Principal’s Post for May 17, 2026

Posted on May 17, 2026 by csteimle

🆕New/Updated Information

Don’t Stall Now – ESA Applications

The percent of registered students for whom ESA applications for JFK for the 2026-27 school year have been completed increased to 77% from 75% last week. School level “verification” has begun. Applications must be completed every year, even if you are already receiving an ESA.

State ESA Website

Band Concert

The band concert was fun last week. I can’t beleive how far the 5th graders have come – Good King Wenceslas at Christmas time to Apollo Fanfare in the spring. The growth is amazing!

This week it’s choir concerts for 5/6 and 7/8.

Spread the Word – Job Openings at JFK

We will have two openings in our lunch program. The hours are about 10:00-2:00 or 2:30. Please contact me or Meredith Ash (meredith.ash@olvjfkmail.com).

Catholic Scholarship Granting Organization

The Diocese of Davenport, with the Diocese of Des Moines, Archdiocese of Dubuque, and the Diocese of Sioux City, are excited to announce a decision to establish a Catholic Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) to support our schools and families. The Iowa Catholic SGO will operate as a nonprofit corporation with federal 501©(3) status under the leadership and oversight of the Iowa Bishops. This nonprofit organization will be able to take advantage of recent national legislation that allows families to take advantage of donated tuition dollars for non-public schools that meet their families’ needs. Donors receive a federal tax credit. Once operational at the federal level, this opportunity will parallel Iowa’s state level STO tax credit program. SGOs, STOs, and ESAs are making school choice a reality for Iowans!

Summer Lunch Program

Please look for a separate email with flyers regarding summer lunch programs and the Sun Bucks program. Free lunches and food assistance are available during the summer. (Note: JFK is NOT a summer lunch site, but there are multiple sites throughout Davenport.)

Leaps & Bounds Summer 2026 – Financial Assistance Available

There’s still assistance available! We received a donation for this summer’s Leaps & Bounds. Don’t let the $200 cost keep your students away. Just let us know you need some financial help. L & B focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. About two hours is used for reading, one hour for math, and 30 minutes for recess/snack. Space is limited so register now. This summer’s two week session is July 13-17 and 20-24. Registration materials can be found online.

📌Still Relevant

I-Ready Math Requirements

I-Ready use can help your child’s math skills.

I-Ready Math is an online program we use to better understand each student’s math strengths and learning needs. It begins with a short diagnostic/screener that helps identify what skills a student has mastered and where additional support or challenge is needed. Based on those results, i-Ready provides personalized math lessons that adjust to each child’s level, allowing students to work at an appropriate pace while building confidence and understanding. At school, students use i-Ready Math for at least 30 minutes per week as part of their regularly scheduled instructional time. That should be enough time to at least do one i-Ready lesson per week. Students not finishing the lesson at school will have it assigned as homework. In addition, students who scored below benchmark in math at both the fall and winter screenings will be required to work with i-Ready outside of school hours, reinforcing the school/home partnership. Upper grades are having the greatest challenges in completing their minutes, and we would really like to prevent large numbers of students having to stay after school. Students may always voluntarily do i-Ready lessons at home as well.

Altar Server Training

Altar Server Training will be held Saturday, May 30th from 9:30am-11am in the church. Children who will be entering the 4th grade and up, who are interested in altar serving at Mass, are invited to attend this training. One parent/adult needs to attend with the student.

Checking Students’ Grades and Missing Work

Below is a link to the instructions for parents to check 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.

Important notes:

There are some things that just cannot be done on the app. You will have to use a computer for them.
There is a message that says “Grades disabled by school.” IGNORE this message. It references a certain type of grade and not the standards-referenced grades we are using.

Instructions

📚Learning Habits Matter

Math Thinking Over the Summer

Math skills are a lot like muscles—the less they are used, the harder they are to restart.

As summer approaches, it is helpful to remember that math learning benefits from continued practice. When students go long periods without using math, some skills become slower or less automatic.

The good news is that summer math does not need to feel like worksheets or extra schoolwork. Many everyday activities naturally involve math thinking. Here are a few examples by age level:

PK–2
• Counting games
• Simple number puzzles
• Identifying numbers in everyday settings

Grades 3–5
• Math fact review
• Board games or card games involving numbers
• Keeping score during games and activities

Grades 6–8
• Budgeting spending money
• Estimating travel time or distances
• Comparing prices while shopping or planning purchases

Even small amounts of regular math thinking can help students maintain confidence and readiness for the fall.

Math does not only happen in classrooms. Often, the most meaningful practice happens during everyday conversations and experiences throughout the summer.

🗓️ Highlighted Events

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com. On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page. Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you. Below are a few highlighted events:

May 19: 5/6 and 7/8 Choir Concert in the church. 8th to Outing Club. Jersey Mike’s Dine & Donate
May 21: 3 YO PS Confs. 4th Bowling
May 22: Band to Adventureland
May 23: Pinewood Derby
May 25: Memorial Day. No School. ECLC Closed
May 26: 8th Field Trip
May 27: Last Day of 3 YO PS.
May 28: Last Day of 4/5 YO PS. 3 YO PS Family Event. 4/5 YO PS Evening Programs
May 29: Last Day of K-8. Field Day. 12:40 Dismissal. Graduation
May 30: Altar Server Training
June 5: JFK Night at the River Bandits

💭Personal Sharing

School winding down? Not at all!

I alwasy refer to the time from spring/Easter break until the end of the school year as Sprint, not spring. There is so much that has to be done before the end of the school year that one can barely keep one’s head above the water. I always feel awkward when people ask if I have any summer plans – I’m too busy racing to the finish line to be planning anything else!

There is, however, one constant activity that I always have time for – a trip to the library. Now, I do have it down to a science where I can be in and out in about five minutes: return four books, head to the large print new books section, read the back of about seven books and select four of them, hit the checkout, and done! If I find I don’t like one of the books I chose, I just set it aside. I’ve committed no money and hardly any time to the selection to feel bad about it! Five minutes is probably even less time than I sit at a fast food drive-thru window!

Chad

Principal’s Post for May 10, 2026

Posted on May 10, 2026May 11, 2026 by csteimle

🆕New/Updated Information

75% – ESA Applications

The percent of registered students for whom ESA applications for JFK for the 2026-27 school year have been completed increased to 75% from 66% last week. Applications must be completed every year, even if you are already receiving an ESA.

State ESA Website

Drop Off on 42nd Street

Although your car may seem big and feel like a bus some days, it’s probably not really a bus. There are quite a few cars stopping on 42nd Street in front of school to drop off kids in the morning. This is not a drop off area for cars.

Reading and Math Screenings Finish This Week

We should finish the third and final screening of K-8 students in reading and math this week. Having charged devices each day will be important for students.

Spread the Word – Job Openings at JFK

Spread the word — We are still looking for one teacher at JFK for 2026-27. Adjustments of teaching assignments will take place so we are currently looking for someone to fill a position in grades 1-5 or work as a reading interventionist. To apply for a teaching position at JFK, please submit your resume and transcripts to Logan Ahnquist at logan.ahnquist@sccsiowa.org. You can find more information and the online application that needs to be completed at the following website https://davenportdiocese.schoolspring.com/

We also will have two openings in our lunch program. The hours are about 10:00-2:00 or 2:30. Please contact me or Meredith Ash (meredith.ash@olvjfkmail.com).

Similar Financial Concerns Heard Elsewhere – Buildings in Need of Work

In last week’s Principal’s Post, I mentioned that four requests I typically hear at OLV’s Finance Council meetings. One is more support for OLV, especially as ESAs are allowing families to save thousands of dollars they would otherwise be spending on tuition. During the week, I was at a broader meeting for SCCS and heard similar sentiments from community members regarding future needs of our Catholic school buildings, “Past generations paid tuition and contributed to capital campaigns to build/expand/care for our buildings. It may be time to ask this generation.” St. Joan of Arc has a $40+ million new school to pay for. St. Paul’s is doing a capital campaign for a building addition so all K-8 classrooms can be in the main school buidling, and the convent can just be used for early childhood. All Saints needs several million dollars worth of repairs and upgrades, including nearly $2 million alone in just HVAC.

Last week, I mentioned that JFK is currently authorized for about $144,000 worth of work on the school this summer. JFK’s current capital improvement project list, however, includes over $1.4 million in needs. That just includes the work for which we have estimated the costs. It doesn’t include things like $6+ million for a gym/stage combination that is built strong enough to serve as a storm shelter, separate music and band rooms, consolidated small workspaces for interventionists and small group projects and meetings, etc. It doesn’t even include upgrades/renovations to the newest parts of the building, which, in my mind, are still the “new additions.” The “new additions,” however, are 15 years old now; they have HVAC systems, flooring, fixtures, etc. that are nearing the end of their life expectancies!

Leaps & Bounds Summer 2026 – Financial Assistance Available

We received a donation for this summer’s Leaps & Bounds. Don’t let the $200 cost keep your students away. Just let us know you need some financial help. L & B focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. About two hours is used for reading, one hour for math, and 30 minutes for recess/snack. Space is limited so register now. This summer’s two week session is July 13-17 and 20-24. Registration materials can be found online.

📌Still Relevant

I-Ready Math Requirements

I-Ready use can help your child’s math skills.

Altar Server Training

Checking Students’ Grades and Missing Work

Important notes:

There are some things that just cannot be done on the app. You will have to use a computer for them.
There is a message that says “Grades disabled by school.” IGNORE this message. It references a certain type of grade and not the standards-referenced grades we are using.

Instructions

📚Learning Habits Matter

Talking About Books

Some of the most important reading moments happen after the book is closed, and the conversation begins.

When students discuss books, they are doing more than retelling a story. They are organizing thoughts, making connections, explaining ideas, and thinking more deeply about what they read.

Those conversations look different at different ages:

PK–2
• What happened in the story?
• Who was your favorite character?
• What was your favorite part?

Grades 3–5
• Why do you think the character made that choice?
• What surprised you in the story?
• What problem was the character trying to solve?

Grades 6–8
• What message do you think the author is trying to communicate?
• Did anything in the book surprise you or challenge your thinking?
• Would you recommend the book to others? Would I (the parent) like it? Why or why not?

Reading research consistently shows that discussion improves comprehension because it encourages students to slow down, reflect, and process meaning more deeply.

The good news is that these conversations do not need to be long or formal. A few thoughtful questions at the dinner table, in the car, or after reading together can make a meaningful difference.

🗓️ Highlighted Events

May 12: JFK Band Concert at AHS
May 13: 8th Gr Band Field Trip
May 15: JFK Night at the Steamwheelers
May 16/17: Youth & Family Engagement Event
May 19: 5/6 and 7/8 Choir Concert in the church. 8th to Outing Club. Jersey Mike’s Dine & Donate
May 21: 3 YO PS Confs. 4th Bowling
May 22: Band to Adventureland
May 23: Pinewood Derby
May 25: Memorial Day. No School. ECLC Closed
May 26: 8th Field Trip
May 27: Last Day of 3 YO PS.
May 28: Last Day of 4/5 YO PS. 3 YO PS Family Event. 4/5 YO PS Evening Programs
May 29: Last Day of K-8. Field Day. 12:40 Dismissal

💭Personal Sharing

No one met the level 10 loyalty test last week – no one was still wearing a tattoo of me after the weekend!

Speaking of weekends. It was a great one. The weather was perfect for the middle school track meet – although I think I got too much sun! Then, I enjoyed another performance of JFK’s Crusader Theater’s Freaky Tiki. Our daughter, Kirsten, came in from Des Moines, and Kirsten, Tom and his friend, and my wife and I enjoyed dinner at Applebee’s. The only thing missing Saturday was an Indiana Fever win!

On Sunday, I got up early to do a little school work. Then, it was Mass and a trip to Menards with Lynn. Lynn went shopping with the kids, and it’s been a quiet evening. It’s also a “two-fer” day: Mother’s Day and Lynn’s birthday. I don’t know if she doesn’t like the two-fer because it feels like you get short-changed a special day, or if she actually likes it because there’s an excuse to not have to draw too much attention to how old we’re getting!

Chad

Principal’s Post for May 3, 2026

Posted on May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 by csteimle

🆕New/Updated Information

Crusader Theater

JFK middle school Crusader Theater students will present Freaky Tiki on May 8th (6:30) and May 9th (2:00) in the parish center. Follow the chaotic staff of the 2.5-star Wobbly Palms Resort in Hawaii. They must impress a mystery guest to avoid closing, but chaos ensues when a “cursed” tiki causes an escaped lobster, lost engagement ring, and lost voice! If that’s not enough of a reason to come to the show, come to see our new portable stage! Tickets are $10.00, purchased at the door. The average runtime is 75 minutes.

ESA Applications Rise to 66%

The number of ESA applications for JFK for the 2026-27 school year increased to 66% of those registered, up from 53% last week. Applications must be completed every year, even if you are already receiving an ESA.

State ESA Website

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, this year, we are recognizing one student from each homeroom whose teachers have observed them exhibiting these traits particularly well at school during the past month:

KE – Maryn H: Maryn is a great example of a student who works hard and always tries her best.

KI – Palmer P: Palmer’s positivity and joy is felt the minute she walks in the door. She’s everyone’s biggest cheerleader and leads by example.

KN – Tinley T: Tinley strives to be a good listener and to follow the rules for the classroom. She has a positive attitude about learning and enjoys helping others.

1B – Myra H: Myra is a super smart student who is always excelling academically. If there’s ever a hard time among friends, she finds a way to fix the problem and leaves it at school. She is mature, smart, and responsible.

1Y – Briar H: Briar knows when to be serious and when to be silly. She is kind, considerate, and respectful. She loves to be creative, and it shows in many things that she does.

2M – Jamie B: Jamie has really emerged as a student leader this year. He has been putting forth his best effort in and out of class and has been making great progress. He always has a friendly smile and is willing to help a classmate out.

2P – Kinzlee G: Kinzlee is kind and giving. She steps in and takes care of her friends whenever they need her. She truly lives “I’ve got your back” everyday.

3E – Oscar S: Oscar is a polite and considerate student who naturally includes others during play and collaborative work. He treats classmates and adults with respect and consistently gives his best effort in all that he does.

3V – Alex D: Alex works hard academically to be successful in all of his assignments in third grade. Beyond his academic hard work, he has a keen eye for noticing what needs to be done, often stepping in to help the teacher or a classmate before being asked. This combination makes him a well deserved Student of the Month.

4F – Walker R: Walker was new to JFK this year. He is a good model for the JFK Difference. He is respectful, accepting, kind, hard working, and always treats others with respect. Walker has a great smile that makes everyone around him smile too. He has been a great addition to our classroom community!

4L – Alexis G: Everyone should have an Alexis G. She’s smart, kind, and helpful as can be! We are proud she’s a part of the 4L family.

5C – Lucas K: Lucas consistently follows our JFK difference and comes to school everyday ready to learn. He follows expectations and is an amazing friend to those around him. Lucas is always willing to help and go above and beyond what needs to be done.

5E – Taylor K: Taylor is always trying her absolute hardest in every single thing we do in class. She strives to always turn in work that is of the best quality. She is the sweetest soul and always has a smile on her face. She happily helps with tasks and is a friend to all. Her positive attitude is contagious, and she encourages others to be a great listener. She is such a bright light in our classroom!

6N – Gracie P: Gracie is kind, polite and always willing to help out, especially with taking care of messes after class. She always strives to do her best in class. Gracie really displays the JFK Difference.

6T – Taylor P: Taylor is a hard-working and responsible student who gives her best effort. She demonstrates kindness by helping both her classmates and teachers.

7P – Olivia R: Olivia joined our class halfway through the school year, but you would never know it. She adapted gracefully, and it’s as if she’s been here the entire time! She is polite to adults, kind to her classmates, goes above and beyond in her school work and is not afraid to laugh and be silly, showing her true, authentic self. She may be new, but the JFK Difference is something she seems to have naturally practiced all along!

7R – Arianna R: Arianna consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and a positive attitude in the classroom. She comes prepared, stays focused, and puts thoughtful effort into everything she does. Her willingness to participate and help others makes her a great role model for her peers.

8C – Anthony S: Anthony tries his best on assignments, and, if he is unsure, he tries to ask for clarification to make sure he is doing everything correctly.

8L – Laney G: Laney puts forth great effort on assignments, works well with her peers, and volunteers often.

Drop Off on 42nd Street

There seems to be quite a few cars stopping on 42nd Street in front of school to drop off kids in the morning. This is not a drop off area for cars.

Reading and Math Screenings Begin This Week

We will begin the third and final screening of K-8 students in reading and math this week. Having charged devices each day will be important for students.

New Teachers and New Position

Anna Marie Thompson has been hired for a classroom position in grades 1-5 for the 2026-27 school year. She is moving here from Michigan and has several years of teaching experience.

Katie Thimsen will be in a new position next school year. She will provide English as a Second Language (ESL) services at JFK and St. Paul’s and co-teach computer science lessons at JFK.

OLV Finance Council Requests

I typically go before the OLV Finance Council each month on behalf of JFK. Last week, I received approval to spend up to $144,000 on summer projects with $40,300 in reserve and a likely significant donation from the OLV Foundation to be announced in mid-May.

I regularly, however, also hear of four requests from the Finance Council:

Greater attendance/participation of JFK families at Masses at OLV: Catholic schools were somewhat established under the model of “people who attend Mass need Catholic schools.” Too often there seems to be a shift to something like “people who attend Catholic schools may attend Mass as well.”
Greater support of JFK: Are JFK families volunteering? Are they participating in the community of the school?
More active support for ESAs: “School families” are receiving a huge benefit from ESAs. Are they contacting their state legislators to thank them and tell them how important ESAs are? Are they supporting Iowa ACE?
More financial support of OLV: ESAs are allowing families to save thousands of dollars that they would otherwise be spending on tuition. One might have expected that with all families eligible for ESAs this year the total of OLV’s ordinary income from all parishioners would be up by more than only $600 from July – February compared to last year. Are families increasing their planned, proportionate giving to the Church?

📌Still Relevant

I-Ready Math Requirements

I-Ready use can help your child’s math skills.

Leaps & Bounds Summer 2026

Leaps & Bounds focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. About two hours is used for reading, one hour for math, and 30 minutes for recess/snack. Space is limited, and a minimum number of students is also needed in order for it to be viable. Currently, ESA funds are not able to be used for it. This summer’s two week session is July 13-17 and 20-24. Registration materials can be found online.

Altar Server Training

Checking Students’ Grades and Missing Work

Important notes:

There are some things that just cannot be done on the app. You will have to use a computer for them.
There is a message that says “Grades disabled by school.” IGNORE this message. It references a certain type of grade and not the standards-referenced grades we are using.

Instructions

📚Learning Habits Matter

Math Fact Fluency

Strong math problem-solvers aren’t thinking about basic facts—they already know them.

In mathematics, some skills eventually need to become automatic. Addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts are good examples. When students can recall these quickly, they have more mental energy available for solving more complex problems.

Imagine trying to solve a multi-step problem while still counting on your fingers for basic facts. The work becomes slower, and it becomes harder to focus on the actual thinking the problem requires.

What fluency looks like across grade levels:

PK–2
• Counting practice
• Simple addition and subtraction

Grades 3–5
• Multiplication and division facts
• Quick, accurate recall

Grades 6–8
• Efficient recall while solving multi-step problems
• Focus on reasoning, not basic computation

Helpful home habits include:
• Five minutes of math fact practice a few evenings each week
• Mental math questions in the car

Small, consistent practice is far more effective than occasional long sessions.

When basic facts become automatic, students are better able to focus on what matters most—thinking and problem solving.

🗓️ Highlighted Events

May 3: First Communion
May 4: Reading/Math Screening begin. 5E Golfing
May 5: 5C Golfing.
May 6: Staff Luncheon
May 7/8: Crusader Theater School Performances
May 7: Youth & Family Engagement
May 8/9: Crusader Theater Perfomances
May 12: JFK Band Concert at AHS
May 13: 8th Gr Band Field Trip
May 15: JFK Night at the Steamwheelers
May 16/17: Youth & Family Engagement Event
May 19: 5/6 and 7/8 Choir Concert in the church. 8th to Outing Club. Jersey Mike’s Dine & Donate
May 21: 3 YO PS Confs. 4th Bowling
May 22: Band to Adventureland
May 23: Pinewood Derby
May 29: Last Day of K-8

💭Personal Sharing

Friday apparently was Principal’s Day. Staff members wore “Chadtoos” of my image. Nicely played!

Even Bonbon got in on the Chadtoos:

I think we should use Chadtoos as a loyalty test:

Level 0: No tattoo of me at all
Level 1: Small tattoo of me that is covered
Level 2: Small visible tattoo of me on an arm or a large-size image that is covered
Level 3: Visible tattoo of me on their face or a large-size image on an exposed part of their arm
Level 4: Visible tattoo of me worn out in public (What did they really think of you at Menards, Jillian Maxwell?)
Level 5: Tattoo of me on their forehead (Thank you, Amy McGovern)
Level 10: Still wearing it on Monday!

Staff members were also wearing our RED t-shirts on Friday: Remember Everyone Deployed.

More photos can be found on JFK’s Facebook page and JFK Moms & Dads closed group.

Chad