Wednesday, April 25, 2018

JFK PTO Update – April 25, 2018


 
JFK PTO Update – April 25, 2018

Important Dates:
May 1 - JFK MS PTO Meeting in JFK Library (6-7:30pm) and Valley Gives
May 4 - Northampton Public Schools K-8 Art Show Opening Reception (4-6pm)
May 9 - Teacher Appreciation Lunch (New Date and Volunteers Needed!)
May 8-25 - MCAS Testing
May 18 - Half Day of School
May 20 - Eighth Grade Mayor’s Dance
May 28 - No School (Memorial Day)
May 29 - JFK MS PTO Meeting in JFK Library (New Date!)

May 1 is Valley Gives Day

 
Valley Gives Day is Tuesday, May 1. This 24-hour online giving event is an opportunity for people who care about the quality of life in the Pioneer Valley to make a difference. Our JFK PTO will be raising funds with our annual Making Middle School Mobile campaign. This raises much needed funds for field trips for all students at JFK. You can donate starting as soon as Thursday, April 26 at the link below. This year our goal is to raise $4000. We hope you can help. Every donation makes a difference, thank you!


Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Our last meeting of the year has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 29 so as not to conflict with the chorus concert. Come let us know your thoughts about ending the school year strong!

Northampton Public Schools’ K-8 Art Show Opening Reception, May 4 from 4-6pm
The art teachers from the elementary schools and the middle school cordially invite students and their families to JFK Middle School on Friday, May 4 from 4-6pm for an opening reception. The art exhibition will host selected original artwork by students from Leeds, Ryan Road, Jackson Street, Bridge Street and JFK Middle Schools. There will be light refreshments served and beautiful 2D and 3D artwork. The show will run from May 4 through May 24. Please join us for this wonderful event! Thanks so much! JFK Middle School Art Teachers: Michelle Mallory and Emma Mendoker; Leeds and Ryan Road Art Teacher: Leslie Macutkiewicz; Jackson Street and Bridge Street Art Teacher: Brenda Lilly.

Teacher Appreciation Brunch on Wednesday, May 9 at JFK--We Need an Organizer!
Mark your calendars: We’ll be celebrating National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Week with a Teacher Appreciation Brunch on Wednesday, May 9. We’re looking for someone to coordinate volunteers via Sign-Up Genius. Please email us at jfkmspto@gmail.com if you can help! Stay tuned for sign up information and to donate food and drinks and show our teachers how much you appreciate their hard work at JFK.

News from JFK Food Service (Corrected)
Beginning on Tuesday, April 24 students will have the opportunity to purchase pre-packaged items. All items will be $1. Please refer to the letter sent home from JFK for more info or contact the Food Service Office if you need to increase or decrease your student’s spending cap per day or have any questions.

May MCAS Testing (New Dates)
Please refer to the latest edition of JFK News for the MCAS Testing schedule, which runs May 8-12 with make-up testing through May 25. Note: Grade 6 & 7 Math testing is May 10-11.

Mark Your Calendars!
June 1 - JFK Day of Service (pending)
June 5 - JFK MS Chorus Concert
June 6 - JFK MS Band Concert
June 11 - Eighth Grade Picnic
June 20 - Last Day of School (Half Day)
Aug 30 - First Day of School
For more info, see the Northampton Public Schools Calendar online: http://www.northamptonschools.org/district-calendar/

Upcoming Community Events:

Hatfield HEADS-UP presents "RESILIENCE" Wednesday, May 2 from 6-8pm
"RESILIENCE" is a documentary film about childhood trauma and the adverse effects on health, and the role that everyone in the community can play in reversing them. Located at the Hatfield Elementary School. Childcare provided: Call 247-5641 to reserve a spot. Free and open to the public: 1-hour documentary screening followed by a presentation and community discussion led by Kristal Cleaver, LICSW, Director of Community Education for Clinical & Support Options practices. See trailer here: http://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/

22nd Annual Plant and Garden Market on Saturday, May 12 from 9am-1pm
The Northampton Education Foundation and Support Our Schools Plant and Garden Market will be held on Saturday, May 12 on the front lawn of Smith Vocational School from 9am to 1pm. Proceeds benefit Support our Schools – SOS Book Fund. If you have plants to donate please bring them to Smith Vocational School on, Friday, May 11 from 4-7pm. For more information, see the flyer here.

Northampton Parks & Recreation for your JFK Middle School Student!
Enroll in Teen Expeditions, for kids entering grades 7-10, for any one week session beginning June 25 all the way through August 10. This unique day camp program is our adventure based trip camp! Each day is filled with exciting experiences. Your teen might be hiking around the Pioneer Valley, swimming at a beach, biking along the Norwottuck Rail Trail, reaching great heights at a ropes course, exploring Brownstone Adventure Park (a water based adventure park), and much more! Experienced staff lead our unique trips & adventures. We also offer different summer sports program to help develop skills and confidence! Throughout the summer there will be one week sessions for Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer. Tennis skills and drills sessions are offered all summer long. Find information about our programs at this link, http://www.northamptonma.gov/902/Summer-Day-Camps and explore all the programs we offer for kids of all ages!

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Friday, April 13, 2018

JFK PTO Update – April 13, 2018

 
JFK PTO Update – April 13, 2018

Important Dates:
April 16-20 - School Closed (Spring Break)
May 1 - JFK MS PTO Meeting in JFK Library (6-7:30pm) and Valley Gives
May 4 - Northampton Public Schools K-8 Art Show Opening Reception (4-6pm)
May 8 - National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Lunch (Volunteers Needed)
May 28 - School Closed (Memorial Day)
June 6 - JFK MS Band Concert
June 11 - Eighth Grade Picnic

Thank You! Seventh Grade Masquerade Ball
Our seventh grade students had a great time at the masquerade ball. Thanks to everyone who helped us with our dances, especially to the teachers and chaperones who stayed late so the kids could have fun.

JFK Global STEM Club Floats a Boat!
The JFK Global STEM Program seeks to build global partnerships while working on STEM-based projects. Students from JFK Middle School are partnering with students from Finham Park School in Coventry, England. This year students are collaborating with research scientists who have launched our mini-boat off of the Eastern coast of the United States. This mini-boat will drift across the Atlantic and hopefully be picked up by a ship off of the Western coast of Europe or Africa. Our mini-boat will collect data on Ocean Surface Temperatures and report this data back to a satellite every 12 hours. Students are, therefore, able to follow the pathway of our mini-boat in real time. To build a foundation of knowledge, students are working on a variety of projects related to the study of oceans, marine technology, and the effects of humans on our environment. Please follow these links to find out more about our mini-boat, Northampton and Coventry, student projects, and our Global STEM Program: https://sites.google.com/northampton-k12.us/7thgradescience/home/global-stem

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Our last meeting of the year is scheduled for June 5. Come let us know your thoughts about the school year.

May 1 is Valley Gives Day
Valley Gives Day is Tuesday, May 1. This 24-hour online giving event is an opportunity for people who care about the quality of life in the Pioneer Valley to make a difference. Our JFK PTO will be raising funds with our annual Making Middle School Mobile campaign. This raises much needed funds for field trips for all students at JFK. Stay tuned for more details and a new URL link.

Northampton Public Schools’ K-8 Art Show & Opening Reception, May 4 from 4-6pm
The art teachers from the elementary schools and the middle school cordially invite students and their families to JFK Middle School on Friday, May 4 from 4-6pm for an opening reception. The art exhibition will host selected original artwork by students from Leeds, Ryan Road, Jackson Street, Bridge Street and JFK. Middle Schools. There will be light refreshments served and beautiful 2D and 3D artwork. The show will run from May 4 through May 24. Please join us for this wonderful event! Thanks so much! JFK Middle School Art Teachers: Michelle Mallory and Emma Mendoker; Leeds and Ryan Road Art Teacher: Leslie Macutkiewicz; Jackson Street and Bridge Street Art Teacher: Brenda Lilly.

Teacher Appreciation Brunch on Tuesday, May 8 at JFK
Mark your calendars: We’ll be celebrating National Teacher Day with a Teacher Appreciation Brunch on Tuesday, May 8. Stay tuned for sign up information to donate food and drinks and show our teachers how much you appreciate their hard work at JFK.

Upcoming Community Events:

Active Bystander Training at Cooley Dickinson on Tuesday, April 24 from 6:30-8:30pm
Cooley Dickinson is sponsoring an active bystander training on Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30-8:30pm for people age 12 and up at JFK Middle School. Northampton Prevention Coalition and Cooley Dickinson Hospital are co-sponsors. Space is limited to 50 participants, so if you wish to attend, RSVP at your earliest convenience: http://evite.me/TtHpaJe1Q2.

Hatfield HEADS-UP presents "RESILIENCE" Wednesday, May 2 from 6-8pm
"RESILIENCE" is a documentary film about childhood trauma and the adverse effects on health, and the role that everyone in the community can play in reversing them. Located at the Hatfield Elementary School. Childcare provided: Call 247-5641 to reserve a spot. Free and open to the public: 1-hour documentary screening followed by a presentation and community discussion led by Kristal Cleaver, LICSW, Director of Community Education for Clinical & Support Options practices. See trailer here: http://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/

22nd Annual Plant and Garden Market on Saturday, May 12 from 9am-1pm
The Northampton Education Foundation and Support Our Schools Plant and Garden Market will be held on Saturday, May 12 on the front lawn of Smith Vocational School from 9am to 1pm. Proceeds benefit Support our Schools – SOS Book Fund. If you have plants to donate please bring them to Smith Vocational School on, Friday, May 11 from 4-7pm. For more information, see the flyer here.

Northampton Parks & Recreation for your JFK Middle School Student!
Enroll in Teen Expeditions, for kids entering grades 7-10, for any one week session beginning June 25 all the way through August 10. This unique day camp program is our adventure based trip camp! Each day is filled with exciting experiences. Your teen might be hiking around the Pioneer Valley, swimming at a beach, biking along the Norwottuck Rail Trail, reaching great heights at a ropes course, exploring Brownstone Adventure Park (a water based adventure park), and much more! Experienced staff lead our unique trips & adventures. We also offer different summer sports program to help develop skills and confidence! Throughout the summer there will be one week sessions for Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer. Tennis skills and drills sessions are offered all summer long. Find information about our programs at this link, http://www.northamptonma.gov/902/Summer-Day-Camps and explore all the programs we offer for kids of all ages!
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Friday, April 6, 2018

JFK PTO Update – April 6, 2018



JFK PTO Update – April 6, 2018

Important Dates:
TONIGHT! April 6 - Seventh Grade Dance 6:30pm-8pm
April 16-20 - School Closed (Spring Break)

TONIGHT: Seventh Grade Masquerade Ball
The Seventh Grade Dance is tonight from 6:30 to 8pm in the JFK Cafeteria (enter through the back entrance). Dress comfy or dress fun. There will be music, dj, photobooth, mask decorating and snacks. All students must be picked up at 8pm sharp.

NOTE: ALL TICKETS MUST HAVE BEEN PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.

Important Details for Students & Families regarding the Seventh Grade Dance:
  • Bring your Student ID & Ticket to the dance.
  • All students must STAY at the dance.
  • Once you leave you may NOT return to the dance.
  • Please pick up students promptly at 8:00pm.
  • No full-face masks.
  • Questions? Contact us at jfkmspto@gmail.com

For more information and to see the flyer fro the dance, click here.

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, April 6 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Only two more chance to participate this school year and let us know your thoughts. Our last meeting of the year is scheduled for June 5.

Upcoming Community Events:

Save the Date! Eat for Education is Tuesday, April 10
On April 10, a number of Northampton restaurants will be donating 10% of their profits made that day to Northampton High School. It’s at any point during the day and evening, so breakfast and lunch count too. Stay tuned for more delicious details!

Active Bystander Training at Cooley Dickinson on Tuesday, April 24
Cooley Dickinson is sponsoring an active bystander training on Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30-8:30pm for people age 12 and up at JFK Middle School. Northampton Prevention Coalition and Cooley Dickinson Hospital are co-sponsors. Space is limited to 50 participants, so if you do wish to attend please RSVP here at your earliest convenience: http://evite.me/TtHpaJe1Q2.

Sing This Summer Welcoming Campers Grades 2-12
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 24-29 and the wonderful Bowdoin College campus (in Brunswick, ME) from July 22-27. Students can now register online at www.singthissummer.com/register-now

Hatfield HEADS-UP presents "RESILIENCE" Wednesday, May 2
"RESILIENCE" is a documentary film about childhood trauma and the adverse effects on health--and the role that everyone in the community can play in reversing them.

Hatfield Elementary School
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 6-8 p.m.

Childcare provided: Call 247-5641 to reserve a spot.

Free and open to the public: 1-hour documentary screening followed by a presentation and community discussion led by Kristal Cleaver, LICSW, Director of Community Education for Clinical & Support Options practices. (See Flyer!)
.

RESILIENCE chronicles a new movement among pediatricians, therapists, educators and communities, who are using cutting-edge brain science to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease. “The child may not remember, but the body remembers.”

Sponsored by
Hatfield HEADS-Up, Hatfield Public Schools
Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and
Clinical & Support Options


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

Friday, March 30, 2018

JFK PTO Update – March 30, 2018


 
JFK PTO Update – March 30, 2018

Important Dates:
April 3 - PTO Meeting in the JFK Library
April 3-6 - MCAS Testing
April 6 - Seventh Grade Dance 6:30pm-8pm
April 16-20 - School Closed (Spring Break)

In Thanks! And… Let’s Dance Some More!
Thank you to everyone who donated time, snacks and beverages to make last week’s Sixth Grade Dance a success. Students had a wonderful time and we couldn’t have done it without your help.

The Seventh Grade Dance will be held on Friday, April 6 from 6:30 to 8pm. The students have been organizing and planning the event and they need our help in a couple of key areas: chaperones, setup, break down, and lunch time ticket sales. If you can assist in any of these areas, we would really, really appreciate your help. Click on the link below to sign up. Also, please remember students love it when parents from the other grades chaperone their dance.

Sign up to volunteer for the Seventh Grade Dance:

Tickets are $2 and will be available for purchase at lunch time next Wednesday to Friday. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information and to see the flyer for the dance, click here.

JFK Yearbook On Sale
Last chance for the reduced price. Yearbooks are $26 if ordered before March 31. Yearbook prices increase to $28 on April 1 (next week). Send in cash or check made out to JFK in an envelope with student name and homeroom number. Order online at www.coffeepond.com  

Triple AmazonSmile Donation Promotion through March 31
3x your impact! Amazon is tripling the donation rate on your first smile.amazon.com purchase through March 31. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/54-2157090 and Amazon donates to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc. It’s that easy...

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, April 3 from 6-7:30pm
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, April 6 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Future dates are May 1 and June 5 and then it’s summer!

MCAS Testing April 3-6
Please refer to the letter sent home from school. The testing will begin promptly each day at 7:55am. Please encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep, to have breakfast, and to do his or her very best each day. It is also particularly important that your student arrive at school on time. Students are asked to bring a book to read (e-readers are not permitted) in the event they complete their testing before the end of the scheduled time. Here is the schedule as sent home from school:
  • April 3: English Session 1 (grades 6, 7)
  • April 4: English Session 2 (grades 6, 7)
  • April 5: English Session 1 (grade 8)
  • April 6: English Session 2 (grade 8)
  • Make up testing will be ongoing until May 4.

Upcoming Community Events:

UMass Symposium, Marijuana Legalized: Research, Practice & Policy Considerations - Monday, April 2 from 9-11:30am
Location: Amherst Room, Campus Center. The UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences presents the next event in the Dean's Symposia Series: "Marijuana Legalized: Research, Practice & Policy Considerations." The symposium will examine the potential public health impact of marijuana legalization in Massachusetts. For more information, see: http://www.umass.edu/sphhs/news-events/events-calendar/marijuana-legalized-research-practice-policy-considerations

Enough As She Is: An Evening with Rachel Simmons on Wednesday, April 4 at 6:30pm
In a benefit for the Northampton Education Foundation, best-selling author and girl expert Rachel Simmons will share strategies to help girls move beyond impossible standards of success to live healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives. Books will be available from Odyssey Bookshop and Rachel will sign them at the event. Northampton High School Auditorium, 380 Elm Street, Northampton. Tickets: Suggested donation - $8/students, $15/adults, $25/supporters.

Rachel Simmons is the author of Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy and Fulfilling Lives, and the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls and The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls With Courage and Confidence. She is the cofounder of national nonprofit Girls Leadership, and the leadership development specialist at the Wurtele Center for Leadership at Smith College. www.rachelsimmons.com/tour

Free Suicide Prevention Training on Thursday, April 5 at 6pm
PVCSP is hosting a free suicide prevention training next week on Thursday, April 5th at the Northampton Police Department. The training starts promptly at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30 for registration. Sarah Gaer, a suicide prevention specialist with Riverside Trauma, will lead the 1.5 hour training.  For details and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/qpr-gatekeeper-trainingsuicide-prevention-tickets-43935144199

Save the Date! Eat for Education is Tuesday, April 10
On April 10, a number of Northampton restaurants will be donating 10% of their profits made that day to Northampton High School. It’s at any point during the day and evening, so breakfast and lunch count too. Stay tuned for more delicious details!

Active Bystander Training at Cooley Dickinson on Tuesday, April 24
Cooley Dickinson is sponsoring an active bystander training on Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30-8:30pm for people age 12 and up at JFK Middle School. Northampton Prevention Coalition and Cooley Dickinson Hospital are co-sponsors. Space is limited to 50 participants, so if you do wish to attend please RSVP here at your earliest convenience: http://evite.me/TtHpaJe1Q2.

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