Category: Principal’s Post

Principal’s Post for May 28, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

JFK GROWS Students of the Month

Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference:  JFK GROWS.  We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices.  Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in May:

  • Kindergarten:  Chloe A.
    • Chloe is a joy to have in kindergarten! She always has a smile on her face and loves to learn! She gives 100% all the time and is a great friend to her classmates. She goes out of her way to find opportunities to help her classmates and her teachers.
  • 1st Grade:  Keeley K.
    • Keeley can be depended on to do what she is asked to do. She displays good citizenship by assisting other students. She is respectful of other students in our classroom and the school community.
  • 2nd Grade:  Annsley W:
    • Annsley is a team player. She looks out for her fellow classmates and is a consistent example of the JFK Difference. Annsley is always happy to volunteer and help. She is a great role model for other students.
  • 3rd Grade:  Peyton R.
    • Peyton is a sweet, polite student who goes out of her way to show kindness toward others. She is helpful in class, does a great job of following directions, and tries her best on all of her assignments. Peyton always has a smile on her face when she comes to school and brings a positive, calm energy to a vibrant classroom.
  • 4th Grade:  Alyse R.
    • Alyse always has a smile on her face.  She is determined and always does her best.  “Give up” is not in her vocabulary.  She participates in class and is prepared to learn every day.  Alyse is also a great friend by including others and playing fairly.  She is a great role model!
  • 5th Grade:  Madison H.
    • Madison is a sweet student who is respectful to adults and her peers.  She has a caring heart, and she puts others’ needs before her own.  Madison does a nice job turning her homework in on time and being a responsible student.
  • 6th Grade:  Eva B.
    • Eva is very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures. She always works hard and does her best.
  • 7th Grade:  Moira F.
    • Moira is an unsung hero of her class, even though she is quiet and reserved.  When she exerts herself, it’s amazing! She has poised, well-thought-out ideas and responses that are always appreciated. She is creative at her approach to schoolwork, and she is a gifted artist.  She tries to get along with and coexist with everyone.  Moira has a good heart, and it shows.
  • 8th Grade:  Heath W.
    • Heath comes to class prepared and is always on task. Heath will work with anyone with no issues and gives his best effort.
iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

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

Whirlwind of Activity Within the Next Month
There is going to be a whirlwind of activity within the next month or so to finalize enrollment for the 2023-24 school year.  I hope you are keeping up with things in the Principal’s Post, located on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.
It looks like three things may all be happening around the same time within the next month:
  • Scott County Catholic Schools/JFK will send a link for parents to complete the detailed online Student Information Sheet.  That’s the one that will ask for names, phone numbers, emergency contacts, allergies, etc.  It’s important that we have this information well before school begins so we’re ready on the first day.
  • SCCS will have online “tuition contracts/payment arrangements” available for parents.  Through this online process, you will acknowledge the costs for an education at a Scott County Catholic school and make payment arrangements as necessary.  Note that this acknowledgement is before any discounts or ESAs are applied.
  • The ESA application becomes available on May 31st.  You only have one month to complete it.  If it’s not completed by June 30th, your child will not receive an ESA, and you will have to pay the tuition yourself.  The application process is fairly simple, and I’ve viewed a couple of training videos already.  Below is a list of the next training dates and links to register:

    If you can’t make a live training session, here is the link to a recorded one:   https://youtu.be/cviDGiA_ykg

Please keep checking the Principal’s Post on our website, www.olvjfk.com, for the most recent information.  Although I usually stop posting them during the summer, this year looks like it’ll be different.  There’s just too much going on!
If you have not yet completed the online pre-registration process or completed the payment, please do so now.  The information you enter online is used to generate the next set of enrollment processes mentioned above.  The QR code for the pre-registration process is on the front page of our website.  If you already did the pre-registration form but need to make the registration payment, the link is also on our website or you can click on the following:    https://assumptionhigh.diamondmindinc.com/  You will want to click on the Make Payment button in the One Time Payments section.  Select SCCS Annual Application Fee for the payment type on the next screen.

ESA Application Process Goes Live this Week

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

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

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

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners (No financial information needed)
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior (No financial information needed)
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty

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

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

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

 The tuition rates for those not yet eligible for ESAs was contained in an April 27th letter.  It can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption, which is about its historical average.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.  The SCCS “tuition contracts” will show the parish discounts applied to students’/families’ accounts.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

SCCS online “tuition contracts” will be ready within the next couple of weeks.  These will show the gross amounts on a per child basis.  Once all discounts are applied, including multi-child discounts, FTP awards, and ESAs, what is actually owed is adjusted.

Registration Process for 2023-24

As of 5/24, we have about 93% of current and prospective new K-8 students pre-registered.  Of those that have pre-registered, about 79% have paid the pre-registration fee.

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should have finished in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches. 

You will want to be up-to-date on your 22-23 tuition and fees as well as have paid the pre-registration fee for 23-24 before you are considered for the issuance of a 23-24 tuition agreement.

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

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

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

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

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

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

Jump Start Kindergarten

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

Suggestion Box

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

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

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

Accounting Process Slows Down

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

Highlighted Events

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

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

 

Chad

Principal’s Post for May 21, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

Middle School Youth Retreat

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

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

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

Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

ESA Update

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

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

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty

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

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

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

 The tuition rates for those not yet eligible for ESAs was contained in an April 27th letter.  It can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption, which is about its historical average.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.  The SCCS “tuition contracts” will show the parish discounts applied to students’/families’ accounts.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

SCCS online “tuition contracts” will be ready within the next couple of weeks.  These will show the gross amounts on a per child basis.  Once all discounts are applied, including multi-child discounts, FTP awards, and ESAs, what is actually owed is adjusted.

Registration Process for 2023-24

As of 5/21, we have about 92% of current and prospective new K-8 students pre-registered.  Of those that have pre-registered, about 60% have paid the pre-registration fee.

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches. 

You will want to be up-to-date on your 22-23 tuition and fees as well as have paid the pre-registration fee for 23-24 before you are considered for the issuance of a 23-24 tuition agreement.

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

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

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

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

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

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

Jump Start Kindergarten

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

Suggestion Box

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

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

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

Accounting Process Slows Down

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

Highlighted Events

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

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

 

Chad

Principal’s Post for May 14, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

Middle School Youth Night and Retreat

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

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

Scholarships Being Delayed

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

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

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

Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

ESA Update

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

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

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty

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

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

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

 The tuition rates for those not yet eligible for ESAs was contained in an April 27th letter.  It can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption, which is about its historical average.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

How Many Current Students Will Be Eligible for ESAs?

On a three year phase in timeframe, it is estimated using past FTP financial assistance that approximately 30% of the current students in Scott County Catholic Schools will be eligible for ESAs next year.  The families of approximately 30% of our current students have incomes at 300% or below poverty level.  This figure does not include next year’s transfer students or kindergartners.  Not bad for the first year of ESAs!

Registration Process for 2023-24

As of 5/11, we have about 89% of current and prospective new K-8 students pre-registered.  Of those that have pre-registered, about 65% have paid the pre-registration fee.

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.  As of the end of April, questions are already being asked about how many/which current families should be allowed to continue with the enrollment process.

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

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

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

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

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

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

Jump Start Kindergarten

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

Suggestion Box

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

Teaching Positions Open at JFK for 2023-24

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

Shayonte Lagrone Moves to Office Position

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

Highlighted Events

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

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

Still Our Kids

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

 

 

Chad

Principal’s Post for May 7, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

Middle School Youth Night and Retreat

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

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

Scholarships Being Delayed

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

iPads, Chromebooks, and Chargers To Be Returned May 31

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

Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

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

ESA Update

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

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

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

 The tuition rates for those not yet eligible for ESAs was contained in an April 27th letter.  It can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption, which is about its historical average.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

How Many Current Students Will Be Eligible for ESAs?

On a three year phase in timeframe, it is estimated using past FTP financial assistance that approximately 30% of the current students in Scott County Catholic Schools will be eligible for ESAs next year.  The families of approximately 30% of our current students have incomes at 300% or below poverty level.  This figure does not include next year’s transfer students or kindergartners.  Not bad for the first year of ESAs!

Registration Process for 2023-24

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.  As of the end of April, questions are already being asked about how many/which current families should be allowed to continue with the enrollment process.

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

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

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

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

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

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

Suggestion Box

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

JFK Office Position Open Yet this School Year

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

Teaching Position Open at JFK for 2023-24

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

Highlighted Events

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

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

 

Chad

Principal’s Post for April 30, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

JFK GROWS Students of the Month

Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference:  JFK GROWS.  We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices.  Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in April:

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

ISASP Testing Make Ups this Week

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

Marzano High Reliability Schools Framework

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

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

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

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

Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

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

ESA Administrative Rules and Tuition Rates for Paying Families

The administrative rules are ready for action by the Iowa State Board of Education at its May 4th meeting.  With the additional information, a letter from SCCS was distributed via email to current families on Friday regarding ESAs and tuition rates for those that will still be paying tuition.  As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.  The letter can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

How Many Current Students Will Be Eligible for ESAs?

On a three year phase in timeframe, it is estimated using past FTP financial assistance that approximately 30% of the current students in Scott County Catholic Schools will be eligible for ESAs next year.  The families of approximately 30% of our current students have incomes at 300% or below poverty level.  This figure does not include next year’s transfer students or kindergartners.  Not bad for the first year of ESAs!

Registration

JFK now has about 80% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.

Registration process for 2023-24:

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  The computer application being developed is in test phase now and should be available within one to two weeks.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.  As of the end of April, questions are already being asked about how many/which current families should be allowed to continue with the enrollment process.

Educational Savings Accounts Application Process

Once the state produces the ESA application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  The deadline for application is June 30th, and it seems as if this deadline will be firm regardless of when the state’s application process becomes live.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 300% Poverty
1 $14,580 $43,740
2 $19,720 $59,160
3 $24,860 $74,580
4 $30,000 $90,000
5 $35,140 $105,420
6 $40,280 $120,840
7 $45,420 $136,260
8 $50,560 $151,680
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.

 

 

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

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

JFK’s Production of Seussical, Jr.

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

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

JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

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

June 19 – June 30

July 17 – July 28

July 31 – August 11

Vacation Bible School will be held July 10 – 14.

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

JFK Office Position Open Yet this School Year

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

Highlighted Events

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

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

 

Chad

Principal’s Post for April 23, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

ISASP Testing This Week

Students in grades 3-8 will take the Iowa Statewide Assessments of Student Progress this week.  Please make sure your students have plenty of sleep and a good breakfast.  Test administration begins early each morning so being on time is also critical.  Reading, ELA, and math are on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, respectively.  Only 5th and 8th graders take the science assessments on Friday.  Wednesday has our all school Mass in the morning.  Most testing is finished by about 9:00 except on Tuesday when we finish around 9:35.

JFK Musical

JFK’s first middle school musical, Seusical, has performances this week:  Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  All performances are in the Assumption auditorium.

Marzano High Reliability Schools Framework

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

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

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

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

Ways To Get Involved

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

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

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

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

Still No ESA Administrative Rules

The large gathering of private school administrators and school choice advocates came and went last week without ESA administrative rules from the Department of Education.

Registration Information

JFK now has about 80% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Interestingly, in two of the four elementary schools in SCCS, rates are much higher, and they are already trying to make decisions about whether one section grade levels should become two and what to do about two sections that are filling to capacity.  At JFK, it seems we’re still doing our slow and steady pace.   It seems a lot harder to do that in a system’s approach, however.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.

Registration process for 2023-24:

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  Due to delays in the computer app development, this process will likely not be available until at least April 20th.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.

K-12 Tuition Rates for 2023-24

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  Tuition rate increases will likely not exceed historical trends:  5% for the grade schools and 3% for the high school.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Educational Savings Accounts

Once the state produces the ESA guidelines and application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  The deadline for application is June 30th, and it seems as if this deadline will be firm regardless of when the state’s application process becomes live.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 300% Poverty
1 $14,580 $43,740
2 $19,720 $59,160
3 $24,860 $74,580
4 $30,000 $90,000
5 $35,140 $105,420
6 $40,280 $120,840
7 $45,420 $136,260
8 $50,560 $151,680
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.

 

 

 

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.  Parents can even submit the FTP application before tuition rates have been set.  Having the application in place will just speed things up once rates are set.

Planning for New Playground at JFK

We have begun design conversations for a new playground at JFK, replacing the equipment behind the school.  We are appreciative of the feedback provided by representatives from Home & School, student council, and JFK staff.  The design process, ordering, securing of funds, etc. will take some time.  It is not anticipated that any work will be done prior to 2024.  All of our current equipment “out back” is more than 22 years old and shows its age.

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Highlighted Events

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

  • Apr 24-28:  ISASP Testing
  • Apr 24:  Penny War for JDRF begins
  • Apr 26:  Info Knight at AHS, 5:30, Carroll Lab at AHS
  • Apr 27:  Hearing Screening for PS, K, 1, 2, 5.  Plant sale pick up
  • Apr 28:  Plant sale pick up.  JFK musical.  Special dress day.  Cookies and Dreams pop up sale.  Penny War ends.
  • Apr 29:  Upon This Rock capital campaign kick off at OLV.  JFK musical
  • Apr 30:  JFK musical
  • May 1:  Vision screening
  • May 2:  End of 4th mid-qtr
  • May 4:  7/8 Showcase

What’s with this Weather?

I tried to cut some boards for a project on Saturday but got chased in when little ice crystals were coming down fairly hard at my house.  (I had ignored the snowflakes!)  Then, on Sunday, I was wearing my winter coat, wool hat, and winter gloves to mow the lawn.  What’s with this weather in late April?

Chad

Principal’s Post for April 16, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

ESA Administrative Rules Getting Closer

We have heard that the state is getting closer to releasing the administrative regulations/rules for ESAs, and various elements are being vetted.  On Thursday and Friday of this week, there is a large gathering of private school administrators and school choice advocates in Ankeny.  I anticipate that the regulations/rules will be released for at least public comment no later than the end of this week.

Great Weekend of Events

With the kickball tournament and food truck on Friday night and the Gala on Saturday, it was a fun weekend at OLV/JFK.  Thank you to everyone who helped prepare for, organize, and implement these events.  We can’t do it without you!

Registration Information

JFK now has about 80% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Interestingly, in two of the four elementary schools in SCCS, rates are much higher, and they are already trying to make decisions about whether one section grade levels should become two and what to do about two sections that are filling to capacity.  At JFK, it seems we’re still doing our slow and steady pace.   It seems a lot harder to do that in a system’s approach, however.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.

Registration process for 2023-24:

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  Due to delays in the computer app development, this process will likely not be available until at least April 20th.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.

K-12 Tuition Rates for 2023-24

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  Tuition rate increases will likely not exceed historical trends:  5% for the grade schools and 3% for the high school.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Clarification on PS Tuition and Wraparound Care

Several weeks ago, I indicated that there would not be the separate weekly billing for ECLC (now called wraparound care in SCCS).  There will, however, still be separate tuition and wraparound care charges.  These can be seen on the Preschool Tuition Rates JFK document link above.  This distinction can be important for those families using employer pre-tax benefits for childcare and/or those seeking tax deductions for child care.

Educational Savings Accounts

Once the state produces the ESA guidelines and application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  The deadline for application is June 30th, and it seems as if this deadline will be firm regardless of when the state’s application process becomes live.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 300% Poverty
1 $14,580 $43,740
2 $19,720 $59,160
3 $24,860 $74,580
4 $30,000 $90,000
5 $35,140 $105,420
6 $40,280 $120,840
7 $45,420 $136,260
8 $50,560 $151,680
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.

 

 

 

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.  Parents can even submit the FTP application before tuition rates have been set.  Having the application in place will just speed things up once rates are set.

SCCS Davenport Elementary School Academic Calendar for 2023-24

The 2023-24 unified academic calendar for the Davenport Catholic elementary schools for 2023-24 is now available off the front page of our website and linked directly here:  Academic Calendar for 2023-24.   (It’s also below in the Principal’s Post, but it is a little small and hard to read in the Principal’s Post.)

Important Highlights of the 2023-24 academic calendar:

  • The one hour early dismissals on Wednesdays have been discontinued.
  • There are eight school days with two hour early dismissals scattered throughout the year.
  • There are a few more full day in-services with no classes for students.
  • There are four days without DCSD bus transportation:  Sept 29, Nov 10, Feb 5, and Apr 8.
  • There is no school for students or staff on Good Friday or Easter Monday.
  • The Davenport SCCS have 176 days of school for students.  The DCSD has 173.  JFK will officially have 1,187:40 “instructional hours” next year.  The DCSD will have 1,108.
SCCS Elementary School 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
SCCS Elementary School 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Wednesday 4/5 Yr Old Preschool Class Times Changing for 2023-24

Without the early dismissals on Wednesday in 2023-24, the times for 4/5 year old preschool will be the same on Mondays – Fridays:  7:25-10:25 and 11:40-2:40.

Planning for New Playground at JFK

We have begun design conversations for a new playground at JFK, replacing the equipment behind the school.  We are appreciative of the feedback provided by representatives from Home & School, student council, and JFK staff.  The design process, ordering, securing of funds, etc. will take some time.  It is not anticipated that any work will be done prior to 2024.  All of our current equipment “out back” is more than 22 years old and shows its age.

Text Messages from JFK

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Highlighted Events

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

  • Apr 18:  5/6 Grade Spring Show
  • Apr 20:  First Communion practice
  • Apr 23:  First Communion
  • Apr 24-28:  ISASP Testing
  • Apr 24:  Penny War for JDRF
  • Apr 27:  Hearing Screening for PS, K, 1, 2, 5.  Plant sale pick up
  • Apr 28:  Plant sale pick up.  JFK musical.  Special dress day
  • Apr 29:  Upon This Rock capital campaign kick off at OLV.  JFK musical
  • Apr 30:  JFK musical
  • May 2:  End of 4th mid-qtr
  • May 4:  7/8 Showcase

Chad

Principal’s Post for April 10, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

Gala is Here

The 2023 OLV/JFK Gala is this weekend:  Saturday, April 15th.  Celebrate the completion of your taxes!  Proceeds above the normal budgeted amount will go toward new playground equipment out back.

Registration Information

JFK now has about 78% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Interestingly, in two of the four elementary schools in SCCS, rates are much higher, and they are already trying to make decisions about whether one section grade levels should become two and what to do about two sections that are filling to capacity.  At JFK, it seems we’re still doing our slow and steady pace.   It seems a lot harder to do that in a system’s approach, however.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level at each building will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot at JFK because they waited too long.

Registration process for 2023-24:

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  Due to delays in the computer app development, this process will likely not be available until at least April 20th.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.

K-12 Tuition Rates for 2023-24

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  It appears that as the rules are being written there have been a couple of questions come up that they are determining if they can be addressed through the rules writing process or if the legislators must take action again.  These questions are not substantive and may even benefit families more.

Tuition rate increases will likely not exceed historical trends:  5% for the grade schools and 3% for the high school.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Clarification on PS Tuition and Wraparound Care

Several weeks ago, I indicated that there would not be the separate weekly billing for ECLC (now called wraparound care in SCCS).  There will, however, still be separate tuition and wraparound care charges.  These can be seen on the Preschool Tuition Rates JFK document link above.  This distinction can be important for those families using employer pre-tax benefits for childcare and/or those seeking tax deductions for child care.

Educational Savings Accounts

Once the state produces the ESA guidelines and application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 300% Poverty
1 $14,580 $43,740
2 $19,720 $59,160
3 $24,860 $74,580
4 $30,000 $90,000
5 $35,140 $105,420
6 $40,280 $120,840
7 $45,420 $136,260
8 $50,560 $151,680
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.

 

 

 

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.  Parents can even submit the FTP application before tuition rates have been set.  Having the application in place will just speed things up once rates are set.

SCCS Davenport Elementary School Academic Calendar for 2023-24

The 2023-24 unified academic calendar for the Davenport Catholic elementary schools for 2023-24 is now available off the front page of our website and linked directly here:  Academic Calendar for 2023-24.   (It’s also below in the Principal’s Post, but it is a little small and hard to read in the Principal’s Post.)  Lourdes, dealing with the Bettendorf school district and its transportation, and Assumption, which has different scheduling needs than the elementary schools, will have schedules slightly different than JFK, All Saints, and St. Paul’s.

Important Highlights of the 2023-24 academic calendar:

  • The one hour early dismissals on Wednesdays have been discontinued.
  • There are eight school days with two hour early dismissals scattered throughout the year.
  • There are a few more full day in-services with no classes for students.
  • There are four days without DCSD bus transportation:  Sept 29, Nov 10, Feb 5, and Apr 8.
  • There is no school for students or staff on Good Friday or Easter Monday.
  • The Davenport SCCS have 176 days of school for students.  The DCSD has 173.  JFK will officially have 1,187:40 “instructional hours” next year.  The DCSD will have 1,108.
SCCS Elementary School 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
SCCS Elementary School 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Wednesday 4/5 Yr Old Preschool Class Times Changing for 2023-24

Without the early dismissals on Wednesday in 2023-24, the times for 4/5 year old preschool will be the same on Mondays – Fridays:  7:25-10:25 and 11:40-2:40.

Planning for New Playground at JFK

We have begun design conversations for a new playground at JFK, replacing the equipment behind the school.  We are appreciative of the feedback provided by representatives from Home & School, student council, and JFK staff.  The design process, ordering, securing of funds, etc. will take some time.  It is not anticipated that any work will be done prior to 2024.  All of our current equipment “out back” is more than 22 years old and shows its age.

Text Messages from JFK

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.

Spring Weather

Text, email, and, to a lesser extent, phone calls are important to receive from JFK regarding weather influenced decisions regarding school and events.  We used some or all of these means to communicate messages on two of the last five school days.

Students did an amazing job on Tuesday in their severe weather locations, where we were for almost an hour.  When the first thunderstorm warnings for Scott County were issued, we began to carefully monitor weather radar.  Everything on radar was far north of JFK, but the sky kept getting darker.  As the morning went on, we had four people in the office doing almost nothing but monitoring radar on both cell phones and websites.  Interestingly, cell phones apps from the same source as the apps’ websites did not always have the same radar images!  Everything was still going well north of us.  Then, I heard the weather radio say that the storm was approaching the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.  That’s not far north of us.  It was right at about that time when we looked away from the radar screens and again across the parking lot.  It was darker than night!  Time to head to the lower level severe weather locations!  We just about settled in when the hail started at JFK.  I’d say it was about pea to quarter sized hail with several larger pieces as well.  I don’t think anyone’s car escaped damage, but we haven’t discovered any significant damage to the school.  Just down the block from us at Adams, Williams, and Assumption, I hear, there was no hail at all!

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Thank You, Mrs. Baker

Julie Baker was recognized for her work at JFK during National School Librarian Week

Highlighted Events

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

  • Apr 6:  Holy Thursday school activities, 8:55.  Special seating in the church
  • Apr 7:  Good Friday.  No School/No ECLC.
  • Apr 9:  Easter
  • Apr 10:  Easter Monday.  No School/No ECLC
  • Apr 11:  7th to Finance Park
  • Apr 14:  Kickball tournament
  • Apr 15:  Gala
  • Apr 16:  Ignite Sunday
  • Apr 18:  5/6 Grade Spring Show
  • Apr 20:  First Communion practice
  • Apr 23:  First Communion
  • Apr 24-28:  ISASP Testing
  • Apr 24:  Penny War for JDRF

Holy Thursday Activities

Our Holy Thursday activities were very successful.  Back when we began planning, Jennifer Wemhoff and Kaye Meyers asked me what our goal should be.  I replied that we wanted everyone to be so moved that they would not be able to do any work the rest of the day.  With readings, reflection, video, music, artwork, and mirrors as part of our activities, I think we came pretty close!  To the left is the artwork produced by Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Wolf using Post-Its with students’ names.  I especially would like to thank Mrs. Wemhoff and Mrs. Meyers for their persistence and patience.  In every planning meeting, I kept pushing, “We can do better.  What if…?  How can we….?”  I felt like a proud father during the final activities — they really nailed it!

 

 

I must admit that I really did become unable to do any work by Thursday afternoon.  I even had to leave at about 1:15.  I’d like to say it was those Holy Thursday activities, but I think it also had something to do with that 24-30 hour stomach bug that had me curled up in a fetal position on the couch until about Saturday morning!

Chad

Principal’s Post for April 2, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

JFK GROWS Students of the Month

Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference:  JFK GROWS.  We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices.  Below are the students being recognized at each grade level who have exhibited these traits particularly well in March:

  • Kindergarten:  Daniel K.
    • Daniel has a sweet personality and is kind to his friends.  He is always willing to share.  He is a hard worker and always has a smile on his face.  Daniel is a good helper and a great example of the JFK Difference.
  • 1st Grade:  Sofia B.
    • Sofia has made great academic strides this year due to her hard work and never give up attitude!  She has a kind heart and is a good friend to all her classmates.  Sofia is a very responsible student.
  • 2nd Grade:  Annie W.
    • Annie always has a smile on her face and will help anyone in need. Her assignments are always done neatly and well. She participates in class and can always be counted on for anything that is needed!
  •   3rd Grade:  Dallas M.
    • Dallas is very determined to accomplish her best work on all of her assignments and takes the time to think things through. When she needs help, she always raises her hand to ask a question to assist her in the goal of coming up with the correct answer.  Her determination and hard work are outstanding!
  • 4th Grade:  Maggie C.
    • Maggie never hesitates to help a teacher or a classmate in need. She participates in class and is always on task. Maggie models the JFK Difference by choosing to welcome all and behave respectfully.
  • 5th Grade:  Grant S.
    • Grant demonstrates the JFK Difference daily. He is responsible and brings positivity and pride to the classroom. His leadership skills are unparalleled, and he is always willing to help others.
  • 6th Grade:  Howie E.
    • Howie is a hard worker and always tries his best.  His quiet sense of humor keeps everyone laughing, and he is always willing to help out.
  • 7th Grade:  Aiden N.
    • Aiden’s consistency makes him stand out.  If he says he’s going to do something, he’s going to do it. He listens carefully to directions and participates in class with thoughtful responses.  With his kind heart, he is extremely helpful, often volunteering to do things or even taking the initiative to do them without being asked.
  • 8th Grade:  Marissa B.
    • Marissa comes into the room from Algebra in a quiet manner. She is willing to help the teacher and her peers and always participates well in assignments. Marissa has a positive attitude that helps the class stay focused and works well with her peers.

New Information for Registration

More details are available for the registration process for 2023-24:

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, returning, and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.  Enrollment decisions will be made based upon pre-registration information.  JFK currently has only 74% of its current students pre-registered for next school year.  Waiting lists and the number of sections needed for each grade level will be based upon completed pre-registrations.  Current families will not want to lose a spot because they waited too long.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  The early bird fee rate has been extended until May 1st.  If paid prior to May 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. *A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process that will take the place of the collection of paper Student Information Sheets in August.  Due to delays in the computer app development, this process will likely not be available until at least April 20th.
  4. Online tuition contracts to establish the payment plan agreement will be made available to those who have completed the pre-registration process.  The availability of the online tuition contracts is targeted for May.  Being in good-standing with one’s tuition and fees may also impact the timing of receiving a tuition contract and finalizing enrollment.  Those families who agreed to one or two tuition payments should be finished paying.  Those who are on the ten month payment plan should finish in April.  (The payment period began in July.)  Please remember that, in addition to tuition, payments should be up to date for all fees, like aftercare, band, athletics, etc. and for lunches.

K-12 Tuition Rates for 2023-24

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  It appears that as the rules are being written there have been a couple of questions come up that they are determining if they can be addressed through the rules writing process or if the legislators must take action again.  These questions are not substantive and may even benefit families more.

Tuition rate increases will likely not exceed historical trends:  5% for the grade schools and 3% for the high school.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Educational Savings Accounts

Once the state produces the ESA guidelines and application process, eligible families will want to move quickly.  It will be to families’ advantages to have their taxes completed as line items will likely be referenced on the application.

Who is eligible for an ESA in 2023-24?

  1. All kindergartners
  2. Students who were not in a private school the year prior
  3. All students whose family income is below 300% of poverty
Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 300% Poverty
1 $14,580 $43,740
2 $19,720 $59,160
3 $24,860 $74,580
4 $30,000 $90,000
5 $35,140 $105,420
6 $40,280 $120,840
7 $45,420 $136,260
8 $50,560 $151,680
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.

 

 

 

Family Tuition Plan Financial Assistance

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

Current families who know they are not eligible for ESAs or who might be on the edge should apply for the Family Tuition Plan.  Parents can even submit the FTP application before tuition rates have been set.  Having the application in place will just speed things up once rates are set.

How Much Time Does Your Child Spend on Social Media?

A 2022 report by Common Sense Media indicates that children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend about 5 1/2 hours PER DAY on social media.  Teenagers spend even more time on social media:  a little over 8 1/2 hours PER DAY.

Gala is Sneaking up on Us

The 2023 OLV/JFK Gala is sneaking up on us.  It’s April 15th.  Celebrate the completion of your taxes!  Proceeds above the normal budgeted amount will go toward new playground equipment out back.

SCCS Davenport Elementary School Academic Calendar for 2023-24

JFK’s board will vote on a unified academic calendar for the Davenport Catholic elementary schools for 2023-24 on Tuesday.  Lourdes, dealing with the Bettendorf school district and its transportation, and Assumption, which has different scheduling needs than the elementary schools, will have schedules slightly different than JFK, All Saints, and St. Paul’s.

New Future School Name for Lourdes

Bishop Zinkula announced on Saturday the name for the new school that will be built in Bettendorf and replace Lourdes:  St. Joan of Arc.  With the creation of the regional Scott County Catholic School system, a future replacement for Lourdes, and ESAs, it is truly an exciting time to be in Catholic school education.

Planning for New Playground at JFK

We have begun design conversations for a new playground at JFK, replacing the equipment behind the school.  We are appreciative of the feedback provided by representatives from Home & School, student council, and JFK staff.  The design process, ordering, securing of funds, etc. will take some time.  It is not anticipated that any work will be done prior to 2024.  All of our current equipment “out back” is more than 22 years old and shows its age.

Text Messages from JFK

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Highlighted Events

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

  • Apr 6:  Holy Thursday school activities, 8:55.  Special seating in the church
  • Apr 7:  Good Friday.  No School/No ECLC.
  • Apr 9:  Easter
  • Apr 10:  Easter Monday.  No School/No ECLC
  • Apr 11:  7th to Finance Park
  • Apr 14:  Kickball tournament
  • Apr 15:  Gala

Chad

Principal’s Post for March 26, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

“First Peek” Meeting Regarding ESAs

From SCCS:

Many of you may have already heard something about the Education Savings Account (ESA) law which passed through the Iowa Legislature at the beginning of the 2023 session.  This law has significant future implications for all of our Iowa resident K-12 Catholic school families.  While the administrative rules are still being developed at the state level, some of you are anxious to learn a bit more about the ESA law, even at this early point.  There will be a “first peek” meeting held in the Assumption Auditorium on Wednesday March 29th at 7:00 PM.  This meeting is open to all parents. There will be additional meetings in the coming months, once more information becomes available.

How Much Time Does Your Child Spend on Social Media?

A 2022 report by Common Sense Media indicates that children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend about 5 1/2 hours PER DAY on social media.  Teenagers spend even more time on social media:  a little over 8 1/2 hours PER DAY.

Plant Sale Ends April 1st

The flowers in our backyard are from Janet’s Jungle and the JFK plant sale.

Bandit’s First Day!

 

Even Bandit had his picture taken on his first day of school at JFK!  Bandit has begun to meet students, but it will take him several weeks before he meets everyone.  I think he’s bonded pretty well with his main handler, Emma Wolf, however.  Bandit was sad when he had to stay with me for about a half hour while Mrs. Wolf was involved in something else.  He just laid by the door waiting for her to come back!

Rules for interacting with Bandit follow GROWS expectations and the following four steps:  Approach, Ask, Pet and Goodbye.

Emma Wolf has created an Amazon list for anyone wishing to help support Bandit with treats, toys, bandanas, and other items that Bandit might need at school: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/B0JIB58UPXPO?ref_=wl_share

 

 

Gala is Sneaking up on Us

The 2023 OLV/JFK Gala is sneaking up on us.  It’s April 15th.  Celebrate the completion of your taxes!  Proceeds above the normal budgeted amount will go toward new playground equipment out back.

K-8 Pre-Registration Process for 2023-24

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, and returning families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  If paid prior to April 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process.  This process will most likely be available in March.

As we move through the registration process, it is important that families be up-to-date in their payments of tuition and ECLC and other fees.  Families who are not up-to-date will not be in the highest priority enrollment group and may not even be able to finalize their registration.

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  One of the most often asked questions in relation to ESAs is if tuition will be raised to the $7,600 amount available in an ESA.  The answer is no.  You can expect more modest tuition increases.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Note that there are now more options at JFK for preschool and wraparound care options.  Taking account of all of the wraparound care offered, there are at least 17 preschool options available at JFK next year, including some new ones.  Also note that ECLC is now considered wraparound care in SCCS and not billed separately from tuition.  (No more weekly ECLC bills!)

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Highlighted Events

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

  • Mar 27:  First Communion Preparation Event
  • Mar 29:  8th Gr Band Students to Blue Man Group.  Two hour Early Dismissal (12:40).  End of 3rd Qtr.  No Pm Preschool Classes.
  • Apr 1:  Plant  Sale Orders Due
  • Apr 2:  Palm Sunday.  Ignite Sunday.
  • Apr 6:  Holy Thursday school activities, 8:55
  • Apr 7:  Good Friday.  No School/No ECLC.
  • Apr 9:  Easter
  • Apr 10:  Easter Monday.  No School/No ECLC
  • Apr 11:  7th to Finance Park
  • Apr 14:  Kickball tournament
  • Apr 15:  Gala

Childhood Flashback

I had a childhood flashback last week.  On Thursday, I was joking with Ms. Epping that I might need her help someday as she was helping a first grader with a stuck zipper on his coat.  Well, Friday morning I put my coat on and zipped it up.  It got about 3/4 of the way up and stopped — stuck.  I couldn’t do anything with it.  I trudged upstairs to ask my wife for help.  She wrestled with it for a little bit and asked, of course, the obvious question that took me back to my childhood, “What did you do to this thing?”  My answer was equally reminiscent of my childhood, “I don’t know!  I didn’t do anything!  I just zipped it up!”  Thankfully, she was able to help me get my coat off over my head and was able to fix the zipper.  I put my coat back on and zipped it up, and my wife patted me on the back and sent me off to school.  I felt like such a little kid again!

Cooking Shows

I don’t know why I occasionally watch cooking shows.  I’m not going to take notes so I can use the tips later.  I never have any of the ingredients they use on the shows, and I usually don’t even know what half of  the ingredients are.  I’m not going to have a surprise ingredient.  I’m not going to yell, “Time’s up!” and step away from the food whether it’s done or not.  I’m not going to battle my wife to see who can cook something better.  I just don’t know why I watch cooking shows.  I can “nuke” a hotdog quite well in the microwave, thank you.

Chad