Library Time
Is there a reason I always seem to run into teachers (and their own children) at the library? Even Mrs. Whelchel, who teaches several sections of 7th/8th grade math at JFK, is a regular at the library for herself and her children. Do teachers know something about the importance of reading?
MobyMax
Have your children been on MobyMax outside of school? Share your experiences with your child’s teacher so we can acquire some good feedback. MobyMax is an online tool that we are using to supplement math instruction, primarily. It does, however, also have modules for reading, English/language arts, social studies, and science. It can be used both in and outside of school across a variety of platforms. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you misplaced the log in information.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week is right around the corner, beginning with the all school 4:30 Mass on January 26th followed by the spaghetti dinner and open house. Details will be sent home within the next couple of weeks.
Bible Study for Middle School Youth
You’ve never seen a Bible study like this before! OLV’s Faith Formation staff is offering “Encounter: Experiencing God in the Everyday,” for 6th-8th grade students after school beginning in January. Dates are January 24 and 31, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, and March 7 and 21. Each session is 2:45-3:45 in the library or parish center. Cost is $13, and registration is due by January 7th. For more information, or if financial assistance is needed, please contact Jennifer Wemhoff at 563-391-8384 of davolvrek6@diodav.org.
Need the Bulletin?
When I don’t get a hard copy bulletin at church, I always think that I’ll just go look it up online. Then, it seems as if I rarely do. Here’s the link: December 30, 2018.
Blessing Bags Collection Begins
Have an old backpack? A drawstring sports bag? JFK is teaming with OLV’s Christian Service Ministry to collect new or gently used backpacks or similar bags for adults. During Lent in the spring, the bags will be filled with with non-perishable items for the homeless and distributed. Bags can be sent to school through January 13th.
Welcome Mrs. Antle in PE
Mrs. Antle will be assuming PE duties at JFK for about four weeks when Mrs. Tilkens has her baby. Mrs. Tilkens’ little one is due within a week.
K & 3rd Grade Hearing and Vision Screenings
Hearing and vision screenings will take place for 3rd graders next Wednesday.
Parish Appreciation Party — All JFK Adults Invited
To express thanks to all who perform service for our parish and school community, a FREE party will be hosted for adults on January 12th. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with food served at 6:00 p.m. Beverages, desserts and substantial hors d’oeuvres will be served. If you pray, sing, perform a liturgical role, donate food, serve on a committee, coach, volunteer, etc., you are invited. Please RSVP to the parish office (563-391-4245).
Policy Revisions
The board made changes to the following two policies in December. The complete policies are listed below, and they have also been updated in our handbook online:
Policy 561
Student Records
In accordance with state law, JFK maintains a permanent office record and cumulative record for each student. Student records shall be kept confidential, “unless otherwise ordered by the court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information.” (Iowa Code § 22.7.) Release of information found on these records must be in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
The permanent office record shall serve as a historical record of official information concerning the student’s education. At a minimum, the permanent office record should contain evidence of attendance and educational progress, serve as an official transcript, contain other data for use in planning to meet student needs, and provide data for official school and school district reports. This record is permanently maintained and stored in a fire-resistant safe or vault or can be maintained and stored electronically with a secure back-up file.
The cumulative record shall provide a continuous and current record of significant information on progress and growth. It should reflect information such as courses taken, scholastic progress, school attendance, physical and health record, experiences, interests, aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, honors, extracurricular activities, and future plans. It is the working record used by the instructional professional staff in understanding the student. At the request of a receiving school or school district, a copy of the cumulative record shall be sent to officials of that school when a student transfers.
Parents shall have access to the student’s records during the regular business hours of the school. Upon the request of parents, the school shall provide an explanation and interpretation of the student records and a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained or used by the school.
Student records may be disclosed in limited circumstances without parental or eligible student’s written permission. This disclosure is made on the condition that the student record will not be disclosed to a third party without the written permission of the parents. The disclosure may be made to the following individuals or under the following circumstances:
- to school officials and AEA personnel who have a legitimate educational interest, including, but not limited to, employees, school attorney, auditor, and health professionals;
- to officials of the area Catholic high school or another school or school district in which the student wishes to enroll;
- to the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education or state and local educational authorities;
- in connection with financial aid for which the family has applied;
- to organizations conducting educational studies and the study does not release personally identifiable information;
- to accrediting organizations;
- to parents of a dependent student as defined by the Internal Revenue Code;
- to comply with a court order or judicially issued subpoena;
- consistent with an interagency agreement between the school district and juvenile justice agencies;
- in connection with a health or safety emergency; or,
- as directory information
School office personnel shall keep a list of individuals, agencies or organizations which have requested or obtained access to a student’s records, the date access was given and their legitimate educational interest or purpose for which they were authorized to view the records. The school, however, does not need to keep a list of the parents, authorized educational employees, officers and agencies of the school who have accessed the student’s records.
Special education is under the authority of the Davenport Community School District. Special education records may be accessed according to the DCSD’s policies.
JFK will cooperate with the juvenile justice system in sharing information contained in student records regarding students who have become involved with the juvenile justice system. JFK will enter into an interagency agreement with the juvenile justice agency (agencies) involved.
JFK may share any information with the agencies contained in a student’s record which is directly related to the juvenile justice system’s ability to effectively serve the student. Information shared pursuant to the agreement shall be used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student’s family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student’s family.
Confidential information shared between the school and the agencies shall remain confidential and shall not be shared with any other person, unless otherwise provided by law. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student’s parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian. The school district may discontinue information sharing with an agency if the school district determines that the agency has violated the intent or letter of the agreement.
Surveillance video maintained by the school or that comes into the school’s possession and was used to make decisions in the educational setting is an “educational record” as well. Notes used for disciplinary decisions are also considered educational records.
Parents or legal guardians of students under the age of 18 have the right to inspect and review their child’s educational records, including video that has become an educational record. They do not have a right to a copy of the video, but they do have a right to a copy of other educational records. Inspecting and reviewing video that has become an educational record may occur even if the parents of others in the video have not consented. If video becomes an educational record due to disciplinary actions, the right to inspect and review applies to both the student disciplined and the target(s). When disciplinary notes for disciplinary decisions have become educational records, they should be redacted to protect students’ identities. If redaction is not possible without destroying the meaning, the statements can be inspected and reviewed without consent of other students’ parents.
Parents also have the right to request that the school amend the records if they feel that the information is misleading or inaccurate. If the school does not wish to amend the records, the parents or legal guardians have the right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in the child’s file explaining why they feel the records are misleading or inaccurate.
The school will provide training or instruction to employees about parents’ rights under this policy. Employees shall also be informed about the procedures for carrying out this policy.
It shall be the responsibility of the school to annually notify parents of their right to inspect and review their student’s records. This notification is achieved through the publication of the policy in the parent and student handbook, which is acknowledged as having been accessed and read by a parent or guardian on an annual basis. Parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the school failed to comply with this policy.
Policy Adopted: July 12, 2005; Policy Revised: June 14, 2018; December 4, 2018; Policy Reviewed: May 6, 2008; May 3, 2011; May 6, 2014; June 6, 2017
Policy 757.14
Lunch Program Family Account Balances
Students may purchase a hot lunch from our pre-pay lunch program. Rates for the hot lunch meal, “milk only,” and “extras” of the main entrée will be posted regularly. Checks should be made out to “JFK Lunch Program.” The amount of the check will be posted to a family account. As the students eat from the hot lunch program, the cost will be deducted from the family account balance. Account balances are communicated regularly. Balances can also be checked on-line.
School officials will check lunch balances each week. Students whose family balance is negative $35 or more will not be served “extras” until a positive balance is seen at a following weekly lunch balance check. Families are notified of the opportunity to apply for free and/or reduced lunches weekly.
Families that remain on the negative balance list for the second consecutive week will be notified via email providing options of how the family lunch balance can be managed:
- Pay the negative balance and deposit funds into the family lunch account.
- Parent may provide written request to the school to withhold hot lunch meals from the student.
- Complete an application for free/reduced lunch. A denied application will not reduce the debt, and another option will need to be chosen.
- Work lunch duties (more than four may be possible) and have the lunch duty fee reimbursement applied to the lunch account.
Families may always apply for free and/or reduced lunches with forms available in the office and on our website. The applications are also distributed to ALL families at least at the beginning of the school year. New applications are needed each year.
“It is the policy of JFK not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.7 and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by (name of CNP Provider), please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; web site: http://www.state.ia.us/government/crc/index.html.”
Policy Adopted: June 5, 2007; Policy Reviewed: April 12, 2010; May 7, 2013; Policy Revised: April 5, 2016; June 6, 2017; December 4, 2018
