October 5, 2018


I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.













October:

10/8 No School - Columbus Day
10/12 Progress Reports
10/17 Early Release Day
11/2 Picture Retake Day
KMS Clubs and Activities

Please click on the link for more information.




Wrestling Clinic Natick High School

Click on this link for information



Destination Imagination   teaches students to be creative problem solvers and innovative thinkers. DI prepares students for a brilliant future by offering seven exciting standards-based Challenges in STEM, Improv, Visual Arts, and  Community  Service Learning. While working on a challenge, teams improve their creative and critical thinking, project management, and collaborative problem-solving skills. Participants expand their creativity, imagination, and innovative thinking - all while having fun!

Students work as a team with up to 7 members. Each team meets once a week (most likely on either Monday or Wednesday) from October to March, when teams attend a regional tournament to showcase their work.  If you and your child would like to learn more about the program please see the flyer in the virtual backpack (or  here ). 

Please register  here  if your child would like to participate.

If you have any question, please contact Karin Knapik-Clouter at  [email protected] .
Picture Retake Day is Friday, November 2


Picture Retake Day is for any student that was absent on Picture Day. It is also for students that are not happy with their prints and would like a retake. Original prints will be received around mid-late October but before the Retake Day. 

Contact Coffee Pond directly regarding any questions on orders or additional prints at  [email protected] . Extra order forms will be available in the office.
BOKS Announcement

BOKS is a great way to start your day. Join us Monday and Wednesdays 7:10-7:35 in the Kennedy Gymnasium.  
Lots of fun games, free play and activities to wake you up and get you ready for the day. Registration forms are on the Virtual Backpack or come 9/24 and try it out.  

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Please click here for the September edition of the middle years newsletter.
DROP OFF AND PICKUP AT KENNEDY

Parents please stay in the car loading and unloading zone. Only busses are allowed in the lane closest to the school. Please stay in a single file.
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*****Late busses will begin running on September 11. Beginning next week all riders must have a bus pass*****

Late Bus Routes:


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SPARK Kindness 2018-19 Fall/ Winter
Resilient Parent Speaker Series:


Fall Resilient Series Online! Click here!

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings
Thursday, October 11 from 7-9pm at Natick High School 
-- For parents and caregivers of all ages
Join leading expert, author, and creator of the popular Aha! Parenting blog, Laura Markham, PhD, for a helpful discussion on how you can help siblings form healthy bonds and foster a loving family culture.
-- Lead Sponsors: MutualOne Charitable Foundation, Riverbend School, American Girl, SPARK Kindness




Natick SEPAC:



The  Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council  (SEPAC) is a volunteer organization of parents and caregivers dedicated to building a network for families whose children receive or are requesting support services through an IEP/504. SEPAC provides a parent’s perspective of information, organizes events and collaborates with school administration. Whether your child is already receiving support or you are trying to determine if your child needs services, we are here to provide a parent’s perspective and connections. Visit  www.sepacnatick.org  or email  [email protected]  to get added to the SEPAC email list.

Natick Parent Connections: A Parent Network Navigating Special Education
Please join us  Tues 10/16 at 7 pm at the Natick Morse Library Community Room  

Who should attend?
Natick Parent Connections is for parents/caregivers of children with developmental, learning, social/ emotional disabilities and other special education needs.

What does Natick Parent Connections provide?
This group is committed to providing a welcoming space for parents and caregivers to:
• share resources and experiences
• ask questions
• network with other families as they work to ensure the best possible special education program for their child.

 
Natick parents/caregivers are welcome to attend whether or not their child has an IEP or 504 through Natick Public Schools. If you have questions or need more information please email:  [email protected]
 
Intelligent Lives: Presented by Award-Winning Filmmaker Dan Habib
Please join us  Monday, 10/29/18 at 7pm at Natick High School ( 15 West Street, Natick )
Join the filmmaker, Dan Habib for this  FREE  screening of his most recent documentary which challenges our notions of what it means to be intelligent. This film challenges perceptions of intelligence and points to a future in which people of all abilities can achieve their full potential in their education, work, and social lives. Dan Habib will introduce the film and lead a Q & A following the screening. This event is  FREE , but please register at  https://tinyurl.com/SEPAC-SPARK-Intelligent-Lives .   
If you have any questions or want more information, please email  [email protected]
 
Lead Sponsors: Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Natick Public Schools, Natick is UNITED, and SPARK Kindness





Natick SEPAC: Get Involved by becoming a 2018-2019 School Liaisons!
If your child has a 504 or IEP please consider volunteering for Natick SEPAC . No experience necessary!!  You don't need to know all the answers, just be willing to ask questions.  Natick SEPAC volunteers work together to help answer questions and a majority of communication is done via email or phone. Time commitment can be as much or as little as you can provide.  We welcome and encourage having more than one representative at each school.    As a SEPAC School Liaison you will:
·          Act as liaison between school and SEPAC
·          Connect with school’s PTO and share SEPAC info
·          Build awareness about SEPAC at his/her school
·          Attend SEPAC meetings and provide parent feedback to SEPAC Board

The  Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council  (SEPAC) is an all-volunteer organization of parents and caregivers of children receiving support services in the Natick public schools and private school settings. We are dedicated in building a network for families whose children are receiving support services through an IEP/504 as well as for families considering requesting an IEP/504 evaluation.   SEPAC provides a parents perspective of information, support and recommendations. If interested or for more information, please reach out by May 11 to [email protected] or visit our website at:  http://www.sepacnatick.org/connect-with-us
 
 
For assistance in translating documents, please visit:  Translating Natick Public Schools Documents
 
Our mission at the John F. Kennedy Middle School is to provide a safe and healthy learning community that fosters respect and promotes intellectual, social, and emotional growth. We engage and challenge our students while valuing their individual strengths.