Month: March 2019

March 31, 2019

Posted on by csteimle

Children’s Author Julia Cook at Catholic Schools in April

The author of more than 50 children’s book, former school counselor and nationally recognized award-winning author, Julia Cook will be in Scott County Catholic elementary schools the week of April 1st.  Her books include the following:

  • I Just Don’t Like the Sound of NO!
  • My Mouth is a Volcano
  • Making Friends is an Art!
  • The PROcrastinator
  • I Can’t Believe You SAID that!

Ms. Cook will be at JFK on April 3rd and 5th.  An evening session for parents is on April 4th at 6:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart.

For $1 or more, students may wear a hat to school with their uniform on Friday. Funds raised will be used to buy clothes, shoes, and school supplies for the kids in Fremont, NE, home of Julia Cook. Fremont experienced terrible flooding this spring.

Return Tuition Contracts. Register for Preschool and Childcare

Tuition contracts for next year’s K-8 students should be returned before the end of April in order to receive the discount.  Please return them with the registration fee as soon as possible so we can make plans for next year.

Some of our classes for 3, 4, and 5 year old preschool and/or childcare already have waiting lists forming for next school year.  Register now while the classes that meet your family’s schedule still have openings.

Spring Cleaning Outside JFK

After a long, snowy winter, our school grounds are ready for a spring cleaning spruce up! We are looking for volunteers to join us on Saturday, April 6 beginning at 8:30 AM to show our JFK pride and get some much needed yardwork done around our school and church campus. This is also a great opportunity for students to earn Christian Service hours! Our goals will be to remove some damaged trees and bushes as well as collecting leaves and debris. We will need rakes, leafblowers, brush trimmers, shovels, wheelbarrows and pick up trucks to haul everything off to the compost facility. We look forward to your help!

Rosary Themed Project by Playground

After the fall drainage work behind the school and near the playground, we are ready for spring planting.  Rather than just planting grass, a rosary themed area has been designed to fit into the corner where the big tree was removed.  Centered in the plantings and looking over the playground will be the memorial bench for Peg Gooder.  Around the perimeter will be stones in the form a rosary.  The labor, mulch, and bench have already been donated.  We need about $1,100 for the plants and stone.  If interested in helping fund this special project, please put your donation in an envelope marked “Rosary Themed Project” and send it to the school office.

Stewardship of Treasure Campaign

Joyful Living, Grateful Giving: This year’s Stewardship of Treasure renewal is underway, and families should have received a letter from Fr. Greiner.  By letting us know your intentions, the parish can better plan for the future and continue to place Catholic school education at JFK and Assumption in a prioritized role.  Please complete the intention envelope and place it in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office, or send it through backpack mail.

You may also want to consider registering for on-line giving.  This option can be found on the parish website by clicking on the “E-Giving” button, and this feature allows you to donate with whatever amount or frequency you desire.  Lynn and I use this feature, and it was handy this past weekend when we attended Mass with extended family members elsewhere this weekend.  OLV still receives our regular donation.

Mrs. Lundquist Welcomes Daughter

We can’t wait for the first school visit of Mrs. Lundquist’s daughter, Annika!  I don’t know who gets more excited to see a new baby, the staff or students.  (Of course, with all of the illnesses going around at school lately, it may be a while before any of us see her!)

Ad Hoc Policy Committee Invite

Each year the board of education reviews about 1/3 of the policies contained in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Dress code policies are reviewed every year.  If you would like to be involved this spring, please send me an email.

Board of Education and Parish Council

The board of education has three spots open each year, and parish council has four spots.  The terms are for three years.  For more information, please contact me.

Student Wins Third Place in Essay Contest

Congratulations to Mary R (8B) for winning 3rd place in the Ida S. Kramer Essay Contest with her paper titled “Hidden Children” (The Story of Edith Swalb). Mary’s essay and the catalyst for her entry should be highlighted in a coming issue of The Catholic Messenger.

Hearing Screening

Students in grades K, 1, 2, and 5 will have hearing screenings on April 2nd.

Early Dismissal on Friday

There is a two hour early dismissal on Friday for the end of the 3rd quarter.  Dismissal is at 12:50.  There are no afternoon preschool classes.

No Classes on Good Friday and Easter Monday

JFK will not have classes on Good Friday (April 19) and Easter Monday (April 22).  This schedule differs from the DCSD.  ECLC is closed on Good Friday but open on Easter Monday this year.

Iowa Assessments and Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress

Students in grades K-2 and 6-8 will take the Iowa Assessments beginning April 8th.  Third through 5th graders will take the new Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress also beginning on April 8th.  Make sure students get plenty of sleep and have a good breakfast!

Positions Open at JFK

School Counselor:  We will have a full-time school counselor position available for the 2019-20 school year.   Iowa licensure is required.  To apply for this position, please send a copy of one’s license, resume, letter of interest, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
School Secretary:  We are searching for a full-time year round school secretary with excellent accounting skills.  This position is open immediately.  To apply for this position, please send a resume, letter of interest, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Plant Orders Due April 3rd

Plant orders are due April 3rd.  Color brochures were sent home before spring break.  One can also order online at Janet’s Jungle.  Pick up is at JFK on May 1st and 2nd. Last year’s flowers looked amazing in my back yard!

Bulletin Link: March 31, 2019

Chad

March 24, 2019

Posted on by csteimle

Tuition Contracts for K-8 Were Mailed Last Week, Preschool and Childcare Registration Underway

Tuition contracts for next year’s K-8 students were mailed last week.  Please return them with the registration fee as soon as possible so we can make plans for next year, and you can have the advantage of the discounted registration fee.

Some of our classes for 3, 4, and 5 year old preschool and/or childcare already have waiting lists forming for next school year.  Register now while the classes that meet your family’s schedule still have openings.

Communal Penance Service

The Diocese of Davenport will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation through a communal penance service held at Our Lady of Victory at 6:30 p.m on March 25th.  Nearly a dozen priests will be available.

Stewardship of Treasure Campaign

Joyful Living, Grateful Giving: This year’s Stewardship of Treasure renewal is underway, and families should have received a letter from Fr. Greiner.  By letting us know your intentions, the parish can better plan for the future and continue to place Catholic school education at JFK and Assumption in a prioritized role.  Please complete the intention envelope and place it in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office, or send it through backpack mail.

You may also want to consider registering for on-line giving.  This option can be found on the parish website by clicking on the “E-Giving” button, and this feature allows you to donate with whatever amount or frequency you desire.  Lynn and I use this feature, and it was handy this past weekend when we attended Mass with extended family members elsewhere this weekend.  OLV still receives our regular donation.

3rd/4th Grade Spring Show

The school performance of the 3rd/4th grade show is at 1:15 on Thursday.  The evening performance for guests is at 6:30 p.m.  Third and fourth graders can be out of uniform on March 29th.

Hearing Screening

Students in grades K, 1, 2, and 5 will have hearing screenings on April 2nd.

Children’s Author Julia Cook at Catholic Schools in April

The author of more than 25 children’s book, former school counselor, Julia Cook will be in Scott County Catholic elementary schools the week of April 1st.  Her books include the following:

  • I Just Don’t Like the Sound of NO!
  • My Mouth is a Volcano
  • Making Friends is an Art!
  • The PROcrastinator
  • I Can’t Believe You SAID that!

An evening session for parents is also being arranged.

Positions Open at JFK

School Counselor:  We will have a full-time school counselor position available for the 2019-20 school year.   Iowa licensure is required.  To apply for this position, please send a copy of one’s license, resume, letter of interest, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
School Secretary:  We are searching for a full-time year round school secretary with excellent accounting skills.  This position is open immediately.  To apply for this position, please send a resume, letter of interest, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Plant Sale

It’s time to get your plants ordered through the JFK/OLV plant sale.  Last year’s flowers looked amazing in my back yard, and this photo was early in the growing season!

Color brochures were sent home before spring break.  One can also order online at Janet’s Jungle.  Orders are due by April 3rd.  Pick up is at JFK on May 1st and 2nd.

Bulletin Link: March 24, 2019

Chad

March 17, 2019

Posted on by csteimle

Scott County Catholic Schools Mass for 2nd-12th Graders Thursday

Thursday is the Scott County Catholic Schools Mass for 2nd-12th graders.  The Mass is at 9:30 in Assumption’s gym.  Please return the permission slip so your child may attend.  Parents are welcome to attend as well.

Tuition Contracts for K-8 to be Mailed this Week, Preschool and Childcare Registration Underway

Tuition contracts for next year’s K-8 students will be mailed this week.  Please return them with the registration fee as soon as possible so we can make plans for next year, and you can have the advantage of the discounted registration fee.

Some of our classes for 3, 4, and 5 year old preschool and/or childcare already have waiting lists forming for next school year.  Register now while the classes that meet your family’s schedule still have openings.

New Schedules Going Well

One week of the new schedules seems to have gone well.  More proximate changes to the remainder of our school year calendar are summarized below, and our website calendar has been updated with these and the remaining changes.

K-8

  • Starting Monday, March 4th, the JFK K-8 student day will be 10 minutes longer in the afternoon with bus transportation.  Our bell time will be 7:25-2:50.  This schedule is DIFFERENT than the DCSD, which is also adding 10 minutes at the front of the day.  For those students who ride the bus in the morning, expect a 10 minute earlier pick up time as we cannot control the bus times.  We will supervise bus riders at JFK at the earlier time but not start classes for everyone until 7:25.
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 6th there will be no early release on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year.  The K-8 bell time will be 7:25-2:50.  There will be bus transportation.  Again, morning bus riders should expect the bus route to be 10 minutes earlier.
  • JFK will not have classes on Good Friday or Easter Monday.  This is DIFFERENT than the DCSD ,which is going to school on Easter Monday.  The Triduum is the most important part of the liturgical year in the Church.  It ought to be recognized as such in a Catholic school and allow ample time for families to gather to celebrate the Resurrection.  JFK will not have classes on either Good Friday or Easter Monday.
  • April 5th is the new end of the 3rd quarter.  There is a two hour early dismissal for K-8.  JFK’s bell time will be 7:25-12:50 with bus transportation.

Preschool

  • Starting Monday, Marth 4th, preschool morning classes for four year olds will change to 7:25-10:30 a.m.  Afternoon classes will change to 11:45-2:50.  Each class is 3:05 in length, and morning drop off and afternoon pick up will still match K-8.  There are no changes for 3 year old preschool classes.
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 6th the Wednesday schedule will be the same as the other days of the week.  Preschool classes for four year olds will be 7:25-10:30 a.m., and afternoon classes will be 11:45-2:50.
  • JFK will not have classes on Good Friday or Easter Monday.  This is DIFFERENT than the DCSD ,which is going to school on Easter Monday.  The Triduum is the most important part of the liturgical year in the Church.  It ought to be recognized as such in a Catholic school and allow ample time for families to gather to celebrate the Resurrection.  JFK will not have classes on either Good Friday or Easter Monday.  For this year only, ECLC is open on Easter Monday.
  • April 5th is the new end of the 3rd quarter.  Due to the two hour early dismissal for K-8, there are no afternoon preschool classes.

Green/White Out of Uniform Dress Day

Friday, March 22nd is Green/White Out of Uniform Day.  Usually we have a green out of dress day in relation to St. Patrick’s Day, but with it being on the weekend, we’ll have a green/white out of uniform day on Friday.

Did you catch a leprechaun at your house?  We tried several times at our house but were never successful.  The leprechaun was always too wily!

New JFK Video

Our first draft of a new video highlighting the JFK Difference is available:  JFK Difference.  The video is available through multiple routes on our website.  The easiest one is under the “JFK Difference” tab.

Tuition Tax Credit

Don’t forget to take advantage of the Iowa “tuition tax credit.”  For the first $1,000 spent on each dependent’s education, $250 in tax credits are available on your Iowa taxes.  No special forms are required any more.  Please remember when doing the calculations, however, that the tax/calendar year actually splits two different school years with different tuition rates.

Staff Leaving JFK

It’s getting to be the time of year when more formal announcements of staff leaving take place.  We wish these staff members well in their futures:
Michelle Jordan:  For 16 years, Mrs. Jordan has been one of the first faces our families have seen at JFK.  She made them feel welcome and the children feel loved.  When she started at JFK, she taught both the 3 year old and 4/5 year old classes, and preschool classes were located in a different location within the building.  Over the years, Mrs. Jordan has been instrumental in the various transformations that seem to have taken place in early childhood education in content and focus as well as in physical location at JFK.  Mrs. Jordan’s duties will be absorbed by our current preschool staff as we restructure.
Anna Schott:  Mrs. Schott has been at JFK since 2011.  With JFK being the first Catholic elementary school in the area to have a school counselor and to make the position full-time, we were still trying to put things together when Mrs. Schott began.  With her leadership and vision we have been developing a real “counseling program” with a three tier system of support for the social/emotional/behavioral well-being of students, student career counseling and a Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose 8th grade career fair, parent education events, and numerous special events.  Mrs. Schott has a unique way of connecting with students of all nine ages (or more) in the building that will be missed.  A search for a new school counselor has begun.
Jennifer Wemhoff (sort of):  For the last two years, Mrs. Wemhoff has been teaching a section of religion in the school.  As her other faith formation duties are expanding, she will no longer be able to dedicate the needed time for teaching every day in the school.  She will still be intimately involved, however, with the students and staff of JFK.
Dawn Henning:  Mrs. Henning has been in the school office since 2014 and will be leaving us to join the staff of St. Ambrose.  Everyone knows that it’s really the school secretaries that keep schools running.  We will miss her dearly and try not to falter too much when she leaves at the end of March.  Since coming to JFK, Mrs. Henning’s position has evolved as well.  We are now not quite sure if we need a school secretary with excellent accounting skills or a bookkeeper with excellent secretarial skills.
     If you are interested and qualified for a year-round office position at JFK, please contact me.  A small tuition benefit is included in the compensation package.

Plant Sale

It was hard to think about plants when I woke up this morning, and snow was covering the ground.  However, by the end of the day, the ground was starting to be seen again.  It really must be spring!  It’s time, then, to get my plants ordered through the JFK/OLV plant sale.

Last year’s flowers looked amazing in my back yard, and this photo was early in the growing season!

Color brochures were sent home before spring break.  One can also order online at Janet’s Jungle.  Orders are due by April 3rd.  Pick up is at JFK on May 1st and 2nd.

Bulletin Link: March 17, 2019

March 3, 2019

Posted on by csteimle

New Schedules Start March 4

The changes to the remainder of our school year calendar are summarized below, and our website calendar has been updated.  Changes to our schedule start on Monday, March 4th:

K-8

  • Starting Monday, March 4th, the JFK K-8 student day will be 10 minutes longer in the afternoon with bus transportation.  Our bell time will be 7:25-2:50.  This schedule is DIFFERENT than the DCSD, which is also adding 10 minutes at the front of the day.  For those students who ride the bus in the morning, expect a 10 minute earlier pick up time as we cannot control the bus times.  We will supervise bus riders at JFK at the earlier time but not start classes for everyone until 7:25.
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 6th there will be no early release on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year.  The K-8 bell time will be 7:25-2:50.  There will be bus transportation.  Again, morning bus riders should expect the bus route to be 10 minutes earlier.
  • JFK will not have classes on Good Friday or Easter Monday.  This is DIFFERENT than the DCSD ,which is going to school on Easter Monday.  The Triduum is the most important part of the liturgical year in the Church.  It ought to be recognized as such in a Catholic school and allow ample time for families to gather to celebrate the Resurrection.  JFK will not have classes on either Good Friday or Easter Monday.
  • March 7th is drop-in parent/teacher conferences for K-8.
  • April 5th is the new end of the 3rd quarter.  There is a two hour early dismissal for K-8.  JFK’s bell time will be 7:25-12:50 with bus transportation.
  • Thursday, June 6th is the last day of K-8 classes.  There is a two hour early dismissal for K-8.  JFK’s bell time will be 7:25-12:50 with bus transportation.
  • Field day for K-8 is now Wednesday, June 5th.  There is no Mass this Wednesday.
  • Our last all school Mass is Thursday, June 6th.
  • 8th grade graduation is Friday, June 7th.

Preschool

  • Starting Monday, Marth 4th, preschool morning classes for four year olds will change to 7:25-10:30 a.m.  Afternoon classes will change to 11:45-2:50.  Each class is 3:05 in length, and morning drop off and afternoon pick up will still match K-8.  There are no changes for 3 year old preschool classes.
  • Beginning Wednesday, March 6th the Wednesday schedule will be the same as the other days of the week.  Preschool classes for four year olds will be 7:25-10:30 a.m., and afternoon classes will be 11:45-2:50.
  • JFK will not have classes on Good Friday or Easter Monday.  This is DIFFERENT than the DCSD ,which is going to school on Easter Monday.  The Triduum is the most important part of the liturgical year in the Church.  It ought to be recognized as such in a Catholic school and allow ample time for families to gather to celebrate the Resurrection.  JFK will not have classes on either Good Friday or Easter Monday.  For this year only, ECLC is open on Easter Monday.
  • April 5th is the new end of the 3rd quarter.  Due to the two hour early dismissal for K-8, there are no afternoon preschool classes.
  • The last day of 4 yr old PS and 3 yr old PS classes is Wednesday, June 5th.
  • The 4 yr old PS programs are in evening of June 5th.
  • The 3 yr old PS family activity is June 6th.
  • The last day of ECLC is June 7th.

Spring Break

With all of the focus on special schedules, please don’t forget that the week of March 10th is spring break.  There are no PS or K-8 classes.  ECLC is open.

Ash Wednesday: March 6

Ash Wednesday Mass times are 7:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.

Yellow Out Dress Day

Thursday, March 7th is Yellow Out of Uniform Day.  Yellow is the color associated with the fight against childhood cancer, and our out of uniform day is a follow up to our Pennies for Patients week.  Students may be out of uniform, if they are wearing some yellow.  (Good luck — I know I may have to look long and hard in my closet!)

Kindergarten Round-Up and Preschool and Childcare Registration for 2019-20

If you missed the Kindergarten Informational Sessions and Round-Up, please contact the school office as soon as possible.  You don’t want to miss being put on our list for next year!

Some of our classes for 3, 4, and 5 year old preschool and/or childcare already have waiting lists forming for next school year.  Register now while the classes that meet your family’s schedule still have openings.

New JFK Video

Our first draft of a new video highlighting the JFK Difference is available:  JFK Difference.  The video is available through multiple routes on our website.  The easiest one is under the “JFK Difference” tab.

Tuition Tax Credit

Don’t forget to take advantage of the Iowa “tuition tax credit.”  For the first $1,000 spent on each dependent’s education, $250 in tax credits are available on your Iowa taxes.  No special forms are required any more.  Please remember when doing the calculations, however, that the tax/calendar year actually splits two different school years with different tuition rates.

Bulletin Link:  March 3, 2019

Boxtops Deadline for Spring Submission

The Boxtops deadline for our spring submission will be in mid-March.  We’ll do the actual submission in April but volunteer Katrina Andybur needs time to trim and count the tabs.  Boxtops that come in after mid-March will be held until the fall submission.

Protecting God’s Children and Virtus Training for Volunteers

Lisa Willows, OLV/JFK’s coordinator for staff and volunteers adhering to the diocese’s Protecting God’s Children program, has been sending emails to several people listed as volunteers for OLV and JFK.  These emails are to advise people that they are registered as volunteers with us and out of compliance with the diocesan guidelines for trainings and/or background checks.  Although there are not many on this short list, if you do receive an email from her about not being in compliance, please act immediately so your role as a volunteer can continue.  We always need all the volunteers we can get!