New/Updated Information

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for November

Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference: JFK GROWS. We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices. Each month, except December, this year, we are recognizing one student from each homeroom whose teachers have observed them exhibiting these traits particularly well at school during the past month:

KE – Mya M: Mya is always respectful and welcoming in our classroom. She uses kind words, listens carefully, and follows directions right away..

KI – Cora J: Cora is a role model student in the classroom. She follows directions, takes responsibility for her learning, and always tries her best.

KN – Kayden V: Kayden is a hard worker and sticks with it even when things are tough. He always uses his manners and is a nice friend to others.

1B – Tamia M: Tamia is always trying her very best. She is kind, respectful and responsible.

1Y – Layla A: Layla is a kind and respectful student. She tries her best in all classroom activities and is a good friend with whom students have fun playing.

2M – Rory V: Rory is a dependable classmate. We can count on her to take care of others and make them feel welcome. She helps out in the classroom and out at recess so quietly most wouldn’t even notice. She has a heart of gold and a smile to match.

2P – Ella K: Ella is always there to help anyone at every minute of the day. She gives her all everyday and is a great role model for her classmates.

3E – Alexzandria P: Alexzandria follows classroom rules consistently and sets a great example for others. Her responsible behavior helps keep our classroom a positive place to learn.

3V – Will D: Will is an outstanding third grader and an absolute pleasure to have in the classroom. He consistently listens, follows directions, and is on task. He is a positive example for everyone around him.

4F – Brecken B: Brecken is always willing to help out and support a friend in need. He enjoys helping the teacher keep the classroom space neat and organized.

4L – Olivia W: Olivia is a hardworking student who takes her schoolwork seriously. She is new to our school and has been a welcome addition. She is always kind and respectful. Olivia makes a difference in our classroom!

5C – Holden M: Holden is a positive student to have in class. He comes in everyday with a smile on his face and is always willing to jump in and help those around him. Holden is kind, caring, and a great example of our JFK difference.

5E – Annie W: Annie has the kindest heart, and she always loves to help. All day, she has on a smiling face, and she gets along well with everyone at school. She is always trying her best and wanting to improve. She volunteers and participates all the time, and she treats all her peers and faculty with immense respect. She is a wonderful example of a hardworking student who listens well and has the biggest growth-mindset; I can tell that so many people are inspired by her optimism and hard work.

6N – Chesney H: Chesney is a very hard worker and always trying her best. She is kind and helpful and always willing to step in when needed.

6T – Nolan J: Nolan shows respect and follows all classroom expectations. He is especially helpful with the kindergarteners he sits with at Mass and is always ready to help his classmates and teachers.

7P – Ivy K: Ivy is a natural leader, although she would never take advantage of that. She is great about asking questions for clarification as well as putting her best effort into her work. She acknowledges her own weaknesses and works hard to improve in those areas. She always takes it upon herself to kindly help fellow classmates and steer them in the right direction or aid them in getting back on track without being asked.

7R – Mia V : Mia is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who always puts forth her best effort. She participates actively in class, is willing to help others when needed, and gets along well with her classmates, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere.

8C – Marshall N: Marshall works well with others and volunteers often in class. He supports a positive learning environment for everyone.

8L – Morgan F: Morgan demonstrates positive behavior and puts forth great effort in class. She often volunteers in class and helps students achieve educational goals.

Civic Oration First Round

All 5th-8th graders gave their “civic oration” speeches this past week. This year’s research paper and speech topic was a famous landmark. By the time students graduate from 8th grade, the overwhelming majority always mentions how glad they were to have done civic oration. Below are the students who are advancing to this week’s second round of the speech competition part of the project:

5/6 Grade Division: Abby C, Basheer D, Elaina K, Kennedy K, Luke S, Natalie VM, Daniel A, Makynlee F, Nolan J, Hannah M, Crue N, Abigail S

7/8 Grade Division: Addelyn A, Brianna C, Ivy K, Caleb P, Elyas R, Mia VM, Will C,, Audrey J, Ava N, Gideon O, Paloma S, Lilly S

Christmas Is Coming — Should I Get My Child a Smartphone?

Every year, parents wrestle with the big Christmas question: “Is this the year my child gets a smartphone?” There’s no perfect answer, but here’s one truth worth keeping in mind: a smartphone won’t end childhood… it just hits the fast-forward button. Once that device is unwrapped, kids suddenly gain access to group chats, notifications at all hours, and social drama that even adults struggle to navigate. Research tells us that early smartphone use tends to replace imaginative play, disrupts sleep, opens doors to adult content, and makes it harder for kids to build strong attention skills. As you think about what’s best for your family, remember that it’s completely okay to delay the smartphone—or choose a simpler device—if you’d prefer to keep life on “normal speed” a little longer.

Still Relevant

Why Math Practice Really Matters

There’s a great analogy from Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong. He explains that math practice works the same way weight-lifting does for athletes. Soccer players don’t lift weights because weights show up on the field—they lift because it strengthens them for the game.

Math is similar.

Even when a problem looks repetitive or doesn’t feel “real world,” it’s actually exercising the brain. Those small, steady challenges build mental muscles: focus, reasoning, persistence, and the ability to break down complicated problems.

Students may not use every specific math skill every day, but the strength gained from practicing them shows up everywhere else in life—reading, science, decision-making, and even how they approach challenges.

Math practice isn’t about memorizing steps or even about the math itself—it’s about preparing students with the mental strength and flexibility they’ll rely on for the rest of their lives.

Citation:
Ellenberg, Jordan. How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking. Penguin Books, 2014.

Children’s Liturgy of the Words is Coming Back to OLV

See the following photo/flyer.

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.

Instructions

Bandit Retiring from School Work

Back in September, I mentioned that Bandit, our facility dog, was experiencing health issues affecting his ability to be at school and his ongoing training and certification. His anxiety level also seems to have increased, and the additional training we’ve been trying to do is not helping his ability to work at school. Bandit is going to have to retire from school work. If you are interested in adopting Bandit as a household pet, please let Mrs. Wolf know. We are thankful for what Bandit was able to offer at JFK and wish him well in retirement.

POP-UP Conversations for Parents

Need some help talking to your children about any of the following real-life topics?

My Kid is Struggling with Anxiety
My Kid Is Always on Their Phone
My Kid is Unmotivated & Unfocused
My Kid is Struggling with Friendships
My Kid is Confused and Anxious about Our Polarized Culture
My Kid Feels Pressure to Be Perfect
My Kid Doesn’t Want to Go to Church Anymore

Try utilizing POP-UP Conversations for Parents (Downloadable Videos & Leader Guides). Each topic includes a 10–13 minute video “onramp” from a trusted voice to spark discussion, and an easy-to-use Leader’s Guide. These one – hour sessions are designed to help parents/caregivers recognize God’s presence and calling as they care for their kids, and can be used in a variety of in person or online formats.

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:

Dec 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Dine & Donate at Texas Roadhouse.
Dec 9: Civic Oration 2nd Rnd. 3/4 Christmas Show.
Dec 10: 3/4 Out of Uniform.
Dec 11: Band and 5-8 Choral Performance at JFK
Dec 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 4/5 YO PS Holiday Workshop. Middle School Youth Night
Dec 16: Civic Oration Final Rnd. Advent Communal Penance Service at Sacred Heart. K-2 Christmas Program
Dec 17: 7th Grade Shopping. 3 YO PS Holiday Event.
Dec 18: K-2 Out of Uniform. Advent Communal Penance Service at Lourdes.
Dec 19: Red/White/Green/Christmas Attire. No PM PS. 2 Hr Early Dismissal. Middle School Youth Night
Dec 21-Jan 2: Christmas Break for Students. ECLC Closed.
Jan 5: Classes and ECLC Resume.

Personal Sharing

Transition point? I’ve been wondering when you transition from being proud and excited about how late you can stay up at night to being excited about how early you can go to bed. No one I know talks about staying up late anymore, but we all talk enviously to one another when the discussion is how early we were able to get to bed.

Chad