Category: Principal’s Post

I’m So Blessed!

I’m so blessed to be part of an administrative team in Scott County Catholic Schools that seems to continually have an eye toward how we can operate better as a system rather than as five separate schools, which is how we operated until the last couple of years. Yes, we have growing pains, but we’re also learning how to be better together. Two newer examples are below:

• A cohort of 44 teachers from our SCCS elementary schools (eleven from each building) will be doing Lexia’s Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training this spring and continuing over the next two years. LETRS training enhances teachers’ knowledge and ability to teach reading utilizing science of reading research in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and spelling. A cohort of 25 administrators from the Diocese of Davenport, including all of the SCCS elementary school principals and some other SCCS building leaders, is also undertaking the LETRS for Administrators training.
• A unified textbook replacement cycle for SCCS elementary schools has been created. First up for SCCS schools are K-5 ELA/Reading materials. The SCCS schools will finally be using the same materials in all subjects, as the replacement cycle is implemented over time. We have often tried to use the same materials, but, operating independently in the past, if a school couldn’t afford to replace their materials, they didn’t.

7/8 Shark Tank Finalists

Consistent with science/engineering and ELA/public speaking standards, JFK’s 7th and 8th graders are participating in a Mock Shark Tank experience. Seventh graders developed/improved upon a game, and 8th graders developed/improved upon household items. After the development of their prototypes, they have to “pitch” it to the “sharks” just like on the TV show. The final round of competition is this week. Best of luck to the following students:

7th Grade:

• Sully G. and Sylvia R.: Check Your Luck, Mate — an easier way to play a chess-like game and progress to learning the real thing
• Evy S. and Sophia N.: The Toy Carwash — how to clean your toy cars
• Anthony C. and Lincoln M.: Pool Darts — jumping through holes on a “dart board” in the swimming pool to earn points
• Kinley V. and Waylon A.: Lego Table Football — moving goalposts and table make the classic lunchroom game of football more challenging

8th Grade:

• Caroline M. and Grace K.: Scrubby Hand — a glove with scrub pads attached
• Sydney S. and Hailey E.: Sprinkle Dinkle — a toilet seat helper for potty training boys
• Leia H. and Emma S.: Mirror Bracelet — a handy mirror attached to a bracelet
• Natalie S., Noah F., and Kyle D.: Spoonalicious — an edible spoon

School Calendar for 2024-25

The academic calendar for the Davenport SCCS elementary schools for 2024-25 has been linked on the front page of our website.  It is also available here: SCCS – Davenport Elementary School 2024-2025 Academic Calendar

For this April, there is no plan in Davenport SCCS to make up any snow days. The public schools are now going to school on April 1st. With more school days and a longer day, SCCS schools have no need to do make-up days. We will continue to have off on April 1st, which is Easter Monday.

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Registration Letters

Given some of the difficulties families were having with the registration process, we will be emailing acceptance letters to families who have children at JFK in grades 2-8 in 2024-25. This letter will be another point of confirmation that your registration was received.  Acceptance or waitlist letters were emailed before spring break to families with 3 year old preschoolers, 4 yr old preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders.

Communication will then begin for those who have not paid the registration and/or 4 YO PS extra time fees. The link to pay the fees is available on the front page of our website.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Mass Attendance chart for Principal’s Post, 3-17-2024

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades is open. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is now $125 per child. The registration fee should be paid at the time of registration/application. The link has been changed for new families so it includes the options for paying the extra time fee for 4 YO preschools and the wraparound registration/deposit fee. The K-8 registration fee button can also be used to pay for 3 YO preschool registration and 4 YO Non-qualifying preschool registration.

If a child, INCLUDING A PRESCHOOLER, is currently in JFK or any Scott County Catholic School, he/she is NOT a new student. You must do the Login to PowerSchool as a parent. If, after you login, you do not see one of your currently attending preschooler-11th grade students, please contact the school. You will need a new code to add the missing child. If you do not remember/have your PowerSchool login, please contact the school as well. If you are changing schools, please contact us so the new school can be added as an option.

If you see a message next to your child’s name in PowerSchool that says “Not Submitted,” you must finish the registration process by submitting the application. A “Not Submitted” application is in “no man’s land;” we can’t see it at all, and we don’t even know you’ve tried to apply!

If you are having difficulty with registration, please let us know.

ESAs: The target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year is April 16th. Even if you received an ESA in 2023-24, you have to apply again.

• Families must apply each year! The application is through Odyssey, the state’s vendor.
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options. This document has been updated to show the application fee/deposit for wraparound care:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

Checking Grades in PowerSchool

Have you been logging in to check your student’s grades in PowerSchool? The third quarter will wrap up on March 27th.

Calendar Entries: Did You Know?

Entries on our website calendars that are underlined expand to include more details when one clicks on them. The special dress day for March 18th is an example.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Mar 18: Green/White Dress Day. Middle School Youth Night
• Mar 19: Home & School
• Mar 21: JFK Skate Night. 8th Grade Confirmation Prep Activity. Hand-in-Hand Out of Uniform Fundraiser
• Mar 23: Easter Egg Hunt
• Mar 24: Palm Sunday. Ignite Sunday.
• Mar 26: Supply Store.
• Mar 27: 8th Grade Band Members Trip to Blue Man Group in Chicago. End of 3rd Qtr. Dismissal at 12:40. No afternoon preschool
• Mar 28: Holy Thursday
• Mar 29: Good Friday. No Classes. ECLC Closed
• Mar 30: Holy Saturday
• Mar 31: Easter
• Apr 1: Easter Monday. No Classes. ECLC Closed

I’m So Blessed!

I’m so blessed to be part of a parish with such an active Christian Experience Weekend (CEW) program. OLV’s women’s and men’s CEWs were held within the past month, and the gym was full with participants.

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for February

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:  Amelia N.
  • Amelia comes into the classroom every day with a smile on her face and is ready to learn new things.  She listens, pays attention, and eagerly contributes to class discussions.  She is respectful, helpful, and kind to her classmates.
• 1st Grade:  August M.
  • August is a good friend to all. He takes great pride in his work and follows the JFK Difference.
• 2nd Grade: Olivia M.
  • Olivia is a helpful and hard working student. It is wonderful to see her helping out others, whether it is a tricky math lesson or they just need help finding the correct page. She always has a smile on her face and is ready to do whatever is needed.
• 3rd Grade: Yaretzi L.
  • Yaretzi is a very caring and thoughtful student. She strives to complete her assignments on time and with accuracy. She follows all classroom rules and procedures.
• 4th Grade: Malcolm R.
  • Malcolm is a leader in the classroom.  He leads by example and tries to do what is best for the class.  He always pays attention and participates in discussions.  He quietly stands up for others, especially for those who do not speak up themselves.
• 5th Grade: Alyse R.
  • Alyse is a sweet, hard working, and caring girl!  She has a fun personality, and you can count on her to help others.
• 6th Grade: Sierra M.
  • Sierra is a kind and caring person.  She is very helpful with the kindergarteners she sits with at Mass. She is a hard worker, respectful and always willing to help out.
• 7th Grade: Alayna A.
  • Alayna always does her best. She is always prepared for class, is attentive during lessons and has no problem asking questions if she doesn’t understand something. She has a good heart and is always willing to help someone or lend a hand. She’s well-behaved and follows directions easily, but also is quick with a funny anecdote at the perfect time.
• 8th Grade: Ellie D.
  • Ellie has a great work ethic and enjoys working with her peers. She is helpful to her peers and staff when asked.

No Make Up Days Planned

There is no plan in Davenport SCCS to make up any snow days. The DCSD is now going to school on April 1st. With more school days and a longer day, SCCS schools have no need to do make-up days. We will continue to have off on April 1st, which is Easter Monday.

An academic calendar for the Davenport SCCS elementary schools for 2024-25 should be available soon.

Registration Decisions for 4 YO PS, Kindergarten, and First Grade

Acceptance or waitlist letters were emailed to kindergarten families on Sunday. Similar letters for 4 YO morning preschool and first grade are in the process. We’ll then work on communications for 3 YO PS and grades 2-8, but they have a little more space. The discounted registration fee of $100 per student ended on Thursday and increased to $125 per student on March 1st.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades is open. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125 per child, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st. The registration fee is paid at the time of registration/application. The link has been changed for new families so it includes the options for paying the extra time fee for 4 YO preschools and the wraparound registration/deposit fee. The K-8 registration fee button can also be used to pay for 3 YO preschool registration and 4 YO Non-qualifying preschool registration.

If you are having difficulty with registration, please let us know. We’ve been to work through a number of issues easily and have had programmers involved for the more complex issues. Most of the registration issues parents have experienced are related to not having PowerSchool accounts set up or not having all of their children set up/attached to the account. Several families still need to take the action themselves to set up the parent access account. The PowerSchool parent account is needed for registration.

If a child, INCLUDING A PRESCHOOLER, is currently in JFK or any Scott County Catholic School, he/she is NOT a new student. You must do the Login to PowerSchool as a parent. If, after you login, you do not see one of your currently attending preschooler-11th grade students, please contact the school. You will need a new code to add the missing child. If you do not remember/have your PowerSchool login, please contact the school as well. If you are changing schools, please contact us so the new school can be added as an option.

Any currently attending student, including a preschooler, whose information was completed as a “New Application” will not be able to be registered for next year. A parent will need to go back and “update” the information for students already attending our schools. We will also attempt to contact families who have mistakenly completed the wrong process.

If you see a message next to your child’s name in PowerSchool that says “Not Submitted,” you must finish the registration process by submitting the application. A “Not Submitted” application is in “no man’s land;” we can’t see it at all, and we don’t even know you’ve tried to apply!

Feb 1: Date online re-enrollment/registration/new application went live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 15:

• Deadline for priority re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options. This document has been updated to show the application fee/deposit for wraparound care:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Checking Grades in PowerSchool

Have you been logging in to check your student’s grades in PowerSchool? There’s only a few weeks left in the third quarter. Low grades, especially in the upper grades, are often due to students missing work.

SCCS Business Office Positions Available

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Scott County Catholic Schools is currently seeking an Accounting Assistant responsible for Accounts Payable. The role of the Accounts Payable position involves providing financial, administrative and clerical support. Their role is to complete payments and control expenses by reviewing, coding and processing invoices, verifying approvals, and processing payments.  The ideal candidate for this position is a detail oriented, organized, team player with excellent communication skills.   For immediate consideration, please send a cover letter detailing specific interest in and knowledge of Scott County Catholic Schools and a resume to nikki.gartner@sccsiowa.org.

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Scott County Catholic Schools is currently seeking a dynamic, strategic, and mission-focused Finance Director to serve as a collaborative member of the leadership team. Reporting to the President, the Finance Director oversees and manages all aspects of Scott County Catholic Schools’ fiscal administration and accounting processes to ensure financial stability, long-term sustainability, and ethical stewardship of organizational resources.
For immediate consideration, please send a cover letter detailing specific interest in and knowledge of Scott County Catholic Schools and a resume to nikki.gartner@sccsiowa.org.

Calendar Entries: Did You Know?

Entries on our website calendars that are underlined expand to include more details when one clicks on them. February 26th’s entry for Red Out is an example.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Mar 4: 7/8 Grade Shark Tank Presentations. Music Boosters
• Mar 5: Hearing Screening for PS, K, 1, 2, & 5
• Mar 11-15: Spring Break. ECLC open.
• Mar 18: Green/White Dress Day
• Mar 21: JFK Skate Night. 8th Grade Confirmation Prep Activity

I’m So Blessed!

We had six priests offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday to students in grades 2-8. Being able to receive the sacraments at school is a great way for us celebrate our Catholic identity. We are not just a private school or an accredited non-public school, as the Department of Education calls us; we are a Catholic school and proud of it.

JFK received notification that we will be receiving a grant of $63,000 from the American Rescue Plan as administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Funds will be used to support projects related to health and safety expenses and/or minor renovation needs to meet regulatory requirements in aftercare, wraparound care (ECLC), and 3 YO preschool, which are all licensed as childcare under HHS. When we applied, we thought we might have a chance to receive up to $40,000. To receive anything is a blessing; to receive more than anticipated is an extra blessing!

Nervous About Registration Decisions

There’s going to be some tough decisions that we have to make beginning this week. There are more four year old morning preschool applications than we have spots, and kindergarten looks like it will be in the same situation. First grade will probably be close by the end of the week as well. Every new family that wants to join our community also seems to have a four year old preschooler, kindergartner, or first grader. The SCCS elementary schools have agreed that we will all begin to make decisions regarding preschool and kindergarten on Friday. Decisions about new families with students in other grades might impact our returning families who have not yet completed the registration/update process. Do not delay in registering or “updating” for next school year.

The discounted registration fee of $100 per student also ends on Thursday and increases to $125 per student on Friday.

The latest round of emails that went out to current families from whom we do not yet have a registration complete was on Sunday, February 25th.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades is open. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125 per child, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st. The registration fee is paid at the time of registration/application. The link has been changed for new families so it includes the options for paying the extra time fee for 4 YO preschools and the wraparound registration/deposit fee. Although the fine print doesn’t indicate it, the K-8 registration fee button can also be used to pay for 3 YO preschool registration and 4 YO Non-qualifying preschool registration. We are working to get the descriptor changed to add these two registration fees.

If you are having difficulty with registration, please let us know. We’ve been to work through a number of issues easily and have had programmers involved for the more complex issues. Most of the registration issues parents have experienced are related to not having PowerSchool accounts set up or not having all of their children set up/attached to the account. Several families still need to take the action themselves to set up the parent access account. The PowerSchool parent account is needed for registration.

If a child, INCLUDING A PRESCHOOLER, is currently in JFK or any Scott County Catholic School, he/she is NOT a new student. You must do the Login to PowerSchool as a parent. If, after you login, you do not see one of your currently attending preschooler-11th grade students, please contact the school. You will need a new code to add the missing child. If you do not remember/have your PowerSchool login, please contact the school as well. If you are changing schools, please contact us so the new school can be added as an option.

Any currently attending student, including a preschooler, whose information was completed as a “New Application” will not be able to be registered for next year. A parent will need to go back and “update” the information for students already attending our schools. We will also attempt to contact families who have mistakenly completed the wrong process.

If you see a message next to your child’s name in PowerSchool that says “Not Submitted,” you must finish the registration process by submitting the application. A “Not Submitted” application is in “no man’s land;” we can’t see it at all, and we don’t even know you’ve tried to apply!

Feb 1: Date online re-enrollment/registration/new application went live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 15:

• Deadline for priority re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.
  • As of 2/25/24, about 70% of students currently in K-7th grade have re-enrolled or submitted applications for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
    • As of 2/25/24, there were about 47 applications for kindergarten, and we know there are more interested families that have not yet completed the process.
    • As of 2/25/24, there were about 51 applications for morning 4 YO preschool slots.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options. This document has been updated to show the application fee/deposit for wraparound care:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Checking Grades in PowerSchool

Have you been logging in to check your student’s grades in PowerSchool? We’ve just passed the middle of the third quarter. Low grades, especially in the upper grades, are often due to students missing work.

SCCS Business Office Positions Available

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Scott County Catholic Schools is currently seeking an Accounting Assistant responsible for Accounts Payable. The role of the Accounts Payable position involves providing financial, administrative and clerical support. Their role is to complete payments and control expenses by reviewing, coding and processing invoices, verifying approvals, and processing payments.  The ideal candidate for this position is a detail oriented, organized, team player with excellent communication skills.   For immediate consideration, please send a cover letter detailing specific interest in and knowledge of Scott County Catholic Schools and a resume to nikki.gartner@sccsiowa.org.

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Scott County Catholic Schools is currently seeking a dynamic, strategic, and mission-focused Finance Director to serve as a collaborative member of the leadership team. Reporting to the President, the Finance Director oversees and manages all aspects of Scott County Catholic Schools’ fiscal administration and accounting processes to ensure financial stability, long-term sustainability, and ethical stewardship of organizational resources.
For immediate consideration, please send a cover letter detailing specific interest in and knowledge of Scott County Catholic Schools and a resume to nikki.gartner@sccsiowa.org.

JFK Welcomes Cris Bowden

JFK welcomes Cris Bowden to the staff. Ms. Bowden can be found doing a little bit of everything: preschool, ECLC, aftercare, recess, and more.

Calendar Entries: Did You Know?

Entries on our website calendars that are underlined expand to include more details when one clicks on them. February 26th’s entry for Red Out is an example.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Feb 26: 2nd Grade Sacramental Prep Activity
• Feb 27: Red Out Dress Day for the American Heart Association
• Feb  29: 4th to symphony. 5th/8th to AHS musical
• Mar 1: 8th Career Fair at SAU
• Mar 4: 7/8 Grade Shark Tank Presentations. Music Boosters
• Mar 5: Hearing Screening for PS, K, 1, 2, & 5
• Mar 11-15: Spring Break. ECLC open.
• Mar 18: Green/White Dress Day
• Mar 21: JFK Skate Night. 8th Grade Confirmation Prep Activity

I’m So Blessed!

There are four different opportunities to attend Mass at OLV on the weekend: 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 on Sunday. While our kids were growing up, we were regular 9:00 Mass attendees. We sat in a regular pew as well. It was close to the front so that our kids could see what was happening, but off to the side so it didn’t seem like we’d really be disturbing others. Or, that’s what I, at least, like to tell myself. The reality is that we were probably just barely making it on time, and, as everyone knows, the later you arrive to Mass, the closer to the front it seems you have to sit! As our kids hit fourth grade, they also started altar serving.  That kept them engaged as well! At many of our Masses these days, there aren’t the three altar servers that typically are utilized so there are plenty of opportunities for kids. With our kids involved in practices, games, and other activities, it sometimes seemed as if Mass was the only time during the week that we were all together. Now, it sometimes feels as if it’s the only date-time that my wife and I have, and we are much more varied in which Mass we attend. I’m so blessed to have so many opportunities for Mass.

Participating Member of Our Lady of Victory or Other Catholic Parish

We do have a definition for being considered a participating member of OLV:

An OLV registered and participating member or member of another supporting Catholic parish, at a minimum, follows the precepts of the Church and is called to go far beyond the minimum in the love of God and neighbor.  Below are the precepts of the Church:

• Attend Mass at OLV or a supporting Catholic parish on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Members of OLV are expected to fulfill the majority of those obligations at OLV to help ensure that the parish and families develop their relationship together as disciples of Christ.
• Confess one’s sins at least once per year.
• Receive Holy Communion at least once per year, during the Easter season.
• Observe the days of fast and abstinence.
• Provide for the needs of the Church, including OLV or the supporting Catholic parish to which one has membership. The use of envelopes or electronic funds transfer should be used by OLV registered and participating members to facilitate this obligation.  If this obligation is too much of a hardship, an individualized plan for donated services/voluntarism may be agreed upon.  Those who are members of another supporting Catholic parish should utilize methods desired by the supporting parish.

In addition, the following are also included in the definition of an OLV registered and participating member, and similar requirements are often made by other supporting Catholic parishes:

• Register in the parish by completing the parish registration form.
• Participate in and help with parish/school activities.

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades is open. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125 per child, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st. The registration fee is paid at the time of registration/application. The link has been changed for new families so it includes the options for paying the extra time fee for 4 YO preschools and the wraparound registration/deposit fee. Although the fine print doesn’t indicate it, the K-8 registration fee button can also be used to pay for 3 YO preschool registration and 4 YO Non-qualifying preschool registration. We are working to get the descriptor changed to add these two registration fees.

If you are having difficulty with registration, please let us know. We’ve been to work through a number of issues easily and have had programmers involved for the more complex issues. Most of the registration issues parents have experienced are related to not having PowerSchool accounts set up or not having all of their children set up/attached to the account. Several families still need to take the action themselves to set up the parent access account. The PowerSchool parent account is needed for registration.

If a child, INCLUDING A PRESCHOOLER, is currently in JFK or any Scott County Catholic School, he/she is NOT a new student. You must do the Login to PowerSchool as a parent. If, after you login, you do not see one of your currently attending preschooler-11th grade students, please contact the school. You will need a new code to add the missing child. If you do not remember/have your PowerSchool login, please contact the school as well. If you are changing schools, please contact us so the new school can be added as an option.

Any currently attending student, including a preschooler, whose information was completed as a “New Application” will not be able to be registered for next year. A parent will need to go back and “update” the information for students already attending our schools. We will also attempt to contact families who have mistakenly completed the wrong process.

If you see a message next to your child’s name in PowerSchool that says “Not Submitted,” you must finish the registration process by submitting the application. A “Not Submitted” application is in “no man’s land;” we can’t see it at all, and we don’t even know you’ve tried to apply!

Feb 1: Date online re-enrollment/registration/new application went live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 15:

• Deadline for priority re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.
  • As of 2/18/24, about 56% of students currently in K-7th grade have re-enrolled or submitted applications for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
    • As of 2/18/24, there were about 41 applications for kindergarten, and we know there are more interested families that have not yet completed the process.
    • As of 2/18/24, there were about 47 applications for morning 4 YO preschool slots.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options. This document has been updated to show the application fee/deposit for wraparound care:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Checking Grades in PowerSchool

Have you been logging in to check your student’s grades in PowerSchool? We’re right around the middle of the third quarter. Low grades, especially in the upper grades, are often due to students missing work.

What’s Procare?

For a number of years, JFK has used Procare to keep track of ECLC and aftercare hours used. We used a desktop/local version hosted in house. When our license expired at the end of the school year, SCCS wasn’t ready to tackle that type of specialized software. SCCS is now ready. We are preparing to return to Procare. This time it will be a web-based version. Eventually, we will be using iPads at sign in/sign out times and might use some of the other features in the web version. As we transfer data from the desktop version to the web version, we were notified that families may have received an email from/regarding Procare. Yes, it is legitimate, but we’ll have more information once we have a more detailed implementation plan.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Feb 22: Formal Dress Day fundraiser
• Feb 23: JFK Reconciliation for 2nd-8th graders
• Feb 25: Ignite Sunday
• Feb 26: 2nd Grade Sacramental Prep Activity
• Feb 27: Red Out Dress Day for the American Heart Association
• Feb  29: 4th to symphony. 5th/8th to AHS musical
• Mar 1: 8th Career Fair at SAU
• Mar 4: 7/8 Grade Shark Tank Presentations. Music Boosters
• Mar 11-15: Spring Break

I’m So Blessed!

I was able to watch one of my favorite teams and players in the big game on Sunday. Although Iowa lost, and Caitlin Clark didn’t break the NCAA women’s scoring record, the game sure was a nail-biter!

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for January

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:  Emerson R.
  • Emerson is a hard worker and never gives up even when things are challenging; she keeps working until she gets it! She is a great friend to her classmates and a helper in the classroom.
• 1st Grade:  Aurora B.
  • Aurora is respectful and welcoming to all.  She has a kind heart and positive spirit.
• 2nd Grade: Collyns H.
  • Collyns is a giver, all day, everyday. She gives 150% to her schoolwork and her classmates. Her sweet disposition and bright smile light up 2P! She is a blessing to all she meets.
• 3rd Grade: Charlotte L.
  • Charlotte puts forth her best effort everyday. She is very respectful in her interactions with others and follows classroom expectations. She is an amazing, helpful student and is always there to help out others in our classroom. She works hard on each assignment and takes pride in her work.
• 4th Grade:  Cooper T.
  • Cooper is respectful and kind-hearted. He is considerate and looks out for other students. He does so quietly and without drawing attention to himself. Cooper is the perfect example of someone who follows the Golden Rule!
• 5th Grade: Peyton I.
  • Peyton is a hard working, responsible student who turns her homework in on time and pays attention in class.  She is friendly to all and treats others with respect.
• 6th Grade: Madison H.
  • Madison is very respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures. She is always willing to help those around her.
•  7th Grade: Mason N.
  • Mason comes to school with a positive attitude and regularly participates in class discussions. He can be a good role model for his fellow students.
• 8th Grade: Sydney S.
  • Sydney, although quiet, has grown in her confidence and helps those sitting near her and will volunteer. She can always be counted upon to follow expectations and be a good helper.

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades opened late last week. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125 per child, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st. The registration fee is paid at the time of registration/application.

Most of the registration issues parents have experienced are related to not having PowerSchool accounts set up or not having all of their children set up/attached to the account. We did work over last weekend to email these families their needed information, but there are several families that still need to take the action themselves to set up the parent access account. The PowerSchool parent account is needed for registration.

If a child, INCLUDING A PRESCHOOLER, is currently in JFK or any Scott County Catholic School, he/she is NOT a new student. You must do the Login to PowerSchool as a parent. If, after you login, you do not see one of your currently attending preschooler-11th grade students, please contact the school. You will need a new code to add the missing child. If you do not remember/have your PowerSchool login, please contact the school as well.

Any currently attending student, including a preschooler, whose information was completed as a “New Application” will not be able to be registered for next year. A parent will need to go back and verify the information for students already attending our schools. We will also attempt to contact families who have mistakenly completed the wrong process.

Feb 1: Date online re-enrollment/registration/new application went live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 13: Pre-school open house and meet the staff, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. We will also have some iPads available for families that still need to apply.

Feb 15:

• Kindergarten Round-up, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Learn more about JFK and kindergarten. Families are encouraged to apply before this date.
• Deadline for priority re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.
  • As of 2/11/24, about 38% of students in preschool-7th grade have re-enrolled or submitted applications for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options. This document has been updated to show the application fee/deposit for wraparound care:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Feb 12: Middle School Youth Night
• Feb 13: Red, white, pink dress day. PS Open House, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Home & School Mtg. Any activities for St. Valentine’s Day.
• Feb 14: Ash Wednesday
• Feb 15: Kindergarten Round Up, 6:00 p.m. Priority re-enrollment deadline.
• Feb 16: 2 Hr Early Dismissal. No 4/5 YO am or pm classes. ECLC open
• Feb 18: Snowstar Tubing Event is likely on hold, given our warm temperatures
• Feb 19: No Classes. ECLC Open
• Feb 22: Formal Dress Day fundraiser
• Feb 23: JFK Reconciliation for 2nd-8th graders

I’m So Blessed!

There were so many people that helped with Fun Night, Catholic Schools Week activities, and the Gala!

No Buses on Monday, February 5th

There are no buses in the morning or afternoon on Monday, February 5th as the DCSD does not have classes.

Online registration and application for PS-12th grades opened late last week. The links and some directions are available on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125 per child, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st. The registration fee is paid at the time of registration/application.

Most of the registration issues parents have experienced are related to not having PowerSchool accounts set up or not having all of their children set up/attached to the account. We have done more work over the weekend to email these families their needed information, but there are several families that still need to take the action themselves to set up the parent access account. The PowerSchool parent account is needed for registration.

Feb 1: Target date for online re-enrollment/registration/new application to go live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 13: Pre-school open house and meet the staff. We will also have some iPads available for families that still need to apply.

Feb 15:

• Kindergarten Round-up. Learn more about JFK and kindergarten. Families are encouraged to apply before this date.
• Deadline for priority re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

SCCS/SAU Career Fair

At the Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair, small groups of 8th graders interact with presenters throughout the whole day. Students can really learn something about a career or field of study.  We also have our students talk with college students, and the day concludes with Mass. Outside of athletics, it is the largest cooperative venture of SCCS and SAU. The career fair is March 1st. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone we should contact, please reach out to Mrs. Wolf, emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Feb 5: No Buses (The DCSD does not have classes).
• Feb 8: H & S Skate Night
• Feb 10: Sweetheart Dinner fundraiser for youth ministry
• Feb 12: Middle School Youth Night
• Feb 13: Red, white, pink dress day. PS Open House. Home & School Mtg. Any activities for St. Valentine’s will be done on a day other than the 14th
• Feb 14: Ash Wednesday
• Feb 15: Kindergarten Round Up. Priority re-enrollment deadline.
• Feb 16: 2 Hr Early Dismissal. No 4/5 YO am or pm classes. ECLC open
• Feb 19: No Classes. ECLC Open

I’m So Blessed!

This week is Catholic Schools Week. I’m so blessed that we have such a great week of special activities and so many people to help with them. Fun Night, for example, was awesome on Saturday and couldn’t have been done without the help of many volunteers!

Gala on Friday

 Online registration is scheduled to begin later this week. Separate directions and a link will be emailed when available from the SCCS business office. The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is $125, discounted to $100 if submitted prior to March 1st.

Feb 1: Target date for online re-enrollment/registration/new application to go live. That link will be used for the following:

• Current K-11th grade students may re-enroll for 2024-25.
• Students who will be kindergartners and pre-schoolers in 2024-25 may apply.
  • Families should apply as early as they can. While factors such as siblings already at JFK, OLV parishioners, members of supporting parishes, etc. will be taken into account, if all things are equal, there will be an element of first come, first served.
• Families new to JFK who will have students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 may apply.

Feb 13: Pre-school open house and meet the staff. We will also have some iPads available for families that still need to apply.

Feb 15:

• Kindergarten Round-up. Learn more about JFK and kindergarten. Families are encouraged to apply before this date.
• Deadline for preferred re-enrollment for current K-7 students who are going into grades 1-8 in 2024-25. After this date, current JFK students are not guaranteed a spot for next school year.

Feb 16:

• Applications for families new to JFK with students in grades 1-8 in 2024-25 will be reviewed, and these students new to JFK will begin to be accepted.

March 1:

• Kindergarten and preschool applications will begin to be reviewed in JFK and SCCS schools, and students will begin to be accepted for kindergarten and preschool.
  • Acceptance decisions will need to be made for all preschoolers and kindergartners due to class size limitations and student to staff ratios requirements.
• Discounted registration fees end, and the registration fee goes from $100 to $125.

April 16: Target date for ESA applications to become available for the 2024-25 school year.

• Families must apply each year!
• Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
  • All kindergartners and first graders
  • New transfer students
  • Students who already received an ESA this year due to transferring to JFK for 2023-24
  • Families whose income is less than 400% of poverty, which is just over $120,000 for a family of four
  • (In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs)

K-8 Tuition Rates for SCCS Schools

Below are the tuition rates for K-8 in Scott County Catholic Schools for 2024-25. For those paying tuition themselves (“private pay”), the rate is about a 5% increase, which has been about the historical average for many years.

Preschool and Wraparound Programs and Rates

There are many possible combinations for 3 year old and 4/5 year old preschool, most of which can also be combined with part-time or full-time wraparound childcare. Three year old classes are offered MWF, M-F, or T/Th. These classes run from 7:25-9:55 a.m. Students must be 3 years old on or before Sept 15th. Four year old classes are offered M-F from 7:25-10:25 a.m. or M-F 11:40 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. Students must be 4 years old on or before Sept 15th. Five year olds may also enroll in the four year old class, if there is space available.  See the below for rates for preschool and wraparound care options:

Preschool Tuition Rates_FINAL 2_7_2024

Weather Communications

 Communications about weather closings will be via email and posted on our website and Facebook accounts. Text messages may also be used. We generally follow the decisions made by the Davenport Community School District due to busing. JFK does not use the television scrollers due to the inaccuracy of the information reported there over the years.

SCCS/SAU Career Fair

At the Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair, small groups of 8th graders interact with presenters throughout the whole day. Students can really learn something about a career or field of study.  We also have our students talk with college students, and the day concludes with Mass. Outside of athletics, it is the largest cooperative venture of SCCS and SAU. The career fair is March 1st. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone we should contact, please reach out to Mrs. Wolf, emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

Catholic Schools Week

Monday, January 29:

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser for grades 3-8
• Arts and crafts activities for K-2
• Athletic and/or Favorite Team Dress Day/Out of Uniform

Tuesday, January 31:

• Talent Show
  • Begins at 12:00 with the kindergarten class act, and K-8 individual and small group acts follow
  • Guests are welcome, but we cannot be more particular about the time of performers.  It all depends upon how many acts there are, how long each act actually is, etc.
• Pajama Day
• Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon

Wednesday, January 31:

• All School Mass with Individual Blessings of Throats
• Spirit Wear Tops or green/white tops.  Bottoms may be out of uniform.
• Bring an Adult Guest to Lunch Day
  • 10:40-11:10     Kindergarten
  • 11:10-11:40     Grades 3 and 4
  • 11:40-12:10     Grades 1 and 2
  • 12:10-12:40     Grades 5 and 6
  • 12:40-1:10       Grades 7 and 8
  • Several after lunch activities for guests and students will be available
  • Students’ adult guests may sign their students out from school for the rest of the day, if desired
  • Details about signing up for lunch were distributed previously. Sign-up in advance is needed to determine food ordering. Adults can prepay or have their meals charged to their child’s account. Adult meals receive no government subsidy, and cost $4.84 per meal.

Thursday, February 1:

• Scott County Catholic Schools Grades 2-12 Mass at Assumption. We will leave JFK via buses around 9:00 and return around 11:00-11:30. There is no separate permission slip as long as you gave permission for your child to attend field trips during the online registration last spring.
• Take Pride in Your Uniform Dress Day (Everyone is in dress code.  This applies to upper grade students as well even if they have PE today)
• Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)
  • Students can bring a pillow and a snack for themselves as well as their book
• Science fair showcase for grades 7/8

Friday, February 2:

• 8th Grade vs. Staff Volleyball Games with grades 6-7 cheering them on, 1:30
• K-2 Special movie or other activity
• 3-5 Special movie, other activity, or cheer at the volleyball games
• Wacky Tacky Out of Uniform Day
• GALA!

Sunday, February 4:

• H & S sponsored event at SnowStar
  • $20 per person for 3 hours of tubing fun! Must be age 3 or older to participate. Make online reservation at www.skisnowstar.com. Use promo code JFK2024 at checkout. Please select 4pm time slot when making reservation. Please do not forget to sign a waiver for all participating individuals

Position at JFK

JFK is looking to fill a full-time, school year only childcare, preschool, and recess supervisory position.  Please forward your resume to Chad Steimle at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

No Buses on Monday, February 5th

There are no buses in the morning of afternoon on Monday, February 5th as the DCSD does not have classes.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Feb 1: 7/8 Science Fair Showcase (6:00-6:45)
• Feb 2: GALA
• Feb 5: No Buses (The DCSD does not have classes). Middle School Youth Night
• Feb 8: H & S Skate Night
• Feb 10: Sweetheart Dinner fundraiser for youth ministry

I’m So Blessed!

We have a mid-size SUV with All-Wheel Drive. Both my son and wife were stuck in snow near our house last week with their front wheel drive smaller vehicles.

Gala

Weather Communications

 Communications about weather closings will be via email and posted on our website and Facebook accounts. Text messages may also be used. We generally follow the decisions made by the Davenport Community School District due to busing. JFK does not use the television scrollers due to the inaccuracy of the information reported there over the years.

ESA Funding for 2nd Semester

ESA funding for 2nd semester is now available. The process to initiate funding is similar to 1^st semester.

• School action:
  • SCCS will review tuition and fees for all current students, and adjust the amount to be charged for 2^nd semester, if necessary.
  • In some cases, SCCS may add band, algebra, and/or sport fees, as well as PSAT and/or AP test fees. (These options were not available 1^st semester.)
• Parent/Guardian action:
  • Odyssey will automatically notify you that an invoice is available to review
  • Review the invoice at Odyssey. If you have questions, please contact Bobbie Goetsch at (StudentAccounts@sccsiowa.org or 563-326-5313 ext 282).
  • To maintain ESA eligibility, approve payment through Odyssey https://iowa.withodyssey.com/ as soon as possible. Our goal is to have 100% of our families accept 2^nd semester tuition and fees by January 10th. 

SCCS/SAU Career Fair

At the Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair, small groups of 8th graders interact with presenters throughout the whole day. Students can really learn something about a career or field of study.  We also have our students talk with college students, and the day concludes with Mass. Outside of athletics, it is the largest cooperative venture of SCCS and SAU. The career fair is March 1st. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone we should contact, please reach out to Mrs. Wolf, emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

Catholic Schools Week Planning is Underway

Some tentative plans are below, and more activities and/or details will be added as they become solidified:

Saturday, January 27:

• Mass at 4:30.  Let’s see a wave of JFK spirit wear and/or green and white!
• Home & School sponsored/fundraiser meal served in the parish center 5:30-6:30. Fun Night in the gym/cafeteria and classrooms begins at 6:30.

Monday, January 29:

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser for grades 3-8
  • Details and permission slip come from Mrs. Tilkens
• Arts and crafts activities for K-2
• Athletic and/or Favorite Team Dress Day/Out of Uniform

Tuesday, January 31:

• Talent Show
  • Begins at 12:00 with the kindergarten class act, and K-8 individual and small group acts follow
  • Information has been sent separately before Christmas break regarding the talent show
  • Guests are welcome, but we cannot be more particular about the time of performers.  It all depends upon how many acts there are, how long each act actually is, etc.
• Pajama Day
• Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon

Wednesday, January 31:

• All School Mass with Individual Blessings of Throats
• Spirit Wear Tops or green/white tops.  Bottoms may be out of uniform.
• Bring an Adult Guest to Lunch Day
  • 10:40-11:10     Kindergarten
  • 11:10-11:40     Grades 3 and 4
  • 11:40-12:10     Grades 1 and 2
  • 12:10-12:40     Grades 5 and 6
  • 12:40-1:10       Grades 7 and 8
  • Several after lunch activities for guests and students will be available
  • Students’ adult guests may sign their students out from school for the rest of the day, if desired
  • Details about signing up for lunch were distributed last week. Sign-up in advance is needed to determine food ordering. Adults can prepay or have their meals charged to their child’s account. Adult meals receive no government subsidy, and cost $4.84 per meal.

Thursday, February 1:

• Scott County Catholic Schools Grades 2-12 Mass at Assumption. We will leave JFK via buses around 9:00 and return around 11:00-11:30.
• Take Pride in Your Uniform Dress Day (Everyone is in dress code.  This applies to upper grade students as well even if they have PE today)
• Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)
  • Students can bring a pillow and a snack for themselves as well as their book
• Science fair showcase for grades 7/8

Friday, February 2:

• 8th Grade vs. Staff Volleyball Games with grades 6-7 cheering them on
• K-2 Special movie or other activity
• 3-5 Special movie, other activity, or cheer at the volleyball games
• Wacky Tacky Out of Uniform Day
• GALA!

Sunday, February 4:

• H & S sponsored event at SnowStar
  • $20 per person for 3 hours of tubing fun! Must be age 3 or older to participate. Make online reservation at www.skisnowstar.com. Use promo code JFK2024 at checkout. Please select 4pm time slot when making reservation. Please do not forget to sign a waiver for all participating individuals

Position at JFK

JFK is looking to fill a full-time, school year only childcare, preschool, and recess supervisory position.  Please forward your resume to Chad Steimle at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

April Calendar Change

April 8th is now an in-service day for JFK and all the SCCS elementary schools in order to accommodate a joint training session. The DCSD was already going to have an in-service day on this date.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Jan 23: Kids Heart Challenge Assembly for K-5
• Jan 25: SEICDA Youth Honor Choir. Evening scheduled conferences for 4/5 year old PS. Drop in evening conferences (4:30-7:30) for K-8.
• Jan 26: No 4/5 year old PS classes due to 4/5 YO PS scheduled conferences.
• Feb 1: 7/8 Science Fair Showcase (6:00-6:45)
• Feb 2: GALA
• Feb 5: No Buses (The DCSD does not have classes). Middle School Youth Night
• Feb 8: H & S Skate Night
• Feb 10: Sweetheart Dinner fundraiser for youth ministry

I’m So Blessed!

Catholic Schools Week activities are an incredible undertaking. We’re so blessed to have teachers, staff, Home & School leaders, and parent volunteers plan and contribute to making CSW such a good experience for all.

Gala

Weather Communications

 Communications about weather closings will be via email and posted on our website and Facebook accounts. We generally follow the decisions made by the Davenport Community School District due to busing. Currently, most SCCS are without SchoolMessenger. The Diocese of Davenport is working to restore SchoolMessenger, which will give us texting and robocall options again. JFK does not use the television scrollers due to the inaccuracy of the information reported there over the years.

ESA Funding for 2nd Semester

ESA funding for 2nd semester is now available. The process to initiate funding is similar to 1^st semester.

• School action:
  • SCCS will review tuition and fees for all current students, and adjust the amount to be charged for 2^nd semester, if necessary.
  • In some cases, SCCS may add band, algebra, and/or sport fees, as well as PSAT and/or AP test fees. (These options were not available 1^st semester.)
• Parent/Guardian action:
  • Odyssey will automatically notify you that an invoice is available to review
  • Review the invoice at Odyssey. If you have questions, please contact Bobbie Goetsch at (StudentAccounts@sccsiowa.org or 563-326-5313 ext 282).  Note the new email address.
  • To maintain ESA eligibility, approve payment through Odyssey https://iowa.withodyssey.com/ as soon as possible. Our goal is to have 100% of our families accept 2^nd semester tuition and fees by January 10th. 

SCCS/SAU Career Fair

At the Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair, small groups of 8th graders interact with presenters throughout the whole day. Students can really learn something about a career or field of study.  We also have our students talk with college students, and the day concludes with Mass. Outside of athletics, it is the largest cooperative venture of SCCS and SAU. The career fair is March 1st. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone we should contact, please reach out to Mrs. Wolf, emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

Talent Show

The talent show during Catholic Schools Week is just a few weeks away!  Individual and small group acts are encouraged. I still remember my son doing a magic act and playing the guitar, and my daughters singing. We still have the girls’ duet on video! It’s on VHS-C though so I doubt anyone will ever watch it, and the girls are safe from future embarrassment!

Catholic Schools Week Planning is Underway

Some tentative plans are below, and more activities and/or details will be added as they become solidified:

Saturday, January 27:

• Mass at 4:30.  Let’s see a wave of JFK spirit wear and/or green and white!
• Home & School sponsored Fun Night.  Meal also available in the parish center.

Monday, January 29:

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser for grades 3-8
  • Details and permission slip come from Mrs. Tilkens
• Arts and crafts activities for K-2
• Athletic and/or Favorite Team Dress Day/Out of Uniform

Tuesday, January 31:

• Talent Show
  • Begins at 12:00 with the kindergarten class act, and K-8 individual and small group acts follow
  • Information has been sent separately before Christmas break regarding the talent show.
  • Guests are welcome, but we cannot be more particular about the time of performers.  It all depends upon how many acts there are, how long each act actually is, etc.
• Pajama Day
• Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon

Wednesday, January 31:

• All School Mass with Individual Blessings of Throats
• Spirit Wear Tops or green/white tops.  Bottoms may be out of uniform.
• Bring an Adult Guest to Lunch Day
  • 10:40-11:10     Kindergarten
  • 11:10-11:40     Grades 3 and 4
  • 11:40-12:10     Grades 1 and 2
  • 12:10-12:40     Grades 5 and 6
  • 12:40-1:10       Grades 7 and 8
  • Several after lunch activities for guests and students will be available
  • Students’ adult guests may sign their students out from school for the rest of the day, if desired
  • Details about signing up for lunch will be distributed. Sign-up in advance is needed to determine food ordering. Adults can prepay or have their meals charged to their child’s account. Adult meals receive no government subsidy, and cost $4.84 per meal.

Thursday, February 1:

• Scott County Catholic Schools Grades 2-12 Mass at Assumption
• Take Pride in Your Uniform Dress Day (Everyone is in dress code.  This applies to upper grade students as well even if they have PE today)
• Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)
  • Students can bring a pillow and a snack for themselves as well
• Science fair showcase for grades 7/8

Friday, February 2:

• 8th Grade vs. Staff Volleyball Games with grades 6-7 cheering them on
• K-2 Special movie or other activity
• 3-5 Special movie, other activity, or cheer at the volleyball games
• Wacky Tacky Out of Uniform Day
• GALA!

Sunday, February 4:

• H & S sponsored event at SnowStar

End of 2nd Quarter on Friday

The end of the 2nd quarter is fast approaching on Friday. Please keep checking your students’ grades in PowerSchool. Usually students have lower grades than desired because work is missing. When I did a grade check over the  break, for example, nearly 1/3 of the 6th-8th graders currently had a D, F, or Beginning for a 2nd quarter grade in some subject. If you need help accessing PowerSchool as a parent, please reach out to emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

Position at JFK

JFK is looking to fill a full-time, school year only childcare, preschool, and recess supervisory position.  Please forward your resume to Chad Steimle at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Jan 8:  Music Boosters. Middle School Youth Night.
• Jan 9:  Kids Heart Challenge Assembly
• Jan 12:  End of the 2nd quarter.  2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40).  No afternoon preschool classes.  Music Boosters Trivia Night
• Jan 15:  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  No classes.  ECLC open
• Jan 16:  3rd quarter begins. SEICDA Youth Honor Choir
• Jan 17: NED show assembly. 8th Grade Parent Meeting at AHS.
• Jan 18:  Jump for JFK at The Fun Station in Eldridge
• Jan 20: Parishioner Appreciation Dinner

I’m So Blessed!

My wife and our four children and their significant others were able to spend some time together this past weekend. Rather than our usual gift-giving at Christmas, we rented a house in the Galena area for a long weekend. While some of the activities we had planned did not take place due to the lack of snow (although weather did impact people’s traveling multiple times), we watched plenty of football, played pool and creative “reindeer games,” and just enjoyed each others’ company. Time for family and relaxation is always good!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this house rental as it was my first experience. I think I’m “behind the times” on some things in comparison to my kids. While I was trying to find football on cable/satellite, for example, my kids were pointing out that “everything” is streamed these days. I later learned how to fill my cup with ice and water from the front of a refrigerator and watched my daughter load a dishwasher. I was going to do laundry, but I think my kids would have made fun of me for going to the creek to beat my clothes against the rocks!

On the last day we were all together, I learned just how smart my daughters’ significant others are. While my son and I teasingly made fun of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour video that was blasting through the house, my daughters’ husbands/boyfriends kept their mouths shut. They are so smart. There is definitely hope for them!

ESA Funding for 2nd Semester

ESA funding for 2nd semester is now available. The process to initiate funding is similar to 1^st semester.

• School action:
  • SCCS will review tuition and fees for all current students, and adjust the amount to be charged for 2^nd semester, if necessary.
  • In some cases, SCCS may add band, algebra, and/or sport fees, as well as PSAT and/or AP test fees. (These options were not available 1^st semester.)
• Parent/Guardian action:
  • Odyssey will automatically notify you that an invoice is available to review
  • Review the invoice at Odyssey. If you have questions, please contact Bobbie Goetsch at (studentaccounts@sccsiowa.com or 563-326-5313 ext 282)
  • To maintain ESA eligibility, approve payment through Odyssey https://iowa.withodyssey.com/ as soon as possible. Our goal is to have 100% of our families accept 2^nd semester tuition and fees by January 10th. 

SCCS/SAU Career Fair

At the Scott County Catholic Schools and St. Ambrose University 8th grade career fair, small groups of 8th graders interact with presenters throughout the whole day. Students can really learn something about a career or field of study.  We also have our students talk with college students, and the day concludes with Mass. Outside of athletics, it is the largest cooperative venture of SCCS and SAU. The career fair is March 1st. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone we should contact, please reach out to Mrs. Wolf, emma.wolf@olvjfkmail.com.

Talent Show

The talent show during Catholic Schools Week is just a few weeks away!  Individual and small group acts are encouraged. I still remember my son doing a magic act and playing the guitar, and my daughters singing. We still have the girls’ duet on video! It’s on VHS-C though so I doubt anyone will ever watch it, and the girls are safe from future embarrassment!

Catholic Schools Week Planning is Underway

Some tentative plans are below, and more activities and/or details will be added as they become solidified:

Saturday, January 27:

• Mass at 4:30.  Let’s see a wave of JFK spirit wear and/or green and white!
• Home & School sponsored Fun Night

Monday, January 29:

• Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser for grades 3-8
  • Details and permission slip come from Mrs. Tilkens
• Arts and crafts activities for K-2
• Athletic and/or Favorite Team Dress Day/Out of Uniform

Tuesday, January 31:

• Talent Show
  • Begins at 12:00 with the kindergarten class act, and K-8 individual and small group acts follow
  • Information has been sent separately before Christmas break regarding the talent show.
  • Guests are welcome, but we cannot be more particular about the time of performers.  It all depends upon how many acts there are, how long each act actually is, etc.
• Pajama Day
• Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon

Wednesday, January 31:

• All School Mass with Individual Blessings of Throats
• Spirit Wear Tops or green/white tops.  Bottoms may be out of uniform.
• Bring an Adult Guest to Lunch Day
  • 10:40-11:10     Kindergarten
  • 11:10-11:40     Grades 3 and 4
  • 11:40-12:10     Grades 1 and 2
  • 12:10-12:40     Grades 5 and 6
  • 12:40-1:10       Grades 7 and 8
  • Several after lunch activities for guests and students will be available
  • Students’ adult guests may sign their students out from school for the rest of the day, if desired
  • Details about signing up for lunch will be distributed. Sign-up in advance is needed to determine food ordering. Adults can prepay or have their meals charged to their child’s account. Adult meals receive no government subsidy, and costs $4.84 per meal.

Thursday, February 1:

• Scott County Catholic Schools Grades 2-12 Mass at Assumption
• Take Pride in Your Uniform Dress Day (Everyone is in dress code.  This applies to upper grade students as well even if they have PE today)
• Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)
  • Students can bring a pillow and a snack for themselves as well
• Science fair showcase for grades 7/8

Friday, February 2:

• 8th Grade vs. Staff Volleyball Games with grades 6-7 cheering them on
• K-2 Special movie or other activity
• 3-5 Special movie, other activity, or cheer at the volleyball games
• Wacky Tacky Out of Uniform Day
• GALA!

End of 2nd Quarter Fast Approaching

The end of the 2nd quarter is fast approaching on January 12th. Please keep checking your students’ grades in PowerSchool. Usually students have lower grades than desired because work is missing. When I did a grade check over the  break, for example, nearly 1/3 of the 6th-8th graders currently had a D, F, or Beginning for a 2nd quarter grade in some subject. If you need help accessing PowerSchool as a parent, please reach out to dianne.siefers@olvjfkmail.com.

Position at JFK

JFK is looking to fill a full-time, school year only childcare, preschool, and recess supervisory position.  Please forward your resume to Chad Steimle at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Calendar Highlights

Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:

• Jan 1:  School and ECLC Closed
• Jan 2:  No classes – in-service.  ECLC Open
• Jan 3:  Classes resume
• Jan 8:  Music Boosters
• Jan 9:  Kids Heart Challenge Assembly
• Jan 12:  End of the 2nd quarter.  2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40).  No afternoon preschool classes.  Music Boosters Trivia Night
• Jan 15:  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  No classes.  ECLC open
• Jan 16:  3rd quarter begins
• Jan 18:  Jump for JFK at The Fun Station in Eldridge