Month: February 2020

Wave Two of Flu

It seems like wave two of the flu has picked up with both the A and B strain affecting people.  If you’ve had one, you can still get the other too!  Remember to have your children wash/sanitize their hands and cover sneezes and coughs.  Please keep them home if they are sick.

Kindergarten Round-up Has Occurred

If you missed kindergarten round-up, please contact the school office, (563) 391-3030.

AHS Production of Freaky Friday

Save the Date for the Assumption Knight Players’ production of Freaky Friday, a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic!  When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.  Performances are on March 6th and 7th at 7:00 p.m. and March 8th at 2:00 p.m..  Tickets available at http://www.showtix4u.com   or at the door.

Policy Committee

Each year, an ad hoc committee of parents, staff, and board members examine about 1/3 of the policies in the student handbook and make recommendations to the school board.  We typically meet 2-3 times and choose a date/time that will work for the most people.  If you would like to be a part of this spring’s policy committee or have feedback regarding something in our handbook, please contact me via email.

One of the policies that will be reviewed is the fund-raising policy (see below):

All fund-raising activities at JFK must have prior approval from the principal and/or pastoral administrative staff.  Fund-raising activities will be coordinated throughout the entire parish with attention given to the number of fund-raisers taking place concurrently, the impact on our families, and whether the purpose is to benefit our programming (Ex.:  Gala) or to benefit others (Ex.:  Holy Childhood Association).

Prior to approval, fund-raising activities must have the following clearly identified:

Purpose of the fund-raising

Specific person in charge of the fund-raising

Duration of the fund-raising

Extent of the solicitation of the funds (Ex.:  parents, parish members, and neighborhood/city community)

Plan for disbursement of the funds

How Much Fund-Raising Do We Do?

It seems like there’s always some fund-raising happening.  Scouts, band boosters, Kids Heart Challenge, $1 out of uniform for some cause, Gala, etc.  Fund-raising, including by Home & School and Band/music boosters, for purposes that actually stay at JFK, however, account for less than 4% of the school budget.  That figure is actually quite low in comparison to many other Catholic schools.  The difference is made up with a larger OLV parish contribution toward education than many other Catholic schools receive from their sponsoring parishes.  The leadership at OLV has decided that being good stewards and giving regularly to the church through envelopes is a better method of financing Catholic school education than huge or constant fund-raisers for school operating purposes.  The really big fund-raisers will be saved for capital campaigns such as for the 2011 additions to the church and school or for future projects, such as HVAC work at JFK.

Highlighted Upcoming Events

Feb 23-25:  Parish Mission.  Attend one or all three sessions.  Sunday’s session is at 3:00.  Monday’s and Tuesday’s sessions are at 7:00 p.m.

Feb 26:  Ash Wednesday Masses at 7 and 8:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Feb 27:  QC Veterans’ Outreach Center Out of Uniform Day (Decades Day)

Feb 28:  JFK Reconciliation

Mar 12:  Home & School Mtg

Mar 13:  Green/White Dress Day

Mar 16-20:  Spring Break.  No Classes.  ECLC Open.

Mar 23:  Classes Resume

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/02/February-23-2020.pdf

How Fast the Time Goes

Time seems to fly by!  As I write this Post, I’m already putting in Ash Wednesday and spring break.  Not only am I looking in the schedule ahead to March, but I’m starting to look into April and even the summer.  Even Home & School’s flower sale begins order-taking this week.  At school, current budgeting talk is not about this school year, but next school year, and we’re trying to organize our summer programming as well because we know how early families make summer plans!  At home, two of my children visited this weekend.  As I looked forward to their arrival on Friday, the work day seemed to go on forever.  Then, they finally arrived Friday evening.  In what seemed to be the blink of an eye, however, we were wrapping up brunch after Mass on Sunday, and they had to leave again.   Where does the time go?

Chad

Kindergarten Round-up Has Occurred

If you missed kindergarten round-up, please contact the school office, (563) 391-3030.

AHS Production of Freaky Friday

Save the Date for the Assumption Knight Players’ production of Freaky Friday, a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic!  When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.  Performances are on March 6th and 7th at 7:00 p.m. and March 8th at 2:00 p.m..  Tickets available at http://www.showtix4u.com   or at the door.

Policy Committee

Each year, an ad hoc committee of parents, staff, and board members examine about 1/3 of the policies in the student handbook and make recommendations to the school board.  Included in this year’s policies to review will be the student discipline policy (is there something other than detentions that we should have as consequences for misbehaviors, for example), the technology and acceptable use policy, and our annual review of our four dress code policies.  We typically meet 2-3 times and choose a date/time that will work for the most people.  If you would like to be a part of this spring’s policy committee or have feedback regarding something in our handbook, please contact me via email.

One of the policies that will be reviewed is the tuition policy.  Excerpts of this policy are below.

Family Contribution Paid Through Tuition, Fees, and Support of OLV:

Each family is asked to help share in providing the talent and resources necessary for the parish to be successful in its mission to teach the Faith.  The cost to educate a child is substantially more than the tuition amount.  Each family’s share of this cost (the family contribution) is paid through tuition, fees and offertory envelopes.  Due to parish support, registered and participating members of Our Lady of Victory Parish with students enrolled in John F. Kennedy Catholic School, benefit from a family tuition rate that is lower than the rate charged other users of the school.  At least one of a child’s parents or legal guardians must be a registered and participating member of OLV to receive participating member rates.

An OLV registered and participating member, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts, adapted for fulfillment by participation in the Church through Our Lady of Victory:

• Attend Mass at OLV on at least 30 weekends out of the year. While attending Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation is a precept of the Church, attending the majority of those Masses here at OLV ensures that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Users of the school who are not active participating members of Our Lady of Victory shall pay a higher tuition rate.  They are still expected, however, to support the values of the school and participate in and help with parish/school activities.

511 New Books at Book Fair

There were 511 books sold at our book fair during Catholic Schools Week.  There’s nothing like a fresh book to read!

Highlighted Upcoming Events

Feb 20:  End of 3rd Mid-Quarter.  Parent University.

Feb 21-23:  Men’s CEW

Feb 23-25:  Parish Mission.  Attend one or all three sessions.  Sunday’s session is at 3:00.  Monday’s and Tuesday’s sessions are at 7:00 p.m.

Feb 26:  Ash Wednesday Masses at 7 and 8:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Feb 27:  QC Veterans’ Outreach Center Out of Uniform Day (Decades Day)

Feb 28:  JFK Reconciliation

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/02/February-16-2020.pdf

When You Can’t Decide, Just Paint It

We painted our family room floor again this weekend.  When we built the addition to our house about 22 years ago, we put carpeting in the family room.  After a couple of dogs later, we decided to pull the carpet out about four years ago, without really any plans on what to do after that.  We just knew we had to get the carpet out.  Under the carpeting is very uneven oriented strand board.  Without being able to decide at that time what we wanted to do for a new flooring, we temporarily painted it, trying to achieve a slate look using a variety of paints and polyurethane that we had as leftovers from other projects.  Now, four years later, we still can’t decide what we want to do (for as much as we want to spend).  The underlayment is uneven enough that it might have to be covered entirely for any sort of tile, vinyl, etc.  We don’t really want carpeting either as we still have two dogs.  So, we painted it again!  It’s a solid color this time, and, for $100, it looks good!

Chad

Kindergarten Informational Session and Round-up Last Week

Kindergarten Informational Sessions and Round-up were last week.  Please contact the school office if you missed them, (563) 391-3030.

AHS Production of Freaky Friday

Save the Date for the Assumption Knight Players’ production of Freaky Friday, a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic!  When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.  Performances are on March 6th and 7th at 7:00 p.m. and March 8th at 2:00 p.m..  Tickets available at http://www.showtix4u.com   or at the door.

Screenagers Movie

Are you watching kids scroll through life with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? The award-winning film, SCREENAGERS, probes into the vulnerable corners of family life to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.  www.screenagersmovie.com.

Hosted by Navigating Technology Together, a parent support group started at St. Paul’s and now open to all Catholic school families.  The movie will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at St. Paul’s Denning Hall with the doors open at 6:00 p.m.  Babysitting is available at $5 per family.  For other questions, please email them to spsntt@gmail.com.

Policy Committee

Each year, an ad hoc committee of parents, staff, and board members examine about 1/3 of the policies in the student handbook and make recommendations to the school board.  Included in this year’s policies to review will be the student discipline policy (is there something other than detentions that we should have as consequences for misbehaviors, for example), the technology and acceptable use policy, and our annual review of our four dress code policies.  We typically meet 2-3 times and choose a date/time that will work for the most people.  If you would like to be a part of this spring’s policy committee or have feedback regarding something in our handbook, please contact me via email.

Highlighted Upcoming Events

Feb 10:  JFK Skate Night at the Eldridge Skate Park

Feb 14:  Red, White, Pink Out of Uniform Day

Feb 17:  Presidents’ Day – No Classes.  ECLC open.

Feb 20:  End of 3rd Mid-Quarter.  Parent University.

Feb 21-23:  Men’s CEW

Feb 23-25:  Parish Mission.  Attend one or all three sessions.  Sunday’s session is at 3:00.  Monday’s and Tuesday’s sessions are at 7:00 p.m.

Feb 26:  Ash Wednesday Masses at 7 and 8:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Feb 27:  QC Veterans’ Outreach Center Out of Uniform Day (Decades Day)

Feb 28:  JFK Reconciliation

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/02/February-9-2020.pdf

JFK Moms & Dads

If you are not a member of our JFK Moms & Dads Facebook page, I would encourage you to ask Angie Hillebrand in the school office to add you.  With more back and forth postings, it has a different feel than our more formal, official page.  We do try to make sure everything stays positive and upbeat, but that’s usually not an issue.  This week’s postings on JFK Moms & Dads included photos from the middle school mixer, photos from honor choir, a question about the first day of school next year, and postings about why parents have their kids at JFK.

Sleep Pattern Must Be Messed Up

I think my sleep pattern is messed up.  On Friday and Saturday nights, usually after a brief “nap” at about 8:00 p.m., I usually stay up until after 10:30 p.m., which is late for me.  I often feel that I don’t want the day to end!  Then, I also wake up early on Saturday and Sunday mornings when I could be sleeping in. I don’t get it!  On weekdays, I often find myself going to bed before 10:00 p.m. and getting up around 5:30 a.m.  On these weekdays, with even more sleep time than on weekends, I find it harder to get up in the morning and seem more tired in the evening.  Something must be wrong with me!

Please help your children establish regular bedtime routines and sleep habits.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children 3 to 5 years of age get 10-13 hours of sleep, children 6-12 get 9-12 hours of sleep, and teenagers 13-18 get 8-10 hours of sleep.  The group also recommends that screen time end 30 minutes before bedtime, and no TVs, computers, tablets, cell phones, etc. should be in children’s bedrooms.

Chad

Kindergarten Informational Session and Round-up This Week

Kindergarten Informational Sessions and Round-up are this week.  Parents will have an informational session, and students will get to be kindergartners for the “day.”  Find out how the difference in us will make a difference in your child’s education.  Please call the school office ahead of time, (563) 391-3030, so we can have a more personalized experience prepared for your child.  Click HERE for this week’s church bulletin, which contains more information.

• Feb 6:  7:30 – 9:00 a.m. in the parish center, or
• Feb 6:  6-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

Virtus Updates

Did you complete your annual renewal with www.virtus.org?  All employees and volunteers working with children and dependent adults within the parishes and Catholic schools of the diocese were assigned the online annual renewal module on January 2nd and given two weeks to complete it.  The module takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.  If you have not yet completed it, please do so ASAP.  In the near future, we will have to move to restricting access to children by those who have not completed the renewal.

8th Grade Career Fair

Preparations for the 8th annual Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th Grade Career Fair have begun.  The career fair is held on in the Rogalski Center on SAU’s campus and will be Friday, March 6, 2020.  We would like to extend the opportunity for area businesses, employers, colleges and universities, health care professionals, law enforcement agencies and various career-related organizations to join us in educating our eighth grade students about the numerous employment opportunities available to them.  Presenters are asked for a time commitment of 8:15 am-2:00 pm. Presenters prepare a booth with information about their career (job duties, professional expectations, hours, required education/training, technology, general salary range, likes and dislikes, etc). The students enjoy hands-on activities so anything you wish to do or bring that is interactive is most appreciated. The students will rotate in groups and complete a career questionnaire about each booth they visit. A thank you lunch for all presenters will be provided. All presenters are invited to join us for the celebration of Mass at 1:15 in the Christ the King Chapel on campus. If you are interested in being a presenter at the career fair, please email the following information to Mrs. Wolf:  emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

• Career Field/Occupation
• Business Name or Place of Employment
• Name
• Address
• Email
• Daytime phone number
• Special needs at the fair (Ex:  access to electricity, WiFi/Internet access, space for a drone to work)

School Cancellations

Messages regarding cancellations, late starts, or early dismissals are shared with JFK families via phone, text, and email.  If you did not receive a text message two weeks ago, it is most likely because you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK.   (This primarily applies to families new to JFK in 2019 and/or new preschool families.)  To receive JFK text messages, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.  There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/February-2-2020.pdf

YOLO — You Only Live Once

I have crossed over on the meaning of YOLO — You Only Live Once.  Before I had children, and when my own children tend to use YOLO, the meaning behind it emphasized living life to its fullest, taking risks and chances, don’t leave any regrets, etc.  When I was raising my own children, however, the phrase, for me and how I wanted my children to interpret it, transitioned to be safe, don’t do anything stupid, don’t make choices that will limit your future options, etc.  It’s amazing what parenthood does to one’s views!

Chad