JFK GROWS Students of the Month
Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference: JFK GROWS. We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices. Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in April:
- Kindergarten: Liam H.
- Liam is kind and compassionate. He strives to do well with everything he does and always puts his best foot forward. He is nice to his friends and just enjoys having fun!
- 1st Grade: Evelyn F.
- Evelyn is always happy and has a positive attitude. Her classmates enjoy her silliness at recess! In the classroom, Evelyn is hard working and enjoys helping others when needed. She brings a little sunshine to school every day!
- 2nd Grade: Benny S.
- Benny is the definition of a generous heart. He’s been seen to give his own coat to another student who didn’t have one. He always puts others’ needs before his own and is constantly looking for ways to help. Benny is a great representation of the JFK Difference.
- 3rd Grade: Harper W.
- Harper shows up to school everyday ready to learn. She sets positive examples for her classmates and puts her best effort into everything she does. She does a great job of participating in class, turning in high-quality work, and following directions. Harper is a wonderful student to have in class everyday!
- 4th Grade: Marcus K.
- Marcus is Motivated and wants to do his best. He is Agreeable and would never test one’s patience. He is Respectful, sweet, and kind. He is Caring and won’t leave a friend behind. He is Upstanding and follows every rule. He is Successful, and together, our student of the month in 4th grade.
- 5th Grade: Greyson C.
- Greyson is kind and friendly with always a smile on his face! He is willing to lend a helping hand without being asked, and he thinks about the feelings of others. Greyson does a nice job following the JFK difference!
- 6th Grade: Zander S.
- Zander is always friendly and willing to help classmates and teachers alike. He is a great role model to not only his little brother but also to the other Kindergarten buddies as well.
- 7th Grade: Alison J.
- Alison could be nominated every month. She is compassionate and honorable. Alison is admired by her classmates as not only a great student but a truly good human being, and, for that, she is a role model.
- 8th: Dominic N.
- Dominic is always willing to help his teachers and work with his classmates in a positive manner. He has volunteered for multiple Mass parts throughout the school year, even when his class is not otherwise involved in leadership roles.
ISASP Testing Make Ups this Week
We had great attendance through ISASPs last week! We have just a few make ups to do this week. Now, if we could just figure out how to have a few students spend more than ten minutes on an hour long test,…!
Marzano High Reliability Schools Framework
JFK is involved in a long-term strategic planning and improvement process based upon 40 years of educational research from Dr. Robert Marzano and associates. This framework defines five key areas of school performance that a school must master in sequence to become a high reliability school where all students learn the content and skills needed to be successful in college, careers, and beyond. The five levels are the following: (1) Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, (2) Effective Teaching in Every Classroom, (3) Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, (4) Standards-Referenced Reporting, and (5) Competency-Based Education.
Level I addresses the factors considered foundational to the well-being of a school. The most crucial step at Level 1 is to build a safe, supportive, and collaborative school culture by operating as a professional learning community (PLC). As we worked through Level I, Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, survey results from students, parents, staff, and administrators indicated that the following areas were strengths:
- Having a safe and orderly school environment
- Teachers being involved in the decision-making process regarding school initiatives
- Teacher teams and collaborative groups interacting to address common issues regarding curriculum, assessment, instruction, and the achievement of all students
- Having the fiscal, operational, and technological resources managed in a way that directly supports teachers
Relative to these areas of strengths, we indicated we wanted to do better with appropriately acknowledging our successes and with more formal ways for students, parents, community members, teachers and staff to provide input regarding the optimal functioning of the school. To help address the former, we’ve added the the JFK GROWS student of the month and the preschool focused Facebook page. To address the latter, we’ve been using more Google Form surveys and exit cards from meetings, and we’ve created formal suggestion boxes. The digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members can be found on the Contact Us page on our website. Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.
Ways To Get Involved
There are three ways for parents to currently get involved: Board of Education, Home & School, and Policy Committee.
Even as we regionalize to become Scott County Catholic Schools, there will still be an advisory board needed at JFK. A recent example of the board’s feedback was to help prioritize our next areas of focus in relation to our winter safety/security assessment. The nine member board meets monthly. Terms are for three years. If you are interested, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com
We know some policies, like dress codes, will remain local rather than SCCS regional policies. JFK reviews about 1/3 of our parent and student handbook policies every year. If you are interested in participating in this year’s review, please contact me: chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com
Our Home & School Association also needs officers and active participants. H & S plans many of the fun activities for families like the event at the pumpkin patch and Snowstar. Recently, they provided feedback regarding parameters for a new replacing our entire playground out back. If you are interested in being active with Home & School, please send a message to JFK.HomeandSchool@outlook.com
ESA Administrative Rules and Tuition Rates for Paying Families
The administrative rules are ready for action by the Iowa State Board of Education at its May 4th meeting. With the additional information, a letter from SCCS was distributed via email to current families on Friday regarding ESAs and tuition rates for those that will still be paying tuition. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption. Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000. Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost. Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest. The letter can be found here: ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23
Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document: Preschool Tuition Rates JFK
How Many Current Students Will Be Eligible for ESAs?
On a three year phase in timeframe, it is estimated using past FTP financial assistance that approximately 30% of the current students in Scott County Catholic Schools will be eligible for ESAs next year. The families of approximately 30% of our current students have incomes at 300% or below poverty level. This figure does not include next year’s transfer students or kindergartners. Not bad for the first year of ESAs!
Registration
JFK now has about 80% of its current students pre-registered for next school year. Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information. Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations. Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.
Registration process for 2023-24:
- All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey. A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website. Submissions are time/date stamped. For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
- Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool. The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family. The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st. If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family. The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child. These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey. You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially. Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees. Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
- *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th. Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee. There is no extra time fee.
- Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August. The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
- Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process. The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May. Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment. Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying. Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April. (The payment period began in July.) Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches. As of the end of April, questions are already being asked about how many/which current families should be allowed to continue with the enrollment process.
Educational Savings Accounts Application Process
Once the state produces the ESA application process, eligible families will want to move quickly. The deadline for application is June 30th, and it seems as if this deadline will be firm regardless of when the state’s application process becomes live. It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.
Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?
- All kindergartners
- Students who were not in a private school the year prior
- All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline | 300% Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14,580 | $43,740 |
| 2 | $19,720 | $59,160 |
| 3 | $24,860 | $74,580 |
| 4 | $30,000 | $90,000 |
| 5 | $35,140 | $105,420 |
| 6 | $40,280 | $120,840 |
| 7 | $45,420 | $136,260 |
| 8 | $50,560 | $151,680 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person. | ||
Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance
Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application. When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year. There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty, depending. (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)
Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.
JFK’s Production of Seussical, Jr.
What a hit! I was able to attend two of the three performances, and they were outstanding! On stage and behind the scenes, JFK’s middle school students did a fantastic job! Many thanks to our parents, Mrs. Potter, Ms. Siefers, Mrs. VanSpeybroeck, and those who helped us perform this musical on the Assumption stage.
With the 5/6 grade spring show two weeks ago, the musical this past weekend, and the 7/8 showcase on Thursday, Mrs. VanSpeybroeck ought to be exhausted!
JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School
Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer. We have three sessions on the calendar. Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun. Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.
June 19 – June 30
July 17 – July 28
July 31 – August 11
Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.
Registration materials were made available via email. They will also be posted on our website soon.
JFK Office Position Open Yet this School Year
JFK has an opening in the school office beginning immediately. Summer and year round work is required. School year hours are typically 6:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Summer hours are more flexible. The rate of pay is about $14 per hour. An employee with children at JFK not qualifying for an ESA will receive a tuition discount. Please contact me at school, if interested.
Highlighted Events
See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.
- May 1: Vision screening. Music Boosters Mtg
- May 2: End of 4th mid-qtr. Vision screening. Seussical cast and crew out of uniform
- May 4: 7/8 Showcase
- May 8/9: Putnam Museum’s Discovery Dome at JFK
- May 11/12: 5th grade golfing. Skate night’
- May 15-19: Guest fitness instructor in PE
- May 18: Band concert
Chad
To the left is the artwork produced by Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Wolf using Post-Its with students’ names. I especially would like to thank Mrs. Wemhoff and Mrs. Meyers for their persistence and patience. In every planning meeting, I kept pushing, “We can do better. What if…? How can we….?” I felt like a proud father during the final activities — they really nailed it!