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Principal’s Post for January 15, 2024

Posted on by csteimle

I’m So Blessed!

I can work from home! Where would we be without Wi-Fi and internet connections?

Gala

The Crusaders Tailgate Gala is fast approaching on February 2nd at the Hickory Creek Event Center. Tickets will be going on sale next week.

We are in need of volunteers to be responsible for a class project for the Gala. Each grade submits one project that is auctioned off at the event. If you are interested in helping the school and your students’ class make this possible, please Angie Hillebrand know by Wednesday, January 10th, angie.hillebrand@olvjfkmail.com. Class projects can be simple and fun. If you need ideas, Pinterest is your friend!

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. Currently, most SCCS are without SchoolMessenger. The Diocese of Davenport is working to restore SchoolMessenger, which will give us full 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 1st semester.

  • School action:
    • SCCS will review tuition and fees for all current students, and adjust the amount to be charged for 2nd 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 1st 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 2nd 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

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 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 anticipate additional changes regarding the end of the 2nd quarter. This information will be communicated after the DCSD makes its decision, and we know the bus transportation situation.

Principal’s Post for June 26, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

ESA Deadline Fast Approaching

The deadline for applying for an Educational Savings Account is fast approaching:  June 30th.  This deadline, put in Iowa legislation, has no exceptions.  See the information below regarding eligibility and the application process.  Most applications take less than five minutes.

Pre-Registration for 2023-24

Pre-Registration Process:  All preschool, kindergarten, returning and new families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.

To access the survey, click HERE.  Families will need to pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool* OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool. The registration fee is $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family. The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child. These “one time” fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey or this link and using the “one time” payment option: registration fee. Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.

*A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th. Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee. There is no extra time fee.

Official Registration for 2023-24

Official Registration Process:  SCCS registration link or use the following link/url: register.sccsiowa.org/

After completing the pre-registration process and making the registration payment, the next step is to submit the official registration application information through the online form.  Through this process, you will be entering names, grades, primary and emergency contact information, medical information, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and more.  You may want to have this information handy before you begin the process.  For all JFK students, you will want to click on the “New Registration” button.  Also, make sure you change the school year to 2023-24.

Once your information has been successfully submitted, your official registration application will move toward approval.  The deadline for the official registration application is June 23rd.

ESA Applications for 2023-24

ESA Application:  https://iowa.withodyssey.com/en/odyssey_auth/sign_up

If you are an Iowa resident with an incoming Kindergarten student, a transfer student from a public school or a transfer student from home-school, you need to apply. There is no income qualifier for you to meet.

If you are an Iowa resident with returning students and line 26 (gross income) on your Iowa return(s) is less than 300% of poverty, then you should also apply.  Below is a 2023 chart demonstrating 300% of poverty:

Family Size 300% poverty Family Size 300% poverty
1 $43,740 5 $105,420
2 $59,160 6 $120,840
3 $74,580 7 $136,260
4 $90,000 8 $151,680
If more than 8 in family, add $15,420 for each additional member

All families currently receiving FTP financial assistance should apply to the ESA program first.  An ESA application tutorial is available here: Application Training Webinars for Families section.  If you do not qualify, then you should apply to the Family Tuition Plan ASAP.

The ESA application deadline is June 30th.

After the deadline, there will probably be another step for those receiving an ESA.  You will probably have to go back into the state system and actually direct funds to be transferred to an SCCS school.  So far, approved families will receive the funds in an ESA account.  Families will then have to direct/transfer the funds out of the ESA account to pay for qualified educational expenses like tuition at a private school.

Other Financial Assistance Application for 2023-24

If you do not qualify for an ESA this year, you may qualify for the Family Tuition Plan since the criteria for that program is 400% of poverty (also using line 26 of the Iowa return.) Families that have not applied in the past may be surprised to find that tuition support is available through this program since many of our previous recipients will be helped through the ESA program.  The application for the FTP is available at: www.assumptionhigh.org/familytuitionplan.

If you do not have access to a computer or otherwise find yourself unable to complete the ESA application independently, you may email Theresa.Vondran@assumptionhigh.org or call 326.5313 ext. 229.

SCCS Tuition Billing Process for 2023-24

In the past, our Catholic schools used paper “tuition contracts” to set up payment arrangements.  Now, SCCS is using an online system through the Blackbaud software system.  You will receive an email from customerservicemessages@blackbaud.school saying “Important information about your Blackbaud Tuition Management enrollment for Scott County Catholic Schools.”  Follow the directions and process outlined in that email.  I am also emailing an attachment along with this Principal’s Post link with more detailed directions regarding the tuition billing process.

Tuition payments for 2023-24 begin in July.  Tuition is billed at the gross amount less any discounts (like multi-child discounts and parish membership discounts) and financial aid.  Due to the many steps involved in registration this year, the timing of ESAs, etc., not all discounts and financial aid have been posted to families’ accounts yet; they will be posted as soon as available.  Because of this delay, late payment fees will be waived.  However, please remember that schools have bills to pay over the entire year, the biggest of which is payroll.  Teachers, who have their own bills to pay too, are paid over 12 months so cash flow during the summer is just as important as it is throughout the rest of the year.  If you need to estimate your tuition payments for now, please do so.

Tuition Rates for Paying Families

 The tuition rates for those not yet eligible for ESAs was contained in an April 27th letter.  It can be found here:  ESA Letter and Tuition Rates for Paying Families Letter, 4-27-23. As anticipated the tuition rates for those not eligible for ESAs increased by about 5% at the elementary level and 3% at Assumption, which is about its historical average.  Please note that the actual cost to educate a student in SCCS is over $8,000.  Tuition covers just over about 50% of the cost.  Parish subsidies and fundraising cover the rest.  The SCCS “tuition contracts” will show the parish discounts applied to students’/families’ accounts.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Finalizing Payments for 2022-23

Please finish making your 2022-23 payments to OLV/JFK as soon as possible.  You don’t want to mix your payments to OLV/JFK with SCCS.  Payments due for 2022-23, including delinquent tuition, fees, aftercare balances, lunch balances, fines, etc. go to OLV and/or JFK.  Payments for 2023-24 will go through SCCS.

Teaching Positions at JFK for 2023-24

JFK welcomes Jacqueline Everhart to the staff for 2023-24.  Ms. Everhart has multiple years of teaching experience, including at third grade, which is the grade she will be teaching at JFK.  Ms. Kathy Neuberger will be moving from her interventionist position at JFK to teach kindergarten next year.  Ms. Neuberger taught kindergarten at JFK before she took time off with her young children and then returned to JFK in an interventionist role.

JFK is currently seeking a K-8 music teacher for the 2023-24 school year.  If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, copy of one’s Iowa license, and references.  The hiring process will also involve Scott County Catholic Schools, but these steps would good first ones.

Other positions may be available as details of federal funding are finalized.

Chad

Principal’s Post for March 19, 2023

Posted on by csteimle

Bandit’s Here!

Bandit, our newest staff member, is at JFK!  Bandit will be introduced gradually to students, and several staff members will be receiving training this week.

Rules for interacting with Bandit follow GROWS expectations and the following four steps:  Approach, Ask, Pet and Goodbye.  Staff and parents can share these steps with students:

  1. Approach

Walk up slowly and calmly. Body and voice under control. This is respectful.

No more than two students at a time should pet Bandit. If there are already two students with Bandit, patiently wait your turn.  If you see Bandit in the hallway, do not leave a class or line to pet him. That would not be respectful.

2.Ask

Ask Mrs. Wolf if you can pet Bandit before doing so. This is being respectful AND safe. Mrs. Wolf needs to be aware of Bandit’s behavior and your actions. Always ask and wait for an answer before petting any dog.

3. Pet

Bandit should be sitting or lying down when petted. A good rule when you pet Bandit is “slowly count to 3” while you pet him.  Then, it will be the next person’s turn.

Treat Bandit with respect. Pet him gently. Do not pull his ears or tail. Do not put fingers or objects in his mouth. Use a soft voice when talking to him.

Respect Bandit’s personal space. Just like you, dogs have personal space. Do not hug or squeeze Bandit  Do not put your face in his face.

4.  Goodbye

Often there will be many students waiting to say hello to Bandit.  Remember to be respectful to other students waiting by using the “count to 3” rule. Listen for Mrs. Wolf’s directions. Finally, go wash your hands.

JFK is excited to expand on the mental health and social wellbeing services available to our students and staff by having a professional facility dog, which is a type of therapy dog.  Bandit will be available for short visitations and to help emphasize components in SEL lessons.   JFK is, once again, fulfilling its vision of “leading the way in Catholic school education” by being the first Catholic school in our diocese with a professional facility dog on its staff.

Emma Wolf, the main dog handler and with whom the dog will spend its nights and weekends, has created an Amazon list for anyone wishing to help support Bandit with treats, toys, bandanas, and other items that Bandit might need at school: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/B0JIB58UPXPO?ref_=wl_share

Pre-Register for Kindergarten Now

There was a lot of interest in kindergarten round-up.  If you haven’t completed the pre-registration process, do so now.  You don’t want to delay and risk being left out!  The QR code and link are on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

Preschool Pre-Registration Still Open Online

If you missed the preschool open house and pre-registration event, you can still pre-register online.  The QR code and link are on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.  We will soon start to sort through the pre-registrations.  We did notice a glitch in the wording of MWF 3 yr old preschool.  The online menu had it incorrectly listed as “pm.”  All of our 3 year old preschool classes are in the morning.  We will reach out to families who signed up for MWF 3 year old preschool to confirm their intent.

JFK offers several preschool options all of which can be combined with partial or full-time wraparound care:

3 year olds: MWF a.m., T/Th a.m., or M-F a.m.

4/5 year olds: M-F a.m., or M-F p.m.

K-8 Pre-Registration Process for 2023-24

  1. All preschool, kindergarten, and returning families will need to enter information through the pre-registration/application survey.  A QR Code and link/url are available on the front page of our website.  Submissions are time/date stamped.  For those unable to complete the pre-registration/application survey online, physical copies will be available at school.
  2. Pay the registration fee for K-8, three year old preschool, or “non-qualifying” four/five year old preschool OR the extra time fee for an “IA preschool” four year old preschool.  The registration fee is regularly $125 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $375 per family.  If paid prior to April 1st, the early bird amount is $100 per PK-12 student for a maximum of $300 per family.   The extra time fee for four year old preschoolers is $250 per child.  These fees can be paid online by following the link in the pre-registration/application survey.  You can also go directly just to this payment link, without having to pre-register your child, which is especially handy if you already pre-registered but did not make the payment initially.  Scroll down to the one time payment option to pay registration or extra time fees.  Checks can also be made payable to JFK and sent to the school office.
    1. A non-qualifying preschooler is a non-Iowa resident or student who turns 5 on or before Sept 15th.  Tuition is charged for this student, and there is a registration fee.  There is no extra time fee.
  3. Complete a more detailed online process.  This process will most likely be available in March.

As we move through the registration process, it is important that families be up-to-date in their payments of tuition and ECLC and other fees.  Families who are not up-to-date will not be in the highest priority enrollment group and may not even be able to finalize their registration.

Tuition rates for K-12 have not yet been finalized for 2023-24 as we are still waiting for state guidance regarding Educational Savings Accounts.  One of the most often asked questions in relation to ESAs is if tuition will be raised to the $7,600 amount available in an ESA.  The answer is no.  You can expect more modest tuition increases.  The 2022-23 tuition rate for a parish supported child was  $4,170 and $6,170 for a non-parish supported child.  Please note that the average cost per pupil for a child in a SCCS elementary school is over $8,000.  The difference between cost per pupil and tuition is made up by parish subsidy and fund-raising/donations.

Scott County Catholic School tuition rates for preschool, with or without wraparound care, have been set.  They are in the linked document:  Preschool Tuition Rates JFK

Note that there are now more options at JFK for preschool and wraparound care options.  Taking account of all of the wraparound care offered, there are at least 17 preschool options available at JFK next year, including some new ones.  Also note that ECLC is now considered wraparound care in SCCS and not billed separately from tuition.  (No more weekly ECLC bills!)

Middle School Position, with Math Emphasis, Open for 2023-24

JFK is seeking a middle school, primarily math, teacher for 2023-24.  Mrs. Clark will be moving back to Utah where family resides.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, copy/link of one’s Iowa license, and list of references to chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.  More information is on TeachIowa.gov

Highlighted Events

See the calendars on our website for more complete information as the below are only some of the highlights.

  • Mar 20:  Classes resume. Lions Club Vision Screening
  • Mar 21:  Lions Club Vision Screening
  • Mar 23:  Skate Night
  • Mar 24:  Confirmation practice.  Crazy Hat & Pajama Day for King’s Harvest
  • Mar 25:  Confirmation
  • Mar 27:  First Communion Preparation Event
  • Mar 29:  8th Gr Band Students to Blue Man Group.  Two hour Early Dismissal (12:40).  End of 3rd Qtr.  No Pm Preschool Classes.
  • Apr 1:  Plant  Sale Orders Due
  • Apr 2:  Palm Sunday
  • Apr 7:  Good Friday.  No School/No ECLC.
  • Apr 9:  Easter
  • Apr 10:  Easter Monday.  No School/No ECLC

Visit to Atlanta Area

Lynn and I visited my parents and one of my sisters who live together in the northern outskirts of the Atlanta area.  All of our children made it as well.  Colleen drove from Charlotte, NC, and was there Friday through Tuesday.  She then worked from her company’s Atlanta office on Wednesday and drove back on Thursday.  Tom drove from Charleston, SC, and was there Saturday through Monday and returned mid-day on Tuesday.  Kirsten drove to Davenport and rode with Lynn and me on Saturday and Sunday and flew back to Moline early Tuesday morning so she could make an appointment in Davenport Tuesday afternoon.  Caitlin and her husband drove on Saturday and Sunday from Kansas City and flew back late Tuesday night.  It was hard to keep track of everyone’s travel plans, but we were all in one place on Sunday night and Monday!

I’m not sure I could live by my sister and parents.  Growing up in the Milwaukee area, going to graduate school in Chicago, and then living in Davenport, I’ve become accustomed to straight streets.  There’s not a straight street anywhere near my sister and parents.  If you can see straight ahead for more than two blocks, you are lucky!  I’m not sure how we would have negotiated our way around town without GPS!

Chad

December 2019 – Special Edition

Posted on by csteimle

Fr. Jake’s Announcement Regarding the Development of a Regionalized Catholic School System in Scott County

The below is copied from this weekend’s announcement from Fr. Jake:

Development of a Regionalized Catholic School System in Scott County Receives Endorsement

Over the last two years, OLV and the nine parishes supporting Scott County Catholic Schools (Assumption, All Saints, JFK, Lourdes, and St. Paul’s), have been working with consultants to study how the Catholic Schools in Scott County could increase our cooperation as we look towards the future.  This planning effort was in support of the Strategic Plan for Catholic School Education for the entire Diocese of Davenport, which challenges all Catholic schools in our diocese to “remain relevant, valuable, competitive and effective for the Church, our families, and society.”  Furthermore, there were some important assumptions that were also held throughout this process.  First, each school has an important history that must be honored. Second, each school has strengths that parishes and families cherish in their lives.  Third, each school has some challenges that will have to addressed as we move into the future.

After many meetings and conducting a thorough analysis of data and trends from the schools, parishes, and Scott County in general, it has been concluded that the future of the five schools looks brighter if some resources, human and capital, are shared among all Catholic Schools in Scott County.  The conclusion of this strategic planning is, thus, the following goal:   Over the next two to three years, there will be movement towards a regionalized Catholic school system, PreK-12, with the following features aimed at helping every parish and school in Scott County:

  • An inspired plan will be developed that will ensure Catholic identity and faith formation are strong in the mission of making disciples who will encounter Jesus, grow in their knowledge, and serve God and neighbor.
  • An enrollment management program will be created that markets and brands schools that have the staff and resources needed to execute the mission of Catholic education at the highest possible level.
  • Academic programs will be strengthened by capitalizing on the strengths of a PreK-12 program.
  • Enrichment opportunities will be identified so all faculty, staff, and students in the county may experience these benefits.

This new model, with the features listed above, must fit the culture and values of Catholics and other Catholic School stakeholders in Scott County.  It will build upon the strengths of existing schools and attain the following benefits that would not be possible through the work of a single school:

  • Improved efficiencies and resource sharing
  • Enhanced program offerings
  • Increased professional development opportunities
  • Pastors able to focus more on spiritual direction and pastoral leadership for their school
  • School administrators able to focus more on their school’s educational needs and development of their staffs
  • Common compensation and benefits
  • Enhanced ability for managing enrollment through marketing, branding, recruitment and retention
  • Larger funding opportunities
  • Tuition that better matches the actual cost of education for a child with expanded tuition assistance to keep it affordable for all
  • Reasonable and affordable parish subsidies due to increased revenue streams for the overall system from other sources

Bishop Zinkula, my fellow Pastors of the the Davenport Deanery, and I all approved the development of a regionalized Catholic school model.  We also requested Andy Craig, President of Assumption High School, and Rosie Barton, President of the Scott County Catholic Schools Foundation, to co-lead the development of this new system.

I am excited to see where God leads us as we move to strengthen JFK and all of the Catholic Schools in our local area.  Our Lady of Victory, pray for the Catholic communities in Scott County as we move into the future!

Blessings,

Fr. Jake

Background

Over the last 20 years, there have been three initiatives that have led us to the point of a regionalized Catholic school system for Scott County to be endorsed.

Metanoia study:  Released in November 1999, the Metanoia report was incredibly far ranging, with the executive summary itself being about 34 pages in length.  Topics ranged from the structure of leadership in the Diocese of Davenport itself to technology and communications.  Educational issues included religious education, youth ministry, Scott County Catholic schools, and St. Ambrose University.  The lightening rod recommendation was that a new middle school be built south of Locust Street, and reaction to this notion, as well as the sheer volume of the report/recommendations, seemed to plague the rest of the report regarding Catholic school education in Scott County.

Passing on the Faith:  In May 2005, three diocesan task forces formed by Bishop Franklin issued their reports:  Passing on the Faith, Celebrating the Faith, and Living the Faith.  Passing on the Faith included Catholic school education in the diocese.  Local results were the creation of the Scott County Catholic School Advisory Board and other initiatives to increase collaboration among the Scott County Catholic schools.

Strategic Plan for Catholic School Education in the Diocese of Davenport:  Growing out of this 2015-16 plan was the need for there to be a specific focus on Scott County Catholic school education, where about half of the Catholic school education in the diocese takes place.  Gone were the days of dramatically falling enrollments and school closures and consolidations.  It was time for the people of Scott County to plan for how Catholic schools in our area could be stronger and prosper in the future.  With funding from the Assumption Foundation, since becoming the Scott County Catholic Schools Foundation, the process was approved in October 2017.  The Meitler consulting firm was hired in the winter/spring of 2018 and began its nearly year long work.

The process we are now embarking on seems different than the past.  It seems much more bottom-up, and there are no pre-conceived recommendations.  There are no recommendations for closing or merging schools, building a middle school or other level of school (anything that might happen in Bettendorf is moving parallel to regionalization), eliminating families’ school choice, or eliminating all local control.  The only thing that is currently being embraced is that we will be stronger when we are unified together as a system than when we are operating as independent schools.  Now, we need to determine what that looks like and how to get there.

Chad

 

 

August 24, 2017

Posted on by csteimle

Welcome to 2017-18

Welcome to the first Principal’s Post of the school year.  For those of you not familiar with Principal’s Posts, I write one each weekend.  They are posted on our website, available off the front page, and I will send a link, once we have a family email group ready.  Hard copies are also sent home in “backpack mail” with the “youngest or only child” in a family at the beginning of each week.  I use the Principal’s Post to reach the whole school community and sometimes highlight happenings in particular grades.  It does not replace the many communications you will receive from your children’s teachers.

We also utilize a JFK Facebook page, and there is a closed 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 as well.  Make sure you “like” us there!  Highlighted Events and Headlines on our website also tend to be updated each weekend.

A Bit About Me

My wife, Lynn, and I have four children.  My youngest of four children, Caitlin, just started at the University of Kansas.  Academically, she was well ahead, having earned 34 college credit hours while at Assumption.  My next daughter, Kirsten, will be a junior at St. Ambrose and is pursuing a degree in education.  Tom is in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area where he manages two mattress stores, and Colleen, our oldest daughter, works full-time as the head cheerleading coach at the University of Dubuque.

Summers are always busy, wrapping up one school year and preparing for the next.  My mantra is that “we don’t work on Fridays during the summer.”  It should really mean that we don’t work from school on Fridays as I tend to do plenty at home, and summer really means mid-June through July.  The best parts about summer are probably that evening meetings/events slow down, and I get my evenings and weekends back.  As August comes around though we start to feel the excitement of a new school year.  This year was no different.

What’s New About School?

As well as sparkling floors and some freshly painted walls, students may find some other new things around the school.  Using restricted funds, the cafeteria tables and most chairs have been replaced.  We are switching to folding tables with attached stools and other folding tables with wheels so we can more easily and quickly “flip” the cafeteria from one use to another with little labor.

New K-8 social studies materials will arrive soon, and we were able to replace 68 student computers, several teachers’ laptops, and our router using restricted and donated funds.  Our technology plan calls for about 50 student machines to be replaced each year, but we are also trying to replace most of our Windows 7 machines before support for them ends in two years.  Replacing batteries, interactive whiteboard projectors, and the like are other challenges each year.  Being a leader in implementing technology in schools also means we are a leader in having to replace worn equipment!

Major Summer Work on Boiler and Heating System

Our summer heating project is winding down.  We replaced the boiler, water heater, and fan units in the cafeteria and north stairwell.  We also replaced controls in 17 classrooms and various other rooms.  Budgeted at $172,000 project, we have, so far, been able to work within this amount without too many unforeseen circumstances.  Just like remodeling at home, however, you never really know what you are going to find until you start tearing into it.  The Scott County Regional Authority (Bettendorf riverboat) grant for nearly $20,000 to pay for the electronic controls, and several Mid-American rebates totaling over $20,000 will be helpful to reduce our final costs.  Every bit of savings that we have in these projects puts us that much closer to a doable timeline for air conditioning and ventilation!

With all of the heating work being done this summer and our shorthand discussions about HVAC being referred to as replacing the boiler and adding air conditioning, I am almost afraid there is a misconception regarding the HVAC needs of the school.  While replacing the boiler was essential for all our needs, it did not resolve all of the potential heating issues we have.  The large pipes that circulate the hot water around the 1963 section of the building had a life expectancy of 20 – 50 years, and we are now into borrowed time.  The HVAC committee’s recommendation to meet our needs was a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and air conditioning system, which operates like a heating/cooling exchanger, the boiler replacement, and mechanical ventilation.  Adding the VRF system allows us to begin cooling the building and transition away from the need for the hot water circulating pipes as they continue to wear out.  The total cost of the the HVAC committee’s recommendations is about $836,000.  We have about another $664,000 to go.

It is a misconception to think that the cost effective solution to our HVAC needs now that the boiler has been replaced is to just add in window air conditioning units.  Looking out over  the next 20 years, the cost to replace the boiler and add window units and mechanical ventilation was projected to be about $425,000.  Having to replace the pipes could cost another $800,000.   The total of $1.2 million is well over what the HVAC committee is recommending.  The HVAC committee’s recommendations with the VRF system are a prudent way to utilize the financial resources of the OLV/JFK community.

Other Construction Work this Summer

You could not miss other construction work at the church this summer.  Due to hail damage, the entire church roof was replaced, and other building roof’s will still have some work done to them.  There was also some water damage from storms while the church roof was being replaced so there is some interior work being done in a couple of locations as well.  The rusted-through stained glass window frames are being replaced, and some mortar work is being done as some bricks were discovered to be loose once the frames were removed.  Once again, it has been a busy summer on campus!

Staff Changes

Each year begins with some staff changes or changes in assignments.  Jodi Weiser assumes a 5th grade position after filling in as a long-term substitute last spring.  Noelle Myers has been added to our lunch staff, and Kerri Nykoluk is working in a part-time position split between the parish and school offices.  Dawn Henning will be assuming more of the financial work that deals with school families as we try to reduce the number of staff involved; one shouldn’t have to talk to three or four different people to find out what one owes in tuition, registration fees, child care fees, lunch program fees, etc.

John Deere Employees Can Double Their Giving

Did you know that effective 5/1/2017, all full-time & part-time employees of John Deere can now have their monetary gifts to JFK school matched 100% from as little as $50 to a maximum of $1000 annually. For more information regarding the John Deere Foundation, simply log into doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/john-deere-company. Your link then to register your gift is powerforgood.deere.com for all guidelines, forms and corporate contact questions.

What a simple way to DOUBLE your giving and help OLV sustain a model learning & growing Catholic school!

Permanent Memorial for Peg Gooder

Several individuals and groups have inquired about installing a permanent memorial for Peg Gooder out by the playground equipment.  We are now accepting donations for a memorial bench to be purchased and installed in her memory.  If you or your organization would like to make a donation for such a memorial, please send it to the school office in an envelope labeled, “Peg Gooder memorial.”  Checks can be written to Our Lady of Victory.

 

Chad