JFK GROWS Students of the Month for April
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: Delilah S.
- Delilah puts her best foot forward and motivates others to do the same. She is a friend to all and demonstrates the JFK Difference daily.
- 1st Grade: Allegra K.
- Allegra is kind to everyone. She always gives 100% with a smile on her face.
- 2nd Grade: Lillie R.
- Lillie is a sweet friend. She will help anyone and likes to make people feel welcome. She does not give up when school work gets difficult; instead, she keeps trying and always finds her way through. She is a great example of perseverance.
- 3rd Grade: Evelyn S.
- Evelyn comes to school each morning with a positive attitude and demonstrates putting God first by being kind to others. She respects the teachers and follows the classroom rules daily.
- 4th Grade: Annie W.
- Annie is a polite, respectful girl who is kind to everyone. She follows the JFK difference on a daily basis!
- 5th Grade: Harper W.
- Harper is an amazing student. She is always willing to help and goes above and beyond in her work. Harper is kind to those around her and helps any friend who needs it.
- 6th Grade: Liam S.
- Liam is quiet but hard working. He’s inclusive with his peers and uses respectful behaviors with staff. Liam strives to do his best. He is kind to his peers and always willing to lend a helping hand.
- 7th Grade: Sierra M.
- Sierra is a great example of JFK GROWS. She is very confident in her faith and always puts God first. Her behavior is always respectful, even when she’s frustrated or upset. She seeks opportunities to serve and volunteers her talents and time even before being asked. She is welcoming to all and willing to work with someone who may not have a partner. And, of course, she is always making safe choices.
- 8th Grade: Maya H.
- Maya does a great job staying on track, working on assignments, and asking questions. Maya works well with her peers and is always positive in the classroom.
If you do not have access to a computer or otherwise find yourself unable to complete the ESA application independently, you may email martha.korneisel@sccsiowa.org or rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or call Martha at 563.326.5313 ext. 223 or Rose at 563.326.5313 ext. 269.
The application for the FTP is available at: www.assumptionhigh.org/familytuitionplan.
Parish Subsidized Student: $ 6,075. Total parent cost after ESA = $150 registration fee.
Non-Parish Subsidized Student: $8,505. Total parent cost after ESA = $ 522 tuition and $150 registration fee. (Families facing economic barriers may apply to the Family Tuition Plan for assistance with tuition.)
School Calendar for 2025-26
The academic school calendar for the Davenport elementary schools in SCCS has been passed and is available on the front page of our website.
Registration Fee for 2025-26 Due
If you have not finished the registration process by paying the registration fee, please do so as soon as possible. Directions for paying the registration fee are on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.
Positions Open for 2025-26
Interventionist: JFK has been authorized to hire an additional full-time interventionist for 2025-26. The person in this position will work with small groups or even one-on-one with students, primarily in reading and math. An Iowa teaching licenses is needed.
Long-term and short-term substitutes: We are often short about one substitute teacher per day. Persons with teaching licenses, substitute licenses, and/or a substitute authorization are encouraged to apply.
Instructional aide: JFK is seeking at least one additional instructional aide for the 2025-26 school year.
For more information, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
Leaps & Bounds – One Session
JFK will only be offering one session of Leaps & Bounds this summer. There were not enough students registered for the June session. L & B focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. Students spend about two hours on reading activities, one hour on math activities and then 30 minutes on snack and recess. Space is limited, but there are still some spots available for the July/August session. Currently, ESA funds are not able to be used for the $200 L & B fee. To register, please complete the registration forms and return to the school office with the registration fee. L & B Registration Forms
Session II: July 28-Aug 1 & Aug 4-8 (8:00-11:30)
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:
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.
8th Grade Graduation at JFK
JFK’s graduation Mass is actually on Thursday, May 29th. The downloadable academic calendar for SCCS elementary schools lists the 30th as graduation. OLV/JFK is making an exception so I can be at graduation on that Thursday and my daughter’s wedding rehearsal on Friday.
Cell Phone Law
Iowa’s new law regarding students’ cell phones in schools is generating a good deal of discussion, particularly at the high school level. The Iowa Department of Education will issue a sample policy this week, and a Diocese of Davenport policy is in draft form as well. JFK’s and most elementary schools’ cell phone policies are fairly restrictive already so I do not anticipate a huge difference for us.
Dress Code Lax Again
Adherence to the dress code seems to have waned again. We’ll be doing more random building or grade-wide checks as we move forward. Friday’s dress code check led to about 16 violation notices. The most common violations were for students without belts, hoop/dangling ear rings, not approved gym clothes, and skirts/gym shorts being too short. Other more common violations that we tend to see are students wearing hoodies in class and shirts not tucked in.
Kickball and Cheer/Dance Event
Many thanks to H & S and Mrs. Tilkens for organizing Friday’s kickball and cheer/dance event. The kids had such a good time. I wish it had been a bit warmer though! I wasn’t at the whole event this year. I was there for the beginning and then had to run an errand before 5:00 p.m. I made it back in time with my winter coat for the dance/cheer. Then, I lent my coat to my son who was umping and had to leave shortly thereafter because I no longer had a coat!
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:
- Apr 27: Stage Set up.
- Apr 29: Hearing screenings (K, 1, 5). Supply Store.
- Apr 30: Putnam Museum presenter. AHS Spring Info Knight
- May 1: Skate night.
- May 2: Backward Dress Day.
- May 4: First Communion
- May 5: 6th Field Trip to AHS
- May 7: Putnam Museum presenter
- May 8: 5C Golfing. Home & School
- May 9: 5E Golfing. Crusader Theater school performance. Crusader Theater evening performance
- May 10: SHE Kickoff?
- May 10: Crusader Theater matinee
Chad
