Good Afternoon JMS Families,

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.

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!

Mid-Year Academic Benchmarking: Your child participates in academic benchmarking three times a year. These assessments help us determine how well your child responds to instruction and what areas need improvement. Two main assessments that are administered are Acadience and NWEA (1st grade).  The purpose of Acadience Reading is to monitor your child’s development in reading to identify students who need additional help and guide the teacher’s instruction. Acadience Reading consists of several brief tests used as indicators of critical skills students need to master to become good readers. 

Also, January 21-24, your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a computer. MAP Growth Reading and Math scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.  MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey— regardless of whether they are on, above, or below their grade level. Please connect with your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Your child’s teacher will also communicate with you about the testing dates. 

Coming soon to JMS!:  On Friday, February 21st, Jacques Memorial is celebrating Read Across America with a guest appearance from award-winning children's authors, Chris and Maureen Harrington, alongside their very determined French bulldog! Ivy is a paralyzed pup who will accompany her (human) mom and teach our jaguars all about perseverance and overcoming obstacles! Books may be purchased at a discounted price of $10! Book order forms will be at JMS by the end of the month.  If you are interested, please return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, February 14th. To learn more about Ivy, please visit: https://www.ivysbook.com/.

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

Q and U Tie the Knot at JMS!:   On Wednesday, January 15th, the Jacques Memorial School Kindergarten hosted a quintessential celebration as Q and U were joined together in quiet matrimony! Officiating the quaint ceremony was none other than our beloved reading specialist, Mrs. Kim Kelliher. After exchanging their heartfelt vows, Q and U were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Kwa!  Each classroom held a quality reception where students enjoyed quenching drinks, quibble-free dancing, and quick bites of delicious treats. Of course, our quick-footed school mascot, Jaguar Jellybean, made quite a grand appearance to keep the party energy high! 

Thank you to everyone who made this quintessential day quite unforgettable. JMS loves celebrating the quirky joys of learning!

No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day:  There will be no school on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are reminded of the powerful legacy that Dr. King left behind—a legacy filled with hope, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. His message inspires us to reflect not only on the progress we have made as a society but also on the work that still lies ahead. At Jacques Memorial School, we strive to honor Dr. King’s vision by fostering an environment where every voice is valued, and each student is encouraged to become a force for positive change in their community.

Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on how we can contribute to building a more inclusive and compassionate world, embodying the values that Dr. King cherished. Together, we can continue to work towards his dream of justice, peace, and equality for all.

Tim O’Connell

Principal