Author: csteimle

I’m So Blessed!

We made it through the heat last week!  I think our biggest weather related issues were condensation dripping off of some of the air conditioning pieces of equipment.  If that’s the worst, I’ll count HVAC as among our blessings!

Give Thanks for Our Blessings at Mass

The beginning of a new school year and new schedules is the perfect time to renew and/or adjust your weekend Mass attendance schedule.  OLV has four weekend Masses:  4:30 on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Each Mass has a slightly different “feel” as well, if that aspect is more important than the time of day.  Be also on the lookout for Ignite Sundays with a special evening Mass and programming for the whole family.

PS-8 Immunization Records

Bus Issues Getting Better

We are starting to notice a lessening number of bus issues.  It always takes a little time for the bus company to smooth things out at the beginning of the school year.  We have 11 buses serving JFK at the end of each day.  They come from All Saints, Trinity Lutheran, and Assumption before arriving at JFK.  Employees of JFK can work as liaisons regarding bus issues, but we have no control over busing.

K-8 Home Language Survey

Kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS).  Many kindergartners already submitted these in February.  The HLS is available under the “Policies & Forms” heading of the “For Parents” section of our website, for anyone who needs it.

PS-8 Payment System for 2023-24

Parents need to complete several steps in the Blackbaud tuition management system, arrange for payments to be made, and, by now, begin making payments.  Remember that tuition is billed at the gross amount, and then deductions like parishioner discounts, multi-child discounts, “private pay” discounts, etc. are shown.  It is believed that the invoices are correct, and all of the discounts have been posted.  As of two weekends ago, around 600 families with children attending SCCS had not completed the needed steps within Blackbaud.  If you have questions, please contact Rose Strickland at the SCCS business office at AHS:  rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or 563-326-5313.  No one at JFK has access to your account information in Blackbaud.

This same system is used for making lunch payments and paying for other optional services/programs like band and aftercare.

Finalizing Payments for 2022-23

Calendars

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.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Sept 4:  Labor Day.  No classes.  ECLC closed
• Sept 7:  JFK Skate Night
• Sept 11:  In-service, no classes.  ECLC is open.  Jason Evert event.

Altar Server Training

Open Positions at JFK for 2023-24

JFK still has open positions for 2023-24:

Instructional aide/support position:  We are looking for a “jack of all trades” person to help in preschool, supervise recesses, provide instructional support, and care for students in aftercare and/or wrap-around care.  On some days, one might start as early as 7:10, and, on other days, one might work until 5:30.  The total is about 39 hours per week, and the rate is $12 per hour.  Summers are off, and most other breaks also follow the same schedule as your children!  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Instructional aide positions:  Help teachers and provide instructional support for students in K-8.  Multiple positions are available.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes:  Substitutes are always needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.   If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.  We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Amy Jackson, and Dianne Longenecker.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/JFK-K-8-Parent-Handbook-2023-24.pdf    Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

ALICE Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, most teachers have already briefly talked to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  (We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.)  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three year olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13 year olds.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.       

JFK’s Facebook Pages

JFK has three Facebook pages:  the main one for the school, one just for pre-school, and a closed Facebook group, JFK Moms & Dads, where people can post to others in the group.  JFK’s Facebook page can be accessed from the front page of our website.  If you’d like to be a member of the JFK Moms & Dads group, please let Angie Hillebrand, in the school office know via a Facebook request or even via email.   Social media is not the best venue for voicing a concern, and posts that appear to do so will be removed while we try to reach out to address the concern through a better means.  Social media, including our Facebook pages, are great ways to share your photos and connect with other JFK families.  Photos from an event are often posted to these pages by families before we can even get photos taken by staff posted.  Please remember, however, that not all parents are comfortable with photos of their children being on social media.  Make sure you “like” us on both Facebook pages!

Chad

I’m So Blessed!

As we begin another school year, I am reminded of just how blessed I am.  Lynn and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, and I’m looking forward to this weekend when all four of our children will be at our house for a visit.  It doesn’t happen very often so when it does, it is truly special.

Looking at the forecast this week, JFK is blessed to be the only Catholic school in Scott County with a modern centralized HVAC system.  It’s going to be hot!

Ready for a New School Year

ECLC opens on August 21st for those wishing to use it before school begins.

PS-8 classes begin on Wednesday, August 23rd.  There are no weekly early dismissals on Wednesdays.

K-8:  7:25-2:40

4/5 YO am PS:  7:25-10:25

4/5 YO pm PS:  11:40-2:40

3 YO PS:  7:25-9:55

ECLC:  7:00-5:30

Aftercare:  2:40-5:30

Give Thanks for Our Blessings at Mass

The beginning of a new school year and new schedules is the perfect time to renew and/or adjust your weekend Mass attendance schedule.  OLV has four weekend Masses:  4:30 on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Each Mass has a slightly different “feel” as well, if that aspect is more important than the time of day.  Be also on the lookout for Ignite Sundays with a special evening Mass and programming for the whole family.

Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher on August 21st

The 3 YO PS and K-8 Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher event is on Monday, August 21st.  (Four/five YO preschoolers and parents have individual meetings with the teachers.)

These “drop in” sessions are not scheduled this year, but we would still like to stagger people throughout the whole evening so each family can have some individual attention.  We, therefore, ask families to “drop in” any time within the 30 minute time slot according to the students’ last names.  If your family is too large, and you can’t make it to each homeroom within your 30 minutes, don’t panic; it will be OK to dribble over into another time slot.:

• • A-D 5-5:30
  • E-J 5:30-6:00
  • K-P 6:00-6:30
  • Q-S 6:30-7:00
  • T-Z 7:00-7:30

The office will also be open for dropping off immunization records, for registering for aftercare, and for completing additional paperwork for wraparound care.  Without paperwork completed, you should not expect your students to be allowed into school and its programs.  For example, even if a student is enrolled at JFK, it should not be expected that he/she can stay in aftercare without the additional paperwork completed.

Individual Preschool  Parent Meetings Continue this Week

Don’t forget the preschool meeting that you signed up for.  If you haven’t made an appointment, please do so now:

• • 4/5 Year Olds in the parish center at the south end of the building
    • Aug 21 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m

Bus Issues Common at Beginning of a School Year

It seems like it always takes a little time for the bus company to smooth things out at the beginning of the school year.  Please be patient with the bus company as well.  Employees of JFK can work as liaisons, but we have no control over busing.

K-8 Home Language Survey

Kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS).  Many kindergartners already submitted these in February.  The HLS is available under the “Policies & Forms” heading of the “For Parents” section of our website, for anyone who needs it.

PS-8 Tuition Payment System for 2023-24

Parents need to complete several steps in the Blackbaud tuition management system, arrange for payments to be made, and, by now, begin making payments.  Remember that tuition is billed at the gross amount, and then deductions like parishioner discounts, multi-child discounts, “private pay” discounts, etc. are shown.  It is believed that the invoices are correct, and all of the discounts have been posted.  As of two weekends ago, around 600 families with children attending SCCS had not completed the needed steps within Blackbaud.  If you have questions, please contact Rose Strickland at the SCCS business office at AHS:  rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or 563-326-5313.  No one at JFK has access to your account information in Blackbaud.

Finalizing Payments for 2022-23

A Message from Mrs. Wolf, Our Student Support Specialist

“We are getting all geared up for the new school year! While I’m excited I don’t think I’m ready for my little guy to have his FIRST day. I hope that you all enjoyed your summer. I am looking forward to seeing all the students and back to the school year, Bandit our facility dog is too he missed everyone. If at any point of time in the school year if your family is experiencing difficulties at home, I would like to provide additional support at school. I understand that you’re not always able to share details and that is ok. If your child is coming to school after a difficult morning, night, or weekend, please email me your child’s first and last name and “handle with care” at emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com

This will let me know that your child may need extra time, patience, or help during the day!

As always please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Here’s to a new year!”

PE Uniform

The link to Handicapped Development Center’s “store” for JFK’s 5th-8th grade PE clothes is HERE, or you can use the following: http://handicappeddevelopment.org/jfk/   If I have this right, shirt sizes seem to be running small, pants are running big, and shorts are somewhere in the middle.  I would encourage you to try on the items at JFK or at HDC before ordering.

Uniform Policy/Dress Code

Now is also a good time to review the dress code, especially for hair color.  Some of those fun colors or Kool-Aid dyed tips can be a real challenge to get out and often required a hair cut as well.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s also not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• 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.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• 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.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns, 2023

• 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).

Calendars

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.  Check out when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled.  Those parent meetings begin as early as August 24th.

New Staff Members/Assignments

Most new members were introduced earlier this year, but we want to welcome them again.  We also have some staff members switching positions:

• Kathy Neuberger moved to kindergarten this year.  Mrs. Neuberger was teaching kindergarten when I started at JFK some 20 years ago, and I think she must have been about 12 years old then.  Mrs. Neuberger has been in an interventionist position since she returned to JFK but is now returning to kindergarten.
• Jackie Everhart will be teaching 3rd grade for us this year.  She showed the clear signs of an experienced teacher when she moved her personal teaching materials to JFK as soon as possible this summer so they wouldn’t clutter up her garage!
• Dr. Angela Hand, another experienced teacher, will be joining us to teach K-8 music and 7/8 choir and to help with the musical.  She’ll be busy learning 360 student names!
• Dr. Carole Behr, who we saw at JFK as a substitute last year, has taken a one year position as an interventionist assigned to JFK.
• Jennifer Wemhoff and Emma Wolf will be assuming the responsibilities of an SCCS building coordinator for JFK this school year.  Duties of a building coordinator are similar to those of an assistant principal with primary exceptions in teacher evaluations and independent decision making authority.  Mrs. Wemhoff will also continue in her role as adult faith formation coordinator for OLV.  She’s been a “regular” in the office for many years.
• Shay Lagrone is still feeling her way to new duties in the office.  She will be taking on some clerical tasks that the assistant principal used to do and even covering some recesses.
• Casey Smith began at JFK in May and will be playing a bigger role at JFK this year in one of those “jack of all trades” types of positions that works in preschool, childcare, recesses, etc.  We may even call upon her for advice as a past daycare director.
•  Scott Sweeney’s new role as Parish Maintenance and Grounds Supervisor puts him in charge of the entire campus.  No longer will the pastor have to deal with roofs, concrete work, church doors, hail damage, etc.

Open Positions at JFK for 2023-24

JFK still has open positions for 2023-24:

Instructional aide/support position:  We are looking for a “jack of all trades” person to help in preschool, supervise recesses, provide instructional support, and care for students in aftercare and/or wrap-around care.  On some days, one might start as early as 7:10, and, on other days, one might work until 5:30.  The total is about 39 hours per week, and the rate is $12 per hour.  Summers are off, and most other breaks also follow the same schedule as your children!  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Instructional aide positions:  Help teachers and provide instructional support for students in K-8.  Multiple positions are available.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes:  Substitutes are always needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.   If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.  We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Amy Jackson, and Dianne Longenecker.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/JFK-K-8-Parent-Handbook-2023-24.pdf    Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

Principal’s Posts

Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

We also utilize a JFK Facebook page, and there is a closed Facebook group, JFK Moms & Dads, where people can post to others in the group.  JFK’s Facebook page can be accessed from the front page of our website.  If you’d like to be a member of the JFK Moms & Dads group, please let Angie Hillebrand, in the school office know via a Facebook request or even via email.   Social media is not the best venue for voicing a concern, and posts that appear to do so will be removed while we try to reach out to address the concern through a better means.  Social media, including our Facebook pages, are great ways to share your photos and connect with other JFK families.  Photos from an event are often posted to these pages by families before we can even get photos taken by staff posted.  Make sure you “like” us on both Facebook pages!

An Update About Me and My Family

This summer seemed to be the year for medical situations in our family.  Two of my four daughters are under recent medical care, and I had eye surgery in June.  The marvels of today’s health care are amazing.  We are so blessed!

My oldest daughter continues to live in Charlotte, North Carolina and works in the dental financial industry.  Tom has moved back to Davenport and is trying to launch Bread and Circuses, his business in “bartainment:”  music bingo/trivia and game day bingo, and other patron games.  Kirsten is in Des Moines and entering her 5th year of teaching in special education.  Caitlin earned her law degree in May and sat for the bar a few weeks ago.  She resides in Kansas City, MO.   My wife, Lynn, continues to work in student services at Assumption High School, and I am entering my 23rd year as principal at JFK.  Prior to my time at JFK, I worked at Assumption for ten years where I met Lynn.  I think this year will be the first time in about 27 years that one of our children will not be a full-time student (but Kirsten will be starting on her masters degree part-time).

Chad

Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher on August 21st

The 3 YO PS and K-8 Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher is on Monday, August 21st.  (Four/five YO preschoolers and parents have individual meetings with the teachers.)

These “drop in” sessions are not scheduled this year, but we would still like to stagger people throughout the whole evening so each family can have some individual attention.  We, therefore, ask families to “drop in” any time within the 30 minute time slot according to the students’ last names.  If your family is too large, and you can’t make it to each homeroom within your 30 minutes, don’t panic; it will be OK to dribble over into another time slot.:

• • A-D 5-5:30
  • E-J 5:30-6:00
  • K-P 6:00-6:30
  • Q-S 6:30-7:00
  • T-Z 7:00-7:30

The office will also be open for dropping off immunization records and other forms or conducting other business.

Individual Preschool  Parent Meetings Begin this Week

Don’t forget the preschool meeting that you signed up for.  If you haven’t made an appointment, please do so now:

• • 4/5 Year Olds in the parish center at the south end of the building
    • Aug 16 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Aug 21 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • 3 Year Olds in the classroom, entering through the ECLC/PS door
    • Aug 16 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

New Technology Systems for 2023-24

Scott County Catholic Schools are still in the midst of transitions to new technology systems, including the following:

• PowerSchool, our main student information system
• Kinvo, the communications system connected to PowerSchool
• Blackbaud, the online tuition, bill paying, and accounting system
• EduTrak, the lunch program

Throw in the online pre-registration system and Odyssey, for processing ESAs, and it’s quite the handful.  Getting all the systems to “talk” to one another and play nicely together is keeping many people quite busy.  By the time we add in new systems for just staff, and it’s hard to keep up!  Some of the new systems were because of the merger to SCCS, but others were from the state departments of education and revenue and the Diocese of Davenport.  Enduring so many changes this year, hopefully things will be a breeze by next year.  What still gets me, however, is that for as many times as parents have had to enter email addresses into one or more new systems this year, one would think that pushing communications out via email would be easy!  I can’t wait for all the systems to “talk” to one another!

Enrollment/Registration Steps for 2023-24

Complete the enrollment/registration steps for 2023-24.  If you missed our weekend and evening office hours and need to complete some items in person, we are now open at least 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PS-8 Pre-Registration Process:  All preschool, kindergarten, returning and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  To access the survey, click HERE.  

PS-8 Immunization Records:  Preschoolers, kindergartners and other students new to JFK will need to provide evidence of immunizations prior to school beginning.  There are also two boosters, TDaP and meningococcal conjugate vaccine,  required for 7^th graders prior to school beginning.  We can accept faxed or emailed copies.  Iowa law says that students cannot be enrolled without up-to-date immunization information provided to the school, and schools must exclude students without proper immunizations.  There are minimal exceptions.

K-8 Home Language Survey:  Kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS).  Many kindergartners already submitted these in February.  The HLS is available under the “Policies & Forms” heading of the “For Parents” section of our website, for anyone who needs it.

PS-8 Tuition Payment System:  Parents need to complete several steps in the Blackbaud tuition management system, arrange for payments to be made, and, by now, begin making payments.  Remember that tuition is billed at the gross amount, and then deductions like parishioner discounts, multi-child discounts, “private pay” discounts, etc. are shown.  It is believed that the invoices are correct, and all of the discounts have been posted.  As of last weekend, around 600 families with children attending SCCS had not completed the needed steps within Blackbaud.  If you have questions, please contact Rose Strickland at the SCCS business office at AHS:  rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or 563-326-5313.  No one at JFK has access to your account information in Blackbaud.

K-8 ESA Recipients:  There are multiple steps even after having been approved by the state for an ESA:

• Go back into Odyssey to designate JFK as the school you want your children to attend.  We can then verify that the student is enrolling at JFK (see above steps) and have tuition and fees posted to your ESA account.
• Go into Odyssey again to approve of the tuition and fees.  Once this step is completed, the state can transfer funds to the SCCS business office, and the payment can be applied to your SCCS tuition account.

PS through age 12 After school care and wrap around care forms:  After school care and wrap around care are licensed by the Department of Human Services and provide supervised activities for students who have not yet turned thirteen.  The preschool wrap around rate is included in your tuition bill for either full-time or part-time care.  The rate for K through age 12 is $5 per hour per child, which is a decrease at JFK.  The registration fee is $25 per student.  A childcare registration form is required for each student.  The blank form is available at the school or on our website.  Students cannot attend aftercare or wrap around care without the DHS program paper/pencil forms complete.  

6th-8th Catholic League athletics:  Forms are available under the “Policies & Forms” heading of the “For Parents” section of our website:

• • Sign the athletics waiver/participation contract
  • Sign the athletic concussion form
  • An annual physical form is also required. The athletic physical form is also available on our website.
  • Pay the SCCS per participant fee

5th-8th Band:  Fifth through 8th graders can be in band.  The fee is $75 per semester or $150 for the year

7th-8th General music/choir:  Seventh and 8th graders have the option to take choir or general music. The default will be choir.

Finalizing Payments for 2022-23

Open Positions at JFK for 2023-24

JFK still has open positions for 2023-24:

Instructional aide/support position:  We are looking for a “jack of all trades” person to help in preschool, supervise recesses, provide instructional support, and care for students in aftercare and/or wrap-around care.  On some days, one might start as early as 7:10, and, on other days, one might work until 5:30.  The total is about 39 hours per week, and the rate is $12 per hour.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Instructional aide positions:  Help teachers and provide instructional support for students in K-8.  Multiple positions are available.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes:  Substitutes are always needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.   If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.  We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Amy Jackson, and Dianne Longenecker.

PE Uniform

JFK’s gym clothes policy has been tightened up for grades 5-8.  Fifth-8th graders may still wear their PE clothes rather than their school uniform on days when they have PE, but they will now need to wear a PE uniform on those days.  The PE uniform consists of a gym t-shirt and gym shorts, both of which must be purchased through the school identified vendor.  (Sixth-8th graders already have the black shorts, but those students needing new shorts will have to order them from the new vendor.)  Instead of the gym shorts, students may wear gym sweatpants or loose fitting athletic pants purchased through the school identified vendor. JFK and St. Paul’s are both using Handicapped Development Center as the vendor for gym clothes.  The link to HDC’s site for JFK, which includes more information about the gym clothes policy, is HERE, or you can use the following: http://handicappeddevelopment.org/jfk/   If I have this right, shirt sizes seem to be running small, pants are running big, and shorts are somewhere in the middle.  I would encourage you to try on the items at JFK or at HDC before ordering.

Uniform Policy/Dress Code

Now is also a good time to review the dress code, especially for hair color.  Some of those fun colors or Kool-Aid dyed tips can be a real challenge to get out and often required a hair cut as well.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s also not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• 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.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• 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.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns, 2023

• 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).

Calendars

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.  Check out when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled.  Those parent meetings begin as early as August 24th.

Chad

Updated Information

There are a lot of moving pieces to registration this year!  Much of the information describing the process below is repeated, but I’ll put all new information in this Principal’s Post in italics.

Pre-Registration for 2023-24

Pre-Registration Process:  All preschool, kindergarten, returning and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.

SCCS Tuition Billing Process for 2023-24

In the past, our Catholic schools used paper “tuition contracts” to set up payment arrangements.  Now, SCCS is using an online system through the Blackbaud software system.  You will receive an email from customerservicemessages@blackbaud.school saying “Important information about your Blackbaud Tuition Management enrollment for Scott County Catholic Schools.”  Follow the directions and process outlined in that email.  I am also emailing an attachment along with this Principal’s Post link with more detailed directions regarding the tuition billing process.

No one at JFK has access to Blackbaud; it’s all done through the SCCS business office located at Assumption High School.  Rose Strickland is trying to keep up with the new system and processes there.  Her contact information is rose.strickland@assumptionhigh.org or 563-326-5313.  Below are a few comments/notes that I have based upon what we’ve heard and seen when looking at screenshots sent to us or from staff members who have children at SCCS showing us their Blackbaud screens:

• The details start with a gross amount before any discounts.  One of the discounts that has been applied and you should see in the most detailed bill area is one for those who are members of supporting parishes.  That’s about $2,200 per child.
• Multi-child discounts still need to be applied.  
• Employee discounts still need to be applied.
• Private pay discounts still need to be applied.  That’s about $200 for a parish supported family and $300 for a non-parish supported family.  “Private pay” is the phrase being used for those not yet eligible for an ESA and who are paying tuition themselves.  So far, a number of people have been wondering why they are calculating a tuition rate of $4,580 on their detailed bill when the letter in April said the tuition rate is $4,380.  The difference is the $200 discount for “private pay.”
• There is a new $25 textbook fee per student.  One of the last actions of the state legislation this spring was to eliminate state textbook money for private schools.  That was about $25 per student.  Next year, we’ll be able to take the loss of state revenue into account, but it happened this year after tuition rates were set, and budgeting was nearly complete.  
• The software system automatically charged the 4 year old paying families preschool tuition rate.  No tuition rate should have appeared at all on statements, and the SCCS business office was working over the weekend on this issue.  Occasionally, there are 5 year olds in the 4 year old PS program or a family lives in IL, and these families need to pay a tuition as the state of Iowa does not pay for their preschool education. 
• ESA payments have not yet been received.  This is not even a possibility until at least July 15th, we’ve been told.
• Other financial assistance from the Family Tuition Plan and STOs has not yet been applied. 
• Although there is no option in Blackbaud, the SCCS business office said they can determine a way for families to make weekly payments for ECLC/wraparound care.  You will need to contact that office directly to arrange for those payments.

Tuition payments for 2023-24 begin in July unless using the 10 month payment option.  Tuition is billed at the gross amount less any discounts (like multi-child discounts and parish membership discounts) and financial aid.  Due to the many steps involved in registration this year, the timing of ESAs, etc., not all discounts and financial aid have been posted to families’ accounts yet; they will be posted as soon as available.  Because of this delay, late payment fees will be waived.  However, please remember that schools have bills to pay over the entire year, the biggest of which is payroll.  Teachers, who have their own bills to pay too, are paid over 12 months so cash flow during the summer is just as important as it is throughout the rest of the year.  If you need to estimate your tuition payments for now, please do so.

Why have these tuition statements now and involve Blackbaud now if the bills do not yet reflect all of the discounts?  I do not have the definitive answer, but I suspect it has to do with cash flow.  SCCS needs to have some revenue coming in during July.  SCCS, for example, just received the bill for about 2/3 of the paper that we’ll use during the school year at JFK.  That’s several thousand dollars.  We’re ready to order nearly $40,000 in textbooks for JFK, and JFK’s July payroll will likely be over $100,000.  Multiply that by five schools, and SCCS needs to have some revenue coming in to offset the bills that are beginning to arrive. 

If you need to estimate your tuition payments for a couple of months until everything settles into place, please do so.  We’d rather have something coming in than nothing at all.  A good estimate to use could be about 5% more than you paid last year, as that was the increase percentage.  Again, late payment fees are currently being waived.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

Open Positions at JFK for 2023-24

JFK is currently seeking a K-8 music teacher for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involve Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Other positions, both teaching and instructional/childcare aides, may be available as details of federal funding are finalized, and final enrollment figures are known. 

We also currently have an opening for an assistant principal.  Mr. Connors is taking an administrative position elsewhere.  If interested in an administrative position at JFK, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  

PE Uniform

JFK’s gym clothes policy has been tightened up for grades 5-8.  Fifth-8th graders may still wear their PE clothes rather than their school uniform on days when they have PE, but they will now need to wear a PE uniform on those days.  The PE uniform consists of a gym t-shirt and gym shorts, both of which must be purchased through the school identified vendor.  (Sixth-8th graders already have the black shorts, but those students needing new shorts will have to order them from the new vendor.)  Instead of the gym shorts, students may wear gym sweatpants or loose fitting athletic pants purchased through the school identified vendor.  We are working to get some items at JFK for those who need to try on the apparel for sizing.

JFK and St. Paul’s are both using Handicapped Development Center as the vendor for gym clothes.  The link to HDC’s site for JFK, which includes more information about the gym clothes policy, is HERE, or you can use the following: http://handicappeddevelopment.org/jfk/    

Chad

JFK GROWS Students of the Month

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.  Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in May:

• Kindergarten:  Chloe A.
  • Chloe is a joy to have in kindergarten! She always has a smile on her face and loves to learn! She gives 100% all the time and is a great friend to her classmates. She goes out of her way to find opportunities to help her classmates and her teachers.
• 1st Grade:  Keeley K.
  • Keeley can be depended on to do what she is asked to do. She displays good citizenship by assisting other students. She is respectful of other students in our classroom and the school community.
• 2nd Grade:  Annsley W:
  • Annsley is a team player. She looks out for her fellow classmates and is a consistent example of the JFK Difference. Annsley is always happy to volunteer and help. She is a great role model for other students.
• 3rd Grade:  Peyton R.
  • Peyton is a sweet, polite student who goes out of her way to show kindness toward others. She is helpful in class, does a great job of following directions, and tries her best on all of her assignments. Peyton always has a smile on her face when she comes to school and brings a positive, calm energy to a vibrant classroom.
• 4th Grade:  Alyse R.
  • Alyse always has a smile on her face.  She is determined and always does her best.  “Give up” is not in her vocabulary.  She participates in class and is prepared to learn every day.  Alyse is also a great friend by including others and playing fairly.  She is a great role model!
• 5th Grade:  Madison H.
  • Madison is a sweet student who is respectful to adults and her peers.  She has a caring heart, and she puts others’ needs before her own.  Madison does a nice job turning her homework in on time and being a responsible student.
• 6th Grade:  Eva B.
  • Eva is very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures. She always works hard and does her best.
• 7th Grade:  Moira F.
  • Moira is an unsung hero of her class, even though she is quiet and reserved.  When she exerts herself, it’s amazing! She has poised, well-thought-out ideas and responses that are always appreciated. She is creative at her approach to schoolwork, and she is a gifted artist.  She tries to get along with and coexist with everyone.  Moira has a good heart, and it shows.
• 8th Grade:  Heath W.
  • Heath comes to class prepared and is always on task. Heath will work with anyone with no issues and gives his best effort.

ESA Application Process Goes Live this Week

The application for those eligible for ESAs will open at 8:00 a.m. on May 31st and close on June 30th.  The deadline is established in the law; there will be no extension.  You will want to act quickly once the online application process becomes available.

The latest information from the Department of Education regarding Education Savings Accounts can be found at the following link:  DE’s ESA Page.  The Questions and Answers section was updated on May 18th and is very useful.  It, for example, contains the 300% of poverty eligibility table, the definition of a household/members, and what line item will be used from one’s Iowa tax form.  (It’s line 26, “Net Income,” on the 2022 Iowa 1040 tax form.)

The application process is actually fairly slick.  You don’t even need your tax information in front of you, if you are an Iowa resident and filed an Iowa income tax form.  You just need to enter some basic information like social security or tax id number and authorize access to tax information you already submitted to the state.  Most of the process is entirely automated.  For those who did not file an Iowa income tax form, there is a way to upload relevant information to verify Iowa residency and/or income, if needed.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

Anyone interested in learning more about the parent/guardian application process can register to attend the training on one of the following dates and times:

The Students First ESA application will be available on May 31, and a link to the application will be provided on the DE’s website.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families and Online SCCS “Tuition Contracts”

Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application.  When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year.  There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty.  (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer.  We have three sessions on the calendar.  Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun.  Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

Registration materials were made available via email.  They will also be posted on our website soon.

Jump Start Kindergarten

On July 31 – August 4, Melissa Zeimet and Caitlin Putnam will host Jump Start Kindergarten at JFK.  There will be a review of letters and sounds, basic math concepts, and literacy skills.  Story time and hands-on activities will be abundant during the 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. time slot.  The cost is $55 with a $5 discount for early bird registration.  A minimum number of students is required for us to offer Jump Start Kindergarten.  Registration materials will be emailed to those families for whom a kindergartner has been pre-registered.

Suggestion Box

There is a digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members on the Contact Us page on our website.  Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

JFK will have at least two teaching positions open for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involve Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Accounting Process Slows Down

With only about five weeks before all accounting switches to the Scott County Catholic Schools’ business office, we are limping along with understaffing at OLV/JFK.  Fr. Jake, Ann Lotspeich, Lisa Willows, Megan Masterson, and SCCS business office representative Rose Strickland are all doing various pieces of OLV/JFK accounting to close out the rest of the fiscal year.

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

• May 29:  Memorial Day.  No Classes.  ECLC Closed
• May 30:  3rd Field Trip
• May 31:  Computer/iPad Turn in.  3 YO PS Program.  4/5 YO PS Program.  Last Day of PS Classes
• May 31:  ESA application becomes live
• June 1:  Last Day of K-8.  Field Day.  12:40 Dismissal.  8th Grade Graduation Mass
• June 2:  Last Day of ECLC

Chad

Middle School Youth Retreat

There’s also a St. Philomena Academy/youth camp on August 11-13 at St. Al’s.  It’s a 3 day overnight retreat for 6th-12 graders and sponsored by Holy Family and St. Al’s.  The enrollment process is still being developed.  More information is available from Hieu Nguyen at davclusterym@diodav.org.

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

The school year will be ending in about three weeks.  Please make sure your student has his/her iPad or Chromebook AND charger to return.  Items are bar coded so we can check them in/out, and we know who is responsible for them, even if students don’t.  Turning in equipment that was checked out to someone else does not eliminate the responsibility for the equipment that was actually checked out to a student.  We will check equipment on May 31st.

Ways To Get Involved

There are three ways for parents to currently get involved:  Board of Education, Home & School, and Policy Committee.

Even as we regionalize to become Scott County Catholic Schools, there will still be an advisory board needed at JFK.  A recent example of the board’s feedback was to help prioritize our next areas of focus in relation to our winter safety/security assessment.  The nine member board meets monthly.  Terms are for three years.  If you are interested, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

Our Home & School Association also needs officers and active participants.  H & S plans many of the fun activities for families like the event at the pumpkin patch and Snowstar.  Recently, they provided feedback regarding parameters for a new replacing our entire playground out back.  If you are interested in being active with Home & School, please send a message to JFK.HomeandSchool@outlook.com

ESA Update

The latest information from the Department of Education regarding Education Savings Accounts can be found at the following link:  DE’s ESA Page.  The Questions and Answers section was updated on May 18th and is very useful.  It, for example, contains the 300% of poverty eligibility table, the definition of a household/members, and what line item will be used from one’s Iowa tax form.  (It’s line 26, “Net Income,” on the 2022 Iowa 1040 tax form.)

The application for those eligible for ESAs will open at 8:00 a.m. on May 31st and close on June 30th.  The deadline is established in the law; there will be no extension.  You will want to act quickly once the online application process becomes available.

Anyone interested in learning more about the parent/guardian application process can register to attend the training on one of the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, May 23, 10 a.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3Bd8mAs-TWGKMuJbhX4JJg
• Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DsfTNrtR06LL2uE4qrRjA
• Saturday, May 27, 12 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MUFIRiANRSm57AAwtcwUOQ
• Tuesday, May 30, 2 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iPsDoIBLTlWTNDMgJ9qxQQ
• Monday, June 5, 11 a.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9Mv08byQSD-SVvrRgP_kcA
• Wednesday, June 7, 7 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F7EBpAMET0mCWBFWW4HKjw 

The Students First ESA application will be available on May 31 and a link to the application will be provided on the DE’s website.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families and Online SCCS “Tuition Contracts”

Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application.  When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year.  There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty.  (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer.  We have three sessions on the calendar.  Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun.  Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

Registration materials were made available via email.  They will also be posted on our website soon.

Jump Start Kindergarten

On July 31 – August 4, Melissa Zeimet and Caitlin Putnam will host Jump Start Kindergarten at JFK.  There will be a review of letters and sounds, basic math concepts, and literacy skills.  Story time and hands-on activities will be abundant during the 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. time slot.  The cost is $55 with a $5 discount for early bird registration.  A minimum number of students is required for us to offer Jump Start Kindergarten.  Registration materials will be emailed to those families for whom a kindergartner has been pre-registered.

Suggestion Box

There is a digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members on the Contact Us page on our website.  Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

JFK will have at least two teaching positions open for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involve Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Accounting Process Slows Down

With only about six weeks before all accounting switches to the Scott County Catholic Schools’ business office, we are limping along with understaffing at OLV/JFK.  Fr. Jake, Ann Lotspeich, Lisa Willows, Megan Masterson, and SCCS business office representative Rose Strickland are all doing various pieces of OLV/JFK accounting to close out the rest of the fiscal year.

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

• May 22:  Band to Adventureland
• May 23:  8th Field Trip
• May 24:  8th Manners Unit at Outing Club
• May 25:  3 YO PS Conferences
• May 26:  4th Field Trip
• May 28:  AHS Graduation
• May 29:  Memorial Day.  No Classes.  ECLC Closed
• May 30:  3rd Field Trip
• May 31:  Computer/iPad Turn in.  3 YO PS Program.  4/5 YO PS Program.  Last Day of PS Classes
• June 1:  Last Day of K-8.  Field Day.  12:40 Dismissal.  8th Grade Graduation Mass
• June 2:  Last Day of ECLC

Chad

Middle School Youth Night and Retreat

Finish the school year right with an OLV/JFK youth night!  All OLV/JFK 6th-8th graders are invited.  Plan for games, snacks, and small groups.  May 15th, 6-7:30.  Drop off at the JFK gym.  Pick up at the OLV youth room in the basement of the rectory.

There’s also a St. Philomena Academy/youth camp on August 11-13 at St. Al’s.  It’s a 3 day overnight retreat for 6th-12 graders and sponsored by Holy Family and St. Al’s.  The enrollment process is still being developed.  More information is available from Hieu Nguyen at davclusterym@diodav.org.

Scholarships Being Delayed

There are a handful of scholarships that OLV/JFK offers to students attending Assumption High School, and two scholarships for next year’s 7th and 8th graders.  Applications for these scholarships will be open after June 30th for those not eligible for ESAs.

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

The school year will be ending in about three weeks.  Please make sure your student has his/her iPad or Chromebook AND charger to return.  Items are bar coded so we can check them in/out, and we know who is responsible for them, even if students don’t.  Turning in equipment that was checked out to someone else does not eliminate the responsibility for the equipment that was actually checked out to a student.  We will check equipment on May 31st.

Ways To Get Involved

There are three ways for parents to currently get involved:  Board of Education, Home & School, and Policy Committee.

Even as we regionalize to become Scott County Catholic Schools, there will still be an advisory board needed at JFK.  A recent example of the board’s feedback was to help prioritize our next areas of focus in relation to our winter safety/security assessment.  The nine member board meets monthly.  Terms are for three years.  If you are interested, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

Our Home & School Association also needs officers and active participants.  H & S plans many of the fun activities for families like the event at the pumpkin patch and Snowstar.  Recently, they provided feedback regarding parameters for a new replacing our entire playground out back.  If you are interested in being active with Home & School, please send a message to JFK.HomeandSchool@outlook.com

ESA Update

The latest information from the Department of Education regarding Education Savings Accounts can be found at the following link:  DE’s ESA Page.  The Questions and Answers section was updated on May 4th and is very useful.  It, for example, contains the 300% of poverty eligibility table, the definition of a household/members, and what line item will be used from one’s Iowa tax form.  (It’s line 26, “Net Income,” on the 2022 Iowa 1040 tax form.)

The application for those eligible for ESAs will open on May 31st and close on June 30th.  The deadline is established in the law; there will be no extension.  You will want to act quickly once the online application process becomes available.

Anyone interested in learning more about the parent/guardian application process can register to attend the training on one of the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, May 23, 10 a.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3Bd8mAs-TWGKMuJbhX4JJg
• Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DsfTNrtR06LL2uE4qrRjA
• Saturday, May 27, 12 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MUFIRiANRSm57AAwtcwUOQ
• Tuesday, May 30, 2 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iPsDoIBLTlWTNDMgJ9qxQQ
• Monday, June 5, 11 a.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9Mv08byQSD-SVvrRgP_kcA
• Wednesday, June 7, 7 p.m.
  Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F7EBpAMET0mCWBFWW4HKjw 

The Students First ESA application will be available on May 31 and a link to the application will be provided on the DE’s website.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application.  When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year.  There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty.  (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer.  We have three sessions on the calendar.  Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun.  Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

Registration materials were made available via email.  They will also be posted on our website soon.

Jump Start Kindergarten

On July 31 – August 4, Melissa Zeimet and Caitlin Putnam will host Jump Start Kindergarten at JFK.  There will be a review of letters and sounds, basic math concepts, and literacy skills.  Story time and hands-on activities will be abundant during the 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. time slot.  The cost is $55 with a $5 discount for early bird registration.  A minimum number of students is required for us to offer Jump Start Kindergarten.  Registration materials will be emailed to those families for whom a kindergartner has been pre-registered.

Suggestion Box

There is a digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members on the Contact Us page on our website.  Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

JFK will have at least two teaching positions open for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involved Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Shayonte Lagrone Moves to Office Position

Shay Lagrone has joined us in the office as an administrative assistant as Megan Masterson will only be doing some work for us outside normal business hours.  Ms. Lagrone has been working in preschool, doing recess duties, and helping in the office.  Her daughter will join us next school year.  With only about six weeks before all accounting switches to the Scott County Catholic Schools’ business office, we will limp along with Fr. Jake, Ann Lotspeich, Lisa Willows, Megan Masterson, and SCCS business office representative Rose Strickland all doing various pieces to close out the rest of the fiscal year.

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

• May 15-19:  Guest fitness instructor in PE
• May 18:  Band concert
• May 22:  Band to Adventureland
• May 25:  3 YO PS Conferences
• May 29:  Memorial Day.  No Classes.  ECLC Closed
• May 31:  Computer/iPad Turn in.  3 YO PS Program.  4/5 YO PS Program.  Last Day of PS Classes
• June 1:  Last Day of K-8.  Field Day.  12:40 Dismissal
• June 2:  Last Day of ECLC

Still Our Kids

Lynn and I drove to Kansas this weekend for my daughter Caitlin’s graduation from the University of Kansas law school.  All of our kids were able to attend, and we had some good quality (albeit too short) time together.  No matter how proud we are of them all and how grown up, independent, and successful they all are, they are still our kids!  There’s nothing like all the hugs that brings that home!

Chad

Middle School Youth Night and Retreat

Finish the school year right with an OLV/JFK youth night!  All OLV/JFK 6th-8th graders are invited.  Plan for games, snacks, and small groups.  May 15th, 6-7:30.  Drop off at the JFK gym.  Pick up at the OLV youth room in the basement of the rectory.

There’s also a St. Philomena Academy/youth camp on August 11-13 at St. Al’s.  It’s a 3 day overnight retreat for 6th-12 graders and sponsored by Holy Family and St. Al’s.  The enrollment process is still being developed.

Scholarships Being Delayed

There are a handful of scholarships that OLV/JFK offers to students attending Assumption High School, and two scholarships for next year’s 7th and 8th graders.  Applications for these scholarships will be open after June 30th for those not eligible for ESAs.

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

The school year will be ending in about 3-4 weeks.  Please make sure your student has his/her iPad or Chromebook AND charger to return.  Items are bar coded so we can check them in/out, and we know who is responsible for them, even if students don’t.  Turning in equipment that was checked out to someone else does not eliminate the responsibility for the equipment that was actually checked out to a student.  We will check equipment on May 31st.

Ways To Get Involved

There are three ways for parents to currently get involved:  Board of Education, Home & School, and Policy Committee.

Even as we regionalize to become Scott County Catholic Schools, there will still be an advisory board needed at JFK.  A recent example of the board’s feedback was to help prioritize our next areas of focus in relation to our winter safety/security assessment.  The nine member board meets monthly.  Terms are for three years.  If you are interested, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

We know some policies, like dress codes, will remain local rather than SCCS regional policies.  JFK reviews about 1/3 of our parent and student handbook policies every year.  If you are interested in participating in this year’s review, please contact me: chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

Our Home & School Association also needs officers and active participants.  H & S plans many of the fun activities for families like the event at the pumpkin patch and Snowstar.  Recently, they provided feedback regarding parameters for a new replacing our entire playground out back.  If you are interested in being active with Home & School, please send a message to JFK.HomeandSchool@outlook.com

ESA Update

The latest information from the Department of Education regarding Education Savings Accounts can be found at the following link:  DE’s ESA Page.  The Questions and Answers section was updated on May 4th and is very useful.  It, for example, contains the 300% of poverty eligibility table, the definition of a household/members, and what line item will be used from one’s Iowa tax form.  (It’s line 26, “Net Income,” on the 2022 Iowa 1040 tax form.)

The application for those eligible for ESAs will open on May 31st and close on June 30th.  The deadline is established in the law; there will be no extension.  You will want to act quickly once the online application process becomes available.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application.  When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year.  There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty.  (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer.  We have three sessions on the calendar.  Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun.  Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

Registration materials were made available via email.  They will also be posted on our website soon.

Suggestion Box

There is a digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members on the Contact Us page on our website.  Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.

JFK Office Position Open Yet this School Year

JFK has an opening in the school office beginning immediately.  Summer and year round work is required.  School year hours are typically 6:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.  Summer hours are more flexible.  The rate of pay is about $14 per hour.  An employee with children at JFK not qualifying for an ESA will receive a tuition discount.  Please contact me at school, if interested.

Teaching Position Open at JFK for 2023-24

JFK will have at least one teaching position open for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involved Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

• May 8/9:  Putnam Museum’s Discovery Dome at JFK
• May 11:  Skate night
• May 11/12:  5th grade golfing.
• May 15-19:  Guest fitness instructor in PE
• May 18:  Band concert
• May 22:  Band to Adventureland
• May 25:  3 YO PS Conferences
• May 29:  Memorial Day.  No Classes.  ECLC Closed
• May 31:  Computer/iPad Turn in.  3 YO PS Program.  4/5 YO PS Program.  Last Day of PS Classes
• June 1:  Last Day of K-8.  Field Day.  12:40 Dismissal
• June 2:  Last Day of ECLC

Chad

JFK GROWS Students of the Month

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.  Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in April:

• Kindergarten:  Liam H.
  • Liam is kind and compassionate.  He strives to do well with everything he does and always puts his best foot forward. He is nice to his friends and just enjoys having fun!
• 1st Grade:  Evelyn F.
  • Evelyn is always happy and has a positive attitude. Her classmates enjoy her silliness at recess!  In the classroom, Evelyn is hard working and enjoys helping others when needed. She brings a little sunshine to school every day!
• 2nd Grade:  Benny S.
  • Benny is the definition of a generous heart. He’s been seen to give his own coat to another student who didn’t have one. He always puts others’ needs before his own and is constantly looking for ways to help. Benny is a great representation of the JFK Difference.
• 3rd Grade:  Harper W.
  • Harper shows up to school everyday ready to learn. She sets positive examples for her classmates and puts her best effort into everything she does. She does a great job of participating in class, turning in high-quality work, and following directions. Harper is a wonderful student to have in class everyday!
• 4th Grade:  Marcus K.
  • Marcus is Motivated and wants to do his best.  He is Agreeable and would never test one’s patience.  He is Respectful, sweet, and kind.  He is Caring and won’t leave a friend behind.  He is Upstanding and follows every rule.  He is Successful, and together, our student of the month in 4th grade.
• 5th Grade:  Greyson C.
  • Greyson is kind and friendly with always a smile on his face!  He is willing to lend a helping hand without being asked, and he thinks about the feelings of others.  Greyson does a nice job following the JFK difference!
• 6th Grade:  Zander S.
  • Zander is always friendly and willing to help classmates and teachers alike.  He is a great role model to not only his little brother but also to the other Kindergarten buddies as well.
• 7th Grade:  Alison J.
  • Alison could be nominated every month.  She is compassionate and honorable.  Alison is admired by her classmates as not only a great student but a truly good human being, and, for that, she is a role model.
• 8th:  Dominic N.
  • Dominic is always willing to help his teachers and work with his classmates in a positive manner. He has volunteered for multiple Mass parts throughout the school year, even when his class is not otherwise involved in leadership roles.

ISASP Testing Make Ups this Week

We had great attendance through ISASPs last week!  We have just a few make ups to do this week.  Now, if we could just figure out how to have a few students spend more than ten minutes on an hour long test,…!

Marzano High Reliability Schools Framework

JFK is involved in a long-term strategic planning and improvement process based upon 40 years of educational research from Dr. Robert Marzano and associates.   This framework defines five key areas of school performance that a school must master in sequence to become a high reliability school where all students learn the content and skills needed to be successful in college, careers, and beyond.  The five levels are the following: (1) Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, (2) Effective Teaching in Every Classroom, (3) Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, (4) Standards-Referenced Reporting, and (5) Competency-Based Education.

Level I addresses the factors considered foundational to the well-being of a school.  The most crucial step at Level 1 is to build a safe, supportive, and collaborative school culture by operating as a professional learning community (PLC).  As we worked through Level I, Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, survey results from students, parents, staff, and administrators indicated that the following areas were strengths:

• Having a safe and orderly school environment
• Teachers being involved in the decision-making process regarding school initiatives
• Teacher teams and collaborative groups interacting to address common issues regarding curriculum, assessment, instruction, and the achievement of all students
• Having the fiscal, operational, and technological resources managed in a way that directly supports teachers

Relative to these areas of strengths, we indicated we wanted to do better with appropriately acknowledging our successes and with more formal ways for students, parents, community members, teachers and staff to provide input regarding the optimal functioning of the school.  To help address the former, we’ve added the the JFK GROWS student of the month and the preschool focused Facebook page.  To address the latter, we’ve been using more Google Form surveys and exit cards from meetings, and we’ve created formal suggestion boxes.  The digital suggestion box for students, parents, and community members can be found on the Contact Us page on our website.  Suggestions will be reviewed and considered regularly.

Ways To Get Involved

There are three ways for parents to currently get involved:  Board of Education, Home & School, and Policy Committee.

Even as we regionalize to become Scott County Catholic Schools, there will still be an advisory board needed at JFK.  A recent example of the board’s feedback was to help prioritize our next areas of focus in relation to our winter safety/security assessment.  The nine member board meets monthly.  Terms are for three years.  If you are interested, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

We know some policies, like dress codes, will remain local rather than SCCS regional policies.  JFK reviews about 1/3 of our parent and student handbook policies every year.  If you are interested in participating in this year’s review, please contact me: chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

Our Home & School Association also needs officers and active participants.  H & S plans many of the fun activities for families like the event at the pumpkin patch and Snowstar.  Recently, they provided feedback regarding parameters for a new replacing our entire playground out back.  If you are interested in being active with Home & School, please send a message to JFK.HomeandSchool@outlook.com

ESA Administrative Rules and Tuition Rates for Paying Families

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

Current families who do not qualify for ESAs should apply for financial assistance through our Family Tuition Plan Application.  When applying, please make sure you use the drop down menu to select the 2023-24 school year.  There may be more financial assistance available for next year or more families may be able to receive assistance as ESAs may provide assistance for our families who are below 300% of poverty, depending.  (There are still income guidelines and other restrictions to stay within the legal parameters of the Student Tuition Organization rules that will apply.)

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.

JFK’s Production of Seussical, Jr.

What a hit!  I was able to attend two of the three performances, and they were outstanding!  On stage and behind the scenes, JFK’s middle school students did a fantastic job!  Many thanks to our parents, Mrs. Potter, Ms. Siefers, Mrs. VanSpeybroeck, and those who helped us perform this musical on the Assumption stage.

With the 5/6 grade spring show two weeks ago, the musical this past weekend, and the 7/8 showcase on Thursday, Mrs. VanSpeybroeck ought to be exhausted!

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free again this summer.  We have three sessions on the calendar.  Each two week session runs from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Two hours are for reading, one hour is for math, and 30 minutes are for recess and other fun.  Leaps & Bounds is for those students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade.

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

Registration materials were made available via email.  They will also be posted on our website soon.

JFK Office Position Open Yet this School Year

JFK has an opening in the school office beginning immediately.  Summer and year round work is required.  School year hours are typically 6:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.  Summer hours are more flexible.  The rate of pay is about $14 per hour.  An employee with children at JFK not qualifying for an ESA will receive a tuition discount.  Please contact me at school, if interested.

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

• May 1:  Vision screening.  Music Boosters Mtg
• May 2:  End of 4th mid-qtr.  Vision screening.  Seussical cast and crew out of uniform
• May 4:  7/8 Showcase
• May 8/9:  Putnam Museum’s Discovery Dome at JFK
• May 11/12:  5th grade golfing.  Skate night’
• May 15-19:  Guest fitness instructor in PE
• May 18:  Band concert

Chad