Saturday, January 26, 2019

JFK PTO Update – January 25, 2019


JFK PTO Update – January 25, 2019
 
Important Dates:
February 5 - JFK PTO Meeting
February 6 - Health Advisory Council at JFK (New Date!)
February 8 - Stand Up JFK
February 14 - NPS School Committee Meeting at JFK
February 18-22 - No School - Winter Recess
March 1 & 22 - 6th & 7th Grade Dances

Teacher Appreciation Lunch was Amazing Thanks to You!
Big thanks to everyone for all your delicious donations and contributions to this year’s Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Our teachers and staff were extremely appreciative for the incredible spread of food this year. We have such a generous community and everyone contributing made this event a success. If you need to pick up casserole dishes, crock pots or containers, they are waiting for you in the front office at JFK. Thanks again, everyone!

FY20 School Budget Survey Needs Your Participation!
You can find the survey by CLICKING HERE. The budget meetings are happening now, so the sooner the better for filling it out.

Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, February 5 (6-7:30pm)
The JFK PTO meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Join us to help plan for upcoming 6th and 7th grade school dances in March and teacher grant requests. All are welcome!

Stand Up JFK Day (February 8)
For the second year, our JFK School Council and Student of Color Alliance (SOCA) are hosting a celebration of diversity and tolerance at JFK. Please access the link below for more information on the JFK website: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/stand-up-jfk/

Seeking Parent Volunteers to assist with 6th & 7th Grade Dances!
This year the 6th & 7th grade dances will be held March 1 and March 22 and the theme chosen by the Student Council is “The 80’s”! We will need parent/guardian volunteers as chaperones, to donate snacks, and to help decorate and clean up after the dances. Stayed tuned for our sign up sheet. We find it works best if you volunteer to work at the dance your child is NOT attending (crazy, right?). If you can help in advance with 80’s dance designs and logistics, contact the PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.

Do you have a great idea for our public schools?
Learn about the Northampton Education Foundation, which provides grants for teacher-initiated projects and programs that expand educational opportunities, foster creativity, and enhance academic experiences in Northampton’s public schools. The NEF’s 13th annual Request for Proposals for NEF Endowment Fund Grants is now open. Please click on the link below to learn more. https://northamptoneducation.org/endowment-grants/

Time to Gather Your Boxtops
Be sure to share your Boxtops for Education with JFK by having your student drop them off in the JFK office. Our next Boxtops deadline is March 1. You can also support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express can be found at this link: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. And you can link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

Amazon Smile Promotion
Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Visit https://smile.amazon.com/b?node=18541223011 for details.

HEALTH OFFICE NEWS: Eighth Grade Health Screenings
Eighth grade Health Screenings are taking place this year beginning on January 17. We will be doing postural, hearing, and vision screenings as well as SBIRT screening. SBIRT is a screening tool used to assess alcohol and marijuana use. Its goal is to provide some education to students in efforts to prevent substance use or intervene early on. The sessions are conducted privately and confidentially and last approximately 5 minutes. Please refer to your mailing for further details. If students have had a physical within the last 6 months, please send in PCP paperwork and we won't screen your student for scoliosis, hearing, and vision if your provider has documented those findings. Parents can opt out of any or all screenings by putting the request in writing or by contacting the nurse at 587-1488 or kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us

JFK Yearbook Orders
The 2019 JFK Yearbook is available to order now for $27. Order online at www.coffeepond.com or send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number. Price increases to $29 on April 1.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Sunday, January 27 from 3-5pm in the JFK Community Room. Food and childcare provided! Snow date is February 10. Come together and build community through sharing something about your experience of race and racism in the Northampton Public School Community. Trained facilitators will create the space for everyone who wants to share. Everybody is welcome – students (6th grade and up), staff, teachers, caregivers and all identities. Participants are invited to stay after the event to formally record and submit a story to the REAL collection. REAL (Racial Equity And Learning) Northampton is funded by the Northampton Education Foundation and is comprised of teachers, staff, students, and family members across the district. The overall mission of REAL is to support and strengthen our school community by developing an intentionally anti-racist culture.

NHS Improv Funktionlust Shows
 (Friday, February 8 at 
7pm)
The NHS Improv troupe, Funktionlust, will next perform their unpredictable show combining family-friendly hilarity and spontaneous story-making on Friday, February 8 in the NHS Black Box theater. Showtime is 7-8:30p,; doors open at 6:45pm. Please arrive early since space is limited. The cost will be $5. Refreshments will be available at nominal prices. Funktionlust has also been invited to perform at Northampton’s Sunday Afternoon Live, part of the Four Sunday in February Series on Sunday, February 24 at the Academy of Music. For more information: https://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/event/1806543-sunday-afternoon-live-arts-northampton/

Save the Date: 14th Annual VINS Dog Show (March 2, 12-3pm)
Northampton High School Gym. Snow date is Sunday, March 3. FREE ENTRY! Only Dogs Pay! Registration is required for dogs: $8 if received by February 28 and $12 at the door (donations accepted). $5 Non-competing dogs. For more info, see the flyer here. Hosted by Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc.

 

Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jfkmspto/
We like your Likes!

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

Friday, January 18, 2019

JFK PTO Update – January 18, 2019


JFK PTO Update – January 18, 2019


Important Dates:
January 21 - MLK Day - No School
January 25 - Teacher Work Day - No School - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
February 5 - JFK PTO Meeting
February 6 - Health Advisory Council at JFK (New Date!)
February 8 - Stand Up JFK
February 18-22 - No School - Winter Recess
March 1 & 22 - 6th & 7th Grade Dances

Calling All Cooks!
JFK Staff Appreciation Luncheon is next Friday, January 25
The teacher luncheon is one week away and we have some sign ups (thanks everyone!) but we need a lot more to make this event a success. Please consider signing up to cook something, pick up something quick at the store, or help out on the day of the luncheon. We especially need volunteers during the lunch to help run the buffet and get our teachers fed! Please click on the link below to see all the details. Our teachers really look forward to this event and we need your help to make it happen!

If you have any questions, contact Cyndi Stein and the JFK PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.

Sign up here:

FY20 School Budget Survey Needs Your Participation!
As the Northampton School District enters into budget season, we ask that you take a moment to fill out THIS SURVEY to share your thoughts on what priorities the Administrative Leadership Team should focus on for the upcoming academic year. You can find the survey by clicking the link above or CLICKING HERE. This is a really important survey to influence budget decisions. The JFK PTO strongly encourages you to take 5 minutes to fill out the survey to identify how the Superintendent should prioritize the budget. The budget meetings are happening now, so the sooner the better for filling it out.

HEALTH OFFICE NEWS: Eighth Grade Health Screenings
Eighth grade Health Screenings are taking place this year beginning on January 17. We will be doing postural, hearing, and vision screenings as well as SBIRT screening. SBIRT is a screening tool used to assess alcohol and marijuana use. Its goal is to provide some education to students in efforts to prevent substance use or intervene early on. The sessions are conducted privately and confidentially and last approximately 5 minutes. Please refer to your mailing for further details. If students have had a physical within the last 6 months, please send in PCP paperwork and we won't screen your student for scoliosis, hearing, and vision if your provider has documented those findings. Parents can opt out of any or all screenings by putting the request in writing or by contacting the nurse at 587-1488 or kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us

Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, February 5 (6-7:30pm)
The JFK PTO meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Join us to help plan for fun and fundraising, including upcoming 6th and 7th grade school dances in March and teacher grant requests. All are welcome!

Stand Up JFK
In the coming weeks, students will begin to discuss issues around diversity, race, and justice in an effort to raise awareness and build community during their Forum time. These lessons will culminate with our Stand Up JFK: Diversity Day on February 8. We wish to thank the members of the JFK School Council for their hard work around this essential topic.

Seeking Parent Volunteers to assist with 6th & 7th Grade Dances!
This year the 6th & 7th grade dances will be held in March and the theme chosen by the Student Council is “The 80’s”! Dates will be confirmed and announced soon. We will need parent/guardian volunteers as chaperones, to donate snacks, and to help decorate and clean up after the dances. Stayed tuned for our sign up sheet. We find it works best if you volunteer to work at the dance your child is NOT attending. If you can help in advance with 80’s dance designs and logistics, please contact the PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The 2019 JFK Yearbook is available to order now for $27. Order online at www.coffeepond.com or send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number. Price increases to $29 on April 1.

Do you have a great idea for our public schools?
Learn about the Northampton Education Foundation, which provides grants for teacher-initiated projects and programs that expand educational opportunities, foster creativity, and enhance academic experiences in Northampton’s public schools. The NEF’s 13th annual Request for Proposals for NEF Endowment Fund Grants is now open. Please click on the link below to learn more.

Time to Gather Your Boxtops
Be sure to share your Boxtops for Education with JFK by having your student drop them off in the JFK office. Our next Boxtops deadline is March 1. You can also support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express can be found at this link: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. And you can link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

Amazon Smile Promotion
Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Visit https://smile.amazon.com/b?node=18541223011 for details.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Sunday, January 27 from 3-5pm in the JFK Community Room. Food and childcare provided! Snow date is February 10. Come together and build community through sharing something about your experience of race and racism in the Northampton Public School Community. Trained facilitators will create the space for everyone who wants to share.  Everybody is welcome – students (6th grade and up), staff, teachers, caregivers and all identities. Participants are invited to stay after the event to formally record and submit a story to the REAL collection. REAL (Racial Equity And Learning) Northampton is funded by the Northampton Education Foundation and is comprised of teachers, staff, students, and family members across the district. The overall mission of REAL is to support and strengthen our school community by developing an intentionally anti-racist culture.

NHS Improv Funktionlust Shows
 (Friday, February 8 at 
7pm)
The NHS Improv troupe, Funktionlust, will next perform their unpredictable show combining family-friendly hilarity and spontaneous story-making on Friday, February 8 in the NHS Black Box theater. Showtime is 7-8:30p,; doors open at 6:45pm. Please arrive early since space is limited. The cost will be $5. Refreshments will be available at nominal prices. Funktionlust has also been invited to perform at Northampton’s Sunday Afternoon Live, part of the Four Sunday in February Series on Sunday, February 24 at the Academy of Music. For more information: https://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/event/1806543-sunday-afternoon-live-arts-northampton/

Save the Date: 14th Annual VINS Dog Show (March 2, 12-3pm)
Northampton High School Gym. Snow date is Sunday, March 3. FREE ENTRY! Only Dogs Pay! Registration is required for dogs: $8 if received by February 28 and $12 at the door (donations accepted). $5 Non-competing dogs. For more info, see the flyer here. Hosted by Volunteers in Northampton Schools, Inc.

Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jfkmspto/
We like your Likes!

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

Saturday, January 12, 2019

JFK PTO Update – January 12, 2019


JFK PTO Update – January 12, 2019


Important Dates:
January 21 - MLK Day - No School
January 25 - Teacher Work Day - No School - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
February 8 - Stand Up JFK
February 5 - JFK PTO Meeting
February 18-22 - No School - Winter Recess
March - 6th & 7th Grade Dances (dates to be announced soon)

After School Program Sign-Ups Due
The After School Program sign up packet and registration forms were due today, Friday, January 11. Click on the link below for more info:

Calling All Cooks!
JFK Staff Appreciation Luncheon is Friday, January 25
This is a great chance for us to let our talented teachers and staff know how much we appreciate them. Please consider signing up to cook something, pick up something quick at the store, or help out on the day of the luncheon. Click on the link below and see all the details of how, where, and when you can help. It helps us to plan how much food we’ll need.

Our teachers really look forward to this event and we need your help to make it happen! If you have any questions, please contact Cyndi Stein and the JFK PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.


Seeking Parent Volunteers, with a love of the 80’s, to assist with
6th & 7th Grade Dances!
This year the 6th & 7th grade dances will be held in March and the theme is the 80’s! Dates will be confirmed and announced soon. We will need parent/guardian volunteers as chaperones, to donate snacks and to help decorate and break down after the dances. We’ll need your help to make this happen. Stayed tuned for our sign up sheet. If you wish to help in advance with 80’s dance designs and logistics please contact the PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.

HEALTH OFFICE NEWS: Eighth Grade Health Screenings
Eighth grade Health Screenings will take place this year beginning on January 17. A letter was mailed home last week. We will be doing postural, hearing, and vision screenings as well as SBIRT screening. SBIRT is a screening tool used to assess alcohol and marijuana use. Its goal is to provide some education to students in efforts to prevent substance use or intervene early on. The sessions are conducted privately and confidentially and last approximately 5 minutes. Please refer to your mailing for further details.

If students have had a physical within the last 6 months, please send in PCP paperwork and we won't screen your student for scoliosis, hearing, and vision if your provider has documented those findings. Parents can opt out of any or all screenings by putting the request in writing or by contacting the nurse at 587-1488 or kschiaffo@northampton-k12.us

FY20 School Budget Survey Posted
As the Northampton School District enters into budget season, we ask that you take a moment to fill out THIS SURVEY to share your thoughts on what priorities the Administrative Leadership Team should focus on for the upcoming academic year. You can find the survey by clicking the link above or CLICKING HERE.

Stand Up JFK
In the coming weeks, students will begin to discuss issues around diversity, race, and justice in an effort to raise awareness and build community during their Forum time. These lessons will culminate with our Stand Up JFK: Diversity Day on February 8. We wish to thank the members of the JFK School Council for their hard work around this essential topic.

Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, February 5 (6-7:30pm)
The JFK PTO meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Join us to help plan for fun and fundraising, including upcoming 6th and 7th grade school dances in March and teacher grant requests. All are welcome!

Thanks to you our teacher grant program is supporting new initiatives!
Thanks to your generous donations to the JFK PTO, at our January meeting we were able to approve teacher grant requests for these new initiatives: headphones with microphones to support speech-to-text project-based learning and student access to resource videos in the library; support for the sixth grade Sun Devils Hero’s Journey community event; support for a Folger Tech FT 3D Printer Kit to support 3D printing in the STEM program at JFK. If you would like to learn more about teacher projects and how to support them, please join us at our next meeting and help us review requests.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The 2019 JFK Yearbook is available to order now for $27. Order online at www.coffeepond.com or send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number. Price increases to $29 on April 1.

Time to Gather Your Boxtops
Be sure to share your Boxtops for Education with JFK by having your student drop them off in the JFK office. Our next Boxtops deadline is March 1. You can also support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express can be found at this link: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. And you can link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Northampton Area Pediatrics Parenting Workshops
The next NAP workshop is this Sunday, January 13 from 4-5:30pm on “Autism Spectrum Disorders from Toddlers and Teens.” All parenting workshops are free and open to the public. Find a complete list of monthly workshops here: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/health/

Support Groups for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Challenges
Please see the attached link to find support groups in our area (with thanks to the Northampton Prevention Coalition for sharing).

Sunday, January 27 from 3-5pm in the JFK Community Room. Food and childcare provided! Snow date is February 10. Come together and build community through sharing something about your experience of race and racism in the Northampton Public School Community. Trained facilitators will create the space for everyone who wants to share.  Everybody is welcome – students (6th grade and up), staff, teachers, caregivers and all identities. Participants are invited to stay after the event to formally record and submit a story to the REAL collection. REAL (Racial Equity And Learning) Northampton is funded by the Northampton Education Foundation and is comprised of teachers, staff, students, and family members across the district. The overall mission of REAL is to support and strengthen our school community by developing an intentionally anti-racist culture.

Northampton Parks & Recreation Girls Lacrosse Collaboration
The Northampton Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce we have teamed up with Northampton Girls Youth Lacrosse (NGYL) League to offer teams from 3rd to 8th grade. Before Registration opens, we must have coaches! PLEASE consider coaching and passing the word along to other families that might be interested in signing up as a coach and/or having their daughter play. You do not need to know lacrosse to coach. However, you need to be able to coach and work well with kids, and have a desire to learn the game. Coaches are given on-line training before the season and there are plenty of other resources NGYL can direct parents to for learning more about girls youth lacrosse. We anticipate Spring Registration opening the first week in February. The Parks and Rec website will be where you get all your NGYL information. http://www.northamptonma.gov/1958/Northampton-Girls-Youth-Lacrosse-NGYL


Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jfkmspto/
We like your Likes!

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

Sunday, January 6, 2019

JFK PTO Update – January 6, 2019


JFK PTO Update – January 6, 2019

Important Dates:
January 8 - JFK PTO Meeting in JFK Library (6-7:30pm)
January 10 - NPS School Committee Meeting at JFK
January 21 - MLK Day - No School
January 25 - Teacher Work Day - No School

Happy New Year to all our JFK families. Welcome back to school. A big thanks to all of YOU who help support our teachers and staff here at JFK Middle School. We are proud to have such a generous community. Best wishes to you and your students in 2019. ~JFK PTO

Calling All Cooks!
JFK Staff Appreciation Luncheon is Friday, January 25
This is a great chance for us to let our talented teachers and staff know how much we appreciate them. Please consider signing up to cook something, pick up something quick at the store or help out on the day of the luncheon. Click on the link below and see all the details of how, where and when you can help. It helps us to plan how much food we’ll need.

Our teachers really look forward to this event and we need your help to make it happen! If you have any questions please contact Cyndi Stein and the JFK PTO at jfkmspto@gmail.com.


Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, January 8 (6-7:30pm)
The JFK PTO meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm in the JFK Library. Join us to help plan for the new year, including upcoming 6th and 7th grade school dances, teacher grants, and teacher appreciation events. All are welcome.

After School Program Sign Up
The After School Program sign up packet went home on Thursday. All registration forms are due Friday, January 11, 2019. Click on the link below for a copy of the paperwork. It can be printed out, signed and turned in with your student.

The 2019 JFK Yearbook is available to order now for $27. Order online at www.coffeepond.com or send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number. Price increases to $29 on April 1.

Time to Gather Your Boxtops
Be sure to share your Boxtops for Education with JFK by having your student drop them off in the JFK office. Our next Boxtops deadline is March 1. You can also support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express can be found at this link: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. And you can link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Massachusetts loves its public schools and colleges, but too many students are being left behind by inadequate state support. The MTA and its coalition partners are launching an ambitious campaign to win the funding that our students, educators, and communities deserve by May 1, 2019. Come to a Community Forum on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 from 6 to 7:30pm in the Community Room at Eastworks in Easthampton (116 Pleasant Street). We will discuss what it would mean to fully fund our school districts and colleges and how much is owed to YOUR city, town and/or campus. You will learn when and how this funding crisis began, and most importantly, what we can do about it now to invest in the schools and colleges our communities deserve. Free childcare and pizza dinner is available, bring your whole family. Meet your neighbors, your local educators and leaders, and your elected officials. Together, we can align public funding so our schools can continue to do work we are all proud of. To learn more, contact Brett Costello at bcostello@massteacher.org or visit:

Northampton Area Pediatrics Parenting Workshops
The next NAP workshop is Sunday, January 13 from 4-5:30pm on “Autism Spectrum Disorders from Toddlers and Teens.” All parenting workshops are free and open to the public. Find a complete list of monthly workshops here: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/health/

Resource For Massachusetts Parents Who Need Help
The Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids launched this hotline specifically for the parents of youth and young adults in New England. This is not a referral service, but rather a resource for parents who would like support and guidance. We offer:
·       A dedicated phone and text Helpline for Massachusetts families (call 844-319-5999 or text HOPEMA to 55753), where parents can connect with master’s level specialists and be referred to parent coaches, who will listen to their challenges and help them develop an action plan toward their child’s recovery
·       A website at: www.graykenaddictionsupport.org  
·       Facebook messaging with parents who need it on the Partnership page: https://www.facebook.com/partnershipdrugfree/


Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jfkmspto/
We like your Likes!

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