Heat Index of 106 — Not a Problem with our Air Conditioning
When the heat index hit 106 on Tuesday, we didn’t even think a bit about having to close early due to the heat. Air conditioning is a blessing!
Communications
Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page. I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account. A hard copy Principal’s Post also gets sent home via via “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week. I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades. You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers. Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.
We also utilize a JFK Facebook page, and there is a closed Facebook group, JFK Moms & Dads, where people can post to others in the group. JFK’s Facebook page can be accessed from the front page of our website. If you’d like to be a member of the JFK Moms & Dads group, please let Angie Hillebrand, in the school office know via a Facebook request or even via email. Social media is not the best venue for voicing a concern, and posts that appear to do so will be removed while we try to reach out to address the concern through a better means. Social media, including our Facebook pages, are great ways to share your photos and connect with other JFK families. Photos from an event are often posted to these pages by families before we can even get photos taken by staff posted. Make sure you “like” us on both Facebook pages!
Occasionally, we will also “blast” a text message to families. A good example of a mass text message would be a last minute school closing due to weather. If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), 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.
Accounting Transitions with Regionalization
Parking Lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up Changes
Here’s a few tips from what we’ve seen with the new parking lot pattern:
- Kindergarten parents, in particular, should park, get out of their cars, and greet the kindergarten teachers as the students are released to those picking up the students. Without yet knowing all of our parents, grandparents, daycare providers, etc. that are picking up the kindergarteners, in particular, dismissal time is a little harrowing.
- Pull all the way forward in the green-coned area before loading or unloading. We should be able to load/unload about 3-4 cars at the same time.
- Stop before and proceed cautiously across the crosswalks.
- Parking and waiting in pick up areas inhibits a smooth flow of traffic. If you must park and wait, please do so in a parking space.
Please observe the new parking lot traffic pattern on the north side of the parking lot. By shifting the car line for dropping off/picking up to go past the church and along the divider and concrete barriers, the line will not back up onto 42nd or Division streets. A low quality photo is below. For a better view, use the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns, 2021
- Red arrows are the drop off/pick up zones. Note that the main one is at the north, but there is also one that can be used at the south.
- Blue arrows are the one-way pick-up lanes.
- Orange arrows are one-way lanes.
- Green arrows indicate where traffic goes in both directions.
- Note that in some areas there are two lanes going in the same direction: one lane is just driving through (orange arrows) and the other lane is the pick up lane leading to the drop off/pick up zone (blue and red arrows).
As always, be careful in the parking lot. Even though our younger students must be accompanied to/from the barriers by parents when parents are parked in the lot, there are a lot of people and cars moving at the same time. Drive slowly, pay attention, and keep the cell phones put away. Parents who are waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers this year.
COVID Guidance for 2021-22
Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered. Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.
COVID Data
Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK. Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.
- In comparison to a year ago, this week’s case counts per 100,000 in Scott County and test positivity rates are about where they were in late October or early November. The trend is also upward both now and last fall. (We were also at about this level in Scott County in April, but the trend was downward last spring.)
- Scott County is also seeing cases of RSV earlier than typical. A concern is that RSV, seasonal flu, and COVID will all converge this fall/winter. Due to masking and social distancing last year, there were very few cases of flu. It is not anticipated to be the same this year.
Substitutes Needed
JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute. A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.
Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.
If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.
Parent Zoom Meetings
Homeroom teachers will conduct Zoom parent meetings beginning this week so you can find out more information about your child’s grade. Invites will be sent from homeroom teachers.
- Mon Aug 30: 6:00 6th; 6:45 7th
- Tues, Aug 31: 6:00 8th
Other Highlighted Events
Both a summary and detailed school calendars for JFK are available on our website. Highlighted events are below:
- Sept 2: Picture day
- Sept 6: Labor Day. No school/ECLC closed
Picture Day
School Picture Day is Thursday, September 2nd. Students may be out of uniform, following the out of uniform dress code policy listed on the school website. Please see the attachment to register to see your student’s photos and place orders .JFK Picture Day 2021-2022.jpg If you have any questions, please contact Angie Hillebrand at 563 391 3030, or angie.hillebrand@olvjfkmail.com.
Handbook Sign-Off
Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Parent-Handbook-2021-22.pdf Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family. Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.
Chad
