Category: Principal’s Post

No School & No ECLC on Monday, Oct 14th

There is no school and no ECLC on Monday, October 14th. Teachers and staff have professional development and meetings.

Grading and Report Cards

As I communicated in September, the Diocese of Davenport and Scott County Catholic Schools are continuing to transition to more standards-referenced grading and report cards. Instead of having an overall grade for each subject and grades for specific skills or standards of the subject, students will now only receive grades for the specific skills or “standards.” For example, students will receive grades for things like Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Place Value, and Measurement and Data but not one overall Math grade. Last year, having both overall and standards grades was confusing, and the calculations were even somewhat different. This year, only the detailed standards grades will be used in the diocesan elementary schools, including Scott County Catholic elementary schools.

Here, again, is the link to the instructions for parents to check their students’ “in progress” standards grades. It also includes directions for checking missing assignments and Algebra grades for students taking the class at Assumption. The directions cover how to use both the PowerSchool portal on a computer and the PowerSchool app.

Instructions 

As the transition continues to take place, Lynne Devaney, superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Davenport, after feedback from administrators across the entire diocese, is pushing out updated diocesan grading scales. Assignments will be adjusted to reflect the below scales shortly.

Grades K-5, K-8 Specials (Art, Music, PE, Band, Choir, Technology Applications), K-8 Faith Formation		Grades 6-8 all other subjects
E – Exceeds	90-100%	A	90-100%
M – Meets	80-89%	B	80-89%
Dev – Developing	70-79%	C	70-79%
Beg – Beginning	60-69%	D	60-69%
IE – Insufficient Evidence	0-59%	F	0-59%

OLV Youth + Family Engagement Kick Off Event: Let’s Connect

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for August/September

Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference:  JFK GROWS.  We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices.  Each month, we recognize one student at each grade level, alternating each month between the two homerooms, whose teachers have observed exhibiting these traits particularly well at school during the past month:

• Kindergarten:  Addilyn B.
  • Addilyn is a role model student in and out of the classroom. She makes good choices and leads by example each day.
• 1st Grade: Rory V.
  • Rory comes to school everyday with a smile on her face. She is willing to help anyone in need.
• 2nd Grade: Clare H.
  • Clare is helpful in the classroom. She can always be counted upon to be on task and participate. She is a great friend to all and shows constant perseverance.
• 3rd Grade: Brecken B.
  • Brecken is always willing to help out and support a friend in need. He enjoys helping the teacher keep the classroom space neat and organized.
• 4th Grade: Lucas K.
  • Lucas is a quiet leader and a great role model in the classroom.  He works hard and  strives to do his best.  He is very compassionate and doesn’t like to see others hurting.  He is a great example of the JFK Difference.
• 5th Grade: Cooper T.
  • Cooper is a really hard worker and continues to do the right thing. He makes sure all of his work is done, and, even on days he misses, he makes sure his work is complete and done correctly.
• 6th Grade: Levi F.
  • Levi is a hard worker and kind to all.
• 7th Grade: Travis N.
  • Travis has really been trying to be the best version of himself. He has searched for an organization system that will help him be more successful, and he  has worked on his focus in class. He has been awesome about asking questions for clarification.
• 8th Grade: Kolton W.
  • Kolton stays on track, has a positive attitude, and is willing to work with all of his peers.

Open Support Position at JFK

Every time we think we have the position filled, it falls through at the last minute. We still have an open position at JFK:

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application. If you are interested in working in a different type of position but for SCCS, please contact me or Logan Ahnquist in the SCCS business office. All of our SCCS schools still have openings.

AHS Spirit Top Day on Friday

Support Homecoming at our SCCS high school, Assumption on Friday. Wear a red, white, black, and/or AHS top along with uniform bottoms.

No School & No ECLC on Monday, Oct 14th

There is no school and no ECLC on Monday, October 14th. Teachers and staff have professional development and meetings.

The second goal coming out of the diocesan synodal listening process is Youth and Family Engagement. OLV has a number of representatives working on several strategies. Representatives include Jammie Jamieson, Lisa Willows, Dan & Lisa Havercamp, Michael Clarke, Allison Arlt, Jen Kira, Jeremy Siebler, Stephanie Hintermeister, and Becky Avise. The first Let’s Connect event is Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the parish center, followed by dessert, fellowship, and resource access:

• Intro to Youth + Family Engagement at OLV
• Celebration of Blessed Carlo Acutis, patron saint of the internet
• Digital resources for adults and teens
• Guest presenter from the Davenport Police Department to speak about internet, phone and social media safety

Given the nature of some of the content of the featured presentation, the 6:00-7:00 presentation is not appropriate for children below middle school but is open to all OLV and JFK parents and middle school and high school students. All ages are welcome at 7:00 for Italian desserts, fellowship, and free resources for all ages.

Love Us

Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/

Viewing Grades in PowerSchool

Information regarding grades and new instructions for parents to view their students’ grades in PowerSchool were sent via email on September 10th. The link is repeated here: Instructions 

Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful impact at JFK? Becoming a substitute teacher is a powerful opportunity to inspire and guide the next generation! As a substitute, you play a key role in keeping classrooms engaged, helping students stay on track, and supporting full-time teachers. It’s flexible, rewarding, and allows you to connect with young minds, all while keeping control of your own schedule. Whether you’re passionate about education or simply want to make a difference, being a substitute teacher lets you step into a role where you can shape the future.

Substitutes are needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. Substitutes are needed in all of our Catholic schools, especially at the elementary school level. You can agree to work at just one building or multiple buildings. We have also had people who requested only certain grade levels.

Student Council Officers

Congratulations to the following 7/8 graders who were elected into student council officer positions:

• Treasurer: Abel H.
• Secretary: Jack T.
• Vice President: Evelyn S.
• President: Maya H.

The following events are highlighted. For all of our events and more information, please see the calendars on our website and communications from individual teachers:

• Oct 4: AHS Homecoming with 7/8 bands. Red/White/Black/AHS Top Spirit Day
• Oct 7: Lions Vision Screening for PS and K
• Oct 14: In-service. No classes. ECLC closed
• Oct 15: JFK Skate Night
• Oct 16: OLV Youth & Family Engagement Kick Off Event
• Oct 18: Confirmation Retreat
• Oct 19: Trunk or Treat and H & S Fall Event
• Oct 23: AHS Fall Info Knight
• Oct 25: End of 1st Qtr. No 4/5 YO am or pm PS Classes. 12:40 Dismissal
• Oct 31: Black/Orange Dress Day
• Nov 1: All Saints Day Masses

 

Chad

Special Dismissal Time on Friday

School will dismiss at 12:40 on Friday. Bus transportation is available. There are no afternoon preschool classes. ECLC and aftercare are available.

Repeal of ESAs? Testimonials Needed

As I’ve mentioned in the last several Principal’s Posts, there are efforts being taken by some to get the Educational Savings Account legislation repealed. I mentioned a 1/4 page ad in the QCTimes, and I’ve heard that billboards are being utilized in other more rural areas. Some candidates for local or state offices may use the issue as one of their main platforms. If we want ESAs to continue, political advocacy will be needed. If you would be willing to make a written or recorded testimonial regarding personal benefits of ESAs, please let me know. To date, no JFK families have contacted me.

ESAs are making a difference in Scott County Catholic Schools. Since JFK opened its doors in 1964, there have been two factors that disrupted downward enrollment trends. The first was a capital campaign for tuition assistance called Embracing Our Future, which was soon joined by STO legislation. The second has been ESAs.

Last year, about 42% of JFK families received ESAs. This year, it’s around 77%. Next year, we anticipate it being about 99%. I, personally, struggle with understanding the ESAs take money from public schools argument. Yes, the money doesn’t go to the public school district, but neither does the student. Actually, with Iowa’s ESA legislation, for every student receiving an ESA and attending a non-public school, the public school district still receives a small per pupil allocation.

I also don’t see the ESA issue as a public vs. private school issue. A strong, healthy community, especially one the size of the Quad Cities, needs good public schools AND good private schools. Good schools help bring people and jobs into a community. Supporting both does not need to be an either or proposition.

Love Us

Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/

Viewing Grades in PowerSchool

Information regarding grades and new instructions for parents to view their students’ grades in PowerSchool were sent via email on September 10th. The link is repeated here: Instructions 

ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.

We still have one open support position at JFK.

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application. If you are interested in working in a different type of position but for SCCS, please contact me or Logan Ahnquist in the SCCS business office. All of our SCCS schools still have openings.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. Substitutes are needed in all of our Catholic schools, especially at the elementary school level. You can agree to work at just one building or multiple buildings. We have also had people who requested only certain grade levels.

Picture Day

See below (or the website calendar) for dates for school pictures. Students can certainly have their pictures taken in their school uniforms. If out of uniform, they still must follow the Out of Uniform Dress Day Guidelines.

The following events are highlighted. For all of our events and more information, please see the calendars on our website and communications from individual teachers:

• Sept 24: Picture Day (K-8, 4 YO am PS, 3 YO T/Th PS)
• Sept 25: Picture Day (K-8 Make-ups, 4 YO pm PS, 3 YO M/W/F PS)
• Sept 27: 12:40 Dismissal. No 4 YO pm PS. Pride of the Wapsi event
• Sept 28: JFK Trivia and Karaoke Night
• Oct 4: AHS Homecoming with 7/8 bands
• Oct 14: In-service. No classes. ECLC closed

Chad

No Bus Service on Monday, September 16th

There is no bus service on Monday, September 16th. Scott County Catholic Schools are in session this day, and the DCSD is not. We have about three of these days this school year, and they are on our various online calendars.

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Bulk messaging to the whole school actually goes out on a per student basis. If you have three students at JFK, you get the same message three times. It’s probably a “better safe than sorry” scenario, however. Would you rather sign up for text messaging and get three messages saying school is cancelled due to weather or none at all?

ESA Testimonials Needed

ESAs are making a difference in Scott County Catholic Schools. Since JFK opened its doors in 1964, there have been two factors that disrupted downward enrollment trends. The first was a capital campaign for tuition assistance called Embracing Our Future, which was soon joined by STO legislation. The second has been ESAs.

 

Last year, about 42% of JFK families received ESAs. This year, it’s around 77%. Next year, we anticipate it being about 99%. This benefit to our families, however, will not go unchallenged. Last week, for example, South Carolina’s similar ESA was put on hold by SC’s Supreme Court. I, personally, struggle with understanding the ESAs take money from public schools argument. Yes, the money doesn’t go to the public school district, but neither does the student. Actually, with Iowa’s ESA legislation, for every student receiving an ESA and attending a non-public school, the public school district still receives a small per pupil allocation.

I also don’t see the ESA issue as a public vs. private school issue. A strong, healthy community, especially one the size of the Quad Cities, needs good public schools AND good private schools. Good schools help bring people and jobs into a community. Supporting both does not need to be an either or proposition.

If you want ESAs to continue, we need to proactively let all of our Iowa state representatives and senators know. If you would be willing to make a written or recorded testimonial regarding personal benefits of ESAs, please let me know.

Love Us

Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/

JFK Pride on the Drive

Did you see the sample of a JFK logo on the sidewalk by the school? It looks really good! Want one for your own driveway? Here’s a link to download the information and form. Due date is September 20th.

 

Viewing Grades in PowerSchool

Information regarding grades and new instructions for parents to view their students’ grades in PowerSchool were sent via email on September 10th. The link is repeated here: Instructions 

ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up on 42nd Street

For students’ and families’ safety, our handbook states that “Parents should not park on the north side of 42^nd Street to drop children off or pick children up.  Having children cross in the middle of the street is dangerous.  The south side of 42^nd Street is already marked for No Parking, and parents should not be using the south side of 42^nd Street either.” With eleven buses, traffic moving out of our parking lot, and limited sight lines, crossing 42nd Street is just very dangerous.

We still have one open support position at JFK.

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application. If you are interested in working in a different type of position but for SCCS, please contact me or Logan Ahnquist in the SCCS business office. All of our SCCS schools still have openings.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. Substitutes are needed in all of our Catholic schools, especially at the elementary school level. You can agree to work at just one building or multiple buildings. We have also had people who requested only certain grade levels.

The following events are highlighted. For all of our events and more information, please see the calendars on our website and communications from individual teachers:

• Sept 20: AHS Pack the Stadium
• Sept 24: Picture Day (K-8, 4 YO am PS, 3 YO T/Th PS)
• Sept 25: Picture Day (K-8 Make-ups, 4 YO pm PS, 3 YO M/W/F PS)
• Sept 27: 12:45 Dismissal. No 4 YO pm PS. Pride of the Wapsi event
• Sept 28: JFK Trivia and Karaoke Night

 

Chad

Parish Picnic

Join together for the OLV parish picnic next Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m. behind the school and in the gym/cafeteria.

Grandparents Day

Today is Grandparents Day. Take a moment to thank these special people for being in our lives. I’m so glad my children have been able to have a relationship with their grandparents!

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Bulk messaging to the whole school actually goes out on a per student basis. If you have three students at JFK, you get the same message three times. It’s probably a “better safe than sorry” scenario, however. Would you rather sign up for text messaging and get three messages saying school is cancelled due to weather or none at all?

ESA Testimonials Needed

ESAs are making a difference in Scott County Catholic Schools. Since JFK opened its doors in 1964, there have been two factors that disrupted downward enrollment trends. The first was a capital campaign for tuition assistance called Embracing Our Future, which was soon joined by STO legislation. The second has been ESAs.

 

Last year, about 42% of JFK families received ESAs. This year, it’s around 77%. Next year, we anticipate it being about 99%. This benefit to our families, however, will not go unchallenged. This morning, for example, I noticed that a 1/4 to 1/5 page ad was in the Quad City Times with the lead, “Iowa Republicans Threw Public Schools Under the Bus.” If you want ESAs to continue, we need to proactively let all of our Iowa state representatives and senators know. If you would be willing to make a written or recorded testimonial regarding personal benefits of ESAs, please let me know.

Love Us

Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/

JFK Pride on the Drive

Did you see the sample of a JFK logo on the sidewalk by the school? Want one for your own driveway? Check out the flyer, or view it on the JFK Facebook page for more information.

Difficulty Viewing Grades in PowerSchool

We’ve noted that there has been some difficulty with parents being able to see students’ grades through the parent portal of PowerSchool and/or the PowerSchool App. Please look for a separate email this week with directions and screenshots.

Calendars

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com.  On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page.  Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you.

ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.

We currently have two open support positions at JFK. Not only this staffing shortage, but the numbers in aftercare are taxing our staff. I saw the other week that the DCSD has the same issue and has “paused” their after-school programs for McKinley and Truman. JFK is not quite at that point yet, but support staff are just as important as teachers, and open positions puts stress on everyone.

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Instructional aide/support position and lunch program worker: Working to help in the lunch program, supervise several recesses along with other staff and supervise kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 38 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 9:15-5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
• 10:00-5:30 Tuesdays
• 8:30-5:30 on Wednesdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Diana Longenecker, and Thomas Day.

Chad

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Bulk messaging to the whole school actually goes out on a per student basis. If you have three students at JFK, you get the same message three times. It’s probably a “better safe than sorry” scenario, however. Would you rather sign up for text messaging and get three messages saying school is cancelled due to weather or none at all?

Love Us

Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/

JFK Pride on the Drive

Did you see the sample of a JFK logo on the sidewalk by the school? Want one for your own driveway? Check out the flyer, or view it on the JFK Facebook page for more information.

Calendars

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com.  On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page.  Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you.

Mock Trial Sign-Up

Mock Trial sign up is underway for students in 6th-8th grades. Use the following link to sign up your student: Mock Trial Sign Up

Dress Code

With a couple of weeks of school already past, dress code violations rather than reminders will probably start to pick up. The usual situations seem to be present this year: too many reminders to tuck in shirts, boys without belts, and girls with skirts/shorts that are too short.

ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.

PS Through Age 12 Aftercare and Wraparound Care/ECLC

After school care and wrap around care/ECLC are licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and provide supervised activities for students who have not yet turned thirteen.  The preschool wrap around rate is included in your tuition bill for either full-time (20 hours or more) or part-time care (less than 20 hours). There is an hourly rate for K through age 12. A childcare registration form is required for each student. Below are the links to the forms needed:

K-age 12 forms

Preschool Wraparound Care forms

PS-8 Immunization Records

Preschoolers, kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to provide evidence of immunizations prior to school beginning.  There are also two boosters, TDaP and meningococcal conjugate vaccine, required for 7^th graders prior to school beginning.  We can accept faxed or emailed copies.  Iowa law says that students cannot be enrolled without up-to-date immunization information provided to the school, and schools must exclude students without proper immunizations.  There are minimal exceptions.  Those interested in religious exemptions should note that because the Catholic Church does not object to immunizations, a religious exemption for Catholics should not be possible.

PE Uniform for 5th-8th Grades

Fifth-8th graders wear their PE clothes rather than their school uniform on days when they have PE. The PE uniform must be purchased from the school identified vendor, Empowering Abilities (formerly known as Handicapped Development Center): http://handicappeddevelopment.org/jfk/

Water Bottles Must Be Able to be Sealed/Closed

Due to how often students move about the building and classrooms, as well as other issues experienced last spring, students’ water bottles must be able to be sealed/closed. Large mugs with straws sticking out are not water bottles and should be left home. Students are encouraged to have water bottles at school. We added one more bottle filling station this summer and now have four throughout the building.

We currently have two open support positions at JFK. Not only this staffing shortage, but the numbers in aftercare are taxing our staff. I saw the other week that the DCSD has the same issue and has “paused” their after-school programs for McKinley and Truman. JFK is not quite at that point yet, but support staff are just as important as teachers, and open positions puts stress on everyone.

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Instructional aide/support position and lunch program worker: Working to help in the lunch program, supervise several recesses along with other staff and supervise kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 38 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 9:15-5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
• 10:00-5:30 Tuesdays
• 8:30-5:30 on Wednesdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Diana Longenecker, and Thomas Day.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

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

Chad

Grade Level Parent Meetings Begin this Week

Each grade level or homeroom has a beginning of the year parent meeting where teachers will go over some of the basics. Students do not need to attend. Dates and times are on the detailed calendar on our website.  See communications from your child’s teacher regarding the location.

Calendars

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com.  On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page.  Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you.

Principal’s Posts

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 accounts. You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

We also utilize our main JFK Facebook page, a JFK preschool Facebook page, and 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.  Please remember, however, that not all parents are comfortable with photos of their children being on social media.

Cell Phone Articles and Policy/Procedural Shifts

I’ve been reading the series of articles regarding cell phones in schools in the Quad City Times. Referencing a US News & World Reports in 2022, the Times this Sunday cited a New Jersey high school teacher’s experiment in class. For the 40-minute class period, the teacher let students turn on the notifications for their smart phones: 600 notifications in 40 minutes. Making a simple assumption of 25 students per class, that yields one notification per student about every 1-2 minutes. No wonder phones can be so distracting!

At JFK, our policy states that cell phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices will not be used by students between 7:00 a.m. and until students leave the building.  During school hours, phones, smart watches and other electronic devices must be kept turned off in one’s locker.

The QCTimes editorial page on Sunday also stated “Smart phones didn’t arrive in our classrooms after some thoughtful consideration weighing their benefits and disadvantages. They just started showing up” (page A12). Many times, that’s what happens with things that prompt policy or procedural changes; we respond to things that occur. We may try to get ahead of the latest trends or develop procedures ahead of time for what we foresee, but reality often causes shifts. Dress code is a great example and seems to have tweaks every year. We were reactionary with “tinseling” but hopefully ahead of “fake” eyelashes and unusually long fake fingernails.

Spirt Wear/Green & White Day

On Friday, students can be out of uniform, if they are wearing JFK spirit wear and/or green/white. Out of uniform dress guidelines apply.

ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids

As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school.  We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing.  The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade.  Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.

PS Through Age 12 Aftercare and Wraparound Care/ECLC

After school care and wrap around care/ECLC are licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and provide supervised activities for students who have not yet turned thirteen.  The preschool wrap around rate is included in your tuition bill for either full-time (20 hours or more) or part-time care (less than 20 hours). There is an hourly rate for K through age 12. A childcare registration form is required for each student. Below are the links to the forms needed:

K-age 12 forms

Preschool Wraparound Care forms

PS-8 Immunization Records

Preschoolers, kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to provide evidence of immunizations prior to school beginning.  There are also two boosters, TDaP and meningococcal conjugate vaccine, required for 7^th graders prior to school beginning.  We can accept faxed or emailed copies.  Iowa law says that students cannot be enrolled without up-to-date immunization information provided to the school, and schools must exclude students without proper immunizations.  There are minimal exceptions.  Those interested in religious exemptions should note that because the Catholic Church does not object to immunizations, a religious exemption for Catholics should not be possible.

Bus Times

It seems like it always takes a little time for the bus company to smooth things out at the beginning of the school year. There are eleven buses serving JFK, All Saints, Trinity Lutheran and Assumption students this year. In the afternoon, ten buses pick up students at ASCS, then pick up students from Trinity, and finally come to JFK. One bus comes from AHS to JFK with any AHS students needing to transfer to other buses before leaving JFK. With the start of the new school year, and the construction on Central Park and Marquette, I don’t think our last bus even left JFK on Friday until almost 3:15. That will improve, but it will take still take some time until things start operating more smoothly. Employees of JFK can work as liaisons, but we have no control over busing. Please be patient with us and the bus company as well.

PE Uniform for 5th-8th Grades

Fifth-8th graders wear their PE clothes rather than their school uniform on days when they have PE. The PE uniform must be purchased from the school identified vendor, Empowering Abilities (formerly known as Handicapped Development Center): http://handicappeddevelopment.org/jfk/

Water Bottles Must Be Able to be Sealed/Closed

Due to how often students move about the building and classrooms, as well as other issues experienced last spring, students’ water bottles must be able to be sealed/closed. Large mugs with straws sticking out are not water bottles and should be left home. Students are encouraged to have water bottles at school. We added one more bottle filling station this summer and now have four throughout the building.

Policy Changes Highlighted

A week ago, we had all but one support position filled. This week, we have three open support positions. I saw last week that the DCSD has the same issue and has “paused” their after-school programs for McKinley and Truman. JFK is not quite at that point yet, but support staff are just as important as teachers, and three openings puts stress on everyone.  We may be able to adjust some of schedule for the aide positions.

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Instructional aide/support position and lunch program worker: Working to help in the lunch program, supervise several recesses along with other staff and supervise kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 38 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 9:15-5:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
• 10:00-5:30 Tuesdays
• 8:30-5:30 on Wednesdays

Food service worker: Working primarily in the kitchen and cafeteria to help with our lunch program. About 18-20 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Diana Longenecker, and Thomas Day.

New Roles and New Staff

Alicia Andresen: Moved as an instructional aide to 1st grade with Ms. Epping

Bety Herrera: Moved to an instructional aide position with Ms. Youngerman in 1st grade

Kari Lystiuk: Moved as an instructional aide to 4 YO preschool with Ms. Zeimet

Miranda Labora: Became even more FT in 3 YO preschool as an aide

Casey Smith: Moved to the lead teacher role for 3 YO preschool and ECLC

Cris Bowden: Moved to an administrative assistant role in the office

Billie Inskeep: Moved to kindergarten, which she had taught prior to coming to JFK

Jodi Weiser: Moved to an interventionist position

Caitlin Putnam: Moved to the building coordinator/school improvement strategist position. A member of JFK’s Building Leadership Team for almost ten years, Mrs. Putnam has been deeply involved in nearly every initiative at JFK.

Laura Corcoran: Joined the staff as the music teacher after several years of teaching in schools and privately

Michelle Che: Joined the staff as the band teacher after several years of band and music teaching experience

Stefanie Carlson: Joined the staff as a 5th grade teacher after several years of experience in 4th grade and special education

Bailey Estes: Joined the staff as a 5th grade teacher after experience in both 6th and 4th grades

Katie Woods: Joined the staff as a “floating” aide in 4 YO preschool and ECLC/wrap-around care

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Bulk messaging to the whole school actually goes out on a per student basis. If you have three students at JFK, you get the same message three times. It’s probably a “better safe than sorry” scenario, however. Would you rather sign up for text messaging and get three messages saying school is cancelled due to weather or none at all?

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

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

OLV Masses and Altar Servers

The beginning of a new school year and new schedules is the perfect time to renew and/or adjust your weekend Mass attendance schedule.  OLV has four weekend Masses:  4:30 on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Each Mass has a slightly different “feel” as well, if that aspect is more important than the time of day.

OLV is also in need of altar servers.

Chad

Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher on August 21st

The 3 YO PS and K-8 Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher is on Wednesday, August 21st.  (Four/five YO preschoolers and parents have individual meetings with the teachers on the 21st.)

Although these are “drop in” sessions, we would like to stagger people throughout the whole evening so each family can have some individual attention.  We, therefore, ask families to “drop in” any time within the 30-minute time slot according to the students’ last names.  If your family is large, and you can’t make it to each homeroom within your 30 minutes, don’t panic; it will be OK to dribble over into another time slot.:

• • A-D 5-5:30
  • E-J 5:30-6:00
  • K-P 6:00-6:30
  • Q-S 6:30-7:00
  • T-Z 7:00-7:30

If your 4/5-year-old preschooler is in ECLC/wraparound care, feel free to bring your ECLC supplies and meet ECLC staff as well.

The office will also be open for dropping off immunization records and other forms or conducting other business. Please remember that our school office has no access to tuition or other financial documentation; you will need to contact the SCCS business office for that information. Most family billing questions can go through Rose Strickland, rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org.

Preschool Family Meetings this Week

Both 3 YO preschool and 4/5 YO preschool family meetings are this week. If you haven’t signed up for your meeting or forgot when it was, please call the office. There are preschool forms that need to be turned in at your family meeting. If you haven’t picked up your packet, please stop by the school office.

Preschool and ECLC begin on Monday, August 26th.

School Times

K-8 classes begin on Friday, August 23rd. Classes are 7:25-2:40.

Preschool and ECLC begin on August 26th.

4/5 YO am PS:  7:25-10:25

4/5 YO pm PS:  11:40-2:40

3 YO PS:  7:25-9:55

ECLC:  7:00-5:30  Students cannot attend wrap around care/ECLC without the DHHS program paper/pencil forms complete. 

Aftercare:  2:40-5:30  Students cannot attend aftercare without the DHHS program paper/pencil forms complete. 

PS Through Age 12 Aftercare and Wraparound Care/ECLC

After school care and wrap around care/ECLC are licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and provide supervised activities for students who have not yet turned thirteen.  The preschool wrap around rate is included in your tuition bill for either full-time (20 hours or more) or part-time care (less than 20 hours). There is an hourly rate for K through age 12. A childcare registration form is required for each student. Below are the links to the forms needed:

K-age 12 forms

Preschool Wraparound Care forms

PS-8 Immunization Records

Preschoolers, kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to provide evidence of immunizations prior to school beginning.  There are also two boosters, TDaP and meningococcal conjugate vaccine, required for 7^th graders prior to school beginning.  We can accept faxed or emailed copies.  Iowa law says that students cannot be enrolled without up-to-date immunization information provided to the school, and schools must exclude students without proper immunizations.  There are minimal exceptions.  Those interested in religious exemptions should note that because the Catholic Church does not object to immunizations, a religious exemption for Catholics should not be possible.

Principal’s Posts

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 accounts.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

We also utilize our main JFK Facebook page, a JFK preschool Facebook page, and 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.  Please remember, however, that not all parents are comfortable with photos of their children being on social media.

Give Thanks for Our Blessings at Mass

The beginning of a new school year and new schedules is the perfect time to renew and/or adjust your weekend Mass attendance schedule.  OLV has four weekend Masses:  4:30 on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Each Mass has a slightly different “feel” as well, if that aspect is more important than the time of day.

K-8 Home Language Survey

Kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS).  Many kindergartners already submitted these in February.

Uniform Policy/Dress Code

Now is also a good time to review the dress code, especially for hair color.  Some of those fun colors or Kool-Aid dyed tips can be a real challenge to get out and often require a haircut as well.

The four SCCS elementary schools attempted to bring several handbook policies in closer alignment this summer. Changes to JFK’s dress code include the following:

• No collegiate wear sweatshirts
• Belts for grades 3-8, and they must be solid colored
• No hair tinseling
• No temporary tattoos (this includes pimple patches)
• No noticeably long artificial nails
• No artificial eyelashes

Open Positions at JFK

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Diana Longenecker, and Thomas Day.

Advisory Board

JFK has two openings on its advisory board. The board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s gathering space meeting room. The advisory board offers feedback on a variety of issues and provides some general guidance for the school. If interested in being a member, please contact me or another member. Current members: Fr. Patrick Hilgendorf, Fr. Mike Snyder, Jennifer Boyd, Ann Craig, Dustin Gieselman, Courtney Mau, Molly McCarty, Shannon Milton, and Heather Rushenberg.

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

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

Home & School Events

There are several Home & School sponsored events this week:

• Tonight: Back to School Party at Whitewater Junction
  • 6:15-8:15
  • $10 per swimmer, spectators free
• Wednesday: Popsicles at Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher
  • Knights of Columbus  is offering hot dogs, chips, and water for a good will donation.
• Friday: Outdoor Movie Night
  • Event starts at 6:30. Movie at 7:30 or as soon as it’s dark enough
  • Concessions available for purchase (cash or check only)
    • Pizza, popcorn, candy, sno cones
  • Bring your blankets and lawn chairs

Calendars

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com.  On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page.  Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled.  Those parent meetings begin as early as August 26th.

Chad

First Principal’s Post of the School Year – A Long One

Although it’s a little early, here is the first Principal’s Post for the 2024-25 school year. 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 accounts.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  You will also receive numerous email communications from teachers.  Email is probably the number one form of communication in schools.

We also utilize our main JFK Facebook page, a JFK preschool Facebook page, and 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.  Please remember, however, that not all parents are comfortable with photos of their children being on social media.

Give Thanks for Our Blessings at Mass

The beginning of a new school year and new schedules is the perfect time to renew and/or adjust your weekend Mass attendance schedule.  OLV has four weekend Masses:  4:30 on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Each Mass has a slightly different “feel” as well, if that aspect is more important than the time of day.

Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher on August 21st

The 3 YO PS and K-8 Unpack Your Backpack/Meet Your Teacher is on Wednesday, August 21st.  (Four/five YO preschoolers and parents have individual meetings with the teachers on the 21st.)

Although these are “drop in” sessions, we would like to stagger people throughout the whole evening so each family can have some individual attention.  We, therefore, ask families to “drop in” any time within the 30-minute time slot according to the students’ last names.  If your family is large, and you can’t make it to each homeroom within your 30 minutes, don’t panic; it will be OK to dribble over into another time slot.:

• • A-D 5-5:30
  • E-J 5:30-6:00
  • K-P 6:00-6:30
  • Q-S 6:30-7:00
  • T-Z 7:00-7:30

If your 4/5-year-old preschooler is in ECLC/wraparound care, feel free to bring your ECLC supplies and meet ECLC staff as well.

The office will also be open for dropping off immunization records and other forms or conducting other business. Please remember that our school office has no access to tuition or other financial documentation; you will need to contact the SCCS business office for that information. Most family billing questions can go through Rose Strickland, rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org.

PS-8 Immunization Records

Preschoolers, kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to provide evidence of immunizations prior to school beginning.  There are also two boosters, TDaP and meningococcal conjugate vaccine, required for 7^th graders prior to school beginning.  We can accept faxed or emailed copies.  Iowa law says that students cannot be enrolled without up-to-date immunization information provided to the school, and schools must exclude students without proper immunizations.  There are minimal exceptions.  Those interested in religious exemptions should note that because the Catholic Church does not object to immunizations, a religious exemption for Catholics should not be possible.

PS Through Age 12 Aftercare and Wraparound Care

After school care and wrap around care are licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and provide supervised activities for students who have not yet turned thirteen.  The preschool wrap around rate is included in your tuition bill for either full-time (20 hours or more) or part-time care (less than 20 hours). There is an hourly rate for K through age 12. A childcare registration form is required for each student. Below are the links to the forms needed:

K-age 12 forms

Preschool Wraparound Care forms

Students cannot attend aftercare or wrap around care without the DHHS program paper/pencil forms complete. 

K-8 Home Language Survey

Kindergartners and other students new to JFK need to complete a Home Language Survey (HLS).  Many kindergartners already submitted these in February.

Uniform Policy/Dress Code

Now is also a good time to review the dress code, especially for hair color.  Some of those fun colors or Kool-Aid dyed tips can be a real challenge to get out and often require a haircut as well.

The four SCCS elementary schools attempted to bring several handbook policies in closer alignment this summer. Changes to JFK’s dress code include the following:

• No collegiate wear sweatshirts
• Belts for grades 3-8, and they must be solid colored
• No hair tinseling
• No temporary tattoos (this includes pimple patches)
• No noticeably long artificial nails
• No artificial eyelashes

Open Positions at JFK

Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.

• 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
• 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
• 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays

If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application.

Substitutes: Needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. We would also like to thank our current substitutes:  Kayla Mason, Jen Kira, Diana Longenecker, and Thomas Day.

Advisory Board

JFK has two openings on its advisory board. The board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s gathering space meeting room. The advisory board offers feedback on a variety of issues and provides some general guidance for the school. If interested in being a member, please contact me or another member. Current members: Fr. Patrick Hilgendorf, Fr. Mike Snyder, Jennifer Boyd, Ann Craig, Dustin Gieselman, Courtney Mau, Molly McCarty, Shannon Milton, and Heather Rushenberg.

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns.  A few reminders are below:

• Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location.  Little kids are hard to see by cars.  What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
• Be attentive to your driving.  Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
• Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified.  Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day.  We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
• Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes.  Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers.  All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

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

Calendars

Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com.  On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page.  Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled.  Those parent meetings begin as early as August 26th.

 

Chad