🆕New/Updated Information

Jumanji Field Day on Friday

Many schools have a field day. We have themed field days, like this year’s Jumanji Field Day. Sara Tilkens goes all out for JFK’s field day and illustrates “There is a difference in education!”

Last Days

See the detailed calendar on our website and/or the highlighted events below as we complete the last days of preschool and K-8.

23% Without ESA Applications

Nearly 1/4 of our families who have registered for next year have not completed an ESA application yet. Applications must be completed every year, even if you are already receiving an ESA. If you do not complete an application, you will be responsible for the full tuition yourself.

Apply now: State ESA Website

Altar Server Training This Saturday

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.

Return of Devices and Chargers

All school owned devices and chargers will be collected this week. Please make sure your children have them at school. Chargers seem to be the most easily misplaced items. Devices and chargers are “checked out” to students. Students are responsible for returning the device they were issued. There is a charge for lost equipment.

Summer Use of I-Ready for Math

I-Ready is available for students to continue to use through July 31st. Look for a separate email with more detailed log in instructions.

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for May

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 – Levi S: Levi is a hardworking kindergarten student who comes to school ready to learn each day. His effort and determination help him grow and learn every day.

KI – James H: James has progressed and grown so much this school year. We are proud of him and all of his achievements.

KN – Kiya D: Kiya is always excited about learning. She tries her best to be a good listener and works hard on her assignments. Kiya strives to follow the rules and helps others do the same.

1B – Autumn C: Autumn is always kind to others with her words and her actions. She tries her very best on her schoolwork and is determined to do well. She has grown as a learner and a student this year, and we’re proud of all of her hard work!

1Y – Rachael A: Rachael has a fun and positive personality. She is open to trying new things and is kind to her classmates.

2M – Perlita K: Perlita is such a hard worker. You will always find her following the school rules and doing her very best work. She makes sure to follow the JFK difference every day.

2P – Paul M: Paul has a giving heart that reaches out all day, everyday. He knows when a hug, a smile, or a helping hand is needed. Paul is one of the brightest lights in 2P.

3E – Harper F: Harper is a dedicated and hardworking student who perseveres even when faced with challenges. She consistently brings a positive attitude to the classroom, greeting others with a warm smile and readily offering support to others.

3V – Clare H: Clare is a wonderful example of what it means to be a dedicated third grader. She stays on task and follows directions with ease and is ready to learn. She is committed to putting her best effort into every assignment. Also,she makes our classroom a better place by being kind and supportive of others

4F – Abby W: Abby is always ready to learn. She is a great listener, rule follower, and asks questions if she doesn’t understand something. Abby always does her best work and is willing to help others when they need it. She is a good role model for her peers!

4L – Amelia B: Amelia deserves student of the month because she just started at our school in May. Anyone who has started a new school knows how hard that can be-especially this time of year! Amelia is always kind and respectful. She has handled the change very well and has impressed us with her hard work and positive attitude.

5C – Hadley S: Hadley is such a joy to have in class everyday. She works hard in all she does and cares about those around her. She will jump in to help whenever needed and is a great example of our JFK difference to those around her and the younger kids at JFK.

5E – Stanley V: Stanley always has a smiling face and such an optimistic aura that is contagious. He always holds himself accountable, and he does what he is asked to do without complaint. He works his hardest every day, has a big growth mindset, and is very understanding. Lastly, he pays attention during every lesson, participating as much as he can while following all directions very well.

6N – Stevens F: Stevens is an excellent student who always strives to do well. He shows the JFK Difference in both academics and behavior. His smile is grand every day this year!

6T – Myles H: Myles is a hard-working and responsible student who gives his best effort. He is always willing to help out his classmates and teachers.

7P – Liam S: Over the month of May, Liam has seemed to have found his confidence. He works hard at keeping himself on task. He has become very helpful to his teachers, including picking up without being asked. Liam has a kind heart, and he approaches all issues with grace, keeping a level head and using his words carefully. He has a great sense of humor and is the best wasp-destroyer 7P could ask for!

7R – Leslie M: Leslie is a wonderful addition to our classroom community. She works well with others, always showing kindness and respect when collaborating with her classmates. She is also quick to offer help to others when they need it, which helps create a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone. Her teamwork and willingness to help others make her very deserving of being recognized as Student of the Month.

8C – Greyson C: Greyson participates and volunteers often, making the classroom environment run smoothly.

8L – Grant S: Grant participates well and tries hard on all his assignments. His efforts pay off dearly in 8th grade.

Work on our Fields

Spring work on our fields behind the school have begun, and some seed is germinating nicely. We will have more work done in the fall. The fields were in very bad shape, however. Unfortunately, so much work is causing us to stay off of it during most recesses, but hopefully the payoff will be worth it.

📌Still Relevant

Spread the Word – Job Openings at JFK

We will have two openings in our lunch program. The hours are about 10:00-2:00 or 2:30. Please contact me or Meredith Ash (meredith.ash@olvjfkmail.com).

Summer Lunch Program

Please look for a separate email with flyers regarding summer lunch programs and the Sun Bucks program. Free lunches and food assistance are available during the summer. (Note: JFK is NOT a summer lunch site, but there are multiple sites throughout Davenport.)

Leaps & Bounds Summer 2026 – Financial Assistance Available

There’s still assistance available! We received a donation for this summer’s Leaps & Bounds. Don’t let the $200 cost keep your students away. Just let us know you need some financial help. L & B 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 so register now. This summer’s two week session is July 13-17 and 20-24. Registration materials can be found online.

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.

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

📚Learning Habits Matter

Summer Reading

Visible books are read books.

Or, at the very least, they communicate that reading is a normal part of life.

Summer can be an excellent time for reading. Without the structure of the school year, students often have more freedom to explore books connected to their own interests and curiosity.

Helping students continue reading during the summer does not need to be complicated. In many strong-reading homes, books are simply part of the environment. They are not just stored away on shelves—they are visible in family rooms, bedrooms, cars, and yes, even bathrooms.

Across grade levels:

PK–2
• Bedtime stories
• Picture books and early readers
• Re-reading favorite books

Grades 3–5
• Chapter books and nonfiction
• Visiting the public library
• Books connected to hobbies and interests

Grades 6–8
• Novels, biographies, or informational books
• Reading related to sports, history, science, or personal interests
• Keeping a book available during travel or downtime

Helpful family habits include:
• Keeping books in common areas of the home
• Letting students choose books that genuinely interest them
• Making reading a normal part of summer routines

Research consistently shows that students who continue reading during the summer tend to maintain stronger reading skills and return to school more prepared in the fall.

🗓️ 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:

May 26: 8th Field Trip
May 27: Last Day of 3 YO PS.
May 28: Last Day of 4/5 YO PS. 3 YO PS Family Event. 4/5 YO PS Evening Programs
May 29: Last Day of K-8. Field Day. 12:40 Dismissal. Graduation Mass
May 30: Altar Server Training
June 5: JFK Night at the River Bandits
June 6: OLV Book Sale
June 7: Rummage Sale Drop Off Begins
June 10: Rummage Sale Parish Preview (4 p.m.)
June 11-13: Rummage Sale

💭Personal Sharing

I saw a copy of Chalotte’s Web sitting on a student desk in Mrs. Maxwell’s room the other day. With the same cover as it’s had for many years, it took me back to when I read it as a youngster. I can also remember receiving a children’s edition of Gulliver’s Travels in 2nd grade. I thought it was a great book then. Reading the orginal by Jonathan Swift in college changed my entire view of it as I then saw it as one of the greatest satiral works in English literature. There’s nothing wrong with reading a book multiple times!

Chad