Friday, August 30, 2019

JFK PTO Update – August 30, 2019



 

IMPORTANT DATES:
September 3 - First PTO Meeting at JFK (6-7pm in JFK Library)
September 19 - JFK Open House
September 26 - School Picture Day (Volunteers Needed!)
October 5 - Electronics Recycling Fundraiser (Save the Date!)

JFK PTO Meeting in the JFK Library
Our first JFK PTO Meeting will be held in the JFK Library on Tuesday, September 3 from 6-7pm. Join us as we plan for a great year at JFK. Specifically, we need volunteers for fall fundraising such as our electronics recycling event, annual appeal, new calendar art contest, and our December book fair. If you can’t attend the meeting, but can help via email, sign up at the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949AEAA2BA75-jfkmspto 

Do you have a great idea for JFK? Come meet faculty and staff at our PTO meetings and let us know. Email us at jfkmspto@gmail.com. In general, PTO meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7pm.  

School Picture Day: Volunteers Needed! (Thursday, September 26, 8-11am)
We are seeking parents/guardians to volunteer for JFK's upcoming School Picture Day on Thursday, September 26 between the hours of 8-11am. This task involves directing students in lines to the photographers and helping maintain the traffic flow in the room. You can sign up for 1-hour shifts but feel free to stay if you can help for longer. Any help is always greatly appreciated! Sign up to volunteer here.

Boxtops for Education Has a New App!
Box Tops is going digital! Don't miss out on earnings for your school – make sure you've got the new Box Tops mobile app on your phone. For more info, click here: https://www.boxtops4education.com/en/How%20To%20Earn 

But, we’ll still be collecting Boxtops the old fashioned way, too. Send in your Boxtops with your student to the JFK main office. The deadline for fall Boxtops funds is October 25.

Easy Ways to Support JFK All Year Long

Northampton Prevention Coalition Parent Survey
From NPC: Parents and Guardians of students in grades 6-12. Take our short 5 minutes survey and be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Your info is important and essential. You will receive a postcard soon announcing the survey, but if you'd like to take it now follow this link to participate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019BPS

“River of Words” JFK PTO Teacher Grant
Each year the JFK PTO votes to fund teacher grant requests for special projects, and this year we are looking for parent volunteers to help us review and approve these projects. Last year, thanks to parents’ generous donations, the PTO was able to help fund the River of Words project for seventh grade. Click the link below to read how the project got students out into the community to participate in arts and science learning: https://www.ctriver.org/environmental-entanglements-natural-and-not/ 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

School Bus Demolition Derby at the Three County Fair (August 31)
We’re crashing into the new year; the JFK school bus will be in the competition to raise funds for our school at the school bus demolition derby on Saturday, August 31 at 7pm. Thanks to all the artists who helped paint the bus. If you’re at the fair, check out the school bus demolition derby schedule at this link and below:

SATURDAY: Smith Vocational, Hampshire Regional, Smith Academy, Northampton High School, JFK Middle School, 4-H Exchange, 4-H Horse Drill Team, Pioneer Valley Regional School.

MONDAY: Blessed Sacrament School, Center/Pepin School, Anne T. Dunphy School, Bridge Street School, Jackson Street School, Leeds Elementary School, Ryan Road School, Hatfield Elementary School.

Northampton Area Pediatrics Free Workshop (September 15)
4-5:30pm. Catherine Bartlett, MD will share important information about childhood safety, including tips on car seats and choking. https://www.facebook.com/events/867564130303802/ 

Northampton Prevention Coalition Health Expo (October 2)
Food- Prizes- Interactive Displays- Scavenger Hunt- ADULTS ONLY!! Northampton works very hard to support youth in achieving their goals and values all efforts to reduce barriers to their success. In support of this work, the Northampton Prevention Coalition is hosting a Health Expo focused on how Northampton adults can all work together to reduce youth substance use. This eye-opening expo will both inform and instill hope on all of the ways we can come together to keep youth happy, safe, and reaching without the detrimental impact of drugs or alcohol. https://www.facebook.com/events/472116280301354/ 

Child Safety in Today’s World (10/2, 10/22 or 11/7)
Facilitated by Jackie Humphreys, LICSW & Joanne Leonard, CSEC Coordinator of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin, Inc. Register with Joanne Leonard at 413-475-3401 or Jleonard@cacfranklinnq.org This event is free, made possible by a grant from the Bete Family Foundation. For more info, see the flyer here.

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

Volunteer with us! Sign up here if you can help the JFK PTO this year: 

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

Friday, August 2, 2019

JFK PTO Summer Update – August 2, 2019


 JFK PTO Summer Update – August 2, 2019
 

JFK Chromebook Survey (Parents please complete!)
A message from Principal Wilson: Please complete a short survey regarding your experience with the JFK Chromebook program. Students just finished a year of having individually assigned Chromebooks. As caregivers, we value your feedback. The JFK Caregiver Chromebook Program Survey can be found on the district website at http://www.northamptonschools.org. If you would prefer to complete a paper version of the survey, please call the JFK office at 587-1489 to receive a copy. Thank you.

El año pasado, JFK tuvo el primer programa de libros de Chromebook en el distrito, donde los estudiantes de sexto grado tuvieron consigo el Chromebook asignado durante el día, pero éste se quedaba en el edificio por la noche. Los grados 7 y 8 pudieron llevarse el Chromebook asignado a la escuela y al hogar para apoyar su trabajo en la clase. Estamos preguntando como cuidadores si usted pudiera compartir con nosotros algunos comentarios sobre qué tal fue el programa en su primer año. http://www.northamptonschools.org.

Back to School List
The JFK School Supply List is now posted on the JFK website. Click here for more info.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

TONIGHT Northampton Public Schools Welcome Party! (Friday, August 2, 6-7:30pm)
Join us at this FREE family dinner where you can:
  • Meet current and incoming families from Bridge Street Elementary School, JFK Middle School, and Northampton High School

  • Meet administrators/staff from the district and Bridge Street Elementary School, JFK Middle School, and Northampton High School

  • Register students for Northampton Public Schools

  • Find out about the Bridge Street School Walking School Bus, after school enrichment programs, and more!
When: Friday, August 2, 6-7:30pm

Where: The Lumber Yard courtyard, 256 Pleasant Street, Northampton, 01060
RSVP at this link or click here for more info.

ONE More Week for the Free Summer Lunch Program (ends August 9)
All kids under 18 eat free. No paperwork necessary. More info here. Meal site locations:
  • Florence Heights Apartments. Lunch Served Tues-Fri: 12-1pm.
  • Hampshire Heights Apartments. Lunch Served Mon-Wed 12-1pm.
  • Meadowbrook Apartments Community Room 491 Bridge Road, Florence, MA. Lunch Served 12-1pm. Snack Served 3-3:30pm. Mon-Fri.
  • RKF Ryan Road School 498 Ryan Road, Florence, MA. Lunch Served Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 12-1pm.
Comidas gratuitas para menores durante todo el verano. Más información aquí. 

Rock out and raise funds! Transperformance 29: Lookstock (August 20)
If you have yet to hear the big news, this year’s Transperformance theme will be Lookstock, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary music festival. Transperformance 29: Lookstock will celebrate peace, love and music while raising funds for arts enrichment programs in the Northampton Public Schools. Your favorite local acts will take the Pines Theater stage to perform 10 minutes of material from performers who graced the Woodstock stage 50 years ago. Transperformance 29: Lookstock on Tuesday, August 20 from 4-9:30pm at the Pines Theater in Look Park. Join us to celebrate 29 years of bringing our community members together to support music and the arts. More info at this link.

Tickets are on sale now:
  • Online: http://transperformance.brownpapertickets.com 
  • Local: State Street Fruit Store (Northampton) / Cooper’s Corner (Florence) / AJ Hastings (Amherst)
  • Day of: At the entrance to Pines Theater starting at 3pm
  • Presale Cost: Adults 13+ $10; Seniors 65+/Veterans $8; Kids 12 & under $5.
  • No refunds/No exchanges. (A portion of the proceeds support arts enrichment programs in the Public Schools of Northampton, Leeds, and Florence.)

Free Fall Martial Arts
Click this link to learn more.

Easy Ways to Support JFK All Year Long:
Collect Boxtops for Education. Support JFK at Stop and Shop by using the link here. Or, link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc. And be sure to vote for us in the Florence Savings Bank Customers’ Choice Awards.

IMPORTANT DATES:
August 28 - First Day of School
September 3 - First PTO Meeting at JFK
September 19 - JFK Open House

Volunteer with us! Sign up here if you can help the JFK PTO this year: 

 
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.