New/Updated Information

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for October

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 – Blair C: Blair is always kind, respectful, and helpful to others. She makes good choices and sets a positive example for classmates every day.

KI – Harper T: Harper follows the JFK Difference on a daily basis. She is polite and welcomes friends to play with her at recess. She works hard, listens intently, and follows directions the first time.

KN – Sonny K: Sonny is always ready to learn. She is a great listener, rule follower, and will ask questions if she doesn’t understand something. She is a helpful friend and will remind others about the rules. Sonny always does her best work.

1B – Graham W: Graham is always willing to help a friend if they have an art box spill, they need help on their work, or they simply need a friend with whom to play. He’s always kind and shows God’s love through his daily actions.

1Y – Rey T: Rey is a wonderful friend to everyone. His positive attitude is infectious and makes our classroom a better place!

2M – Makhi: Makhi is new to our school, but he didn’t need any time to start showing the JFK Difference. He likes to find ways to help others and is a great addition to our community. He is kind to others, always participates in class, and shows perseverance in and out of the classroom.

2P – Bennett T: Bennett is a joy in 2P. He gives 150% to his class work and his classmates. He lives the 2P motto, ”I’ve got your back.”

3E – Hanna C: Hanna listens carefully, follows directions, and stays focused on her work. She helps keep our classroom calm and makes it easier for everyone to learn.

3V – Lillie R: Lillie is an outstanding third grader and an absolute pleasure to have in the classroom. She consistently listens, follows directions, and is on task. She is a positive example for everyone around her.

4F – Collyns H: Collyns is a great peer leader in our classroom. She leads quietly and does not boast or brag. She is the first to help others when needed and always participates in classroom activities. Collyns is a fine example of every aspect of the JFK Grows model.

4L – Peyton M: Peyton is consistently kind and always willing to lend a helping hand to her classmates. She puts great effort into her work and strives to do her best in all she does. We are truly grateful to have Peyton as a member of our class.

5C – Reese I: Reese is such a kind student and friend. She works really hard and is always willing to jump in and help out.

5E – Luke S: Luke is new to JFK this year, but, right away, we noticed his genuine kindness and his respect for peers and faculty. He is welcoming to all and strives to be the absolute best version of himself. He always puts his best work forward and always likes feedback to know how he can improve. He also always has a positive attitude no matter what. He has wonderful listening skills, and his helpfulness, creativity, grit, manners, and patience always shine.

6N – Carter L-M: Carter is new to JFK this year and has fit in seamlessly! He is very kind and always willing to lend a helping hand.

6T – Crue N: Crue is respectful and follows classroom rules and procedures. He is always willing to help out his classmates and teachers.

7P – Payton S: It’s no surprise, but Payton always seems to have a smile on her face. She brings a sense of joy to almost anything she does. She is very kind and helpful to both her teachers and her classmates. She goes above and beyond in whatever it is she does. She does a great job trying to include everyone. She is a genuine role model for her peers in 7P as well as JFK.

7R – Brianna C: Brianna 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 – Audrey J: Audrey works well with peers, tries her hardest on all assignments, is positive in the classroom, and communicates well with peers and teachers. She will even ask for missing work on her own when gone.

8L – Audrey D: Audrey works well on assignments, communicates well with peers, and puts great effort into assignments.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

PS-5th grade parents should have received one or more emails last week to sign up for scheduled parent/teacher conferences. If you do not sign up yourself by Wednesday, teachers will assign you a time. Sixth-8th grade conferences are on a drop-in basis. Conference times are 5:00-7:30 p.m. on November 4th and 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00-8:00 p.m. on November 6th. There are no classes on November 6th and 7th for JFK. ECLC is open. Students taking Algebra at Assumption should check the high school’s schedule.

Trunk or Treat and Home & School’s Fall Event a BIG Success

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people at the Trunk or Treat and fall event sponsored by Home & School! I thought maybe the light rain would keep people away, but I was definitely wrong. Thank you to all who helped organize and work at this event!

Ad Hoc Safety Meeting

The ad hoc safety committee will meet again in a couple of weeks. At that time, we will look at a draft plan for improvements organized in about 12-15 major areas. Specific recommendations will be prioritized according to impact, cost, feasibility/ease, and visibility. Below is a draft of the executive summary:

“The 2025 Safety Committee’s review of survey data, staff insights, and committee walkthroughs revealed that while community awareness of safety is strong, procedural discipline and physical deterrence measures must advance in parallel to sustain confidence. The strongest consensus for improvement centered on securing the campus perimeter, strengthening safety during Mass transitions, improving traffic control, hardening entry points, and maintaining consistent adherence to established procedures.

These priorities must be implemented in a balanced way—respecting both the functional and spiritual character of the campus. Recommendations were developed with attention to safety, aesthetics, accessibility, stewardship of resources, and the shared use of facilities by both parish and school communities.”

Caitlin Putnam and I are still gathering feedback from staff regarding some parking lot ideas for drop off and pick up.

We’d like to thank girl scouts for purchasing a sign to use at the crosswalk across Sturdevant. We’ll begin to use that soon.

Our next meeting with the Davenport Police Department is Friday.

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 4th and 5th objections and responses:

4. “Rural families won’t benefit from ESAs.”

Response: In Iowa, ESA funds must first be used for private school tuition. That can make ESAs seem less relevant in rural areas without many private schools. But many rural families already enroll in nonpublic schools within driving distance, and ESAs help ease that financial burden. Just as importantly, ESAs are sparking the creation of new private schools across the state, including in smaller communities where families want additional options. Once tuition is covered, any remaining funds can also support other educational needs such as tutoring, curriculum, or special services. Rather than leaving rural families behind, ESAs are helping expand opportunities.

5. “School choice promotes discrimination.”

Response: ESAs expand opportunity for all families, regardless of background. Choice programs in other states have often increased diversity by allowing families to look beyond zip codes. And private schools must still follow state and federal non-discrimination laws.

Still Relevant

Veterans Day Program

All veterans are invited to attend our Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 11th at 1:30 p.m. in the gym/cafeteria. It is a red/white/blue out of uniform day for JFK. There is no bus service (except from AHS to JFK for algebra students) as the DCSD does not have classes.

Music Department Poinsettia Fundraiser

JFK’s music and band programs are sponsoring a poinsettia fundraiser. Students will receive an order form to take home on Monday. Completed forms, along with cash or check, should be returned to Cris in the office by Thursday, November 14th.

Poinsettias will be delivered from Wallace’s Garden Center on the day of each Christmas program. Parents will select their preferred program for pickup directly on the order form—don’t skip that detail!

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

Lunch Program Position

We now have an opening in our lunch program for a 4-5 hour per day position during the school year. The hours are approximately 9:00/10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please contact Meredith Ash or me at JFK or Logan Ahnquist in the SCCS main offices for more information.

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:

Oct 28: Volleyball and Cross Country Pictures. 3rd Grade Can Character Dress Day. 8th Grade Pumpkin Drop. SAU Honor Band.
Oct 30: Black/Orange Student Hunger Drive Dress Day. H & S mtg.
Oct 31: Middle School Youth Night. Parade of Saints. Bazaar Set Up.
Nov 1/2: OLV Bazaar
Nov 2: “Fall Back” Time Change. Confirmation retreat.
Nov 3: Mass of Remembrance
Nov 4: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Nov 6: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Nov 6/7: No classes (8th graders in Algebra should check with AHS)
Nov 7: Middle School Youth Night.
Nov 11: No bus transportation. Red/White/Blue out of Uniform Day. Veterans’ Day Event.
Nov 12: 8th to AHS field trip.
Nov 14: Middle School Youth Night. Home & School Wicked Musical Bingo.
Nov 26: ECLC Open
Nov 26-28: No Classes-Thanksgiving Break

Personal Sharing

I played nine holes of golf with my son this weekend. All I could think of was how nice it was to be in a situation where he could just pop in and spend a little time with us. When I was his age, I was in Davenport, and my parents were in Milwaukee. There was no stopping by after work or dropping in on a Saturday. That’s an opportunity with family I wish we would have had.

Chad