New/Updated Information

Thanksgiving Next Week

Thanksgiving Break is next week on the 26th-28th. There are no classes on those days. ECLC is open on Wednesday the 26th. Dismissal is at the regular time on the 25th.

Engagement = Caring? OLV Strategic Planning

Feedback to OLV’s areas for growth and improvement draft document is slow. Unfortunately, I think some are interpreting the lack of feedback as if OLV and JFK families don’t really care about the parish. Please use the following link to view the draft and provide feedback: details, draft recommendations, and means to provide feedback.

Major Areas for Growth:

Communication & Connection
Welcoming & Hospitality
Volunteerism, Leadership & Accountability
Youth & Family Engagement
Parish-School Relationship
Faith Formation & Evangelization
Outreach & Service to the Community
Campus, Facilities, and Safety
Pastoral, Staff & Operations Support

Here is the link to OLV’s strengths.

ESA and School Choice

It is likely that ESAs will be a “hot topic” during the next election cycle in Iowa. The Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education has prepared the following article that you may find helpful: 10 Objections to Education Savings Accounts (and How You Can Respond). Here’s the 9th and 10th objections and responses.

9. “Private schools can turn away kids with special needs.”

Response: Not every school—public or private—has the resources to serve every special need. But ESAs give parents more flexibility to find the right fit, whether that’s a specialized private program, therapies, or a combination of supports. Instead of limiting choices, ESAs expand them.

10. “ESAs will create chaos and weaken our education system.”

Response: Far from causing chaos, ESAs encourage innovation and responsiveness. When parents have real choices, schools must work harder to meet student needs. The result is not a weaker system, but a stronger one centered on students instead of bureaucracy.

Grant Applications

We received information about two grant applications we submitted this fall. We will not receive funding from the Riverboat Development Authority (Davenport casino) for a portable stage to replace the 25+ year old plywood and 2×4 one we set up every year in the parish center. We will, however, receive at least partial funding from the Scott County Regional Authority (Bettendorf casino) for a wearable communication system for all staff members. On Tuesday, we will find out how much of the $51,000 we applied for we will receive from the SCRA.

Safety

The ad hoc safety committee wrapped up its meetings Thursday night. We are working on processing the results from that meeting. Expect to receive more updates as we move toward implementation of the recommendations. For example, expect to see changes in our drop off and pick up procedures sometime after Christmas.

We did have a uniformed officer on campus early last week. With greater collaboration between SCCS schools and the police department, the officer, a former JFK parent, was here for educational purposes. Beginning this week, retired officer Hank Jacobsen will be talking to 5th-8th graders regarding cyber issues such as toxic group chats, online drama, reposts, accountability, etc.

Between recesses on Friday, we did have an older woman walking across campus sit down to take a break on the tree side of the drive by the ball field. Mrs. Lundquist and I checked on her well-being and had her move along before the next set of recesses.

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.

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

See the following photo/flyer.

Still Relevant

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

Afternoon/evening Custodian Position Still Open

We still have our afternoon/evening custodian position open. This full-time, year round position is responsible for cleaning the upper level of the building during the school year. The hours are approximately 12:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. See the following link for more information: job description.

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:

Nov 18: Crumb & Coffee Truck at JFK. Student Council Supply Store.
Nov 20: Mock Trial at SAU. Skate Night
Nov 21: Fundraiser Out of Uniform. ($2. Theme: “mono-color” – wearing the same color on the top and bottom. Proceeds will support the shopping trip for Ronald McDonald House guests. Out of uniform guidelines apply.)
Nov 24: H & S Nothing Bundt Cake Sale. College Care Package Assembly
Nov 25: Mad Science Show
Nov 26: ECLC Open
Nov 26-28: No Classes-Thanksgiving Break
Dec 1: No Buses
Dec 2: Mid-Qtr. 3rd Grade Gingerbread Houses.
Dec 3: Grades 3-8 Reconciliation. First Reconciliation Retreat.
Dec 4: Civic Oration First Rnd. 1st/2nd Grade Field Trip. First Reconciliation. H & S Mtg. Youth & Family Engagement Mtg.
Dec 5: Middle School Youth Night.
Dec 21-Jan 2: Christmas Break for Students. ECLC Closed.

Personal Sharing

On Friday afternoon, I had a check up with a retina specialist – this time it was for my right eye. Sure enough, he found a slight horseshoe shaped tear in my retina, just like my left eye had had years ago. He lasered it that evening, and I was at the eye doctor’s office for nearly 2 1/2 hours. It might have gone faster if he didn’t have to keep stopping to wipe the tears running down from my eyes. While the eye itself was numbed, the pressure they have to apply around the eye is excruciatingly painful!

Chad