Dear JFK Families,
We hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall season. October is a month full of exciting learning opportunities and fun activities at JFK!
As we watch the changing leaves, we are reminded of the life cycles of plants and animals. Over the past several weeks, classes have studied and observed the life cycle of monarch butterflies and have transferred that learning to the life cycle of other living things, including apples!
On Monday, we were visited by Biddeford Fire and Rescue to learn about fire prevention and safety. We have also started practicing fire drills to make sure we are prepared at school. Our friends have done so well with learning these important procedures.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner! Wednesday, November 1st, is an Early Release Day, and is one of our days for conferences. Your child's teacher will work with you to schedule a time to meet that day, or offer other times in the coming weeks.
Take a moment to view Our Month of Learning photo album of some great activities and celebrations at JFK!
As always, we are here to support you and your child in their learning journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the school with any questions or concerns.
Yours in Education,
Bryan Litchfield & Meghan Schrader
Fire Prevention Week
Mrs. McTaggart's class loved creating special hats to celebrate Biddeford Fire and Rescue's visit to JFK to learn all about fire safety and prevention!
Sharing Our Learning
Students are doing an amazing job learning how to be responsible with their devices. Ms. Thomsen's students have loved using them for learning and fun! They have used them to listen to audio books and stories, and even to share their learning on apps like SeeSaw.
Hands-On Math
Representing Numbers
Mrs. Vasalle's students used technology tools to represent numbers! They even showed us which numbers come before and after the number they were working on! Way to go, Shawn!
Sorting Sounds
Students are learning about letter sounds, and words that begin with certain letter sounds. Look at Lena's work sorting words that start with the sound /m/ and words that do not start with the sound /m/.
Be The Yellow
We were so lucky to have author and educator Mr. Adam Peterson visit us at JFK. We had an amazing time singing and learning how to write stories, specifically stories that involve someone choosing to be kind! We hope our Kindergarten families enjoyed reading Gigi's Yellow Garden together and learned what it means to Be the Yellow!
Creating Characters
We love creating projects inspired by some of our favorite books and characters. Look at these amazing Pete the Cat creations that show how well Ms. Thomsen's class is doing as they learn how to follow step-by-step directions, and be patient as they try new skills that might be challenging!
JFK is partnering with Tooth Protectors Inc. to offer Preventative Dental Care here at school. Services are available for students and staff WITH or WITHOUT dental insurance.
Services are FREE to those with MaineCare, self pay fees are listed on the flyer, and other dental insurance can be billed.
Family Night with the Maine Celtics
Extended Through December 4th: Charleston Wrap JFK Fundraiser
Check-off your holiday gift list today and help fund activities, events, and experiences for students at JFK. Visit Charleston Wrap JFK Fundraiser and use code 24285!
Month At-a-Glance
- October 25: Picture Retake Day
- October 27: JFK Dental Clinic
- November 1: Early Release (No Pre-K)/ Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 5: Daylight Saving Time (Roll your clocks back!)
- November 7: Election Day (JFK and BPS Construction Vote)
- November 10: No School / Veteran's Day Observed
- November 21: Early Release (No Pre-K)
- November 22-24: No School / Holiday Break
October 25: Picture Retake Day
If you missed school picture day or would like retakes, don't forget to bring your smile on October 25th!
National Red Ribbon Week: October 23-31
There is also a national photo contest which is a fun way to start or continue the conversation about drugs with your children AND win an iPad for your child and $1,000 for our school!
For many decades, the John F. Kennedy School has held a central place within our community. As Biddeford's oldest public school building, JFK's proximity to St. Louis and Waterhouse fields has made it a notable landmark for spectators. Over the years, students aged 5 to 14 have walked through its doors, creating cherished memories for generations of Tigers. However, despite its rich history spanning seven decades, the school now finds itself in a dire state of disrepair. While it once adequately met the needs of Biddeford's educators and students, this is no longer the case.
From its outdated and unreliable 10-ton oil burners to its failure to comply with fire safety regulations and disability codes, the School Committee has concluded that the cost of revitalizing the building is excessively high.
In recent times, we've collaborated closely with engineering firms, contractors, and architectural experts to evaluate the costs associated with renovation and replacement. Unfortunately, these expenses have risen significantly, exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. The projected costs for renovating JFK's current structure have now escalated to an astonishing 25 million dollars.
However, we view challenges as opportunities, and we are excited about the potential that lies ahead. With the evolving student population and the School Committee's implementation of grade-level changes in Biddeford Middle School and Biddeford High School, we find ourselves in a unique position. Through careful budgeting and the infusion of federal funds, we have a rare chance to enhance our facilities and improve academic programs. This, in turn, will lead to substantial long-term savings for taxpayers and fewer transitions for increased stability for students. In fact, the construction bond vote in November for $9,000,000 to expand BPS yields 9-16 million in savings versus a JFK renovation and will have a near-neutral impact on the budget.
Our plan is straightforward: We intend to construct an additional wing onto the Biddeford Primary School, simultaneously addressing deferred maintenance issues in this 30+ year-old institution while discontinuing operations at JFK. By allowing natural attrition and facilitating transfers, no employees will face job losses, and students will no longer have to contend with substandard facilities.
Together, we can shape the future of our schools for the betterment of our community and our children's education. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the future of Biddeford's education system.
Bryan Litchfield
Early Childhood Co-Coordinator
School Social Worker
Meghan Schrader
Early Childhood Co-Coordinator
K-5 Curriculum and Instructional Strategist
64 West Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
Tel: (207) 282-4134
Fax: (207) 284-7199