Category: Principal’s Post

Last Spring’s Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Results Released

The results of the spring’s administration of the new Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for grades 3-5 will be mailed this week.  Look for a three page parent letter and a two-sided report for each student who was in 3rd-5th grade last year.  They’ve been a long time coming!

Repeated Content Regarding Cell Phones and Social Media

Over the years, I have done several postings regarding cell phone usage and social media.  They are still relevant today with nearly every significant issue at school somehow tied into social media, either because it happens through social media or it is discussed and persists through comments on social media.  So far, the youngest students at JFK we have seen with issues regarding cell phone use have been eight years old.  Will you be ready?

With about 45% of 10 to 12 year olds in the US having not only their own smartphones but smartphones with a service plan (Nielsen report from February 2017), do you know what the kids are doing with their phones?

• What apps are they using?  Have you tried them yourself?
• What social media accounts are they using, how are they using them, and how often do you monitor their activity?  Just because a social media company says that no one under a certain age can have an account, doesn’t mean kids don’t fudge on their age.
• Are they “roasting” each other or doing “burns?”  How should they respond when they are the target of the burns?  You’d be shocked at the vulgar and vile language that students will use in the “anonymity” of the electronic age.
• What will they (and you) do when they receive inappropriate pictures taken off the Internet and from people they actually know?  The average age of first exposure to pornography is around eleven.  If eleven is average, what will they and you do if they are even younger?
• What shows are they watching in an era when family members are watching more and more shows independently on their own Internet connected devices than gathered around a television as a family?  What are the ratings on the shows they watch?  Are they just “Youtubing” random videos?
• What group chats are they in?  Who monitors them?  What will they (and you) do when the chat turns ugly?
• Do you know how to block things on phones or restrict settings?
• Do you know how to not only “delete” but then to empty the “trash” on phones?
• Are you modeling good social media use yourself?

The following is an interesting blog post on how cell phones and social media have changed the landscape.  Click here to read the story:  Comparing 2008 with 2018.

Issues of social media and technology cross all demographic and geographic groups.  St. Paul’s has recently started a parent group, NTT (Navigating Technology Together) that is now expanding to the other Catholic schools. This month’s topic is “pornography and our children” with Dr. Lyndsey Day.  NTT is an evening of awareness and discussion.  The November meeting is Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s Denning Hall.  All are welcome.

Social-Emotional-Behavioral Well-Being of Students

The social-emotional-behavioral well-being of students remains a high priority at JFK.  Research reveals that social and emotional skills are critical for success at school, work, and in life.  These skills impact academic achievement, attendance, and attitudes and behaviors in school.  They impact job satisfaction, performance, and income.  They impact positive health behaviors, life satisfaction, and happiness.  The best part research is revealing is that these skills can also be learned, and students can grow and develop in these areas!

In grades 2 and 4, we use a screener called  SAEBRS to help identify areas upon which teachers and Mrs. Wolf should focus.  In grades 6-8, we will be teaming with ACT to use their Tessera assessment system and lessons.  More information will be sent home shortly for 6th-8th grade families.

Highlighted Upcoming Dates (See Website for Complete Calendar)

Nov 11:  Staff in-service.  No classes.  ECLC is open.  JFK staff members have an in-service on November 11th, Veterans’ Day, which allows us to take off on Good Friday in the spring.

Nov 14:  Home & School meeting

Nov 27:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC open.

Nov 28-29:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC closed.

Dec 21 – Jan 5:  Christmas Break.  Check the school calendar for dates when ECLC is closed.

HVAC Project Meetings Went Well

Fr. Jake and I discussed our updated HVAC plan for JFK with the parish finance council and the diocesan building commission two weeks ago.  Both meetings went well, and there was consensus regarding the scope of the work needed.  In the fall of 2016, a complete Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plan for JFK was developed.  That plan acknowledged that our heating issues were twofold:  an aged boiler and pipes that were beyond their life expectancy.  The boiler, water heater, cafeteria and north stairwell fin tube/fan units, and controls were replaced in the summer of 2017.  Now, we’re ready for the next phase to deal with the pipes.

This next phase would install a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system to the 1964 and 1987 parts of the school building.  (The 2011 sections of the building are up-to-date.)  The VRF system can not only provide heat, allowing the worn heating water pipes to be shut down, but it is also efficient in providing air conditioning!  When coupled with a new mechanical ventilation system, also included in this next phase, we can efficiently control humidity and filter and condition the air.  Also included in this phase would be a significant electrical upgrade to power everything.

Having modern HVAC systems would allow JFK to continue to lead the way in Catholic school education in Scott County.  Now, we just need to pay for it!

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/11/1032800050C-111019.pdf

Not Cut Out for Shopping?

I don’t think I’m cut out for shopping any more.  I used to do more when our kids were younger as I did much of the grocery shopping each weekend and would usually go to HyVee one weekend and Walmart the next.  Now, I’m not sure I can handle shopping any more.  On Friday, I set off to run some errands.  I went to a “big box” store where it seemed like everything that I was looking for had been moved to other areas.  Or, at least, that’s what I’m assuming happened as I didn’t find most of what I was looking for, and I’m sure they still sell it.  I wandered from one aisle to the next and, oddly, even down some aisles that just dead ended.  No one seemed happy to be there either.  Kids were crying, parents were frustrated dealing with crying kids, and everyone seemed to be in everyone else’s way.  I don’t know about the employees because I don’t think I ever saw them as I even did self check-out!  My next stop was a store at the mall to look for some new pants.  Entering and exiting the store, people at least seemed happy as they all held doors for each other and greeted one another.  I did see employees at this store, and they did seem happy, although they probably shouldn’t have been using their two way radios to have personal conversations where they can be overheard in public.  Unfortunately, I didn’t find what I was looking for at this store either.  Rack upon rack of pants and not a single pair in my size!  By the time I was done running errands, I just had a headache to show for it.  Amazingly, however, when I went to Menard’s and Lowe’s on Saturday, I found exactly what I was looking for and even some extras!  I think I’ll just have to stick to going to Menard’s, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.  If they don’t have what I need, I must not need it!

Chad

HVAC Project Meetings Went Well

Fr. Jake and I discussed our updated HVAC plan for JFK with the parish finance council and the diocesan building commission last week.  Both meetings went well, and there was consensus regarding the scope of the work needed.  In the fall of 2016, a complete Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plan for JFK was developed.  That plan acknowledged that our heating issues were twofold:  an aged boiler and pipes that were beyond their life expectancy.  The boiler, water heater, cafeteria and north stairwell fin tube/fan units, and controls were replaced in the summer of 2017.  Now, we’re ready for the next phase to deal with the pipes.

This next phase would install a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system to the 1964 and 1987 parts of the school building.  (The 2011 sections of the building are up-to-date.)  The VRF system can not only provide heat, allowing the worn heating water pipes to be shut down, but it is also efficient in providing air conditioning!  When coupled with a new mechanical ventilation system, also included in this next phase, we can efficiently control humidity and filter and condition the air.  Also included in this phase would be a significant electrical upgrade to power everything.

Having modern HVAC systems would allow JFK to continue to lead the way in Catholic school education in Scott County.  Now, we just need to pay for it!

Last Spring’s Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Results

The results of the spring’s administration of the new Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for grades 3-5 should be released to schools this week.  The information is not allowed to be shared with parents until after November 11^th.  It should be a pretty straight-forward process, but, with all new data systems, it seems that there are always glitches.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are this week.  With the meetings so brief (15 minutes or even possibly less in the drop-in upper grade conferences), here’s a short list of questions that you might consider asking:

• What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
• Is my child working up to his/her ability?  How can we support what’s going on in the classroom?
• How does my child get along with his/her classmates?

Don’t forget to share things about your child with the teachers too.  They want to learn more as well so they can be your partner.  “Specials” teachers (art, music, PE, band, foreign language) often don’t have many parents meet with them yet they may have some unique perspectives that they can share.  Specials teachers are in the cafeteria and have conferences on a drop-in basis.

Upcoming Dates

Nov 4:  Student Hunger Drive Out of Uniform.  Students who brought in 3 or more “cans” for the Student Hunger Drive can be out of uniform today.  The Out of Uniform Guidelines policy from our handbook still applies.

Nov 4:  Band/Music Boosters, 6:30, staff room

Nov 5:  Parent/teacher conferences, 5:30-8:30.  PS-5th grade are scheduled.  If you haven’t scheduled your child’s conference or received a time from the teacher, please contact your child’s teacher.  Conferences for grades 6-8 and specials are “walk in.”

Nov 7:  Parent/teacher conferences, 8-12:30 and 4-8.  No classes.  ECLC is open.

Nov 7:  Fundraiser pick up.

Nov 8:  No classes.  ECLC is open.

Nov 9:  Mock Trial at the Scott County Courthouse.  Good luck to our two teams!

Nov 11:  Staff in-service.  No classes.  ECLC is open.  JFK staff members have an in-service on November 11th, Veterans’ Day, which allows us to take off on Good Friday in the spring.

Nov 14:  Home & School meeting

Nov 27:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC open.

Nov 28-29:  Thanksgiving break.  ECLC closed.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/11/1032800049C-110319.pdf

Don’t Forget to Vote on Tuesday

Tuesday is election day for mayor, city council, and public school board.  A well run city and school district benefit the entire community.

Chad

HVAC Project to Parish Finance Council and Diocesan Building Commission

Fr. Jake and I will be discussing our updated HVAC plan for JFK with the parish finance council and the diocesan building commission this week.  Our latest plan provides updates since the fall 2016 plan.  In the fall of 2016, a complete Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plan for JFK was developed.  That plan acknowledged that our heating issues were twofold:  an aged boiler and pipes that were beyond their life expectancy.  The boiler, water heater, cafeteria and north stairwell fin tube/fan units, and controls were replaced in the summer of 2017.  Now, we’re ready to present phase two to deal with the pipes.

Phase two would install a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system to the 1964 and 1987 parts of the school building.  (The 2011 sections of the building are up-to-date.)  The VRF system can not only provide heat, allowing the worn heating water pipes to be shut down, but it is also efficient in providing air conditioning!  When coupled with a new mechanical ventilation system, we can also efficiently control humidity.

Having modern HVAC systems would allow JFK to continue to lead the way in Catholic school education in Scott County.  Let’s pray that our meetings go well this week.

Busy Day on Friday

Friday was a busy day on campus.  Not only did we have the Fall Fest in the evening and multiple meetings for teachers during the day, we also had plenty of work done on campus.  Blacktop cracks were cleaned and resealed, and sewage pump wells were completely emptied and cleaned.  We also had all exterior door locks and multiple other locks re-keyed.  There’s a lot of work done on campus when students are not around.

Fall Fest Thank You

Thank you to our Home & School officers (Erin Pape, Cassandra Tatman, Kathy Knox, and Allison Arlt) and everyone else who helped with the Fall Fest.  We even had people help who haven’t had kids at JFK for years!

Report Cards

First quarter report cards should be sent via email early this week.  Just as our mid-quarters had a new look to them so too do the quarter report cards, particularly in grades 3-8.  The ratings under each core subject that were used at mid-quarter time are not on the quarterly report cards.  There is only the letter grade.  For more detailed information about how the letter grade was determined, you can always look at Progress Reports in JMC.

Specials (art, music/choir, PE and band) meet only twice per week when there’s a regular schedule and less often when we have adjusted schedules for other activities like assemblies.  For the report card, these specials are included with ratings for things like participation/effort, skills, understands concepts, and sportsmanship but do not have an overall grade.

Upcoming Dates

Oct 31:  Black/Orange Dress Day.  Students may be out of uniform if they are wearing black and/or orange.  The Out of Uniform Guidelines policy from our handbook, however, still applies.

Oct 31:  All Saints Day Vigil Mass, 6:00 p.m.

Nov 1:  All Saints Day Masses (7:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 7:00 p.m.).  All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation.  Following the 8:15 Mass, we will have our annual “parade of saints.”

Nov 2:  Bazaar, 8-4

Nov 3:  “Fall back:” Don’t forget to change your clocks

Nov 3:  Bazaar 9-1

Nov 4:  Student Hunger Drive Out of Uniform.  Students who brought in 3 or more “cans” for the Student Hunger Drive can be out of uniform today.  The Out of Uniform Guidelines policy from our handbook still applies.

Nov 5:  Parent/teacher conferences, 5:30-8:30.  PS-5th grade are scheduled.  If you haven’t scheduled your child’s through the Sign Up Genius link from your child’s homeroom teacher, please contact her.  Conferences for grades 6-8 and specials are “walk in.”

Nov 7:  Parent/teacher conferences, 8-12:30 and 4-8.  No classes.  ECLC is open.

Nov 7:  Fundraiser pick up.

Nov 8:  No classes.  ECLC is open.

Nov 11:  Staff in-service.  No classes.  ECLC is open.  JFK staff members have an in-service on November 11th, Veterans’ Day, which allows us to take off on Good Friday in the spring.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/1032800048C-102719.pdf

Butter Braid Bread Sale

Butter Braid Bread sales have begun.  The JFK Music Boosters/students are selling Butter Braid Bread.  This hand-braided pastry is a delicious addition to any holiday meal.  There are a variety of fillings, and each includes a frosting packet:  Apple, Cherry, Blueberry with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, Raspberry, Strawberry with Cream Cheese, Caramel Rolls with Caramel Glaze.  These are sold individually for $14/package. Also returning this year is the Four Cheese & Herb Bread for $15/package.  The bread comes to you frozen. When you’re ready to use it, just let it rise 8 – 12 hours and bake about 20 minutes.  The sale ends November 4th with delivery on November 22nd.  If you have any questions or would like to order, please call or text: Melanie Rubemeyer at 563-505-1080.

Student Hunger Drive

JFK’s participation in the Student Hunger Drive concludes November 1st.  Canned/boxed food items are appreciated.  The homeroom with the most cans per student wins ice cream or pizza (homeroom choice).

Where Did We Go Right?

It seems that there’s hardly a week that goes by when one (or more) of our four children doesn’t thank Lynn and me for being such good parents.  It always surprises us.  Just as when one might ask the question “where did we go wrong?” Lynn and I always ask one another “where did we go right?”  We didn’t have the secret formula.  We don’t have “the book.”  We made plenty of mistakes, and there were probably plenty of times along the way when our kids didn’t think we were such great parents.  We didn’t do anything special.  We, like most everyone else, just tried to do our best with the knowledge and skills that we had at the time.  I think that’s really all that can be asked of any of us.  Just keep parenting and letting your kids know that, no matter what, you still love them.

Chad

Fall Fest Friday

The Fall Fest and Pumpkin Run is Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  The Run is at 5:30 in the back of the school.  The new “Slurp-A-Worm” contest is at 6:30.  Be the first to get all of the gummy worms out of the whipped cream using only your mouth.  Prizes awarded for both events according to grade level.

Food is for sale by Nombos Food Truck.  They specialize in mac and cheese varieties, hot dogs, and walking tacos.  After dinner (it’s a “rule!”), have a snow cone from the Kona Snow Cone Truck or decorate a caramel apple or cookie.

Volunteers are still needed.  Please direct questions regarding volunteering or other topics to jfk.homeandschool@outlook.com

Cracks/joints in the parking lot are being re-sealed on Friday , but the lot should be open again for evening activities.

Trunk or Treat Saturday

Come back Saturday for Trunk or Treat at 5:30 in the south part of our parking lot.

Oct 24 and 25

Oct 24:  End of the quarter.  Special dismissal at 12:40.  (I think the paper lunch menu said no school.  A corrected menu is online.)  No PM preschool classes.

Oct 25:  No classes.  ECLC open.  (Parking is on the street until the parking lot cracks are re-sealed.)  Fall Fest, 5:00.

Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month.  Not only did preschoolers through fifth graders have a presentation from the fire department and get an up close look at a fire truck, but we had two fire drills to practice new attendance taking methods.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/October-20-2019.pdf

Butter Braid Bread Sale

Butter Braid Bread sales have begun.  The JFK Music Boosters/students are selling Butter Braid Bread.  This hand-braided pastry is a delicious addition to any holiday meal.  There are a variety of fillings, and each includes a frosting packet:  Apple, Cherry, Blueberry with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, Raspberry, Strawberry
with Cream Cheese, Caramel Rolls with Caramel Glaze.  These are sold individually for $14/package. Also returning this year is the Four Cheese & Herb Bread for
$15/package.  The bread comes to you frozen. When you’re ready to use it, just let it rise 8 – 12 hours and bake about 20 minutes.  The sale ends November 4th with delivery on November 22nd.  If you have any questions or would like to order, please call or text: Melanie Rubemeyer at 563-505-1080.

Student Hunger Drive

JFK’s participation in the Student Hunger Drive begins on Oct 21st and concludes Nov 1st.  Canned/boxed food items are appreciated.

Flu Shots

Students registered to have a flu shot will receive them on Tuesday.  I have yet to receive mine.  Did you get your shot yet?

Blue Out Dress Day

Thursday, October 24th is Blue Out Dress Day in support of anti-bullying at JFK.  Students may be out of uniform, if they are wearing blue.  JFK’s Out of Uniform Guidelines in the parent and student handbook still apply.

Programming Rhythm

I’m out of the rhythm.  When I was a high school student or when I worked at Assumption, there was a definite rhythm to the week, particularly in the fall and winter.  Like it or not, everything seemed to revolve around “game day,” especially when the games were on Friday nights.  There was a feeling in the air that built from the beginning of the week and reached its pinnacle on game day.  Fine arts programs rhythms too.  Their rhythms were usually longer but culminated in the big play or the big concert held a couple of times per year.

When my own children were growing up, I felt the rhythm in  a different way.  With four children, it seemed that there were practices or games nearly every evening or day:  soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, spirit cheerleading, competitive cheerleading, softball, baseball, “fall ball,” golf, etc.  My kids played on school teams, and a few played on more competitive mixed teams.  Add in the mock trial, speech and debate tournaments, youth ministry activities, etc., and it seemed like there was always some kids’ programming.  We wanted our kids to be involved in something, and, many times, the events also aided some good family times.  Competing at Six Flags allowed for us to have a weekend together staying in a hotel, eating out, going on rides, and swimming in a hotel pool.  Tournaments in Dewitt allowed us to check out Dewitt Dairy (now Cups and Cones) for special ice cream treats.  We also, however, recognized that sometimes it was just too much, and we were all just stressed.  Six people in a small hotel room doesn’t give anyone his/her own space.  Sometimes the “divide and conquer” to make things work meant that we were not together as a family anyway.

It’s now been a few years since my family was in the thick of kids’ programming, and I feel a little out of the rhythm.  When the diocesan superintendent, Lee Morrison, asked if there was an elementary school principal willing to volunteer to discuss diocesan concerns about keeping Sunday for worship and family rest, I didn’t know whether to be involved or not.  On the one hand, I always want to be involved in something that may come back to affect us.  On the other hand, I’m not sure where I am on this issue myself and where younger families are.  What are your thoughts?

Chad

Holy Fire:  Seventh Graders Retreat in Chicago

Seventh graders from JFK and other middle school students from the Diocese of Davenport, the Midwest, and the nation will be gathering in Chicago for Holy Fire on Friday.  This remarkable experience combines powerful music, witness talks, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, and Adoration for young people to create, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime faith experience.  Please pray for our 7th graders on their faith journey.

First Reconciliation Parent/Child Meeting

Monday, October 14th:  6:00-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month.  Preschoolers through fifth graders will have a presentation from the fire department and get an up close look at a fire truck on Thursday.

Oct 24 and 25

Oct 24:  End of the quarter.  Special dismissal at 12:40.  (I think the paper lunch menu said no school.  A corrected menu is online.)  No PM preschool classes.

Oct 25:  No classes.  ECLC open.  Pumpkin Run and activities in evening.

Sign up now to help with the Fall Fest/Pumpkin Run on the 25th:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4baaab28a2fa7-fall

Welcome Alyssa Millard

We are pleased to welcome Alyssa Millard to the JFK staff.  Mrs. Millard is starting on October 14th as our evening custodian.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/1032800046C-101319.pdf

Butter Braid Bread Sale

Butter Braid Bread sales have begun.  The JFK Music Boosters/students are selling Butter Braid Bread.  This hand-braided pastry is a delicious addition to any holiday meal.  There are a variety of fillings, and each includes a frosting packet:  Apple, Cherry, Blueberry with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, Raspberry, Strawberry
with Cream Cheese, Caramel Rolls with Caramel Glaze.  These are sold individually for $14/package. Also returning this year is the Four Cheese & Herb Bread for
$15/package.  The bread comes to you frozen. When you’re ready to use it, just let it rise 8 – 12 hours and bake about 20 minutes.  The sale ends November 4th with delivery on November 22nd.  If you have any questions or would like to order, please call or text: Melanie Rubemeyer at 563-505-1080.

Fees Reduced?

The Catholic elementary school principals and their boards are discussing how we can reduce those back to school fees paid in late July or August.  Those fees can be from about $150 to more than $600 depending upon how many students a family has, the grade levels of the students, and the activities in which the students participate.  At JFK, families may be paying a lunchroom duty fee, technology fee, technology insurance fee, before/after school childcare registration fee, sports activities fee, and band fee.   While each of the schools has different fees and amounts, we believe we can eliminate or reduce most fees at each school by having a larger than normal tuition increase.  Blending fees into tuition would allow families to take advantage of the 10 month or 12 month tuition payment plan and avoid the August tuition bill AND fee bill due at the same time.

10-15 Seconds of the Iowa Wave is Not Enough

Last September, I wrote about having to hurry so I’d have my lawn work done in time to see the “Iowa Wave” at the end of the first quarter of the Iowa Hawkeye football game.  The “Iowa Wave” is when all the fans, players and coaches of both teams, referees, and everyone in the stadium turn to wave to those watching the game from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.  It is a touching spectacle that reminds us that football is just a game, and other things are more important.  This fall, I have been very disappointed.  While the broadcasters describe what the Iowa Wave is and mention that it’s the best new tradition in football, the television stations break away for their full commercial break at the end of the quarter.  When the game comes back on, there’s only about 10 – 15 seconds of the Iowa Wave replayed.  It’s not the same!

Chad

Another Warm Start to the School Year

Students and staff at JFK experienced another warm start to the school year.  Prior to Oct 1^st, there were already 36 cooling days, making the start of the 2019-20 school year one of the warmest ever.  The number of cooling days is actually on an upward trend since JFK was built in the 1960s.  During the last three school years of the 1960’s, there were 46 cooling days.  By the last three years of the 2010s, there were 71.

In the fall of 2016, a complete Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plan for JFK was developed.  The boiler replacement aspect of the plan was completed in the summer of 2017.  The remaining parts of the plan would address the heating issues associated with the hot water pipes, which are anywhere from five to 35 years past their life expectancy, ventilate the building using mechanical means, and allow for air conditioning.  The remaining parts of the HVAC plan are currently being reviewed and updated.  It sure would be nice to have them done before next school year!

Marching Bands at Assumption Thursday

The 7th/8th grade Catholic elementary bands will be marching with the Assumption band at Thursday’s football game at Brady Street.  Come out for an enjoyable evening!

School Pictures

October 8th:  Retakes and make-ups

Oct 24 and 25

Oct 24:  End of the quarter.  Special dismissal at 12:40.  (I think the paper lunch menu said no school.  A corrected menu is online.)  No PM preschool classes.

Oct 25:  No classes.  ECLC open.  Pumpkin Run and activities in evening.

Locals Love Us – Do You?

Vote for JFK on LocalsLoveUs.com.  Preschool, childcare, and K-8 Private school categories.

Thank You, Jeff Edens

Jeff Edens will be concluding his second term as evening custodian with us on Friday.  We have been blessed with about a year and a half of his service this time around.  Not only is Jeff a good employee who takes pride in his work, but he’s an even better person, and we’re glad to have had him in our lives at JFK.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/October-6-2019.pdf

Read about the OLV Foundation reaching its $1,000,000 goal!  With a $1,000,000 endowment, the foundation is able to donate nearly $50,000 per year to OLV and JFK.

The Unwritten Rules

Last weekend, as one of my daughters was getting ready for bed, she spotted a big spider near the bed in a room that she was sharing with her sister.  She came downstairs and told us about it.  Others of us then went upstairs to try to find the spider but were unsuccessful.  That event has set off a little back and forth about “unwritten rules:”

• Large spiders near beds must be killed.
• It’s OK if you don’t kill it yourself, but you cannot let it out of your sight, and you must call out to have someone else come kill it.

During and after this event, the following types of phrases seemed very common:  “Everyone knows these rules.  How do you not know the spider rules?”  I fed the sisterly back and forth again on Friday when I took a picture of the hallway at school with all of the paper spiders made by students on the walls and sent it to the two girls.  That reignited the comments:  “It’s OK not to kill paper spiders!”  Apparently, there are just some rules that you’re supposed to know.

The older I’ve become, the more lenient I’ve become with “the rules.”  I remember that when my kids were younger, we didn’t go down the back-to-school aisle in the store until August, the Halloween aisle until October, and the Christmas aisle until Thanksgiving.  Everything needed its own special time; let’s not rush our lives away.  Now, I’m a little more flexible.  When Caitlin was bringing her roommate home for Thanksgiving and really wanted to show her how beautiful the house would look when we decorated for Christmas, what’s a week earlier?

“No desert unless you finish your supper” was another one of those rules.  Now, once in a while, Whitey’s is supper.  Perhaps it even tastes better because we all know that we’re really “breaking the rules.”

I hope you have your own special sets of family rules and can even enjoy breaking them once in a while!

Chad

School Pictures

September 30th:  K-8, 4/5 yr old PS, MWF 3 yr old PS

October 1st:  Make-ups and T/Th 3 yr old PS

October 8th:  Retakes and make-ups

New Report Cards and Mid-Term Progress Reports

Beginning this fall, our report cards and mid-term progress reports will have a new look to them.  The new reports will allow more feedback to be given.  The first mid-term ended Wednesday, and progress reports will be sent home shortly.  We’re discovering how much more work these report cards require!

“Magazine” Sale

Home & School’s “magazine” sale continues.  This fund-raiser is the largest one by our Home & School.  Home & School helps provide for the needs of all students.  It is a major contributor toward the annual upkeep of the gym floor and the re-mulching of the two playgrounds.  It provides each teacher with $300 toward the needs in their classrooms.  (Did you know that teachers spend, on average nationally, about $500 of their own money each year on classroom supplies?  I wonder if this is common in other professions.)  Please support JFK’s Home & School Association.

Locals Love Us – Do You?

Vote for JFK on LocalsLoveUs.com.  Preschool, childcare, and K-8 Private school categories.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/September-29-2019.pdf

Demographic Information

October 1st is the due date for some demographic reporting about the school.  JFK continues its trend toward more diversity in ethnicity, race, financial means of families (indicated by free/reduced lunch participation), and disabilities of students.  It also continues the same five year downward trend in K-8 enrollment that the other Catholic elementary schools in Davenport are facing.  (Lourdes seems to be at about the same enrollment it was five years ago.)

Enrollment by Percent Catholic

Budgeted Cost per K-8 Student

Just Being Near

On Thursday, my oldest daughter and her boyfriend made it to Davenport from North Carolina, and my youngest surprised us by arriving earlier from Kansas than we had thought she would.  We went out to dinner, and the girls went to the AHS football game while the boys watched football on TV.  When everyone was back together after the AHS game, I felt as if I didn’t want the evening to end.

On Friday, my other daughter timed it just right to make it to Davenport from Des Moines without driving through rain storms.  We ate a good meal together at home, had a MarioCart tournament, and watched more football.  When I stepped away for a bit, I almost had a tear in my eye as it was just such a pleasant time being together.  The only piece that was missing was that Tom, our son, ended up having to work and couldn’t make it from South Carolina.

On Saturday, we kept splitting into smaller groups to run to the store or do this, that, and that other thing, but there always seemed to be at least two people together.  We caught pieces of the games of people’s alma maters or of the favorite teams of those on TV:  Iowa, Kansas, Iowa State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Ohio State (Big 10), and Cubs.  An extended family dinner capped the evening off.

By Sunday, things were sadly coming to an end.  Colleen and Justin left by 5:30 a.m.  On the way home from the 9:00 a.m. Mass, the conversation drifted to return travel plans and the weather.  Kirsten probably left before 11:30 a.m., and Caitlin, with a new travel route that would allow her to avoid the storms forecast to move across the I-80 corridor all afternoon and evening, left right at noon.  By 1:00, Lynn and I were lamenting how quiet the house seemed.  It’s not really that we always have to be doing something together with family members; it’s just being near enough to be able to do something that would be nice.

Chad

Locals Love Us – Do You?

Vote for JFK on LocalsLoveUs.com.  Preschool, childcare, and K-8 Private school categories.

Civic Oration Begins This Week

Can you believe we’re already going to start working on 5th-8th grade civic oration?  One of the reasons we switched to the fall was to enable students to be using the skills learned in civic oration through the rest of the school year.  This year’s topic deals with what freedom means.

New Report Cards and Mid-Term Progress Reports

Beginning this fall, our report cards and mid-term progress reports will have a new look to them.  The new reports will allow more feedback to be given.  The first mid-term ends Wednesday, and progress reports will be sent home the following Monday or Tuesday.

“Magazine” Sale

Home & School’s “magazine” sale continues.  This fund-raiser is the largest one by our Home & School.  Home & School helps provide for the needs of all students.  It is a major contributor toward the annual upkeep of the gym floor and the re-mulching of the two playgrounds.  It provides each teacher with $300 toward the needs in their classrooms.  (Did you know that teachers spend, on average nationally, about $500 of their own money each year on classroom supplies?  I wonder if this is common in other professions.)  Please support JFK’s Home & School Association.

Communications

Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.  There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Handbook-2019-20.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.

Open Position

We have an instructional aide position available to assist students and teachers in elementary classes and supervisory duties.  To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume, and references or stop in the school office for an application.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1032800042C-091519.pdf

School Pictures:

September 30th:  K-8, 4/5 yr old PS, MWF 3 yr old PS

October 1st:  Make-ups and T/Th 3 yr old PS

How Busy Are You?

It almost seems as if one”measure of success” is how busy our lives are, especially as they relate to our children:  this athletic practice, that extracurricular related to school, the other “club” sport or rehearsal.  (Whether or not this busyness is really a “measure of success” might be a topic for another Post.)  When Lynn and I were in the thick of it with four children, we were glad to just make it through the day, week, and season.  In retrospect, maybe it wasn’t so bad.  Loading everyone into the van for a weekend road trip and squeezing six people into a hotel room forced family time, which was also often without screen time.  Huddling together under the blanket in the wind and cold was often the equivalent of “date night.”  Giving the kids the money so they could make a “concession stand run” was a way for them to learn how to handle money and cooperate with each other.  Collective memories were created in our busyness.  As the kids grew older and became more independent with their activities, sometimes even driving themselves to/from practices and events, our lives probably became less hectic.  But our lives also had less family time too.  Yes, you, too can make it through the busyness, and don’t forget to remember to cherish the moments and memories too.

Chad

Catechetical Sunday — Thank You to Those with “Mass Parts”

Thank you to Elise B., Rylie D., Cleary C., Ryan B., Lauren L, Jadyn W., Maggie A., Quinn C., Dominic N., and Heath W. for volunteering to have leadership roles in this Mass.  As the Mass attendance rate of school families seems to reflect that of the general Catholic and OLV community (32% at OLV during the last official attendance weekends last November), it is even sometimes difficult to find students who can volunteer for “Mass parts.”  Thank you also to our altar servers.

Parish Picnic

The OLV parish picnic is Saturday, September 21st after the 4:30 p.m. Mass. Golf carts will be available to take people from the parking lot to the school grounds and handicap seating will be available.  Bring your lawn chairs and your appetite as we will be serving BBQ catered by Smokin’ Butt BBQ, iced tea, lemonade, coffee and water.  Beer and wine coolers will be available for purchase. Music and fun for all!  Tickets are $1 each and free for children 5 and under.  (Children still need tickets so we can get an accurate attendance count.)  Tickets will be sold each weekend until September 14 in the Gathering Space. Tickets may also be purchased at the parish and school offices.  In addition to your ticket you are asked to bring a dish to share.  Please bring a serving utensil and mark all dishes and utensils with your name for return:
Last name ending in:
A – H bring Desserts     I – P bring Vegetables     Q – Z bring Salads

Plenty of volunteers are also needed.  Click HERE or use the following link/url to sign up to help:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4ca5a62da4fc1-parish1

Locals Love Us – Do You?

Vote for JFK on LocalsLoveUs.com.  Preschool, childcare, and K-8 Private school categories.

Communications

Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.  There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Handbook-2019-20.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.

Reminder:  Smart watches are in the same category as “cell phones and other electronic devices” and prohibited from use between 7:00 a.m. and until students leave the building.  Because staff members are not able to tell which Smart Watches and FitBits are connected to data plans or phones in one’s locker, all such devices will be prohibited.

Open Position

We have an instructional aide position available to assist students and teachers in elementary classes and supervisory duties.  To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume, and references or stop in the school office for an application.

Welcome Emma Wolf

JFK is pleased to welcome Mrs. Emma Wolf to the staff as our new student support specialist, a position that will have many duties similar to a school counselor.  Mrs. Wolf is a recent St. Ambrose University graduate with a master’s degree in social work.  She has experience working with youth in several settings.  Mrs. Wolf will be transitioning into the position while Mrs. Weiser transitions out of the position and back into the classroom full time.  We expect to welcome another Wolf in January as Mrs. Wolf is due with their first child toward the beginning of the month.

Portable A/C Experiment

Our portable air conditioning experiment in a classroom yielded little benefit.  Without someone full-time in one of our small interior offices, we utilized one of our portable air conditioning units down the hall in an experiment in Mrs. Kubalsky’s science room.  Compared to Mrs. Whelchel’s and Mrs. Kuehn’s neighboring classrooms, we were only able to lower the temperature by about two degrees when running the portable air conditioning unit at least 9-10 hours per day and dismantling the ventilation at night so the building could be secured.

On another day last week, we experimented with operating our industrial dehumidifier in the science room.  While we didn’t have measurement tools, the room felt no different than the neighboring classrooms.

So where are we with our major HVAC project?  Last week, we also met with Derek Wilson of Ryan & Associates and Russ Meier of Mechanical Sales and parent of a current JFK student and graduates.  They will be working together to update our A/C and ventilation plan.  Now that we are setting aside funds toward this project, it is time to refresh the details.

Back in 2016, we explored a complete HVAC project for the school and looked at ten different options, including one that would “just” add window air conditioning units.  A variable refrigerant flow system with a boiler was recommended.  Heating was the first phase and was completed during the summer of 2017.  We are now looking to see how the air conditioning and ventilation phase can be completed or even have phases itself that can be completed a little bit at a time.

“Magazine” Sale

Home & School’s “magazine” sale begins on Tuesday.  This fund-raiser is the largest one by our Home & School.  Home & School helps provide for the needs of all students.  It is a major contributor toward the annual upkeep of the gym floor and the re-mulching of the two playgrounds.  It provides each teacher with $300 toward the needs in their classrooms.  (Did you know that teachers spend, on average nationally, about $500 of their own money each year on classroom supplies?)  Please support JFK’s Home & School Association.

Provide input to Home & School by attending this Thursday’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the parish center.  All JFK families are automatically members of Home & School.

Future Lady Knights Basketball

Registration for Future Lady Knights Basketball is underway, and a special registration night is Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:45 at Assumption.  FLK is fo girls in 3rd to 8th grade who are interested in attending AHS and who want to be part of the developmental and competitive basketball feeder program.  Registration forms and fee information can be obtained by email if you contact OLV parishioner Joe Creen at Creenlaw@gmail.com.  If you have questions, please call Debbie Giganti at 563-359-3085 or Joe Creen at 563-343-0781.

OLV parish bulletin:  Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1032800042C-091519.pdf

Makeshift Solution?

On Saturday, Lynn and I used some old pieces of railroad ties and 6 x 6 pieces of lumber we had around the yard to make a patch for the worst part of our failing retaining wall.  We’ll see how well it works and how long it lasts as we save money for a more permanent solution.  I think my kids would recognize and appreciate our ingenuity.  Through every science or other school project, we were always trying to think of what could be done with what we had on hand without spending a lot of money.  Growing up, I remember being a fan of the TV show, “MacGeyver.”  I was always amazed at what could be done with a stick of gum, a piece of lint, and the lens from one’s eyeglasses.

Chad

Catechetical Sunday — 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sept 15

Catechetical Sunday, and the first all school weekend Mass, is September 15th at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.  Please make arrangements to attend this Mass and show your children your commitment as parents and their first catechists to their faith formation through OLV and JFK.

Did you see the article in the parish bulletin regarding worshipping and resting on Sundays?   Click HERE or use the following link/url:  https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1032800041C-090819.pdf

Parish Picnic

The OLV parish picnic is Saturday, September 21st after the 4:30 p.m. Mass. Golf carts will be available to take people from the parking lot to the school grounds and handicap seating will be available.  Bring your lawn chairs and your appetite as we will be serving BBQ catered by Smokin’ Butt BBQ, iced tea, lemonade, coffee and water.  Beer and wine coolers will be available for purchase. Music and fun for all!  Tickets are $1 each and free for children 5 and under.  (Children still need tickets so we can get an accurate attendance count.)  Tickets will be sold each weekend until September 14 in the Gathering Space. Tickets may also be purchased at the parish and school offices.  In addition to your ticket you are asked to bring a dish to share.  Please bring a serving utensil and mark all dishes and utensils with your name for return:
Last name ending in:
A – H bring Desserts     I – P bring Vegetables     Q – Z bring Salads

Plenty of volunteers are also needed.  Click HERE or use the following link/url to sign up to help:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4ca5a62da4fc1-parish1

Locals Love Us – Do You?

Vote for JFK on LocalsLoveUs.com.  Preschool, childcare, and K-8 Private school categories.

Communications

Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?

If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.  You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself.  There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.

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.  It then gets sent home via hard copy 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.  It does not replace the many communications you will receive from your children’s teachers.

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!

Take advantage of the calendars on our website.  We have eight: School, Parish, Lunch Menu, Lunch Duty, Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Gym & Athletic Fields, and Room Reservations.

Altar Server Trainings

All boys and girls of the parish in 4th grade and up who are interested in being an altar server are invited to attend training in the church on Saturday, September 14th from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  At least one parent is needed to complete the necessary paperwork. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish office at 563-391-4245.

Handbook Sign-Off

Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Handbook-2019-20.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.

Reminder:  Smart watches are in the same category as “cell phones and other electronic devices” and prohibited from use between 7:00 a.m. and until students leave the building.  Because staff members are not able to tell which Smart Watches and FitBits are connected to data plans or phones in one’s locker, all such devices will be prohibited.

Shiny Floors

Aren’t the floors beautiful? The shine on the school floors is incredible. Please thank our evening custodian, Jeff Edens, for the pride he takes in taking care of the school floors.

Open Positions

We have a 6-8 hours per week Title I funded interventionist position available to provide math support for elementary-age students.  This position requires a K-6 IA license.

We also have additional instructional aide hours to assist students and teachers in elementary classes and supervisory duties.  The aide hours can be combined with the teaching position.

At last week’s board meeting, the board created a new position:  student support specialist.  In next week’s Principal’s Post, I’ll introduce our new student support specialist.  She will have many duties similar to a school counselor.

Familiar Dilemma?

Lynn and I are struggling with a project at our house.  We have a 30+ year old retaining wall on three sides of our garage that is failing.  I’ve replaced two sides over the years, but even these are starting to show signs of deterioration.  We probably need a complete demolition and replacement.  We’re running into a dilemma that many of you probably also face:  we work too many hours to be doing the work effectively ourselves but don’t make enough money to be able to hire someone else to do the work!

Chad