JFK
PTO Update – April 28, 2020
Dear JFK Families,
- 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:
- JFK’s Remote Learning Plan, including the Spanish language version (Las recomendaciones de aprendizaje remoto). Attached is a 5 minute video message from Christa Chiarello highlighting the most important points of the plan.
- The last day of school will now be June 15, 2020.
Please continue to check the NPS site online
for the latest updates or visit https://twitter.com/npsdistrict
For statewide info, visit: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
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:
- ‘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.
- 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)
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/
Marijuana Anonymous - https://marijuana-anonymous.org/find-a-meeting/
Recovery Dharma - https://recoverydharma.online/
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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