Month: April 2019

Two Days Remaining for Discounted Registration and Priority Registration

Rosary Themed Project by Playground

We need about $300 more for a rosary themed area behind the school near the playground.  The labor, mulch, bench, and about $800 has 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.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated!

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.

Gala on May 3rd

The Gala is on Friday.  Buy your tickets now!  Did you purchase a raffle ticket for $1,000 off your 2019-20 tuition?  Contact Angie H. in the school office for information.

The last JFK Skate Night of the school year is Monday, April 29th at the Eldridge Skate Park.  The costume theme is disco.

The plant sale pickup is in the parish center from 2:00 – 7:00 on Wednesday and Thursday.  Please enter the doors near the playground and stop at the check-in table.  There will also be extra items available for purchase.

On the carpeted side of the parish center during the plant sale pickup is a USED uniform sale.

7/8 Spring Showcase

The 7th/8th grade spring showcase is on Tuesday.  We’ll have boomwhackers, bucket drumming, the choir, and the 8th grade class song.  Performances are at 1:15 and 7:00 p.m. in the gym.

Crusader Theater on May 10 and 11

“How I Met Your Mummy” will be performed by JFK’s 8th grade Crusader Theater on May 10 and 11.  Tickets are available now.  Please contact the school, Mrs. Bauer, or an 8th grade theater member for more information.

End of 4th Mid-Quarter May 8

May 8th is the end of the 4th mid-quarter.  Since the Easter break, we are actually in one of the longest uninterrupted periods of school.  We have a lot of school left.  Don’t let your students drift!

Project Jack

Fourth and 5th graders made fleece tie blankets last week to be donated to those in need.  The funds came from Project Jack, a pay-it-forward initiative started in honor of Jack Lindaman. He was a student at Alan Shepherd Elementary School who had spinal muscular atrophy. Thank you to the parents who came to help with this project and to Father Jake who blessed the blankets for us.

Chad

Eight Days Remaining for Discounted Registration and Priority Registration

Rosary Themed Project by Playground

We are about half way to the funding needed for a rosary themed area behind the school near the playground.  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.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated!

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.

Action Alert for Increase in STO Tax Credits

The Iowa Catholic Conference put out an action alert in support of an increase in the School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credits.  Donations to STOs fund our tuition assistance in the Family Tuition Plan.  More tax credits available will translate into more donations and, thus, more financial assistance available.

Here’s the alert: https://www.votervoice.net/ICC/campaigns/65475/respond.

Make Gala Reservations Now

The Gala is only a few weeks away, Friday, May 3rd.  Buy your tickets now!  Contact Angie H. in the school office for information on the following:

• How to help with setup, etc.
• How to be an “underwriter” to pay for the costs of the Gala so that all sales go to the educational needs of OLV/JFK
• How to contribute toward a “class” package
• How to be a donor of an item for the auction(s)
• How to purchase raffle tickets for $1,000 off your 2019-20 tuition
• How to purchase tickets to attend

Campus Clean Up

A spring campus clean up is taking place.  Most noticeable are the bushes around the parish center and along the cafeteria wall.  This past weekend, a better drainage system for the sump pump by the north stairs was installed.  There is another date scheduled for more work:  Saturday, April 27th at 8:30 a.m.  Tasks include reseeding behind the school, cleaning up the white and brick house yards, and removing tree limbs and brush from our property south of the school.  If you have a pick-up truck or trailer, please bring it along so it can be used to haul away the debris.

Chad

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.

Holy Thursday Musical Stations in the Gym

On Holy Thursday (April 18th), we will have a stations of the cross using video and song.  It will be in the gym at 1:55.

Let’s Celebrate with Out of Uniform – Iowa Assessments and Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Completed

It’s always a big task for the annual Iowa Assessments and now the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress.  There are special schedules, special room and seating arrangements, makeups, etc.  It takes all of the students and staff to make it work in such a brief period of time.  Thank you for all your help.  Let’s celebrate with an out of uniform day on Monday, April 15th.

Welcome Emily Sanderson

Return Tuition Contracts. Register for Preschool and Childcare

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.

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.  I would like to thank everyone who offered suggestions and insights to this project.  While not all elements could be incorporated into this design, the inspiration and encouragement from people was amazing.  In particular, I’d like to thank Julie Baker, who initiated our thinking about such a project, Chris Guinn, Joe Hillebrand, Jimmy Holt, Tammy Nagle, and the families of Chad Newton and Peg Gooder.  Finally, we would not be able to move ahead on this project without the final design work and project management of Drew Schmitt.

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.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated!

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.

OLV Knights of Columbus

OLV’s Knights of Columbus Council is a men’s group organized to help people live out their faith in the spirit of charity by helping others.  For more information, please contact Rick Willows 563-570-0476.

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20th starting at 11:00 a.m. on the soccer field behind JFK.  There will be three age groups:  5 & under, 6 to 10, and  10 and over.

For those participating in Adoration on Good Friday night, the Knights will also serve as escorts.

Gala Friday May 3rd

The Gala is less than a month away!  Look for separate communications:

• How to help with setup, etc.
• How to be an “underwriter” to pay for the costs of the Gala so that all sales go to the educational needs of OLV/JFK
• How to contribute toward a “class” package
• How to be a donor of an item for the auction(s)
• How to purchase raffle tickets for $1,000 off your 2019-20 tuition
• How to purchase tickets to attend

Chad

Children’s Author Julia Cook at Catholic Schools Last Week

Julia Cook was amazing last week!  Check out the photos on our Facebook page.  See the recording of her time on Paula Sands Live.

The author of 90 children’s book, former school counselor and nationally recognized award-winning author, Julia Cook shared her insights with students, staff, and parents in Scott County Catholic elementary schools.  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!

Return Tuition Contracts. Register for Preschool and Childcare

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

Thank you to those who helped with the cleaning outside around JFK on Saturday.  It’s nice to be able to start tackling those outside jobs!

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.

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.

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.

Holy Thursday Musical Stations in the Gym

On Holy Thursday (April 18th), we will have a stations of the cross using video and song.  It will be in the gym at 1:55.

OLV Knights of Columbus

OLV’s Knights of Columbus Council is a men’s group organized to help people live out their faith in the spirit of charity by helping others.  For more information, please contact Rick Willows 563-570-0476.

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20th starting at 11:00 a.m. on the soccer field behind JFK.  There will be three age groups:  1-3 years old, 4-6, and 7-10.

For those participating in Adoration on Good Friday night, the Knights will also serve as escorts.

Preschool Vision Screening

Preschoolers have vision screenings on April 8th and 9th at school.

Confirmation on Saturday

Congratulations to our 8th graders and others who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday!

Stage Setup April 14

Set up of the stage will begin after the 9:00 Mass on April 14th.  Extra hands are always appreciated.  A few people with cordless power drills/drivers would also be helpful.

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!

Blood Drive

The spring Blood Drive is here.  April 11th from 2-6 p.m. in the parish center.  Contact Mrs. Whelchel (rachael.whelchel@olvjfkmail.com) to set up a time or feel free to walk in!

Gala Friday May 3rd

The Gala is less than a month away!  Look for separate communications:

• How to help with setup, etc.
• How to be an “underwriter” to pay for the costs of the Gala so that all sales go to the educational needs of OLV/JFK
• How to contribute toward a “class” package
• How to be a donor of an item for the auction(s)
• How to purchase raffle tickets for $1,000 off your 2019-20 tuition
• How to purchase tickets to attend

Chad