New/Updated Information
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.
Safety Survey
Our last comprehensive safety/security assessment was in 2023. As I mentioned in an earlier email, that assessment was conducted by a security specialist and the head of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency. Our list of “vulnerabilities” and suggestions was rather small, and most have been addressed already or are in the process. Our last survey of families, however, was in 2018. We would like to hear from you again. Use the link for a 2-3 question survey: Safety Survey
Where is Bandit?
Bandit, our facility dog, is experiencing health issues that affect his ability to be at school and his ongoing training and certification. We hope he makes a full recovery, and his long-term health improves.
Host Families Needed
OLV/JFK is in need of three host families for the NET team ministry members who are coming to Our Lady of Victory for our Confirmation retreat that is being held on Sunday, November 2nd. These young adults will be in town all weekend, and this amazing opportunity for hospitality has proven to be a rewarding and fun one for past host families. Typically, these young adult missionaries share several meals with the families they are staying with and enjoy down time with them. The young adults are often taking a “gap year.” Their witness and joyfulness of being in the Catholic faith is contagious to people of all ages! They usually do not need help with transportation while they are in town. Please contact Jammie for more information or to start the process of becoming a missionary host family! (Davolvdre@diodav.org)
Still Relevant
Afternoon/Evening Custodian Position
Our afternoon/evening custodian position is coming open. This full-time, year round position is responsible for the upper level of the building during the school year. The hours are approximately 12:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact me.
National School Lunch Program
JFK participates in the NSLP. Below are two links for more information and to apply for free/reduced lunches:
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:
or from any USDA office by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.
The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website https://icrc.iowa.gov.
Other Surveys
Numerous surveys are linked here. Please complete as you wish:
Baptismal Identity: The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) launched a process to consult the people of God (that’s all of us) on their understanding of their baptismal identity. The Diocese of Davenport has created a survey to help gather information: English | Spanish.
OLV Strategic Planning: If you were not able to attend an in-person focus group session, we still want your input. Our Lady of Victory is undertaking a strategic plan to ensure our Parish remains the most vibrant and welcoming faith community in the Diocese. The first, and most important step, is to hear your thoughts and opinions on how we can best continue to “live and share the preaching, teaching, and healing of Christ.” Please share your responses to the three open-ended questions in the survey
Digital Suggestion Box: JFK has a permanent digital suggestion box on our website under the Contact Us tab. Please utilize this link for offering suggestions. The suggestion box is periodically reviewed. If your idea is of a more timely nature, please email me directly: chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.
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.
Junior Achievement Volunteers Needed
As a new school year begins, JA is calling on local volunteers to help equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the future of work. JA programs focus on financial capability, career readiness, and business ownership — real-world concepts that enhance classroom learning. Volunteers from the community help deliver these lessons using ready-to-go materials and simple step-by-step guides, making it easy to lead even with no teaching experience.
Smart Watches/”Trackers”
Smart watches and/or other devices that we use to know where our children are these days will be kept in students’ backpacks while kids are at school. Students can put them on/take them out when they are dismissed from school.
Aftercare Registration
Aftercare is available for 5-12 year olds from 2:40-5:30 p.m. Yes, additional registration and paperwork is required as aftercare is considered to be “childcare” and licensed separately from education. That means separate paperwork that has to be available “on-site.” Aftercare is billed at an hourly rate.
Preschool wrap around care is also available. The rate would be included in your tuition bill for either full-time (20 hours or more) or part-time care (less than 20 hours). Please note that any child who is with us from the end of a morning preschool class until 2:40 or later each day will need to be in full-time wrap around care.
Below are the links to the forms needed:
Preschool Wraparound Care forms
Students cannot attend aftercare or wrap around care without the DHHS program paper/pencil forms complete.
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.
Water Bottles Must Be Able to be Sealed/Closed
Students are encouraged to have appropriate water bottles throughout the day. Due to how often students move about the building and classrooms, as well as other issues that can arise, students’ water bottles must be able to be sealed/closed. Large mugs with straws sticking out are not water bottles and should be left home. We have four bottle filling stations throughout the building.
Approved Snack List
Snacks must be from the approved snack list. The list also shares some of the criteria used to determine the snack list.
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).
Calendars
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. Use these detailed calendars, for example, to check when your child’s K-8 parent meeting is scheduled. Those parent meetings begin as early as August 26th. Anything underlined on the calendar can be clicked on, and more details will open for you.
Highlighted Events
Please see the website calendar(s) for more complete information. Below are a few highlighted events:
- Sept 8: 5th grade band parent mtg
- Sept 11: Skate night
- Sept 15: No bus transportation
- Sept 18: Dine & Donate at Portillos. Volleyball host. Music Boosters
- Sept 19: Candy bar sale kick off
- Sept 23: Picture Day for 3 YO T/Th PS, 3 YO M-F PS, K – 8th grade
- Sept 24: Mid-quarter. Picture Day for 3 YO MWF
- Sept 26: Student Council Officer Elections. 2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40). No PM PS Classes. Out of Uniform Fundraiser. Pumpkin Patch Pride of the Wapsi.
- Sept 27: Parish picnic after the 4:30 Mass
- Oct 1: Official Count Day
Personal Sharing
I think my 33 year old daughter is the most disappointed that I don’t have a personal message! It’s good to know that at least someone reads the Principal’s Post!
Chad
