Principal’s Post for January 11, 2026

Posted on by csteimle

New/Updated Information

Make Sure ESAs Stay – Take Action Now

See the below message from Andy Craig, president of SCCS:

“Dear Parents and Guardians,

We need your voice to make a difference for Iowa students! The Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education (Iowa ACE) is working hard to ensure families have access to the best educational opportunities for their children.

Please take a moment to complete the petition at the link below:
https://www.iowaace.org/take-action/

Your support helps advocate for policies that empower parents and provide more choices in education. Every signature counts, and together we can make a lasting impact.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting Iowa families!”

Claim the ESA Funding for the 2nd Semester

Action is needed by the end of the month. There are still a few families that have not yet authorized the transfer of ESA funds for tuition for the second semester. If you have not yet done so, please log in to your Odyssey account and approve the tuition.  It should only take a few minutes. Then, the State of Iowa will be able to pay Scott County Catholic Schools (SCCS) for your students’ tuition.  This needs to be done by January 31, 2025. Failure to take action will result in you being responsible for the tuition without the benefit of state funding; you will have to pay it yourself.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the SCCS business office at (563) 326-5313.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

It was nice to see Children’s Liturgy of the Word active again at JFK, and we are thankful for the adults helping to run it. I think I saw Lorrie Graves, Lisa Haverkamp, and one other adult helping with it. You can help too. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place at Mass during the readings and homily, which are about 15-20 minutes. Below is a QR code you can use to volunteer.

See the following photo/flyer.

Special Schedules

Fri, Jan 16: End of 2nd Qtr. 2 Hour Early Dismissal (12:40). No PM PS Classes.

Mon, Jan 19: No Classes. ECLC Open.

Students Need Charged Devices

We are in the midst of winter reading and math screenings. Make sure your student brings his/her CHARGED device to school each day.

Catholic Schools Week 2026

Below is an draft of the activities:

Sat, Jan 24

  • 4:30 school Mass
    • Wear JFK spirit wear or green/white
  • 5:30 Meal in the parish center
  • 6:00-8:30 Family Fun Night & Book Fair
    • Bounce houses, games, cake walk, pop toss, dance/karaoke

Mon, Jan 26

  • Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser by grades 3-8
  • K-2 Special classroom activities
  • Dress: Hat day with athletic attire

Tues, Jan 27

  • Talent show in the afternoon
    • Information/sign up sheets were distributed prior to Christmas break. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Mrs. Putnam for extra copies. Returned information goes to Mrs. Corcoran
    • K class act begins at 12:00. Individual/group acts will follow but be grouped by the type of act rather than grade level. Guests are welcome, but we cannot anticipate the time of the performers. Staff will likely go last.
    • Students may also bring a pillow to sit upon
  • Dress: Prince/Princess Day

Wed, Jan 28

  • All school Mass
  • Bring an adult guest to lunch day
    • K: 10:40-11:10
    • 3/4: 11:10-11:40
    • 1/2: 11:40-12:10
    • 5/6: 12:10-12:40
    • 7/8: 12:40-1:10
    • Lunch flyer/form will be emailed and sent home via hard copy. It must be returned so we know how much food to order. The child’s lunch account will be charged for the adult meal. Just make sure there are funds in your child’s lunch account; no separate funds are needed for the adults.
    • After lunch, students and their adult guests are welcome to attend the book fair.
    • Parents may take their children home for the day after lunch but must check their children out through the office and let the homeroom teacher know as well.
  • Dress: Spirit wear or green/white out of uniform (pants can be out of uniform too)
  • Ice Skating @ The Landing, 5:00-9:00 p.m. H & S receives a donation based upon the number of attendees. (No, you don’t have to be there for the full four hours.)

Thurs, Jan 29

  • Mass at AHS for students in grades 2-12 in SCCS schools
    • The first set of buses will leave JFK around 8:45. Mass will conclude around 10:30. The last students should be back at JFK by around 11:30. There is no separate permission slip as long as you gave permission for your child to attend field trips during the online registration last spring.
  • Drop Everything and Read or homeroom team building activities
  • Dress: Take pride in your uniform day. All students in SCCS will be in dress code (even those upper grade students who may have PE today)

Fri, Jan 30

  • 8th grade vs. staff volleyball games with other grades cheering them on or doing special activities determined by teachers
  • Dress: Homeroom color choice
  • Snow Tubing @ Snowstar, 6:00-9:00 p.m. H & S receives a donation based upon the number of attendees

Still Relevant

Parking Lot Procedure Changes

As new signs become available and the weather is cooperative for painting on the blacktop, changes to drop-off/pick up procedures will be implemented in response to safety surveys and information.

The first small change will actually be implemented beginning January 5th. Cones will be placed at the end of the first lane of parking spots nearest 42nd Street and by the school in the morning (by the handicapped spots). This area was never intended as a drop off zone. The cones will prevent someone from dropping off in this parking lane and continuing to exit.

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 

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:

  • Jan 15: H & S, 6:00, Parish Center (carpeted side)
  • Jan 16: $2 Out of Uniform Fundraiser (jersey or sports merchandise) for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. End of 2nd Qtr. 2 Hour Early Dismissal (12:40). No PM PS Classes. Middle School Youth Night. JFK Night at Quad Cities Storm Hockey Game: Hockey Flyer, 2026
  • Jan 17: Marion Honor Band.
  • Jan 19: No Classes. ECLC Open.
  • Jan 21: Kids Heart Challenge Begins.
  • Jan 22: Skate Night
  • Jan 23: Coe College Honor Band. Middle School Youth Night.
  • Jan 24: SEIBA Honor Band. Catholic Schools Week Activities Begin

Personal Sharing

I don’t have anything this week; I spent most of the day working on my “speech” for Masses at the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Plan on attending one of those Saturday or Sunday Masses to learn how JFK’s theme this year, “No Fear: The mighty power of Jesus is fighting for me here” is active.

Chad