No Buses March 3
There is no bus transportation on Monday, March 3rd. The DCSD is not in session.
JFK GROWS Students of the Month for February
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, except December, 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: Annika L.
- Annika works hard and is very good at asking questions. She helps those sitting near her and does very well with following directions.
- 1st Grade: Avery B..
- Avery always works very hard, and she takes great pride in her work. She is willing to help her teacher and classmates.
- 2nd Grade: Kinsley J.D.
- Kinsley is a bright smile in our classroom. Every day she comes in happy and ready to learn. She perseveres when schoolwork gets tough and is always there when friends need her. One can always count on Kinsley to be a helper.
- 3rd Grade: Collins H.
- Collins is sweet and always finds the best in everyone. She is quick to make sure everyone is included, welcome and part of a group. She creates a warm environment for her classmates.
- 4th Grade: Reese I.
- Reese is very polite and well-mannered. She is helpful and kind to everyone. She is patient and respectful and can always be counted on to follow the JFK difference on a daily basis.
- 5th Grade: Peyton R.
- Peyton is always eager to greet everyone she comes across. Peyton is someone you can count on to volunteer to help, or she will help without being prompted or asked. She’s respectful to those around her and encourages others to join in on various activities.
- 6th Grade: Mason F.
- Mason is very respectful and tries to do his best in class. Mason is kind to his classmates and has been seen to encourage those around him.
- 7th Grade: Abel H.
- Abel brings an air of positivity into whatever he’s doing, including to things of which he’s not particularly fond. He likes to keep things light and fun and tries his best to get along with all of his peers.
- 8th Grade: Zander S.
- Zander is always respectful to his peers and teachers, and he picks up the slack wherever it is needed. He always puts in his full effort into assignments and stays on task.
Lenten Mission at OLV
We invite you to join us for our Lenten Mission at OLV: Lent: A Love Story on Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4 from 6:00-7:30 pm in the church.
Attend one or both nights of the Mission and look at Lent through the lens of Love this year. Journey with us as we explore scripture, song, and personal stories of God’s love story for each of us. On Monday evening, we will explore “Trusting in God’s Love” and “Embracing God’s Promise.” Tuesday will feature the topics of “Persevere in Faith” and “Giving Ourselves to the Lord.”
Re-Enrollment and New Student Applications for 2025-26
The target date to review and begin to accept applications for families new to SCCS schools with students in grades 1-8, students wanting to transfer to JFK from other SCCS schools, and all kindergarten and preschool students is Monday. Roster spots are going to be tight for at least K, 1, 3, and 5 with grades 2 and 4 right behind them. In fact, I have never seen so many students applying for kindergarten! Just the pool of kindergarten eligible students at OLV alone is remarkably high, and that doesn’t necessarily count students already in our preschool, siblings of other enrolled students, students from other Catholic parishes, and interested community members. On the other hand, the number of four-year-old PS eligible students at OLV is about the lowest I’ve ever seen. We continue to discuss how we might be able to accommodate everyone and hope to be able to start sending confirmation or wait list emails beginning tomorrow or Tuesday.
Through what has been already done online, our retention rate for K-7 is projected to be around 99%. (Eighth grade students will going on to high school and are not included in this figure.) One thing that might help is for families to finish the registration process by paying the registration fee. I do not have “on demand” access to financial information. My last update, which is now about a week old, had registration fees paid for about 59% of the students. Directions for paying the registration fee are also on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.
Teaching Positions Open Now
JFK has several teaching positions open now:
Long-term and short-term substitutes: Through February, we have been short about one substitute teacher per day. Persons with teaching licenses, substitute licenses, and/or a substitute authorization are encouraged to apply.
Reading interventionist: We have been authorized to hire a full-time teacher immediately to work as a reading interventionist for the rest of the school year. A person in this position would likely be offered a job in an SCCS elementary building next school year regardless of whether or not there was a position to be filled at JFK next year. An Iowa teaching license is required.
For more information, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
Earbuds/Headphones for School
Fifth-8th graders are asked through the annual supply list to provide wired earbuds/headphones (not Bluetooth) for school. We haven’t seen very many at school, and we are getting to the time of year when they become more critical for testing. Don’t spend much money on them; cheaper is probably better.
Registration/Re-Enrollment and Application for 2025-26 is Live
Below is the timeline for registration/re-enrollment and application for the 2025-26 school year in SCCS elementary schools. The registration fee is $150 per student. ESA funds may not be used for registration.
Jan 22:
- Registration/re-enrollment and new application link went live on the front page of the JFK website. There are different directions for those who are “re-enrolling” and those who are new to SCCS. The most often seen error is that some families that already have a student in an SCCS school are clicking on “Get Started” instead of “Log In.” If you have any student in any SCCS school, you click on the “log in” button.
- Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2025-26
- Students who will be kindergartners or pre-schoolers in 2025-26 may apply
- Acceptance is not automatic due to space/class size restrictions
- New families with students in grades 1-8 may apply
- Acceptance is not automatic due to space/class size restrictions
Mar 3:
- Applications for families new to SCCS schools with students in grades 1-8 for next year begin to be reviewed and accepted
- Kindergarten and preschool applications begin to be reviewed and accepted for SCCS schools
Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting
A letter regarding the next step in the diocesan and SCCS elementary schools’ transition to more standard/evidence-based assessment and reporting was emailed around the beginning of November. It is also available below:
SBAR Letter
Here, again, is the link to the UPDATED 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.
Instructions
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:
- Mar 3: No buses (DCSD is not in session). Cheerleading/boys bb pictures. Lenten Mission
- Mar 4: Lenten Mission
- Mar 5: Ash Wednesday (OLV Masses at 7 am, 12 pm, 6 pm)
- Mar 6: 5/8 to AHS Musical. H & S Mtg
- Mar 7: SCCS & SAU 8th Gr Career Fair. Middle School Youth Night. Confirmation Sponsor Dinner. Shark Tank Final Rnd
- Mar 9: “Spring Forward” time change.
- Mar 11: Skate Night
- Mar 13: JFK Reconciliation for 2-8
- Mar 14: Green/White Dress Day
- Mar 17-21: Spring Break. ECLC Open
