Month: May 2025

Last Principal’s Post of the School Year

This is the last weekly Principal’s Post of the school year. Any Principal’s Posts over the summer will be irregular. You can also continue to check JFK’s Facebook page over the summer. An “academic” summary calendar for SCCS in Davenport is linked on the front page of our website, and the detailed calendars on our website contain more information.

Special Events Yet This Week

Below are some of the special events yet this week. Check the school calendar and emails from your child’s teacher(s) for more complete information.

May 28: Last day of all preschool classes. Mrs. Blocker’s PS program at 5:45 p.m. Mrs. Zeimet’s PS program at 6:45. Bounce houses and similar activities at JFK during the school day.

May 29: 3 YO PS family event in the parish center, 7:30 a.m. Graduation Mass, 6:30 p.m.

May 30: Field day. Last day of K-8 classes. 2 hr early dismissal (12:40). JFK Night at the Ballpark. Last day of ECLC.

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for May

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: Graham W.
  • Graham is always excited to learn what is taught.  He is kind to his classmates, always willing to help, and highly responsible.
• 1st Grade: Emma U.
  • Emma has a positive attitude and is a good friend to all her classmates. She does her schoolwork neatly and politely asks for help when necessary.
• 2nd Grade: Carson I.
  • Carson is always a model of respect and perseverance. He is a great role model for his classmates. We can all count on him, all day, every day.
• 3rd Grade: Luci D.
  • Luci is an excellent student who works hard and shows a desire to learn and improve in each task with which she is presented. She has a positive attitude and is always willing to reach out to others that need help.
• 4th Grade: Benny S.
  • Benny deserves recognition for his exceptional kindness, respect, and dedication to academic excellence. He is always willing to help teachers and classmates and is a model student.
• 5th Grade: Gracie P.
  • Gracie is known for her generosity, patience, and kindness. She is the biggest helping hand, and she makes everyone feel appreciated and welcome. She respectfully follows directions and is always trying her hardest. Everyone is smiling when they’re around Gracie!
• 6th Grade: Gabbie U.
  • Gabbie is very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures.  She is always willing to help out her classmates and teachers.
• 7th Grade: Sarah N.
  • Sarah is new this year and has come a long way since the beginning. She has found her voice, uses it to advocate for herself, and asks questions when she doesn’t understand something. She is a joy to have in class.
• 8th Grade: Eva B.
  •  Eva works well with peers, stays on track with assignments, and tries her best. She is an exemplar of JFK GROWS.

Immunizations

This week, schools received a notice from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regarding a confirmed case of measles in Iowa in an unvaccinated adult. This case is the first confirmed case of measles in Iowa, and the first case in Iowa since 2019. While no widespread public exposure is anticipated, it is concerning as Iowa now joins 30 other states with measles cases. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. The best tool is prevention with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is 97% effective. “Herd immunity” from an outbreak tends to occur when 95% of the population is vaccinated. Currently, only 84% of 2-year olds in Iowa have received their first dose given at 12-15 months of age. (A second dose is given at 4-6 years).

This notice from DHHS prompts me to remind parents of the August 1st target date for all immunization information to be forwarded to JFK. This information is critical for preschoolers and kindergartners. There are also requirements for students entering 7th grade. Students who do not meet immunization requirements must be excluded from school, unless there is a valid exception. A religious exception for Catholics is not keeping with Church teaching as the Catholic church does not oppose immunizations; the Catholic Church, in fact, supports vaccinations.

Projects for the Summer

There are always several projects done in schools over the summer. The following are some of our bigger projects, one of which will even start this week:

• Replace the power retractable screen in the library and the projector.
• Replace flooring and remove asbestos glue in two classrooms downstairs and the server room in the library. (Financed by the OLV Foundation)
• Add amenities to the playground. (Also financed, in part, by the OLV Foundation, OLV, and donors)
• Replace several doors and door closures.
• Minor remodeling in the library and staff room.
• Replace the scoreboard in the gym. (Financed, in part, by Home & School)
• Replace the basketball backboards and rims outside.

JFK Receives High Reliability School Level 2 Certification: Effective Teaching in Every Classroom

JFK received Level 2 certification in Marzano High Reliability Schools™.  Level 2 certification means JFK has established “Effective Teaching in Every Classroom,” which focuses on the responsibility of both school leaders and teachers in ensuring high-quality instruction. Level 2 certification is also only awarded when a school continues to have met the criteria for Level 1 certification, which involves creating a “Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture,” the foundational culture without which student achievement is compromised.

The high reliability school (HRS) program was created by Marzano Resources to help transform schools into organizations that take proactive steps to ensure student success. Using a research-based five-level hierarchy, educators learn to assess, monitor, and confirm the effectiveness of their schools. This framework, based on 50 years of educational research, defines five progressive levels of performance that a school must master to become an HRS—where all students learn the content and skills they need for success in college, careers, and beyond. “As you move through the levels, it represents a complete transformation in how schools are run,” says CEO Robert J. Marzano. Schools must collect data and validate their performance to climb each level of the hierarchy. Certification is determined by Marzano Resources analysts in cooperation with school data teams. 

High quality instruction is the most important tool educators have at their disposal to positively affect student learning. Level 2 of the Marzano High Reliability Schools framework details how to develop and maintain teacher effectiveness in every classroom by building a shared language of instruction and using this common language to raise the level of pedagogical skill both individually and collectively. JFK’s Instructional Playbook provides the details for quality intentional teaching at JFK. The playbook expresses JFK’s fundamental values, efforts to address student well-being, and intentional instruction with content, research-based teaching strategies, and high-quality formative and summative assessment.

JFK is one of only 26 schools in the state of Iowa and 402 in the entire nation that has achieved this national Level 2 certification as a High Reliability School.

Locals Love Us

Have you voted for JFK yet? We are in three categories: Child Care, Private Schools K-8, and Preschool. Here’s the link to vote.

Youth and Family Engagement Committee of OLV

 As part of the bishop’s synodal process, each parish was tasked with creating a Youth and Family Engagement Committee. OLV’s has been doing some great work and using your ideas on how to bring youth and families back to church. This committee will actually become a standing committee. More members, including those who can fill “officer” positions are needed. If interested, please complete our sign up form by June 1^st so we can begin communications and logistics. Link here: https://forms.gle/tvP2WUewjPwvfa5P6

Thanks to those who attended the Teaching Masses. In case you missed it, here is the recording – https://youtu.be/2v7Aj8_XFz8?si=jpbyXem5japqNbrs .

New “busy bags and activity table” were launched on May 18th. These are designed to help those little ones (ages 0-5) who are always moving about. For those who want to keep your little ones in the pew, grab a busy bag to help keep their little learning hands busy during Mass. They will be in hanging bags, back by the children’s bookshelf near the main doors of the sanctuary. If the little ones need to walk, there is a small, dedicated activity table in the gathering space with some quiet, church toys so that parents can still listen in while the kids play. Please remember to return the bags at the end of Mass and put away any toys taken out in the gathering space.

 Lastly, we are having a soft launch of our new Second Sunday Family Mass on Sunday June 8^th. This special mass will offer the chance for kids of ALL AGES to get more involved in Mass, whether it’s singing, serving or greeting those as they enter. To sign up to participate in these Masses, please complete the sign up form by Friday May 30^th; form link here: https://forms.gle/Z27iTG4Lbhc5sUSGA. More details will be sent to interested families later.

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.

Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting

A letter regarding 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 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 

8th Grade Graduation at JFK

Highlighted Events

Successful Home & School Fundraisers

Home & School’s recent fundraisers were wildly successful. The candy bar sale netted around $7,500. Let’s see about getting that new scoreboard this summer! The kickball tournament had 85 students playing, and 50 students in the spirit squad dance. Around $1,200 was made from this event. The “Dine & Donate” at Jersey Mike’s earned the school $738! Thanks for your support!

Locals Love Us

Have you voted for JFK yet? We are in three categories: Child Care, Private Schools K-8, and Preschool. Here’s the link to vote.

Judy Calcari/Home & School 8th Grade Award

Applications for the Judy Calcari/Home & School 8th Grade Award were emailed to 8th grade families last week. Students’ applications are due on May 19th.

Youth and Family Engagement Committee of OLV

 As part of the bishop’s synodal process, each parish was tasked with creating a Youth and Family Engagement Committee. OLV’s has been doing some great work and using your ideas on how to bring youth and families back to church. This committee will actually become a standing committee under OLV’s parish council. More members, including those who can fill “officer” positions are needed. If interested, please complete our sign up form by June 1^st so we can begin communications and logistics. Link here: https://forms.gle/tvP2WUewjPwvfa5P6

Thanks to those who attended the Teaching Masses. In case you missed it, here is the recording – https://youtu.be/2v7Aj8_XFz8?si=jpbyXem5japqNbrs .

New “busy bags and activity table” were launched on May 18th. These are designed to help those little ones (ages 0-5) who are always moving about. For those who want to keep your little ones in the pew, grab a busy bag to help keep their little learning hands busy during Mass. They will be in hanging bags, back by the children’s bookshelf near the main doors of the sanctuary. If the little ones need to walk, there is a small, dedicated activity table in the gathering space with some quiet, church toys so that parents can still listen in while the kids play. Please remember to return the bags at the end of Mass and put away any toys taken out in the gathering space. Special shouts to Girl Scout Troop 1612, who graciously donated some trinkets for the busy bags, and Jack T., who 3-D printed fidgets for the bags.

 Lastly, we are having a soft launch of our new Second Sunday Family Mass on Sunday June 8^th. This special mass will offer the chance for kids of ALL AGES to get more involved in Mass, whether it’s singing, serving or greeting those as they enter. To sign up to participate in these Masses, please complete the sign up form by Friday May 30^th; form link here: https://forms.gle/Z27iTG4Lbhc5sUSGA. More details will be sent to interested families later.

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.

For more information, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting

A letter regarding 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 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 

8th Grade Graduation at JFK

Highlighted Events

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.

Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting

A letter regarding 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 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 

8th Grade Graduation at JFK

Highlighted Events

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.

Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting

A letter regarding 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 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 

8th Grade Graduation at JFK

Too Much Fun

The day I decided to not wear a dress shirt and tie…. (Apparently I didn’t get the memo!) There would have been more people in the picture, but some had already changed – a shirt and tie was just too uncomfortable!

JFK Facebook Pages

Highlighted Events