Online JFK Spirit Store
Click HERE or use the following link/url for the new online JFK spirit store developed by Home & School: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstores.inksoft.com%2Fjfk_home%2Fshop%2Fhome%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3UJvjCoWOyt7L45gsY_YOmu8wOkEPOIYN0zUubZmT67uQgoSMaLW-GaO8&h=AT2mrL0W7OJ04cgGBXA1tREicByHWrgmc3HZCTV13d-ofYt4QV-t0crXk3dtR1mvYBU0DoPamBn5vRmL1k0J_aQzy7UzcNtuEUgxZ5GPmbfjNef-RI1mZPSjYwCsx6JAHKV8&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2OZPjNRvmaAJ-XckxWSYf6Cfj7b9SyruYXIV4rqt39Sq0-yIU2ZJVJktlm0k1UmMMz0jthhfNzz6lc2UVWJFGLpCxInl89qVmajIVxa_sZ9vz-TAMsKpg5TYWcDj8urIQdvG7b6pOwybeMr1rOx6TMXMbqBG4lw2x7rkbXs_roPkje_igVWPt9xGN1zzhcGAnMlx_8Gfdr1qbK
Updates to COVID Documents: Frequently Asked Questions and Return to Learn Plan
Updates were made to our COVID document Frequently Asked Questions last week, and updates continue to be made to our complete Return to Learn Plan on a regular basis. Please note that both of these documents will continue to be updated as necessary. The more significant changes in the documents are highlighted. I believe the updated areas of more interest are the following:
- When do students become short-term remote learners?
- An anticipated absence of at least three days
- “Sick” kids and special COVID-19 considerations
- What does it meant to be sick?
- What if that “sickness” also involves COVID-19 symptoms?
- Communications regarding cases
- COVID-19 is within Davenport and Scott County. Every week, school administrators meet with representatives from the Scott County Health Department. The COVID numbers are not good. Back in May, Scott County was averaging under 30 cases per week. Since mid-September, Scott County is averaging over 30 cases per day.
- Since school began, JFK has had between 1 and 5 positive cases among students and staff. There have, of course, been more students and staff who have been tested and/or who have had to quarantine. I would encourage people to proceed as if COVID-19 were everywhere. Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.
- The below is copied from our Return to Learn Plan for your convenience.
- “Communication will be made with the Scott County Health Department regarding any staff or students who test positive for COVID-19. JFK will cooperate with the health department for all contact tracing steps. Decisions about the types of notifications, quarantining, etc. will be made with the guidance of the health department, who will likely also be calling the person who tested positive or their parents. As with many situations, general statements to all families may be made, but family privacy will be maintained:
- The infected person’s identity will remain confidential as well as information that would allow the person to be identified. This confidentiality will be done to the extent possible, but we must also recognize that we are a small community. While school officials will not break that confidentiality, people can often “figure it out” on their own.
- In order to help keep the community informed and protect students’ privacy, the Department of Education has released on September 16, 2020:
- Release case counts only when there are 100 or more total students in the student population at a location
- Schools that have no cases can report zero cases
- Schools with counts of 6 or more cases can release specific case counts
- Schools with 5 or fewer cases should not provide a specific count, but can confirm there are cases within the school population
- No other demographic identifiers should be included in the school-level release
- Based upon DE guidance, there will not be notification to the entire community every time there is a positive case.
- Aside from isolation and quarantining, one must proceed as if COVID-19 is in the community. Mitigation efforts must be utilized.
- Note that a positive case will not necessarily lead to a whole class, grade, or the building shutting down or having to quarantine.
- Because COVID-19 symptoms are similar to many other illnesses, we will not be informing people or taking action just because someone is being tested for COVID-19. We will wait until results are known.
- Those who are being tested because they are symptomatic may not come to school until the test results are known, and the below guidance can be followed.
- Those who are a close contact of an infectious case must remain quarantined for 14 days, even if their test results are negative.
- Those who are being tested due to some other reason do not have the same restrictions and may be in school. An example might be someone who goes to the doctor/hospital for some other medical procedure, and the standard practice is to test everyone for COVID-19.
- Those who are not symptomatic and are not close contacts but are being tested for surveillance purposes only may be in school.”
Are You Registered to Receive Text Messages from JFK?
If you are not registered to receive text messages from JFK (primarily families new to JFK and/or preschool), type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. You will not receive text messages from JFK if you do not take action yourself. There is no action required to receive email or phone messages.
Handbook Sign-Off
Please read the parent and student handbook, available HERE, and on our website: https://www.olvjfk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JFK-Parent-and-Student-Policy-Handbook-2020-21.pdf. Then, print off the last page, sign it, and return it to the school office — one per family. Thank you for helping us to reduce our printing costs.
Locals Love Us
Time to spread the love. Vote for JFK: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/campaign/67607/
Substitutes Needed
JFK is in need of substitutes. Many conversations across districts and schools have focused on having enough staff to staff open. Not only do staff members get sick, possibly have to quarantine, or have an emergency plumbing need at their homes, they also have their own children who get sick, have to quarantine, etc.
You do not need a teaching degree to work as a substitute. A minimum of an associate’s degree may be enough to qualify. The process to become a substitute teacher includes completion of a 15-20 hour workshop, multiple background checks, and applications with the Iowa Board of Education Examiners and JFK. Workshops are being held almost every week throughout the state, and many of them are virtual so geography does not need to be a limiting factor.
Recognizing the need for substitute teachers, JFK’s board has authorized a $450 bonus at the pay period following the fifth day of substituting at JFK to the first five people to take advantage of this offer. The bonus will essentially cover the workshop fee, license application fee, background check fee, and pay an amount for the workshop time.
If you are interested in being a substitute, please contact me and/or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency at 563-359-1371.
Annual Diocesan Appeal
Families of John F. Kennedy Catholic School are encouraged to consider a pledge to the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Funds support the work of the diocese, including the training of deacons and new priests, support for our parishes and Catholic schools, charitable works, and the administrative work required to support Catholics within our diocese. Contributions can be a one-time donation or spread out throughout the year. No amount is too small.
Protect Young Eyes
Chad
