Greetings Jacques Families,

Brrrr! Winter has officially made its presence known, and the frigid temperatures are here to stay—for now! While we can’t control the weather, we can take steps to keep our kids warm, safe, and cozy.    Due to the extreme cold, recess will be held indoors until conditions improve. This decision is made with your child's safety in mind, as exposure to such temperatures can be harmful, even for short periods.

We recommend dressing your child in layers.  Be sure they are “head to toe to play in the snow” and have the following:

• A heavy winter coat (preferably one they can zip themselves!)
• Gloves or mittens
• A hat that covers their ears 
• Insulated boots and warm socks
• Snow pants (for recess in the snow)

If your child walks to school or waits for the bus, please ensure they are dressed warmly and limit their exposure to the cold. Encourage them to keep moving to stay warm and avoid prolonged skin exposure, which can lead to frostbite. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and warm in this frosty weather!

When it gets a little warmer and safe to go outside for recess, we will be opening the school’s sledding hill!  With all this wonderful snow, we’re embracing the winter spirit and giving students a chance to enjoy some outdoor excitement.  We’ll have staff supervising the sledding hill to ensure everyone follows the rules and stays safe.  Only school-approved sleds will be allowed to keep things organized and safe for all.  Only students who are dressed head to toe will be able to use the sledding hill.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us 

Thank you for your support in helping us make winter recess extra special!

Mid-Year Academic Benchmarking : At Jacques Memorial School, we are committed to monitoring and supporting our students’ academic growth throughout the year. To achieve this, we conduct academic benchmarking three times annually. These assessments provide valuable insights into how well students respond to instruction and help identify areas for improvement. Below is an overview of the key assessments administered and their purpose:

Acadience Reading is a critical tool in monitoring the development of foundational reading skills. This assessment helps identify students who may need additional support and guides teachers in tailoring their instruction to meet individual needs. Acadience consists of several brief tests that serve as indicators of essential skills necessary for becoming proficient readers. The results ensure timely interventions, enabling all students to progress on their reading journey.

From January 21 to January 24, our first-grade students will take the MAP Growth test by NWEA on a computer.  MAP Growth assesses both reading and math skills, measuring achievement and growth over time. What makes MAP Growth unique is its adaptive nature—questions adjust in difficulty based on the student’s responses. Correct answers lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect answers result in simpler ones. This dynamic approach provides a comprehensive picture of each student’s knowledge and skills, regardless of whether they are performing on, above, or below their grade level.

Teachers use the data from both Acadience and MAP Growth to tailor classroom lessons, set individualized learning goals, and ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed. These results also inform decisions about targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities.

Families will be informed of the testing dates and results through direct communication from their child’s teacher. We encourage parents and guardians to connect with their child’s teacher if they have any questions or concerns about the assessments or their child’s progress.  Each parent/guardian will receive a report of their child's performance following the assessment.

Emergency Lockdown Response: I wanted to share some important information regarding our recent safety activities at school. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, we regularly practice a variety of emergency drills throughout the school year.

This week, we will be conducting  a lockdown drill to familiarize everyone with the procedures we would follow in the unlikely event of an emergency involving an “unwelcome stranger” This exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Milford Police and Fire Departments, whose partnership we deeply value in maintaining the safety of our school community.

We understand that your child may share their experience of this drill with you, and we encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

Kindergarten Registration Kickoff:  Looking for the class of 2038!  Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year will begin on Thursday, March 13th in the JMS Multipurpose room from 5:30-7:00 pm.  To register your child for kindergarten your child must be 5 years old by September 30th, 2025.  The following registration requirements must be provided:

• Proof of residency - 2 documents ( ie.  property tax bill, current utility bill, purchase/sales agreement, Rental/lease agreement, etc.)

• Original Birth Certificate (with raised seal - we will keep a copy for our records) 

• Updated physical and immunization records

• Custody/Parenting plan (if applicable)

Parents and Guardians can begin the enrollment process online beginning February 14th, 2025. Click the link below:

https://www.milfordk12.org/apps/pages/Register-for-School

MES PTO Update - Readathon!: It's time for the Milford Elementary School Read-A-Thon! Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Friday, February 7th,  2025, and will be a fun and exciting event.

We understand that your time is valuable. We also know that providing the best education for your child is important. That's why we encourage everyone to activate their student's Read-A-Thon account as soon as possible. The instructions are straightforward, making it quick and hassle-free, and it should take less than 5 minutes of your time.

This account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress as a Reader in the event, and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family. Use the link below to activate your student's Reader account:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/ZlcVCP/1 

Thank you so much for your participation and support. Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our young readers!

Early Release: Students will be dismissed early on Wednesday, January 29th.  Students will be dismissed at 12:45 after lunch has been served.  Please make any changes to your child’s dismissal plan using your Parent Pick-up Account. 

Once again, the Milford Community faces crucial decisions about our schools and the future of our children’s education. The choices we make this year will shape the 2025-26 Milford School District budget and directly impact the quality of education we provide for many years to come.

We urge you to make every effort to attend the Budget Deliberative Session on Thursday, February 6th, from 7:00-10:00 pm, and cast your vote during Town/School District Voting on Tuesday, March 11th. As parents and guardians, your voice is essential in these forums. The decisions made will influence your child’s educational experience and the resources available to our schools.

Both events will take place at Milford High School.  Your presence and participation are vital as we work together to ensure a bright future for every student in our district.

Please find attached to this email, our January issue of Jellybean’s Journal which focuses on building resilience with your child. 

Stay warm out there!

Tim O’Connell

Principal