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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Friday, November 10, 2017

JFK PTO Update – November 10, 2017


JFK PTO Update – November 10, 2017

Important Dates:
November 22 - Half Day
November 23-24 - Thanksgiving Break
December 5 - 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

Make it Count 100%. Help us help our kids!
Our Annual Appeal is Underway! This year the JFK PTO will be partnering directly with JFK Middle School on our annual fall fundraising appeal (no more magazines or cookie dough sales). Your 100% tax deductible dollars pay for a wide variety of programming at the school, including field trips, enhanced curriculum, STEM programs, fine arts enrichment just to name a few. By partnering with the school, a portion of funds raised will also assist with student activities funding for clubs, student council, student newspaper, SOCA, GSA, drama club and more.

Our goal is to raise $12,000 for our students by Thanksgiving. So far we have raised $1250 or 10% of our goal. Thanks to all who have donated to date. Please keep those donation coming. Every donation counts! Together we can enhance the middle school experience for our students.

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.

Thanks for helping make our Electronic Recycling Event a success!
This year we raised $2497.00 during this event. Thanks to all who came and participated. Special thanks to our coordinator Phil Matthews and all those who volunteered to help with this successful event.

Activism 101 (for girls ages 12-16) with Jo Commerford, national campaign director for MoveOn.org.

Saturday, November 18, 2017 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CLICK Workspace
9 1/2 Market St.
Northampton, MA 01060
athena@clickworkspace.org

A workshop for girls ages 12-16
How can you create positive change when you can't even vote? Girls will learn how to plan, structure, and launch campaigns that can have an impact on the world around them. Learn how to set goals, brainstorm creative strategies and tactics, and measure success. This is a participatory workshop, so come with ideas of things that you'd like to improve in your school, your town, or the world!
Presenter: Jo Comerford, National Campaign Director for MoveOn.org

PLEASE NOTE: There is no registration fee for this workshop, but donations will gladly be accepted that day. Registration is required, as space is limited.

Quabbin Valley Basketball League
Northampton Parks & Recreation is taking registrations for the Quabbin Valley Basketball League for children in the 3rd through 8th grade. If you would like to register or have questions please stop by the Parks & Recreation office on the grounds of JFK Middle School, call 587-1040, or email jknowles@northamptonma.gov.  Registration forms can be downloaded at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation and are also attached to this email. The registration deadline is November 11 or until filled (registrations will be held until there are enough players to make teams of 10).

After School Ski Program
Northampton Parks & Recreation will once again be running our After School Ski program at Berkshire East for students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. The program will run for five weeks on Wednesdays starting January 3 and ending February 7. 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!

Safe Homes Sign-Up (It’s Not Too Late)
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

Join our next PTO meeting 12/5 (6 to 7:30 pm)
All are welcome to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30 pm in the JFK Library. Learn more about planning school events such as upcoming 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 2 and February 6. Mark your calendars and get involved!

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


Friday, November 3, 2017

JFK PTO Update – November 3, 2017

Important Dates:
November 5 - Bake Sale Fundraiser for JFK After School Program at Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association Antique Sale
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

School Closures Next Week:
November 7 - Election Day, No School (next Tuesday)
November 10 - Veterans Day Observed, No School (next Friday)

Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association Antiques Show and After School Bake Sale at JFK this Sunday 11/5 (9 am to 3 pm)
This Sunday, November 5, we are having a bake sale at the Antiques Show in conjunction with Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association to benefit the After School Program. The event will be held from 9 am to 3 pm at JFK Middle School. 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. To sign up, email Peggy at pclapp@northampton-k12.us For event info, visit: http://pvada.com/our-show.html

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. Mark your calendars and email Peggy to help!

Smith Vocational Open House this Sunday 11/5 (11 am to 2 pm)
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. Take a tour and apply on site or online. Smith Vocation will also be raffling off tablets to 3 lucky winners! For more information, contact 8th grade guidance or check: https://www.facebook.com/events/579268962243809/

Join our next PTO meeting on Election Day Eve 11/7 (6 to 7:30 pm)
All are welcome to attend our next JFK PTO meeting on Tuesday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Classes are cancelled that day but the school is open and we’ll be meeting in the library. Do your civic duty and then join us to learn more about planning school events such as upcoming dances, special initiatives like the annual appeal letter, and 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 December 5 and January 9 (2nd Tuesday). Mark your calendars and get involved!

Our Annual Appeal is Underway! Help us help our kids!
Keep your eyes peeled for the JFK Middle School annual appeal letter arriving in your mailbox. There are some exciting new changes this year. For a preview of what’s up, or to be one of the first to give online, check our Razoo fundraising page at this link: https://www.razoo.com/organization/Parent-Teacher-Organization-Of-John-F-Kennedy-Middle-School

Quabbin Valley Basketball League
Northampton Parks & Recreation is taking registrations for the Quabbin Valley Basketball League for children in the 3rd through 8th grade. Teams in this league play games against Belchertown, South Hadley, Palmer and other surrounding towns. All participants play in every game and are placed on teams based on grade and skill level. Join us for this amazing introduction to competitive basketball!

If you would like to register or have questions please stop by the Parks & Recreation office on the grounds of JFK Middle School, call 587-1040, or email jknowles@northamptonma.gov.  Registration forms can be downloaded at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation. The registration deadline is November 11 or until filled (registrations will be held until there are enough players to make teams of 10).

After School Ski Program
Northampton Parks & Recreation will once again be running our After School Ski program at Berkshire East for students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. The program will run for five weeks on Wednesdays starting January 3 and ending February 7. 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!

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/

NaNoWriMo
Say what? NaNoWriMo means 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 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

Safe Homes Sign-Up (It’s Not Too Late)
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
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Si desea recibir esta información en español, envíenos un mensaje a jfkmspto@gmail.com.