- John F. Kennedy
- General Information
John F. Kennedy Elementary School General Information
Mission Statement
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Mission Statement
Created: Fall 2016JFK Elementary School is a safe, supportive, and accepting community of learners that promotes social, emotional, and academic growth through creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Every individual is challenged to perform to their fullest potential while encouraging each unique personality to flourish.
Attendance Reporting
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If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please make sure to let the school nurse know. Call the attendance line at 973-633-3160 extension 4. Please make sure to include your child's name, their teacher, and the reason for their absence (please include symptoms).
Code of Conduct
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We the students, parents and staff of JFK pledge to:
Be kind in every way;
Be responsible for ourselves each day;
Respect ourselves and others too;
Do the best that we can do;
Be helpful, friendly and fair;
Take turns and be willing to share.
School Overview
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John F. Kennedy Elementary School, located in suburban Wayne, NJ, is a thriving school community serving a diverse student population where more than fifteen languages are spoken. Our diversity is our strength. As a Gold Star No Place for Hate school, respect for individual differences and a shared sense of responsibility for the well being of others is fostered through the Six Paws of Character, a strong character education program. Positive messages help children build the resiliency needed to work through life’s challenges. At JFK, the traits of respect, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship, and caring are celebrated. Social-emotional learning is enhanced through character education lessons taught by our School Counselor and LEAD officer as well as through our monthly One Book, One School initiative.
Our Language Arts and Math curricula are deeply rooted in the NJ Student Learning Standards which clearly articulate what children need to know and be able to do at each grade level. Balanced Literacy provides the framework for creating a genuine appreciation and understanding of both literature and non-fiction texts - all within the context of "workshop" teaching. Differentiation is inherent in the workshop model and emphasizes growing young readers and writers through focused mini-lessons, guided practice, independent practice and opportunities to enhance understanding through shared learning experiences with peers. Additionally, the Fundations program provides our youngest students with the foundational skills necessary to grow into strong and proficient readers. Our Mathematics program teaches basic skills and procedures as well as complex problem solving while deepening understanding through the integration of the eight Mathematical Practice Standards. Students benefit from lessons that teach mathematics concepts at different cognitive levels using a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach.
Our Visual and Performing Arts program includes musical performances at every grade level as well as an annual Art Show. In addition, a 4th and 5th grade band and chorus, and a special art program for artistically talented children, enrich the curriculum. Our PTO sponsors an afterschool drama club in which students can hone their performance skills through our yearly musical production.
Students who demonstrate and meet specific criteria in the areas of problem solving and critical thinking can expand and strengthen their knowledge in the Gifted and Talented program. John F. Kennedy offers students in need of special education, academic support and learning English as a second language targeted intervention programs to meet their individual needs.
Our active Parent-Teacher Organization enriches our learning community and generously supports the efforts of our staff and students. The positive parent-school partnership that JFK enjoys is vital to our success. Afterschool clubs, run by teachers and sponsored by the PTO, have offered students a great way to enrich their learning experience.
FAQs
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Attendance - District Policy 5200: Attendance (M)
ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL - DISTRICT POLICY 5200: ATTENDANCE (M)
District Policy 5200: Attendance (M)
- Absences from school should be held to an absolute minimum. Excused absences are permitted for religious holidays, student illness, or a death in the immediate family. Please call 973-633-3160 ext. 4, at any time, to let the school know that your child will be absent. There may be times when parents choose to keep children out of school for other reasons, such as traveling and family vacations.
- WE DISCOURAGE THIS PRACTICE, ASKING THAT YOU PLAN YOUR VACATION DURING SCHEDULED SCHOOL VACATIONS.
- Students who are absent for 10 consecutive days or more due to vacation or travel will be dis-enrolled and will need to be re-enrolled by the parents upon their return.
- Tardy and absentee notices will be sent home to parents as necessary in 5-day increments.
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Before/After School Care
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE
The Wayne Township Public Schools sponsors the Extended Day Program (7:15 - 8:35 AM and 3:20 - 6:00 PM). To make a payment for Before/After Care, please log in to the Youth Community Program Payments site at https://register.communitypass.net/wayne. For further information, please visit the Extended Day Program page on the district website or contact Ms. Shari Plocker at 973-968-7427.
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Classroom Celebrations - District Policy 8505: Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards for Meals and Other Foods (M)
CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS - DISTRICT POLICY 8505: Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards for Meals and Other Foods (M)
District Policy 8505: Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards for Meals and Other Foods (M)
Classroom parties will be held for Halloween, Winter Holidays, and the End of the Year. They will be organized in conjunction with the classroom teacher and class parents. We ask all parents to be aware of the Wayne School District Wellness Policy and coordinate snacks or foods that comply with this policy.
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Code of Conduct
CODE OF CONDUCT
We the students, parents, and staff of JFK pledge to:
Be kind in every way;
Be responsible for ourselves each day;
Respect ourselves and others too;
Do the best that we can do;
Be helpful, friendly and fair;
Take turns and be willing to share.
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Communications
COMMUNICATIONS
We often communicate with parents by sending notices home with children. You are encouraged to establish a routine whereby notices and notes from school are removed from your child's bag/backpack daily. This practice will keep you informed about events, programs, classroom and school happenings. We also post information and school events on our website. See the Calendars & Schedules section at the top of the page.
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Contacting the School
CONTACTING THE SCHOOL
School Office: Principal: Ms. Myers 973-633-3160
School Office: Secretary: Mrs. Quinn 973-633-3160 ext. 0
School Counselor: Mrs. Mizov 973-633-3160 ext.17
Health Office: Mrs. Santillan-Jimenez 973-633-3160 ext. 12
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Early Dismissal
EARLY DISMISSAL
You are encouraged to make all doctor and dental appointments after school hours to ensure that your child receives a full educational program. On those occasions when early dismissal is an absolute necessity, a note to the classroom teacher must be provided including the reason and time you will be picking up your child. In the event of an emergency, please try to call the school before arriving to request your child's early dismissal. Please note that your child must be in school for 4 instructional hours to receive credit for that school day.
ADDITIONALLY, NO STUDENTS WILL BE RELEASED BETWEEN 3:00-3:20. IF YOU NEED TO PICK YOUR CHILD UP EARLY, PLEASE DO SO PRIOR TO 3:00.
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Emergency Drill Procedures - District Policy 8420: Emergency and Crisis Situations (M)
EMERGENCY DRILL PROCEDURES - DISTRICT POLICY 8420: Emergency and Crisis Situations (M)
District Policy 8420: Emergency and Crisis Situations (M)
Each building is required to hold one fire drill and one security drill each month. Students should follow the directions of the adult in charge regardless of the type of drill.
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Enrollment Policy
ENROLLMENT POLICY
All students attending an elementary school in Wayne must reside within established geographic boundaries as formulated by the Wayne Township Public Schools as well as produce proof of residency and current immunization records. Original entries must also produce proof of age.
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Field Trips
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips for educational purposes and aligned to our curriculum will be sponsored throughout the year. When a teacher plans a field trip, a permission slip must be signed by a parent/guardian and payment must be made within the allotted window on Community Pass.
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First day of School Drop-Off/Dismissal
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL DROP-OFF/DISMISSAL
Welcome back to school, JFK Community! September 6,2023, marks our first day of school for students. Students can begin lining up at 8:35 a.m. Teachers and staff will meet students outside at 8:45 a.m. and take them inside at 8:55 a.m. to begin their school day. In case of inclement weather, students and teachers will meet inside the building.
The map below indicates drop off procedures for the first day of school.
Please note that parents cannot park on the side or back of the school at any time due to the volume of buses that pick up and drop off on a daily basis.
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Food Services
FOOD SERVICES
Lunch and snacks may be purchased on a daily or weekly basis. Children may also bring lunch from home. If lunch is forgotten at home and you wish to bring it to school, please label it with your child's name, grade, and teacher and place it in the bin outside of the main entrance.
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Homework
HOMEWORK
FORGETTING HOMEWORK: If your child has forgotten an assignment at home and you wish to bring it to school, we ask that you place it in the bin outside of the main entrance.
CHILD'S ABSENCE: If you wish that homework is to be sent home on the day your child is absent, PLEASE CALL 973-633-3160 and leave the request when reporting the absence or call the office by 11:00a.m. We cannot honor requests for homework made after that time.
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Kindergarten Enrollment - District Policy 5112: Entrance Age
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT - DISTRICT POLICY 5112: ENTRANCE AGE
District Policy 5112: Entrance Age
The child will have attained the age of five years on or before October 15 of that school year and proof of birth shall be provided.
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Lost and Found
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found is located outside of the gym. Please label everything that your child owns, including clothing, backpacks, and lunch boxes so that we can return these items to you.