Mid-Quarter
The end of the first mid-quarter was late last week. We hope to email mid-quarter reports to families early this week.
We will also be putting together a survey regarding our COVID mitigation efforts, remote learning this fall, and face-to-face learning experiences. Look for that survey late this week or early next week.
Online JFK Spirit Store
Click HERE for the online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School
COVID Related
Our complete Return to Learn Plan and FAQ document continue to available to families. Please note that both of these documents will continue to be updated as necessary. Some of the challenges that we are/will be facing are the following:
- Kids/adults get sick even without COVID-19. I read recently that kids may have as many as eight “colds” per year. Unfortunately, with so many illnesses having the same symptoms as COVID-19, people are having to get COVID tests and/or be out of school and work more often. It’s not just that people are being tested more, however, the percent of positive tests is increasing as well in Iowa and Scott County. Several weeks ago, it was the counties in which UNI, Iowa State, and the University of Iowa are located that were in the news with the highest 14 day positivity rates. Now, those counties are below the state average and even below many other counties, including Scott County. Most situations here involving COVID are not the “super spreader” events you hear about in the news. Rather, they are small gatherings of family and close friends or work-related situations. We cannot let our guard down.
- As the temperature drops, we can rely less and less upon open windows and fans for ventilation. Please make sure your students dress in layers and have sweatshirts available for when we can utilize open windows.
- People are like magnets; they are attracted to one another. Unless we are at our designated spots in classrooms or in the pews at church marked with black dots, we tend to move together. It’s tough to remember to stay apart from one another. This week we’ll try a few additional steps at recesses, particularly the longer lunch recesses, to try to help kids stay farther apart from each other.
Since school began, JFK has had between 1 and 5 positive COVID cases among students and staff. There have, of course, been more students and staff who have been tested and/or who have had to quarantine. I would encourage everyone to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere. Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.
Flu Shots
Did you get your flu shot yet? I got mine a week ago. JFK will be participating in the Genesis Flu-Free QC program again this year to offer free flu shots to students. We do not yet have the details, however.
Handbook Sign-Off
Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.pdf. Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family. Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.
Substitutes Needed
All of our Catholic schools are in need of substitutes. Not only do staff members get sick, possibly have to quarantine, or have an emergency plumbing need at their homes, they also have their own children who get sick, have to quarantine, etc. Our conversation, again, at this week’s principal’s meeting was that it probably won’t be the number of absent kids that forces grade level/building closure; it’ll be the number of staff members out. We’ve been tested pretty well at JFK on a couple of recent days. We’ve had five staff members gone on one day, and seven on another afternoon. Thankfully, they weren’t all classroom teachers, and we were able to adjust everyone’s schedules to accommodate the absences. That may not always be the case, however.
You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute. A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.
Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time. Substitutes make $12.39 per hour. or about $96 per day.
If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.
Annual Diocesan Appeal
Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese. Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.
Dress Code Change
At the October board meeting, the board passed a motion stating that the following applies now to males as well as females: No more than 2 post earrings in each ear. No dangle or hoop earrings. No tattoos and body piercing other than the ears.
Dueling Radio Stations
It’s been a long time since I’ve heard dueling radio stations. On Saturday, I was staining part of our fence, and my neighbor was painting something in her garage. We both had “old-fashioned” radios with dial in tuners playing different stations. No headphones, no ear buds, no Spotify, no YouTube Music, not even digital tuning…. I wonder if kids today will even know what a radio station is.
Chad
