Tuesday, April 28, 2020

JFK PTO Update – April 28, 2020

JFK PTO Update – April 28, 2020
  
Dear JFK Families,

At the request of NPS, we’d like to share with you an updated letter from JFK. Key updates include:
  • Teachers will begin updating the ASPEN gradebook portal by next Monday, May 4. Grade reporting will follow the procedures described in the Remote Learning Plan.
  • The Northampton Recreation Department has asked us to let grade eight students know that the Mayor’s Dance has been cancelled. Though this decision is made with the best intentions for the safety and health of our community, nonetheless, it is difficult to hear. We are working on ways to recognize and celebrate the contributions and successes of our students as we near the end of the year. We especially want to honor our eighth graders. We are collaborating with students, teachers, and community members to make some plans.

Previous updates included:

Please continue to check the NPS site online for the latest updates or visit https://twitter.com/npsdistrict

Letter from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: 
  • Read the 3/30/20 DESE updates here.
  • Pasos que tomamos para apoyar a los estudiantes mientras las escuelas están cerradas (carta de DESE de 3/30/20)

The Student Services department has compiled a number of resources during this challenging time. Please see the link to learn about options for medical and mental health emergencies, transportation, and food and housing concerns.

Meals for Children 18 or Younger
Northampton Public Schools is providing meals to school-aged children ages 18 or younger two days per week to limit the number of days families have to leave their homes. You do not need to be a student from the Northampton Public Schools district to participate. We are going to provide meals:
Tuesdays: 2 lunches and 2 breakfasts
Thursdays: 3 lunches and 3 breakfasts
11am-12pm at the following sites: Hampshire Heights * Florence Heights * Meadowbrook Apartments

A comenzar el martes, el 26 de marzo, 2020 las escuelas públicas de Northampton les darán alimentos a los niños menores de 18 años 2 veces por semana para limitar el número de días las familias necesitan salir sus casas. No necesitas ser estudiante de las escuelas públicas de Northampton para participar. Vamos a hacer alimentos disponibles 2 días por semana:
Los martes: 2 almuerzos y 2 desayunos
Los jueves: 3 almuerzos y 3 desayunos 
Serán disponibles a las 11 de la mañana hasta el mediodía en los siguientes lugares: Hampshire Heights * Florence Heights * Meadowbrook Apartments

Pre-bagged packages of food will be made for you by staff and volunteers using rigorous health precautions. Bags will include shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce, much purchased from local farms with dairy and meat options to be included as soon as possible. Your two options for getting this food:
  1. ‘Drive-up’ at Jackson Street School, 120 Jackson Street, Northampton BEST FOR people who don’t live at one of the housing sites listed below, including Northampton Survival Center clients from outside of Northampton. Bags will be distributed to clients directly outside the school cafeteria Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-3pm.
  2. Pick-up in Northampton at Hampshire Heights, Florence Heights, Meadowbrook Apartments, and 236 Pleasant St. (The Lumber Yard building) BEST FOR those who live in or near these housing communities. Bags will be available for pickup at the school meal distribution site Tuesdays from 11am–12pm. Doorstep delivery is also available at Hampshire Heights, Florence Heights and Meadowbrook. Signup is required for doorstep delivery and recommended for all who would like a Tuesday delivery. For more info, visit: COVID-19 Emergency Food Project 

ACTIVITIES & INFO ONLINE 

The JFK Yearbook Is Still On Sale!
$29 check or cash will be accepted until June 1st.

Celebrating National Teacher Day on May 5
We are looking for a couple of parent volunteers to help us host an awesome teacher appreciation day. Email us at jffmspto@gmail.com.The JFK teachers say “hi” to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPkPB4vibE8&feature=youtu.be 

5 Easy Ways to Support JFK MS PTO
  • Donate online. Your donations are tax-deductible and help fund special programs at JFK. We accept donations year-round.
  • Link to JFK MS PTO through Amazon Smile and donate to Parent-Teacher Organization of John F Kennedy Middle School Inc. Click here for instructions on how to use the app.
  • Save your Boxtops! We can accept Boxtop donations year-round in the office as long as they are not expired. Online we are: JOHN F KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL| School ID: 573700. 
  • Register your Stop and Shop card to benefit JFK Middle School using ID#05378. Call 1-877-275-2758 to register or log on to www.stopandshop.com
  • Be sure to vote for us in the Florence Savings Bank Customers’ Choice Awards of 2020. This year we’re hoping to get above 50 votes to receive support for our teacher grant programs.

COMMUNITY EVENTS 

Webinar: Teens, Tweens, & Quarantines (Tuesday, April 28 at 4pm)
Register HERE: or copy and paste into your browser mindingyourmind.org/TTQ-SPIFFY 

Teens, Tweens, & Quarantines is a presentation for parents focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on our children. This forum will:
  • Address the teen/tween brain
  • Explain why this pandemic is so difficult for this age group
  • Identify the process of loss (prom and graduation, friend time, and due to illness)
  • Discuss issues related to independence, autonomy, and privacy
  • Offer suggestions parents can implement immediately
  • Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear about practical steps they can take in real time.

Presenters are Jon Mattleman, New England Clinical Director from Minding Your Mind with support from Kristal Cleaver, Director of Community Education from Clinical & Support Options. Minding Your Mind provides mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, parents and caregivers, teachers and school administrators with the goal of ending the stigma and destructive behaviors often associated with mental health challenges and conditions. For more information: www.mindingyourmind.org

"Side-Effects May Include" Youth Video Premiere (April 29 at 4pm)
Join us on Zoom on Wednesday, April 29 at 4pm to CELEBRATE the film premiere of Side Effects May Include. This youth-made infomercial shows the positive and negative impacts of social media on teens. Register free HERE or here: bit.ly/zoompremiere   

Talk with the 7 teen filmmakers from Amherst Regional High School who spent their February break crafting, filming and editing the video and an accompanying discussion guide for educators. Hear about the youth-led process from program sponsors: SPIFFY Coalition, Community Action Youth Programs, and local filmmaker and activist, Ali Pinschmidt. See you on Wednesday at 4pm!

City of Northampton Health Department Seeks Face Covering Donations
Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the City of Northampton have partnered to streamline collections, to launder and package donations, and to distribute face coverings to those in need. Face coverings can be simple and homemade, made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material without holes that cover the nose and mouth. For more info, visit: http://www.northamptonma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=827 

EMERGENCY SHELTER: Volunteers, Donations & Staff Needed!
Volunteers are needed for 6-8 hour shifts to support ServiceNet shelter staff.
If you are unable to volunteer, consider making a donation to support supplies, meals, and other shelter needs. Donate online at: "northamptonma.gov/COVID19” or make checks payable to the City of Northampton with “COVID-19 Emergency Fund” in the memo line and place in the Drop Box located outside the Municipal Office Building behind City Hall or mail to: City of Northampton / Attn: COVID-19 Emergency Fund / 212 Main Street/ Northampton, MA 01060

Emergency Task Force on Coronavirus & Equity

Northampton Recovery Center Online Resources
The Northampton Recovery Center is hosting meetings online. Call 413-834-4127 or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NRCrecovery/ for additional schedules and updates. www.northamptonrecoverycenter.org

Remote Recovery and Wellness Support Resources 
Alcoholics Anonymous - https://aa-intergroup.org/directory_telephone.php for telephone meetings; http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php for online meetings 
Narcotics Anonymous - https://virtual-na.org/
SAMHSA National Helpline 800-662-4357 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Local Crisis Hotlines - Northampton CSO 413-586-5555. Greenfield CSO 413-774-5411. Holyoke BHN 413-532-8016. Springfield BHN 413-733-6661. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255. 

2020 Census Count: Everyone Counts 
The census is still happening! It’s your choice: you can respond securely online, by mail, or by phone. By law, your responses cannot be used against you. Your census responses are safe and secure. https://2020census.gov

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