September 20, 2020

Parent Zoom Meetings

Homeroom teachers in grades 6-8 will conduct Zoom parent meetings this week so you can find out more information about your child’s grade.  Invites will be sent from homeroom teachers.

• • Mon Sept 21:  6:00 6th; 6:45 7th
  • Tues, Sept 22:  6:30 8th (New time)

Frequently Asked Questions

There is a Frequently Asked Questions document in relation to our complete Return to Learn Plan.  Please note that these documents will continue to be updated as necessary.  For example, last week the health department clarified that household contacts were to be considered close contacts.  This week our team will be discussing the latest information regarding temperature taking in childcare settings and privacy concerns in relation to notifying families of positive cases of COVID-19 and quarantining.

Revised School Calendar for 2020-21

A revised school calendar for 2020-21 is available.  Now that we have the basics, this information will be entered on the calendars on our website.  We will also start to enter other details on the calendars.

Communications

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.

Home & School Meeting

Home & School will have a meeting on September 24th at 6:30 p.m.  Using social distancing, we can have the meeting in the cafeteria for about 35-45 people, and we will have a Zoom option also available.  The invite will be sent via email.

Picture Day is September 28 and 29

More details in next week’s Principal’s Post, but it’s time to start thinking “cute!”

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.

Free Student Lunches for All

All K-8 JFK students may eat the basic school lunch for free beginning Monday, September 21, 2020.  This opportunity is not dependent upon filing applications for free/reduced lunches.  ALL students may receive the school lunch for free with funding provided through legislation related to the pandemic.

Students choosing the school lunch must take all of the food/milk being offered, even if they do not want an item.  Extra milks or extra entrees are still available for the standard charges.

Our current application for this opportunity extends through September, but we anticipate that our next application will also be accepted, and the opportunity for free lunches for all students will be extended through December.  (Please note that this opportunity has no impact on the regular free/reduced lunch applications.  Those applications can be received at any time, and those who have already applied will not have to re-apply when this special federal opportunity ends.)

CARES Act Funding

JFK has also benefited from the federal CARES Act.  Approximately $34,000 has been used for technology, including Chromebooks, iPads, cases, associated software and licensing, and increasing our Internet bandwidth at school.  Other facilities improvements and equipment, including desks, fans, PE and recess equipment, clear partitions, “sick bays,” and storage crates, were worth about $20,000.  Additional funds are being used to retain a teaching position and for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.  A total of $88,574 was allotted for JFK through ESSER.

Governor Reynolds also made CARES Act funds available through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.  Approximately $16,000 is being used for Chromebooks, iPads, wireless internet access, and associated expenses.

Affected by COVID-19?

The longer the pandemic goes on, the more “real” it seems to be as it impacts more people whom we know.  Quarantining seems to be affecting more and more people as well.  For quarantining, the definition of a close contact is key:  being within 6 feet for more than 15 consecutive minutes with a positive COVID-19 case during the infectious period.  The infectious period for a symptomatic case is 2 days before symptoms started until 10 days after their symptoms started, they have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, and all other symptoms have improved.  The infectious period for an asymptomatic case is 2 days before they are tested until 10 days after they are tested.     

Stay well!  Wear your mask, practice social distancing, use good face/hand hygiene, and stay home when ill.

 

Chad

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