IN THE MIDDLE. From the Principal s desk.. Staff Changes Special Interest Articles:

Transcription

1 John F. Kennedy Middle School 155 Raffia Road Enfield, CT AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009 IN THE MIDDLE Special Interest Articles: Visiting JFK Parent Orientation program Grade 7 PTO Fundraiser School Pictures Bus Routes First Day of School & Supply List Behavior Expectations at JFK JFK Homework/ Handbook Nurses News JFK Fall Sports Dress Code Gym Suits JFK Cafeteria JFK After School Teacher List Final Comments Coming Events: Parent Orientation Program Grade 7 Monday, Sept. 14 th Wednesday, Sept. 16 th Look in newsletter for your team date and place to meet. Meeting starts at 7:00 P.M. All parents meet in auditorium first. From the Principal s desk.. Welcome Back! I hope your summer has been enjoyable and that you and your children have had time to spend together. It s hard to believe that the summer is more than half over and the first day of school is only about three weeks away. However, with the first day of school, September 3 rd, sneaking up on us, it s time to get into our back to school mode. This newsletter is intended to bring you up to date on what s been happening at JFK during the summer of 09 as well as provide you with the information that will insure your children have a smooth transition to the middle school. Staff Changes We have had a number of staff changes at JFK for Some of these involve staff who have been reassigned to the High School or we are sharing with the High School. As I write this, we have filled all positions and I ve summarized the staff changes to date below. I ve also included a complete staff listing later on in the newsletter. Position Staff Member Replacement English Jennifer Hawkins (moved to FHS) None Team Cut FACS Maureen Bechard (moved to FHS) FACS cut Music Richard Sullivan Shared with FHS 2 Pds. Remedial Math Sherri Collen (transferred from Team) New position Remedial Reading SueAnn Ojard (resigned) Michelle Pansius (New) Social Studies Anna Szczepanski (moved to FHS) None Team Cut World Lang. Dept. Ch. Moira Dynia (full-time World Lang.) Dept. Chair cut World Lang. Dept. Ch. Kate Fawthrop (return from LOA) Dept. Chair cut World Lang. Patricia Voelker (1 year position) Kate Fawthrop World Lang. Pam Estes Shared with FHS 2 Pds. In the remainder of this newsletter, my staff and I have tried to include information you and your child will need to get off to a successful start at JFK. We ve attempted to anticipate questions you might have about everything from important dates, to sports tryouts, to purchasing gym suits. Please review this newsletter carefully. If after doing so you still have questions, contact the school and we will do our best to assist you. Visiting JFK Typically, I send you a letter by the second week in August notifying our new 7 th graders of their homeroom assignments for the coming year. We know that your youngsters anxiously await this letter to see what team they are assigned to. However, with the budget being set later than usual, we are a bit delayed in getting the schedule in final form. My intent is to hopefully get letters to you prior to the first open house date on August 20 th. As in the past we have scheduled 2 open houses on Thursday, August 20 th and Tuesday, August 25 th from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. for new students and their parents to visit, find their homerooms, try out lockers, etc. Please enter the building through the doors of your child s assigned wing. If your child is in Red House, please park in the lot on the North side of the building; if your child is in White House or Blue House, please park in the lot on the South side of the building. The Red, White, and Blue Houses can be identified from the outside of the building by the color of the posts supporting the door canopy. We hope to see you on one (or both) of our Open House evenings. Our only requirements are that students must be accompanied by an adult and that you sign in.

2 Parent Orientation Programs - Grade 7 As in the past, we will be having formal orientation meetings during the first two weeks of school for parents/guardians of our 7 th graders. These will be group sessions where team teachers (English, math, science & social studies) and guidance counselors will present information about their programs (including team rules and policies regarding homework, studying, testing, make-up work, discipline, field trips, etc.). This is a good opportunity for parents to meet teachers and ask any questions they may have about the team, its expectations, and our school program. First, all parents will meet in the auditorium for a welcome from the PTO and myself. Claire Hall will give a brief overview of our JFK after school program as well. We ll then break into teams using the auditorium and the library as team meeting places. Teams (listed below by the team s English teacher) will meet with parents on the following schedule: Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 at 7 P.M. Hargraves Team - Library Garvey Team Auditorium Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at 7 P.M. Griffin Team Library Nalbandian Team - Auditorium Reminder: All parents meet in auditorium first. PTO Fundraiser Once again the JFK PTO is sponsoring a fall fundraiser to raise funds for a wide variety of student activities. The PTO is trying a new fundraiser company and new type of fundraiser. We will be selling gift cards that can be used to gain tremendous discounts at local and national restaurants, retail stores, hotels, etc. We think you ll be impressed with what we are offering. This year s fundraiser begins on Friday, September 18th, 2009, with a kick-off assembly to explain the sale, the prize program, and all important fundraiser dates. Because students reap tremendous benefits from these sales, the PTO asks that School Pictures School pictures will be taken on September 11 th for 8 th graders and on September 14 th for 7 th graders. Picture packets will be mailed home to parents during the first week of school. Addressing this in early September ensures that problems with pictures will be resolved before the holidays; it also enables us to issue picture IDs that will become the students library cards later in the year. Bus Routes A frequent question from new students is "What bus do I take?" The answer is to check the newspapers and ask the students in your neighborhood who go to JFK. The back-to-school sections of the Journal Inquirer, Enfield Press, and Thrifty Reminder have the routes and bus stops listed. The list is also posted on our web site. If, after checking these, you are still confused, call us. Please check before you call! The First Day of School is Thursday, September 3 rd As mentioned above letters to 7 th grade students listing Homeroom assignments will be sent out from the Guidance Office sometime prior to the first open house date on August 20 th. The number and letter listed beside Homeroom" indicate the floor, room number, and House your child should report to on opening day. The Red, White, and Blue Houses can be identified from the outside of the building by the sign and by the color of the posts supporting the door canopy. Eighth grade students should report to the same homeroom they had last year unless they have received a letter from JFK assigning them to a new HR. Upon arriving on the first day of school, students should wait outside until the bell rings at 7:36 A.M. When the doors open, students should report immediately to their Homerooms. Teachers, guidance counselors and administrators will be outside and in the halls supervising students as they arrive and will be available to answer questions. During Homeroom, students will receive more detailed information about their class schedules, bell schedules, lunch times, etc. Each student will also receive a packet of information to bring home to you. Please ask for it, fill it out and return the required forms and information sheets.

3 Supply List For the First Day of School In an effort to assist you in purchasing back to school supplies, we are providing this list of mandatory school items. Please note that these are the minimum supplies that your child will need at the start of the school year. MANDATORY 2 three ring binder or trapper keeper 2 plastic pocket folders for elective classes Yellow highlighter 1.5 X 2 Post-It notes Dividers for binder Pencil pouch for binder Erasers Pens (black or blue) Pencils #2 or mechanical pencils Loose leaf paper In addition, teachers may require the following items once classes are established: Spiral notebooks Graph-paper pad Finally, various projects assigned by the teachers may require the following items. It is recommended that you have them available for your child at home: Colored pencils Markers Reinforcers Book covers or book socks Flat 3-hole punch Dictionary and thesaurus Scissors Glue/glue stick Scotch tape We hope this list will help your son or daughter prepare for a successful year at JFK. Behavior Expectations at JFK JFK is a community of learners. All communities need rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior. Our core expectations at JFK are that students will: Follow staff directions the first time they are given. Keep hands, feet, objects to yourself. Use appropriate language at all times. No swearing, shouting, taunting, or teasing. JFK believes everyone in our learning community must always act with Responsibility, Respect, and Safety in mind. The most important of these is Respect for others, for property, and for oneself. That is the basis for appropriate behavior. Specific behavior expectations in classrooms, in the lab, and in the auditorium, for example, may be more detailed. This is by no means an exhaustive list. These core expectations provide the foundation for all rules and procedures at JFK. JFK Homework/Handbook Once again this year, each student will be issued a JFK Homework/Handbook. This has proved to be an excellent way for students to keep organized and for parents to keep informed. English teachers will issue these books during the first week of school. I'm sure the Team teachers will show you these books at the parent orientation. Besides places for recording homework assignments, the books contain portions of the JFK Student Handbook. Students will also be given a packet of information to take home that contains copies of Board policies, etc. Together this packet and the Homework/Handbook constitute the JFK student handbook. It is a good idea for students AND parents to look over both of these carefully. The first copy is free to all students. Should a student misplace or lose it, additional copies are on sale in the School Store.

4 NOTES FROM THE NURSES First, we look forward to a healthy year! UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE ELEMENTARY NURSE OR THE JFK NURSES, your student has all the necessary shots and forms for September 2009 on file. If anything medical has happened this summer (i.e. illness, severe injury, operations etc.), please drop a note or call after August 19 th, 2009, so we can update your student s medical record. Medication forms were mailed home to students with known asthma, bee sting allergies or other medical conditions requiring the administration of medications during school hours. Please have your doctor fill out the form and have an adult bring this form with the medication to the nurses office. Students with self carry orders may bring in asthma inhalers and Epi-pens to the nurses office. The nurses will be in the office August 19 th, 20 th, 31 st, September 1 st and September 2 nd, from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. Physicals are not required for entry into 7 th or 8 th grade, but sports physicals are required to play for JFK teams. Sports physicals must be on file in the nurses office BEFORE tryouts. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRY OUT WITHOUT A PHYSICAL, PER BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY. Any questions, please call the Athletic Director at , during the summer. The telephone number for the JFK nurses office is Offices hours, beginning September 3 rd, 2009, are from 7:30 A.M. to 2:55 P.M. Voice mail is available at the same number at anytime. Have a healthy remainder of the summer, and we ll see you in September! JFK Cross Country Informational meeting!! The informational meeting for the JFK Cross Country Team will be held on Friday, September 4 th at 2:35 P.M. in the gym. The team is open to any 7 th or 8 th grade boy or girl interested in running competitively. Students will have to provide their own transportation home after the informational meeting ends at 3:10 P.M. Paperwork will be handed out that must be completed before our time trials. Time trials will begin on Thursday, September 10 th after school. We ll meet by the locker rooms after school. It is imperative that your child has his or her physical on file at the Nurse s Office before time trials on September 10 th! He or she cannot participate if their physical is not up-to-date! If you are not sure about the last date of your child s physical, please call the Nurse s Office ASAP! Practices are daily from 2:35 until 4:30 P.M. Parents/Guardians are responsible for picking up their child by 4:30 P.M. since there is no late bus. We normally have one or two meets per week and three Saturday meets. Please make sure your child has proper running shoes and attire. It is suggested that everything your runner wears is polyester or nylon. Cotton is not a good fabric to run in. It does not wick and cotton socks cause blisters. (Clothing is not expensive and can be obtained at Target, Marshalls, The Shoe Department and TJ Maxx. Dick s is great but can be expensive. Check the label of each item and make sure there is NO COTTON.) Each runner will be issued a uniform. We ll be ordering custom warm ups and tees. These run about seventy dollars for all three items and are optional. Please make sure that your child trains over the summer so he or she is ready for our time trials. Each runner needs to complete 1.9 miles in 18 minutes or less. If you need training tips, please feel free to contact Coach Zawodniak at brzawodniak@sbcglobal.net or call his voice mail at ext He ll check both voice mail and regularly over vacation. Runners with good conditioning off-season have more success during the season. Field Hockey Pre-Season Meetings and Dates Organizational Meeting: When: Friday, September 4 th, 2:35-3:10 P.M. (You must have your own ride home.) Where: Gymnasium 1 st Tryout: Thursday, September 10 th Physical must be up to date within a year and must be on file with the nurses office. (If you are not sure, please call the nurses office.) NO PHYSICAL - NO TRYOUT!!! You must attend all tryouts to make the team. Please bring: mouth guard, shin guards, sneakers and cleats. (A stick will be provided if you do not have one.)

5 Boys and Girls Soccer Mandatory Soccer Informational Meeting: Friday, September 4 th at 2:40 P.M. in the gym. Students must arrange for their own transportation home. Pick up time is 3:10 P.M. Tryouts: Starting Thursday, September 10 th from 2:35 P.M. until 4:20 P.M. Pick up time is 4:30 P.M. Please Note: Have an updated physical prior to the meeting - all forms can be downloaded from the Athletic website. NO PHYSICAL - NO TRYOUT!!! Coach Beebe - Girls Coach Clark - Boys JFK Patriots T-Shirts Attention 7 th and 8 th graders: JFK Class Patriots tee shirts will be on sale during homeroom A during the September and October for delivery at the end of October. This sale is sponsored by the Student Council and the shirts are printed by Frontline Screen Printing and Embroidery. GYM Suits Gym suits will be on sale during the first 2 weeks of school for those who have physical education classes during the first semester. The physical education teacher will size the students for their uniforms and give them a form with the sizes. The prices for gym suits will be $8.00 for the shirt and $8.00 for the shorts. Gym suits will be sold through the School Store, which is located in the Cafeteria. More details can be found in the student information packet. Cash on Account in JFK Cafeteria Cash On Account a Cash Account is created by making a payment of a certain dollar amount ($5.00, $10.00, $15.00 etc.) to the cafeteria. These funds are then available to your child when purchasing lunch or a la carte items in the cafeteria. There are no limitations as to what may be purchased or how many purchases can be made. The account balance simply decreases as purchasing takes place. A DETAILED STUDENT ACCOUNT ACTIVITY AND/OR BALANCE WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. Dress Code Things to Know The full Dress Code Policy will go home on the first day of school. Apparel should be worn that promotes a positive, safe, and non-disruptive environment. With that in mind, here are a few highlights from this policy: Clothing needs to be appropriate for school. Tank tops, spaghetti straps, sheer/see-through or exposing clothing, torn or slashed items, and any items that reveal the abdomen or back are not permitted at JFK. Pants need to be worn at the waist (no low riders). No undergarments should be visible at any time. Short shorts, miniskirts, etc. revealing the upper thigh or undergarments are not allowed. Also, pajamas, slippers and sleepwear should be left at home. JFK After School Watch for Opening Date! Join JFK After School for snacks, time with friends, help with homework, clubs, and a variety of activities. JFK After School is open Monday through Thursday from 2:35 5:30 PM. Flexible pick-up times. Choose from a line-up of all-new activities. Visit erfc@erfc.us or call for more information. Please keep these in mind while back-to-school shopping.

6 JFK Soccer Schedules Coach Clark, Boys Coach Beebe, Girls Day Date Opponent Boys Girls Time Friday Sept. 18 East Windsor Home Away 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 22 Timothy Edwards Home Away 3:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 24 Illing Away Home 3:30 p.m. Monday Sept. 29 Vernon Center M.S. Away Home 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 1 East Hartford Home Away 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 5 Sage Park Home Away 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 8 Timothy Edwards Away Home 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 13 Illing Home Away 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 14 East Windsor Home Away 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 15 Vernon Center M.S. Home Away 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 19 East Hartford Away Home 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 22 Sage Park Away Home 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 23 East Windsor Away Home 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 26 *CT River Athletic League Playoffs Boys Tuesday Oct. 27 *CT River Athletic League Playoffs Girls Wednesday Oct. 28 *Boys Final Thursday Oct. 29 *Girls Final Friday Oct. 30 Coaches Classic Home Home 3:00 p.m. *Site and Times to be Announced JFK Cross Country Schedule Coach Zawodniak Day Date Opponent Place Time Thursday Sept. 17 Stafford/Ellington Home 3:30 p.m. Monday Sept. 21 Vernon Home 3:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 24 Illing/Granby Home 3:45 p.m. Saturday Sept. 26 Strattonbrook Invitational, Simsbury Away 9:00 a.m. Monday Sept. 28 Sage Park Away 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 1 Somers/Hart. Classical Home 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 5 Ellington Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 7 East Hartford/Hartford Magnet Home 3:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 10 Wickham Invitational, East Hartford Away TBA Tuesday Oct. 13 Illing Away 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 16 Vernon Away 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 19 Somers Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 21 Sage Park Home 3:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 26 Stafford Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 28 Granby Away 3:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 30 Wickham Invitational, East Hartford Away 10:00 a.m. JFK Field Hockey Schedule Coach Bishop Day Date Opponent Place Time Friday Sept. 18 Suffield Home 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 22 Somers Home 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 23 Timothy Edwards Away 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 29 Willington Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 30 Stafford Home 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 2 Granby Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 7 Longmeadow Home 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 14 Somers Away 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 16 Timothy Edwards Home 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 20 Suffield Away 3:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 21 Willington Home 3:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 22 Stafford Away 3:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 23 Granby Home 3:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 27 Longmeadow Away 3:30 p.m.

7 Final Comments Finally, with the summer quickly coming to an end, all of us are looking forward to a new school year. Although we are still working on student schedules and getting the building scrubbed clean, we are confident we will be ready to welcome our students back on opening day. When we open the doors on September 3 rd, we will have almost 900 students ready to begin a new year at JFK. Although these youngsters come in a little nervous about what is ahead of them, they are also hopeful, enthusiastic, and have high expectations that the school year will be a successful one. I believe can be the best year we ve ever had. You, together with the teaching staff, are the folks who can make high achievement and success a reality for all of our students. JFK has a caring and talented staff eagerly awaiting your youngsters. We are ready to begin a new partnership with you to successfully educate your children over the next year. Let s do it! Working together - we will!! Important Dates Open House for 7 th graders August 20 th 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Open House for 7 th graders August 25 th 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M 1st Day of School September 3 rd School Pictures September 11 th - Grade 8 School Pictures September 14 th - Grade 7 Parent Orientations September 14 th & 16 th - Grade 7 Only PTO Fundraiser September 18 th thru October 16 th Don t forget to check out the JFK website. Choose our schools Choose JFK Middle School If you would like us to monthly updates to you, please provide us with the following information and it to tneville@enfieldschools.org: Student name, parent name, homeroom, and your address ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION 27 Shaker Road Enfield, Connecticut NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT PERMIT NO. 72