Author: csteimle

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday evening and Friday during the day have scheduled conferences for 4 YO preschool. There are no 4 YO preschool classes on Friday.

K-8 drop-in conferences are 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday in teachers’ classrooms. Report cards should be available to pick up. 4F conferences are scheduled.

Inclement Weather Announcements for JFK

If there should be a weather related late start, early dismissal, or school closure, this information will be sent out via automated email, text, and phone call.  The automated message goes to all primary contacts and is shared as soon as we can.  We also put the information on our website and main Facebook page.  Typically, we will follow the Davenport Community School District, due to bus transportation.

If school is cancelled, we will just let it be a snow/inclement weather day; students will not have to go online for instruction.  We have enough instructional time built into our school calendar to accommodate some snow days.

On two-hour early dismissals, we do operate our after school childcare programs, but we ask that everyone try to pick up as soon as possible so all can travel safely.

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Bulk messaging to the whole school actually goes out on a per student basis. If you have three students at JFK, you get the same message three times. It’s probably a “better safe than sorry” scenario, however. Would you rather sign up for text messaging and get three messages saying school is cancelled due to weather or none at all?

Action Needed by Those Receiving ESAs

Tuition amounts for the second semester have been uploaded to Odyssey.  Please log in to your account and approve the tuition.  It should only take a few minutes. Then, the State of Iowa will be able to pay Scott County Catholic Schools (SCCS) for your students’ tuition.  This needs to be done by January 31, 2025. Failure to take action will result in you being responsible for the tuition without the benefit of state funding.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the SCCS business office at (563) 326-5313.

Registration/Re-Enrollment and Application for 2025-26 Link Scheduled to be Live on January 22

Below is the tentative 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 goes live. Look for communication on January 22nd. Information will also be available on the front page of our website. There are different directions for those who are “re-enrolling” and those who are new to SCCS.
• 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

Feb 10:

• JFK’s preschool open house, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and our preschool and wrap around care programs
  • Receive help with the online application
    • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used. Morning preschool slots fill up fast throughout SCCS!

Feb 13:

• JFK’s kindergarten round-up, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and kindergarten
  • Activities for future JFK kindergartners
  • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used

Feb 21:

• Deadline for preferred re-enrollment of current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8. After this date, current SCCS families are not guaranteed a spot for next school year. Re-enrollment is not complete without the $150 per student registration fee.

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

Are You a Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish?

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV. When one does a quick scan of weekend Masses and doing a little extrapolation and estimation, about 20%-33% of JFK’s students are probably at an OLV weekend Mass. Just over half the children who actually are in attendance at a weekend Mass are JFK students, which seems low considering about 70%-85% of all children in the parish actually attend JFK. Would anyone consider you to be a participating member?

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 will be available first to participating members of OLV. Families who are members of OLV “in name only” may not be given as high of a priority.

Are you saying “Yes” to weekend Mass worship?

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week is underway. Below is an outline:

Sat, Jan 25

• 4:30 school Mass
  • Wear JFK spirit wear or green/white
• 5:30 Pizza dinner in the parish center (prepaid is ideal)
• 6:00-8:00 Family Fun Night & Book Fair

Mon, Jan 27

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser by grades 3-8
• K-2 Special classroom activities
• Dress: Athletic attire with fancy/crazy socks

Tues, Jan 28

• Talent show in the afternoon
  • Information/sign up sheets were distributed prior to Christmas break. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Mrs. Putnam for extra copies. Returned information goes to Mrs. Corcoran
  • K class act begins at 12:00. Individual/group acts will follow but be grouped by the type of act rather than grade level this year. Guests are welcome, but we cannot anticipate the time of the performers.
  • Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon
• Dress: Wacky Tacky Dress Day

Wed, Jan 29

• All school Mass
• Bring an adult guest to lunch day
  • K: 10:40-11:10
  • 3/4: 11:10-11:40
  • 1/2: 11:40-12:10
  • 5/6: 12:10-12:40
  • 7/8: 12:10-1:10
  • Lunch flyer/form was emailed and sent home via hard copy. The child’s lunch account will be charged for the adult meal. Just make sure there are funds in your child’s lunch account; no separate funds are needed for the adults.
  • After lunch, students and their adult guests are welcome to attend the book fair in the library
  • Parents may take their children home for the day after lunch but must check their children out through the office and let the homeroom teacher know as well.
• Dress: Spirit wear or green/white out of uniform

Thurs, Jan 30

• Mass at AHS for students in grades 2-12 in SCCS schools
  • The first set of buses will leave JFK around 8:45. Mass will conclude around 10:30. The last students should be back at JFK by around 11:30. There is no separate permission slip as long as you gave permission for your child to attend field trips during the online registration last spring.
• Drop Everything and Read
  • Students can bring a pillow to sit upon
• Science Fair showcase for 8th grade
• Dress: Take pride in your uniform day. All students in SCCS will be in dress code (even those upper grade students who may have PE today)

Fri, Jan 31

• 8th grade vs. staff volleyball games with other grades cheering them on or doing special activities determined by teachers
• Dress: Teacher/Student Flip Day. Students dress like teachers (Mrs. Tilkens excluded), and staff dress like students

Sat, Feb 1

• Tubing at Snowstar, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Career Fair Presenters Needed

Presenters are needed for the annual SCCS 8th grade career fair at St. Ambrose. This year’s fair is March 7th. We are seeking presenters from area businesses, the trades, colleges and universities, health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, public and private sector agencies, etc. to join us in educating our 8th grade students about the varied employment opportunities available to them.

Presenters are asked for a time commitment of 8:15am-1:30pm. We ask you to prepare a booth with information about your career (job duties, professional expectations, hours, required education/training, technology, general salary range, likes and dislikes, etc). We are requiring that you bring a hands-on activity for students. The students will rotate in groups and complete a career questionnaire about each booth they visit. A thank you lunch for all presenters will be provided. Additionally, all presenters are invited to join us for the celebration
of Mass at 1:30 in the Christ the King Chapel on campus.

If you are interested in being a presenter or know of someone that we should contact, please reach out to Emma Wolf at JFK: emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com

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

Special Calendar Events

Wed, Jan 15: Special dismissal at 12:40. End of 2nd Qtr. No afternoon PS classes. Buses and aftercare available

Mon, Jan 20: No classes. ECLC open

Thurs, Jan 23: Drop in K-8 conferences. 4F conferences will be scheduled.

Thurs/Fri, Jan 23/24: 4 YO PS scheduled conferences. No 4 YO PS classes on Jan 24

Action Needed by Those Receiving ESAs

Tuition amounts for the second semester have been uploaded to Odyssey.  Please log in to your account and approve the tuition.  It should only take a few minutes. Then, the State of Iowa will be able to pay Scott County Catholic Schools (SCCS) for your students’ tuition.  This needs to be done by January 31, 2025. Failure to take action will result in you being responsible for the tuition without the benefit of state funding.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the SCCS business office at (563) 326-5313.

Registration/Re-Enrollment and Application for 2025-26

Below is the tentative 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 goes live
• 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

Feb 10:

• JFK’s preschool open house, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and our preschool and wrap around care programs
  • Receive help with the online application
    • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used. Morning preschool slots fill up fast throughout SCCS!

Feb 13:

• JFK’s kindergarten round-up, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and kindergarten
  • Activities for future JFK kindergartners
  • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used

Feb 21:

• Deadline for preferred re-enrollment of current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8. After this date, current SCCS families are not guaranteed a spot for next school year. Re-enrollment is not complete without the $150 per student registration fee.

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

Are You a Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish?

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV. When one does a quick scan of weekend Masses and doing a little extrapolation and estimation, about 20%-33% of JFK’s students are probably at an OLV weekend Mass. Just over half the children who actually are in attendance at a weekend Mass are JFK students, which seems low considering about 70%-85% of all children in the parish actually attend JFK. Would anyone consider you to be a participating member?

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 will be available first to participating members of OLV. Families who are members of OLV “in name only” may not be given as high of a priority.

Are you saying “Yes” to weekend Mass worship?

 

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week is underway. Below is an outline.

Sat, Jan 25

• 4:30 school Mass
  • Wear JFK spirit wear or green/white
• 5:30 Family meal (prepaid is ideal)
• 6:00-8:00 Family Fun Night

Mon, Jan 27

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser by grades 3-8
• K-2 Special classroom activities
• Dress: Athletic attire with fancy/crazy socks

Tues, Jan 28

• Talent show in the afternoon
  • Information/sign up sheets were distributed prior to Christmas break. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Mrs. Putnam for extra copies. Returned information goes to Mrs. Corcoran
  • K class act begins at 12:00. Individual/group acts will follow but be grouped by the type of act rather than grade level this year. Guests are welcome, but we cannot anticipate the time of the performers.
  • Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon
• Dress: Wacky Tacky Dress Day

Wed, Jan 29

• All school Mass
• Bring an adult guest to lunch day
  • K: 10:40-11:10
  • 3/4: 11:10-11:40
  • 1/2: 11:40-12:10
  • 5/6: 12:10-12:40
  • 7/8: 12:10-1:10
  • Lunch flyer/form was emailed and sent home via hard copy last week. The child’s lunch account will be charged for the adult meal. Just make sure there are funds in your child’s lunch account; no separate funds are needed for the adults.
  • After lunch, students and their adult guests are welcome to attend the book fair in the library
  • Parents may take their children home for the day after lunch but must check their children out through the office, and let the homeroom teacher know as well.
• Dress: Spirit wear or green/white

Thurs, Jan 30

• Mass at AHS for students in grades 2-12 in SCCS schools
  • The first set of buses will leave JFK around 8:45. Mass will conclude around 10:30. The last students should be back at JFK by around 11:30. There is no separate permission slip as long as you gave permission for your child to attend field trips during the online registration last spring.
• Drop Everything and Read
  • Students can bring a pillow to sit upon
• Science Fair showcase for 8th grade
• Dress: Take pride in your uniform day. All students in SCCS will be in dress code (even those upper grade students who may have PE today)

Fri, Jan 31

• 8th grade vs. staff volleyball games with other grades cheering them on or doing special activities determined by teachers
• Dress: Teacher/Student Flip Day. Students dress like teachers (Mrs. Tilkens excluded), and staff dress like students

Career Fair Presenters Needed

Presenters are needed for the annual SCCS 8th grade career fair at St. Ambrose. This year’s fair is March 7th. We are seeking presenters from area businesses, the trades, colleges and universities, health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, public and private sector agencies, etc. to join us in educating our 8th grade students about the varied employment opportunities available to them.

Presenters are asked for a time commitment of 8:15am-1:30pm. We ask you
to prepare a booth with information about your career (job duties, professional
expectations, hours, required education/training, technology, general salary range, likes and dislikes, etc). We are requiring that you bring a hands-on activity for students. The students will rotate in groups and complete a career
questionnaire about each booth they visit. A thank you lunch for all presenters will
be provided. Additionally, all presenters are invited to join us for the celebration
of Mass at 1:30 in the Christ the King Chapel on campus.

If you are interested in being a presenter or know of someone that we should contact, please reach out to Emma Wolf at JFK: emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com

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 two weekends ago. 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

 

Classes Resume January 6th

All K-8 and preschool classes resume on January 6th.

Action Needed by Those Receiving ESAs

Tuition amounts for the second semester have been uploaded to Odyssey.  Please log in to your account and approve the tuition.  It should only take a few minutes. Then, the State of Iowa will be able to pay Scott County Catholic Schools (SCCS) for your students’ tuition.  This needs to be done by January 31, 2025. Failure to take action will result in you being responsible for the tuition without the benefit of state funding.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the SCCS business office at (563) 326-5313.

Registration/Re-Enrollment and Application for 2025-26

Below is the tentative timeline for registration/re-enrollment and application for the 2025-26 school year in SCCS elementary schools:

Jan 22:

• Registration/re-enrollment and new application link goes live
• 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

Feb 10:

• JFK’s preschool open house, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and our preschool and wrap around care programs
  • Receive help with the online application
    • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used. Morning preschool slots fill up fast throughout SCCS!

Feb 13:

• JFK’s kindergarten round-up, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  • Learn more about JFK and kindergarten
  • Activities for future JFK kindergartners
  • We encourage families to complete the online application even prior to round-up as time/date stamps may also be used

Feb 21:

• Deadline for preferred re-enrollment of current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8. After this date, current SCCS families are not guaranteed a spot for next school year

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
• Discounted registration fees end

Are You a Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish?

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV. When one does a quick scan of weekend Masses and doing a little extrapolation and estimation, about 20%-33% of JFK’s students are probably at an OLV weekend Mass. Just over half the children who actually are in attendance at a weekend Mass are JFK students, which seems low considering about 70%-85% of all children in the parish actually attend JFK. Would anyone consider you to be a participating member?

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 will be available first to participating members of OLV. Families who are members of OLV “in name only” may not be given as high of a priority.

Are you saying “Yes” to weekend Mass worship?

5th Grade Flag Essay Winners

This year’s winners of the 5th grade flag essay contest are the following: Kai D. (1st), Gaige G. ( 2nd), and Myles H. (3rd).

Civic Oration Winners

This year’s winners in our “civic oration” speech contest this year are the following, in two divisions:

5/6 Division: 1st = Addelyn A.     2nd = Elyas R.     3rd = JaDaiveis W.

7/8 Division: 1st = Caitlyn C.     2nd = Lilly S.     3rd = Lincoln M.

With sports as this year’s theme, there was an incredible variety of sports that I have heard of, such as curling, rugby, volleyball, golf, football, jiu jitsu, and motorsports, and some that I never heard of before, such as kabaddi and wife carrying.

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week planning has just gotten underway. Below is a bare bones outline. Many more details will be communicated as they become available. Student council and Home & School, for example, meet this week, and they will be contributing their ideas to CSW.

Sat, Jan 25

• 4:30 school Mass and book fair

Mon, Jan 27

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser by grades 3-8
• K-2 Activity stations

Tues, Jan 28

• Talent show in the afternoon
•      Information/sign up sheets were distributed prior to Christmas break. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Mrs. Putnam for extra copies. Returned information goes to Mrs. Corcoran

Wed, Jan 29

• All school Mass
• Bring an adult guest to lunch day
• Dress: Spirit wear or green/white

Thurs, Jan 30

• Mass at AHS for students in grades 2-12 in SCCS schools
• Drop Everything and Read
• Dress: Take pride in your uniform day. All students in SCCS will be in dress code (even those upper grade students who may have PE today)

Fri, Jan 31

• 8th grade vs. staff volleyball game

Career Fair Presenters Needed

Presenters are needed for the annual SCCS 8th grade career fair at St. Ambrose. This year’s fair is March 7th. We are seeking presenters from area businesses, the trades, colleges and universities, health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, public and private sector agencies, etc. to join us in educating our 8th grade students about the varied employment opportunities available to them.

Presenters are asked for a time commitment of 8:15am-1:30pm. We ask you
to prepare a booth with information about your career (job duties, professional
expectations, hours, required education/training, technology, general salary range, likes and dislikes, etc). We are requiring that you bring a hands-on activity for students. The students will rotate in groups and complete a career
questionnaire about each booth they visit. A thank you lunch for all presenters will
be provided. Additionally, all presenters are invited to join us for the celebration
of Mass at 1:30 in the Christ the King Chapel on campus.

If you are interested in being a presenter or know of someone that we should contact, please reach out to Emma Wolf at JFK: emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com

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 two weekends ago. 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 

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

Please only use the designated pick up and drop off areas. Things have gotten a little lax with traffic coming down a lane toward the school at the north end of the parking lot and dropping kids off in the lane rather than along the barriers.  A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

• Red arrows are the drop off/pick up zones.  Note that the main one is at the north, but there is also one that can be used at the south.
• Blue arrows are the one-way pick-up lanes.
• Orange arrows are one-way lanes.
• Green arrows indicate where traffic goes in both directions.
• Note that in some areas there are two lanes going in the same direction:  one lane is just driving through (orange arrows) and the other lane is the pick up lane leading to the drop off/pick up zone (blue and red arrows).

Please remember the following as well:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

 

Early Dismissal on Friday – No Afternoon PS

Dismissal for K-8 is at 12:40 on Friday. Bus transportation is available. Aftercare and wraparound care (ECLC) are available. There are no afternoon preschool classes.

Classes resume on January 6th.

Say Yes

This year’s theme for JFK is “Say Yes,” and the related song we used is Kim Walker Smith’s “I Say Yes.” I was reminded of it again when Mrs. Corcoran mentioned it in the Christmas programs last week, thanking me for “saying yes” to music, finger lights, props, schedules, and types of programs that we’ve never done before. While the meaning was originally targeted for its religious meaning, we have been having fun when people remind me of the theme when asking for another “jeans day,” more sand for science projects, books for preschoolers, etc. Of course, it’s also worked both ways, and I’ve asked staff to do extra duties when a colleague is absent!

How have you said, “Yes,” to Jesus lately?

Books for First Graders and State Investments in the Science of Reading

Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced a statewide investment of over $3.5 million to provide every first grader in Iowa with Just Right Reader decodable book packs to take home and keep there as a reinforcement of classroom instruction. These decodable book packs are grounded in the Science of Reading and also include a QR code with access to video lessons for family engagement. The books will be distributed before Christmas break.

These book packs are part of a larger initiative to continue to push the Science of Reading across the state of Iowa. Many Iowa teachers, including eleven at JFK and each of the other SCCS elementary schools, are undergoing a two-year training program in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling based upon the Science of Reading paid for by the Department of Education. Several other teachers at JFK have already completed the training and/or are taking the training through a different cohort/funding source. On Thursday, I will be relatively unavailable as I conclude with the last day long session of LETRS for administrators training.

Highlighted Special Activities this Week

The Davenport Deanery is offering all day Reconciliation opportunities at Our Lady of Lourdes on December 17th from 7 am – 7 pm.

Our K-2 Christmas concert is in the church at 6:00 p.m. Doors will be unlocked at 5:45 p.m. Staff will be in the church prior to that time finishing with the reservation of seats for students, the transformation of the church from primarily a place of worship to a place for a religious Christmas concert, etc. Participating students will sit with their classmates. Please remember that we will still be in a church – no playing in the baptismal font or running around the pews or altar.

Wednesday is the three-year-old preschool event. That will start at 7:30 a.m. in the parish center.

After the special 7:40 a.m. all school Mass on Friday, the kindergarten through 2nd graders will present their Christmas concert to the student body in the church. There is limited seating for additional guests in the very back of the church. Please remember that once students are in the church for Masses, we lock the church doors for safety. Guests planning on viewing the concert should probably plan on attending the 7:40 Mass as well.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 will be available first to participating members of OLV. Families who are members of OLV “in name only” may not be given as high of a priority. Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 is slated to begin January 22nd.

Are you saying “Yes” to weekend Mass worship?

Civic Oration

With sports as this year’s theme, all students in grades 5-8 delivered their “civic oration” speeches last week based upon their research papers. Tobogganing, lacrosse, gymnastics, ice skating, and more were all topics. The following students advanced to the second round of the speech contest:

5th grade: Crue N, Lillian N, Henry S, Stevens F, Gracelyn S, Daniel A

6th grade: Addelyn A, Levi F, Caleb P, Elyas R, Mia V, JaDaiveies W

7th grade: Paloma S, Lilly S, Marshall N, Audrey J, Gideon O, Will C

8th grade: Caitlyn C, Anthony C, Darian M, Derek C, Lincoln M, Sylvia R

Advancing to the “parish center” round of competition in two divisions are the following. Parents/relatives of parish center round contestants are invited to attend the parish center round of competition at 9:00.

5/6: Stevens F, Daniel A, Addelyn A, Elyas R, Mia V, JaDaiveis W

7/8: Anthony C, Caitlyn C, Lilly S, Derek C, Lincoln M, and Darian M

Amazon Wish List

Do you want to help your student get something for their teacher as a Christmas present? Many of the teachers have an Amazon Wish List on their JFK webpage. Find the teacher on the Contact Us section of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

Safe Snack List

Snacks, including those brought in by students, are “regulated” and must be from the approved snack list. Please review the list before sending treats to school. Note that the goal was to identify “safe” snacks/food items, not necessarily “healthy” items.

CSW Talent Show

It’s time to start thinking about the talent show for Catholic Schools Week. Information was released last week so students could start thinking about their act and practice over Christmas break.

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 two weekends ago. 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 

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

Please only use the designated pick up and drop off areas. Things have gotten a little lax with traffic coming down a lane toward the school at the north end of the parking lot and dropping kids off in the lane rather than along the barriers.  A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

• Red arrows are the drop off/pick up zones.  Note that the main one is at the north, but there is also one that can be used at the south.
• Blue arrows are the one-way pick-up lanes.
• Orange arrows are one-way lanes.
• Green arrows indicate where traffic goes in both directions.
• Note that in some areas there are two lanes going in the same direction:  one lane is just driving through (orange arrows) and the other lane is the pick up lane leading to the drop off/pick up zone (blue and red arrows).

Please remember the following as well:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

Religious Activities this Week

The Vatican has stated that the obligation to attend Mass for the holy day, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, has been transferred to December 9th. Students will attend an all school Mass on Monday. OLV has Masses at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. (livestreamed and in-person), and 6:00 p.m. on Monday. JFK also has Mass on Thursday for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and third through 8th graders will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday during the day. The Davenport Deanery is offering all day Reconciliation opportunities at Sacred Heart on December 12th and Our Lady of Lourdes on December 17th from 7 am – 7 pm.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Registration/enrollment for 2025-26 will be available first to participating members of OLV. Families who are members of OLV “in name only” may not be given as high of a priority.

Flag Essay Winner

Congratulations to Kai D. in 5th grade. His flag essay was judged a winner.

Amazon Wish List

Do you want to help your student get something for their teacher as a Christmas present? Many of the teachers have an Amazon Wish List on their JFK webpage. Find the teacher on the Contact Us section of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

Safe Snack List

Snacks, including those brought in by students, are “regulated” and must be from the approved snack list. Please review the list before sending treats to school. Note that the goal was to identify “safe” snacks/food items, not necessarily “healthy” items.

CSW Talent Show

It’s time to start thinking about the talent show for Catholic Schools Week. Information was released last week so students could start thinking about their act and practice over Christmas break.

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 two weekends ago. 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 

 

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for November

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, 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:  Sara D.
  • Sara is a leader in the classroom and always puts God first. She works hard and demonstrates the JFK GROWS daily.
• 1st Grade: Maverick F.
  • Maverick comes to school ready to learn and is a great example to others.
• 2nd Grade: Luci T.
  • Luci is new to our JFK family, and she fits right in. She always has a positive and helpful attitude and is always looking to do the right thing. No matter what we are doing, Luci is ready to participate, learn, or help.
• 3rd Grade: Brinsley S.
  • Brinsley is a hard-working student who shows respect in the classroom by following directions and staying on task. She is a kind friend, and we are happy she has joined our JFK family.
• 4th Grade: Stella P.
  • Stella deserves recognition for her exceptional kindness, respect, and dedication to academic excellence. She is always willing to help teachers and classmates and is a model student.
• 5th Grade: Kaylee B.
  •  Kaylee is very respectful and follows expectations. She is quick to include others who are without a partner during group work. Kaylee well-mannered and greets those around her with a smile.
• 6th Grade: Mia V.
  • Mia always strives to do her best.  She is kind to peers and teachers alike and is always very helpful.
• 7th Grade: Natalie R.
  • Natalie is not only a great student, but a great person. She always comes to class prepared, sometimes even over-prepared! This works in favor of her classmates as she is always willing to share. She is kind, genuinely caring, and even tries to make her teachers smile. She has high expectations for herself and her classmates. JFK is very lucky to have her.
• 8th Grade: Kenya H.
  • Kenya is very respectful. Kenya is always willing to step up and volunteer in class.

Internationally Acclaimed Speaker for SCCS

Chris Stefanick, an internationally acclaimed speaker, will be presenting his message of Living Joy to SCCS 6th-12th graders this week at AHS. Mr. Stefanick is a recipient of the Papal Benemerenti Medal given by the pope for achievement in ministry and recent keynote at the National Catholic Youth Conference,

CSW Talent Show

It’s time to start thinking about the talent show for Catholic Schools Week. Look for a flyer and more information to be released before Christmas break.

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 two weekends ago. 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 

Annual Progress Report to the Community

JFK’s Annual Progress Report to the Community, summarizing the 2023-24 school year, has been posted to our website. Many thanks to Emma Wolf for her design work.

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving break is November 27-29. ECLC is open on Wednesday, November 27th.

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 two weekends ago. 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 

Annual Progress Report to the Community

JFK’s Annual Progress Report to the Community, summarizing the 2023-24 school year, has been posted to our website. Many thanks to Emma Wolf for her design work.

 

Veterans’ Day Event

For photos of our Veterans’ Day event, check out our official school Facebook page and ask to become a member of the closed group, JFK Moms & Dads. With all of the students involved, the singing, the cheer, the decorations, the reading of the essays about what the flag means to me, the guest speaker, the playing of Taps, etc., it was a moving experience! A special thank you to Mrs. Corcoran for her vision and planning to make something special, Ms. Che and Ms. Estes for helping to prepare the band students and 5th graders, and everyone else for their flexibility and willingness to make something truly special.

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 last weekend. 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 

Annual Progress Report to the Community

JFK’s Annual Progress Report to the Community, summarizing the 2023-24 school year, has been posted to our website. Many thanks to Emma Wolf for her design work.

No Buses on November 11th

There no are buses before or after school on Monday, November 11th. The public schools are not in session.

Remaining Report Cards to be Mailed

Report cards for children of families who were unable to attend conferences will be mailed this week.

Veterans’ Day Event at JFK

All students will be involved in a special Veterans’ Day program on Monday, November 11th at 1:30, in the gym. Guests, particularly veterans, are invited to attend.

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 over the weekend. 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 

Substitutes Needed at JFK and SCCS

JFK’s Annual Progress Report to the Community, summarizing the 2023-24 school year, has been posted to our website. Many thanks to Emma Wolf for her design work.

Parent/Teacher Conferences – No Classes Thursday and Friday

Parent/teacher conferences are on November 4th and 7th.  Conferences for PS-5th graders are scheduled.  If you need to change your conference time, please reach out to your child’s teacher. 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.

No Buses on November 11th

There no are buses before or after school on Monday, November 11th. The public schools are not in session.

Veterans’ Day Event at JFK

All students will be involved in a special Veterans’ Day program on Monday, November 11th at 1:30, in the gym. Guests, particularly veterans, are invited to attend.

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for November

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, 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:  Isla A.
  • Isla comes to school every morning with a smile on her face and ready to learn.  She is a good listener, works hard at following directions, and waits patiently for her turn.   Isla is kind to her classmates and eager to play with everyone.
• 1st Grade: Gabe B.
  • Gabe is persistent in his school work and a good friend to all his classmates.  Gabe is respectful and has a positive attitude.
• 2nd Grade: Roslind P.
  • Ros is the first to help others and always has her teammates’ backs. She is joyful and shines her light all day, everyday.
• 3rd Grade: Peyton M.
  •  Peyton is a great student who always puts extra effort into each assignment that is presented to her.  In addition, she has a smile that is contagious and creates a positive atmosphere in our classroom.
• 4th Grade: Nolan I.
  • Nolan has shown outstanding adaptability and a positive attitude as he begins his first year at JFK. His cooperative, kind personality make him a welcome addition to our classroom community.
• 5th Grade: Piper R.
  • Piper is goal-oriented, super hardworking, and always willing to help her classmates. She always shows great organizational, listening, and time-management skills. She is responsible and possesses great integrity.
• 6th Grade: Olivia T.
  • Olivia is very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures. She is always willing to help those around her.
• 7th Grade: Lilly S.
  • Lilly is new to JFK but fits in so well, it’s like she has been here since Kindergarten. She works very hard in class and always does her best in everything she does.
• 8th Grade: Kaitlyn E.
  • Kaitlyn stays on track, is always willing to help her peers, and even helps clean up the room at the end of the day.

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.

Instructions 

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:

1. Phonemic awareness—the knowledge that spoken words can be broken apart into smaller segments of sound known as phonemes.
   1. Deals entirely with sounds: I can do this work in the dark
2. 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.
3. 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
4. Vocabulary words–the body of words used in a language
5. Reading comprehension strategies—techniques for helping individuals to understand what they read. 
6. (Concepts of print)–sometimes a 6th pillar is added, the awareness of how print “works.”

This science of reading is used greatly within instruction.

Substitutes Needed at JFK and SCCS

JFK’s Annual Progress Report to the Community, summarizing the 2023-24 school year, has been posted to our website. Many thanks to Emma Wolf for her design work.