Sacrament of Reconciliation This Week
First Reconciliation is Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Second graders can be out of uniform on Friday.
Students in grades 3-8 will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday afternoon.
Substitutes Still Needed
JFK is in need of substitutes. Prior to the pandemic, we had ten people available to substitute for JFK. We currently have three substitutes on our list. We are averaging about 2.8 staff members absent per day since the school year began, and 4.4 for the past month. Luckily, we don’t always need a substitute to cover a position, but there are times when shifting duties seems like an every day occurrence.
We are 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 or has an appointment). You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute. A minimum of an associate’s degree or 60 college degree hours from a college/university are 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. Most workshops, such as the ones below, are now virtual:
- Dec. 12-15, 6:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Jan. 10-13, 6:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Feb. 6-9, 6:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Mar. 7-10, 6:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
There is even a self-paced option for the workshop. Iowa’s Keystone Area Education Agency has good information: Substitute Authorization
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. Subs earn just over $100 per day at JFK.
For more information about substituting, please contact me.
Mississippi Valley Student Tuition Organization
The Mississippi Valley Student Tuition Organization (MVSTO) funds most of the financial assistance for students attending Catholic schools in Scott County, including JFK. Over 100 students from OLV receive financial assistance to JFK or Assumption. Donations to the MVSTO are not only greatly needed by students, but they also have a tax incentive for the donors: Iowa taxpayers can claim a 75% direct state tax credit for donations made to the MVSTO. A donor making a $500 donation can take a $375 credit off what they would otherwise owe the state of Iowa. Donors may also be eligible for a federal tax credit, depending upon their tax status. In order to qualify for the tax credit on one’s 2022 taxes, donations must be made before January 1st.
For more information, please contact Assumption High School, 563-326-5313.
Highlighted Events
Things keep getting added to the calendar. Check online for more complete information. November and December are going to be busy!
- Nov 30: End of the 2nd Mid-qtr
- Dec 1: First Reconciliation
- Dec 2: JFK Reconciliation during the school day. H & S Ladies Night Trivia
- Dec 4: Christmas Cantata by the OLV adult choir (2:00 p.m.)
- Dec 5: 3rd Grade Gingerbread Houses in cafeteria. Civic Oration First Rnd
- Dec 6: 3/4 Christmas show in gym
- Dec 7: 1st/2nd Grades Field Trip to AHS’ Children’s Theater
- Dec 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Dental & Vision screening for K, 1, 3, 5, 7.
- Dec 9: 4/5 Yr Old PS Family Events
- Dec 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Dec 13: K-2 Christmas program
- Dec 14: 3 Yr Old PS Family Event
- Dec 15: Civic Oration Final Round. Band Concert at AHS Auditorium
- Dec 16. Red/Green/White Dress Day. 2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40). No PM PS
- Dec 17 – Jan 1: Christmas break
- Dec 23/26: ECLC Closed
- Dec 29/30: ECLC Closed
What Did I Do?
Last week I wondered what I would do over the Thanksgiving break as I would no longer be doing the first draft of the next school year’s budget as the regional Scott County Catholic Schools office is working on those budgets. The answer is paint. I have a wood working project that I am preparing for the outdoor Christmas decorations at our house. I enjoy the creativity and challenges of woodworking, but the “finishing” part gets old fast — sand, paint the inside, paint the outside, paint the top, paint the bottom, etc. And, that’s just with one color and one coat! Repeat for each coat of paint. I think I have over 16 hours of just sanding and painting in this project.
Chad
