Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are on November 4th and 7th. Conferences for PS-5th graders are scheduled. Your child’s teacher sent a link that you can use to schedule your conference. The link was sent out to families with multiple PS-5th graders first so they had an opportunity to schedule their conferences close to one another in time. Then, the link was sent to those who do not have multiple PS-5th graders. PS-5th grade families who do not sign up for conferences will have a time assigned to them. 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 4th and 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on November 7th. There are no classes on November 7th and 8th.
Checking Grades in PowerSchool
Here, again, is the link to the instructions for parents to check their students’ “in progress” standards grades. It also includes directions for checking missing assignments and Algebra grades for students taking the class at Assumption. The directions cover how to use both the PowerSchool portal on a computer and the PowerSchool app.
Building Vocabulary
Good readers need strong vocabularies. First/second graders need to add 2-3 words per day on average, and third/fourth graders need to add 6-8 words per day. If just left up to schools, that rate doubles as students are only in school for about 174-180 days per year. What are you doing at home to help students grow their vocabularies?
Vocabulary is one of the five pillars of literacy that was emphasized by The National Reading Panel:
Below is a brief description of each:
- Phonemic awareness—the knowledge that spoken words can be broken apart into smaller segments of sound known as phonemes.
- Deals entirely with sounds: I can do this work in the dark
- Phonics—the knowledge that letters of the alphabet represent phonemes, and that these sounds are blended together to form written words. Readers who are skilled in phonics can sound out words they haven’t seen before, without first having to memorize them.
- Fluency—the ability to recognize words easily, read with greater speed, accuracy, and expression, and to better understand what is read. Children gain fluency by practicing reading until the process becomes automatic
- Vocabulary words–the body of words used in a language
- Reading comprehension strategies—techniques for helping individuals to understand what they read.
- (Concepts of print)–sometimes a 6th pillar is added, the awareness of how print “works.”
This science of reading is used greatly within instruction.
Youth and Family Engagement
Substitutes Needed at JFK and SCCS
Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful impact at JFK? Becoming a substitute teacher is a powerful opportunity to inspire and guide the next generation! As a substitute, you play a key role in keeping classrooms engaged, helping students stay on track, and supporting full-time teachers. It’s flexible, rewarding, and allows you to connect with young minds, all while keeping control of your own schedule. Whether you’re passionate about education or simply want to make a difference, being a substitute teacher lets you step into a role where you can shape the future.
Substitutes are needed 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). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. 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. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. Substitutes are needed in all of our Catholic schools, especially at the elementary school level. You can agree to work at just one building or multiple buildings. We have also had people who requested only certain grade levels.
Butter Braids
The last day for the butter braid orders is tomorrow. Band students should bring their butter braid forms and payment to school.
Highlighted Events
The following events are highlighted. For all of our events and more information, please see the calendars on our website and communications from individual teachers:
- Oct 31: Black/Orange Dress Day for Student Hunger Drive. All Saints Holy Day Vigil Mass
- Nov 1: All Saints Day Masses
- Nov 3: “Fall back” time change.
- Nov 4: Evening parent/teacher conferences
- Nov 5: 8th to AHS
- Nov 7: Day/Evening parent/teacher conferences. No Classes. ECLC open.
- Nov 8: No classes. ECLC open
- Nov 9/10: Bazaar
- Nov 11: No buses. Red, White, Blue Out of Uniform Day. Veterans’ Day Event at JFK, 1:30.
- Nov 12: H & S
- Nov 14: Civic Oration Rough Drafts Due. Jump for JFK at FunStation
- Nov 15: H & S Ladies Bingo Night
- Nov 22: Mock Trial
- Nov 25: Nothing Bundt Cakes Pop Up Sale
- Nov 27-29: Thanksgiving Break. ECLC is open on the 27th.
Chad