Friday, October 27, 2017

JFK PTO Update – October 27, 2017

Important Dates:
November 2 - Picture Re-Take Day
November 5 - Bake Sale for After School at Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association (please volunteer to bake!)
November 7 - JFK PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 pm, JFK Library
December 7 - JFK Mall (Craft and Vendor Fair)
December 4-8 - Scholastic Book Fair at JFK

Upcoming School Closures in November:
November 7 - Election Day, No School
November 10 - Veterans Day Observed, No School
November 22 - Half Day
November 23 & 24 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Fall Electronics Recycling Tomorrow 10/28 (9 am to 12 pm)
The JFK PTO’s annual Electronics Recycling Event takes place tomorrow, Saturday, October 28 from 9am to 12pm at JFK. Open to all members of the community. Proceeds benefit JFK Middle School PTO and the Northampton Public Schools. Recycling courtesy of Gold Circuit E-Cycling. Click HERE for all the details. What better way to get ready for the holiday season than by cleaning up and helping JFK at the same time?

Support After School at JFK
If you can bake, please RSVP now! We are having a bake sale Sunday, November 5 at the Antiques Show in conjunction with Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association to benefit the After School Program. Volunteers help with the bake sale, admissions, lunch and raffle. All money raised as well as dealer rent goes to support our After School Program. We need about 20 more bakers! Anything you can do is greatly appreciated. We are all in this for the kids. To sign up, email Peggy at pclapp@northampton-k12.us

On Thursday, December 7, we will be having our JFK Mall. This is craft and vendor shopping along with the book fair. Our bake sale that night is huge fundraiser for us and again we can use volunteers.

Smith Vocational at JFK
Smith Vocational will be presenting to all of our 8th graders on Monday, October 30 at JFK. The Smith Vocational Open House will be held on Sunday, November 5 from 11am-2pm. All families interested in learning more about Smith Vocational are welcome. For more information, contact 8th grade guidance.

Join our next PTO meeting on Election Day Eve
All are welcome to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Learn more about school events, special initiatives, and teacher grants. In general, JFK PTO Meetings are held the first Tuesday evening of every month. Upcoming dates are December 5 and January 9 (2nd Tuesday). Mark your calendars and help us plan!

November is National Novel Writing Month at JFK
The library is happy to announce that we will once again be running our National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) contest! Students who wish to participate will be tasked with writing a novella (10,000 word minimum) over the course of the month of November. Those students who meet or surpass the word count minimum will receive gift certificates to the Scholastic book fair (coming in December). Interested students should see Librarian Chelimsky. Parents and guardians with questions, feel free to contact the library at jfklibrary@northampton-k12.us

Upcoming Community Event
Counting down to the Liar's Contest, Nov. 9 at The Parlor Room. Another fun Pencil Bandits event for the Under 18 crowd! Sponsored by Awesome Foundation - Northampton, MA. It's a Thursday, but there's NO SCHOOL on Friday. More info here: https://www.pencilbandits.com/new-events/

Safe Homes Sign-Up
The Northampton Prevention Coalition invites families with students in 6th-12th grade to add themselves to the SAFE HOMES Program Directory. To sign up, click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqy9xBK75SCXlXUcUchGo4oEDBMVVwYgZko3bUHM86ON2ZEQ/viewform

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

Friday, October 20, 2017

JFK PTO Update – October 20, 2017

Important Dates:
TODAY: October 20 - After School Sign-Up and Flu Vaccine forms due
November 2 - Picture Re-Take Day
November 5 - Bake Sale for After School at Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association
November 7 - JFK PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 pm, JFK Library
December 7 - JFK Mall (Craft and Vendor Fair)
December 4-8 - Scholastic Book Fair at JFK

Upcoming School Closures:
November 7 - Election Day, No School
November 10 - Veterans Day Observed, No School
November 22 - Half Day
November 23 & 24 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Fall Electronics Recycling Next Saturday 10/28 (rain or shine)
Got old gizmos to ditch? The JFK PTO’s annual Electronics Recycling Event takes place Saturday, October 28 from 9am to 12pm at JFK. Open to all members of the community. No charge to recycle printer cartridges and cell phones! Business and nonprofits can call to schedule an appointment. Proceeds benefit JFK Middle School PTO and the Northampton Public Schools. Recycling courtesy of Gold Circuit E-Cycling. Click HERE for all the details. Interested volunteers should email jfkmspto@gmail.com to help.

JFK Geography Club
The Geography Club is up and running. We meet every Wednesday in room 208 from 2:30-3:30pm. This year we are working on two projects. The first is an ongoing project with a National Geographic Explorer to raise awareness about Jaguars in Panama. The second is to prepare for the National Geographic Geography Bee which will be held in January. Come check it out!

Support After School at JFK
Bakers needed! We are having a bake sale Sunday, November 5 at the Antiques Show in conjunction with Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association to benefit the After School Program. Volunteers help with the bake sale, admissions, lunch and raffle. All money raised as well as dealer rent goes to support our After School Program. On Thursday, December 7, we will be having our JFK Mall. This is craft and vendor shopping along with the book fair. Our bake sale that night is huge fundraiser for us and again we can use volunteers. To sign up, email Peggy at pclapp@northampton-k12.us

Smith Vocational at JFK
Smith Vocational will be presenting to all of our 8th graders on Monday, October 30 at JFK. The Smith Vocational Open House will be held on Sunday, November 5 from 11am-2pm. All families interested in learning more about Smith Vocational are welcome. For more information, contact 8th grade guidance.

Join our next PTO meeting!
All are welcome to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Learn more about school events, special initiatives, and teacher grants. In general, JFK PTO Meetings are held the first Tuesday evening of every month. Upcoming dates are December 5 and January 9 (2nd Tuesday). Mark your calendars and help us plan!

National Novel Writing Month Contest at JFK
The library is happy to announce that we will once again be running our National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) contest! Students who wish to participate will be tasked with writing a novella (10,000 word minimum) over the course of the month of November. Those students who meet or surpass the word count minimum will receive gift certificates to the Scholastic book fair (coming in December). Interested students should see Librarian Chelimsky. Parents and guardians with questions, feel free to contact the library at jfklibrary@northampton-k12.us

Upcoming Community Events:

Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County
Sunday, October 22, 9 am at Look Park. Happy Valley Walk or Run 5K. Family Fun! Free food for participants. Post-race party. Kids 15 and under receive $10 off 5K registration with promo code BBBSKIDS. Adults receive $5 off event registration with promo code RUNLOCAL. http://happyvalleyhalfand5k.com/

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Dyslexia Simulation on October 24 from 6:15-8:15pm at The Williston Northampton School, Whitaker-Bement Ctr. Free. To learn more: https://www.innernetworks.com/

Safe Homes Sign-Up
The Northampton Prevention Coalition invites families with students in 6th-12th grade to add themselves to the SAFE HOMES Program Directory. To sign up, click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqy9xBK75SCXlXUcUchGo4oEDBMVVwYgZko3bUHM86ON2ZEQ/viewform
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Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at
We need more Likes!

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

Friday, October 6, 2017

JFK PTO Update – October 6, 2017

Important Dates:
October 9 - No School
November 7 - Election Day (No School), PTO Bake Sale Coordinator Needed
November 7 - JFK PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 pm, JFK Library

Annual Fall Electronics Recycling Event
Got old gizmos to ditch? Too many useless outdated machines taking up your valuable attic and cellar space? Now is your chance to unload it all! The JFK PTO’s annual Electronics Recycling Event takes place Saturday, October 28 from 9am to 12pm at JFK. Click HERE for all the details. Volunteer sign-up coming soon.

Election Day Bake Sale Coordinator Needed
We’ve got lots of volunteer bakers, now we just need someone to step up and coordinate our Election Day Bake Sale at JFK on Tuesday, November 7. Send us an email and let us know if that’s you at jfkmspto@gmail.com.

Upcoming Community Events:

Teen Empowerment: Finding Our Voice, Increasing Our Power
Date: Saturday, October 7, 2017
Time: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Lounge, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Elm Street, Northampton, MA
Trainer: Thulani Davis
Class description: This class is designed to first identify and then discuss in-depth the problems that young folks/youth may be facing that prevent them from feeling their power and raising their voices as forceful agents of change. All experiences will be valued and all voices will be heard. This class is part organizing and part a celebration of youth activism!

Money Talks
Be a part of our six part series. Join us for pizza dinner and conversations with parents and students about Financial Literacy. Sessions are open to all students and parents in Northampton Public Schools thanks to a grant from The Northampton Education Foundation. Program space is limited. Reserve your spot with Brett Costello at bcostello@northampton-k12.us or (413) 587-1489 x7213. All meetings are from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at JFK on the following dates:
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2017
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2017
  • Tuesday, October 24, 2017
  • Tuesday, October 31, 2017
  • Wednesday, November 8, 2017
  • Tuesday, November 14, 2017

26th Annual Youth Conference!
Community Action Youth Programs is teaming up with the Northwestern District Attorney's Office to host our 26th Annual Youth Conference, "Youth Connect: Learn. Lead. Inspire." taking place at Greenfield Community College on Friday November 3, 2017. The youth conference is an exciting opportunity for youth ages 14-21 in the pioneer valley to attend a day of learning, fun, and food. We have a really fantastic workshop line-up this year and we'd love to see your youth there! The registration deadline is October 13th! This is the link for online registration: http://www.communityaction.us/youth-conference.html
We are planning for transportation from a number of high schools across the counties. Click the registration link for more information.

Cyberbullying Webinar
Please register for The Bystander: How to Stand Up Against Bullying on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT at:
Learn how witnessing bullying/cyberbullying affects your child and how to help them stand up against it. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Free Family Program for 10-14 year olds and their Caregivers (new dates)
Runs for seven Thursdays, October 19-December 7 (skip Thanksgiving). Free dinner at 5:30pm, program runs 6-8 pm at White Brook Middle School in Easthampton. Register at: www.EasthamptonCoalition.org. Have questions? Email: coalition@epsd.us or call: 413-207-5725.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Dyslexia Simulation
Date: October 24, 2017
Time: 6:15-8:15pm
Location: The Williston Northampton School, Whitaker-Bement Ctr
Cost: Free
For more information: https://www.innernetworks.com/

Safe Homes Sign-Up
The Northampton Prevention Coalition invites families with students in 6th-12th grade to add themselves to the SAFE HOMES Program Directory. You must sign up every year to be included in the directory. To sign up, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqy9xBK75SCXlXUcUchGo4oEDBMVVwYgZko3bUHM86ON2ZEQ/viewform

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Follow us on our NEW JFK PTO Facebook Page!


Please note that the fall school event previously scheduled for Saturday, October 14 has been cancelled.

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