John F. Kennedy Elementary School

At JFK, March has been filled with opportunities to strengthen both learning and community. Our scholars have enjoyed enriching academic experiences while families continue to play an important role in building a supportive and connected school environment.

Thank you for being an essential part of our JFK family!

Arrival Reminder:

• Arrival is from 8:20am - 8:45am
• Scholars are tardy after 8:46am

End of Day Dismissal Reminders:

• Early dismissal end at 2:45pm
• Regular dismissal begins at 3:00pm for Pre-K and 3:15pm for K-5

Indoor Dismissal Reminder:

• We will dismiss indoors when the weather does not permit us to be outside with the children
• Please review the indoor dismissal procedures as children are grouped by grades at different doors

MCAS Dates:

ELA | 4/14 & 4/15

MATH | 5/12 & 5/14

5TH GRADE ONLY -Science, Technology, & Engineering (STE) | 5/19 & 5/20

More Details to come....Please be on the lookout.

Families, ask your 2nd grader what tool is the most appropriate to measure a 10 cm item!

Students recently explored which measurement tools are most efficient when measuring different items. Through the implementation of the new iReady Curriculum, scholars are discovering and engaging with mathematical concepts in ways that allow them to apply their learning to real-life situations.

It has been wonderful to see students think critically, experiment with tools, and explain their reasoning.

We recently held a Rise Family Engagement Night at JFK.

While only a few families were able to attend, the evening was incredibly meaningful. Ms.Farrell, Mr. Stanley, Ms. Brito, Ms. Ingils, Ms. Ashley, and Ms. Nnoli joined the event and helped create a welcoming environment for families.

Even with a smaller turnout, it was a powerful opportunity for families to connect with the educators who work with their children every day. Moments like these remind us how special our JFK community truly is.

Our school is working to create a Community Connections directory to support family-owned businesses and services within our school community. Participation is voluntary. Information will be used to strengthen community partnerships and may be shared with JFK families and staff.

Thank you to all the families who participated in our Family Connections Directory thus far! If you have not had a chance to join yet, we encourage you to participate! Being part of the directory is a great way to stay connected with other JFK families and continue building our supportive school community.

We are excited to share that JFK Elementary is beginning a courtyard rejuvenation project! Our school is fortunate to have a beautiful enclosed outdoor space, and we are looking forward to transforming it into a place for learning, growing, and enjoyment for our scholars.

We are currently in Phase I: Gathering Donations & Building Our Team

Once materials are collected, we will host a Community Clean-Up Day.

This is a wonderful opportunity to build community, support our school, and create something meaningful for our children.

We would love your involvement!

March was full of exciting reading activities as our scholars participated in Read Across America Week and other literacy celebrations!

During our Read Across America Olympics, students enjoyed themed days that encouraged a love of reading. The week began with Opening Ceremonies, where scholars wore green, white, and red to celebrate Olympic readers around the world. Students also participated in “We Are a Nation of Readers” Day, representing different cultures and countries through their clothing.

One highlight of the week was our Reading Marathon, when students “dropped everything and read” and were encouraged to continue the celebration at home by reading with their families. Scholars also participated in “Go for Gold with a Teammate,” bringing a stuffed animal and a favorite book to read alongside their classmates.

To end the celebration, students enjoyed a cozy Pajama Day, relaxing with books and celebrating the joy of reading together.

Later in the month, students continued the fun with our Comfy Pajama & Hot Chocolate Reading Day. Scholars came to school in their pajamas and enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmallows while reading their favorite books, creating a warm and memorable reading experience for everyone.

These events helped reinforce the importance of reading while creating joyful moments that inspire our scholars to become lifelong readers.

This is a reminder that dismissal on Wednesday, March 25th will be at 12:10 PM due to our scheduled half day.

Please plan accordingly to ensure timely pick-up for your child. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in keeping dismissal safe and smooth for all of our Jaguars.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Reminders:

• The Annual Fun Run Fundraiser is April 9th!
• We are looking for water and healthy snack donations
• Please contact Ms. Abernathy, Dean of Student Culture, for donations
• Please look out for the flyer that will explain how you can get sponsors for your child as they run to raise funds for JFK educational activities!!!!
• Next PTO Meeting: Monday, March 23, from 4:30pm - 5:30pm virtually and in-person

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."–John Lennon