Friday, April 26, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 26, 2019



JFK PTO Update – April 26, 2019
 
Important Dates:
May 7-24 - MCAS Testing
May 7 - JFK PTO Meeting
May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Brunch - Volunteers Needed!
May 9 - NPS School Committee Meeting
May 17 - Half Day - Early Dismissal
May 19 - Eighth Grade Mayor’s Dance
June 3 - Eighth Grade Picnic in Pines Theater
June 4 - JFK Chorus Concert
June 5 - JFK Band Concert
June 14 - Last Day of School - Half Day

Teacher Appreciation Week -- Volunteers and Bakers Needed!
Teacher Appreciation Week is on its way. We are seeking volunteers to help set up a light brunch and parent volunteers to donate food or drinks. The date for the teacher brunch is Wednesday, May 8. Sign up to volunteer at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949aeaa2ba75-20193

Stay tuned for more details about our special Teacher Appreciation fundraiser this spring! Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-10 and we will be asking for donations to honor a teacher during this time.

May MCAS Schedule
May 7-8 - Grade 8 Math
May 9-10 - Grade 6 and 7 Math
May 14-15 - Grade 8 Science and Technology
May 12-24 - Make up testing

JFK PTO Meeting (Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm in the JFK Library)
Our next PTO meeting will take place Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm in the JFK Library. There are only 2 meetings left this year! Help us to plan our eighth grade picnic and to transition to a new PTO president. Bring questions and ideas!

Eighth Grade Picnic Volunteers Needed
The Eighth Grade Picnic in the Look Park Pines Theater will be held on Monday, June 3 (with a June 4 rain date). We are seeking volunteers to help during the picnic. Send us an email at jfkmspto@gmail.com! More picnic details coming soon.

Step up to Volunteer with the JFK PTO in 2020
This year is the last year for our amazing PTO President. The PTO needs volunteers to carry on the great work we do. With the limited resources of public school budgets, a PTO can make a significant impact in funding gaps to enrich our students’ middle school educational experience. The JFK PTO is highly organized and ready to go; we just need parents willing to set aside an hour a month to keep events happening and approve teacher grant requests. Please send us an email and let us know you can help: jfkmspto@gmail.com

JFK Teachers in the News
JFK sixth graders are learning about Africa through video chat with one of their teachers in Ghana. See the story in the Gazette here: https://www.gazettenet.com/Northampton-Education-Column-25059728

A Note from the JFK School Nurse
Next week, 6th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a program to discuss issues surrounding puberty. Students will view and discuss videos that provide basic information about the reproductive system and some of the biological changes of puberty. Pregnancy, sexually-
transmitted infections and abstinence will be introduced. Please take an opportunity to review the videos that your student will watch (see links below) and discuss/reinforce your own values and beliefs regarding family life with your child. It is hoped that these classes will help to supplement the education that is being done at home.

Video links:

Parents do have the choice to opt their student out of these classes. It should be in writing and sent to the Health Office as soon as possible. The Health Advisory Committee, made up of parents, educators, students and healthcare representatives, recommends, however, that you review the curriculum and/or discuss your concerns before making your decision. Feel free to discuss this with the JFK nurse or with Karen Jarvis-Vance, the Director of Health and Safety (587-1364).

Below are some links to helpful resources for teens and parents:

2019-2020 District Calendar Updates
Did you see the news? Friday, June 14 is the last day of school. Wednesday, August 28 is the first day of school for the new year. And that’s when we’ll need lots of new PTO volunteers! Email us to get involved in your student’s education.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The JFK Yearbook is available for year-end purchase for $29. Send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number.

Shop and Raise Funds for JFK
We collect Boxtops for Education all year long; your student can drop them off in the JFK office. Support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. Or link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (Saturday, April 27)
Do you or family members have a medicine cabinet full of prescription drugs that you don't know what to do with? Dispose of them safely at the Nat'l Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27th from 10AM to 2PM at JFK School, 100 Bridge Rd., Florence.

Circuits & Code is here again!!! (Saturday, April 27)
Circuits & Code is the all-ages, free project showcase of M5, the UMass Amherst Makerspace for Solid-State Electronics and Computing Machinery. Circuits & Code will take place on Saturday, April 27 at M5 from 3-5pm. M5 is a 5,000 sq. ft. makerspace located in the lower level of Marcus Hall, 100 Natural Resources Road, Amherst 01003. Free parking in any nearby numbered parking lot. For our planning purposes, we do ask you to register and obtain your event ticket here on eventbrite but an event ticket is not required for admission. Come whether or not you have an eventbrite ticket. However, if you do get an eventbrite ticket and you print it out and drop into our special ticket box at Circuits & Code before 5pm, you will automatically be eligible for a seriously cool door prize. There must be a name and valid email address on the ticket in order to win! (M5 staff ineligible for door prizes. No more than one prize per household.) We hope to see you soon. Tell your friends. Bring your friends.

Northampton Area Pediatrics Parenting Workshop (May 5)
Free parenting workshop on Sunday, May 5 from 4-5:30pm: "Raising Digital Kids: How to Manage Screens in your Family with More Cooperation and Less Yelling" with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. RSVP by calling (413) 517-2226 or contactus@napeds.com.

Eat for Education (May 7)
On Tuesday, May 7, restaurants in Northampton and Florence will give 10% of their day’s take to the NHS PTO. Eat out for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, support local restaurants, and support the NHS PTO.

Northampton Public Schools’ K-8 Art Show (May 10-31)
The art teachers from the elementary schools and the middle school cordially invite students and their families to JFK Middle School on Friday, May 10 from 4-6pm for an art opening reception. The exhibition will host a sampling of original artwork by local students. There will be light refreshments served by the Jackson Street PTO. Please join us for this wonderful event!

22nd Annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant Sale
The Northampton Education Foundation needs your plants! If you’re digging up or separating plants this spring, donate them to the NEF plant sale. You can drop them at Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street, Northampton) on Friday, May 10, from 4-7 pm or contact Francie Lin at francie.m.lin@gmail.com for an alternative drop off.

The 22nd Annual Plant Sale is Saturday, May 11, 9am-1pm, at Smith Voke. It includes a wide range of plants, including annuals and perennials, vegetable starters, herbs, hanging plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as organic lawn and garden products and compost. Shoppers can buy treasures from local artisans, including handcrafted garden furniture donated by local woodworkers. The event also includes a raffle to win a handmade quilt and garden furniture made by Smith Vocational woodworking students.

Last year’s Plant Sale raised over $10,000 for books for the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Voke. You’ll find more information on the NEF website.

2019 Northampton Public Arts Festival (May 11-12)
The Northampton Public Arts Festival is a unique two-day event aimed at promoting public arts through live mural painting and street art workshops for youth. The festival will bring local and nationally recognized street artists and muralists to convene and create beautiful public art for the city of Northampton and the Pioneer Valley. For more info, see this link: http://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/2019/04/2019-northampton-public-arts-festival.html
 
 

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.

Monday, April 22, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 22, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 22, 2019
 
Important Dates:
April 22 - Back to School - Happy Earth Day!
April 26 - Course Selection Sheets due to Guidance (6th and 7th)
May 7-24 - MCAS Testing
May 7 - JFK PTO Meeting
May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Brunch - Volunteers Needed!
May 9 - NPS School Committee Meeting
May 17 - Half Day - Early Dismissal
May 19 - Eighth Grade Mayor’s Dance
June 3 - Save the Date: Eighth Grade Picnic in Pines Theater
June 4 - JFK Chorus Concert
June 5 - JFK Band Concert
June 14 - Last Day of School - Half Day

Teacher Appreciation Week -- Volunteers and Bakers Needed!
Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5. We are seeking volunteers to help set up a light lunch and parent volunteers to cook and donate food or drinks. The date for the teacher lunch is Wednesday, May 8. Sign up to volunteer at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949aeaa2ba75-20193

Stay tuned for more details about our special Teacher Appreciation fundraiser this spring!

May MCAS Schedule
May 7-8 - Grade 8 Math
May 9-10 - Grade 6 and 7 Math
May 14-15 - Grade 8 Science and Technology
May 12-24 - Make up testing

JFK PTO Meeting (Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm in the JFK Library)
Our next PTO meeting will take place Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm in the JFK Library. There are only 2 meetings left this year! Help us to plan our eighth grade picnic and to transition to a new PTO president. Bring questions and ideas!

Eighth Grade Picnic Volunteers Needed
The Eighth Grade Picnic in the Look Park Pines Theater will be held on Monday, June 3 (with a June 4 rain date). We are seeking volunteers to help during the picnic. Send us an email at jfkmspto@gmail.com! More picnic details coming soon.

Step up to Volunteer with the JFK PTO in 2020
This year is the last year for our amazing PTO President. The PTO needs volunteers to carry on the great work we do. With the limited resources of public school budgets, a PTO can make a significant impact in funding gaps to enrich our students’ middle school educational experience. The JFK PTO is highly organized and ready to go; we just need parents willing to set aside an hour a month to keep events happening and approve teacher grant requests. Please send us an email and let us know you can help: jfkmspto@gmail.com

A Note from the JFK School Nurse
Next week, 6th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a program to discuss issues surrounding puberty. Students will view and discuss videos that provide basic information about the reproductive system and some of the biological changes of puberty. Pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections and abstinence will be introduced. Please take an opportunity to review the videos that your student will watch (see links below) and discuss/reinforce your own values and beliefs regarding family life with your child. It is hoped that these classes will help to supplement the education that is being done at home.

Video links:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dg2eMCx9TE
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_mFJ2d0qxQ
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvw7QGytgNQ

Parents do have the choice to opt their student out of these classes. It should be in writing and sent to the Health Office as soon as possible. The Health Advisory Committee, made up of parents, educators, students and healthcare representatives, recommends, however, that you review the curriculum and/or discuss your concerns before making your decision. Feel free to discuss this with the JFK nurse or with Karen Jarvis-Vance, the Director of Health and Safety (587-1364).

Below are some links to helpful resources for teens and parents:
  • http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/male_bodyimage.html
  • http://girlshealth.gov/about/

2019-2020 District Calendar Updates
Did you see the news? Friday, June 14 is the last day of school. Wednesday, August 28 is the first day of school for the new year. And that’s when we’ll need lots of new PTO volunteers! Email us to get involved in your student’s education.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The JFK Yearbook is available for year-end purchase for $29. Send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number or order online through April 26 at www.coffeepond.com.

Shop and Raise Funds for JFK
We collect Boxtops for Education all year long; your student can drop them off in the JFK office. Support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. Or link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Circuits & Code is here again!!!
Circuits & Code is the all-ages, free project showcase of M5, the UMass Amherst Makerspace for Solid-State Electronics and Computing Machinery. Circuits & Code will take place on Saturday, April 27 at M5 from 3-5pm. M5 is a 5,000 sq. ft. makerspace located in the lower level of Marcus Hall, 100 Natural Resources Road, Amherst 01003. Free parking in any nearby numbered parking lot. For our planning purposes, we do ask you to register and obtain your event ticket here on eventbrite but an event ticket is not required for admission. Come whether or not you have an eventbrite ticket. However, if you do get an eventbrite ticket and you print it out and drop into our special ticket box at Circuits & Code before 5pm, you will automatically be eligible for a seriously cool door prize. There must be a name and valid email address on the ticket in order to win! (M5 staff ineligible for door prizes. No more than one prize per household.) We hope to see you soon. Tell your friends. Bring your friends.

Northampton Public Schools’ K-8 Art Show (May 10-31)
The art teachers from the elementary schools and the middle school cordially invite students and their families to JFK Middle School on Friday, May 10 from 4-6pm for an art opening reception. The exhibition will host a sampling of original artwork by local students. There will be light refreshments served by the Jackson Street PTO. Please join us for this wonderful event!

23rd Annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant Sale
The Northampton Education Foundation needs your plants! If you’re digging up or separating plants this spring, donate them to the NEF plant sale. You can drop them at Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street, Northampton) on Friday, May 10, from 4-7 pm or contact Francie Lin at francie.m.lin@gmail.com for an alternative drop off.

The 22nd Annual Plant Sale is Saturday, May 11, 9am-1pm, at Smith Voke. It includes a wide range of plants, including annuals and perennials, vegetable starters, herbs, hanging plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as organic lawn and garden products and compost. Shoppers can buy treasures from local artisans, including handcrafted garden furniture donated by local woodworkers. The event also includes a raffle to win a handmade quilt and garden furniture made by Smith Vocational woodworking students.

Last year’s Plant Sale raised over $10,000 for books for the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Voke. You’ll find more information on the NEF website.


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, April 12, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 12, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 12, 2019
 
Important Dates:
April 15-19 - No School - Spring Recess
May 7 - JFK PTO Meeting
May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Brunch - Volunteers Needed!
May 9 - NPS School Committee Meeting
June 3 - Save the Date: Eighth Grade Picnic
June 14 - Last Day of School

Teacher Appreciation Week -- Volunteers and Bakers Needed!
Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5. We are seeking volunteers to help set up a light lunch and parent volunteers to cook and donate food or drinks. The date for the teacher lunch is Wednesday, May 8. Sign up to volunteer at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949aeaa2ba75-20193

Stay tuned for more details about our special Teacher Appreciation fundraiser this spring...

Eighth Grade Picnic Volunteers Needed
The Eighth Grade Picnic in the Look Park Pines Theater will be held on Monday, June 3 (with a June 4 rain date). We are seeking volunteers to help coordinate the picnic. Send us an email so we have enough help at jfkmspto@gmail.com! More picnic details coming soon.

Step up to Volunteer with the JFK PTO in 2020
This year is the last year for our amazing PTO President. The PTO needs volunteers to carry on the great work we do. With the limited resources of public school budgets, a PTO can make a significant impact in funding gaps to enrich our students’ middle school educational experience. The JFK PTO is highly organized and ready to go; we just need parents willing to set aside an hour a month to keep events happening and approve teacher grant requests. Please send us an email and let us know you can help: jfkmspto@gmail.com

2019-2020 District Calendar Updates
Did you see the news? Friday, June 14 is the last day of school. Wednesday, August 28 is the first day of school for the new year. And that’s when we’ll need lots of new PTO volunteers! Email us to get involved in your student’s education.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The JFK Yearbook is available for year-end purchase for $29. Send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number or order online through April 26 at www.coffeepond.com.

Shop and Raise Funds for JFK
We collect Boxtops for Education all year long; your student can drop them off in the JFK office. Support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. Or link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Support NPS employees by attending the City Council Meeting on Thursday, April 18
A message from NPS staff for Parents, Guardians, Friends of Northampton Public Schools: You may not be aware of this but Northampton teachers have received an average salary increase of ONLY 1.08% each year for the last ten years. Other school employees have received similar wage increases, with many years taking 0%. Northampton is the lowest paid district of our size in the state
. NPS employees are not lobbying for a tax increase, they are asking for money that already exists to be allocated appropriately and to show that they are as valued as other city positions! Please support NPS employees by attending the City Council Meeting on Thursday, April 18 in the City Council chambers, downtown Northampton.

  • 6pm Stand Out

  • 7pm Meeting Starts

Want your voice heard? Sign up to speak on the clipboard on the podium by 6:45pm. Your supportive words could make a difference. Help us not lose our invaluable NPS staff! Our staff deserves better and we can and should support them just as they support our kids each and every day! 
If you can't make it on Thursday, write to the city councilors, our mayor and the Gazette.

23rd Annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant Sale
The Northampton Education Foundation needs your plants! If you’re digging up or separating plants this spring, donate them to the NEF plant sale. You can drop them at Smith Vocational High School (80 Locust Street, Northampton) on Friday, May 10, from 4-7 pm or contact Francie Lin at francie.m.lin@gmail.com for an alternative drop off.

The 22nd Annual Plant Sale is Saturday, May 11, 9am-1pm, at Smith Voke. It includes a wide range of plants, including annuals and perennials, vegetable starters, herbs, hanging plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as organic lawn and garden products and compost. Shoppers can buy treasures from local artisans, including handcrafted garden furniture donated by local woodworkers. The event also includes a raffle to win a handmade quilt and garden furniture made by Smith Vocational woodworking students.

Last year’s Plant Sale raised over $10,000 for books for the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Voke. You’ll find more information on the NEF website.


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, April 5, 2019

JFK PTO Update – April 5, 2019


JFK PTO Update – April 5, 2019
 
Important Dates:
April 9 - Special JFK PTO Meeting with a presentation by NPC
April 11 - NPS School Committee Meeting
April 15-19 - No School - Spring Recess

Our next PTO Meeting is Tuesday, April 9
(SPECIAL PRESENTATION AND DATE!)
The JFK PTO has invited the Hampshire Franklin Tobacco-Free Community Partnership to present at our April PTO meeting. Vape pens and e-cigarettes are not harmless, yet 20% of high school students report currently using them, and 40% have tried them at least once. Learn more about what these products are, why they are harmful, and how to protect our kids from this latest trend. This presentation will be at the beginning of the PTO meeting and takes about 45 minutes and is intended for parents and guardians only. Learn more at this link. Or visit: getoutraged.org

Stay afterward to help plan for special spring events, financial report and PTO transitions. All are welcome.

Teacher Appreciation Week -- Lunch Organizers Needed
Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5. We are seeking one or two volunteers to help coordinate a light lunch and will be seeking more parent volunteers to cook, donate, or serve. The proposed date for the teacher lunch is Wednesday, May 8. Please let us know by contacting us at jfkmspto@gmail.com so we have enough help!

Eighth Grade Picnic Volunteers Needed
The Eighth Grade Picnic in the Look Park Pines Theater will be held the first Monday in June (June 3 with a June 4 rain date). We are seeking one or two volunteers to help coordinate the picnic. Send us an email so we have enough help! jfkmspto@gmail.com

Step up to Volunteer with the JFK PTO in 2020
This year is the last year for our amazing PTO President. The PTO needs volunteers to carry on the great work we do. With the limited resources of public school budgets, a PTO can make a significant impact in funding gaps to enrich our students’ middle school educational experience. The JFK PTO is highly organized and ready to go; we just need parents willing to set aside about an hour a month to keep events happening and approve teacher grant requests. Please send us an email and let us know you can help next year. jfkmspto@gmail.com

2019-2020 District Calendar Updates
Did you see the news? Friday, June 14 is the last day of school. Wednesday, August 28 is the first day of school for the new year. And that’s when we’ll need lots of new PTO volunteers! Please email us to get involved.

JFK Yearbook Orders
The JFK Yearbook is still available for year-end purchase for $29. Send in cash or check payable to JFK in an envelope with your student’s name and homeroom number or order at www.coffeepond.com.

Shop and Raise Funds for JFK
We collect Boxtops for Education all year long; your student can drop them off in the JFK office. Support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Big Y Express: https://www.bigy.com/rs/educationexpress. Or link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 9am to 12pm at Smith Vocational High School, 80 Locust Street, Northampton.

Free Screening of Paper Tigers (April 10)
Join the Northampton Prevention Coalition on April 10, 6:30-9:30pm in the NHS Auditorium for a viewing of Paper Tigers with an introduction and facilitated discussion by Pam Plumer, NPS Director of Student Services, Kathy Casale, NPS School Psychologist, and Community Action student group Shout Out! They will address topics from the film including ACE scores (adverse childhood experiences), trauma, education, and NPS’s approach to educating and connecting with our most vulnerable students. FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC. NHS auditorium. View trailer here: https://youtu.be/KdDr_nZOIXc

23rd Annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant Sale
Save the date! The plant sale will take place Saturday, May 11 from 9am to 1pm at Smith Voc. Help the Northampton Education Foundation get ready for its annual Plant Sale by donating plants! You’ll find more information on the NEF website. https://northamptoneducation.org/plant-sale/

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.