New/Updated Information
Early Dismissal on Friday – No 4/5 YO PS Classes
- Dismissal is 2 hours early (12:40) on Friday.
- There are no 4/5 year old preschool classes in the morning or afternoon.
Altar Server Training – Mass Attendance
Altar Server Training will be held Saturday, May 30th from 9:30am-11am in the church. Children who will be entering the 4th grade and up, who are interested in altar serving at Mass, are invited to attend this training. One parent/adult needs to attend with the student. It does seem awkward when we have a record number of students at JFK but no altar servers at some of the weeekend Masses. Of course, it also seems odd that there there is a record number of students at JFK but the number/percent of JFK students at weekend Masses seems like it’s also at a record low, but that’s a different topic!
Teaching Job Open at JFK for 2026-27
There is one teaching position now open at JFK for 2026-27. Adjustments of teaching assignments will take place so we are currently looking for someone to fill a position in grades 1-5 or work as a reading interventionist. To apply for a teaching position at JFK, please submit your resume and transcripts to Logan Ahnquist at logan.ahnquist@sccsiowa.org. You can find more information and the online application that needs to be completed at the following website https://davenportdiocese.schoolspring.com/
Third Quarter Report Cards
We hope to have third quarter report cards printed, sorted, and mailed early this week. Holy Week and the long Easter weekend threw us off our timing!
Still Relevant
ISASPs
ISASP tests are right around the corner: the week of April 20th for students in grades 3-8. If your child has an appointment for that week, and it can be moved, please do so. We’d really like everyone to complete the testing with their class. Eighth graders who go to AHS for Algebra will report to JFK instead on April 21st and 23rd so they have fewer “make-ups” and special scheduling. We also want to emphasize that students should be on time during ISASP week. Once we start testing in the morning, students are not allowed to interupt their class. School starts at 7:25 a.m.
Video Explaining the Mass
Need an explanation of the Mass? Fr. Mike Schmitz takes you through the Mass and talks about each part and what it means in this video.
I-Ready Math Requirements
I-Ready use can help your child’s math skills.
I-Ready Math is an online program we use to better understand each student’s math strengths and learning needs. It begins with a short diagnostic/screener that helps identify what skills a student has mastered and where additional support or challenge is needed. Based on those results, i-Ready provides personalized math lessons that adjust to each child’s level, allowing students to work at an appropriate pace while building confidence and understanding. At school, students use i-Ready Math for at least 30 minutes per week as part of their regularly scheduled instructional time. That should be enough time to at least do one i-Ready lesson per week. Students not finishing the lesson at school will have it assigned as homework. In addition, students who scored below benchmark in math at both the fall and winter screenings will be required to work with i-Ready outside of school hours, reinforcing the school/home partnership. Upper grades are having the greatest challenges in completing their minutes, and we would really like to prevent large numbers of students having to stay after school. Students may always voluntarily do i-Ready lessons at home as well.
Leaps & Bounds Summer 2026
Leaps & Bounds focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. About two hours is used for reading, one hour for math, and 30 minutes for recess/snack. Space is limited, and a minimum number of students is also needed in order for it to be viable. Currently, ESA funds are not able to be used for it. This summer’s two week session is July 13-17 and 20-24. Registration materials can be found online.
No Parking on Drive by the Ball Field
There is to be no parking on both sides of the drive by the fall field. Both sides should be open for entering and exiting traffic.
Checking Students’ Grades and Missing Work
Below is a link to the instructions for parents to check students’ “in progress” standards grades. It also includes directions for checking missing assignments and Algebra grades for students taking the class at Assumption. The directions cover how to use both the PowerSchool portal on a computer and the PowerSchool app.
Important notes:
- There are some things that just cannot be done on the app. You will have to use a computer for them.
- There is a message that says “Grades disabled by school.” IGNORE this message. It references a certain type of grade and not the standards-referenced grades we are using.
📚Learning Habits Matter
Reading Every Day
It’s not how long students read—it’s how often.
Reading a little each day consistently leads to stronger growth than reading occasionally for longer periods. Like any skill, progress comes from steady, intentional practice over time.
Across grade levels:
PK–2
• Short daily reading with an adult
• Re-reading familiar books to build fluency and confidence
Grades 3–5
• Regular independent reading
• Building stamina and understanding across longer texts
Grades 6–8
• Reading novels, nonfiction, and informational texts
• Engaging with increasingly complex ideas across subjects
Reading is not just an activity—it is thinking work. When students read consistently, they are strengthening their ability to focus, make meaning, and reason through text.
Principal reflection:
My daily reading at home starts each morning by reading the QCTimes online as soon as I get up. When I arrive home after work, I read national news articles chosen from a newsfeed that gives me about 50 articles from a variety of sources to find out “What’s going on in the world?” I also have a novel that’s always in play and typically make it through a book once every two – three weeks. And, yes, even though I read quite a bit, I also spend way too much time mindlessly scrolling through YouTube videos each day!
Highlighted Events
Multiple calendars are available on our website, www.olvjfk.com. On the school side of the website, a one-page summary calendar is on the front page. Detailed calendars can also be reached by clicking on the calendars heading toward the upper right corner of the website. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you. Below are a few highlighted events:
- Apr 13: Butter Braid/Cookie Dough Pickup
- Apr 14: 6th Field Trip. Coffee & Crumble Truck (6:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m.)
- Apr 15: Fr. Andrew at OLV/JFK
- Apr 16: Papa Murphy’s Dine & Donate
- Apr 17: 2 Hr Early Dismissal. No 4/5 YO PS Classes. Kickball tournament and dance
- Apr 18: Confirmation
- Apr 20 : ISASPs begin
- Apr 23: Papa Murphy’s Dine & Donate
- Apr 24: 7th Shark Tank Final Rnd
- Apr 25: First Communion Retreat/Rehearsal
- Apr 30: H & S. Papa Murphy’s Dine & Donate.
- May 29: Last Day of K-8
Personal Sharing
I was incognito at Menard’s this weekend. It took me an extra moment to recognize a JFK family across the store — different setting, different clothes. Probably just as well. They didn’t recognize me either in paint-spattered pants, a sweatshirt, and a baseball cap… even with the JFK logo on!
Chad
