Principal’s Report for January 17, 2022

Posted on by csteimle

Catholic Schools Week

Below is the outline for events during Catholic Schools Week:

Saturday, January 29:

  • Mass at 4:30.
  • Open House, Book Fair in the Gym, Grab n’ Go Chili & Cornbread meal from Smokin Butts, 5:15 – 6:30
    • The book fair will only be open on Saturday evening.  It will not be open during the rest of the week as in the past.

Monday, January 31:

  • Dodgeball for Diapers fundraiser for grades 3-8
  • Athletic Dress Day
  • Treat from Home & School

Tuesday, February 1:

  • Talent Show
    • Grades 5, 1, and 2 at 7:50 followed by an intermission and grades 3 and 4
    • Grade K at 12:50 followed by an intermission and grades 6-8
    • We will be rotating performing grades and audience grades so there is still spacing in the gym.  Those students who are not performing or in the gym will watch it live-streamed to their classrooms.  Due to privacy requests by families, the livestream will not be made available outside the building.
    • Guests are welcome, but we cannot be more particular about the time of performers.  It all depends upon how many acts there are, how long each act actually is, etc.
  • Class Dress Alike Day determined by each homeroom

Wednesday, February 2:

  • All School Mass with Individual Blessings of Throats
  • Bingo Day
  • Spirit Wear Tops or green/white tops.  Bottoms may be out of uniform.
  • Home & School sponsored night at SnowStar, 5:00-8:00

Thursday, February 3:

  • Minute to Win it Activities
  • Wacky Tacky Dress Day

Friday, February 4:

  • 8th grade vs. Staff Volleyball Games
  • In-building livestream of VB or other movie in other grades
  • Hat Day (Hats will not be worn in the church by those going to Mass on Fridays)

Sunday, February 6:

  • Donuts & More.  Details TBD

Lost and Found

Our lost and found bins are overflowing.  If your child is missing something, have them check the lost and found bins in the cafeteria.  We even have winter coats in there already!  Once the bins are full, we retain any items that might be of benefit for when students have spills/accidents and donate the remainder.

Bundle Up

We are always amazed by how many students do not have hats, gloves, or coats, or put them on even when it’s cold outside.  We do continue to go outside for recesses, as long as the wind chill is at least 10 degrees or more.

Assumption Info Knight and Area High Schools

Assumption High School is hosting and Information “Knight” specifically targeted for 8th graders and their parents on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in its auditorium.  Students going to one of the public high schools should contact the public school as they are, or will soon be, in the process of registering for next year as well.

Ignite Sundays

See below for the list of IGNITE Sundays.  There is no cost or registration required to participate. Come to as many of the opportunities listed below as you are able on IGNITE Sundays.  Families are encouraged to participate together.  There are small group activities and family activities at each session.

Typical schedule for IGNITE Sundays:

  • 4:30-5:30pm Mass
  • 5:35-6:05pm Meal in the Parish Center
  • 6:10-7:15pm Group Gatherings

Ignite Sundays:

  • Feb 13:  Anawim (Hebrew word meaning “poor one”)  Poverty and the dignity of work
  • March 6:  “I thirst” Lent
  • March 20:  “I hunger” Eucharist
  • April 10:  Family: The foundation of society
  • April 24: What does God want me to do?

COVID Guidance for 2021-22

Click on the JFK COVID FAQ, 2021-22 to have your questions answered.  Please note that the information is, however, subject to change.  The most recent changes were made on January 2 and 5, 2022.

COVID Data and Comments

Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs for Scott County and JFK.  Below are also some comments related to the pandemic.

COVID Data, Jan 14, 2022

  • Scott County’s COVID numbers set record highs last week in the number of new cases per 100,000 within the last 14 days and percent of PCR positive tests during the last 14 days.
  • There was also a record set within the geographic boundaries of the Davenport Community School District:  21 cases per 1,000 residents.  With the number of students and staff at JFK at about 450, one might expect about 9 cases (45% of 21).  By the end of last week we were right about at that level; we had 10 students and staff absent due to positive COVID tests.
  • About 1/3 of student absences due to illnesses are because of positive COVID tests.
  • This school year, we’ve had about 17% of PS-8th grade students test positive for COVID and about 18% of staff test positive.
  • Boosters are now available for those 12 years of age and older.  Because the primary shots weren’t authorized for 5-11 year olds until much more recently, 5-11 year olds are not eligible for boosters yet.
  • If one looks carefully at the guidance for quarantining for close contacts, being without a booster is similar to being unvaccinated.  Booster shots can be that important.
  • We are still in the thick of things with COVID, and multiple mitigation strategies should be employed, such as the following:
    • Vaccinations, including boosters
    • Consistent and correct mask use when needed
    • Physical distancing
    • Ventilation
    • Testing
    • Staying home when sick
    • Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
    • Contact tracing, in combination with isolation and quarantine
    • Cleaning and disinfection

Chad