Author: csteimle

It’s Complicated

I’m not sure which is my new mantra, “With COVID-19, everything is complicated” or “With COVID-19, nothing is easy.”  Back in the spring, I listed about 13 different sources for guidelines/views regarding dealing with COVID in schools, and I even missed including the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), which licenses ECLC, 3 year old preschool, and “aftercare” for 5-12 year olds:

1. National leadership, such as what the president or the federal coronavirus task force says
2. The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
3. Iowa Governor Reynolds’ proclamations and statements
4. Iowa Department of Education (DE)
5. Iowa Department of Public Health
6. Iowa COVID regions
7. Scott County, particularly the Scott County Health Department
8. City of Davenport
9. Diocese of Davenport
10. Davenport Community School District (DCSD)
11. What other area churches and Catholic schools are doing
12. Everyone’s own opinions and practices
13. OLV/JFK itself

The guidance they issue (and sometimes rescind) tends to change over time.  Sometimes it is even contradictory.  DHS, for example, says to notify families of a positive case in the childcare setting.  The DE, however, says to only share numbers of 0 and the range of 1-5, and then one can share actual numbers once 6 or more cases are confirmed, in order to maintain people’s privacy.  We have followed these dual sets of guidance this past week.  This week we have had 1-5 three year olds – 8th graders and staff absent due to having tested positive themselves.  Since school began, we have had a total of eight persons test positive.  We work together with families to determine self-isolation dates and contact tracing as it might relate to other students/staff.  We also do the same to determine dates for quarantining students or staff when someone is a close contact either with someone outside of school or within school.  Most often we are talking to families about these dates long before the official “contact tracers” these days.  Occasionally, our dates are off a day or two from the health department as sometimes people remember things differently, or the interpretation might be different.  Was that “tickle” in one’s throat really a “sore throat?”  Was the fatigue one felt during the day due to being awake all night or really the start of a COVID symptom?  Answers aren’t always simple.

It gets even more complicated.  The Iowa Department of Public Health now says that if both the positive case and close contact were wearing masks, there is no need for an asymptomatic close contact to quarantine.  The Diocese of Davenport, however, does not allow us to follow that guidance.  So while Public Health may not be telling certain people to quarantine, we might be.

Just determining what “type” of absence to call something can sometimes be complicated.  When people are quarantining as an extra precaution, even though Public Health doesn’t require them to because a case has not been confirmed yet, are they absent because they are a close contact and quarantining?  Without the positive case identified yet, they, technically are not yet a close contact.  In about the middle of this week, we started to pull these numbers out separately from “other absences” — see below.)  There are federal definitions related to payroll, definitions for diocesan reporting, and definitions for Public Health and our internal tracking.

JFK Specific Data on Friday, November 20, 2020

Here’s what we had at JFK on Friday, November 20th.  The percentages are based upon the number of staff and students that are expected to be in the building; they do not include those who have chosen to do long-term remote learning:

Percent of students and staff absent due to COVID or COVID symptoms (and getting tested):  3.12%.  November13:  0.23%

Percent of students and staff absent due to other illnesses that we have to report to the health department, which includes gastrointestinal and respiratory issues (the types of things for which you give symptoms when you call your student in “sick”):  1.20%.  November 13:  1.41%    These numbers are probably pretty small because just about everything seems to be a COVID symptom.

Percent of students and staff absent because they are, thus, “sick:”  4.32%.  November 13:  1.64%

Percent of students and staff absent who are quarantining because they were close contacts to a positive COVID case and required to quarantine:  5.52%.  November 13:  3.52%

Percent of students and staff absent who are voluntarily quarantining because they may be a close contact if the person with whom they had close contact receives a positive test result:  1.20%  (We started to separate these absences from “other” just this week.)

Total percent of students and staff absent because they are “sick,” required to quarantine, or voluntarily quarantining:  11.04%

Percent of students and  staff who are absent for other reasons, including vacations, funerals, appointments, transportation issues, needing a mask free day, unknown, etc.:  3.6%

Total percent of students and staff  expected to be in the building but were absent:  14.63%.  November 13:  9.86%

In addition, we have 6.80% of the student body doing long-term remote learning and not expected to be in the building.  That figure has grown from 4.53% on November 13th and will increase, again, on Monday.

Scott County Data

For those keeping up with some of the data I’ve reported regularly for Scott County, see the below:

• As of November 18th, Scott County’s 14 day average for new cases was at a RATE of 1,989 per 100,000 persons.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County is at 24.8% today.  The good news is that the rate is down from last week’s 26.6%!
• The percent of hospital beds used for COVID patients is now up to 33%.
• The health department said they are seeing a fairly steady percentage of positive cases among those aged 6-18 years old:  about 8% of all positive cases.  Of course, with more positive cases, the raw number of 6-18 years old testing positive has also increased.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools continues to be in the highest levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population, positivity rate, percent change in number of new cases per 100,000, and percent of hospital beds now used for COVID patients.  The percentage of hospital beds actually used, however, was still at the lowest risk level.  The hospital metrics may be somewhat misleading as the hospitals are starting to do more creative things like putting multiple patients in the same rooms, cancelling overnight procedures, converting wards from one usage to COVID use, and doing more extensive “home monitoring” of patients to try to keep people out of the hospital if they don’t need to be seen and yet into the hospital sooner if their symptoms do warrant it.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

Due in part to the changing situation with the hospital information and the access to this information being only weekly, we have made a change to the metrics shared with you regarding building/grade level closures and face covering requirements.  We shifted the community spread metric for a face covering requirement to just the 14 day county positivity test rate, a data point always available to us.  Note:  Building/grade level closures would probably need the thresholds to be hit for a few days in a row or with an average before action is taken.  Everyone might need a little advance notice anyway!  The threshold figures also do not include those who are not expected to be in the building because they have chosen long-term remote learning.

COVID Metrics for building closure, face masks, 11-16-2020

Challenges This Past Week

Our biggest challenges this past week were due to staff absences.  We have about 30 licensed staff members (teachers, administrators, and student support specialist) and 17 support staff (office, technology, aides, lunch, custodians, library, etc.)   We had as many as ten of our 47 staff members absent on two days.  The absences were for a variety of reasons, some planned and some not planned, and as many as half were not related to any sort of illness or quarantining.  (Even during a pandemic, other things continue in our lives!)  When staff are absent, we try to hire substitute teachers and rearrange people’s duties and schedules in order to keep going.  Sometimes it works better than other times.  Even by shutting down the lunch program, for example, we still have about four hours of work per day that have to be covered in order for kids to safely eat their own sack lunches utilizing our current mitigation protocols.  I can’t say how many staff members need to be absent for it to become unmanageable; it just depends upon the positions.  Staffing issues also don’t often provide a lot of notice, and that makes things even harder.  Staffing is one of our weaker links in the ability to remain open.  We are bending, but we have not broken yet.

Conversations About the Future

It seems like we will make it with face-to-face instruction until at least Thanksgiving.  The question now is whether or not we’ll make it until Christmas.  Many of our conversations and preparations (when we have time to think about the future rather than just react to the present) are to make sure we can be ready if we don’t make it.  When you are thinking about your Thanksgiving plans and the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas break, you should probably do some “what if…” thinking as well.  What will you do if there is a building/grade level closure for a period of time?

Upcoming Dates

November 24:  Thanksgiving Food Color Day:  Dress in the color(s) of your favorite Thanksgiving food.  Everyone will be given a sticker to identify their “food item.”  The homeroom with the most colors representing the most different foods will win bragging rights and the “golden” sign.  Students may be out of uniform on this day if they participate in the special theme but need to follow the out of uniform guidelines.

November 25:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 26-27:  Thanksgiving break.  No classes.  No ECLC.

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School.  Winter hats and scarves are now available, as well as some great stocking stuffer ideas.

Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization (STO)

More than 620 students in Scott County are benefiting from financial assistance through the Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization (MVSTO).  In order to provide the level of financial assistance needed, donations are needed each year.  Donations to the MVSTO are great because they benefit both students and donors.  Students receive the financial assistance needed by their families so they can attend Catholic/private schools, and donors receive a 65% tax CREDIT, not deduction, off of their Iowa taxes, AND the other 35% is a charitable deduction on their federal taxes.  A $100 donation to the MVSTO, for example, allows one to reduce one’s Iowa tax bill by $65, and, at the 32% federal income tax bracket, one might be able to reduce one’s tax bill by about $11.  If you follow the math, a student receives the $100 benefit in financial assistance while the donor has a net cost of, not $100, but only $24!

Donations for this year’s taxes must be made by December 31st.  Act now!  Use the following link for more information and the forms needed:  https://www.mvsto.org/

Chad

Upcoming Dates

November 25:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 26-27:  Thanksgiving break.  No classes.  No ECLC.

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School.  Winter hats and scarves are now available, as well as some great stocking stuffer ideas.

COVID Related

As I mentioned last week in our messages regarding wearing face coverings at all times regardless of social distancing and our decision to continue with face-to-face instruction at this time, what we have going on at JFK itself is currently manageable.  Here is some of our data from Friday.  (We will work to see if we can find a good way to show data in table or graph formats on our website for the future.)

Percent of students and staff absent due to COVID or COVID symptoms:  0.23%

Percent of students and staff absent due to other illnesses that we have to report to the health department, which includes gastrointestinal and respiratory issues (the types of things for which you give symptoms when you call your student in “sick”):  1.41%

Percent of students and staff who are, thus, “sick:”  1.64%

Percent of students and staff who are quarantining because they were close contacts to a positive COVID case: 3.52%

Total percent of students and staff who are “sick” or quarantining:  5.16%

Total percent of students and  staff who are absent for other reasons, including vacations, funerals, appointments, temporarily kept at home even though not required to quarantine, etc.:  4.7%

Note that the approximately 5% of the student body doing long-term remote learning is not included in any of these figures.

Total percent of students and staff who were absent for any reason:  9.86%

The only way we can manage to keep our schools open and provide face-to-face instruction is for everyone, young and old, both at school and, more importantly, it seems, outside of school, to practice the proven mitigation steps:  wear face coverings, practice social distancing, implement good face and hand hygiene by washing ones hands regularly and/or using hand sanitizer regularly, avoid large gatherings, stay home when ill, cooperate with contact tracers, follow isolation and quarantine guidelines, etc.

For those keeping up with some of the data I’ve reported regularly for Scott County, see the below:

• As of November 11th, Scott County’s 14 day average for new cases was at a RATE of 1,330 per 100,000 persons.  On November 4th, the rate was 783 per 100,000.  The CDC indicates that even moderate risk of transmission in schools is in the 20 to <50 rate of cases per 100,000.  We haven’t seen that low data in Scott County since May.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County is at 26.6% today.  Even by Iowa’s standards, the community transmission in Scott County is rated as Substantial Uncontrolled.  For some context, I again read this weekend about the city of New York.  They were concerned that the positivity rate was somewhere between 2.4% and 3%!  The lowest county in Iowa has a 14 day positivity rate average of 8.4%.
• Genesis hospital officials announced this week that they were curtailing some of their procedures.  Six weeks ago, the percent of hospital beds used for COVID patients was at about 4.3%.  On November 4th, it was 14%.  On November 11th, it was 25%.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools continues to be in the highest levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population, positivity rate, and percent change in number of new cases per 100,000.  The percentage of hospital beds actually used, however, was at the lowest risk level.  The percent of hospital beds now used for COVID patients is in the highest risk level.
• The health department also mentioned the challenges they are facing keeping up with the number of cases.  They are lucky to communicate with positive cases in a timely manner; to communicate with close contacts, if they can reach them at all, is becoming less and less timely.  People need to follow the self-isolation guidelines for positive cases or quarantine guidelines for close contacts on their own without waiting for contact from the health department.
• The health department also mentioned (and superintendents at the weekly meeting agreed) that youth sports leagues outside of the schools are also creating challenges.  Not only do unmasked kids seem to be together, if even for just the carpool to the tournament, but so do their parents.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you some metrics that might be used should there be a need for a two week building shut-down, a one week building shut-down, a shut-down of a particular homeroom, a mask mandate for the building, and a mask mandate for a particular homeroom.  We currently have a “mask mandate” for everyone regardless of social distancing.  It’s a tough conversation to have:  act too soon and you risk compromising the education available, but act too late and you risk or have already risked compromising everyone’s health.  Below is our current draft.  It is currently being reviewed in light of what is happening around us in Scott County:

COVID Metrics for building closure, face masks, 10-21-2020

Below are the CDC guidelines for face coverings, which JFK has adopted:

• Face coverings should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
  • This guidance applies to gaiters as well.  Gaiters should have at least two layers or be folded to make two layers.
• Face coverings should completely cover the nose and mouth
• Face coverings should fit snugly against the sides of one’s face and not have gaps
• Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not recommended as virus particles may escape
• Face shields are not proven to be effective face coverings

• Do not gather without a mask with individuals living outside of your household
• Always wear a mask in public places
• Stop gatherings beyond immediate household until cases and test positivity decrease significantly

Chad

COVID numbers continue to grow in Scott County and are beginning to tax our health care system.  Rates are at levels to trigger the guidance shared in previous Principal’s Posts for everyone to wear face coverings on campus regardless of social distancing.  Click HERE for the video announcement or use the following link/url:  https://kennedy-dav.zoom.us/rec/share/RIKTX5HtoBBsoPFD3YuQVAi76klszO5ujq6WRuLxuoY9U5sCN8QBMTN1IuMqc-YW.xnscB2Yz4xsJK0yQ?startTime=1605129267000

Stay safe!

Chad

Upcoming Dates

November 11:  JFK has school on November 11th, Veterans’ Day.  There is no bus transportation this day as the DCSD is not in session.

November 13:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 25:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 26-27:  Thanksgiving break.  No classes.  No ECLC.

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School

COVID Related and Face Coverings at Recesses 

Scott County’s COVID numbers are still not good and continue to get worse, as reported to the public and/or available through our weekly meeting with the health department.

• We have topped 200 cases in a day this week in Scott County.  Just last week, I mentioned that we’ve had over 100 cases in a day.  Now, we’ve had at least one day, in if not more, with over 200 new cases in a day.  As of November 4th, Scott County’s 14 day average for new cases was at a RATE of 783 per 100,000 persons.  The CDC indicates that even moderate risk of transmission in schools is in the 20 to <50 rate of cases per 100,000.  We haven’t seen that low data in Scott County since May.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County is at 20.3% today.  Even by Iowa’s standards, the community transmission in Scott County is rated as Substantial Uncontrolled.  I read how concerned they were in New York over the weekend as their positivity rate had increased to 2%!  The lowest county in Iowa has a positivity rate of 8.7%.  It is not automatic that when the county hits 15%, schools have to switch to 100% remote learning.  The county positivity rate is only one factor that the Department of Education would consider.  JFK’s building level absenteeism rate is actually doing well so far.  (See below.)
• Genesis and Trinity hospital officials continue to express their concern.  Six weeks ago, the percent of hospital beds used for COVID patients was at about 4.3%.  On November 4th, it was 14%.  It was also reported that hospital officials were exploring to where they might be able to transfer patients and were looking as far away as Chicago without luck.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools continues to be in the highest levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population, positivity rate, and percent change in number of new cases per 100,000.  The percentage of hospital beds actually used, however, was at the lowest risk level, and the percent of hospital beds being used for COVID patients remained in the moderate risk level.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

JFK’s own cumulative positivity rate since the beginning of the school year is 8.5%, with the increases most recently due not just to a few positive cases but because we’ve seen the lowest levels of testing since school actually began.  Still, since school began, we’ve only had between 1 and 5 positive cases.  Our attendance rate has actually also been doing well.  There’s only been a few days when attendance has dipped below 95%, which is considered the target attendance rate.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you some metrics that might be used should there be a need for a two week building shut-down, a one week building shut-down, a shut-down of a particular homeroom, a mask mandate for the building, and a mask mandate for a particular homeroom.  It’s a tough conversation to have:  act too soon and you risk compromising the education available, but act too late and you risk or have already risked compromising everyone’s health.  Below is our current draft:

COVID Metrics for building closure, face masks, 10-21-2020

Our most vulnerable times at school, in my opinion, are at recesses.  Students, like all others, are like magnets; they are attracted to one another.  Unless we are at our designated spots in classrooms or in the pews at church marked with black dots, we tend to move together.  It’s tough to remember to stay apart from one another.  Recess times are no different.  Here’s some information regarding recesses:

• Morning and afternoon recesses are scheduled for 15 minutes.  By the time we go outside and come back in, the actual recess time is a little shorter than 15 minutes.  By Iowa’s definition of a close contact being within 6 feet for 15 consecutive minutes, there are really no close contacts at these recesses.  The new CDC definition of a close contact being within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes over a 24 hour period, however, would make contact tracing challenging at recesses, if Iowa adopts the new CDC definition.  The Iowa Department of Public Health has not yet made a final decision regarding any changes to the definition of a close contact.
• Lunch recesses are 20 minutes.
  • We have examined our schedules to see if we can shorten these recesses to 15 minutes without much luck as everything is so intertwined.
  • We have considered blowing a whistle at the 15 minute mark and requiring students to do something that ensures separation from one another, but it doesn’t seem enforceable/feasible.
• We have tried the idea of pods for outdoor recesses where kids only play with certain other kids.  That would help us with contact tracing at recesses.  Having kids in their pods at outdoor recess, however, is nearly impossible to monitor.
• We have increased the number of balls available to students at recesses.  Students tend to stay apart from one another when playing with a ball.  It seems, however, that there are still too many kids too close to one another at recesses, and staff members are “always” having to break up groups or tell kids to separate.
• We have moved at least one of our longer recesses to the blacktop so that we could better utilize our cameras, if we had to do contact tracing.  From experience, however, I can tell you that watching video for contact tracing is not a good use of time.
• Whether it be in person or through video, it is difficult to determine what six feet of distance is without measuring.  If we can’t tell as adults what 6 feet is, neither can students.
• I have received input from Lourdes and St. Paul’s regarding their recesses.  Lourdes has students wear face coverings for recesses, and St. Paul’s also requires face coverings at recesses unless students can be socially distant.
• The Iowa Department of Public Health issued guidance stating that if a positive case and a close contact were both wearing face coverings, the close contact would not have to quarantine.  Although this guidance was not accepted by the Diocese of Davenport, and, therefore, does not impact its parishes or schools (including JFK), this guidance seems to increase the case even more for face coverings.

Based upon this information and with the intent of keeping as many kids in school as possible by limiting COVID transmission and quarantining, face coverings will now also be required at outdoor recesses.

The CDC has guidelines for face coverings, which JFK has adopted:

• Face coverings should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
  • This guidance applies to gaiters as well.  Gaiters should have at least two layers or be folded to make two layers.
• Face coverings should completely cover the nose and mouth
• Face coverings should fit snugly against the sides of one’s face and not have gaps
• Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not recommended as virus particles may escape
• Face shields are not proven to be effective face coverings

• Do not gather without a mask with individuals living outside of your household
• Always wear a mask in public places
• Stop gatherings beyond immediate household until cases and test positivity decrease significantly

Chad

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be November 2nd from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and November 5th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 -8:00 p.m.  There are no classes on November 5th and 6th.  ECLC is open those days.

November 6th is also the end of the first quarter.

PS-5th grade conferences will not be longer than 15 minutes, allowing time for cleaning in between guests.  For in person conferences, face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  Those waiting will be required to stay on a black “dot” in our hallways or other marking on the floor in other locations.  If you want to do the conference via Zoom, make sure you have had communication with the teacher so a link can be sent to you.

Sixth-8th grade and specials conferences will be “drop in” but scattered throughout the building so those waiting are apart from one another.  Within each conferencing area/room, we will use multiple tables/seats for parents so we can have one set of seats drying from disinfectant while another spot is being used.  Face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  Requests for a Zoom conference instead of a face-to-face meeting, if desired, should have been made.  These “taken” times will be posted outside of their doors and/or communicated through other means.  Due to the higher number of students that upper grade teachers have, 6th-8th grade conferences are less than 15 minutes.  At this time, we are planning on using the following locations for upper grade and specials conferences:

• Mrs. Kubalsky (6th-8th):  Room 206 (her room)
• Mrs. Nicoletto (6th and 6th-8th Spanish):  Room 207 (her room)
• Mrs. Thomas (6th):  Room 203 (her room)
• Mr. Connors and Mrs. VanSpeybroeck:  Room 215 (music room)
• Mr. Ryan:  Room 212 (art room)
• Mrs. Tilkens:  Cafeteria
• Ms. Burken (7th):  Cafeteria
• Mrs. Whelchel (7th/8th):  Gym
• Mrs. Lundquist (8th):  Gym

Other Upcoming Dates

November 11:  JFK has school on November 11th, Veterans’ Day.  There is no bus transportation this day as the DCSD is not in session.

November 13:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 25:  Dismissal is at 12:15 p.m.  There is bus transportation.  There is no afternoon preschool.

November 26-27:  Thanksgiving break.  No classes.  No ECLC.

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School

COVID Related 

Our weekly meeting with the health department seemed to be rather short this week.  There’s nothing really new to report.  Things just keep trending in the wrong direction:

• Toward the beginning of fall, I wrote that the  average number of cases of COVID-19 in Scott County was in the mid-30s.  I believe we’ve had over 100 cases on at least 3-4 days over the last week.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County was at 6.6% when school started.  On 10/13, it was 8.7%.  Last Sunday, it was at 11.8%.  Today, it’s at 14.5%.  No, it’s not automatic that when the county hits 15%, schools have to switch to 100% remote learning.  The county positivity rate is only one factor that the Department of Education would consider.  JFK’s building level absenteeism rate is doing quite well so far.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools continues to be in the highest levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population, positivity rate, and percent change in number of new cases per 100,000.  The percentage of hospital beds used on Wednesday was at the lowest risk level, and the percent of hospital beds being used for COVID patients remained in the moderate risk level.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

Amazingly, we are still doing well with our COVID numbers in the school.  Our cumulative positivity rate for persons at JFK is 4%.  Since school began, we’ve had between 1 and 5 positive cases.  Our attendance rate has actually also been doing well.  There’s only been a few days when attendance has dipped below 95%, which is considered the target attendance rate.

Last week I shared with you some metrics that might be used should there be a need for a two week building shut-down, a one week building shut-down, a shut-down of a particular homeroom, a mask mandate for the building, and a mask mandate for a particular homeroom.  It’s a tough conversation to have:  act too soon and you risk compromising the education available, but act too late and you risk or have already risked compromising everyone’s health.  Below is our current draft:

COVID Metrics for building closure, face masks, 10-21-2020

Our most vulnerable times at school, in my opinion, are at recesses.  Students, like all others, are like magnets; they are attracted to one another.  Unless we are at our designated spots in classrooms or in the pews at church marked with black dots, we tend to move together.  It’s tough to remember to stay apart from one another.  Kids do pretty well at recesses when playing with a ball.  They’re far enough away from one another to play catch with it, chase it, play four square, do volleyball bumps, play soccer, etc.  We’ve increased the number of balls available at recesses, but it seems that there are still too many kids too close to one another at recesses.  Indoor recesses, of course, present a whole different type of challenge.

Everyone in Iowa is waiting to see if contact tracing is going to become much more challenging as well.  On October 21st, the CDC changed the definition of a close contact from being within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 consecutive minutes to 15 accumulated minutes over a 24 hour time period.  It’s hard enough to remember who you were with five days ago for 15 minutes, it’ll be even harder to track it by the minute!   The Iowa Department of Public Health is still discussing the CDC change and how/if it will impact Iowa’s guidance.

I hope you were able to figure out how to enjoy Halloween in a COVID safe manner.  Most situations involving COVID are not the “super spreader” events you hear about in the news.  Rather, they are small gatherings of family and close friends or work-related situations.

I must say that I’ve had to chuckle when asked a couple of times over the last two weeks if people have to quarantine after they’ve visited other states and returned to Iowa.  Based upon Iowa’s rates, it’s people in other states that should be concerned about Iowans visiting them!  Listening to my daughter in North Carolina and son in South Carolina describe how things are managed in their states, there are differences, and their rates are at about the national average.  Depending upon the measurement, Iowa’s rates are at least double the national average.

Not Immune to Other Things Either

In a June Principal’s Post, I reflected upon various -isms, including racism.  We are not immune, and we continually need to examine our thinking, statements, and actions, whether intentional or not or as individual actions or as part of various systems.  In our 8th grade curriculum at JFK, for example, we have a rather extensive unit in the spring on civil rights as part of American History.  But does it come too late for students?  What are we doing in 6th and 7th grades as students are becoming prolific consumers and producers in social media?  What are we doing as they develop the known accounts and sometimes the accounts we adults don’t know about in Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, WhatsApp, etc.?  What are we doing to help students with the dopamine rush comparable to using drugs that can be experienced with more “Likes” or “followers” regardless of the content of what is being published?  What are we doing to help students’ minds grow as there is more brain development that happens in the middle school years than at any other time in people’s lives outside of birth – age three?  There is more work to do, including at JFK.

This Was the Dog

Chad

Fall Celebrations on October 30th

We will have our annual black/orange dress day on Friday, October 30th.  Students may be out of uniform if they are wearing black and/or orange, but they do still need to follow the out of uniform guidelines in our handbook.

Look for communication from your child’s teacher regarding details for other ways of celebrating.  One of the big things we are trying to avoid is kids passing out things to other kids, and teachers have options that they can share with you.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be November 2nd from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and November 5th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 -8:00 p.m.  There are no classes on November 5th and 6th.  ECLC is open those days.

November 6th is also the end of the first quarter.

We will use SignUp Genius to schedule PS-5th grade conferences.  The scheduling intervals will be 20 minutes, but conferences will not be longer than 15 minutes, allowing time for cleaning in between guests.  For in person conferences, face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  Those waiting will be required to stay on a black “dot” in our hallways or other marking on the floor in other locations.  If you want to do the conference via Zoom, you will need to indicate it in SignUp Genius so the teacher knows to send you an invitation with a link.  The SignUp Genius link was sent on Thursday to those families who have more than one child at JFK.  It will be sent to other PS-5 families no later than Monday.

Sixth-8th grade and specials conferences will be “drop in” but scattered throughout the building so those waiting are apart from one another.  Within each conferencing area/room, we will use multiple tables/seats for parents so we can have one set of seats drying from disinfectant while another spot is being used.  Face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  If parents want a Zoom conference instead of a face-to-face meeting, these will have to be scheduled separately, and teachers will post these “taken” times outside of their doors and/or communicate it through other means.  Due to the higher number of students that upper grade teachers have, conferences will be less than 15 minutes.  At this time, we are planning on using the following locations for upper grade and specials conferences:

• Mrs. Kubalsky (6th-8th):  Room 206 (her room)
• Mrs. Nicoletto (6th and 6th-8th Spanish):  Room 207 (her room)
• Mrs. Thomas (6th):  Room 203 (her room)
• Mr. Connors and Mrs. VanSpeybroeck:  Room 215 (music room)
• Mr. Ryan:  Room 212 (art room)
• Mrs. Tilkens:  Cafeteria
• Ms. Burken (7th):  Cafeteria
• Mrs. Whelchel (7th/8th):  Gym
• Mrs. Lundquist (8th):  Gym

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School

COVID Related 

The bad news only got worse this past week:

• COVID-19 numbers for Scott County continue to be high.  We’ve had three record highs within the last ten days:  89 and 92 new cases on two days last week and 133 on Friday/Saturday.  Earlier this fall I wrote that the  average number of cases was in the mid-30s.  Last week I said that the graph looked like the 14 day moving average for Scott County was just over 50 new cases per day.  The latest 14 day moving average is now over 60 cases per day.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County was at 6.6% when school started.  On 10/13, it was 8.7%.  Today, it is at 11.8%.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools as of 10/20/2020 is now in the highest levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population (420 per 100,000 compared to 335 on 10/13), positivity rate (10.1% on 10/20), and percent change in number of new cases per 100,000 (22%).  Our percentage of hospital beds used has moved from the lowest risk level to the lower risk level (71%), and the percent of hospital beds being used for COVID patients (10%) is remaining in the moderate risk level.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

The good news:  While COVID-19 seems to be all around us, it is not in high numbers in our Catholic schools – yet.  The cumulative positivity rate for persons at JFK is less than 3%, and our 14 day average is 0.0%.  Since school began, an average of about 6.5 persons per week are being tested.

Our latest discussions at school have focused on developing some metrics that might be used should there be a need for a two week building shut-down, a one week building shut-down, a shut-down of a particular homeroom, a mask mandate for the building, and a mask mandate for a particular homeroom.  It’s a tough conversation to have:  act too soon and you risk compromising the education available, but act too late and you risk or have already risked compromising everyone’s health.  Below is our current draft:

COVID Metrics for building closure, face masks, 10-21-2020

Most situations involving COVID are not the “super spreader” events you hear about in the news.  Rather, they are small gatherings of family and close friends or work-related situations.  We cannot let our guard down.  I would encourage everyone to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere.  Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.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.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese.  Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.

Home & School News

Holiday Greenery:  Wreaths, swags, etc.  Orders and payment are due by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30th in order to be processed.  Accepted forms of payment include check or Venmo. Cash will NOT be accepted by Home and School for this fundraiser.  JFK Students/families are responsible for order pick ups and delivery to their own buyers.  The use of the online order form is encouraged, but please note that payment is still due either via check or Venmo.  Pick up information is still being finalized, but it will be the weekend of Nov 20-22nd (just in time for the holidays)!!  If you cannot pick up at that time, you’ll need to arrange for your own backup.

Panera Bread fundraiser:  Join us on Thursday, October 29th from 4pm to 8pm for a JFK fundraiser.  Bring in the flyer or show an electronic version of it (such as from the JFK Moms and Dads Facebook group) when you place your order.   A portion of the proceeds from every order will go to JFK Home and School.

Chad

Survey Results

Thank you for your responses to our survey last week.  We’ve had 169 responses to date.  About 6% of those are from families who have started the year needing remote learning or have had to do remote learning for a short period of time.  Ninety percent shared something when asked what is going well for your student(s) this fall, and responses tended to all be similar to the following:

• Everything!  They love school!
• Just being back in school!
• They are happy to be back at school!
• Being back in classes with teachers
• Being able to interact with other students
• Being able to have face-to-face instruction
• Having some normalcy in our lives
• Learning and academics

When asked what could help improve things for your student(s) this year, nearly 60% said “nothing,” “everything’s going well,” or did not offer any suggestions.  The suggestions that were offered were hard to categorize, as there were very few patterns.  Several families also qualified their suggestions with statements like “…but we understand the situation we’re in.”  Suggestions that could be categorized with more than one respondent were the following, but they only represent a total of 35 responses:

• Continued social emotional support/lessons
• More student interaction
• Being able to play/socialize with friends
• More movement
• More communication
• If COVID were gone, and we could just get back to normal
• Keeping school open
• Ventilation (but also cold)
• Better computer connections
• Lunch
• Just keep up vigilance
• Sports

Most respondents (90%) are satisfied or very satisfied with our current COVID-19 safety measures/precautions.  A common sentiment is captured in the following comment:  “I think the school is handling the rules and restrictions very well.  I don’t think kids notice too much, and they understand why things have to be a certain way.”

As winter approaches, about 18% said there are additional COVID-19 safety measures/precautions that they think we should take.  Only three suggestions were mentioned by more than one family, however:  requiring masks more often, taking temperatures, and handwashing more often.

Fall Celebrations on October 30th

We will have our annual black/orange dress day on Friday, October 30th.  Students may be out of uniform if they are wearing black and/or orange, but they do still need to follow the out of uniform guidelines in our handbook.

Look for communication from your child’s teacher regarding details for other ways of celebrating.  One of the big things we are trying to avoid is kids passing out things to other kids, and teachers have options that they can share with you.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be November 2nd from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and November 5th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 -8:00 p.m.  There are no classes on November 5th and 6th.  ECLC is open those days.

We will use SignUp Genius to schedule PS-5th grade conferences.  The scheduling intervals will be 20 minutes, but conferences will not be longer than 15 minutes, allowing time for cleaning in between guests.  For in person conferences, face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  Those waiting will be required to stay on a black “dot” in our hallways or other marking on the floor in other locations.  If you want to do the conference via Zoom, you will need to indicate it in SignUp Genius so the teacher knows to send you an invitation with a link.  Look for the SignUp Genius link in the near future.

Sixth-8th grade and specials conferences will be “drop in” but scattered throughout the building so those waiting are apart from one another.  Within each conferencing area/room, we will use multiple tables/seats for parents so we can have one set of seats drying from disinfectant while another spot is being used.  Face coverings are required, and participants will be seated 6-12 feet apart.  If parents want a Zoom conference instead of a face-to-face meeting, these will have to be scheduled separately, and teachers will post these “taken” times outside of their doors and/or communicate it through other means.  Due to the higher number of students that upper grade teachers have, conferences will be less than 15 minutes.  At this time, we are planning on using the following locations for upper grade and specials conferences:

• Mrs. Kubalsky (6th-8th):  Room 206 (her room)
• Mrs. Nicoletto (6th and 6th-8th Spanish):  Room 207 (her room)
• Mrs. Thomas (6th):  Room 203 (her room)
• Mr. Connors and Mrs. VanSpeybroeck:  Room 215 (music room)
• Mr. Ryan:  Room 212 (art room)
• Mrs. Tilkens:  Cafeteria
• Ms. Burken (7th):  Cafeteria
• Mrs. Whelchel (7th/8th):  Gym
• Mrs. Lundquist (8th):  Gym

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School

COVID Related 

The bad news:

• COVID-19 numbers hit two daily record highs in Scott County within the last four days.  There were 89 cases on Thursday and 92 then on Saturday.  I think it was about 2-3 Principal’s Posts ago when I said the average number of cases was in the mid-30s.  Looking at the most recent graph, I think the Scott County 14 day moving average is now over 50 cases per day.
• The 14 day positivity rate calculation used by the Department of Education for Scott County was at 6.6% when school started.  That is, just under 7% of the COVID tests taken came back negative.  It is now at 9.6%, even up from 8.7% on 10/13.
• According to the CDC’s document regarding the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools (see the link below), the risk of transmission in Scott County schools as of 10/13/2020 is in the highest and higher levels of risk according to the number of new cases per 100,000 population (335 per 100,000), positivity rate (8.7%), and percent change in number of new cases per 100,000 (13%).  Our percentage of hospital beds used is still at the  lowest risk level (65%), but the percent of hospital beds being used for COVID patients (12%) has risen to the moderate risk level.  Doug Cropper, President and CEO of Genesis Health System, in fact, indicated on Thursday that they are getting nervous about the rising numbers and the potential to overwhelm the hospital system, which would lead to curtailing elective and other,  even needed, services.

CDC indicators, thresholds of COVID transmission in schools

The good news:

• While COVID-19 seems to be all around us, it is not in high numbers in our Catholic schools – yet.
• JFK’s cumulative positivity rate since the beginning of the school year is 2.8%, and our 14 day moving average positivity rate is 0.0%

Most situations involving COVID are not the “super spreader” events you hear about in the news.  Rather, they are small gatherings of family and close friends or work-related situations.  We cannot let our guard down.  I would encourage everyone to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere.  Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.

Flu Shots

Free flu shots will be offered to students through the Genesis Flu-Free QC program on Thursday.  The consent form must be completed online by Tuesday:  https://www.genesishealth.com/giving/projects–events/flu-free-quad-cities/student-flu-vaccine-consent–release-form/

First Reconciliation

There will be a sign up for First Reconciliation sent home later this week for two options:  December 3 at 6:00 p.m. or December 5 at 10:30 a.m.

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat is being held in the OLV/JFK parking lot after the 4:30 Mass on October 24th.  Unlike years past, there is no food being served in the building.  Everything will be outdoors.  Please observe social distancing, the wearing of face coverings (costume masks likely are not good enough), etc.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.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.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese.  Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.

Stay safe!

Chad

Mid-Quarter

The end of the first mid-quarter was late last week.  We hope to email mid-quarter reports to families early this week.

We will also be putting together a survey regarding our COVID mitigation efforts, remote learning this fall, and face-to-face learning experiences.  Look for that survey late this week or early next week.

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School

COVID Related 

Our complete Return to Learn Plan and FAQ document continue to available to families.  Please note that both of these documents will continue to be updated as necessary.  Some of the challenges that we are/will be facing are the following:

• Kids/adults get sick even without COVID-19.  I read recently that kids may have as many as eight “colds” per year.  Unfortunately, with so many illnesses having the same symptoms as COVID-19, people are having to get COVID tests and/or be out of school and work more often.  It’s not just that people are being tested more, however, the percent of positive tests is increasing as well in Iowa and Scott County.  Several weeks ago, it was the counties in which UNI, Iowa State, and the University of Iowa are located that were in the news with the highest 14 day positivity rates.  Now, those counties are below the state average and even below many other counties, including Scott County.  Most situations here involving COVID are not the “super spreader” events you hear about in the news.  Rather, they are small gatherings of family and close friends or work-related situations.  We cannot let our guard down.
• As the temperature drops, we can rely less and less upon open windows and fans for ventilation.  Please make sure your students dress in layers and have sweatshirts available for when we can utilize open windows.
• People are like magnets; they are attracted to one another.  Unless we are at our designated spots in classrooms or in the pews at church marked with black dots, we tend to move together.  It’s tough to remember to stay apart from one another.  This week we’ll try a few additional steps at recesses, particularly the longer lunch recesses, to try to help kids stay farther apart from each other.

Since school began, JFK has had between 1 and 5 positive COVID cases among students and staff.  There have, of course, been more students and staff who have been tested and/or who have had to quarantine.  I would encourage everyone to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere.  Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.

Flu Shots

Did you get your flu shot yet?  I got mine a week ago.  JFK will be participating in the Genesis Flu-Free QC program again this year to offer free flu shots to students.  We do not yet have the details, however.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.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.

Substitutes Needed

All of our Catholic schools are in need of substitutes.  Not only do staff members get sick, possibly have to quarantine, or have an emergency plumbing need at their homes, they also have their own children who get sick, have to quarantine, etc.  Our conversation, again, at this week’s principal’s meeting was that it probably won’t be the number of absent kids that forces grade level/building closure; it’ll be the number of staff members out.  We’ve been tested pretty well at JFK on a couple of recent days.  We’ve had five staff members gone on one day, and seven on another afternoon.  Thankfully, they weren’t all classroom teachers, and we were able to adjust everyone’s schedules to accommodate the absences.  That may not always be the case, however.

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.  Substitutes make $12.39 per hour. or about $96 per day.

If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese.  Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.

Dress Code Change

At the October board meeting, the board passed a motion stating that the following applies now to males as well as females:  No more than 2 post earrings in each ear.  No dangle or hoop earrings.  No tattoos and body piercing other than the ears.

Dueling Radio Stations

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard dueling radio stations.  On Saturday, I was staining part of our fence, and my neighbor was painting something in her garage.  We both had “old-fashioned” radios with dial in tuners playing different stations.  No headphones, no ear buds, no Spotify, no YouTube Music, not even digital tuning….  I wonder if kids today will even know what a radio station is.

Chad

Online JFK Spirit Store

Click HERE or use the following link/url for the new online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School:  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstores.inksoft.com%2Fjfk_home%2Fshop%2Fhome%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3UJvjCoWOyt7L45gsY_YOmu8wOkEPOIYN0zUubZmT67uQgoSMaLW-GaO8&h=AT2mrL0W7OJ04cgGBXA1tREicByHWrgmc3HZCTV13d-ofYt4QV-t0crXk3dtR1mvYBU0DoPamBn5vRmL1k0J_aQzy7UzcNtuEUgxZ5GPmbfjNef-RI1mZPSjYwCsx6JAHKV8&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2OZPjNRvmaAJ-XckxWSYf6Cfj7b9SyruYXIV4rqt39Sq0-yIU2ZJVJktlm0k1UmMMz0jthhfNzz6lc2UVWJFGLpCxInl89qVmajIVxa_sZ9vz-TAMsKpg5TYWcDj8urIQdvG7b6pOwybeMr1rOx6TMXMbqBG4lw2x7rkbXs_roPkje_igVWPt9xGN1zzhcGAnMlx_8Gfdr1qbK

Updates to COVID Documents: Frequently Asked Questions and Return to Learn Plan 

Updates were made to our COVID document Frequently Asked Questions last week, and updates continue to be made to our complete Return to Learn Plan on a regular basis.  Please note that both of these documents will continue to be updated as necessary.  The more significant changes in the documents are highlighted.  I believe the updated areas of more interest are the following:

• When do students become short-term remote learners?
  • An anticipated absence of at least three days
• “Sick” kids and special COVID-19 considerations
  • What does it meant to be sick?
  • What if that “sickness” also involves COVID-19 symptoms?
• Communications regarding cases
  • COVID-19 is within Davenport and Scott County.  Every week, school administrators meet with representatives from the Scott County Health Department.  The COVID numbers are not good.  Back in May, Scott County was averaging under 30 cases per week.  Since mid-September, Scott County is averaging over 30 cases per day.
  • Since school began, JFK has had between 1 and 5 positive cases among students and staff.  There have, of course, been more students and staff who have been tested and/or who have had to quarantine.  I would encourage people to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere.  Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.
  • The below is copied from our Return to Learn Plan for your convenience.
  • “Communication will be made with the Scott County Health Department regarding any staff or students who test positive for COVID-19.  JFK will cooperate with the health department for all contact tracing steps.  Decisions about the types of notifications, quarantining, etc. will be made with the guidance of the health department, who will likely also be calling the person who tested positive or their parents.  As with many situations, general statements to all families may be made, but family privacy will be maintained:
    • The infected person’s identity will remain confidential as well as information that would allow the person to be identified.  This confidentiality will be done to the extent possible, but we must also recognize that we are a small community.  While school officials will not break that confidentiality, people can often “figure it out” on their own.
    • In order to help keep the community informed and protect students’ privacy, the Department of Education has released on September 16, 2020:
      • Release case counts only when there are 100 or more total students in the student population at a location
      • Schools that have no cases can report zero cases
      • Schools with counts of 6 or more cases can release specific case counts
      • Schools with 5 or fewer cases should not provide a specific count, but can confirm there are cases within the school population
      • No other demographic identifiers should be included in the school-level release
    • Based upon DE guidance, there will not be notification to the entire community every time there is a positive case.  
    • Aside from isolation and quarantining, one must proceed as if COVID-19 is in the community.  Mitigation efforts must be utilized.  
    • Note that a positive case will not necessarily lead to a whole class, grade, or the building shutting down or having to quarantine.
    • Because COVID-19 symptoms are similar to many other illnesses, we will not be informing people or taking action just because someone is being tested for COVID-19.  We will wait until results are known.
      • Those who are being tested because they are symptomatic may not come to school until the test results are known, and the below guidance can be followed.  
      • Those who are a close contact of an infectious case must remain quarantined for 14 days, even if their test results are negative.  
      • Those who are being tested due to some other reason do not have the same restrictions and may be in school.  An example might be someone who goes to the doctor/hospital for some other medical procedure, and the standard practice is to test everyone for COVID-19.
      • Those who are not symptomatic and are not close contacts but are being tested for surveillance purposes only may be in school.”

Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?

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.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.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.

Locals Love Us

Time to spread the love.  Vote for JFK:  https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/campaign/67607/

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes.  Many conversations across districts and schools have focused on having enough staff to staff open.  Not only do staff members get sick, possibly have to quarantine, or have an emergency plumbing need at their homes, they also have their own children who get sick, have to quarantine, etc.

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.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese.  Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.

Protect Young Eyes

Chad

Updates to COVID Documents: Frequently Asked Questions and Return to Learn Plan 

Updates were made to our COVID document Frequently Asked Questions and our complete Return to Learn Plan. Please note that these documents will continue to be updated as necessary.  Changes in the documents are highlighted.  I believe the updated areas of more interest are the following:

• When do students become short-term remote learners?
  • An anticipated absence of at least three days
• “Sick” kids and special COVID-19 considerations
  • What does it meant to be sick?
  • What if that “sickness” also involves COVID-19 symptoms?
• Communications regarding cases
  • Please note that, although we have not had anyone test positive yet, we have had both students and staff members who have been tested and/or who have had to quarantine.  COVID-19 is within Davenport and Scott County.

Updated Online School Calendar for 2020-21

The online school calendar has been updated to reflect the revised school calendar for 2020-21.  Additional events and details have also been entered on the online calendar.

Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?

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.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.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.

Picture Day is September 28 and 29

TSS Photography will be at JFK on Monday September 28th and Tuesday September 29th.  If you fill out your picture day order form and hand it in or order online on or before Tuesday, September 29th, you will receive 4 free wallets if you purchase a package.  Pictures will be online and ready to view on or before Friday, October 2nd.  If you are unhappy with your child’s picture and would like them to be retaken, TSS will be back the morning of October 7th for retakes and for anyone who happened to miss the original picture day.  TSS can also be contacted at 309-558-8226.
To order or view your picture online, please visit www.tssorders.com and enter event number: 27104651.  You will then put your child’s last name in to access their photo. Please check below for your Picture day and Time.

Monday:  MWF 3 yr old PS, 4/5 yr old PS, K-3

Tuesday:  TTh 3 yr old PS, 4th-8th grades

Locals Love Us

Time to spread the love.  Vote for JFK:  https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/campaign/67607/

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes.  Many conversations across districts and schools have focused on having enough staff to staff open.  Not only do staff members get sick, possibly have to quarantine, or have an emergency plumbing need at their homes, they also have their own children who get sick, have to quarantine, etc.

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.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese.  Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.

Protect Young Eyes

Not a Good Feeling to Experience (Again)

The longer the pandemic goes on, the more “real” it seems to be as it impacts more people whom we know.  There were relatives in my extended family, for example, having to make decisions again this week regarding being tested and whether or not they were close contacts to positive cases.  It definitely is not a good feeling to experience.

Each week, I have a virtual meeting with representatives from the Scott County Health Department and other school districts/non-public schools.  The number of positive cases in Scott County has been trending upward since Labor Day.  COVID-19 is here.

Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.  Stay well, and help others stay well too.

Chad