JFK PTO Update – February 25, 2019
Important
Dates:
February 28 -
Spotlight JFK for 4th and 5th grade families
March 5 - JFK
PTO Meeting
March 7 -
Grade 5 Parent/Guardian Transition Evening at JFK
March 12 &
13 - JFK Band Concerts at JFK
March 14 - NPS School Committee
Meeting
March 15 -
Half Day / Early Dismissal
March 22 - 7th
Grade Dance (6:30-8PM)
READY, SET, GLOW! 6th & 7th Grade Dances
The 6th &
7th grade dances are just around the corner on March 1 and March 22 and we need
your help! In order to host these dances we will need parent/guardian
volunteers as chaperones, to donate snacks, and to help decorate and clean up
after the dances. We need 10 chaperones at each dance. It’s the rules dude! It’s really
fun, our DJ rocks, and it’s a mere 90 minutes of much needed volunteer help.
Our students have a great time and really appreciate these events. Please sign
up today at the links below.
NOTE: If your
tween does NOT want to see you volunteering at their dance, please
consider volunteering at the dance your child is not attending.
NEF
Endowment Fund Grants open until March 1st
Got a great
idea for our schools? Learn about the Northampton
Education Foundation, which provides grants for teacher-initiated projects and
programs that expand educational opportunities, foster creativity, and enhance
academic experiences in Northampton’s public schools. The NEF’s 13th annual
Request for Proposals for NEF Endowment Fund Grants is now open. Click
on the link below to learn more. https://northamptoneducation.org/endowment-grants/
And if you
missed the Gazette article on the small grants received, be sure to check
the link here: https://www.gazettenet.com/NEF-23491885
Last Call
for Boxtops for Spring 2019! (Deadline is March 1)
Be sure to
share your Boxtops for
Education with
JFK by having your student drop them off in the JFK office. Last year we raised
about $150 for PTO activities from Boxtops but that dollar amount could be
higher with your help. You can also support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the
link here. Big Y Express can be found at: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. And you can link to JFK MS PTO
through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher
Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.
2019
Prevention Needs Assessment
Every two
years SPIFFY (the strategic planning initiative for families and youth) teams
with the Northampton Prevention Coalition and the Northampton Public Schools to
survey all 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students. The purpose of the survey is to
gather information needed to plan important prevention and intervention
programs to combat such problems as substance use, bullying, and dating
violence in schools and communities. The survey yields data on student
behaviors, risk factors, protective factors, and students' perceptions of these
risk and protective factors. This data not only informs programming but
provides NPS, SPIFFY, and NPC with the information it needs to apply for grants
to fund such programs.
JFK 8th grade students will take the survey on March
13; NHS 10th and 12th graders on March 12; SVAHS 10th and 12th graders on
April 3.
JFK
Yearbook Orders
The 2019 JFK
Yearbook is available to order now for $27. Order online at www.coffeepond.com or send in cash or check payable to JFK
in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number. Price increases to
$29 on April 1.
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Northampton HS
and the International Language Institute have partnered with GPI US, a Japanese
student exchange organization, to create a one-week study program for Meisei
H.S. students during their school break. The students will be visiting ILI
& Northampton High School this spring. Any Pioneer Valley families can
apply. Needed: Families to host these students for 3 nights, March 15–18.
Double (or single) placements for 26 students. Who: 14 boys and 12 girls, ages
15 and 16. For more information, click on the flyer here.
14th Annual
VINS Dog Show (March 2, 12-3pm)
Northampton
High School Gym. Snow date is Sunday, March 3. FREE ENTRY! Only Dogs Pay!
Registration is required for dogs: $8 if received by February 28 and $12 at the
door (donations accepted). $5 Non-competing dogs. For more info, see the flyer here. Hosted by Volunteers in Northampton
Schools, Inc.
Calling all
6th-8th graders, the Heart & Sole Community Team is happening for a second
season
Smith College
is hosting any girl in 6th-8th grade to be part of Girls on the Run's
Heart & Sole program. Practices are Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-5pm starting the week
of March 11 and ending with our GOTR5K on June 2. Practices will be held down
at the Smith College athletic fields. Space is limited, only 10 spots
available. Register today!
Amherst
Leisure Services Community Theater Presents Auditions for Missoula Children’s
Theatre’s THE PIED PIPER!
Auditions will
be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre musical production of THE PIED
PIPER Monday, March 4 at the Amherst Middle School Cafeteria from 4:15-6:15pm.
All those auditioning should arrive at 4pm and plan to stay for the full two
hours. Some of those cast in the show will be asked to stay for a rehearsal
immediately following the auditions. Students from K-12 are encouraged to
audition. Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout
the week, and to take on essential backstage responsibilities. There are 50-60
roles available, with parts in every age group. There is a $55 Registration Fee
due at the audition for all those who are cast—additional siblings $30 (fee
waivers are available). THE PIED PIPER will be presented on Saturday, March 9
at 1:30pm and 4pm at the Amherst Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for
adults and $5 for students under 18 and seniors. For more information, visit: https://alsct.org/childrens_theater/index.html
The 19th
Annual Northampton Adult Spelling Bee, March 27 at JFK
Doors Open:
5PM. Spelling Bee: 6PM. The Spelling Bee is one of the ways NEF raises money to support Small Grants
for Teachers and raises awareness of their mission. Last year, 21 grants across
school and grade levels totaled almost $50,000. It is also good fun, a great
way to dress up, and participate in our community. Prizes are awarded for
spelling, costume, and humor. Teams are 3 people, usually in costume, with a
catchy 🐝 related name. We encourage you to invite your friends and family to
come and cheer for your team! Great dinner options are available at “Le
Beestro” (by Cooper’s Corners). Dinner begins at 5pm (bring cash!). There will
also be baked goods for sale, and Herrell’s ice cream! Team Registration is now
open! Click Here!
Summer
Theater Workshops beginning July 8
All workshops
are held at the Williston Theatre in Easthampton. Lunch is included. Workshops
take place from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, for groups between the ages
of 6 to 8 and 9 to 13. Every Friday there is a free performance for the public
at 4 pm of the performance participants have created using theatre,
improvisational games, and movement. For more information, visit: https://hampshireshakespeare.com/education/workshops/
Sing This
Summer
Sing This
Summer offers exceptional week-long programs for young singers grades 2-12.
This summer we'll be welcoming new and returning campers to the beautiful
Amherst College campus (in Amherst, MA) from June 23-28 and July 7-12 and the
wonderful Bowdoin College campus (in Brunswick, ME) from July 14-19. Students
can now register online at www.singthissummer.com/register-now
SING! (grades
7-12) offers daily classes in musical theater, choir, individual and group
voice lessons, musicianship, movement and collegiate-style a cappella with
recreational activities interspersed throughout the day for a balance of
intensive music and fun. SING! Jr. (grades 2-6) features all of the same
classes and recreational activities as SING! while focusing on helping younger
students explore their vocal skills and build musicianship skills.
Follow us on
our JFK PTO Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jfkmspto/
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