SOARing through the Week at JFK
May 16, 2025
Hello Hawk Families!
This week, our 3rd to 5th grade students continued SBA testing, and we are so proud of their focus, perseverance, and positive attitude. Thank you to our families for your support from home. It truly makes a difference!
We also kicked off the week with a wonderful STEM Night on Monday. Thank you to our amazing PTO, our 5th grade student leaders, and all the families who attended this fun evening of hands-on learning. A special shoutout to our STEM Educator, Mr. Messina, for organizing such a creative and engaging night for our school community. The students had so much fun testing out scientific principles at the stations.
Another highlight of the week was our 4th and 5th grade Concert, held at Jonathan Law High School. Our strings, band, and choir students gave an outstanding performance. Thank you to Mr. Boots, Mrs. Voss, and Ms. Winters for your dedication in preparing our students for this memorable event.
We wrapped up the week with an amazing PTO-sponsored Cultural Arts Assembly featuring storyteller Antonio Rocha. His animated storytelling had students captivated from start to finish. It was an incredible and entertaining experience for all!
Thank you for being such a supportive part of our Hawk-mazing community! 💙
Have a great weekend, JFK 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:
May 5th-May 23rd- SBA Testing- Grades 3-5 Testing Calendar
May 19th- JFK Respect Star Assembly 2pm
May 20th- MPS Literacy Program at JFK Popcorn & PJs
May 23rd- 3rd & 4th Grade Field Trips
May 26th- Memorial Day- No School
May 27th- JFK Kindergarten Kickoff for Incoming K Students
May 29th- JFK Field Day (Rain date May 30th)
May 30th- K Celebration 9:30am
June 3rd- JFK Summer Reading Kickoff 1:45pm
June 4th- PreK Celebrations (AM & PM)
June 5th- 5th Grade Celebration & Clap Out (11am-3pm) (Rain date 6/4)
June 9th- Staff v 5th Grade Kickball Game- Wear class shirts or JFK gear!
June 9th & 10th- Early Dismissal for students
June 11th- Early Dismissal- Last Day of School!
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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!
Mayor’s Youth Award
On Tuesday evening, our PE Helpers, Hallway Helpers, and Student Leadership Team were celebrated for their contributions to our learning community. Our PE Helpers consistently demonstrated outstanding responsibility and teamwork by assisting with setting up our Physical Education classes every school day. The Hallway Helpers demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and welcoming atmosphere at our school. Each morning, the team positions themselves throughout the building during arrival to greet staff and students. The Student Leadership Team has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to fostering kindness in our school community. Their initiatives this year include leading an assembly to honor local veterans, creating valentines for residents of a local nursing home, reading stories to younger students, designing posters and activities for JFK’s Random Acts of Kindness Week, and organizing a cat food collection for the Milford Animal Shelter.
PE Helpers
Jackson H.
Corey D.
Hannah M.
Hallway Helpers
Mackenzie A.
Isabelle B.
Sophie C.
Emma G.
Leena R.
Claire S.
Genesis T.
Olivia Z.
Student Leaders
Mia A.
Arianna C.
Addison E.
Isabella P.
Fiona S.
Grace T.
Charlotte V.
Field Day: Sign Ups
Attention 5th Grade Families:
We can’t wait to celebrate your 5th graders with you!
5th Grade Letter to Families- 5th Grade Celebration
5th Grade Celebration: RSVP
2nd Annual Summer Reading Kick-Off
We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Summer Reading Kick-Off on Tuesday, June 3rd at 1:45! Staff and students will participate in a "Drop Everything and Read" outdoor event to kick-off a summer of reading. Parents are welcome to attend (weather permitting).
All parents who would like to attend- please RSVP here by Friday, May 30th so we can plan accordingly.
We hope you will join us for some fun in the sun!
Grades 3-5- Spring Assessments
Please click here to access an important letter from Mr. Steven Autieri regarding student assessments.
JFK’s Assessments will occur during May, starting on Monday, May 5th. Schedule
Students in Grades 3-5 will be assessed through the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA), an individual adaptive computer-based assessment.
Grade 5 students will take the Next Generation Science Standards Assessment (NGSS).
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.
Community Connections Center
Dear Parents,
We’re excited to share this month’s CCC Newsletter, filled with fun family events and great opportunities in our community! From the 2nd Annual Pickleball2Help Tournament and a magical reading of The Lorax followed by a forest walk, to exciting contests like becoming a Jr. PA at a Yard Goats game—there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the Milford Marine Institute’s summer camp open house and a visit to the award-winning Natural Playground. Take a moment to read through our CCC Newsletter. and join in on the fun! And if you're looking for additional community resources, be sure to visit the CCC Website.
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: Music
Greetings from the music room at JFK! I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather, as we speed toward the end of the school year. Our PreK and K students continue to learn new songs, rhymes, and movement to help them to be ‘tuneful, artful, and beatful’. In the remaining weeks, we will take music outdoors when we can, to explore some of our game songs. Grade 1 is building a vocabulary of folk dance moves, and grade 2 has been playing melodies on mallet instruments, using their music literacy skills.
Grade 3 is making progress on the recorder. They are being challenged to become independent readers, and to give each other helpful feedback as they work on their new songs. I really enjoy hearing them make music on this instrument! They are showing great potential for their music opportunities for grade 4. Stay tuned for more information about band and strings!
Grades 4 & 5 just completed their fabulous Spring Performances yesterday. I was SO proud of their expressive singing, and I think they were, as well! We will close out the year getting back to ukuleles and keyboards.
I hope you all continue to seek opportunities to explore music together! Feel free to reach out to me with any music questions at tvoss@milforded.org
Media Center Update:
Correction: I previously announced the last day for library book checkout as Friday, May 30. That date has been pushed up to Friday, May 23. Hopefully, this will give more time for locating and returning library books. Sorry for any inconvenience!
Mrs. Soder, Media Specialist
Older, But Important Reminders
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!
Smart Watches, I-Phones, and other Personal Devices
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
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
Storyteller Antonio Rocha visited JFK today!
Thank you PTO!
Sign up for Dash for Danni, a 5K to raise money for cancer research. The event is on June 7 and kicks off at Foran High School."
Additional MPS information can be accessed through the district website at www.milforded.org.
JFK: A Community Where
ALL
Learners Soar!