Special Dismissal Time on Friday
School will dismiss at 12:40 on Friday. Bus transportation is available. There are no afternoon preschool classes. ECLC and aftercare are available.
Repeal of ESAs? Testimonials Needed
As I’ve mentioned in the last several Principal’s Posts, there are efforts being taken by some to get the Educational Savings Account legislation repealed. I mentioned a 1/4 page ad in the QCTimes, and I’ve heard that billboards are being utilized in other more rural areas. Some candidates for local or state offices may use the issue as one of their main platforms. If we want ESAs to continue, political advocacy will be needed. If you would be willing to make a written or recorded testimonial regarding personal benefits of ESAs, please let me know. To date, no JFK families have contacted me.
ESAs are making a difference in Scott County Catholic Schools. Since JFK opened its doors in 1964, there have been two factors that disrupted downward enrollment trends. The first was a capital campaign for tuition assistance called Embracing Our Future, which was soon joined by STO legislation. The second has been ESAs.
Last year, about 42% of JFK families received ESAs. This year, it’s around 77%. Next year, we anticipate it being about 99%. I, personally, struggle with understanding the ESAs take money from public schools argument. Yes, the money doesn’t go to the public school district, but neither does the student. Actually, with Iowa’s ESA legislation, for every student receiving an ESA and attending a non-public school, the public school district still receives a small per pupil allocation.
I also don’t see the ESA issue as a public vs. private school issue. A strong, healthy community, especially one the size of the Quad Cities, needs good public schools AND good private schools. Good schools help bring people and jobs into a community. Supporting both does not need to be an either or proposition.
Love Us
Vote for JFK on Locals Love Us for Private schools, preschools, and childcare: https://localsloveus.com/quad-cities/
Viewing Grades in PowerSchool
Information regarding grades and new instructions for parents to view their students’ grades in PowerSchool were sent via email on September 10th. The link is repeated here: Instructions
ALICE/Run-Hide-Fight Training for Kids
As part of our regular safety procedures, teachers talk to students about ALICE, which is an acronym used to help people remember what to do in the event of a violent situation in a school. We also use the Run-Hide-Fight phrasing. The materials we’ve used/developed over the years and the approaches we take are targeted for specific grade strands as what one says and does with three-year-olds in preschool is entirely different than with 13-year-olds in 8th grade. Our work with ALICE complements our other conversations and drills, such as those for fire or tornado/inclement weather.
Open Support Position at JFK
We still have one open support position at JFK.
Instructional aide/support position: Working primarily with preschool children in wraparound care and/or kindergarten through age 12 students in aftercare. About 37 hours per week, $13.50 per hour.
- 10:25-5:30 on Mondays and Fridays
- 7:10-4:30 on Tuesdays
- 9:15-5:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays
If interested, please send me a cover letter, resume, and references, and/or stop by the school office for an application. If you are interested in working in a different type of position but for SCCS, please contact me or Logan Ahnquist in the SCCS business office. All of our SCCS schools still have openings.
Substitutes: 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. The easiest way to progress toward the teaching authorization license is to take the self-paced online course. Substitutes are needed in all of our Catholic schools, especially at the elementary school level. You can agree to work at just one building or multiple buildings. We have also had people who requested only certain grade levels.
Picture Day
See below (or the website calendar) for dates for school pictures. Students can certainly have their pictures taken in their school uniforms. If out of uniform, they still must follow the Out of Uniform Dress Day Guidelines.
No Technology Insurance Program
There is no family technology insurance program in SCCS. Students/families may be assessed a fee for damages or loss of computer equipment and accessories. If computer equipment or accessories are damaged but repairable, the student’s family is responsible for the cost of the materials needed to make the repairs. If the computer equipment or accessories are damaged and not repairable or lost, the student’s family is responsible for the replacement cost. In the past, JFK had a technology fee that operated as a “self-funded” technology insurance program. This “insurance” program no longer exists.
Highlighted Events
The following events are highlighted. For all of our events and more information, please see the calendars on our website and communications from individual teachers:
- Sept 24: Picture Day (K-8, 4 YO am PS, 3 YO T/Th PS)
- Sept 25: Picture Day (K-8 Make-ups, 4 YO pm PS, 3 YO M/W/F PS)
- Sept 27: 12:40 Dismissal. No 4 YO pm PS. Pride of the Wapsi event
- Sept 28: JFK Trivia and Karaoke Night
- Oct 4: AHS Homecoming with 7/8 bands
- Oct 14: In-service. No classes. ECLC closed
Chad
