John F. Kennedy Newsletter

Welcome Back, JFK Families!

What a wonderful start to the school year! It has been so exciting to see our students back in their classrooms, reconnecting with friends, meeting their teachers, and beginning another year of learning and growth.

The excitement throughout JFK has been fantastic as we launch the new school year together. Our students have been engaging in presentations and conversations focused on school expectations and our CHAMPS Values — Caring, Honest, Accepting, Motivated, and Positive. These values will guide us throughout the year as we work together to build a school community where every student feels safe, supported, valued, and ready to learn.

On Friday, September 18, students competed in the first CHAMPs Games at JFK. Students experienced the event as teams across the K - 5 range - Blue Team, Green Team, and Yellow Team. This was an opportunity for students to complete relay activities within their homeroom. The games sparked excitement for the year and helped reinforce being a CHAMP.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, connection, and plenty of opportunities for our students to shine.

Welcome back, JFK Families! Let’s make it a great year — one CHAMP at a time!

Today’s menu? Stories, stories, and more stories! My readers are sampling a little bit of everything—fiction, nonfiction, mystery, graphic novels, and more—to discover new genres, explore different flavors of reading, and hopefully find a few books they’ll want to come back for seconds! When it comes to books, there’s always room for one more!

Students worked together to understand the importance of teamwork and established group work norms. They were in groups of 4, and they had to highlight the next number before passing it to their partner. They were unable to talk at first, the second round they were only able to point, the third round only one person could talk or point, then finally everyone was able to talk and help throughout the process.

Students established who they are as writers. Students received a Pokemon card. After observing the card and the setting it took place, students wrote a creative writing piece about the Pokemon they received.

We wanted to kindly remind you of the importance of students arriving at school on time each day. Prompt arrivals help set a positive tone for the day, ensure students don’t miss out on valuable learning time, and allow them to start their day with a calm and focused mindset.

As a reminder, arrival begins at 8:05 am and runs until 8:15 am. Breakfast is available at 8:05. Students should enter door 11 by the cafeteria/gym. Breakfast promptly ends at 8:15.

We greatly appreciate your support in ensuring your child arrives promptly each morning.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

We would like to share some information in regards to attendance. Regular school attendance plays a vital role in a student’s academic success and overall well-being. When students miss too many days of school—whether excused or unexcused—it can become chronic absenteeism, which may affect learning, social development, and classroom progress. Chronic absenteeism occurs when a child missed 18 school days or 10% of the school year.

We encourage all families to make daily attendance a priority. Establishing consistent routines, scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible, and communicating with the school if challenges arise can help ensure students are present and ready to learn.

• Attendance letters are created based upon a mix of excused and unexcused absences
• The ONLY absences that do not count are State Excused Absences
• Please review Board policy and Board regulation for more information
• Attendance letters will be distributed to families at the following intervals: 5 Days, 10 Days, 15 Days, and 20 Days
• Students become chronically absent when they hit 18 absences for the school year. 18 days of absences is 10% of the school year

• Attendance and timely arrival in school are crucial for a student's academic and personal development. View the link below for more information.

Related to the construction project, school vehicular and foot traffic will follow the same patterns as last school year. JFK School families should note the information below.

• Construction is in progress on the southwest side of the building between the soccer field and blacktop area.
• Families do not have access from the parking lot to the blacktop by walking between the Mods and JFK School.
• The blacktop area is only accessible from Front Street.
• All students will be dismissed from the blacktop.
• For dismissal, families must go to the blacktop from Front Street. This is the only way to access the blacktop area during construction.
• Families who pick up preschool students and remain on campus for the dismissal of students in kindergarten through grade five are kindly asked to stay away from students who are outside as part of their classroom instruction.

• No one should enter the fenced area.
• As the school year continues, we will continue to update families on any changes.

Thank you in advance for your flexibility with the project.

October 8 - Lifetouch Fall-JFK

October 9 - Pretzels

October 12 - Staff In-service (No School)

October 13 - 16 Scholastic Fall

October 15 - B.O.E. Meeting

October 20 - Tender Smiles

October 21 - Tender Smiles

October 21 - JECAC Meeting

October 19 - 23 - Peace Week

October 26 - 30 - Red Ribbon Week

October 27 - PTA Trunk or Treat