Category: Principal’s Post

K-8 Enrollment Increases

October 1st was the official enrollment count date in Iowa.  JFK’s K-8 enrollment increased by 4.3% (12 students) from a year ago.  Preschool broke even with four/five year old enrollment down by four students, and three year old preschool was up by four students.  ECLC was down by two students.

Highlighted Events

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

• Oct 7:  Parish Feast Day.  We will have an “all school” Mass with some of the students in the church and others live-streaming.
• Oct 18:  Flu shots available at JFK
• Oct 22:  End of 1st Qtr.  Special dismissal at 12:40.  No afternoon preschool classes
• Oct 25:  Full day in-service.  No classes.  ECLC open.
• Nov 1:  All school Mass with “parade of saints”

Genesis Flu Free Quad Cities

As in the past, JFK will be a school site for the Genesis Flu Free Quad Cities Program.  Free flu shots will be available to students in grades K-8.  The consent “form” is only available online and must be completed at least two days prior to the clinic, which is at JFK on October 18th during the school day.  The consent forms will be printed by Genesis staff.  Students who have permission to receive the shots will be taken to the parish center, where the shots will be administered.  Students are then taken back to class.  It’s a smooth process!  The link to the consent form can be found below:

Flu Shot Consent Form

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.

All are welcome, invite a friend or two or three…. Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.  Those not participating in the family component will remain in their small groups to finish the evening.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

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

Ignite Sundays:

• Oct 10:  Why does God let bad things happen?
• Oct 24:  What is hope and why do you need it?
• Nov 7:  Jesus came for all of us
• Nov 21:  What’s my motivation to go to Mass?
• Dec 12:  Finding your place in the Advent story
• Feb 13:  Anawim (Hebrew word meaning “poor one”)  Poverty and the dignity of work
• March 6:  “I thirst” Lent
• March 20:  “I hunger” Eucharist
• April 10:  Family: The foundation of society
• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Student Council Officers for 2021-22

President:  Brooklyn M (8)

Vice President:  Olivia F (8)

Secretary:  Dominic N (7)

Treasurer:  Charlie A (7)

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The latest changes are highlighted in yellow.

The temporary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the state’s ban on schools from enacting face mask mandates was extended.  The DCSD, which was named in a lawsuit for not having a mask mandate, is continuing theirs.  Other local public school districts took no action regarding face masks.  The Diocese of Davenport is continuing to consider possible courses of action, and the OLV/JFK board meets on the first Tuesday of each month.  COVID is a topic at all of our board meetings.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Oct 1, 2021

• For those watching JFK’s numbers carefully, you may see a couple of minor changes in the data going back to September 13th.  We made a correction to the total student population figure that resulted in a couple of absence figures changing by a tenth or two.
• This week’s data also includes a table provided by the health department with multiple counties/areas in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin.  The locations were chosen due to them being nearby areas with major blood centers.

Chad

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.

All are welcome, invite a friend or two or three…. Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.  Those not participating in the family component will remain in their small groups to finish the evening.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

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

Ignite Sundays:

• Sept 26:  When Mass feels like going through the motions
• Oct 10:  Why does God let bad things happen?
• Oct 24:  What is hope and why do you need it?
• Nov 7:  Jesus came for all of us
• Nov 21:  What’s my motivation to go to Mass?
• Dec 12:  Finding your place in the Advent story
• Feb 13:  Anawim (Hebrew word meaning “poor one”)  Poverty and the dignity of work
• March 6:  “I thirst” Lent
• March 20:  “I hunger” Eucharist
• April 10:  Family: The foundation of society
• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Other Highlighted Events

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

• Sept 28/29:  NET Retreat for 7th and 8th graders
• Oct 1:  JFK day at the pumpkin patch
  • We’re starting to put up our fall-themed decorations at our house!  Regardless of the temperature, fall is here!

Number of Substitutes Decreases Again

Last week, I mentioned that we had gone from a record high number of substitutes available (ten) before the pandemic in the 2019-20 school year to four available now.  Another substitute, however, indicated recently that she would be unavailable, at least for a time, so we are down to three available substitutes.  Our average number of staff members absent per day, unfortunately, has gone in the opposite direction, increasing to 1.6 for the first five weeks of school.  That’s still way better than one of our neighboring private schools which indicated that they were experiencing days with as many as ten staff members absent!

JFK, and all schools, is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may even be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor:  Substitute authorization workshops. 

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

For more information about substituting, please contact me.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The latest changes are highlighted in yellow.

Face masks and vaccination mandates continue to be in the news.  As you know, the DCSD, which was named in a lawsuit for not having a mask mandate, enacted one last week.  The Bettendorf school board took no action at its board meeting, and, because there was no second to a motion, board members could not even discuss the issue.  (The public comment section of the meeting did, however, have community members speak.)  I believe North Scott and Pleasant Valley boards meet on Monday.  The Diocese of Davenport is continuing to consider possible courses of action, and the OLV/JFK board meets on the first Tuesday of October.  COVID is a topic at all of our board meetings.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Sept 24, 2021

• JFK’s data, including the averages for week 5, does not yet include absences for Friday.  My wife was in the hospital for four days for back surgery last week, and I was going back and forth between home, school, and the hospital.  Going over the details of Friday’s attendance data was not accomplished while I was at school.
• Did you know we handle attendance data six different ways?
  • Three are regular:
    • For our regular purposes recorded in our student information system and reported to the Iowa Department of Education
    • For the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for 4 year olds and reported to the Davenport Community School District (which reports it to the Department of Education)
    • For the local and state health departments
  •  Three are specifically related to COVID:
    • For JFK’s own tracking purposes
    • For the Diocese of Davenport
    • For any adjustments needed for temporary or long-term remote learners

Chad

5th Grade X/Y Coordinates Project

JFK fifth graders were learning about x/y coordinates outside on Friday.  Below is a photo taken from one of two drones that were helping the classes.

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  We are very excited to begin this journey with you. There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.

All are welcome, invite a friend or two or three…. Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.  Those not participating in the family component will remain in their small groups to finish the evening.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

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

Ignite Sundays:

• Sept 26:  When Mass feels like going through the motions
• Oct 10:  Why does God let bad things happen?
• Oct 24:  What is hope and why do you need it?
• Nov 7:  Jesus came for all of us
• Nov 21:  What’s my motivation to go to Mass?
• Dec 12:  Finding your place in the Advent story
• Feb 13:  Anawim (Hebrew word meaning “poor one”)  Poverty and the dignity of work
• March 6:  “I thirst” Lent
• March 20:  “I hunger” Eucharist
• April 10:  Family: The foundation of society
• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Other Highlighted Events

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

• Sept 14:  Step It Up fundraiser begins.  The success of this fundraiser should allow H & S to reduce other fundraisers and provide support for students and staff.  The culminating event to this fundraiser is a “Day of Awesomeness” for students with inflatables, obstacle courses, games, etc. in the spring.
• Sept 20:  First Reconciliation Parent/Child mtg, 6:00-7:30, cafeteria/gym
• Sept 22:  End of first mid-quarter
• Sept 23:  7/8 Band students in elementary schools perform with the AHS band at homecoming
• Sept 28/29:  NET Retreat
• Oct 1:  JFK day at the pumpkin patch

No Hard Copy Principal’s Posts

In an effort to save paper and reduce office work, the hard copy Principal’s Posts have been discontinued.  Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.

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

Lack of Substitutes Seems Widespread and Dramatic

As I was sending some information to The Catholic Messenger for an article they are doing on the widespread lack of substitutes, it became all too apparent just how dramatic of a change it has been at JFK.  Two years ago, before the pandemic, we had ten substitutes, the most we have ever had.  Today, we have four, and some of them are limited in the length or types of assignments they can take.  Our workforce, which is about 40% support staff and whose duties also often need to be covered when staff members are absent, is averaging about 1.3 people gone per day through the first four weeks of school.

JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

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

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications Still Needed

We encourage families to continue to complete applications for the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s free and reduced lunches.  Even though ALL students are receiving free lunches this year, our “regular” free/reduced lunch counts are used for other purposes.  Examples are below:

• The discount JFK receives on internet services is based upon our free/reduced lunch rate.  Our discount, for example, is supposed to increase from 40% to 50% based upon our increased free/reduced lunch rate.
• Federal Emergency Assistance for Non-public Schools (EANS II) is tied into our free/reduced lunch rate.

Regular free/reduced lunches are approved based upon a sliding scale that takes into account household size and household income.  The regular eligibility needs to be renewed each school year.  Paper copies of the application were sent home to all families.  We will also try to get the .pdf file uploaded to our website for 2021-22.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The latest changes are highlighted in yellow.

As I indicated in my email on Thursday, accredited nonpublic schools were not given relief from following House File 847, which prohibits schools from enacting mask mandates.  Therefore, for the time being, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Davenport will continue to comply with state law that prohibits accredited nonpublic schools from requiring mask mandates.

Many of you may have heard that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa granted a temporary restraining order to the State of Iowa’s current ban on school mask mandates.  Public school districts are free, at least temporarily, to enact mask mandates, if they so choose.  The Davenport Community School District, as a named defendant of the lawsuit in question, will begin a mask mandate on Monday.   

The temporary restraining order was granted at the request of parents whose students are served with special education services in public schools across Iowa. The court found that there was enough documentation that these students were denied their civil rights guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

The Diocese of Davenport is continuing to consider possible courses of action.  While we are not applying a mask mandate at this time, we continue to promote and support mitigation strategies such as vaccination, consistent and correct mask use, practical physical distancing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing with isolation and quarantine, and cleaning and disinfecting.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Sept 10, 2021

• Scott County data remains relatively stable, with slight decreases in some areas and increases in other areas.
• In several of the JFK graphs, I changed the red trendlines to 7 day moving averages, which is what we’re often accustomed to seeing in COVID graphs.  I can’t quite decide whether I should use 7 day averages or 5 day averages, however.  Either way, it should be noted that these are SCHOOL day figures as we don’t have attendance data for weekends and holidays.
• I also added graphs for the JFK PS-8th grade averages each week.

Chad

Ignite Sundays Begin Today

The first IGNITE Sunday is tonight! We are very excited to begin this journey with you. There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.

Come to one, come to some, or come to ALL, the choice is yours. All are welcome, invite a friend or two or three…. Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.  Those not participating in the family component will remain in their small groups to finish the evening.

Schedule for IGNITE Sundays September 12, 2021:

• 4:30-5:30pm Mass
• 5:35-6:05pm Meal in the Parish Center (Menu: Baked Potato Bar and hot dogs)
• 6:10-7:15pm Group Gatherings (Topic: God’s Creation and Stewardship)

Group Locations:

• Babysitting (for children not yet in Kindergarten): ECLC
• K-2nd grade (God’s Creation & Stewardship): JFK Classroom
• 3rd-5th grade (God’s Creation & Stewardship): JFK Classroom
• 6th-8th grade (God’s Creation & Stewardship): Library
• Highschool: Baseball field
• Young Adult: Rectory Patio
• Adult Topic (God’s Creation & Stewardship): Parish Center Carpet
• Prayer (for those participating in IGNITE): Church
• Service Project (Little Food Pantry): Gathering Space
• Adult Other (Game Night with Euchre tutorial): Gathering Space Mtg Rm

Ignite Sundays:

• Sept 12:  God’s Creation and Stewardship
• Sept 26:  When Mass feels like going through the motions
• Oct 10:  Why does God let bad things happen?
• Oct 24:  What is hope and why do you need it?
• Nov 7:  Jesus came for all of us
• Nov 21:  What’s my motivation to go to Mass?
• Dec 12:  Finding your place in the Advent story
• Feb 13:  Anawim (Hebrew word meaning “poor one”)  Poverty and the dignity of work
• March 6:  “I thirst” Lent
• March 20:  “I hunger” Eucharist
• April 10:  Family: The foundation of society
• April 24: What does God want me to do?

Other Highlighted Events

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

• Sept 13:  Music Boosters, 6:30 p.m., staff room or cafeteria
• Sept 14:  Step It Up fundraiser begins.  The success of this fundraiser should allow H & S to reduce other fundraisers and provide support for students and staff.  The culminating event to this fundraiser is a “Day of Awesomeness” for students with inflatables, obstacle courses, games, etc. in the spring.
• Sept 16:  Skate Night at the Eldridge skate park, 5:30-7:30
• Sept 16/17:  New WiFi system installed at JFK.  The wiring was done this summer, and the hardware is now available.
• Sept 19:  Catechetical Sunday.  “Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.” (USCCB)
• Sept 22:  End of first mid-quarter

Text Messages and Communications from JFK

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

Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.  A hard copy Principal’s Post also gets sent home via via “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

Immunization Audit

Our immunization audit by the health department has already begun.  While there were no changes in immunization requirements, the state has moved up the audits by about three to six weeks.  Unless students’ immunization records show up-to-date vaccinations, or there are valid exemptions, students may have to be excluded from school.

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

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

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website:  https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Parent-Handbook-2021-22.pdf  Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications Still Needed

We encourage families to continue to complete applications for the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s free and reduced lunches.  Even though ALL students are receiving free lunches this year, our “regular” free/reduced lunch counts are used for other purposes.  Examples are below:

• The discount JFK receives on internet services is based upon our free/reduced lunch rate.  Our discount, for example, is supposed to increase from 40% to 50% based upon our increased free/reduced lunch rate.
• Federal Emergency Assistance for Non-public Schools (EANS II) is tied into our free/reduced lunch rate.

Regular free/reduced lunches are approved based upon a sliding scale that takes into account household size and household income.  The regular eligibility needs to be renewed each school year.  Paper copies of the application were sent home to all families.  We will also try to get the .pdf file uploaded to our website for 2021-22.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The latest changes are highlighted in yellow.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Sept 10, 2021

• The “epi-curve” is leveling off in Scott County.  The health department is not sure if it will stay there, decrease, or increase as we are now moving into time periods when cases normally rise:  after school has started and after a major holiday.
• Student absences spiked on Tuesday, but lowered again by Friday.  Absences related to COVID (positive tests, high risk or 2 or more low risk symptoms as defined in our COVID FAQ, or quarantining), however, were at the lowest level by Friday than an any point yet this school year.
• At meetings last week, it couldn’t be emphasized enough that vaccination and face coverings are critical mitigation strategies.

On a personal note, I am vaccinated, and I am also wearing my face covering around students, which is the latest recommendation.  For several years now, my family has been pretty cautious regarding the potential to transmit illnesses.  My mother-in-law had COPD and was on oxygen at her house.  It became natural for us to do a health check before visiting and staying away if there was any question.  I even missed the big extended family Christmas Eve gathering one year because I had a cold, and others would do the same.  Then, when COVID came along, my wife and I certainly had concerns about our own health.  I’m probably not as healthy and fit as I used to be, and I know I’m not any younger!  My wife was also visiting her 80+ year old father 2-3 times per week.  Not only did we want to protect him from symptomatic transmission, but we also took precautions so we did not transmit asymptomatically.  As a family, we’ve tried to follow CDC and other health guidelines to the best of our understanding and abilities.  Has it been perfect, or have we been without infection?  No.  When we look at our immediate and extended families, there’s a lot of us.  Some have had COVID.  For most, it was not a big deal.  Others were not so lucky.

Do I like getting shots?  No.  Do I like wearing a face mask?  Not at all.  I am vaccinated and wear a face mask around students for probably the following reasons, although I’m not sure how well I can even think them through or articulate them:

• I don’t like to be sick, and I don’t like to miss work.  Being vaccinated and following the current guidance for where we are during this pandemic will help me.
• I don’t want to unknowingly infect others.
• I want to show support for and solidarity with those who cannot receive the vaccination and those who are wearing a face mask themselves.
• I want to do something.  These are things within my ability to control that I can do.

Chad

Enrollment Increase

While the official enrollment count in Iowa is still about a month away, it looks as if we will have about a 4% increase in K-8 enrollment this year compared to last year.  Three year old preschool will also be up dramatically (45%).  Four/five year old preschool will probably be in the low 50s, about the same as last year, and ECLC is currently down about three students.

Federal Funding/Services at JFK

Since spring 2020 through June 2022, OLV/JFK is on track to receive as much as $1.3 million or more in federal funding or services, most of it related to COVID relief.  Some of the benefits include the following:

• Payroll was supported during the shutdowns of the school and parish during the spring/summer 2020
• School lunches were/are free to all families for two years
• JFK finished becoming 1 to 1 with Chromebooks in grades 3-8 and iPads in K-2
• Reading interventionist services and instructional aide time were retained/increased
• School-based therapist services are free for students for the next two years
• Leaps & Bounds summer programming should be free next summer
• Other purchases were made, including the following:
  • Webcams, microphones, and document cameras
  • Zoom and other software licensing
  • Science supplies/equipment
  • PE and recess equipment
  • Coordinated clocks and a bell system
  • Additional two way radios for use by staff
  • Portable air purifiers and fans
  • Cleaning supplies and equipment such as more than $11,000 in Chlorox-wipes types of products, $6,000 in hand sanitizer, and electrostatic sprayers

Communications

Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.  A hard copy Principal’s Post also gets sent home via via “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

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

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

Accounting Transitions with Regionalization

Parking Lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up

Here’s a few tips from what we’ve seen with the new parking lot pattern:

• Use the driving lanes rather than cutting through parking spaces.  No one is expecting cars to be driving through parking spots.
• Kindergarten parents, in particular, should park, get out of their cars, and greet the kindergarten teachers as the students are released to those picking up the students.  Without yet knowing all of our parents, grandparents, daycare providers, etc. that are picking up the kindergarteners, in particular, dismissal time is a little harrowing.
• Pull all the way forward in the green-coned area before loading or unloading.  We should be able to load/unload about 3-4 cars at the same time.
• Stop before and proceed cautiously across the crosswalks.
• Parking and waiting in pick up areas inhibits a smooth flow of traffic.  If you must park and wait, please do so in a parking space.

Please observe the parking lot traffic pattern on the north side of the parking lot.  By shifting the car line for dropping off/picking up to go past the church and along the divider and concrete barriers, the line will not back up onto 42nd or Division streets.  A low quality photo is below.  For a better view, use the following link:   Parking lot traffic patterns, 2021

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

As always, be careful in the parking lot.  Even though our younger students must be accompanied to/from the barriers by parents when parents are parked in the lot, there are a lot of people and cars moving at the same time.  Drive slowly, pay attention, and keep the cell phones put away.  Parents who are waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers this year.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The latest changes are highlighted in yellow.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Sept 3, 2021

• Although cases continue to increase in Scott County, the good news this past week was that the growth was linear, not exponential.
• With things moving back more to “normal” this year, almost every positive student case has close contacts at school.  Although no longer required to do contact tracing, we are still trying to do it at JFK so we can inform parents, and parents can then make decisions about testing and/or quarantining their children.  Positive cases are required to be out of school, but students, in Iowa, who are close contacts are not.
• Guests may attend school Masses this year, but seating is limited due to the spacing we are utilizing for students and staff.  There may be some seats available near the St. Joseph statue/piano side of the church or in folding chairs along the perimeter.  We are not livestreaming school Masses this year, except on special occasions like a holy day.
• I have been asked a couple of times about how many students and staff are wearing face coverings and staff vaccination rates.  We do not have any formal counts.  Based upon walking through the building, I would estimate that there’s probably about 2-4  students (10%-20%) in each homeroom that are wearing face masks when in the classroom and more when moving through the halls and when within 4 feet of one another inside the building.  There’s probably about a similar percentage of staff wearing face masks when around other people.  An estimate of the staff vaccination rate would be purely speculative.

Immunization Audit

Our immunization audit by the health department has already begun.  While there were no changes in immunization requirements, the state has moved up the audits by about three to six weeks.  Unless students’ immunization records show up-to-date vaccinations, or there are valid exemptions, students may have to be excluded from school.

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

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

Highlighted Events

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

• Sept 7:  FAST screening in reading and math and for SEB needs begins for K-8.  FAST reading results are shared with all families and used to determine additional targeted supports.
• Sept 9:  Confirmation parent meetings (6:00 for 7th graders, 7:00 for 8th graders)
• Sept 10:  Double D Diner Restaurant Night.  Picture retakes.
• Sept 11:  Double D Diner Restaurant Night.
• Sept 13:  Music Boosters
• Sept 14:  Step It Up fundraiser begins.  The success of this fundraiser should allow H & S to reduce other fundraisers and provide support for students and staff.  The culminating event to this fundraiser is a “Day of Awesomeness” for students with inflatables, obstacle courses, games, etc. in the spring.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website:  https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Parent-Handbook-2021-22.pdf  Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

Chad

Heat Index of 106 — Not a Problem with our Air Conditioning

When the heat index hit 106 on Tuesday, we didn’t even think a bit about having to close early due to the heat.  Air conditioning is a blessing!

Communications

Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.  A hard copy Principal’s Post also gets sent home via via “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

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

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

Accounting Transitions with Regionalization

Parking Lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up Changes

Here’s a few tips from what we’ve seen with the new parking lot pattern:

• Kindergarten parents, in particular, should park, get out of their cars, and greet the kindergarten teachers as the students are released to those picking up the students.  Without yet knowing all of our parents, grandparents, daycare providers, etc. that are picking up the kindergarteners, in particular, dismissal time is a little harrowing.
• Pull all the way forward in the green-coned area before loading or unloading.  We should be able to load/unload about 3-4 cars at the same time.
• Stop before and proceed cautiously across the crosswalks.
• Parking and waiting in pick up areas inhibits a smooth flow of traffic.  If you must park and wait, please do so in a parking space.

Please observe the new parking lot traffic pattern on the north side of the parking lot.  By shifting the car line for dropping off/picking up to go past the church and along the divider and concrete barriers, the line will not back up onto 42nd or Division streets.  A low quality photo is below.  For a better view, use the following link:   Parking lot traffic patterns, 2021

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

As always, be careful in the parking lot.  Even though our younger students must be accompanied to/from the barriers by parents when parents are parked in the lot, there are a lot of people and cars moving at the same time.  Drive slowly, pay attention, and keep the cell phones put away.  Parents who are waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers this year.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Aug 27, 2021

• In comparison to a year ago, this week’s case counts per 100,000 in Scott County and test positivity rates are about where they were in late October or early November.  The trend is also upward both now and last fall.  (We were also at about this level in Scott County in April, but the trend was downward last spring.)
• Scott County is also seeing cases of RSV earlier than typical.  A concern is that RSV, seasonal flu, and COVID will all converge this fall/winter.  Due to masking and social distancing last year, there were very few cases of flu.  It is not anticipated to be the same this year.

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

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

Parent Zoom Meetings

Homeroom teachers will conduct Zoom parent meetings beginning this week so you can find out more information about your child’s grade.  Invites will be sent from homeroom teachers.

• Mon Aug 30:  6:00 6th; 6:45 7th
• Tues, Aug 31: 6:00 8th

Other Highlighted Events

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

• Sept 2:  Picture day
• Sept 6:  Labor Day.  No school/ECLC closed

Picture Day

School Picture Day is Thursday, September 2nd.  Students may be out of uniform, following the out of uniform dress code policy listed on the school website.  Please see the attachment to register to see your student’s photos and place orders .JFK Picture Day 2021-2022.jpg   If you have any questions, please contact Angie Hillebrand at 563 391 3030, or angie.hillebrand@olvjfkmail.com.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website:  https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Parent-Handbook-2021-22.pdf  Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

Chad

Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year!  I’m sure you noticed our most exciting change for this school year when you came to Meet Your Teacher/Unpack Your Backpack night:  building-wide air-conditioning!  We are still working on some of the electronic controls for the system, but it’s working!  It looks like we’ll need it this week too!

First Principal’s Post for 2021-22

Principal’s Posts are written each weekend and posted on our website, available off the front page.  I also send a link via email and post it to the school’s Facebook account.  A hard copy Principal’s Post also gets sent home via via “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

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

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

Message from Fr. Jake

Parking Lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up Changes

Please observe the new parking lot traffic pattern on the north side of the parking lot.  By shifting the car line for dropping off/picking up to go past the church and along the divider and concrete barriers, the line will not back up onto 42nd or Division streets.  A low quality photo is below.  For a better view, use the following link:   Parking lot traffic patterns, 2021

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

As always, be careful in the parking lot.  Even though our younger students must be accompanied to/from the barriers by parents when parents are parked in the lot, there are a lot of people and cars moving at the same time.  Drive slowly, pay attention, and keep the cell phones put away.  Parents who are waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers this year.

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  Below are some of the updates since the August 4th version was released:

• CDC guidance that face coverings should have multiple layers of material to be most effective, if worn.
• Student desks are all facing the same direction.
• The Diocese of Davenport temporarily suspending singing at Masses.  The same temporary suspension will be followed for singing in music classes.
• The Diocese of Davenport urging, but not requiring, all Mass attendees to wear face coverings.
• Portable air purifiers will be operating in classrooms and other work areas where they are located.
• Negative test results from self-administered COVID tests will not be accepted.  Self-administered tests are too error-prone and raise too many other questions.
• Quarantining guidance clarifications for staff members.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County.  I’ll add JFK specific data as the year progresses.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Aug 20, 2021

• In general, we are starting the school year with more COVID cases in Scott County and higher positivity rates than when we ended the school year.  We were trending downward in May.
• We are also starting this school year with more COVID cases in Scott County and higher positivity rates than when we began last school year.  In both years, the trend has been upward.
• At JFK, we have had several children from multiple families unable to attend the Meet Your Teacher/Unpack Your Backpack event due to COVID related issues.

Bus Issues

It seems like it always takes a little time for the bus company to smooth things out at the beginning of the school year.  We are aware, for example, and have already tried to reach out to the bus company about some morning pick up times being listed as late as 7:40 or 7:45.  JFK starts school at 7:25.  We’ll welcome students whenever they arrive!

Substitutes Needed

JFK is in need of substitutes for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child).  You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute.  A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify.  The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK.  Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.

Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.

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

Parent Zoom Meetings

Homeroom teachers will conduct Zoom parent meetings beginning this week so you can find out more information about your child’s grade.  Invites will be sent from homeroom teachers.

• • Tues, Aug 24:  6:00 K; 6:45 1st grade
  • Wed, Aug 25:  6:00 2nd; 6:45 3rd
  • Thurs, Aug 26:  6:00 4th; 6:45 5th
  • Mon Aug 30:  6:00 6th; 6:45 7th
  • Tues, Aug 31: 6:00 8th

Other Highlighted Events

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

• Aug 25:  K-8 1 hr early Wednesday dismissals begin (1:40).  4/5 yr old PS special Wednesday times begin.
• Aug 27:  JFK/AHS Spirit Day.  Students may wear any JFK or AHS spirit wear along with uniform pants/skirts/bottoms.
• Aug 27:  “Give Back to School Night” at Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom (3030 Utica Ridge Road, Bettendorf.  15% of sales from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. go to support JFK’s Home & School Association.  Dine-in or carry-out.  355-9494
• Aug 28:  Parish picnic, 12:00-3:30 p.m.  (Note the early afternoon time of this year’s picnic)
• Sept 2:  Picture day
• Sept 6:  Labor Day.  No school/ECLC closed

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website:  https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Parent-Handbook-2021-22.pdf  Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family.  Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.

New Staff Members

JFK welcomes six new staff members to the staff:

• Morgan Clark is teaching 7/8 math and 6th grade ELA.  Mrs. Clark has experience teaching math at both the high school and middle school levels.
• Mady-Lyn Featherston is working in our lunch program, aftercare, and ECLC.  She also works as a “floating aide” in a variety of classrooms.  Mrs. Featherston has two children attending JFK.
• Billie Inskeep is not entirely new to JFK as she served as a substitute teacher for us for about a year and a half.  She will be teaching 5th grade and has two children at JFK.
• Diana Longenecker is working in WIN time for our lower grades, as a “floating aide,” and in a variety of other roles.  Her jack-of-all-trades roles at JFK matches her vast variety of experiences in education.
• Bridget Parr is teaching 6th and 7th graders.  Ms. Parr has experience in the Davenport Community School District at the middle school and elementary school levels.  She did her student teaching at JFK a few years ago.
• Bristy Potter is teaching 7th and 8th graders.  Mrs. Potter previously taught in the Catholic schools across the river.

An Update About Me and My Family

This has been the shortest summer I’ve ever experienced as an educator!  With school in session almost 7-10 days later in June than usual, major accounting systems changes as we move closer to becoming a regionalized Scott County Catholic School system, a major HVAC project, COVID preparations, new federal/state guidance, etc., it seemed like there wasn’t any downtime this summer!

We did celebrate the wedding of my oldest daughter, Colleen.  Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, she and Justin came back to OLV to be married.  It was a beautiful ceremony, and Modern Woodmen was a perfect venue for their reception.  My son, Tom, is in Charleston, South Carolina.  He finished his college degree in May and works as an independent contractor in the entertainment industry.  Kirsten is entering her third year of teaching special education in a grade school in Des Moines.  As her dog is now just over a year old, she’s thinking about adding another puppy to her household!  Caitlin is beginning her second year of law school at the University of Kansas.  She recently got engaged and is planning on a wedding at OLV next August.

I am beginning my 21st year as principal at JFK.  Prior to coming to JFK, I worked for ten years at Assumption High School where I taught religion for nine years and then worked in student services for one year.  I grew up in South Milwaukee, WI, and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee for my bachelor’s degree in sociology and theology.  I received a master’s degree in religion from the University of Chicago, and my master’s degree in education administration is from Western Illinois University.  My superintendent’s certificate work was done through the University of Northern Iowa.  I have additional coursework at the graduate and/or undergraduate level from St. Ambrose, the University of Iowa, and Drake University.

Lynn and I have just celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary.  Lynn works in student services at Assumption High School, where we met.  She is a graduate of Assumption and St. Paul’s.

Chad

Quite the Year

2020-21 has been quite the school year!  I would like to thank everyone for your flexibility as we adapted to different ways of doing “school.”  At the beginning of the year, everyone figured we would just go as long as we could with face-to-face instruction, and we’d have to be ready to switch to remote learning.  Now, here we are at the end of the year without ever having had to quarantine a classroom or close the whole building.  That’s been remarkable!

Our final toll has been 17 students with positive COVID test results for a student percentage of 4.2%.  Eight staff members (17%) had positive COVID test results this school year.  We did experience a correlation between face coverings and absences due to illnesses within the last month of school.  For the 10 days prior to lifting the mask requirement, our average absence rate due to illnesses was 0.72%.  For the 10 days after lifting the mask requirement, our average absence rate due to illnesses was 1.7%.  In neither of those time periods were there any positive cases of COVID.  Our average daily attendance rate since November, excluding long-term remote learners but including all other reasons for absences, was 94%, just under the target for a regular year of 95%.  We did phenomenally well during a pandemic!

Summer Programming

JFK staff members Kathy Neuberger and Kayelyn Blake are available for one-on-one tutoring this summer.  The cost for tutoring is $11 per half hour or $22 per hour.  Arrangements and scheduling are done with the teachers:  kathy.neuberger@olvjfkmail.com and kayelyn.blake@olvjfkmail.com.

Ethan Connors will also be offering private instrumental lessons this summer at the same rates as tutoring:  ethan.connors@olvjfkmail.com.

Vacation Bible School is for students entering kindergarten – 5th grade for the 2021-22 school year.  The dates are July 15 & 16 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. with special activities also at the 11:00 Mass on July 18.  There is no cost to VBS this year.  Questions may be directed to Kaye Meyers, Coordinator of Faith Formation for OLV Parish, 563-391-8384.

Key Dates

June 9:  3 yr old preschool family event

June 10:  PS Event, 6:00-6:45

June 11:  Class Dress Alike Day.  Last school Mass.  Field day (K-4 morning, 5-8 afternoon).  Last day of school.  Dismissal at regular time of 2:40.  8th grade graduation Mass.

July 19:  Leaps & Bounds session II begins

July 25/26:  Back to School Registration

Aug 2:  Leaps & Bounds session III begins

Aug 19:  Unpack Backpack/Meet Your Teacher

Aug 23:  First Day of School.  ECLC Begins.

HVAC Project 

• Work in the field by Sturdevant began this week  in preparation for the electrical transformer.

Summer Messages on Facebook

Keep up with JFK during the summer by following us on Facebook.

Chad

Enrollment Still Unsettled for 2021-22

It is still difficult to project our enrollment for the 2021-22 school year.  On the positive side, we have the potential for an enrollment increase of nearly 20 students since our October 1st official enrollment count for the 2020-21 school year.  On the other hand, the return rate of tuition contracts for the next school year has been the slowest we’ve seen for many years, and there are contracts for nearly 30% of the potential K-8 student body still outstanding.  For multiple grade levels, the discrepancy is the difference between one section of 20-24 kids or two sections of 15-20 each.  This predicament is especially pronounced in grades 2-6 and 8.  From a financial perspective, it’s a difference of around $400,000 on a $2.4 million budget.  It’s enough of a difference to delay all summer purchasing such as for new textbooks, technology, and furnishings.  It’s enough of a difference for teachers to be left wondering what grade(s) they will be teaching next school year.  Many decisions are made based upon projected enrollment, and we need your timely help.

If you have not yet returned your 21-22 tuition contract, please do so ASAP.  If you have run into some financial challenges that have delayed paying this year’s tuition, which, in turn, has delayed the issuance of a tuition contract for next year, please communicate with Fr. Jake in the parish office.  If your children will not be returning to JFK next year, please also let us know that so we can adjust accordingly.

See below for more information on how your net tuition bill can be decreased by $250 per student for next year.

Net Tuition Decreases: HF 847 Makes Changes to Education in Iowa

Governor Reynolds signed HF 847 on about ten days ago.  Below are three highlighted elements:

• Parents may receive a tuition credit on their taxes up to 25% on the first $2,000 spent for each K-12 dependent’s tuition and textbook fees.  This tax credit increase is the equivalent of reducing your tuition bill next year by $250 per student!
• The tax credit available to someone who donates to a school tuition organization increases from 65% to 75%.  If a person donates $100 to an STO, for example, his/her tax bill is reduced by $75.  This change makes it even more advantageous to donate to an STO.  The Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization funds tuition assistance for Scott County Catholic Schools.
• The cap on the tax credits available for donors to STOs increases from $15 million to $20 million by January 2022.  More money donated to STOs means more money available for financial assistance to our families.

Summer Programming

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) discussed how to access federal funds that many schools, including JFK, were going to use for summer programming.  The (DE) said that services for which federal funds were going to be used could not begin until at least July 1st, with July 7th or 9th more likely start dates.  Due to this new information, our June session of Leaps & Bounds has been cancelled.  We were, however, able to find staff to be able to offer two classes for session II of Leaps & Bounds in July.  Those who registered for the June session are in the process of being contacted to see if they would like a spot for July.

JFK staff members Kathy Neuberger and Kayelyn Blake are also available for one-on-one tutoring this summer.  The cost for tutoring is $11 per half hour or $22 per hour.  Arrangements and scheduling are done with the teachers:  kathy.neuberger@olvjfkmail.com and kayelyn.blake@olvjfkmail.com.

Ethan Connors will also be offering private instrumental lessons this summer at the same rates as tutoring:  ethan.connors@olvjfkmail.com.

Vacation Bible School is for students entering kindergarten – 5th grade for the 2021-22 school year.  The dates are July 15 & 16 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. with special activities also at the 11:00 Mass on July 18.  There is no cost to VBS this year.  Questions may be directed to Kaye Meyers, Coordinator of Faith Formation for OLV Parish, 563-391-8384.

Last Day of School – June 11

June 11th is JFK’s last day of the school year.  There is no early dismissal for JFK as the DCSD does not dismiss for the year until the following week.

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

COVID Data, May 28, 2021

• Scott County’s COVID numbers continue to decline.  Colors are starting to change in the transmission risk factors charts too!
• The Pfizer vaccination has now been approved for those ages 12 and up.  Here is a link that can direct you to providers in the area:  Vaccinations
• JFK’s illness numbers have jumped up a little bit recently, but our COVID numbers remain miniscule.  We haven’t had a positive case identified in a student or staff member for well over a month now.
• Absences at JFK also jumped on Friday for the holiday.

HVAC Project Update — SCRA Grant Received

• Work on the roof continued this past week in preparation for the condensers to be installed.
• We received a $30,000 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority (Bettendorf Riverboat).

Chad

Enrollment Still Unsettled for 2021-22

It is still difficult to project our enrollment for the 2021-22 school year.  On the positive side, we have the potential for an enrollment increase of nearly 20 students since our October 1st official enrollment count for the 2020-21 school year.  On the other hand, the return rate of tuition contracts for the next school year has been the slowest we’ve seen for many years, and there are contracts for nearly 30% of the potential K-8 student body still outstanding.  For multiple grade levels, the discrepancy is the difference between one section of 20-24 kids or two sections of 15-20 each.  This predicament is especially pronounced in grades 2-6 and 8.  From a financial perspective, it’s a difference of around $400,000 on a $2.4 million budget.  It’s enough of a difference to delay all summer purchasing such as for new textbooks, technology, and furnishings.  It’s enough of a difference for teachers to be left wondering what grade(s) they will be teaching next school year.  Many decisions are made based upon projected enrollment, and we need your timely help.

If you have not yet returned your 21-22 tuition contract, please do so ASAP.  If you have run into some financial challenges that have delayed paying this year’s tuition, which, in turn, has delayed the issuance of a tuition contract for next year, please communicate with Fr. Jake in the parish office.  If your children will not be returning to JFK next year, please also let us know that so we can adjust accordingly.

See below for more information on how your net tuition bill can be decreased by $250 per student for next year.

Net Tuition Decreases: HF 847 Makes Changes to Education in Iowa

Governor Reynolds signed HF 847 on Thursday morning.  In addition to barring schools from requiring students, staff, and/or members of the public to wear face coverings, other highlighted elements of HF 847 are the following:

• Parents may receive a tuition credit on their taxes up to 25% on the first $2,000 spent for each K-12 dependent’s tuition and textbook fees.  This tax credit increase is the equivalent of reducing your tuition bill next year by $250 per student!
• The tax credit available to someone who donates to a school tuition organization increases from 65% to 75%.  If a person donates $100 to an STO, for example, his/her tax bill is reduced by $75.  This change makes it even more advantageous to donate to an STO.  The Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization funds tuition assistance for Scott County Catholic Schools.
• The cap on the tax credits available for donors to STOs increases from $15 million to $20 million by January 2022.  More money donated to STOs means more money available for financial assistance to our families.
• Teachers may claim a tax deduction up to $500 when they spend their own money on qualified educational purchases.
• Schools must display both the US and Iowa state flags on an outdoor flagstaff.  (We’re still in need of a bucket lift truck so we can repair our flagstaff!)
• Charter schools are easier to establish.  Parents would be able to direct their state education dollars to go to brand new schools operated by individuals or even for-profit organizations outside of Iowa.  Parents still, however, cannot use their state education dollars to pay for education at long-established private schools in Iowa.

History of Face Covering Guidance at JFK

As I have stated many times, there seems to be no other COVID issue as significant as face coverings.  Below is a little history of how things have progressed at JFK:

• Last summer, the Iowa Department of Education advised schools not to require face coverings.  The CDC and Scott County Health Department recommended face coverings, especially when social distancing was not possible.
• JFK’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) and board discussed the issue for many hours over the summer.  We started the year with face coverings encouraged, but not required in most classroom situations as our desks were six feet apart from one another.
• As COVID numbers in Scott County began to increase in October, our BLT began to develop metrics for when a classroom or the whole school might have to wear face coverings regardless of social distancing.  (They also developed metrics for whole classroom and whole building quarantining as well.)  The metrics were shared with the board.
• In early November, with COVID numbers in Scott County still rising, and the challenges we were facing in keeping kids separated at outdoor recesses, we implemented the need for students to wear face coverings at outdoor recesses.
• In mid-November, the COVID numbers in Scott County were high enough to trigger the building-wide face covering requirement, according to our metrics.
• Within a week’s time, we realized just how cumbersome the metrics were going to be for timely decision-making, particularly as we had to rely upon once per week data from the health department.  The rubric was simplified to only focus on the positivity rate.
• As public schools were having to restore five day per week in person instruction by mid-February, our BLT discussed face coverings again.  With the COVID numbers still recovering from Christmas break, vaccinations just beginning for staff, and spring break on the horizon, the BLT decided to suspend the metrics we had been using, and we were prepared, if need be, to continue with face coverings being required for the rest of the school year.  The board, in February, deliberately deferred the decisions regarding face coverings to the BLT.
• In late April and early May, COVID numbers in Scott County were continuing to drop to levels equivalent to what they had been in the fall before we went to our face covering requirement.  The BLT began to discuss face coverings again at its weekly Monday meetings.  CDC guidance was also beginning to change, at least for vaccinated individuals.
•  On May 10th, the BLT decided that we could go back to how we had started the school year with face coverings encouraged, but not required in most classroom situations, as our desks were six feet apart from one another.  Recess challenges remained so we had planned to continue to wear face coverings at recess.  The changes were going to be announced after the May 12th health department data was received and in the May 16th Principal’s Post.
• On May 13th, the CDC issued new face covering guidance again.  I accelerated JFK’s new face covering guidance to begin on May 14th.
• On the afternoon and evening of May 14th, new guidance was issued from the Iowa Department of Public Health through the departments of education and human services, and new guidance also came from the Diocese of Davenport.  Scott County Catholic schools responded with new protocols to go into effect on May 17th that made face coverings welcomed and encouraged among students, but not required.  Staff were to follow the face covering guidance according to vaccination status.
• Early in the morning on May 20th, Governor Reynolds signed HF 847.  A section added quite suddenly to the bill bars schools from requiring students, staff, and members of the public to wear face coverings.  It was effective immediately.

Registration for JFK’s Summer Leaps & Bounds and Vacation Bible School

Registration for JFK’s summer Leaps & Bounds sessions is closed.  Responses were far more than we had expected, as typically we have had to be concerned about having enough students to be able to offer all sessions each year.  This year our concern has been in having to turn people away!

Vacation Bible School is for students entering kindergarten – 5th grade for the 2021-22 school year.  The dates are July 15 & 16 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. with special activities also at the 11:00 Mass on July 18.  There is no cost to VBS this year.  Questions may be directed to Kaye Meyers, Coordinator of Faith Formation for OLV Parish, 563-391-8384.

Special Dress Day on Thursday: Dress In Colors of Favorite Flower Fund-Raiser

COVID Data

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.

COVID Data, May 21, 2021

• Scott County’s positivity rate continues to decline.  The 14-day rate is lower than it’s been since September or even before then.  The 7-day rate on the state’s website today for Scott County, 3.1%, is the lowest it’s been since the beginning of March.
• The Pfizer vaccination has now been approved for those ages 12 and up.  Here is a link that can direct you to providers in the area:  Vaccinations
• We are still waiting for the actual details on contact tracing and quarantining guidelines since all of the changes within the last week.  While the abbreviated guidance we received last week stated that students who are close contacts to a positive COVID case do not need to quarantine, it is believed that this statement only applies when the close contact is not due to being a household contact.  If the close contact is due to being a household contact, a student still should quarantine.
• We sent information to the Iowa Department of Education for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.  P-EBT is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides food benefits to prekindergarten (pre-K 4/5 year olds) through 12th grade children who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to COVID related reasons.  The May submission covers the time period of September through March.  Other submissions will cover the remainder of the school year.  Each eligible child receives $6.82 per qualified day.  The P-EBT cards are mailed directly to families from the state.
• As I prepared the data to send for the P-EBT program, I noticed that it appears that even our families have been affected by COVID disproportionately.  A higher percentage of JFK students eligible for free/reduced lunch have had school absences related to COVID than other students.  Approximately 47% of students eligible for free/reduced lunches had absences related to COVID while about 30% in a sample of other students had absences related to COVID.

HVAC Project Update

• An abandoned chimney has been removed near the gym to clear the way for the VRF condensers.
• Utility locates have been staked in the field.  A large transformer will have to be installed near Sturdevant, and then the electrical wires and cable/internet will be run underground to the school.
• We received notification that we will be receiving a grant from the Scott County Regional Authority (Bettendorf Riverboat).  On Tuesday, we will find out how much we will receive.  We applied for $150,000.

Chad