SOARing through the Week at JFK
April 11, 2025
Hello Hawk Families!
This week, we’re proud to celebrate Week of the Young Child alongside our incredible Pre-K & K communities! This national initiative highlights the importance of early learning and honors the educators and families who nurture our youngest learners.
Through music, movement, hands-on projects, and lots of joy, our Pre-K students have reminded us just how powerful learning through play can be. Huge thanks to our dedicated staff and families for making this week so meaningful. A special thank you to Mrs. LeBlanc, Ms. Cameron, Mrs. Ventura, Ms. Laslett, and Ms. Sperduti for their efforts to make this week extra special for our early learners!
Enjoy some of the highlights linked in the “Glimpse of the Week” below—and feel free to continue the celebration at home!
Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend! Remember to take care of yourself, take care of our community and most of all BE KIND!
In partnership,
Amy E. Rizzo
Amy E. Rizzo, Principal
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @JFKPrincipalRIz
Important Dates:
April 17th- JFK Wears Blue for Autism Awareness!
April 18th- No School- Good Friday
April 21-25th- No School- MPS Spring Recess
April 29th- JFK Career Day
April 29th- MPS Family Literacy Night
April 30th- Early Dismissal for students- Staff Professional Learning
May 1st- JFK Multicultural Night
May 1st- 2nd Grade Field Trip
May 1st- 5th Grade Field Trip
May 2nd- 1st Grade Field Trip
May 5th- K Field Trip
May 6th-5th Grade Visit to Middle School
May 7th- JFK PTO Meeting
May 9th- JFK Plant Sale
May 5th-May 23rd- SBA Testing
May 12th- JFK STEM Night
May 15th- ALL 4th & 5th Grade JFK Spring Concert
May 23rd- 3rd & 4th Grade Field Trip
May 29th- JFK Field Day (Rain date May 30th)
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📷A Glimpse at the Week:
Click here to view pictures of some of the HAWK-SOME learning and events that happened at JFK this week!
Upcoming Fire Drill
Conducting emergency drills (fire, crisis, lockdown, etc.) is one of the most important ways we enhance our preparedness for students and staff during an emergency. Drills allow us to practice what we need to do when an emergency arises in our school.
JFK School will be conducting a fire drill next week. This will only be a drill and will be conducted in accordance with the School Incident Management Protocols established by the district and in collaboration with our local first responders. Please discuss the importance of our emergency drills with your children. If you have any feedback please reach out to Mrs. Rizzo (arizzo@milforded.org) or Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org). We thank you for your cooperation and partnership in making our schools a safer place for learning.
Congratulations to 5th Grader, Hannah Mahler, for representing JFK in the City Wide Spelling Bee! We are so proud of you, Hannah!
Check out this HAWK-MAZING 5th Grade Crew who volunteered at Food to Kids this week. Way to demonstrate “Taking Care of our Community,” 5th Graders. You make us proud 🙂
5th Grade Families- Middle School Placement and Course Selection:
5th-grade families should have received an email regarding middle school placement for next year. Please contact the main office with any questions. Be on the lookout for additional emails about grade 6 course selection.
Grades 3-5- Spring Assessments:
Please click here to access an important letter from Mr. Steven Autieri regarding student assessments.
Summer Enrichment The Milford Public Schools is excited to offer a summer enrichment experience for elementary school learners. Please click here to access more information about this opportunity.
Item Drop Off at Morning Arrival
Please remember that only students should enter the front doors at arrival time. If parents or guardians have items to drop off, please speak with a staff member on duty outside for assistance.
We would like to invite MPS elementary parents, guardians, and community members to participate in our fourth annual JFK Career Day! Our tentative date is April 29. We are planning on inviting community members into our building to share with our students about their careers. Please come share about your career with our students. Know some people with cool jobs, feel free to invite them! More information can be found here.
Save the Date!
4th & 5th Grade Spring Concert will be held on May 15th for choir, band and orchestra students.
Personality Pictures Ordering Information
Community Connections Center
Be sure to check out our CCC Weekly Newsletter for important updates and local events. Just a reminder that CT FoodShare is on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Kingdom Life Christian Church Cathedral in Milford (held every two weeks).
Also, don’t miss the EverWonder Children’s Museum, where kids can explore STEM through hands-on exhibits, and enjoy Springtime Savings at Old Sturbridge Village—kids 17 and under get free admission with a paying adult through the end of April.
Stay informed and engaged by reading the newsletter each week! Need other resources? Visit the CCC Website for additional resources
Mary-Kate Wiliams & Cara Dascenza
Milford Community Connection Centers
203-882-6094
The CCC honors all family inquiries as private and confidential unless parent permission is given or Connecticut mandated reporting applies
Specialist Spotlight: Physical Education
Hello JFK Families and Friends,
Here's a quick snapshot of what your amazing kids have been up to in PE over the last few weeks.
Pre-K is all about movement and fun! We’ve been playing different tag games to build spatial awareness and teamwork. We also just started using scooters to practice direction and control while doing color sorting challenges, so much giggling and learning on wheels!
K-2 just finished up their hand-eye coordination unit where we rolled, tossed, threw, caught and fielded a variety of different pieces of equipment. Now we are just kicking off our foot-eye coordination unit with inside the foot passing, playing fun partner and group games.
Grade 3-5 wrapped up a more advanced hand-eye coordination unit where we further challenged them with partner and group challenges that helped to highlight great teamwork and sportsmanship. They have also moved onto their foot-eye coordination unit where they will continue to push themselves to grow as skilled movers, strategic thinkers, and supportive teammates.
Second grade completed their five week health unit where we learned about friendship, sportsmanship, personal space, conflict resolution, and how to ask for help. We had great group discussions and some fun class games to reinforce our learning!
It has been great to spend the last 12 weeks with Ms. Anastasiou and all the students and staff at JFK. I have learned so much from them and I hope they can say the same. Can't wait for the next 5 weeks of fun!
Thank You!
Mr. Oliver & Ms. Anastasiou
Older, But Important Reminders
Early Spring Attire -Layers are helpful with the changing weather conditions!
Whenever the weather permits, our students have outdoor recess. Please ensure that your child has proper attire to stay warm when they are outside.
Dismissal Reminders:
Please drive slowly and carefully at arrival and dismissal. We have had a few instances recently where cars are pulling out and there have been close calls. Proceed with caution when driving on school grounds.
If you are picking up your child as a walker, please do not enter or park in any of the spaces in the front parking lot. The front lot entrance is exclusively for car pick ups. Thank you!
Return Library Books
Please return any JFK library books your student has finished reading. We have many popular books checked out that other students are waiting to read!
Please label your child’s sweatshirts, jackets, lunch bag, and water bottles. Our Lost and Found continues to grow! Please have your child check the lost and found email Mrs. Koosa (dkoosa@milforded.org) or your child’s classroom teacher if any of these items belong to your family.
Smart Watches, I-Phones and other Personal Devices
Teachers have noticed that some students have returned to school from the winter break with new personal technology. While we know that these new devices are exciting, we appreciate your help in keeping these items at home or in backpacks so that they do not become a distraction to our learning environment.
Please note the MPS BOE Policy regarding personal technology in our schools:
At the elementary level - No use of a cell phone/smartwatch or other personal communication device will be permitted during school hours. These devices must be turned off or on silent and left in backpacks, stored in a student’s locker/cubbie or other place designated by building administration. MPS Policy
Hawks SOAR Awards - Our JFK Hawks SOAR award is designed to recognize student and staff behaviors and actions that enhance our school community and those individuals who exemplify citizenship within this community beyond the expected norms. When your child comes home with a sticker, please ask them how they SOARED that day!
Attendance Reminder
A reminder that absences should be reported in PowerSchool.
Click HERE for instructions on how to report absences. Be sure to update the date on the top of the form each time you fill it out.
Arrival and Dismissal Information -
Please do not leave students unattended at the school prior to 8:20 am.
Please note that our Walker Pick Up should be utilized for families who are walking to the building. If you are driving to JFK to pick up your child, please use our car pick up procedure. Families of students who are being dismissed as walkers should not be parking in our parking lot and then picking up at the walker door. Doing this interferes with the flow of traffic in our car pick up line. Thank you for adhering to our dismissal procedures.
Parents, please be sure to drive slowly and safely through our parking lot at drop off and pick up times. We understand that mornings can be hectic getting students off to school and adults off to work, but please drive slowly and with caution on our school grounds.
If you are dropping off your child please pull all the way forward in line and remain in the car for safety. If you wish to get out of the car, please park in a designated parking spot and walk your child to the parking lot crosswalk. Mr. Kee will assist your child in crossing safely.
Dismissal Car Tags should be placed on your dashboard/mirror when lining up for pick up. We ask that you please do not line up in the parking lot prior to 3pm.
❤️🩹News from the Nurse
MPS Health Department Guidelines
With the weather getting colder please make sure your child has appropriate outdoor clothing for recess. Additionally, we have many students with very chapped lips as the weather is getting colder. Please provide chapstick for your child as needed.
If clothing is borrowed from the school health office please wash and return :)
If possible, pack a spare set of clothes in your child's backpack. Accidents happen! Students can get wet on the playground or spill on themselves at lunch. It's always helpful to have extra clothing available
~Nurse Jacqueline Campbell
Join the JFK PTO
It’s never too late and our PTO supports so many of our wonderful school community events. Your membership matters!
We welcome and encourage everyone to join the JFK PTO. Membership is simple and in no way commits you to volunteer and/or attend meetings (although we would love to have you). Simply click the link below and submit your dues/donation. Don't forget to fill out the membership form as well. Once both steps are complete you are able to join our PTO Membership page which has all upcoming events and updates! https://john-f-kennedy-elem-pto.square.site/
Additional MPS information can be accessed through the district website at www.milforded.org.
JFK: A Community Where
ALL
Learners SOAR!