Month: November 2023

I’m So Blessed!

We received a Scott County Regional Authority grant of $54,5000 toward a new playground.  The SCRA is related to the Isle Casino in Bettendorf and is a good supporter of education.  JFK’s Home & School Association, student council, and OLV’s Foundation have also already pledged support for a new playground.  We hope to have enough of a financial commitment that OLV’s Finance Council will approve the project at its November meeting this week.  The project is estimated to be just under $200,000.

Portrait of a JFK Graduate Survey

Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey regarding JFK’s student learning goals and the development of a Portrait of a JFK Graduate.  If you would still like to respond to the survey, please use the following link: survey or link/url:  https://forms.gle/TqPdJYYL5vEwaGdt9

Positions in SCCS

1. JFK is looking to fill a full-time, school year only childcare, preschool, and recess supervisory position.  Please forward your resume to Chad Steimle at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
2. The Little Lancers at Lourdes Catholic School have both a Full time and a Part time Childcare position open in the childcare center.   Please forward your resume to Beth Giese at beth.giese@lourdes.pvt.k12.ia.us  or contact her with any questions.
3. SCCS Business Office is looking for a Full-time  Bookkeeper/Accountant to join the team.  If you have 2-4 years of accounting education and or equivalent experience, please send your resume to Nikki Gartner at nikki.gartner@sccsiowa.org
4. Villa Maria is looking for Full and Part-time Childcare positions.  Please forward your resume to Lauren Hovey at lauren.hovey@assumptionhigh.org

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Nov 28:  Skate Night.  Student Council out of uniform fund-raiser for Univ of Iowa Children’s Hospital
• Nov 30:  First Reconciliation
• Dec 1:  JFK fall play.  2nd grade out of uniform
• Dec 3:  Advent begins
• Dec 4:  Civic Oration speeches round 1
• Dec 6:  Civic Oration speeches round 2
• Dec 7:  5th-8th Out of Uniform.  1st/2nd Gr Field Trip
• Dec 8:  Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
• Dec 9:  Ladies Night
• Dec 10:  Ignite Sunday
• Dec 11:  Civic Oration speeches final round
• Dec 12:  3/4 Christmas show.  Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe School Mass.
• Dec 14:  Band Concert
• Dec 15:  4/5 YO PS family event.  JFK Reconciliation
• Dec 18:  3rd grade Gingerbread Houses
• Dec 19:  3 YO PS family event. K-2 Christmas program
• Dec 20:  K-2 Christmas program for the student body.  Red, White, Green Christmas attire dress day.  Early dismissal at 12:40.
• Dec 21:  Christmas break begins
• Dec 25/26:  ECLC Closed
• Dec 27/28:  ECLC Open
• Dec 29:  ECLC Closed
• Jan 1:  ECLC Closed
• Jan 2:  No classes – in-service.  ECLC Open
• Jan 3:  Classes resume

That’s Not Sawdust

Sometimes when I do a lot of sanding on a woodworking project, my clothes, arms, and even my hair will be covered in dust.  I always vacuum myself off or change my clothes before going upstairs.  Friday morning was no different except that when I was upstairs I looked in the mirror and saw how poor of a job I did getting the dust out of my hair.  I shook my head and ran my hand through my hair to remove the dust with no luck.  It was only after several unsuccessful attempts to remove the dust that I realized that the dust was actually my greying hair!

Chad

I’m So Blessed!

I took advantage of the Nothing Bundt Cake Sale on Friday.  As I ate some that evening, I thought I might have died and gone to heaven.  Wow!  They were good!  Thanks, Home & School, for organizing that “pop up sale.”

All of my children will be in town for Thanksgiving.  My older two are here now and will work from our house for a couple of days.  My youngest two will arrive Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.  It’s been a while since we’ve all been together so I’m really looking forward to this Thanksgiving.

Mock Trial

The regional competition for Middle School Mock Trial was last week.  It’s an amazing process and quite the experience.  There are aspects of it that seem so realistic too.  A couple of weeks ago, I was subpoenaed to testify regarding the damage to our fence in August that was captured on our video system.  When on the stand, the prosecutor was trying to admit the video clips as evidence, and the defense attorneys were objecting due to “lack of foundation.”  Later, when I was being cross-examined, I almost chuckled as I was being questioned about whether or not I was an “expert” at video; it was so much like mock trial!

Below are the students who participated on one of JFK’s two teams:

6th grade:  Claire A, Madison H., Isabelle F., Wesley W, Ayden T., Adie P., Keaton F., and Greyson C.

7th grade:  Faithlyn F., Sophia N., Darian M., and Lucas C.

8th grade:  Greyson B., Emily S., Catalyna R., and Colin L.

The following students were recognized as Outstanding Attorneys:  Sophia N., Catalyna R., Greyson B., and Claire A.

Outstanding Witnesses were the following:  Colin L., Emily S., Faithlyn F., and Isabelle F.

Mock Trial participants should wear their Mock Trial t-shirts on Tuesday with uniform bottoms. They can also wear them with uniform bottoms until Christmas break.

Scott County Regional Authority Grant to be Received

We were notified last week that we will be receiving a Scott County Regional Authority grant toward a new playground.  We submitted an application for over $50,000, and we’ll find out how much we will receive on Monday.  JFK’s Home & School Association, student council, and OLV’s Foundation have already pledged support for a new playground.  The SCRA is related to the Isle Casino in Bettendorf.

Portrait of a JFK Graduate Survey

Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey regarding JFK’s student learning goals and the development of a Portrait of a JFK Graduate.  If you would still like to respond to the survey, please use the following link: survey or link/url:  https://forms.gle/TqPdJYYL5vEwaGdt9

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Nov 22:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Open
• Nov 23/24:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Closed
• Nov 28:  Skate Night.  Student Council out of uniform fund-raiser for Univ of Iowa Children’s Hospital
• Nov 30:  First Reconciliation
• Dec 1:  JFK fall play.  2nd grade out of uniform
• Dec 4:  Civic Oration speeches round 1
• Dec 6:  Civic Oration speeches round 2
• Dec 8:  Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
• Dec 11:  Civic Oration speeches final round
• Dec 12:  3/4 Christmas show
• Dec 14:  Band Concert
• Dec 15:  4/5 YO PS family event.  JFK Reconciliation
• Dec 18:  3rd grade Gingerbread Houses
• Dec 19:  3 YO PS family event. K-2 Christmas program
• Dec 20:  K-2 Christmas program for the student body.  Red, White, Green Christmas attire dress day.  Early dismissal at 12:40.
• Dec 21:  Christmas break begins

 

Chad

I’m So Blessed!

There is so much happening at JFK and OLV that it’s difficult to coordinate schedules.  As we move into Advent, the calendar becomes even more full.  We were just moving some things around last week to try to make them all fit!  We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as well.

Out of Uniform Guidelines – Confused Myself

With all the conversations among SCCS administrators regarding hooded attire, I even confused myself regarding JFK’s policy for out of uniform guidelines and then gave bad advice for the student council out of uniform dress days.  JFK’s out of uniform guidelines state the following, among other things:  “Hats and hoods may only be worn inside the building if specifically stated as part of the special dress day.”  I believe this refers to hoods being up, which is different than wearing hooded attire at all on out of uniform days.  The latter is the conversation taking place among administrators now, especially as related to concealing and using cell phones throughout the day.  Hooded attire, as per JFK’s current policy for out of uniform guidelines, however, would be allowed on out of uniform days; hoods worn up would not be allowed.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Nov 13:  2nd Grade Sacramental Prep
• Nov 14:  Regional Mock Trial.  H & S.
• Nov 16:  8th Grade Confirmation Prep.  7/8 Choir Out of Uniform
• Nov 17:  Nothing Bundt Cakes Sale.  Butterbraid delivery.  Pajama Day Out of Uniform
• Nov 19:  Ignite Sunday
• Nov 22:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Open
• Nov 23/24:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Closed
• Nov 28:  Skate Night
• Nov 30:  First Reconciliation
• Dec 1:  JFK fall play
• Dec 4:  Civic Oration speeches round 1
• Dec 6:  Civic Oration speeches round 2
• Dec 8:  Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
• Dec 11:  Civic Oration speeches final round
• Dec 12:  3/4 Christmas show
• Dec 14:  Band Concert
• Dec 15:  4/5 YO PS family event.  JFK Reconciliation
• Dec 18:  3rd grade Gingerbread Houses
• Dec 19:  3 YO PS family event. K-2 Christmas program
• Dec 20:  K-2 Christmas program for the student body.  Red, White, Green Christmas attire dress day.  Early dismissal at 12:40.
• Dec 21:  Christmas break begins

 

Chad

I’m So Blessed!

We had a diocesan report card in time for conferences!

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.  Each month, we recognize one student at each grade level, alternating each month between the two homerooms, whose teachers have observed exhibiting these traits particularly well at school during the past month:

• Kindergarten:  Conrad H.
  • Conrad is having an awesome start in Kindergarten! He always tries his best in class and is a hard worker. He follows classroom rules and looks for ways to be helpful in the classroom to his teachers and his friends.
• 1st Grade:  Jude T.
  • Jude is a respectful student and tries to include everyone in games and activities. We enjoy his positive attitude in 1Y!
• 2nd Grade:  XaiElle L.R.
  • XaiElle is a sweet student with a big heart. You can count on her to give a hug, to work hard, and to help.
• 3rd Grade:  Annsley W.
  • Annsley follows directions and gives 100% of her best effort in class. Also, she is a great friend to her classmates.
• 4th Grade:  Kai D.
  • Kai demonstrates the JFK Difference daily! He is new to our school this year, and he has shown that he loves God and his neighbor. He is always kind, respectful, and comes to school with a positive attitude.
• 5th Grade:  Vance O.
  • Vance does a nice job staying on task and completing his assignments on time.  He is very polite and patient, and he treats students and teachers with respect.  One can always count on Vance to follow directions the first time given.
• 6th Grade:  Iris N.
  •  Iris is a helpful student who not only helps her classmates, but her teachers as well. She is also very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures.
• 7th Grade:  Kaitlyn E.
  • Kaitlyn goes out of her way to be helpful to everyone around her and always has a smile on her face.
• 8th Grade:  Adrian E.L.
  • Adrian is always willing to speak in front of school, class, or peers. Adrian participates in Mass with a positive attitude and volunteers for multiple roles. He even used his ability to speak over the PA system at school.

Operation Christmas Child

Second, 7th, and 8th graders involved in sacramental preparation were invited to participate in a service project:  Operation Christmas Child.  It is now time to collect the filled shoeboxes this week, with deadline being Friday.  In the envelope inside the shoebox should be the $10 to cover shipping costs.  On the envelope should be your child’s name, whether the gifts are for a boy or girl and the age category (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years old).  The box should NOT be taped.  For more information or additional boxes, please contact Kaye Meyers davolvcre@diodav.org

Parent/Teacher Conferences

The remaining parent/teacher conferences are on November 6th.  Conferences for PS-5th graders are scheduled.  Sixth-8th grade conferences are all drop-in as multiple teachers are involved for each child.  Conferences are from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on November 6th.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Nov 6:  Evening parent/teacher conferences.
• Nov 9:  JFK choir concert
• Nov 10:  JFK has classes.  (The DCSD does not have classes.)  No buses.  Red/white/blue out of uniform dress day
  • Normal out of uniform guidelines apply, which also means no hooded attire and no face paint or extravagant make up
• Nov 10:  Board and Brush Workshop
• Nov 13:  2nd Grade Sacramental Prep
• Nov 14:  Regional Mock Trial.  H & S.
• Nov 16:  8th Grade Confirmation Prep
• Nov 17:  Nothing Bundt Cakes Sale.  Butterbraid delivery
• Nov 19:  Ignite Sunday
• Nov 22:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Open
• Nov 23/24:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC Closed
• Nov 28:  Skate Night
• Nov 30:  First Reconciliation

 

Chad