Author: csteimle

Welcome to 2022-23

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year!  With the excitement of a new school year and new schedules, it may also be 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 time of day.  All of them have the Eucharist.  Come to the Table!

First Principal’s Post for 2021-22

This Principal’s Post is officially the first of the new school year.  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!

Occasionally, we will also “blast” a text message to families.  A good example of a mass text message would be a last minute school closing due to weather.  If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.  There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.

Parking Lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up

Please observe the parking lot traffic patterns for our parking lot.  They work rather smoothly.  However, 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.
• 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

• 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).

Bus Issues

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. 

Parent Meetings

Homeroom teachers will conduct informational parent meetings beginning this week so you can find out more information about your child’s grade.  These meetings are different than the “meet and greet” nature of the Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher event.  The parent meetings are in-person.  Meetings for grades K-5 will be held in one of the two teachers’ classrooms.  Meetings for grades 6-8 will be in the cafeteria.

• • Wed, Aug 24:  6:00 K; 6:45 1st
  • Thurs, Aug 25:  6:00 7th; 6:45 8th
  • Mon Aug 29:  6:00 2nd; 6:45 3rd
  • Tues, Aug 30: 6:00 4th; 6:45 5th
  • Thurs, Sept 1:  6:00 6th

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:

• Kayelyn Blake will be providing reading and math intervention services this year.  Federal Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) funds are paying for her salary this year.  These federal COVID relief funds are allowing us to expand our interventionist services.
• Jasmine Bowman, who did her student teaching in 2nd grade at JFK last spring, will be teaching third grade this year.
• Jessica Freemyer will be doing some instrumental lessons at JFK.  She had been going to be our full-time band teacher, but the opportunity to teach in Bettendorf at Lourdes, where she lives and her children go to school, arose this summer.  Mr. Connors will be doing large group band instruction, and we are coordinating schedules with another person to offer lessons until a full-time band instructor can be found.
• Beatriz Herrera will be working in our lunch program and in after school care.  Mrs. Herrera has two children joining the JFK community as well this year.
• Bridget Parr will also be providing reading and math intervention services this year made possible by EANS funding.
• Shannon Runyan will be teaching 6th-8th grade science.  Mrs. Runyan has over 20 years of teaching experience.
• Substitutes Needed:  JFK is in need of substitutes 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.  Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.  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:  Amy Farrey, Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, and Mary Sunderbruch.

Safety

Just as staff members go over many other procedures with students at the beginning of the school year, they will have discussions and review practices for fires, tornados/inclement weather, and dangerous individuals, including active attackers/shooters.  Whether we discuss Run-Hide-Fight or ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), how the topics and practices related to dangerous individuals are approached can vary greatly throughout the building as we have three year olds through 14 year olds at JFK.

Since this spring’s incident at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, we have updated our staff training at JFK and engaged in discussions about vulnerabilities and responses last week.  We will also be having another safety audit by the Iowa Office of Homeland Security.  All ideas are discussed as we try to assess with what levels of risk we want to live.  Yes, kids would be safer if there were never recesses, but that’s not the way we want to or should have to live.

One of the changes you will notice is that visitors to the school will have to be “buzzed in” at the farthest exterior doors in the front.  We have been allowing people to enter into the foyer because all other doors around the foyer are locked; once in the foyer, there’s no where someone can go.  However, we have decided that people won’t even be able to enter into the foyer area without being “buzzed in.”  All the doors of the school, therefore, are locked throughout the day.  (The church doors are also locked once students have entered for school Masses.)

COVID Guidance for 2022-23

COVID is still around.  Reported infection rates this summer have been anywhere from 1.2 to more than ten times worse than last summer.  We have even had staff miss work already this school due to COVID.  Luckily, the severity of the disease doesn’t seem to be as great, and hospitals are currently able to handle the number of patients they are seeing.

COVID mitigation strategies at JFK this fall emphasize the following:

• Vaccination:  All people ages 6 months and older are eligible for COVID vaccination.  Like the flu shot, COVID vaccination won’t necessarily prevent one from catching COVID, but it will greatly lessen the likelihood of serious complications.
  • Please check with your child’s pediatrician about other vaccinations required for school or childcare attendance.  State law requires school officials to exclude students who do not have the proper immunizations.  Because the Catholic Church is not opposed to vaccinations, there should be no religious exemptions for Catholics.
  • Flu shots will again be offered free to K-8 students later this fall thanks to the Genesis Flu Free Quad Cities program.
• Ventilation:  We have both building-wide ventilation systems and portable systems operating at JFK.
• Handwashing (and hand sanitizer) and respiratory etiquette.  We purchase hand sanitizer by the case!
• Staying home when sick:
  • Temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
    • Students must be fever free for 24 hrs without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school
  • Sore throat
  • New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing and/or prohibits the student from doing his/her work (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
  • Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
    • Students must go 12 hrs without vomiting or diarrhea
    • A common definition of diarrhea is 3 or more loose/watery stools in a day
  • New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
  • Any other symptom(s) which interferes with your student’s ability to learn, including a non-allergy causing runny nose
  • Those who test positive for COVID are excluded from school for 5 days from the date the positive specimen was taken or 5 days from the day symptoms began.  The day of the test or the day symptoms began is day 0.  After the five days, one may return to school if wearing a mask for another five days.  Those who will not be wearing a mask need to stay away from school for a total of 10 days.
• Cleaning and disinfection:  It seems odd to say that we are continuing with extra cleaning and disinfection; entering our third school year with COVID, it seems more the norm now than extra.

Physical distancing and/or plastic barriers between students will not be in place this year.  Face masks, however, are still an option for everyone.  Contact tracing and/or letters sent home will not take place, except where required in DHS childcare programs just as notifications might be for other diseases.

Transition to a New Student Information System

The Diocese of Davenport has licensed a student information system (SIS), PowerSchool, for all schools in the diocese.  It is taking the diocese much longer to transition all of the schools to the new system, and one cannot imagine all of the things that are now tied into an SIS.  Our email communications may be duplicated or have difficulty reaching everyone during this transition.  We are currently running multiple systems to try to make sure we don’t miss anyone!

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website:  https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Parent-Handbook-2022-23-pdf-version.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.

Thanks for the Financial Support

We would like to thank you for your financial support of JFK, especially with the change with tuition payments beginning in July rather than August.  As we move toward becoming a regional Scott County School system, JFK was the only school that had tuition payments beginning in August and concluding in May or June, depending upon a 10 or 12 month payment plan.  All of the other schools had tuition payment plans beginning in July and concluding in April-June, depending upon the payment plan.  These payment plans coincide with schools’ and parishes’ fiscal years, which begin1 July 1 and conclude June 30.  Rather than the other schools changing plans to match JFK, JFK had to change its plan.

If you have not made a July or August payment yet, you may be 30-60 days behind already.  If you are in this situation, please contact us regarding a payment plan that may be different than the one for which a contractual agreement was made.

Upcoming Events

Both a summary and detailed school calendars for JFK are available on our website.  Highlighted events are below:

• Aug 22:  ECLC Begins
• Aug 23:  PS-8 Classes Begin
• Aug 24:  K-8 1 hr early Wednesday dismissals begin (1:40).  4/5 yr old PS special Wednesday times begin.
• Aug 26:  JFK/AHS Spirit Day.  Students may wear any JFK or AHS spirit wear along with uniform pants/skirts/bottoms.  Home & School Movie Night
• Sept 5:  Labor Day.  No school/ECLC closed
• Sept 18:  OLV 60th Anniversary Celebration

An Update About Me and My Family

The big event for my family this summer was the wedding of my youngest daughter, Caitlin.  While the wedding date, August 13th, wasn’t the most convenient for me, and I’m still struggling with another “little girl” of mine marrying, the ceremony at OLV was beautiful.  After a honeymoon in Hawaii, Caitlin and her husband returned to Kansas City.  My children, thus, continue to be spread out across the country.  Colleen and her husband live in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area and purchased their “first” home earlier this year.  Our son, Tom, is in Charleston, South Carolina and continues to work in the entertainment industry.  Kirsten resides in Des Moines and is entering her fourth year of teaching special education in a grade school.

I am beginning my 22nd year as principal at JFK.  Prior to coming to JFK, I worked for ten years at Assumption High School where I taught religion for nine years and then worked in student services for one year.  I grew up in a working class suburb just south of Milwaukee, WI.  My undergraduate degree is from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and I have graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and Western Illinois University.  I also hold a superintendent’s certificate from the University of Northern Iowa.  Lynn and I have just celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary.  Lynn works in student services at Assumption High School, where we met.  She is a life-long resident of Davenport and graduate of Assumption and St. Paul’s.  She also holds three college degrees.  When Caitlin finishes law school, we will have thirteen college degrees spread out among the six of us in our family.  Education was been a big part of our lives!

Chad

 

Back to School Registration

This Sunday and Monday is our back to school registration process.  Mailings were sent home, and the letters with active links are available on the front page of our website.  Many other forms are available under the section of our website under the route “For Parents” and then “Policies & Forms.”  If you can’t make it to the back to school registration times, please drop off the materials (8-3, M-F) or mail them to us ASAP.  We would hate to start the school year with incorrect contact information for families, for example!

If you have not returned your tuition contract yet for the 2022-23 school year, please do so as soon as possible.  It is difficult to make plans when our projected enrollment figure is still so fluid.  Difficulty in projecting enrollment has also become more difficult over the last several years.  At the beginning of May in 2019, we had 84% of all possible tuition contracts returned.  In 2020, that figure was 79%.  In 2021 and 2022, that figure was around 67%.  It might be easy to explain if enrollment was declining, but our enrollment actually increased in 2021-22.  People were just slow in returning tuition contracts.  It’s difficult to know how many staff members to commit to in April and May, when we issue teacher contracts for the next school year, when a third of our families haven’t illustrated their commitment yet either.

Due to official enrollment still changing, class lists will not be available at our back to school registration.  Families will be notified later, most likely via email as we did last year.

Pardon our Parking Lot Mess

Concrete work is underway near the dumpsters in the parking lot.  The drive along the ballfield is currently unavailable.  We are also doing work near the northwest doors.  These doors are also unavailable for use.  Resealing and re-striping the parking lot is continuing.  The concrete barriers have been temporarily moved so this work can be completed.

Positions Available at JFK

Lunch Workers/After School Care Supervision:  Two positions available, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  during the school year.  Work in kitchen and cafeteria approximately 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. daily.  Help prepare and serve meals, clean kitchen and cafeteria, and provide student supervision.  Employees then work in our after school care program several afternoons per week from 2:30-5:30.  $11-$13 per hour.  Tuition, childcare, and other fee reductions are available, if one’s children are enrolled at JFK.  Free after school childcare for employees with children at JFK.

Send letter, resume, references or complete application at

John F. Kennedy Catholic School

1627 W. 42^nd

Davenport, IA 52806

(563) 391-3030

chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com

Welcome to Shannon Runyan

Shannon Runyan has joined the JFK staff for middle school science, in particular.  Mrs. Runyan comes to JFK by way of nearly 20 years of science teaching in CA and brief stops in Quad Cities’ public and private schools.

Homeroom Location Changes

Although some of the classrooms used by our upper grade teachers has historically been more likely to change over the summer than those used by teachers in lower grades, this year we’ll have a switch in kindergarten and 2nd grade.  In order to meet students’ needs, Mrs. Putnam’s kindergarten class and Mrs. Poster’s second grade class will switch locations this fall.  Mrs. Putnam’s room will be upstairs near the office, and Mrs. Poster’s class will be downstairs in the middle of the building.

Safety

I don’t know how it is in other industries, but every K-12 school administrator at least knows what is meant by the terms Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Parkland.  I’m not sure if it will be Uvalde or Robb that will stick with this spring’s incident, but I’m sure one of them will.  After each situation, it seems, there is another round of safety audits, and everyone tries to see what can be learned and applied.  Since Sandy Hook in 2012, we have undertaken at least two comprehensive security/safety audits.  The first yielded recommendations for keeping kids safe within the building.  All interior door locks were replaced, and card access to the building was initiated, for example.  The second major audit yielded a focus on exterior elements, and we changed recess locations and added cameras, gates, concrete barriers, and bollards, for example.  Since 2012, JFK has spent over $200,000 on safety/security measures.

This spring and summer we are conducting further safety reviews.  We are working with local resources, and Governor Reynolds has announced that there will be auditors available from the state as well as grants of up to $50,000 available for all schools, including non-public schools.  If you have any safety concerns or ideas, please share them with me.  All ideas are discussed as we try to assess with what levels of risk we want to live.

I can share with you two changes that will likely be permanent:

• Students will continue to enter the building immediately when they arrive between 7:10 and 7:25 each morning.  The change from having the students wait outside on a letter painted on the sidewalk until the bell rang began due to COVID concerns in 2020-21, but I can’t see us having 400 students gather predictably in an exposed but confined location every morning with only a limited number of staff members supervising.
• Visitors to the school will have to be “buzzed in” at the farthest exterior doors in the front.  We have been allowing people to enter into the foyer because all other doors around it are locked; once in the foyer, there’s no where someone can go.  It is likely, however, that people won’t even be able to enter into this area without being “buzzed in.”

Thanks for the Financial Support

We would like to thank you for your financial support of JFK.  Many families came through with finishing their tuition payments for the 2021-22 school year, and there are still a few who are diligently making their scheduled payments on the 12 month plan, which concludes in July.

We would also like to thank everyone who has started the 2022-23 tuition payments that begin this year in July.  As we move toward becoming a regional Scott County School system, JFK was the only school that had tuition payments beginning in August and concluding in May or June, depending upon a 10 or 12 month payment plan.  All of the other schools had tuition payment plans beginning in July and concluding in April-June, depending upon the payment plan.  These payment plans coincide with schools’ and parishes’ fiscal years, which begin1 July 1 and conclude June 30.  Rather than the other schools changing plans to match JFK, JFK had to change its plan.

While we are grateful for our timely financial supporters, there is also another reality taking place:  families are slower in paying now than they have ever been.  Five or six years ago, we would end the fiscal year on June 30th with perhaps 0.75% or about $10,000 in tuition still yet to be paid.  For the 2020-21 school year, we are still owed about $90,000, and, for the 2021-22 school year, we will likely be owed about $125,000 once we finish the end-of-the-year accounting.  That’ll be more than $200,000 in two years or nearly 7.5% .  That pace is not sustainable.  We are making changes in our practices to try to send out more regular statements on accounts as we’ve had a good number of people just say “Oh my goodness!  We didn’t realize we owed X” and are writing us checks now.  We will have to be more aggressive in pushing for timely tuition payments, consider using a collection agency to pursue at least some amounts from past due tuition, and be more firm on denying enrollment for those who are not paying their bills to us.  While we are a ministry of the Church, we also business expenses, particularly staff salaries.  We cannot expect teachers and support staff to just work without being paid!

Regionalization and Diocesan Initiatives

Movement toward a unified Scott County Catholic Schools (SCCS) system continues.   The complete transition should be completed by July 1, 2023.  Below are some of the highlights to date:

• The SCCS corporation was formed with roles for the bishop, a board of trustees (pastors), and a board of directors.  All of the legal necessities have been and/or are in the process of being completed.
• A Catholic school subsidy model was developed and approved for all the parishes in Scott County, and a transition plan was determined as some parishes would see large increases, and some would see decreases.  (For example, St. John Vianney’s subsidy would increase significantly, and OLV’s would decrease.)  Parish subsidy is the second largest source of funding for schools after tuition.  OLV currently has a budgeted subsidy for JFK and AHS of over $750,000 or nearly $2,000 per child.
• The ownership of assets and lease agreements have been agreed upon.  OLV, for example, will retain ownership of all property and buildings on this campus and lease the school to SCCS.
• Transition staffing for SCCS is underway with a president (Andy Craig), interim finance director (Carey Jones), and interim human resources director (Nikki Gartner).   Many, many financial and HR policies/practices are being adjusted at all sites.

If regionalization is not a big enough challenge, there are also other major diocesan initiatives at play:

• Parishes and schools are transitioning to a diocesan health insurance plan.  Overall, with a larger pool of employees, rates will go down.  For JFK, the health insurance cost rose substantially, however, as the new plan requires employers to pay 75% of an employee’s plan, and we were only paying 60%.
• A new payroll/human resources system went into effect July 1st.  We’re hoping we have everything transitioned for OLV/JFK’s 70+ employees for s smooth payroll on the 31st!
• The Diocese of Davenport has licensed a student information system (SIS), PowerSchool, for all schools in the diocese.  This transition is also time consuming, and we may end up operating our “old” SIS, JMC, simultaneously with PowerSchool until things are up to speed.

Upcoming Events

Below are a few events highlighted from our website calendar:

• Aug 16:  PS Individual Family Meetings
• Aug 18:  Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher. PS Individual Family Meetings
• Aug 22:  ECLC Begins
• Aug 23:  PS-8 Classes Begin

We look forward to seeing families this Sunday and Monday.

Chad

Gala Thanks

Thanks to the many volunteers who work so hard to pull off the Gala each year.  With a few bills yet to handle, I believe we are estimating new profit to be about $22,000 this spring.  Proceeds from the Gala support JFK teachers, technology, and special faith formation programming like NET retreats for 7th and 8th graders.

Time to Settle Up Before Summer Begins

Don’t forget to finish paying your tuition and other JFK bills before everyone drifts away from school for the summer.  We have done a good job holding expenses in line with our budget, even amidst spiraling inflation.  Unfortunately, many families’ tuition and other payments owed to OLV/JFK have not been timely made.  With more students than we budgeted this year, we should be excited to have a surplus this June and be able to make some summer purchases and/or take on some projects that have been on hold for awhile.  Instead, due to slow payments of tuition and other fees owed JFK, we’re wondering if we’ll be able to make all of our financial obligations, particularly our full payroll in the upcoming months.  Families who signed a tuition contract for one annual payment, two payments, or the ten month payment plan should be finished with tuition payments.  Please make sure all of  your payments to JFK are current.

Tuition Contracts for 2022-23 Overdue

We are still trying to accurately project next year’s enrollment.  The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  These would now be considered overdue, and we cannot guarantee a spot for your child unless we have the tuition contract and payment as soon as possible.  We would hate to reduce a grade level from two sections to one only to find later on that there could have been enough students to support two sections.  If school were to start today, nearly half of the grades would be on the bubble between one section and two.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

Below are a few events highlighted from our website calendar:

• May 31:  8th grade field trip.  3rd grade picnic on campus.  Steamwheelers visit at lunch.
• June 2:  Field Day.  3 yr old PS program.  4/5 yr old PS program
• June 3:  Last day of school.  12:40 dismissal.  No PS classes.  ECLC open.  8th grade graduation.  JFK Night at the River Bandits.  Transfer of school furniture from storage to gym
• June 6:  Concrete work near dumpster and northwest school entrance begins
• June 11:  60th Anniversary Bingo
• June 13-24:  Leaps & Bounds Session I
• July 11:  Asphalt work on parking lot begins
• July 11-15:  Vacation Bible School
• July 18-29:  Leaps & Bounds Session II
• July 24/25:  Back to School Registration
• Aug 1-11:  Leaps & Bounds Session III
• Aug 16:  PS Individual Family Meetings
• Aug 18:  Unpack Backpack/Meet Teacher. PS Individual Family Meetings
• Aug 22:  ECLC Begins
• Aug 23:  PS-8 Classes Begin

Altar Server Training

All boys and girls of the parish, entering 4th grade and up, who are interested in altar serving at Mass, or need a refresher course, are invited to attend the Altar Server Training in the church on Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 am-11:00 am.  One parent needs to attend to complete the necessary paperwork.

8th Graders Taking Algebra at AHS

Students from JFK who will be 8th graders next year and taking Algebra at Assumption should complete the online registration with AHS AND notify the JFK school office by Wednesday.  Completion of both steps of the process helps AHS and JFK determine staffing needs.

Speaking of Algebra, this year’s 8th graders who are attending AHS for Algebra have their last class at AHS on Thursday.  The following applies to these students for the rest of the school year:

• Fri, May 27:  Algebra students do not need to be at JFK until 8:35 unless they are on the band field trip.  If students arrive before 8:35, they will be directed to a supervised area.
• Tues, May 31:  8th grade field trip
• Wed, June 1:  Algebra students do not need to be at JFK until 9:10. If students arrive before 8:35, they will be directed to a supervised area.
• Thurs, June 2:  Students should be here by 7:25 for field day
• Fri, June 3:  Students should be here by 7:25

Open Teaching Positions

We are still searching for a middle school science teacher for 2022-23, although we are opening the search more broadly to include middle school ELA or social studies or a 6th grade teacher.  If you know of anyone qualified/interested in a 6th grade and/or middle school position, please let me know.  I’ve sent personalized messages to about 80 people since the end of March.  The teacher shortage in Iowa and across the nation is becoming more and more apparent.

Last Regular Principal’s Post of the Year

This Principal’s Post is the last regular one of the school year.  Stay tuned for summer updates on our website and Facebook account.

Chad

Band Concert Was Phenomenal

I was absolutely amazed at how well the students performed in last week’s band concert.  Fifth graders were actually playing real band music and that far exceeded that Camptown Races in their starter lesson books.  Sixth graders, who practically missed a whole year of 5th grade band due to COVID, were even further along and must have gained two years in one!  The 7/8 graders, who lost more than a year of band due to COVID and the actual closing of school in March 2020, rivaled many a high school band.  Often taking notes on my concert programs, I had one word summarizing it all written this spring:  wow!

Gala Thanks

Thanks to the many volunteers who work so hard to pull off the Gala each year.  Those of us in the office get to hear about and see original artwork, unique class projects, creative baskets, and other live and silent auction items as they arrive.  We also hear of the trials and tribulations handled by Angie Hillebrand and her crew.  What will the weather be?  When do you “call it” and move indoors?  What do you do when a food truck pulls out?  How can our campus accommodate a funeral and funeral luncheon on the same day as the Gala?  There’s also a lot of non-glamorous work done before and after the Gala by people like Dianne Siefers.  Do we have the right safeguards in place to handle debit/credit card payments, do we have the information needed for tax letters for donors and purchasers, etc.  It takes a whole community to put on this event.

Unfortunately, I was not in attendance this year.  Our daughters arrived Friday night from North Carolina, Des Moines, Kansas, and Atlanta.  Other family members were in town and staying at our house for our youngest daughter’s bridal shower on Saturday afternoon and surprise 30th birthday party for my oldest daughter.  There was a frenzy of activity on Saturday!  Then, the sadness started to creep in on Sunday as they left one by one, leaving only one, who is leaving on Monday.

Facilities and Grounds Input Sessions

OLV will be hosting three input sessions this week for people to talk about the facilities and grounds of the campus.  Due to your generosity, most of the projects of the Cultivating Our Future campaign are complete.  It is, thus, time to assess and discern the next steps for the parish.  This process is important for us as OLV’s participation in the diocesan capital campaign, Upon This Rock, will begin within the next year or so.  Twenty percent of all funds raised at each parish for this campaign are returned back to parishes for projects of their own.

Each of OLV’s input sessions will follow a similar format.  There will be a presentation on the state of our
parish facilities and finances, and then parishioners will be asked to talk about their thoughts with people at their tables, with someone being the note-taker.  Finally, the session will end with some larger group discussion and questions. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, the presentation from the sessions will be made available through the parish website, and people are welcome to submit any thoughts, questions, or concerns to Fr. Jake or any members of the parish staff.  By the end of summer, it is Fr. Jake’s hope that the Parish Council, Finance Council, and other members of parish leadership will be able to identity priorities for the facilities and grounds.

In the February 27th Principal’s Post, I highlighted some of the higher priority needs for the school, which are listed again below, but the input sessions are not intended for staff feedback.  The intent is to know what parish and school families desire.  Let your voice be heard.

Some of the higher priority items for the school include the following, in no particular order:

• Parking lot sealing and striping and concrete work scheduled/contracted already for summer 2022
• Handicapped parking and access
• Window replacements and window screens
• Playground equipment and surfacing
• Exterior gym wall repair
• Flooring replacement cycle
• Warped doors and frames
• Unused radiator removal and wall repairs
• Southwest stair repairs
• Self-closing fire doors
• Ceiling tiles added on lower level and replaced in nearly all other areas of 1963 and 1987 parts of the building
• Additional mechanical ventilation for 2011 additions
• Storage for extra classroom furniture, etc. as needs change due to enrollment and as students physically grow over the 9-12 years they might be at JFK

The last time we did these types of full-scale input sessions regarding facilities, we eventually did the gathering space addition to the church and classroom, ECLC, and front additions to the school.  We had even talked about a new parish hall, rectory, church hall/banquet room attached to the gathering space, church office, youth ministry space, and new school gym.  Everything can be discussed!

Dates/times for the two remaining sessions this week are below.  They will all be in the parish center.

Thursday, May 26th, 1:00PM
Thursday, May 26th, 7:00PM

5th Graders Golfing

The weather was perfect for 5th graders to go to Red Hawk and have some golf lessons last week.  The golfing activity is supported by JFK’s Home & School Association.

OLV/JFK Has Bills to Pay Too

Don’t forget to finish paying your tuition and other JFK bills.  We have done a good job holding expenses in line with our budget, even amidst spiraling inflation.  Unfortunately, tuition and other payments owed to OLV/JFK have not been timely made.  We currently have, for example, about 55 families who are behind in tuition payments and still owe us about $4,100 per family before the end of June.  These outstanding bills do not include other incidentals such as aftercare, ECLC, band, lunch, lost book, etc. fees that many families still owe.  Although not nearly as large as tuition payments due to OLV/JFK, these smaller fees do add up.  On Monday, the parish’s finance council will hold its regular monthly meeting, and poor cash flow will surely be a topic.  The board of education has also delayed its June board meeting in the hopes of having a clearer financial picture in order to make better decisions regarding staff salary payments this summer and final staffing projections for next year.  Families who signed a tuition contract for one annual payment, two payments, or the ten month payment plan should be about finished with tuition payments.  Please make sure your payments to JFK are current.

Tuition Contracts for 2022-23 Overdue

We are still trying to accurately project next year’s enrollment.  The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  These would now be considered overdue, and we cannot guarantee a spot for your child unless we have the tuition contract and payment as soon as possible.  We would hate to reduce a grade level from two sections to one only to find later on that there could have been enough students to support two sections.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

Below are a few events highlighted from our website calendar:

• May 23:  Day of Awesomeness and Out of Uniform
• May 24:  8th grade Manners Unit Lunch at Outing Club
• May 25:  Crusader Theater Field Trip
• May 26:  Facilities & Grounds Input Session #2 and #3
• May 27:  Day of Awesomeness Rain Date.  Bands to Adventureland.  3 Yr PS Conferences.  4th Grade Bowling
• May 29:  AHS Graduation
• May 30:  Memorial Day.  No classes. ECLC closed
• May 31:  8th grade field trip.  3rd grade picnic on campus.  Steamwheelers visit at lunch.
• June 2:  Field Day.  3 yr old PS program.  4/5 yr old PS program
• June 3:  Last day of school.  12:40 dismissal.  No PS classes.  ECLC open.  8th grade graduation.  JFK Night at the River Bandits.  Transfer of school furniture from storage to gym
• June 6:  Concrete work near dumpster and northwest school entrance begins
• June 11:  60th Anniversary Bingo
• June 13-24:  Leaps & Bounds Session I
• July 11:  Asphalt work on parking lot begins
• July 11-15:  Vacation Bible School
• July 18-29:  Leaps & Bounds Session II
• July 24/25:  Back to School Registration
• Aug 1-11:  Leaps & Bounds Session III
• Aug 16:  PS Individual Family Meetings Begin (tentative)
• Aug 18:  Unpack Backpack/Meet Teacher (tentative)
• Aug 22:  ECLC Begins
• Aug 23:  PS-8 Classes Begin

Keep Your Eye on the Calendar and for Communications from Teachers

May keeps getting more and more crowded with activities.  Keep your eye on the detailed school calendar on our website and be aware of individual teacher’s/grade’s communications that will highlight their specific events.  If your calendar looks anything like mine in May, it’s tough to keep track of and juggle everything!  I even have all three of my daughters coming into town Gala weekend for other family events!

Altar Server Training

All boys and girls of the parish, entering 4th grade and up, who are interested in altar serving at Mass, or need a refresher course, are invited to attend the Altar Server Training in the church on Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 am-11:00 am.  One parent needs to attend to complete the necessary paperwork.

Board of Education

The OLV/JFK Board of Education is seeking candidates interested in helping to make financial and policy decisions affecting the operations of JFK, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Victory.  Board members work with other committees to address the long-range needs of the parish educational and faith formation programs.  Board meetings occur on the first Tuesday of each month and are typically from about 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  If interested in serving as a board member, please contact me or board officers Ann Craig, Lucas Roth, and Tom Poston.

8th Graders Taking Algebra at AHS

Students from JFK who will be 8th graders next year and taking Algebra at Assumption should complete the online registration with AHS AND notify the JFK school office by Wednesday.  Completion of both steps of the process helps AHS and JFK determine staffing needs.

Speaking of Algebra, this year’s 8th graders who are attending AHS for Algebra have their last class at AHS on Thursday.  The following applies to these students for the rest of the school year:

• Fri, May 27:  Algebra students do not need to be at JFK until 8:35 unless they are on the band field trip.  If students arrive before 8:35, they will be directed to a supervised area.
• Tues, May 31:  8th grade field trip
• Wed, June 1:  Algebra students do not need to be at JFK until 9:10
• Thurs, June 2:  Students should be here by 7:25 for field day
• Fri, June 3:  Students should be here by 7:25

Changes in Teaching Positions

The 2022-23 school year will bring some changes to the positions of a few staff members.  Kayelyn Blake and Bridget Parr will move into interventionist positions funded through federal Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) covid relief funds.  These funds should be available for at least two school years.  Jasmine Bowman, who graduated from St. Ambrose this weekend and did her student teaching in 2nd grade with Mrs. Maxwell this spring, will join the JFK staff in a classroom roll.  We are still searching for a middle school science teacher, although we are opening the search more broadly to include middle school ELA or social studies or a 6th grade teacher.  If you know of anyone qualified/interested in a 6th grade and/or middle school position, please let me know.  I’ve sent personalized messages to about 75 people since the end of March.  The teacher shortage in Iowa and across the nation is becoming more and more apparent.

Chad

Facilities and Grounds Input Sessions

OLV will be hosting three input sessions in late May for people to talk about the facilities and grounds of the campus.  Due to your generosity, most of the projects of the Cultivating Our Future campaign are complete.  It is, thus, time to assess and discern the next steps for the parish.  This process is important for us as OLV’s participation in the diocesan capital campaign, Upon This Rock, will begin within the next year or so.  Twenty percent of all funds raised at each parish for this campaign are returned back to parishes for projects of their own.

Each of OLV;s input sessions will follow a similar format.  There will be a presentation on the state of our
parish facilities and finances, and then parishioners will be asked to talk about their thoughts with people at their tables, with someone being the note-taker.  Finally, the evening will end with some larger group discussion and questions. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, the presentation from the sessions will be made available through the parish website, and people are welcome to submit any thoughts, questions, or concerns to Fr. Jake or any members of the parish staff.  By the end of summer, it is Fr. Jake’s hope that the Parish Council, Finance Council, and other members of parish leadership will be able to identity priorities for the facilities and grounds.

In the February 27th Principal’s Post, I highlighted some of the higher priority needs for the school, which are listed again below, but the input sessions are not intended for staff feedback.  The intent is to know what parish and school families desire.  Let your voice be heard.

Some of the higher priority items for the school include the following, in no particular order:

• Parking lot sealing and striping and concrete work scheduled/contracted already for summer 2022
• Handicapped parking and access
• Window replacements and window screens
• Playground equipment and surfacing
• Exterior gym wall repair
• Flooring replacement cycle
• Warped doors and frames
• Unused radiator removal and wall repairs
• Southwest stair repairs
• Self-closing fire doors
• Ceiling tiles added on lower level and replaced in nearly all other areas of 1963 and 1987 parts of the building
• Additional mechanical ventilation for 2011 additions
• Storage for extra classroom furniture, etc. as needs change due to enrollment and as students physically grow over the 9-12 years they might be at JFK

The last time we did a these types of full-scale input sessions, we eventually did the gathering space addition to the church and classroom, ECLC, and front additions to the school.  We had even talked about a new parish hall, rectory, church hall/banquet room attached to the gathering space, church office, youth ministry space, and new school gym.  Everything can be discussed!

Dates/times for the three sessions are below.  They will all be in the parish center.

Sunday, May 22nd, 3:00PM
Thursday, May 26th, 1:00PM
Thursday, May 26th, 7:00PM

Rock Solid Play!

The middle school play, Don’t Pet My Rock, was rock solid!  I thought, with such a short turn around time, that the play might get off to a rocky start, or the students might be petrified, but the play was truly a gem.  I laughed and rolled my eyes so much — I just could not sit there stone-faced!   Although they had to dig pretty deep for some of the jokes and puns, I’ve never seen a boulder group of students.  They really smashed it!

Registration for 2022-23 is Still Underway

The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.  If you need a new one, please contact emily.sanderson@olvjfkmail.com.

Home & School General Meeting

Home & School will have a general meeting on May 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish center.  There’s a great committee now, and more are always welcome.  Officers will also be selected.  (And, no, if you attend you will not automatically become an officer!)

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

The school calendar on our website is filling up with so many activities, it makes one’s head spin!  Below are just a few of the highlighted events:

• May 17/19:  5th grade golfing
• May 17:  H & S General meeting
• May 18:  School Mass celebrated by Bishop Zinkula
• May 19:  Band Concert
• May 21:  OLV/JFK Gala
• May 22:  Facilities & Grounds Input Session #1
• May 23:  Day of Awesomeness
• May 24:  8th grade Manners Unit Lunch at Outing Club
• May 25:  Crusader Theater Field Trip
• May 26:  Facilities & Grounds Input Session #2 and #3
• May 27:  Day of Awesomeness Rain Date.  Bands to Adventureland.  3 Yr PS Conferences
• May 30:  Memorial Day.  No classes. ECLC closed
• May 31:  8th grade field trip.  3rd grade picnic on campus
• June 2:  Field Day.  3 yr old PS program.  4/5 yr old PS program
• June 3:  Last day of school.  12:40 dismissal.  No PS classes.  ECLC open.  8th grade graduation.  JFK Night at the River Bandits

Keep Your Eye on the Calendar and for Communications from Teachers

May keeps getting more and more crowded with activities.  Keep your eye on the detailed school calendar on our website and be aware of individual teacher’s/grade’s communications that will highlight their specific events.  If your calendar looks anything like mine in May, it’s tough to keep track of and juggle everything!  I even have all three of my daughters coming into town Gala weekend for other family events!

Bills to Pay

Don’t forget to finish paying your tuition and other JFK bills.  Those who signed a tuition contract for one annual payment, two payments, or the ten month payment plan should be about finished with tuition payments.  We, too, have bills to pay at JFK, particularly payroll.  Without tuition payments current, cash flow to pay teachers and staff in May, June, July, and August can be challenging.  Incidental charges like aftercare, band, lunch, lost books, etc., also add up.  Please make sure your payments to JFK are current.

Scholarship Opportunities for 6th-8th Graders

The deadline for the OLV scholarships for a 6th grader going into 7th grade and a 7th grader going into 8th grade is on Monday.  There currently are only two applicants.  The deadline for the Maher Memorial, OLV, and H & S/Judy Calcari scholarships for 8th graders going to AHS is also on Monday.  Emails with the applications were sent on May 4th.

Leaps & Bounds

JFK’s free summer Leaps & Bounds program still has some spots available in the first session:  June 13-24.  Waiting lists are available for the latter two sessions:  July 18-29 and August 1-12.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  To register, please contact Mrs. Temming at kitty.temming@olvjfkmail.com.

Board of Education

The OLV/JFK Board of Education is seeking candidates interested in helping to make financial and policy decisions affecting the operations of JFK, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Victory.  Board members work with other committees to address the long-range needs of the parish educational and faith formation programs.  Board meetings occur on the first Tuesday of each month and are typically from about 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  If interested in serving as a board member, please contact me or board officers Ann Craig, Lucas Roth, and Tom Poston.

Have You Settled Back Into Mass Yet?

With the Sunday/weekend Mass dispensation having ended a while ago, my wife and I haven’t quite settled into a regular weekend Mass time.  We were regular 9:00 Mass attendees for many, many years.  Lately, we’ve been going to 7:00 a.m. Mass but have also sprinkled in 4:30 and some special times for Confirmation and First Communion.  Aside from the special Masses, I probably haven’t seen more than a dozen JFK students at the same Masses I’ve attended.  This weekend, the parish did its salute to high school and college graduating seniors, but there wasn’t a single graduating senior in attendance at the Mass I attended.  Without young people in the pews, many parishioners are going to start wondering why the parish is using about 60% of parish income to support Catholic school education.

 

Chad

Facilities and Grounds Input Sessions

OLV will be hosting three input sessions in late May for people to talk about the facilities and grounds of the campus.  Due to your generosity, most of the projects of the Cultivating Our Future campaign are complete.  It is, thus, time to assess and discern the next steps for the parish.  This process is important for us as OLV’s participation in the diocesan capital campaign, Upon This Rock, will begin within the next year or so.  Twenty percent of all funds raised at each parish for this campaign are returned back to parishes for projects of their own.

Each of OLV;s input sessions will follow a similar format.  There will be a presentation on the state of our
parish facilities and finances, and then parishioners will be asked to talk about their thoughts with people at their tables, with someone being the note-taker.  Finally, the evening will end with some larger group discussion and questions. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, the presentation from the sessions will be made available through the parish website, and people are welcome to submit any thoughts, questions, or concerns to Fr. Jake or any members of the parish staff.  By the end of summer, it is Fr. Jake’s hope that the Parish Council, Finance Council, and other members of parish leadership will be able to identity priorities for the facilities and grounds.

Dates/times for the three sessions are below.  They will all be in the parish center.

Sunday, May 22nd, 3:00PM
Thursday, May 26th, 1:00PM
Thursday, May 26th, 7:00PM

JFK Welcomes Jessica Freemyer in Band

JFK is pleased to welcome Jessica Freemyer as our band instructor for the 2022-23 school year.  Mrs. Freemyer has seven years of experience in band and music at Rivermont Collegiate and in the Catholic schools across the river.  A graduate of St. Ambrose, Mrs. Freemyer also did some practicum hours at St. Paul’s and Assumption.  She and her husband have two children as well that will be joining the JFK community next year.

Parking Lot Reminders — Even on the South Side

Please remember to proceed carefully in the parking lot at drop-off and pick-up times.  There are many kids and families walking and moving throughout the parking lot, and excessive speed and distracted driving lead to danger for all.  The situation seems particularly troubling in the morning lately.  The extra seconds saved by speeding through the parking lot will not even compare to someone being hit by a car!  Several of the most recent issues have been on the south side of the parking lot by the ECLC drop off and rectory.  Even though there is less traffic on the south side of the parking lot, there are still plenty of children and cars.

Registration for 2022-23 is Still Underway

The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.  If you need a new one, please contact emily.sanderson@olvjfkmail.com.

Home & School General Meeting and Many Thanks

Home & School will have a general meeting on May 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish center.  There’s a great committee now, and more are always welcome.  Officers will also be selected.  (And, no, if you attend you will not automatically become an officer!)

Staff members really appreciated the many treats provided by Home & School for Teacher Appreciation Week!  The little sayings, rhymes, etc. were clever as well.

Water Fountains Fully Operational Again

Water fountains have been restored to working order.  Free, recyclable water bottles will no longer be available for students.  Students are, as always, encouraged to bring their own water bottles to school.  We have three water bottle filling stations located in the school that are used quite regularly.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

The school calendar on our website is filling up with so many activities, it makes one’s head spin!  Below are just a few of the highlighted events:

• May 9-13:  Guest personal trainer in PE classes for 3rd-8th graders
• May 9-20:  FAST Reading and Math Screenings
• May 10:  Free entry to skate night at the Eldridge skate park (skate rental still required)
• May 14:  Crusader Theater
• May 15:  Crusader Theater stage tear down
• May 17/19:  5th grade golfing
• May 18:  School Mass celebrated by Bishop Zinkula
• May 19:  Band Concert
• May 21:  OLV/JFK Gala
• May 22:  Facilities & Grounds Input Session #1
• May 23:  Day of Awesomeness
• May 24:  8th grade Manners Unit Lunch at Outing Club
• May 26:  Facilities & Grounds Input Session #2 and #3
• May 27:  Day of Awesomeness Rain Date.  Bands to Adventureland.  3 Yr PS Conferences
• May 30:  Memorial Day.  No classes. ECLC closed
• May 31:  8th grade field trip
• June 2:  Field Day.  3 yr old PS program.  4/5 yr old PS program
• June 3:  Last day of school.  12:40 dismissal.  No PS classes.  ECLC open.  8th grade graduation.  JFK Night at the River Bandits

Keep Your Eye on the Calendar and for Communications from Teachers

May keeps getting more and more crowded with activities.  Keep your eye on the detailed school calendar on our website and be aware of individual teacher’s/grade’s communications that will highlight their specific events.  If your calendar looks anything like mine in May, it’s tough to keep track of and juggle everything!  I even have all three of my daughters coming into town Gala weekend for other family events!

Shift in Spring Play

The Encyclopedia Brown middle school play has been replaced with Don’t Pet My Rock.  With so much going on in late spring, we’ve had to change to something that’s a bit more manageable.  This short play will have one performance, a 3:00 Saturday, May 13th performance in the parish center.  There is no admission fee.

Academic Work Continues

Even though there are many special activities in May, academic work continues.  Mid-quarter progress reports will go home this week.  There’s way too much academic work left for students, including 8th graders, to shut down for summer.  The time period between Easter or spring break (whichever comes last given the year) is the longest uninterrupted stretch of the school year!

Leaps & Bounds

JFK’s free summer Leaps & Bounds program still has some spots available in the first session:  June 13-24.  Waiting lists are available for the latter two sessions:  July 18-29 and August 1-12.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  To register, please contact Mrs. Temming at kitty.temming@olvjfkmail.com.

Board of Education

The OLV/JFK Board of Education is seeking candidates interested in helping to make financial and policy decisions affecting the operations of JFK, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Victory.  Board members work with other committees to address the long-range needs of the parish educational and faith formation programs.  Board meetings occur on the first Tuesday of each month and are typically from about 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  If interested in serving as a board member, please contact me or board officers Ann Craig, Lucas Roth, and Tom Poston.

 

Chad

 

Parking Lot Reminders

Please remember to proceed carefully in the parking lot at drop-off and pick-up times.  There are many kids and families walking and moving throughout the parking lot, and excessive speed and distracted driving lead to danger for all.  The situation seems particularly troubling in the morning lately.  The extra seconds saved by speeding through the parking lot will not even compare to someone being hit by a car!

Registration for 2022-23 is Still Underway

The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.  If you need a new one, please contact emily.sanderson@olvjfkmail.com.

Home & School General Meeting

Home & School will have a general meeting on May 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish center.  There’s a great committee now, and more are always welcome.  Officers will also be selected.  (And, no, if you attend you will not automatically become an officer!)

Teacher Appreciation Week Is Here

Have your children help Home & School with the theme of the week by having each of your children complete the quick Google form: I Appreciate my Teacher… (google.com) .

Water Fountains Fully Operational Again

Water fountains have been restored to working order.  Free, recyclable water bottles will no longer be available for students.  Students are, as always, encouraged to bring their own water bottles to school.  We have three water bottle filling stations located in the school that are used quite regularly.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

The school calendar on our website is filling up with so many activities, it makes one’s head spin!  Below are just a few of the highlighted events:

• May 2:  Last date for pre-ordering Moe’s Cinco de Mayo Taco kits
• May 4:  End of 4th Mid-qtr
• May 5:  Pick up of taco kits (2:40-5:00 in the PC).  7/8 Showcase
• May 9-13:  Guest personal trainer in PE classes for 3rd-8th graders
• May 10:  Free entry to skate night at the Eldridge skate park (skate rental still required)
• May 13:  Crusader Theater
• May 14:  Crusader Theater
• May 15:  Crusader Theater stage tear down
• May 21:  OLV/JFK Gala
• May 23:  Day of Awesomeness
• May 27:  Day of Awesomeness Rain Date
• June 2:  Field Day
• June 3:  JFK Night at the River Bandits

Keep Your Eye on the Calendar and for Communications from Teachers

May keeps getting more and more crowded with activities.  Keep your eye on the detailed school calendar on our website and be aware of individual teacher’s/grade’s communications that will highlight their specific events.  If your calendar looks anything like mine in May, it’s tough to keep track of and juggle everything!  I even have all three of my daughters coming into town Gala weekend for other family events!

Academic Work Continues

Even though there are many special activities in May, academic work continues.  We will first be getting to the mid-point of the quarter this week.  There’s way too much academic work left for students, including 8th graders, to shut down for summer.  The time period between Easter or spring break (whichever comes last given the year) is the longest uninterrupted stretch of the school year!

Leaps & Bounds

JFK’s free summer Leaps & Bounds program still has some spots available in the first session:  June 13-24.  Waiting lists are available for the latter two sessions:  July 18-29 and August 1-12.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  To register, please contact Mrs. Temming at kitty.temming@olvjfkmail.com.

3D Printing in 8th Grade

Beginning in May, our 8th grade students will be learning how to program our 3D printers to make board game pieces.  JFK has two 3D printers used in 8th grade science classes.

Chad

ISASP Testing Begins Week of April 25

The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for students in grades 3-8 begins on April 25th.  Students will want to have a good breakfast and plenty of rest before testing.  They will also need to have their CHARGED Chromebooks every day.  Chromebooks should be charged at home each evening.  There are few things worse than working on something on your computer, and it shuts down because of a low battery!

Discounted Registration Fees end April 30th

The last date for the discounted registration fee is now April 30th.  The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee, discounted for OLV parishioners and returning families from $150 to $100 per student when returned before May, is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.  If you need a new one, please contact emily.sanderson@olvjfkmail.com.

Scott County Mass at AHS for Grades 2-12

The Mass for students in grades 2-12 in Scott County Catholic schools is on Wednesday.  Please send in your child’s permission slip.

Volunteers Needed

There are a few events coming up for which volunteers are needed:

• Stage Set Up for Crusader Theater:  May 1st, 10-2 (or earlier) in the parish center
  • Contact brisy.potter@olvjfkmail.com for more information
• Plant Sale:
  • Wednesday:  help unload the truck when it arrives sometime between 8-12
    • It really doesn’t take four hours to unload the truck, but we just don’t know exactly when it will arrive
  • Thursday:  3-4:30 (4 people are needed)
  • Friday:  3-4:30  (3 people are needed)
  • Saturday: 4:30 until clean up is finished (at least 2 people are needed)
  • Email Home & School at homeandschool@olvjfkmail.com or JFK.Homeandschool@outlook.com to sign up
• Web designer/engineer assistance:  Home & School is looking for someone who has some technology background and can help answer questions about and help navigate an online money raising platform.  If you think you might be able to help, email homeandschool@olvjfkmail.com 
• Home & School:  Home & School will have a general meeting on May 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the parish center.  There’s a great committee now, and more are always welcome.  Officers will also be selected.  (And, no, if you attend you will not automatically become an officer!)

Teacher Appreciation Week Is Fast Approaching 

Have your children help Home & School with the theme of the week by having each of your children complete the quick Google form: I Appreciate my Teacher… (google.com) .

Free Water Bottles End on Friday

The last day that we will have free water bottles available for students is Friday.  The water fountains will be restored to working order sometime during this week.  Students are, as always, encouraged to bring their own water bottles to school.  We have three water bottle filling stations located in the school that are used quite regularly.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Upcoming Events

Keep an eye on the school calendar on our website.  It’s filling up with so many activities in April and May, it makes one’s head spin!

• April 25-29:  Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for grades 3-8
• April 27:  SCCS Mass at AHS for grades 2-12.  AHS Info Knight.
• April 28-30:  Plant Sale Pick Up
• April 29:  Cookies and Dreams pop up sale during plant pick up.  Credit card sales only.
• April 28:  First Communion practice
• April 29:  Confirmation practice
• April 30:  Confirmation
• May 1:  First Communion
• May 2:  Last date for pre-ordering Moe’s Cinco de Mayo Taco kits
• May 5:  Pick up of taco kits (2:40-5:00 in the PC)
• May 10:  Free entry to skate night at the Eldridge skate park (skate rental still required)
• May 27:  Day of Awesomeness
• June 2:  Field Day
• June 3:  JFK Night at the River Bandits

Leaps & Bounds

JFK’s free summer Leaps & Bounds program still has some spots available in each of the three sessions:  June 13-24, July 18-29, and August 1-12.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  To register, please contact Mrs. Temming at kitty.temming@olvjfkmail.com.

3D Printing in 8th Grade

Beginning in May, our 8th grade students will be learning how to program our 3D printers to make board game pieces.  JFK has two 3D printers used in 8th grade science classes.

Synod Listening Sessions

In a video the Vatican distributed regarding the world-wide synodal listening sessions, the Diocese of Davenport was used as one of four exemplars of the process.  OLV had about ten listening sessions, and JFK’s 8th graders had one of their own.  Thanks to all who are participating in the process!

Chad

School Calendar for 2022-23

The general school calendar was approved by our board for the 2022-23 school year:

JFK 2022-2023 Academic Calendar

Details will be entered on our website calendar as they develop.

Discounted Registration Fees end April 30th

The last date for the discounted registration fee is now April 30th.  The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee, discounted for OLV parishioners and returning families from $150 to $100 per student when returned before May, is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.  If you need a new one, please contact emily.sanderson@olvjfkmail.com.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  There are a few morning and afternoon spots still left.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

ISASP Testing Begins Week of April 25

The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for students in grades 3-8 begins on April 25th.  Students will want to have a good breakfast and plenty of rest before testing.  They will also need to have their CHARGED Chromebooks every day.  Chromebooks should be charged at home each evening.  There are few things worse than working on something on your computer, and it shuts down because of a low battery!

Upcoming Events

Keep an eye on the school calendar on our website.  It’s filling up with so many activities in April and May, it makes one’s head spin!

• April 21:  Hearing Screening.  Parent University w/Anne McNelis via Zoom.
• April 22:  Comfy Day
• April 25-29:  Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for grades 3-8
• April 27:  SCCS Mass at AHS for grades 2-12.  AHS Info Knight.
• April 28-30:  Plant Sale Pick Up
• April 28:  First Communion practice
• April 29:  Confirmation practice
• April 30:  Confirmation
• May 1:  First Communion

Leaps & Bounds

JFK’s free summer Leaps & Bounds program still has some spots available in each of the three sessions:  June 13-24, July 18-29, and August 1-12.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  To register, please contact Mrs. Temming at kitty.temming@olvjfkmail.com.

Absence and COVID Information

It’s been about a month since I shared our attendance information.  Below is a link to this information, particularly as it relates to COVID.

COVID Data, April 18, 2022

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.  Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

• 4:30-5:30pm Mass
• 5:35-6:05pm Meal in the Parish Center
• 6:10-7:15pm Group Gatherings

Ignite Sundays:

• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Chad

School Calendar for 2022-23

The general school calendar was approved by our board on Saturday for the 2022-23 school year:

JFK 2022-2023 Academic Calendar

Details will be entered on our website calendar as they develop.

Formal Registration for K-8 Has Begun

Tuition contracts for K-8 were mailed to families three weeks ago.  The return of the tuition contract and the registration fee, discounted for OLV parishioners and returning families from $150 to $100 per student when returned before April, is the formal enrollment process for 2022-23.  Please contact the school office or Fr. Jake right away if you did not receive your contract.

Pre-school and Daycare Registration

Registration for all sections of 3 year old preschool, 4/5 year old preschool, and ECLC is underway for all families.  Morning classes fill up quickly, in particular, so do not delay PS registration.

See the  K, pre-school, daycare roundup flyer, 2022

Crusader Theater for 6th-8th Graders

We had 33 6th-8th graders try out for this year’s Crusader Theater production of Encyclopedia Brown, and all 33 were cast into a part!   Encyclopedia Brown is a series of books staring young detective “Encyclopedia” Brown who solves all sorts of mysteries for his friends, the neighbors, and even the police.  Spanning publication dates of nearly 50 years, the series has led to a comic strip, a TV series, and other related items.  I used to love reading Encyclopedia Brown books myself!  Performances are scheduled for May 13 at 6:30 p.m. and May 14 at 3:00 p.m.

Cast members will be meeting at recess on Monday to receive their scripts and rehearsal schedules.  Questions should be addressed to Mrs. Potter at bristy.potter@olvjfkmail.com.

Upcoming Events

Keep an eye on the school calendar on our website.  It’s filling up with so many activities in April and May, it makes one’s head spin!

• April 11:  SCCS 8th grade mixer
• April 14:   Holy Thursday school activities, 1:20
• April 15:  Good Friday.  No classes.  ECLC closed
• April 17:  Easter Sunday
• April 18:  Easter Monday.  No classes.  ECLC closed.  (The DCSD is in session.)
• April 21:  Hearing Screening.  Parent University w/Anne McNelis via Zoom.
• April 22:  Comfy Day
• April 25-29:  Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for grades 3-8
• April 27:  SCCS Mass at AHS for grades 2-12
• April 28-30:  Plant Sale Pick Up

Leaps & Bounds

Registration for our free sessions of summer Leaps & Bounds has begun.  Please refer to the email from Kitty Temming.  Registration is first-come, first-served.  With two classes running simultaneously for the three sessions, we have 90 spots available, and 2/3 of the spots are already filled.

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.  Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

• 4:30-5:30pm Mass
• 5:35-6:05pm Meal in the Parish Center
• 6:10-7:15pm Group Gatherings

Ignite Sundays:

• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Chad