• Family vacations are not excused absences
• Identify family or friends who may be able to provide transportation if your child wakes up late and you are unable to bring them to school
• If you are walking to school, make sure you are prepared for the elements and do not let that be an excuse
• Remember that all Keefe Tech bus transportation provided is free!

School attendance is required to earn credit and to be promoted to the next grade level. Students who exceed 14 absences (excused and/or unexcused) are required to make up the time they missed. Grade 12 students will not be graduation eligible if their attendance exceeds 14 absences. Grade 9-11 students will not be promoted if their attendance exceeds 14 absences.

One last reminder for students and families - students need to be in school on time. If a student drives or if you are dropping them off, they need to be in academic classes at 7:40AM and CTE classes at 7:30AM. Accrued tardies will be added to the number of school days missed which must be made up in order to gain credit for the school year.

If you have any attendance related questions, please check in with your school counselor or Mr. McGrath (jmcgrath@jpkeefehs.org), who oversees attendance.

Thank you in advance for your assistance,

Dr. Snow

School Pictures are Ready!

View and order at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login

• JOSEPH P KEEFE TECH HIGH SCHOOL
• Event Code: FE138424
• Also Needed: Powerschool Student ID

The class of 2027 will meet Monday, September 30th in Room 301A after school to finalize details for the Homecoming Ball. Come join us for this planning meeting to make sure this is as fun an event as possible. The more helpers the more we can do for your annual dance. See you there!

Project Adventure will be hosting its annual apple-picking trip to Honey Pot Farms on Monday, October 7th from 2:15 – 4:30 pm. Come and join us as we pick fresh apples and eat warm apple cider donuts, on this afternoon of fun! Please see Mr.Paul in the Horticulture or Mr. Sylvestre in the Metals shop for a permission slip.

Thursday, October 3, 2024 - No school

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - 10:35 AM dismissal for students

Picture make-up day is October 16th.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Curriculum Night!

Reach out for more info how to help:
Jacinthe Benstrong-Twohig, KT Booster Club President
Jacinthe2019@icloud.com

Instructions to access PowerSchool parent/guardian account for Keefe Tech:

• The PowerSchool Parent Portal URL is: https://keefetech.powerschool.com/public/

• Access codes and passwords needed to set up parent/guardian accounts were originally sent home via email. If you need them again, please contact support at powerschool@jpkeefehs.org. Please provide your student’s name, grade, and student ID# if known/possible.

• Your username should be set to your full email address.

• Examples of special characters, when setting your password, are: !@#$*

• If you forget your Username or Password click the “Forgot Username or Password” link to have an email sent to reset it.

• If you aren’t receiving the Reset Password email, contact powerschool@jpkeefehs.org for further assistance.
  
  

Do you need to add another student to your PowerSchool parent account?

In your parent portal navigate to Account Preferences, then select the Students tab. Click on the Add button located on the right side of the screen. Enter your student’s name, access ID and Password, and your relationship to your student, then click OK. You should now see your 2nd student in your account. If you do not have the Access codes to add your student, contact powerschool@jpkeefehs.org too.

The PowerSchool app (on iPhone and Droid phone) works for students using their Keefe Tech email address now. The same PowerSchool app (on iPhone and Droid phone) works for parents/guardians to view their children as long as they have setup a registered account with PowerSchool.

All Keefe Tech students can download the PowerSchool app from the App Store, type in District code: CQJG and use the same Keefe email credentials to access their school information. Please work with your students at home if they need assistance accessing, email powerschool@jpkeefehs.org or have students visit 319A for further assistance from the Keefe Tech technology team.

If you do not have a smartphone, you can access your current grades and other information in PowerSchool via most internet browsers.

To access PowerSchool at KeefeTech, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Open an internet browser on your computer.

2. Type https://keefetech.powerschool.com/student into the address bar.

3. Type the student ID (email address) and Password (Google password). It is advisable that you keep your username and password secure and not share it with anyone else.

4. View the information.

5. Remember to log off when you are finished.

PARENT PORTAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Grades and Attendance tab will allow you to check assignments and scores by clicking on the blue percentage across from a class.

• Email the teacher a question or concern by simply clicking the blue teacher's name link.

• Announcements can be viewed daily

• The parent portal is an excellent tool for monitoring your child's academic success. Log in and familiarize yourself with its capabilities. If you have any questions regarding the use of PowerSchool please contact the school office at 508-416-2100.

Link to the Work Permit Google Form for students: Work Permit Google Form

Important! Students need to be logged in to their Keefe student account to access the link :)

We will be following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the DESE recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses at school.*

• If you test positive for covid, stay home for at least 24 hours. You can return to school when:

1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines; AND
2. Your symptoms are improving and you feel well enough.

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better so please continue to follow these precautions.

• For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities:

• Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people Avoid crowded indoor spaces.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

• Make plans to schedule your seasonal flu & covid shots

• If you would like covid test kits for home, please reach out to the KT nurses.

*Please be aware that this protocol may change based on updated CDC/DPH recommendations.

Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines:

• Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.

• The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

• Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.

Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is especially important if you:

• Never received a COVID-19 vaccine

• Are ages 65 years and older

• Are at high risk for severe COVID-19

• Are living in a long-term care facility

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future.

• Want to lower your risk of getting Long COVID

Coming soon! Order your free COVID-19 Tests at the end of September 2024.

U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. If your student has covid-related symptoms during the school day, we can rapid covid test them in the Health Office. We can also provide additional test kits for home. Check in with the KT nurses with any questions.

Influenza (flu) is very contagious. Thankfully the flu rate remains low nationally. The CDC continues to recommend that everyone over age 6 months get their annual flu shot.

• For more info re: flu prevention and treatment recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Weekly flu surveillance data: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

Ms. Wheeler’s Bio students worked collaboratively to complete their macromolecules in food lab! Bravo!

Test prep for the win! Students review the French and Indian War and the 13 Colonies in a Jeopardy-style game, with every correct answer earning a shot at extra points on the basketball court with Mr. Canizaro.

After 31 years of teaching at Keefe, this is my last class. The class of 2027 is the most diverse group of students we have ever had in the automotive program. For that I am very grateful and proud of each and every one of them!

Grade 10 Heath students studying the Skeletal System!

They offered valuable insights into their career paths and the contrasts between law enforcement and judicial processes in different countries. They also shared captivating stories from their careers, providing students with a unique, real-world perspective on the global landscape of criminal justice.

Thank you to Don Marini for making this event possible!

Dental students making some grill$!

Students learned which centers would best fit their Early Childhood profession. Some of the centers included Mini Miracles in Natick, YMCA Child Care in Framingham, Montessori Child Care in Holliston, Over the Rainbow in Framingham and KinderCare in Ashland.

Dental Assisting Students in action!

ECE freshman exploratory visiting SMOC STEAM room!

Electrical exploratory in action!

The PSAT is a practice SAT test. The SAT is a college admissions test that some, NOT all, colleges recommend.

Students who are considering 4-year college after high school are highly encouraged to participate in this test administration. To secure your spot for this testing administration, students must complete the attached form by Friday, October 4th at 2 pm. Students will not be permitted to register after this day/time.

Please note, this exam can take over 2 hours and is offered this year in a digital format.

Register for the PSAT here

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your School Counselor!

If you have a disability and are looking for accommodations for this exam, you can go here to start that process: https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/request-accommodations

Keefe Tech partnered with Care Solace this year for our school to have access to 24/7/365 multilingual Mental Health Care Coordination Service. Getting help can be a daunting process.

Care Solace connects students, staff, and their families to care. At no cost to you, Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available mental health and substance use providers matcher to your needs. Click the link below to check out this resource if you are looking for support outside of school.

Seniors who are planning to apply to 4-year colleges and universities should be working on their college applications, completing necessary essays and making sure they have connected with teachers about recommendations. Students should make an appointment with their School Counselor to review. Deadlines come up quick and we want to make sure they everyone is on track. Counselors are planning to put together some group workshops and different ways to get information our to seniors that are as user friendly as possible - say tuned!

Juniors who are interested in taking in the PSAT we are scheduling a date late October 2024 for this practice test - be on the lookout for signups! If you have a disability and are looking for accommodations for this exam, you can go here to start that process: https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/request-accommodations

While the SAT and/or ACT is still not required for a lot of colleges/Universities, we want to make sure that seniors are aware of the testing dates and deadlines to register. Please check with individual colleges about their testing policy. Students who register and feel that they qualify for a fee waiver can apply for a fee waiver through College Board. *Students, if you are signed up to take the SAT at Framingham High, you need to bring your own device, not your school chromebook. See your School Counselor if you have an issue with this.

Our school code is: 220854

Students who feel that they require accommodations for the SAT must request accommodations through the College Board. This typically is for students who maintain a 504 plan or IEP. Your counselor can help facilitate this process, but is not in charge of it. Decisions are made by College Board. In order for your counselor to help you apply for accommodations, you parent/guardian must sign the attached form, giving Keefe Tech permission to release some of your personal information. Get this form to your counselor ASAP because the College Board processes these requests as they receive them.

School Counselor Caseloads and additional contact information are below:

• Fill out this counselor request form online
• Stop by the counseling office to fill out an appointment request
• Email your School Counselor
• Call your School Counselor

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As mentioned in the last issue of the bulletin, September is the national suicide awareness month. Next week, we will be completing the Signs of Suicide (SOS) class for freshmen during their health classes. This evidence-based intervention is designed to introduce ourselves to the newest members in our building, as well as to educate about suicide prevention. Thus far, students have been engaged in our discussions, demonstrating that talking about suicide is a good way to alleviate any shame young people may experinece when talking about depression and feeling suicidal.

We also offer students resources in the community, of which there are many. The most convenient way to find a therapist is to go to Advocates' walk-in center (no appointment necessary!) that is open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. at 1094 Worcester Road in Framingham.

In general, the following protective factors help young people struggling with feeling suicidal:

- Access to therapy and being proactive about finding mental health support.

- Feeling connected to family and community support.

- Possessing problem-solving and coping skills.

- Limited access to lethal means (e.g., firearms).

- Having cultural and religious beliefs that encourage help-seeking and discourage suicidal behaviors.

Visit https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/ to read more about suicide awareness and prevention.

Thank you,

Julia Fairclough LICSW, SAC

Adjustment Counselor

FFA members delivering salad dressings and sauces to Framingham's United Way!

Research study - you can make $30!

Website: keefetech.org
Location: 750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA, United States
Phone: 508-416-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/keefetech