Month: March 2021

Green Lights for School HVAC

OLV’s Finance Council and Parish Council and the Diocesan Building Commission approved of our HVAC project last week.  We will soon be signing the contract for the work to be completed this summer!  It is critical that pledges to the Cultivating Our Future capital campaign continue to be fulfilled, and new donations are made.  Our $1.6 million campaign includes this $1 million HVAC project that will install a VRF heating/cooling system, a rooftop unit for the gym, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.   For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.  When the HVAC project is finished, we will have the following needs met:

1. Resolve heating pipes issues
   1. The heating pipes in the 1964 part of the building are past their life expectancy  by 10-40 years now and are starting to fail
   2. To just re-pipe the 1964 part of the building would have been an estimated $800,000-$900,000 project
2. Add high efficiency heating
   1. We can even heat and cool at the same time in different rooms/locations
3. Add high efficiency air conditioning
   1. No more starting the morning at 80+ degrees because we closed up the building at 3:00 the day before when the temperature was 90+ degrees
   2. Window air conditioners along with re-piping the building would not be a long-term cost effective or energy efficient solution
4. Control the humidity within the building
   1. We all know the saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”
5. Add mechanical ventilation for fresh air
   1. Modern building code no longer says “just open the window” to ventilate public use buildings
   2. No more keeping windows cracked open in winter for COVID-type situations
6. Purify the air through self-cleaning ozone free ionization
   1. Will help with dust, pollen, allergens, airborne illness causing “germs”

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed during spring break.  Please return them ASAP so we can plan for 2021-22!

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Anticipated Openings at JFK

Speaking of 2021-22, I anticipate that we will be looking for several teachers, possibly both to replace teachers who may be leaving and for new federally funded positions.  We are casting a wide net regarding licensure and endorsements and will adjust staff assignments to best take advantage of teachers’ qualifications.  In the lower grades, that means we are looking for K-6 licensed teachers, especially those who have an additional endorsement, such as in reading.  In the upper grades, where subject area endorsements are required, we would be interested in talking with those who have K-8, 5-12, or middle school endorsements in ELA, math, science, and social studies.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

Calendar

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Last day of school for JFK:  June 11th.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

First day of school for next year:  August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

COVID Data, March 26, 2021

• There is no question about what to make of this week’s Scott County data.  COVID case counts and positivity rates are both going up.  While not evident in the graphs provided to us on Wednesday, the number of people hospitalized due to COVID is also increasing.
• At JFK, our streak of seven school days without anyone having to quarantine due to being a close contact with a family member who has COVID also came to an end this week.  We’re not out of this yet!

Chad

Cultivating Our Future Capital Campaign — School HVAC

We received the updated quote to do school HVAC work this summer, primarily on the 1964 and 1987 parts of the building.  (No significant work was needed in the 2011 additions.)  The approximately $1 million school HVAC project includes a VRF heating/cooling system, a rooftop unit for the gym, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.  When we are finished, we will have the following needs met:

1. Resolve heating pipes issues
   1. The heating pipes in the 1964 part of the building are past their life expectancy  by 10-40 years now and are starting to fail
   2. To just re-pipe the 1964 part of the building would have been an estimated $800,000-$900,000 project
2. Add high efficiency heating
   1. We can even heat and cool at the same time in different rooms/locations
3. Add high efficiency air conditioning
   1. No more starting the morning at 80+ degrees because we closed up the building at 3:00 the day before when the temperature was 90+ degrees
   2. Window air conditioners along with re-piping the building would not be a long-term cost effective or energy efficient solution
4. Control the humidity within the building
   1. We all know the saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”
5. Add mechanical ventilation for fresh air
   1. Modern building code no longer says “just open the window” to ventilate public use buildings
   2. No more keeping windows cracked open in winter for COVID-type situations
6. Purify the air through self-cleaning ozone free ionization
   1. Will help with dust, pollen, allergens, airborne illness causing “germs”

In order to accomplish this $1 million project, planned for this summer, pledges and donations to our $1.6 million Cultivating Our Future capital campaign are still needed.  No amount is too small.  The fewer JFK families that support the campaign in any way, the less support some may interpret this project as having from JFK families.  (That’s not true, but it is reality.)  For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.

Gala and Plant Sale

Plans are being made for the Rock the Lot Gala that will combine online elements and socially distant outdoor elements utilizing our vast campus.  We also hope to celebrate the anticipated beginning of the school HVAC project and just making it through the 2020-21 school year!  The Rock the Lot Gala is May 15, 2021.  If you would like to donate an item or service that can be auctioned alone or in a basket combined with other items, please contact Angie Hillebrand in the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed on Thursday.  If you are behind in tuition payments, please contact Fr. Jake so arrangements can be made, and the tuition contract for next school year can be completed.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

Calendar

March 25:  Jersey Day.  For a $1 or more donation, students may be out of uniform wearing their favorite sleeved jerseys.  If the jersey does not have sleeves, another sleeved shirt is required under it.  Proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Last day of school for JFK:  June 11th.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

First day of school for next year:  August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

Board of Education Openings

If you would like to be involved in decisions like those mentioned above, consider running for the board of education.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month from about 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Our longest meetings typically are when we talk “money,” that is, when we try to budget our priorities and put talk into action.  Board members occasionally have another meeting to attend during the month.  A board member’s term is three years.  Please contact me if you are interested in being on the board, and I will connect you with a board member for more information.  Elections are in May.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

COVID Data, March 19, 2021

• I’m not sure what to make of this week’s data in Scott County.  COVID case counts, by some measures, went up, but positivity test rates went down

Chad

Calendar Issues

The OLV/JFK board of education voted to have June 11th as our last day of school this year.  With more than enough instructional hours to meet requirements and a major HVAC construction project to be completed in already a shorter than normal summer, it was decided to stay with June 11th as our last day of school.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

The first day of school for next year will be August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Board of Education Openings

If you would like to be involved in decisions like those mentioned above, consider running for the board of education.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month from about 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Our longest meetings typically are when we talk “money,” that is, when we try to budget our priorities and put talk into action.  Board members occasionally have another meeting to attend during the month.  A board member’s term is three years.  Please contact me if you are interested in being on the board, and I will connect you with a board member for more information.  Elections are in May.

Cultivating Our Future — School HVAC

We received the updated quote to do school HVAC work this summer.  The school HVAC project includes a VRF heating/cooling system, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.  When we are finished, we will have resolved our heating pipes issues in the 1963 part of the building and added air conditioning, mechanical ventilation, and air purification to the 1963 and 1987 parts of the building.  (Significant HVAC upgrades are not needed in the 2011 additions.)

In order to accomplish this $1 million project, planned for this summer, pledges and donations to our $1.6 million Cultivating Our Future capital campaign are still needed.  No amount is too small.  The fewer JFK families that support the campaign in any way, the less support some may interpret this project as having from JFK families.  (That’s not true, but it is reality.)  For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.

Gala and Plant Sale

Plans are being made for the Rock the Lot Gala that will combine online elements and socially distant outdoor elements utilizing our vast campus.  We also hope to celebrate the anticipated beginning of the school HVAC project and just making it through the 2020-21 school year!  The Rock the Lot Gala is May 15, 2021.  If you would like to donate an item or service that can be auctioned alone or in a basket combined with other items, please contact Angie Hillebrand in the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, will be mailed on Thursday.  Please contact Emily Sanderson in the school office, if you have not turned in your kindergarten forms yet, so your kindergartner is not left off the contract.  If you are behind in tuition payments, please contact Fr. Jake so arrangements can be made, and there are no delays in sending out your tuition contract for next year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

I’ll add a few comments below as well.

COVID Data, March 12, 2021

• The week by week downward trend in Scott County data has stopped, and the rates crept back up this last week.  Hopefully, it is only a short-term “blip” as we are still roughly at or above the July surge rates.  We don’t want to become complacent just because the COVID numbers aren’t as high as just the latest surge!
• We won’t be meeting with the health department this week due to spring break, but we may have the weekly data emailed to us.
• JFK’s own absence rates increased this week, but that was expected with spring break.  The closer we get to an extended break, the higher the absence rate becomes as people leave early.
• We’ll see if spring break had an impact on COVID numbers about 2-3 weeks after spring break concludes.  Stay safe!

Chad

Special Activities on March 12

March 12th is the last school day before spring break.  Students have an out of uniform green/white themed day on the 12th, and we will do the Minute to Win It activities in the afternoon that had been postponed from Catholic Schools Week due to the weather.  Classes resume after spring break on March 22nd.

Mid-Quarter Reports Emailed This Week

Mid-quarter reports will be emailed this week.  Use JMC to see the most current grades for students in at least grades 3-8.

Home & School Meeting This Week

Home & School will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.  An in-person option with social distancing is available in the cafeteria, and the Zoom link will be sent via email later this week.

Last Day of School

The OLV/JFK board of education voted to have June 11th as our last day of school this year.  With more than enough instructional hours to meet requirements and a major HVAC construction project to be completed in already a shorter than normal summer, it was decided to stay with June 11th as our last day of school.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

The first day of school for next year will be August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

Board of Education Openings

If you would like to be involved in decisions like the two mentioned above, consider running for the board of education.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month from about 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Our longest meetings typically are when we talk “money,” that is, when we try to budget our priorities and put talk into action.  Board members occasionally have another meeting to attend during the month.  A board member’s term is three years.  Please contact me if you are interested in being on the board, and I will connect you with a board member for more information.  Elections are in May.

Virtual Career Fair

This year’s Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair is virtual.  We would like to thank our “presenters” who did things much differently this year, and our counselors and student services personnel, including our Emma Wolf, who organized the event.  Finally, we could not have done anything at all without the tech support at each school, including Dianne Siefers at JFK.  Photos are on our Facebook.

The challenges of the virtual career fair seemed to mirror challenges faced with taking other things virtual over the last year.  “We’ll just do remote learning,” “we’ll just livestream volleyball games,” etc. usually results in a ton of IT work with video and audio formats, settings in what is used to record video, settings on the hosting site/platform, website filters/blockers which are different in a school setting than in/on one’s personal devices and home networks, bandwidth, WiFi access points, and more.  Those issued don’t even include individual oddities like “why does this one Chromebook keep trying to connect to the access point across the hall rather than the one nearby?”  We tested every link and even did an infrastructure test the day before the event, and still ran into challenges, especially for one of our 8th grade homerooms.  Nothing is easy with COVID!  We would also like to thank the supervising teachers who helped troubleshoot issues and implement and even revise our back up plans on the fly.

Although we have added more access points this fall, we currently have three companies that are examining the building for a complete redo of our wireless network.

Donations, Fundraisers, and Special Projects

We have restricted use funds in memory of Janet Thomas, long-time librarian for JFK and organist for OLV, that will be used toward outdoor musical equipment to be installed near our rosary-themed play area by the playground this summer.  If you would like to contribute toward that project, please specify that with your donation.

Major projects related to the Cultivating Our Future capital campaign are being planned.  A quote was approved to replace the blower in the church’s HVAC system, and quotes are being received to replace the church’s sound system.  (None too soon!)  We are also finalizing the documents for the school HVAC project that we’d like to complete this summer.  The school HVAC project includes heating pipes mitigation, mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and air purification.  Pledges and donations are still being accepted for the $1.6 million campaign.  For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.

Plans are being made for the Rock the Lot Gala that will combine online elements and socially distant outdoor elements utilizing our vast campus.  We also hope to celebrate the anticipated beginning of the school HVAC project and just making it through the 2020-21 school year!  The Rock the Lot Gala is May 15, 2021.  If you would like to donate an item or service that can be auctioned alone or in a basket combined with other items, please contact Angie Hillebrand in the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Emily Sanderson, in the school office, is preparing the 2021-22 tuition contracts that represent the official registration document for next school year.  If you have not turned in your kindergarten round-up paperwork yet, please do so or contact her ASAP.  We don’t want to leave anyone off the list and without a kindergarten spot for next year.  We hope to have the tuition contracts mailed to families before spring break.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.  Information we receive from families is used to determine waiting lists, staffing levels, and the number of sections to operate for each grade level.  We are, for example, already looking at student to staff ratios for preschool and ECLC for next year.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

I’ll add a few comments below as well.

COVID Data, March 5, 2021

• Over the last week, Scott County data continued to trend downward.  Health department officials are hoping that we can avoid a 4th surge even as new variants become more widespread.  Looking at the “Confirmed and Epi-Linked Infections” graphs, one can see the first surge after the July 4th holiday, a November surge (which, oddly enough for Iowa, was before Thanksgiving), and the after Christmas surge.  Health officials jokingly asked school administrators if we’d consider cancelling spring break!
• Rates in Scott County are still above the July surge.  Health officials are concerned that we might become complacent because COVID numbers aren’t as high as just the latest surge.
• On Thursday and Friday, we did have a milestone of sorts at JFK.  There were no students or staff absent because they were required to quarantine as close contacts.  We haven’t seen that since before November!
• For the last two weeks, most of our illness absences have not been due to COVID symptoms.  COVID symptoms are defined as one high risk symptom (such as a new cough) or two or more low risk symptoms (such as vomiting and fever).
• A new study out of Mississippi suggests that the number of children who have had COVID-19 is more than ten times higher than previously thought.  The study looked for COVID-19 antibodies in blood samples that were taken between May and September for other reasons and compared it to the number of children having actual positive COVID tests during the same time period.  They found that the number of children who have had COVID-19 may have been more than ten times higher than the number who actually tested positive.  The difference, it is thought, is believed to be because younger children have less severe symptoms or may be asymptomatic entirely.  The article, of course, also emphasized the continued need for COVID-19 mitigation strategies.  Here is a link to the article.

End of Year Special Activities

We have begun to think about some of the end of the school year special activities.  It is likely that we won’t be able to do some and have to make significant changes to others.  Examples include 8th grade and preschool “graduation,” field day, and band/music activities.  If you have ideas, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher or me.  We do a lot of brainstorming!

Be safe during spring break!

Chad