Friday, December 15, 2017

JFK PTO Update – December 15, 2017



 
JFK PTO Update – December 15, 2017

Important Dates:
December 18 - Annual Open House for Faculty and Staff (Desserts & Sweets Needed!)
December 18-21 - JFK Store Open for Holiday Sales (Lunchtime Shopping for Students)
December 20 - JFK Band Winter Concert
December 22 - No School, Start of Winter Break
January 2 - Back to School
January 9 - JFK PTO Meeting (6-7:30pm)

We Need Desserts for the Annual Open House for Faculty and Staff on Monday, December 18
It’s a great time to say thank you to the staff and teachers of JFK who make a difference in our students’ lives. We need lots of desserts (just desserts!) to be served at the annual open house for around 100 faculty and staff on Monday, December 18. Just drop your dessert item in the office before lunchtime on Monday 12/18. If refrigeration is needed, that’s not a problem. But, no desserts with nuts, thanks!

The JFK Store is Coming to Town! (December 18-21)
The JFK Store will be opening for student shopping every day next week from 10:45am to 12:45pm. JFK sweatshirts and shirts will be on sale, as well as school supplies, locker decorations, and fun items for stocking stuffers. Let your student know about this in-house shopping option. All proceeds will benefit the JFK PTO and help us help students.

Volunteer to make the store a success! If you can help from 10:30am to 12:30pm or so, sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4eadad23abfa7-jfkstudent

NOTE: If you plan to volunteer, please remember you need to have a current CORI. Ask at the JFK front office if you need to apply. It lasts for 3 years, and is needed for any in-school or field trip volunteering.

The JFK Band Winter Concert (December 20)
The JFK Band Winter Concert is Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30pm in the Northampton High School auditorium. Suggested donation is $3 at the door. Band students should arrive by 6pm to check in at the band room. All JFK families are invited to celebrate our students as they play. Baked goods are needed for the bake sale and volunteer slots are still open. Sign up here to help: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090845a5ac2ba02-jfkconcert2

Box Tops 4 Education Collection in JFK Main Office
Send in your Box Tops for Education by December 21 (last day of school in 2017) and we will redeem them for our school. No collection sheet needed, just send in Box Tops in a baggie or small envelope and leave them in the box in the office. https://www.boxtops4education.com/about

Notice from the Health Office: Annual Health Screenings for All Students
In December, the JFK nursing staff is conducting annual health screenings for 6th and 7th grade students. Letters went home in backpack mail. 8th grade screenings will be held after the first of the new year. A separate mailing will be sent home at that time.

These screenings consist of checking backs for 6th graders and checking backs, height, and weight for 7th graders. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified. Otherwise, you will not hear from the Health Office. If your child has had a physical within the last six months and the provider has documented these exams, your student can be excused from the screening. Please provide a copy of this physical as soon as possible.

You also have the right to opt your child out of this screening. If you prefer to do this, contact Karen Schiaffo, JFK School Nurse, phone: 587-1488, fax: 587-1566 or email: kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us

Looking for a new and exciting YA book?
Ms. Mack (grade 7 Social Studies teacher on the Green Rev) recently published a YA novel called The Pirates of Cologne. You can get a copy locally at Broadside Books or on Amazon in paperback or for a Kindle.

The novel is based on real adolescents who were living in Cologne, Germany during WWII. “The Pirates of Cologne is a book for our times: a gripping, inspirational story about youth and resistance that asks all the hard questions about what it means to do the right thing. What would you have done, if you'd been German under Hitler? And what will you do now? You won't be able to finish this book without wondering." --Catherine Newman, author of One Mixed Up Night and Catastrophic Happiness

Make it Count 100% - Last Chance for Your Tax-Deductible Contribution for 2017
Thanks to everyone who participated in our fall fundraising campaign. You can still make a 2017 tax-deductible contribution to the JFK PTO. Donate at the link below, or, checks are always welcome in the office in an envelope addressed to JFK PTO:

And thank you to everyone who helped JFK in 2017! We wish our families a very happy new year. Here are some voices of thanks from our community:

  • Dear PTO Members: I want to thank all of you for the wonderful work you do for our JFK community, including the recent book fair! Many thanks as well for the terrific books that will augment my classroom library and be available to students to borrow for our upcoming nonfiction unit. Students enjoy borrowing books from the classroom shelf and especially appreciate new additions from the book fair.
  • From the Reading Specialists: Thank you so much. The bean bags will encourage students to relax and focus on reading at the same time. We are truly grateful.
  • Grade 8 students went to UMASS for a day of poetry. Students took workshops while at UMASS where they were able to explore different types of poetry, eventually writing their own prose! In the afternoon, there was a poetry slam, where many JFK students shared their work with other middle school students from across the valley. We are grateful to the PTO for this opportunity! http://www.masspoetry.org/studentdayofpoetry/

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, January 9 (6-7:30 pm)
All are welcome at our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 9 from 6-7:30 pm in the JFK Library. Be a part of the planning and lend your expertise to special projects at JFK. PTO Meetings are usually the first Tuesday of every month, except in January when we’ve moved to date to January 9. Future dates are February 6 and March 6. The more, the merrier!

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

Friday, December 8, 2017

JFK PTO Update – December 8, 2017

JFK PTO Update – December 8, 2017

Important Dates:
December 12 - Last Day of Scholastic Book Fair Online
December 18 - Annual Open House for Faculty and Staff (Dessert Donations Needed!)
December 18-21 - JFK Store Open for Holiday Sales
December 20 - JFK Band Winter Concert
December 22 - No School, Start of Winter Break
January 2 - Back to School

Scholastic Book Fair Online through Tuesday
Thanks to everyone who donated their time to make the book fair a success. Profits from the book fair come back to the school library to buy books from Scholastic for the library and classrooms. Wait, you didn’t make it to the book fair? You can still shop online through December 12 using this link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/jfknorthampton

We Need Desserts: Annual Open House for Faculty and Staff is Monday, December 18
It’s a great time to say thank you to the staff and teachers of JFK who make a difference in our students’ lives. We need desserts (just desserts!) to be served at the annual open house for faculty and staff on December 18. Packaged desserts that can be left for the weekend can be brought to the office on Friday 12/15. Day-of desserts can be left in the office on Monday 12/18. If refrigeration is needed, that’s not a problem! But, no nuts. About 100 faculty and staff will be attending, so please help us make them feel appreciated.

The JFK Mall Craft and Vendor Fair had over 40 vendors this year. Thanks to all bakers, volunteers, and community sponsors who helped. This event raises funds for our after school program and we couldn’t do it without you!

The JFK Store is Coming to Town! (December 18-21)
After the amazing success of our Book Fair and Mall, the JFK Store (a lunchtime tradition) will be reopening for student shopping the week of December 18 through December 21 from 10:30am to 12:30pm. JFK sweatshirts and shirts will be on sale, as well as school supplies, locker decorations, and fun items for stocking stuffers. All proceeds benefit the JFK PTO and help us help students.

Can you volunteer to work the register at the JFK Store, Monday to Thursday between 10:30am and 12:30pm? Sign up for a shift at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4eadad23abfa7-jfkstudent

Looking for a new and exciting YA book for your young reader?
Ms. Mack (grade 7 Social Studies teacher on the Green Rev) recently published a YA novel called The Pirates of Cologne. The novel is based on real adolescents who were living in Cologne, Germany during WWII. The year is 1942, and thirteen-year-old Sebastian Jaeger has escaped from a Hitler Youth camp and returned to the city of Cologne. Five years earlier, his father, a Communist leader, was imprisoned, leaving Sebastian alone to care for his grandmother. Attracted by the possibility of true friendship, Sebastian joins a group of street kids called the Edelweiss Pirates who make a game out of their rebellion against the Hitler Youth and the Nazis. But their childish antics soon take a more serious and dangerous turn as they begin to work with the organized resistance. 

"The Pirates of Cologne is a book for our times: a gripping, inspirational story about youth and resistance that asks all the hard questions about what it means to do the right thing. What would you have done, if you'd been German under Hitler? And what will you do now? You won't be able to finish this book without wondering." - Catherine Newman author of One Mixed Up Night and Catastrophic Happiness You can get a copy locally at Broadside Books or on Amazon in paperback or for a Kindle.

The JFK Band Winter Concert (December 20)
The JFK Band Winter Concert is on Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30pm at the Northampton High School auditorium. Suggested donation is $3 at the door. Band students should arrive by 6pm to check in at the band room. All JFK families are invited to celebrate our students.

Yes, We Want Your Box Tops
Cleaning house for winter break? Send in your Box Tops for Education by December 21 (last day of school in 2017!) and we will redeem them for our school. The box for Box Tops is located in the JFK office. No collection sheet needed, just send in your Box Tops in a baggie or small envelope. And visit the website for handy coupons for household items: https://www.boxtops4education.com/about

Notice from the Health Office: Annual Health Screenings
In December, the JFK nursing staff is conducting annual health screenings for 6th and 7th grade students. Letters went home in backpack mail. 8th grade screenings will be held after the first of the new year. A separate mailing will be sent home at that time.  

These screenings consist of checking backs for 6th graders and checking backs, height, and weight for 7th graders. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified. Otherwise, you will not hear from the Health Office. If your child has had a physical within the last six months and the provider has documented these exams, your student can be excused from the screening. Please provide a copy of this physical as soon as possible.

You also have the right to opt your child out of this screening. If you prefer to do this, contact Karen Schiaffo, JFK School Nurse, phone: 587-1488, fax: 587-1566 or email: kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, January 9 (6-7:30 pm)
We welcome you to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 9 from 6-7:30 pm in the JFK Library (back to our usual location). Be a part of the planning for upcoming school events like the 6th & 7th grade dances and lend your expertise to special projects at JFK. PTO Meetings are usually the first Tuesday of every month, except in January when we’ve moved to date to January 9. Future dates are February 6 and March 6. Come ring in 2018 with us!

Upcoming Community Events

The Northampton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (12/12)
Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6:30-7:30pm in the Leeds Elementary School Cafeteria. Second Step and Zones of Regulation are two programs utilized by Northampton Public Schools to address social and emotional development. In-district presenters are offering to share their expertise in these curricula and how they are implemented in Northampton Public Schools. Second Step Curriculum will be explained by Susannah Bastek, Counselor at Leeds. Zones of Regulation Presented by TBD. Childcare can be available if arranged in advance. Call Evie at (413) 695-7445 or email her at polyevelene@gmail.com to make arrangements for your child/children’s care during the training. If you leave a message, include child/children’s age/s, your name, and phone number. Get Connected! Learn! Advocate! Support!

Special Free Screening of “Screenagers, Growing Up in the Digital Age” (1/4)
January 4, 2018 at 7:00pm in the Northampton High School Auditorium, 380 Elm Street, Northampton, MA. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Northampton Prevention Coalition. NPC notes: “Screenagers” is appropriate for really any age. We'd love to see parents attend with their kids. For more information: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/

The Teen Brain and Risk Taking (1/19)
Join he Northampton Prevention Coalition on January 19, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Northampton High School Auditorium for a talk by Dr. Ruth Potee with a special presentation by Officer Adam Van Buskirk of the NPD on Dabbing. Dr. Potee will discuss teen brain development, its impact on risk-taking behavior, including the use of drugs and alcohol, and what this means for parents of teens. Come learn more about what parents and the community can do to keep our teens safer, healthier and addiction-free through the middle and high school years. Dr. Potee practices family medicine in Greenfield and was honored by the Franklin District Medical Society as the 2015 Community Clinician of the Year. She is Chair of the Healthcare Solutions Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and has addressed professional and community audiences on related topics throughout the state. This event is FREE and open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Make it Count 100% - Fall Fundraiser Results to Date
Our fall fundraiser is winding down. Together we have raised a current total of $11,150! With these donations, we will be able to fund a variety of exciting programs, trips, technology, clubs, events, activities, and more. Also… it’s never too late to get in your 2017 tax-deductible contribution to the JFK PTO. You can donate anytime online at the link below.
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Si desea recibir esta información en español, envíenos un mensaje a jfkmspto@gmail.com.

Friday, December 1, 2017

JFK PTO Update – December 1, 2017

JFK PTO Update – December 1, 2017


Important Dates:
December 5 - JFK PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 pm, JFK Library
December 4-8 - Scholastic Book Fair at JFK
December 18 - Teacher Appreciation Day

Upcoming School Schedule Changes:
December 6 - Half Day
December 22 - No School, Start of Winter Break

Make it Count 100% - Fall Fundraiser Wrap-up!
Our fall fundraiser is wrapping up this week. Together we have raised a current total of $11,033!
More importantly, over 100 families donated! That’s incredible. Thank you, JFK families, your generosity has been amazing. We received a lot of feedback that families and teachers are so much happier with this direct donation model. No more cookie middleman taking a big bite of your donations, not to mention your time. With these donations, we will be able to fund a variety of exciting programs, field trips, learning technology, clubs, events, activities, and more. Every donation truly does count and goes towards enriching our students’ middle school experience. Together we are making JFK a great place to go be middle schooler. Thanks again for all of your support.

Also… it’s never too late. You can donate anytime online at the link below.

Scholastic Book Fair Is Here!
The book fair is next week! Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3pm, except for the half day of school on Wednesday when the Fair will only be open till noon. The Book Fair will also be open on the evening of the JFK Mall Craft and Vendor Fair. Look for us on the cafeteria stage from 6pm to 8pm.

We still need volunteers for the Book Fair to run the register. If you have a few hours to spare, please sign up at the link below. Thanks to everyone who’s already signed up to volunteer, we appreciate your time.  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4EADAD23ABFA7-2017

Can’t make it to the book sale? You can buy available titles online through December 12 at the following link. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/jfknorthampton

The JFK Mall Craft and Vendor Fair will be held on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm till 8pm. This is a fun event and a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping completed. The show has a wide variety of vendors. There will also be a raffle and bake sale (bakers needed, see below). To learn more about the show, check out their facebook event page. Click the About tab to see the vendor list. This event is a big fundraiser for the JFK After School program.

Calling All Bakers!
For the ❤️ of the bake, the JFK Mall Craft and Vendor Fair needs your sweet treats! This event is a huge fundraiser for the JFK After School program. They need between 25 and 30 bakers and contributions of festive treats like decorated pretzels, fudge, candy, cookies, decorated brownies and cupcakes. Baked goods can be dropped off the evening of the event in the Cafeteria between 4-6PM. Please send Peggy Clapp a quick email at pclapp@northampton-k12.us if you can bake for this event. This helps her track the supply. They also need a couple of volunteers to run the table during the event, so if you can help, please contact Peggy.

Join Us at Our Next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, December 5 (6-7:30 pm)
We welcome you to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30 pm in the JFK Conference Room 103 (note new location this month). At the meeting you’ll learn more about upcoming school events like the 6th & 7th grade dances, hear reports from JFK administration, and discuss and vote on teacher grants to benefit our kids’ classroom experiences. In general, JFK PTO Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, except in January when we’ve moved to date to January 9. Come late, leave early, whenever you can swing by, we’d just love to see you there.

Notice from the Health Office: Annual Health Screenings
Starting in December, the JFK nursing staff will be conducting annual health screenings for 6th and 7th grade students, so look for the letters going home in backpack mail.  These screenings consist of checking backs for 6th graders and checking backs, height, and weight for 7th graders. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified. Otherwise, you will not hear from the Health Office.

If your child has had a physical within the last six months and the provider has documented these exams, your student can be excused from the screening. Please provide a copy of this physical as soon as possible. You also have the right to opt your child out of this screening. If you prefer to do this, please contact Karen Schiaffo, JFK School Nurse via phone- 587-1488, fax-587-1566 or email at kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us.

The Northampton Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2017, 6:30-7:30 pm
Leeds Elementary School Cafeteria
Second Step and Zones of Regulation are two programs utilized by Northampton Public Schools to address social and emotional development. In-district presenters are offering to share their expertise in these curricula and how they are implemented in Northampton Public Schools. Second Step Curriculum will be explained by Susannah Bastek, Counselor at Leeds. Zones of Regulation Presented by TBD. Childcare can be available if arranged in advance. Call Evie (413) 695-7445 or email polyevelene@gmail.com to make arrangements for your child/children’s care during the training. If you leave a message, include child/children’s age/s, your name, and phone #. Get Connected! Learn! Advocate! Support!

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Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at
We like your Likes!

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

Sunday, November 19, 2017

JFK PTO Update – November 19, 2017


JFK PTO Update – November 19, 2017
Important Dates:
November 22 - Half Day
November 23-24 - Thanksgiving Break
December 5 - JFK PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 pm, JFK Library
December 4-8 - Scholastic Book Fair at JFK


Make it Count 100% - Fall Fundraiser Update
We are halfway through our Make it Count 100% Fall Fundraiser and, so far, we’ve raised $6493! Thank you to all our JFK Families who have donated and we are very proud and grateful to our JFK community for your support. Over 45 families have made donations and we are now over halfway to our goal!


Here at the PTO we were a little nervous about this new model and we are very pleased to see it in action.  The positive  feedback from families, teachers and staff is that they so much prefer direct donation fundraising over selling merchandise. Both students and staff can now walk away from the downsides of magazine and cookie dough sales. Now 100% of your donations go directly to our students educational experience, instead of only 40% of magazine sales.


We set the goal of $12,000 because, typically, the magazine drive brought in around $11,000 and the PTO campaign raised about $4000. Now that we have partnered we set what we felt was a realistic goal of $12,000. We are very pleased to see such a high level of participation. People are giving what they can and every donation really does count. Together we can enhance the middle school experience for our students.


It’s not too late! You can donate now online at the link below.


Or, if you prefer to donate by check, you can send a check made out to “JFK PTO” in an envelope labeled JFK PTO with your student to give to their homeroom teacher.  If you’d like to donate in cash please mail it to us at  JFK PTO, 100 Bridge Rd, Florence, MA 01062. If you need a receipt for your tax records please contact us at jfkmspto@gmail.com.


Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair is right around the corner! It will be held the week of December 4, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3pm. Students can purchase books throughout  the school day. The Book Fair will be held on the evening of the JFK Mall and Craft Vendor Fair. It’s a great place to do some holiday shopping and a portion of sales benefit the JFK After School program. Look for us on the cafeteria stage from 6pm to 8pm.


It’s not just our students who buy books at the Scholastic Book Fair, you can purchase books for teachers too! Select a title from a teacher’s wish list and your purchase will include a nameplate inside the book. It's a great way for teachers to get even more books into their classrooms.


The Book Fair needs two volunteers per shift to run the cash register. We also need some help with setup and breakdown on Thursday evening for the JFK Mall and Craft Vendor Fair event where the book sale will be open on the cafeteria stage. Working the book fair is a fun way to meet other parents and get a small glimpse into the mysterious and exciting world of middle school.


Please click on this link to sign up for a shift. We truly appreciate your help! Thanks for your support. Hope to see you at JFK Scholastic Book Fair.


NOTE:  If you plan to volunteer please remember you need to have a current CORI, you can check the JFK front office or VINS if you need to apply.  It last for 3 years, and is needed for any in school or field trip volunteering.  


The Vendor/Craft show will be held on Thursday December 7 from 6pm till 8pm. This is a fun event and a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping it. The show has a wide variety of vendors. There will also be a raffle and bake sale (bakers needed, see below). To learn more about the show check out their facebook event page. Click the About tab to see the vendor list. This event is a big fundraiser for the JFK After School program.


Calling ALL Bakers to get your Bake on!
The JFK after School program needs talented and capable bakers to whip up some tasty treats and sweets to sell at the JFK Mall and Craft Vendor Fair on Thursday December 7.
One of the ways the After School program earns a lot of money is at their bake sale at the Mall.  They need between 25 and 30 bakers. Festive treats would be great, things like decorated pretzels, fudge, candy, cookies, decorated brownies and cupcakes. Be creative and use your imagination! We also need some adults to run the table at the bake sale. For details about how / when to drop off baked goods or to volunteer at the night of the event please contact Peggy Clapp at pclapp@northampton-k12.us.


Join our next PTO meeting 12/5 (6 to 7:30 pm or less)
We welcome you to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30 pm in the JFK Library. We promise never to ask you to volunteer at your first meeting. Just come to listen, meet new people and give your input if you’re so inclined. At the meeting you’ll learn more about upcoming events school events such as 6th & 7th grade dances, hear reports from JFK administration, discuss and vote on teacher grants to benefit our kids’ classroom experience. In general, JFK PTO Meetings are held the first Tuesday evening of every month. Upcoming dates are January 9 and February 6. Come late, leave early, whenever you can swing….we’d just love to see you there.


After School Ski Program -Registration Deadline is December 1st 2017
Northampton Parks & Recreation will once again be running our After School Ski program at Berkshire East for students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.. From beginners to experienced skiers or snowboarders, this convenient bus trip departing and arriving at JFK will be a great time! Feel free check out this link for more information or contact Rebecca Learnard at the Parks & Recreation office at rlearnard@northamptonma.gov or call (413) 587-1040. Registration has already started! And this program fills up quick!


Note: Our incredibly talented and articulate newsletter/blog editor, writer and JFK PTO Communications Director, Hillary Gardner, is out of the county this week. Therefore this newsletter was produced by the lesser talented writer editors among us. Please forgive us our poorly placed commas, typos and run on sentences. It’s a labored labor of love.


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