Friday, October 18, 2019

JFK PTO Update – October 18, 2019


 

IMPORTANT DATES:
October 25 - Fall Boxtops Deadline
November 3 - JFK Antique Sale to Benefit Afterschool
November 5 - No School (Election Day)
November 6 - JFK PTO Meeting in the JFK Library
November 11 - No School (Veterans Day)
December 9-13 - Scholastic Book Fair at JFK

Support Our JFK PTO Fall Fundraising!
Here at JFK PTO our mission is to enrich a student’s academic experience by providing additional funding for a variety of programming. To kick off the school year, we are asking families to donate to our PTO so that we can support three unique cultural academic programs that make our school special: 
● 8th Grade Scholastic Writing Program ● 
● 7th Grade Ancient Greece Program ● 
● 6th Grade Hero’s Journey ●

Our goal is attainable if every family donates $35. 
JFK PTO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Gifts of any amount are deeply appreciated.

100% of every dollar donated directly benefits our students. Here’s how:

Scholastic Writing Program: This eighth grade program is a national writing program, administered by dedicated JFK faculty, to support students who are passionate about writing. Students work for several weeks to develop writing samples that are sent to the Scholastic competition and have included award-winning submissions in past years. 

Ancient Greece Program: This seventh grade program immerses students in the world of ancient Greece. A local artist-in-residence delivers lessons in a variety of formats for a unique and robust experience that students remember well beyond seventh grade, culminating in a showcase of student work including projects, skits, poetry recitations, and original music performed.

Hero’s Journey: Sixth graders at JFK work to understand the story arc of the Hero’s Journey. In addition to their work through reading and writing, students are given the opportunity to go out into the community to participate in events that help demonstrate and conceptualize a hero’s journey through art and media. 

DONATE to support special programs at JFK (2 ways to donate!):
Write a check payable to JFK PTO. Add “Cultural Arts” to the memo line. 
o   Mail the check to: JFK PTO, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA 01062. OR
o   Send the check to school with your student to drop off in the office. 

Look for our online donation site at Mighty Cause: https://tinyurl.com/y529vnzp 
To fund these three programs, we are hoping to raise $9000. Please help!

Our PTO Survey
We want as many parents as possible to participate in PTO. Thanks for taking a minute to give us your feedback! Click here to respond.

The JFK National Grid Energy Saving Fundraiser (due Monday)

Raise money for our school and help your family and community save energy. This fundraiser is fully donated to our school by our local utility. This means JFK gets to keep every penny of funds raised. The products for sale will help our community save energy and save money while raising funds to support the Study Activity Fund. This account helps to support amazing clubs, programs, and activities in our school, and field trips that enrich every student’s middle school experience. We need YOUR participation to make this fundraiser a big success! Order forms and cash/checks are due October 21. Items for purchase include:
  • 4 pack LED A-Lamp
  • 4 pack LED BR-Lamp
  • Desk Lamp
  • Advanced Power Strip
  • Showerhead with Integrated ShowerStart TSV

Boxtops Due... Are You Using the New App?
Send in your Boxtops with your student to the JFK main office. The deadline for fall Boxtops is October 25, although we can accept Boxtop donations year round. Online we are: JOHN F KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL| School ID: 573700. Box Tops is going digital! Get the new Box Tops mobile app on your phone: https://www.boxtops4education.com/en/How%20To%20Earn 

Amazon Smile Has a New App Too
If you are an AmazonSmile customer, you can now support Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc in the Amazon shopping app on your Android device! Click here for instructions. Note: AmazonSmile is not currently available for iOS users.

Easy Ways to Support JFK All Year Long

JFK PTO Meeting in the JFK Library
Our next JFK PTO Meeting will be held in the JFK Library on Wednesday, November 6 from 6-7pm. Join us as we plan for a great year at JFK. If you can’t attend the meeting but can help via email, sign up at the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949AEAA2BA75-jfkmspto 

We’re still looking for volunteers! 

Want to help organize the December book fair? Come meet faculty and staff at our PTO meetings and let us know. Email us at jfkmspto@gmail.com. In general, PTO meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7pm, but in November, because of Election Day, we’ll meet on Wednesday, November 6. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Child Safety in Today’s World (10/22 or 11/7)
Facilitated by Jackie Humphreys, LICSW & Joanne Leonard, CSEC Coordinator of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin, Inc. Register with Joanne Leonard at 413-475-3401 or Jleonard@cacfranklinnq.org This event is free, made possible by a grant from the Bete Family Foundation. For more info, see the flyer here.

Strengthening Families Program (Starts 10/22-NEW DATE!)
A 7-week program for parents/caregivers and their 5-8th graders. Weekly 6-8pm (dinner at 5:30pm) at White Brook Middle School. Free & open to all communities. Next session: THURSDAYS starting Oct. 22-Dec. 3 (skip 10/31). To Register, Click here. For the flyer, click here.

Drug Take Back Day (10/26)
Do you or your relatives have unwanted or expired prescription drugs in the house? Drop them off between 10am and 2pm at many locations in Hampshire and Franklin County. Or take them to a permanent drop box any time. See flyer for details and locations.

 
Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page
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Volunteer with us! Sign up here if you can help the JFK PTO this year: 

Si desea recibir esta información en español, envíenos un mensaje a jfkmspto@gmail.com.