New/Updated Information

OLV Focus Group and Survey Results – Strengths of OLV Released

OLV’s strategic planning ad hoc committee is releasing the strengths of Our Lady of Victory as identified through focus groups and a survey: OLV is a parish that is welcoming, faith-filled, generous, and vibrant.

Welcoming, Caring Community

OLV’s most frequently mentioned strength is its family-like atmosphere. OLV is our spiritual home, where we are known to one another and feel supported.

Vibrant Ministries & Adult Faith Formation

OLV’s wide range of ministries and adult faith formation opportunities invite people into deeper discipleship. Music/choir enrich worship. CEW, That Man Is You (TMIY), SHE, Grief Share, Bible studies, etc. provide ongoing spiritual nourishment.

JFK Catholic School

JFK is a source of vitality, with strong leadership, dedicated staff, and engaged priests. Parents express pride in the school, noting that it keeps the parish young and draws families to OLV.

Generosity & Stewardship

OLV is a giving community with strong outreach and financial stability. Parishioners’ generosity sustains ministries and ensures parish needs are met.

Beautiful Campus & Facilities

OLV has a beautiful, well-kept campus. The grounds, cleanliness, and physical environment are a source of pride.

Dedicated Priests & Sacramental Life

OLV has approachable, caring priests. Liturgies, daily Mass, the variety of weekend Masses, adoration, and reconciliation are cited as core strengths.

The next communication form the committee will summarize how OLV can continue to grow and improve.

JFK GROWS Students of the Month for September

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 – Irene B: Irene comes to school each day with a smile on her face. She respects the teachers and follows the classroom rules.

KI – Isla D: Isla is a quiet leader and helps others in need. She always tries her best, puts God first, and uses respectful behavior towards everyone.

KN – Caroline L: Caroline is a hard worker and always tries her best in the classroom. She is a nice friend and always includes others at recess. She is a great listener, follows the rules, and is willing to help others when needed.

1B – Wyatt V-B: Wyatt is kind to others and has been seen giving a helpful hand to those who need it. He does a great job participating in class.

1Y – Lillie C: Lillie is new to JFK and has been a great addition to our classroom! She is a hard worker and good friend to all. She is respectful to all classmates and teachers.

2M – Brielle: Brielle is a shining light in our classroom. Her smile brightens our room, and she is kind to everyone. She is always willing to help anywhere it is needed without being asked.

2P – Allegra K: Allegra is a bright light in 2P. She gives 150% in all she does. Allegra is a loving, kind friend who always has her classmates’ backs.

3E – Lucille T: Lucille treats classmates and teachers with kindness in both words and actions. She enjoys giving small notes of encouragement to others. Her thoughtful nature makes her a joy to have in class.

3V – Harper: Harper is an awesome part of our classroom community because she possesses an exceptional eye for what needs to be done. She notices tasks around our classroom that need attention and takes the initiative to handle the task in a respectful manner. She is a bright and positive asset to our learning environment.

4F – Sofia B: Sofia always has a smile on her face and gives her best for everything that she does. She is kind, caring, and compassionate. Sofia is a wonderful part of our classroom family.

4L – Olivia M: Olivia makes a difference in our classroom every day. Her courteous and respectful demeanor creates a positive learning environment and makes her a valuable asset to our class.

5C – Benny S: Benny finds ways to help and works so hard. Even when he was sick for a week, he made sure all of his work was turned in when he got back. He is always willing to help those around him. He is a positive example for our JFK students.

5E – Maddie has one of the absolute kindest souls, and she is extremely generous to all. She always strives to do her best in whatever she does, and she does so with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She is so friendly to everyone she meets, making everyone feel appreciated and seen, including the teacher. All of her work is done with her best effort, and she is extremely goal-oriented.

6N – Kaylee B: Kaylee is a sweet girl that thinks of others and loves to give help. She is attentive in class and a good role model to her peers and younger siblings. She comes in ready to learn everyday with a smile!

6T – Mary T: Mary is kind and respectful. She follows classroom rules and procedures, and she is always willing to help out her classmates and teachers.

7P – Olivia T: Olivia is a great example of what a JFK student should be. She is always prepared for class, does her work to the best of her ability, follows directions the first time and, most importantly, is a kind friend to all.

7R – Mason F: Mason always puts forth his best effort, trying hard in everything he does. He isn’t afraid to ask questions to deepen his understanding, and he consistently brings a smile and a great attitude that brightens the classroom.

8C – Iris N: Iris works well with peers, tries her hardest on all assignments, is positive in the classroom, and communicates well with peers and teachers.

8L – Lilly S: Lilly asks questions when unsure on a topic, tries her best on assignments, and communicates well with peers.

Ad Hoc Safety Meeting

We had a good meeting of our ad hoc committee of police/security/safety professionals and board members last week. We began with an update on our 2023 professional safety/security assessment and then moved into discussing about six of the 18 major points in the safety survey before we called it a night. The next meeting’s agenda is below:

Tour of the building (A couple of our law enforcement “friends” haven’t been in the building for a while or are only familiar with part of the building – like in/out of preschool, for example.)
Review of staff members’ concerns. Meeting attendees wanted those broken out specifically from the survey as it was mentioned that those who deal with things on an everyday basis and know the details probably have good insights.
Law enforcement friends’ opinions and concerns. We have feedback from parents, students, and staff. Everyone at the meeting was interested in knowing the “professionals'” opinions.
Continued discussion of survey results.

Since our meeting, we have adjusted our entry/attendance/lunch count procedures for 8th grade algebra students who arrive later than 7:25 in the morning. A grant application for a wearable communication system was submitted. OLV’s Finance Council has committed 20%-25% toward this $60,000+ project.

I also spent way, way too much time on Saturday with ChatGPT “talking” about drop off/pick up procedures. There are no decisions there yet, but a few other options to be explored. The one variable that is the most difficult to control is the behaviors of the adults.

Movement on our Head Custodian/Maintenance Position

SCCS made an offer pending background checks and other pre-employment requirements, and a candidate accepted the position. We can’t wait for someone to start. We’re doing OK with the regular tasks, but radio calls for a special delivery, a clogged toilet, vomit clean up, etc. disrupt the day. I’d like to give a shout out to everyone on staff who just jumps in to do whatever it takes. It’s so appreciated!

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 that encompasses both custodian/maintenance positions.

October 13th In-Service

There are no PS-8 classes on Monday, October 13th. (Algebra students need to check the AHS schedule.) ECLC is closed. SCCS elementary staff members have an in-service.

JFK Graduates in AHS National Honor Society

There were ten seniors and 16 juniors recognized at Assumption’s National Honor Society event the other night. (Note: guidance for the publishing of names is different for PS-8 than for high school students.)

Seniors:

Ben Armstrong (President of NHS), Bryce Edwards, Olivia Fernando (Recording Secretary), Cole Goff, Sophia Hillebrand, Laisha Lopez, Brooklyn Mau, Aubrey Rushenberg, Lauren Schuster, and Andrew Riesberg.

16 Juniors:

Maggie Armstrong, Marissa Boynton, Quinn Cavanaugh, Maizy Ehrecke, Ethan Furgason, Carver Gile, Luke Jobgen, Will Langrehr, Harper Miller, Isabella Moeller, Izzy Motto, Julia Motto, Dominic Nicoletto, Aiden Nuci, Isabella Shirk, and Ava Sim

Federal Government and Lunch Program

Because JFK is a participant in the National School Lunch Program, a subsidy is received for ALL students’ lunches. There are three reimbursement rates: one for those eligible for free lunches, one for those eligible for reduced price lunches, and one for everyone else. The reimbursement rates keep the lunch costs down for all families. We received notification that federal funding will continue through at least October. If the federal government shutdown continues, we’ll have to see what the impact is after October.

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 first objection and response:

1. “ESAs take money away from public schools.”

Response: ESAs don’t defund public schools—they empower families to choose the best setting for their child. Funding follows the student, not the system. Public schools still receive significant per-pupil funding even when a child leaves, and studies show school choice often improves public school performance through healthy competition.

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

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.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

K-8 families should have received the mailings about literacy ability and math now. The state has been working diligently with new legislation this spring/summer and in writing new guidance to bring the two MTSS processes similar for reading and math. SCCS teachers and interventionists have been working to make the processes at each school similar as well.

For reading, students can be at one of three tiers:

Tier I: On Target, proficient and no additional services needed; Universal Instruction should be enough.
Tier II: At Risk, proficient but needing additional instruction; Supplemental Instruction utilized in one or more small groups within the class (or through WIN time in K-2) in addition to the Universal Instruction that everyone receives.
Tier III: Persistently at Risk, not reading proficiently; Intensive Interventions with the student being pulled out of class to work with interventionist teachers and strategies sent home for parents to do with their students at home. These pull-outs are in addition to Supplemental Instruction and Universal Instruction.

For math, there are also three tiers:

Tier I: On Target, proficient and no additional services needed; Universal Instruction, including 30-45 minutes of I-Ready computer based individualized instruction at school per week, should be enough.
Tier II: At Risk; Small Group Interventions, including some small group instruction at school and within the classroom. The Small Group Interventions are in addition to Universal Instruction that everyone receives.
Tier III: Persistently at Risk, not proficient in math. Students in this tier receive Universal Instruction and Small Group Interventions. In addition, these students are required to do another 30-45 minutes of I-Ready work per week outside of school. This work required outside of school emphasizes the partnership of home and school. A few students who are performing even poorer than most in tier III will be pulled for math work with an interventionist.

Do You Know What Your Kids Are Doing with Artificial Intelligence?

You might be shocked at what students are doing with AI. Unfortunately, it’s not all good. On SCCS/JFK owned machines, we try to “lock down” generative AI. This restriction should apply both at school and when the machines are taken home. However, technology almost always seems to be a step ahead of us, and students often have access to AI on their phones and/or home devices. Please make sure you monitor what students are doing on their devices.

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.

Substitutes at JFK and SCCS

Substitutes are always needed for both long-term assignments (like maternity leaves) and short-term assignments (like when a teacher needs to stay home with his/her own sick child). Although a teaching degree is the most ideal qualification, you do not need one to work as a substitute. A bachelor’s/associate’s/60 hrs of college course work meets the educational qualifications. 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/SCCS. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course.

Text Message Communications

If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. While we don’t use “bulk” text messages often, you don’t want to miss them for a snow day, for example. Families must opt in to receive text messages.

Parking Lot Traffic Patterns

It’s not too early to review the parking lot traffic patterns. A few reminders are below:

Proceed SLOWLY and cautiously through every location. Little kids are hard to see by cars. What one makes up in time by speeding through the lot will matter little if someone is hit by a car!
Be attentive to your driving. Talking on a cell phone, even handsfree, can be a distraction when one’s attention is needed most to watch for kids and pedestrians.
Only use handicapped parking spots if qualified. Handicapped parking spots are reserved for those who need them throughout the entire day, including morning drop off, mid-day pre-school pick up and drop off, and pick up at the end of the day. We reserve one of our handicapped spots, in particular, for wheelchair access for a student.
Accompany younger students to/from the barriers, if you park in the lot and are not using the drive-through lanes. Parents who are standing and waiting for their little ones should stand on the school side of the barriers. All children should be supervised. Pets should not be among the children.
Students, even with their parents, should not be crossing 42nd Street. With buses, parked cars, and moving traffic, it is just too dangerous!

A photo of the parking lot patterns can be found using the following link: Parking lot traffic patterns

Red arrows are the drop off/pick up zones. Note that the main one is at the north, but there is also one that can be used at the south.
Blue arrows are the one-way pick-up lanes.
Orange arrows are one-way lanes.
Green arrows indicate where traffic goes in both directions.
Note that in some areas there are two lanes going in the same direction: one lane is just driving through (orange arrows) and the other lane is the pick up lane leading to the drop off/pick up zone (blue and red arrows).

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 6: Vision screening for 3 YO & 4 YO PS. Dine & Donate at Chipotle
Oct 7: Vision screening for 3 YO & 4 YO PS. Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. AHS pep rally at JFK
Oct 8: PS vision screening make ups
Oct 10: 7/8 Marching Band Practice. AHS Homecoming. Red/White/Black AHS Spirit Day
Oct 11: Crusader Invitational Cross Country Meet
Oct 13: No PS-8 Classes. ECLC Closed.
Oct 16: Jump for JFK at Funstation. Middle School Youth Night
Oct 24: End of 1st Qtr. 2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40). No 4/5 YO PS am or pm classes.
Oct 25: Trunk or Treat and H & S Fall Event

Personal Sharing

Disadvantage of being tall: My son and I were discussing a disadvantage of being tall last week. Every time we leave our homes, we run our heads and/or faces into spider webs! At night, they can more easily be seen. But in the morning,…. There’s nothing like starting the day with a spider web in your hair and face! No matter how many times we knock down the webs or help a spider “move on,” there’s another one to replace it by the next day!

Chad