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 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.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 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
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
