Tuesday, May 26, 2020

JFK PTO Update – May 26, 2020


JFK PTO Update – May 26, 2020
 
Dear JFK Families,

At the request of NPS, we’d like to share this May 25 letter from JFK.

Dear Caregivers,

We hope this email finds you and your family well. We continue to prioritize the well-being of our students and families, while providing learning opportunities aligned with the state power standards and the JFK Remote Learning Plan. Please let us know, or connect with your child’s school counselor if there is anything we can do to help.

We would like to provide you with some updates and important information:

  • As a district, the return to school working groups continue to meet. The focus of these teams is described in the NPS Reopening Framework Video recently shared by the Superintendent.
  • A schedule for returning student belongings from lockers and classrooms, and for students to drop off school issued supplies and materials can be found on the district website. We will also share the detailed information through the PTO and team emails. The schedule is organized by homeroom on the following dates:
    • 7th grade June 11th
    • 6th grade June 12th 
    • 8th grade June 15th
  • Chromebook information: only grade 8 students will return Chromebooks on their designated drop off day. Grade 6 and 7 students will keep Chromebooks over the Summer.
  • We are currently planning ways to celebrate the end of the year for our fantastic students, with a little something special for those amazing eighth graders! More information to follow.
  • This week, May 26–May 29, is remote Husky Spirit Week! Please be sure to ask your student about the activities and join in the fun. There will be prizes drawn daily from those who participate and shout outs on our newly launched social media pages: LINK To our New JFK Facebook Page / Follow us at @jfkmsnorthampton on our new Instagram page.

We miss our wonderful students. You are all in our hearts. Be well and stay safe.

Take good care,
Ms. Wilson, Ms. Manfredi, and Mr. Napoli

Additional News and Updates:
An updated letter from JFK as well as the letter in Spanish sobre nuestro plan de aprendizaje remoto (April 28). The last day of school will be June 15, 2020.

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

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

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. For more info, visit: COVID-19 Emergency Food Project 

ACTIVITIES & INFO ONLINE 

JFK PTO Zoom Meeting (Tuesday, June 2)
Our next meeting will be held by Zoom on Tuesday, June 2 from 6-7pm. Email jfkmspto@gmail.com for the link to join. This is the final meeting of the year!

The JFK Yearbook Is Still On Sale!
$29 check or cash will be accepted until June 1st. Email Michelle Mallory to reserve your copy: mmallory@northampton-k12.us The books will be delivered to JFK in June, and we plan to have a pick up time and day.

2020-2021 School Calendar Posted
You can find the link to the NPS School Calendar online.

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. Thank you FSB for your generous support of our programs!

COMMUNITY EVENTS 

Valley ADHD Parent Support Group (June 1)
The Valley ADHD Parent Support Group will be meeting virtually on Monday, June 1 from 6:30-8pm. Our guest speaker this month is Rachael Goren, MPH,PsyD, clinical psychologist from Learning Solutions, who will be joining us to speak about neuropsychological testing and assessment and at-home accommodations. Please bring your questions! For Zoom meeting link or more information, please contact valleyadhdfamilies@gmail.com or visit https://www.valleyadhd.org/  

Leeds Elementary School PTO Online Auction (May 29-June 5)
The Leeds Elementary School PTO Online Auction is hosting an online auction. This week-long event will allow you to bid on your favorite items from home.

Northampton Prevention Coalition Survey Needs Your Input!
The Northampton Prevention Coalition has been a local youth substance abuse prevention agency for over 10 years and we are at the end of our federal grant. As we look to continue our work within the community it is important for us to evaluate ourselves and see where we are succeeding and where we need to improve. NPC has contracted with the Collaborative for Educational Services to create a program evaluation for NPC. We first distributed this survey in 2015 at the end of our first federal Drug Free Communities grant cycle. As we near the end of our second and final DFC grant, the time has come to re-evaluate where we are and how we are doing. Please take a moment to complete and submit this survey. Answers from parents, caregivers, students, teachers, administrators, or any person or sector who we have ever collaborated with or offered an event or training to are encouraged to participate. Include your email if you want a chance to win a Big Y gift card. Some questions may not apply to you; for those, reply “No opinion.” For all others tell us what you think.

Valley Book Rally Seeks Donations
With schools and libraries closed, we're rallying to put books into the hands of young Pioneer Valley readers in need during the stay-at-home advisory. We strongly believe that in times of hardship, books are an important resource that help lift up, educate, and inspire children. Titles will include those by local authors and illustrators, in addition to those published by Interlink Publishing and hand-picked by High Five Books. We are working directly with resident services coordinators at the various housing sites across the Pioneer Valley to match participating children’s ages with high-interest books that offer entertainment, education, and parental relief during this crisis. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/valley-book-rally 

COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund
The Northampton Arts Council is administering a COVID-19 Artist Relief Grant for all artists and cultural producers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Northampton, Florence, and Leeds. We invite members of the community to donate to our artist relief fund via this GoFundMe campaign. Donate here.

Hamp Rec Virtual 50K Challenge: FREE to ALL AGES!
Begins May 14 and you must submit your miles by June 12, 2020. Many things may be closed or modified, but the sidewalks, bike paths and parks are still open! There’s no better way to social distance you or your family than going for a walk or hike around the neighborhood, following along to a workout video, going for a bike ride, and receive a medal or certificate! Start anytime but complete by June 12! More info here

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 online at: https://2020census.gov. By law, your responses cannot be used against you. Your census responses are safe and secure. See our community’s response rate so far at: https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html 


Follow us on our JFK PTO Facebook Page
We like your Likes!

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