Category: Principal’s Post

What the COVID-19 Protocol Changes Mean for JFK

Earlier today a joint statement from Scott County Catholic schools was emailed announcing new COVID-19 protocols for our Catholic schools.  (Public school districts will be making their statements within the next day or two.)  Basically, our new protocols state that face coverings for students are welcomed and encouraged but optional with parents and students making the decisions, and staff members should follow the face covering guidance as per their vaccination status.  Students who are close contacts also are not required to quarantine.  While the Friday afternoon guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, as supported and promulgated by the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Human Services, and the Friday evening new diocesan guidance were surprising in their timing, we all knew the day for changes was, indeed, coming.  While we are certainly not out of the pandemic yet, things are improving.  The weekly data and graphs shared below show the improvements in both the county and JFK.

On Friday, JFK also returned to masks being optional when students are at their desks in their classrooms, which is how we started the school year.  During a walkthrough observation of all classrooms, I counted that 65% of the observed K-5 students and 50% of 6th-8th grade students were still wearing their masks correctly.  A good number more were still wearing their masks, but the masks were not covering both their noses and mouths.  All staff members observed were still wearing their face coverings and were wearing them in the correct manner.  While face coverings for students are now optional with the choice being made by parents and students, the CDC still recommends them for those who are not yet fully vaccinated, which currently includes students.

At JFK, we will continue to have students’ desks six feet apart from one another in classrooms, windows open, fans and A/C running where applicable, portable air purifiers in operation, and the mechanical ventilation system running where installed.  Students will still eat lunch in their classrooms at their desks, still be six feet apart from one another at Mass, still not congregate in hallways, still have options available if they are uncomfortable doing a short-term activity in their temporary pods,  etc.  The change is that face coverings will also be optional when students are not at their desks as well.  The change this time also includes recess.  With outdoor activities proving to be safer, it was decided that the Catholic schools would unify on this issue and not require face coverings at recess.

While we understand the angst that the new face covering guidance may cause, we also want to remind our Catholic school families that they can have their children become remote learners at any time during this school year.  (This option is not available in many of the public schools.)  If you would like to make this switch, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher and the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 21-22 Can Be Considered Past Due

With the end of the discounted registration period for the 2021-22 school year, the return of tuition contracts can be considered past due.  Completed tuition contracts represent the official registration document that hold a spot for the next school year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  We will likely need to make staffing adjustments given the high interest in three year old preschool!  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

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

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free 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 is for recess and other fun.

June 21 – July 2

July 19 – July 30

August 2 – August 13

The registration process for Leaps & Bounds will be released soon.

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.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, May 14, 2021

• 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
• Our HVAC project, which will also provide mechanical ventilation and an ionization air purification system for the 1964 and 1987 parts of the building (the 2011 parts already have mechanical ventilation), has begun.  Utility locates were made in the fields on Friday so work on the new electrical service can be started, and an abandoned chimney is being removed to clear the way for the VRF condensers.

Chad

Rock the Lot Gala

Buy your tickets now for a socially distanced (COVID friendly) rockin’ Gala event in our parking lot on May 15th!

Tuition Contracts for 21-22 Can Be Considered Past Due

With the end of the discounted registration period for the 2021-22 school year, the return of tuition contracts can be considered past due.  Completed tuition contracts represent the official registration document that hold a spot for the next school year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  We will likely need to make staffing adjustments given the high interest in three year old preschool!  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Tuition Increases Partially Offset by Reduced Fees and School Supplies

Tuition increases for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years have been about $50 higher than normal but offset with $50 reductions in fees typically charged at the back to school registration in late July/early August.  This transfer of $50 per year from fees to tuition has been done for three reasons: (1) it reduces the amount of fees owed in August at the same time when tuition payments start, (2) it allows the fees, as then part of tuition, to be eligible for tuition assistance, and (3) it allows what used to be fees to be spread out over monthly payments.  In addition to these moves done in unity with the other Catholic elementary schools in Scott County, JFK has also now removed things like Kleenix, Clorox wipes, and paper towels from the JFK supply lists of things that parents are expected to provide each fall.  While removing these items from the supply lists saves families money in August, it also allows the school to better control inventory.  Finding storage space for over a thousand boxes of tissues, tubs of wipes, and rolls of paper towels each August just became too challenging.

Tuition Transfer Credit Program

JFK and the other Catholic schools in the Scott County will be participating in a new Tuition Transfer Credit Program designed to boost enrollment in our Scott County Catholic School System.

Families with students entering grades 1 – 8 this fall not currently enrolled in a Catholic school may be eligible to receive a tuition grant.  The program aims to help offset financial barriers for families considering Catholic education so they can experience the Catholic school difference!  Eligible families receive a discount on tuition for each of their children grades 1 – 8 (as space permits) for the first two years of enrollment.

• Year one enrollment = $1000 discount on *full tuition for each eligible student.
• Year two enrollment = $500 discount on *full tuition for each eligible student.

* Full tuition for a Catholic student or full tuition for a non-Catholic student as each case dictates.

Certain restrictions apply. The goal of this program is to fill empty seats in our schools. If a grade level is already at capacity, transfer students in that grade level will not be eligible for this grant as additional students would lead to the need for another teacher. Additionally, new families receiving tuition assistance through the Family Tuition Plan are not eligible for this program. The Tuition Transfer Credit Program is a low-cost way to welcome new families into our school community while strengthening enrollment at our Catholic schools.

The Tuition Transfer Credit Program benefits currently enrolled families too. When our schools fill empty seats, we add income without adding the cost of additional staff. This helps to keep tuition costs lower for current families and helps our schools flourish. Other dioceses have successfully implemented this program with a 90%+ retention rate among new families! Many times, once a family experiences Catholic education, they appreciate the Catholic school difference and make one of our schools an educational home for their children.

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

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free 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 is for recess and other fun.

June 21 – July 2

July 19 – July 30

August 2 – August 13

The registration process for Leaps & Bounds will be released soon.

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.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, May 7, 2021

• With other meetings and activities on Friday, Angie Hillebrand and I did not have a chance to review together JFK’s attendance data for Friday.  The graphs linked above, thus, only include Tuesday’s JFK data and the Scott County weekly Wednesday data.
• At our bi-weekly meetings with Scott County health department representatives, we tried to press for predictions for the fall.  Of course, no one is willing to predict that far out yet.  With the rate of vaccinations falling, there is also wonder of what “normal” might look like without herd immunity achieved through vaccination.  The “risk equation” — balancing risks from infection against risks from mitigation strategies — is also changing and differs around the world, in states and local communities, and even within families.
• With the CDC’s update on methods of COVID-19 transmission to place more emphasis on aerosol particles, it is clear that our efforts to keep windows open, have fans running, and utilize portable air purifiers were good moves.  Our summer HVAC project will also provide mechanical ventilation and an ionization air purification system for the 1964 and 1987 parts of the building.  The 2011 parts already have mechanical ventilation.

Chad

ISASP and Iowa Assessments Finished — Out of Uniform Dress Day on Tuesday

We finished our statewide assessments and will celebrate with an out of uniform dress day on Tuesday!

Tuition Contracts for 21-22 Can Be Considered Past Due

With the end of the discounted registration period for the 2021-22 school year last week, the return of tuition contracts can be considered past due.  Completed tuition contracts represent the official registration document that hold a spot for the next school year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  We will likely need to make staffing adjustments given the high interest in three year old preschool!  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Rock the Lot Gala

Buy your tickets now for a socially distanced (COVID friendly) rockin’ Gala event in our parking lot on May 15th!

Teacher Appreciation Week

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week.  Your Home & School Association is helping to celebrate by providing teachers with a special ordered lunch, t-shirt, and surprise gift.  We appreciate the thoughtfulness of our families.

Thank You for Your Service

Each year the Home and School Association recognizes JFK and Our Lady of Victory employees who have completed their five year increments of employment.  These people have a special dedication to the school and parish and work countless hours in the service of our children.  Whether it is behind the scenes work in the parish and school offices, keeping our children safe on the playground, cooking the meals for our children, caring for our facilities, or working directly with students and those in need, they all serve in some way for which we are all indebted to the time and talent they provide on behalf of our parish.  ​

For having completed five years of service for Our Lady of Victory:  Evan Brankin, Bea Creech, Fr. Jake Greiner, and Andy Kuennen.

For having completed 10 years of service:  Lisa Willows and Melissa Zeimet

For having completed 15 years of service:  Elizabeth Motto and Jennifer Wemhoff

For having completed 20 years of service:  Chad Steimle

For having completed 45 years of service:  Mary Wahlig

While we celebrate these members’ service, we will also be saddened by the following staff members who are leaving JFK at the end of the school year:  Mary Wahlig, Rachael Whelchel, Elisha Kubalsky, and Kim Burken.  We wish them all the best as they experience the next chapters of their lives.

We also wish the best to Hannah Keep who is beginning her COVID quarantining prior to the arrival of her baby and will then be on maternity leave the remainder of the year.  Mrs. Keep is one of our “jack-of-all-trades” employees and works as a floating instructional aide, lunch supervisor, recess monitor, ECLC aide, and aftercare supervisor.  We thank Martha Pearce who will be serving as her long-term substitute.

New Staff

Megan Masterson will be starting in the office on Monday.  Eventually, she will be taking Emily Sanderson’s place as Mrs. Sanderson transitions to work in the kitchen/lunch program.  The Masterson’s have a daughter who graduated from JFK, one child in kindergarten, and a younger one as well.

Billie Inskeep has been hired for a K-6 position for next year, although the exact grade level has not yet been finalized.  Mrs. Inskeep has prior teaching experience and has subbed for us for about 1 ½ years.

Morgan Clark has been hired for middle school.  She has endorsements in ELA and math and has taught math at both the high school and middle school levels.

Bristy Potter has also been hired for middle school.  She has endorsements in middle school language arts and social studies.  She has been teaching at a Catholic school across the river and has also been involved in its drama program.

We still have one middle school position open for next year and are hoping to find someone with science endorsements or a high interest in science.

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

Due to federal funding, Leaps & Bounds will be free 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 is for recess and other fun.

June 21 – July 2

July 19 – July 30

August 2 – August 13

A two day Vacation Bible School program will also be held at JFK this summer.  The dates for VBS are July 15 and 16.

Look for the registration materials and process soon for both L & B and VBS.

Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools Program

Calendar Highlights

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, April 30, 2021

• The 14 day positivity rate for Scott County has dropped for the third consecutive week and is now starting to get back to levels seen in the late fall before the big Iowa surge.  Scott County’s 7 day positivity rate seems to be trending downward, according to the information we receive each Wednesday, although if you look at what’s reported today on the state’s website, the rate is actually higher than it was the last two Wednesdays.  For some reason, Scott County remains in the bottom approximately five counties in Iowa and has a higher positivity rate than the other more urban counties in Iowa.
• JFK’s numbers, however, are looking about as good as they ever have since we began graphing the figures in November.  We have gone about three weeks now without a positive case identified among students.  That’s the longest stretch without an identified case since we went about six weeks in February and into March.  We’ve gone about seven weeks without a case among staff.
• This week we will start relaxing some mask wearing requirements, beginning with socially distant outdoor activities in PE and other classes that may be going outside.  In these areas, masks will not be required.  This does not yet include recess as we went to face coverings during recess because it is in these less controlled environments, in particular, that we have difficulty keeping kids apart from one another.  Too many kids of all ages at recess are practically crawling on top of one another, hanging on each other, being in each others’ faces, etc. throughout the whole recess.  (See the November 8th Principal’s Post for more information.)  Nearly half or more of our situations where we’ve had to have kids quarantine due to exposure to a positive case at school have involved recesses.  We will, however, continue to discuss recess options.  Other changes will likely be coming in the future as we assess the situation, evaluate the guidance (often contradictory!) from the Diocese of Davenport, CDC, Scott County Health Department, and Iowa departments of public health, humans services, and education, and hold our discussions.  We also hope that any changes we make do not cause more families to start (or return) their students as long-term remote learners; being able to have so many kids in the building all year has been a tremendous benefit to our students!
  • As an example of the benefit of being in-person, the gap between the percentage of students at reading benchmark at the beginning of this school year between JFK students and all the students in the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency was 18%.  By the winter screening, after many of our public school counterparts were forced to do remote learning or hybrid models, the gap had widened to 20%.  In the prior school year (before COVID), the gap had actually narrowed, not widened.
  • Similar results were seen in math where the gap went from 16% in the fall of this year to 20% in the winter.
  • Although these examples are, obviously, a simplistic review of the data, I think it shows that being in-person at JFK has really benefited kids!

Chad

Iowa Assessment of Student Progress and Iowa Assessments Administered This Week

Make sure students get their good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast.

The discounted registration period for the 2021-22 school year ends this week.  Completed tuition contracts represent the official registration document that hold a spot for the next school year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Virtual Play Was Incredible

Plant Sale Pick Up Thursday and Friday

Don’t forget to schedule a time to pick up your plants this week: Schedule Pick Up

Purchase a Sweet Tooth Snack as well.   Sweet Tooth Snacks is a local business that specializes in gourmet popcorns, nuts and candies!  Stop by their booth outside the parish center on Thursday and Friday from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m., and check out some of their delicious treat options! There will also be Teacher Appreciation (May 3-7) and Mothers Day (May 9) gifts available for purchase! Come early and get yourself a bag of “JFK Crunch”!

Rock the Lot Gala

Buy your tickets now for a socially distanced (COVID friendly) rockin event in our parking lot on May 15th!

New Home & School Information on our Website

Home & School has new information and links available off the home page of our website:  www.olvjfk.com.  Included is the link to the Teacher Amazon Wishlists and general information.  Don’t forget to connect to Amazon Smile through OLV CHURCH for donations from Amazon that benefit H & S.

Water Bottles from Home.  Additional Face Coverings Available at School

Calendar Highlights

Ad Hoc Policy Committee Invite

Each year the board of education reviews about 1/3 of the policies contained in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Dress code policies are reviewed every year.  If you would like to be involved this spring, please send me an email.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, April 23, 2021

• I think we’re finally starting to make some progress in Scott County!  The 14 day positivity rate has dropped for the second consecutive week, and the 7 day positivity rate has dropped again and is no longer twice that of the state average.
• The intervals used in the graphs for JFK’s data were adjusted as things were becoming too hard to read.

Chad

Virtual Play

Plant Sale Pick Up

Don’t forget to schedule a time to pick up your plants next week: Schedule Pick Up

Rock the Lot Gala

Buy your tickets now for a socially distanced (COVID friendly) rockin event in our parking lot on May 15th!

New Home & School Information on our Website

Home & School has new information and links available off the home page of our website:  www.olvjfk.com.  Included is the link to the Teacher Amazon Wishlists and general information.  Don’t forget to connect to Amazon Smile through OLV CHURCH for donations from Amazon that benefit H & S.

Water Bottles from Home.  Additional Face Coverings Available at School

Calendar Highlights

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed during spring break.  Please return them ASAP so we can plan for 2021-22!  Time is running out for the discounted registration fee.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Ad Hoc Policy Committee Invite

Each year the board of education reviews about 1/3 of the policies contained in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Dress code policies are reviewed every year.  If you would like to be involved this spring, please send me an email.

Anticipated Openings at JFK

JFK will be looking for several teachers, possibly both to replace teachers who may be leaving and for new federally funded positions for 2021-22.  We are casting a wide net regarding licensure and endorsements and will adjust staff assignments to best take advantage of teachers’ qualifications.  In the lower grades, that means we are looking for K-6 licensed teachers, especially those who have an additional endorsement, such as in reading.  In the upper grades, where subject area endorsements are required, we would be interested in talking with those who have K-8, 5-12, or middle school endorsements in ELA, math, science, and social studies.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, April 16, 2021

• The 7-day positivity rate in Scott County dipped today to 9% after stubbornly being above 10% for the last three weeks.  After having the worst 7-day positivity rate among Iowa’s 99 counties on Saturday, Scott County’s rate today puts it as tied for the worst with two other counties.  Scott County’s positivity rate is still more than double the state average.
• Across Iowa, approximately 12.3% of the population, including people of all ages, has tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic.  At JFK, since this school year began, about 4.2% of our PS-8th grade students have had COVID and 17% of our staff.
• It seems like there have been plenty of milestones that I’ve experienced with COVID-19, both good and bad:  the first time I knew someone who had to quarantine, the first time I knew someone who had COVID-19, the first time I knew someone who had recovered from it, the first time I knew someone who was hospitalized with it, and the first time I knew someone who had passed because of it.  I then turned the corner with the first time someone I knew who was vaccinated.  Unfortunately, I felt a setback this week with the first time that someone I knew had a “breakthrough case.”  A breakthrough case is when someone who is fully vaccinated comes down with COVID-19.  I’m looking forward to positive milestones with student vaccinations.

Chad

Fundraisers Hitting at the Same Time

Everything is seeming to converge at the same time this spring!  We have a capital campaign still going on for our summer HVAC project.  We just finished the plant sale.  Candy bar sales began at the beginning of the week, and the STEAM Engine began on Thursday.  We also have the Gala on May 15th.  With many things having been pushed as far into the school year as possible due to COVID, everything’s now converging at the same time!

Home & School sponsors the plant sale and STEAM Engine.  Examples of what the proceeds are used for include the following:  to add mulch to the playgrounds and refinish the gym floor each year, to pay for athletic director salaries,  to support staff through Teacher Appreciation, and to provide unrestricted funds to each teacher to use in their classroom.  National data indicates that teachers, on average, spend over $500 of their own money each year for classroom supplies and materials.  In the past, H & S has provided each JFK teacher with $300 for classroom use.  This year, with COVID impacting fundraisers, that amount has been reduced to $150 so far.

The Gala and candy bar sale support technology, teachers’ salaries and benefits, students’ retreats, and other ministry needs.

As I’ve mentioned before, fundraisers provide OLV/JFK one way to receive support from the broader community.  If it weren’t for fundraisers, tuition would need to be at least $200 more per student.  We are most grateful to our benefactors!

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed during spring break.  Please return them ASAP so we can plan for 2021-22!

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Ad Hoc Policy Committee Invite

Each year the board of education reviews about 1/3 of the policies contained in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Dress code policies are reviewed every year.  If you would like to be involved this spring, please send me an email.

Anticipated Openings at JFK

JFK will be looking for several teachers, possibly both to replace teachers who may be leaving and for new federally funded positions for 2021-22.  We are casting a wide net regarding licensure and endorsements and will adjust staff assignments to best take advantage of teachers’ qualifications.  In the lower grades, that means we are looking for K-6 licensed teachers, especially those who have an additional endorsement, such as in reading.  In the upper grades, where subject area endorsements are required, we would be interested in talking with those who have K-8, 5-12, or middle school endorsements in ELA, math, science, and social studies.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, April 9, 2021

• The burning questions for me this week were the same as last week:  What’s going wrong in Scott County?  What’s different in Scott County than the rest of Iowa?  The rate of COVID cases per 100,000 and the positivity rates in Scott County continue to rise.  Last Sunday, Scott County had the 4th highest positivity rate among the 99 counties of Iowa.  This Sunday, Scott County has the 3rd highest rate after flirting with having the 2nd highest rate around mid-week.  The positivity rate in Scott County remains at more than twice the state average.  What’s unique to Scott County?
• With an odd sort of positive indicator, vaccinations do seem to be having an effect.  The average age of a person testing positive for COVID in Scott County has been going down.  In January/February, the average age was about 40.  In March, it was 37.  So far in April, it is about 34 years old.  The health department believes the trend is due to vaccinations in older demographic age groups.
• In my family, vaccinations have been a large part of our conversations.  Lynn (who is at AHS), Kirsten (who is a teacher in Des Moines), and I are fully vaccinated.  My father-in-law, my father, and my sister, who is the caretaker for my mom and dad, are fully vaccinated.  My mom always has reactions to shots and medications, so they are still trying to determine when/if she should be vaccinated.  My son and youngest daughter received their first shots this week, and my oldest daughter will receive her first shot on Tuesday.
• At JFK, the number of students absent due to COVID or COVID symptoms or having to quarantine as close contacts this week dropped a bit from last week.  That is a good sign for us.  Anecdotally, however, one of the more troubling things I’ve noticed recently, probably in relation to more indoor recesses due to rain and funerals at OLV, is that students, especially older students, tend to have more difficulty with their masks being on correctly when they are in closer proximity to one another than when they are apart from each other.  That’s the exact opposite of what is needed!  The closer we are to each other, the more important correct mask usage is.
• Several updates were made to our Return to Learn plan.  The complete plan, with the April 5th updates highlighted in yellow, continues to be available online.

Chad

School HVAC this Summer

The contract for our HVAC project to be completed this summer was signed last week.  It is critical that pledges to the Cultivating Our Future capital campaign continue to be fulfilled, and new donations are made.  Our $1.6 million campaign includes this $1 million HVAC project that will install a VRF heating/cooling system, a rooftop unit for the gym, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.   For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.  JFK is the only Catholic school in our area to tackle HVAC needs in such a comprehensive manner.  When the HVAC project is finished, we will have the following needs met:

1. Resolve heating pipes issues
2. Add high efficiency heating
3. Add high efficiency air conditioning
4. Control the humidity within the building
5. Add mechanical ventilation for fresh air
6. Purify the air through self-cleaning ozone free ionization

Scott County Catholic School System

The Articles of Incorporation and Constitution and By-Laws for the regional Scott County Catholic School system were approved by the bishop and pastors/trustees.  By 2023-24, the regional system will likely be fully in place.

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed during spring break.  Please return them ASAP so we can plan for 2021-22!

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Ad Hoc Policy Committee Invite

Each year the board of education reviews about 1/3 of the policies contained in the Parent and Student Handbook.  Dress code policies are reviewed every year.  If you would like to be involved this spring, please send me an email.

Anticipated Openings at JFK

JFK will be looking for several teachers, possibly both to replace teachers who may be leaving and for new federally funded positions for 2021-22.  We are casting a wide net regarding licensure and endorsements and will adjust staff assignments to best take advantage of teachers’ qualifications.  In the lower grades, that means we are looking for K-6 licensed teachers, especially those who have an additional endorsement, such as in reading.  In the upper grades, where subject area endorsements are required, we would be interested in talking with those who have K-8, 5-12, or middle school endorsements in ELA, math, science, and social studies.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, April 2, 2021

• Scott County’s COVID case counts and positivity rates continued to rise this past week.  As of Sunday, Scott County had the fourth highest positivity rate among the 99 counties of Iowa, and over twice the state average.  Fourteen day rates in Scott County have doubled since the beginning of March, and seven day rates have tripled.  Hospitalization rates are also now starting to increase as well.
• At JFK, the number of students absent due to COVID or COVID symptoms or having to quarantine as close contacts this week was the highest since late January.  We’re not out of this yet!
• Several updates were made to our Return to Learn plan.  The complete plan, with the updates highlighted in yellow, continues to be available online.

Chad

Green Lights for School HVAC

OLV’s Finance Council and Parish Council and the Diocesan Building Commission approved of our HVAC project last week.  We will soon be signing the contract for the work to be completed this summer!  It is critical that pledges to the Cultivating Our Future capital campaign continue to be fulfilled, and new donations are made.  Our $1.6 million campaign includes this $1 million HVAC project that will install a VRF heating/cooling system, a rooftop unit for the gym, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.   For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.  When the HVAC project is finished, we will have the following needs met:

1. Resolve heating pipes issues
   1. The heating pipes in the 1964 part of the building are past their life expectancy  by 10-40 years now and are starting to fail
   2. To just re-pipe the 1964 part of the building would have been an estimated $800,000-$900,000 project
2. Add high efficiency heating
   1. We can even heat and cool at the same time in different rooms/locations
3. Add high efficiency air conditioning
   1. No more starting the morning at 80+ degrees because we closed up the building at 3:00 the day before when the temperature was 90+ degrees
   2. Window air conditioners along with re-piping the building would not be a long-term cost effective or energy efficient solution
4. Control the humidity within the building
   1. We all know the saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”
5. Add mechanical ventilation for fresh air
   1. Modern building code no longer says “just open the window” to ventilate public use buildings
   2. No more keeping windows cracked open in winter for COVID-type situations
6. Purify the air through self-cleaning ozone free ionization
   1. Will help with dust, pollen, allergens, airborne illness causing “germs”

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed during spring break.  Please return them ASAP so we can plan for 2021-22!

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

Anticipated Openings at JFK

Speaking of 2021-22, I anticipate that we will be looking for several teachers, possibly both to replace teachers who may be leaving and for new federally funded positions.  We are casting a wide net regarding licensure and endorsements and will adjust staff assignments to best take advantage of teachers’ qualifications.  In the lower grades, that means we are looking for K-6 licensed teachers, especially those who have an additional endorsement, such as in reading.  In the upper grades, where subject area endorsements are required, we would be interested in talking with those who have K-8, 5-12, or middle school endorsements in ELA, math, science, and social studies.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

Calendar

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Last day of school for JFK:  June 11th.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

First day of school for next year:  August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, March 26, 2021

• There is no question about what to make of this week’s Scott County data.  COVID case counts and positivity rates are both going up.  While not evident in the graphs provided to us on Wednesday, the number of people hospitalized due to COVID is also increasing.
• At JFK, our streak of seven school days without anyone having to quarantine due to being a close contact with a family member who has COVID also came to an end this week.  We’re not out of this yet!

Chad

Cultivating Our Future Capital Campaign — School HVAC

We received the updated quote to do school HVAC work this summer, primarily on the 1964 and 1987 parts of the building.  (No significant work was needed in the 2011 additions.)  The approximately $1 million school HVAC project includes a VRF heating/cooling system, a rooftop unit for the gym, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.  When we are finished, we will have the following needs met:

1. Resolve heating pipes issues
   1. The heating pipes in the 1964 part of the building are past their life expectancy  by 10-40 years now and are starting to fail
   2. To just re-pipe the 1964 part of the building would have been an estimated $800,000-$900,000 project
2. Add high efficiency heating
   1. We can even heat and cool at the same time in different rooms/locations
3. Add high efficiency air conditioning
   1. No more starting the morning at 80+ degrees because we closed up the building at 3:00 the day before when the temperature was 90+ degrees
   2. Window air conditioners along with re-piping the building would not be a long-term cost effective or energy efficient solution
4. Control the humidity within the building
   1. We all know the saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”
5. Add mechanical ventilation for fresh air
   1. Modern building code no longer says “just open the window” to ventilate public use buildings
   2. No more keeping windows cracked open in winter for COVID-type situations
6. Purify the air through self-cleaning ozone free ionization
   1. Will help with dust, pollen, allergens, airborne illness causing “germs”

In order to accomplish this $1 million project, planned for this summer, pledges and donations to our $1.6 million Cultivating Our Future capital campaign are still needed.  No amount is too small.  The fewer JFK families that support the campaign in any way, the less support some may interpret this project as having from JFK families.  (That’s not true, but it is reality.)  For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.

Gala and Plant Sale

Plans are being made for the Rock the Lot Gala that will combine online elements and socially distant outdoor elements utilizing our vast campus.  We also hope to celebrate the anticipated beginning of the school HVAC project and just making it through the 2020-21 school year!  The Rock the Lot Gala is May 15, 2021.  If you would like to donate an item or service that can be auctioned alone or in a basket combined with other items, please contact Angie Hillebrand in the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, were mailed on Thursday.  If you are behind in tuition payments, please contact Fr. Jake so arrangements can be made, and the tuition contract for next school year can be completed.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

Calendar

March 25:  Jersey Day.  For a $1 or more donation, students may be out of uniform wearing their favorite sleeved jerseys.  If the jersey does not have sleeves, another sleeved shirt is required under it.  Proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Last day of school for JFK:  June 11th.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

First day of school for next year:  August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

Board of Education Openings

If you would like to be involved in decisions like those mentioned above, consider running for the board of education.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month from about 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Our longest meetings typically are when we talk “money,” that is, when we try to budget our priorities and put talk into action.  Board members occasionally have another meeting to attend during the month.  A board member’s term is three years.  Please contact me if you are interested in being on the board, and I will connect you with a board member for more information.  Elections are in May.

COVID Data

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

COVID Data, March 19, 2021

• I’m not sure what to make of this week’s data in Scott County.  COVID case counts, by some measures, went up, but positivity test rates went down

Chad

Calendar Issues

The OLV/JFK board of education voted to have June 11th as our last day of school this year.  With more than enough instructional hours to meet requirements and a major HVAC construction project to be completed in already a shorter than normal summer, it was decided to stay with June 11th as our last day of school.  The DCSD will continue until the 16th.  Because June 11th is not Davenport’s last day, there is no early dismissal at JFK on June 11th.

The first day of school for next year will be August 23rd.  We are awaiting a corrected full year 2021-22 calendar from the DCSD before we finalize our calendar for next year.

Our Easter break includes Good Friday (April 2) and Easter Monday (April 5).  There are no classes on these two dates, and ECLC is also closed.  Please note that the DCSD does have classes on April 5th.

Board of Education Openings

If you would like to be involved in decisions like those mentioned above, consider running for the board of education.  The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month from about 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Our longest meetings typically are when we talk “money,” that is, when we try to budget our priorities and put talk into action.  Board members occasionally have another meeting to attend during the month.  A board member’s term is three years.  Please contact me if you are interested in being on the board, and I will connect you with a board member for more information.  Elections are in May.

Cultivating Our Future — School HVAC

We received the updated quote to do school HVAC work this summer.  The school HVAC project includes a VRF heating/cooling system, mechanical ventilation, and an ionization air purification system.  When we are finished, we will have resolved our heating pipes issues in the 1963 part of the building and added air conditioning, mechanical ventilation, and air purification to the 1963 and 1987 parts of the building.  (Significant HVAC upgrades are not needed in the 2011 additions.)

In order to accomplish this $1 million project, planned for this summer, pledges and donations to our $1.6 million Cultivating Our Future capital campaign are still needed.  No amount is too small.  The fewer JFK families that support the campaign in any way, the less support some may interpret this project as having from JFK families.  (That’s not true, but it is reality.)  For more information about the campaign, use the following link:  capital campaign.

Gala and Plant Sale

Plans are being made for the Rock the Lot Gala that will combine online elements and socially distant outdoor elements utilizing our vast campus.  We also hope to celebrate the anticipated beginning of the school HVAC project and just making it through the 2020-21 school year!  The Rock the Lot Gala is May 15, 2021.  If you would like to donate an item or service that can be auctioned alone or in a basket combined with other items, please contact Angie Hillebrand in the school office.

Tuition Contracts for 2021-22, Kindergarten Round-Up, PS, and ECLC Registration

Tuition contracts for 2021-22, which represent the official registration document for next school year, will be mailed on Thursday.  Please contact Emily Sanderson in the school office, if you have not turned in your kindergarten forms yet, so your kindergartner is not left off the contract.  If you are behind in tuition payments, please contact Fr. Jake so arrangements can be made, and there are no delays in sending out your tuition contract for next year.

Preschool registration for 3, 4, and 5 year olds and ECLC (childcare) does remain open.  If you have not yet registered for these programs, please contact the school office ASAP.

School Bookkeeper/Secretary Position

JFK has an upcoming opening for a school bookkeeper/secretary as Emily Sanderson will be transitioning to another position at JFK.  The school bookkeeper/secretary position is year round and includes a tuition benefit.  The qualified applicant must be detail oriented with accounting knowledge and have strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children.  The ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions is a must.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com, or complete an application in the school office.  We hope to have the position filled within the next few weeks, and the new staff member will begin yet this school year.

COVID Data

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

I’ll add a few comments below as well.

COVID Data, March 12, 2021

• The week by week downward trend in Scott County data has stopped, and the rates crept back up this last week.  Hopefully, it is only a short-term “blip” as we are still roughly at or above the July surge rates.  We don’t want to become complacent just because the COVID numbers aren’t as high as just the latest surge!
• We won’t be meeting with the health department this week due to spring break, but we may have the weekly data emailed to us.
• JFK’s own absence rates increased this week, but that was expected with spring break.  The closer we get to an extended break, the higher the absence rate becomes as people leave early.
• We’ll see if spring break had an impact on COVID numbers about 2-3 weeks after spring break concludes.  Stay safe!

Chad