Principal’s Post | JFK Catholic School

Yes, There Is School on April 21

Students return to classes on April 21st.

Early Dismissal/No am/pm 4/5 YO PS Classes

April 25 is a two hour early dismissal (12:40). There are also no 4/5 year old am or pm preschool classes.

ESA Applications Open April 16th

Applications for 2025-26 ESAs opened April 16th. All families are eligible and MUST APPLY EVERY YEAR. More information, including the ESA application site link, was emailed last week. Again, ALL FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE, BUT YOU MUST APPLY EVERY YEAR.

Highlighted parts from the email:

The upcoming ESA application period is from April 16, 2025, to June 30, 2025. To apply, click the following link https://iowa.withodyssey.com/en/odyssey_auth/sign_up. If you already have an Odyssey account, click “sign in” below the login box.
If you do not have access to a computer or otherwise find yourself unable to complete the ESA application independently, you may email martha.korneisel@sccsiowa.org or rose.strickland@sccsiowa.org or call Martha at 563.326.5313 ext. 223 or Rose at 563.326.5313 ext. 269.

Family Tuition Plan: If your tuition is above the ESA amount you may be able to qualify for additional tuition assistance through the Family Tuition Plan. This state subsidized program is limited to Iowa families with total income of less than 400% of poverty.
The application for the FTP is available at: www.assumptionhigh.org/familytuitionplan.

SCCS Tuition Letter for 2025-26 – Rates Lower Than Expected

The K-8 tuition for 2025-26 will be less than originally anticipated. See the letter emailed last week. Highlighted information is below:

Grade School Tuition
Parish Subsidized Student: $ 6,075. Total parent cost after ESA = $150 registration fee.
Non-Parish Subsidized Student: $8,505. Total parent cost after ESA = $ 522 tuition and $150 registration fee. (Families facing economic barriers may apply to the Family Tuition Plan for assistance with tuition.)

School Calendar for 2025-26

The academic school calendar for the Davenport elementary schools in SCCS has been passed and is available on the front page of our website.

ISASPs Continue This Week

The Iowa Statewide Assessments of Student Progress will be administered this month: April 21, April 22, and April 24. Testing begins right away in the morning and is typically finished by 10:00 a.m. Please try your hardest to have your students present during testing times. Students who are tardy on these days will not be able to enter classrooms during the testing periods.

Eighth graders who attend Algebra at Assumption will not have Algebra on April 22nd. Students should report to JFK by 7:25.

Registration Fee for 2025-26 Due

If you have not finished the registration process by paying the registration fee, please do so as soon as possible. Directions for paying the registration fee are on the front page of our website, www.olvjfk.com.

Positions Open for 2025-26

Interventionist: JFK has been authorized to hire an additional full-time interventionist for 2025-26. The person in this position will work with small groups or even one-on-one with students, primarily in reading and math. An Iowa teaching licenses is needed.

Long-term and short-term substitutes: We are often short about one substitute teacher per day. Persons with teaching licenses, substitute licenses, and/or a substitute authorization are encouraged to apply.

Instructional aide: JFK is seeking at least one additional instructional aide for the 2025-26 school year.

For more information, please contact me at chad.steimle@olvjfkmail.com.

Preschool Space Still Available

JFK still has preschool spots available for 2025-26, including coveted 4 year old morning spots. A few wrap-around spots are also still available for a full day option. Three year old preschool spots are also available.

Earbuds/Headphones for School

Fifth-8th graders are asked through the annual supply list to provide wired earbuds/headphones (not Bluetooth) for school. We haven’t seen very many at school, and we are getting to the time of year when they become more critical for testing. Don’t spend much money on them; cheaper is probably better.

Leaps & Bounds Registration

JFK is pleased to offer Leaps & Bounds during the summer. L & B focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. Students spend about two hours on reading activities, one hour on math activities and then 30 minutes on snack and recess. Space is limited for each session, and a minimum number of students is also needed in order for each session to be viable. Currently, ESA funds are not able to be used for the $200 L & B fee. To register, please complete the registration forms and return to the school office with the registration fee. L & B Registration Forms

Session I: June 16-20 & June 23-27 (8:00-11:30)

Session II: July 28-Aug 1 & Aug 4-8 (8:00-11:30)

Altar Server Training

Altar Server Training will be held Saturday, June 7th from 9:30am-11am in the church. Children who will be entering the 4th grade and up, who are interested in altar serving at Mass, are invited to attend this training. One parent/adult should attend with the student. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office at: 563-391-4245.

Standards/Evidence-Based Assessment and Reporting

A letter regarding the next step in the diocesan and SCCS elementary schools’ transition to more standard/evidence-based assessment and reporting was emailed around the beginning of November. It is also available below:

SBAR Letter

Here, again, is the link to the UPDATED instructions for parents to check their 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.

Instructions

8th Grade Graduation at JFK

JFK’s graduation Mass is actually on Thursday, May 29th. The downloadable academic calendar for SCCS elementary schools lists the 30th as graduation. OLV/JFK is making an exception so I can be at graduation on that Thursday and my daughter’s wedding rehearsal on Friday.

Holy Thursday Activities

Spending time with Jesus at our Holy Thursday activities was rather moving. Watching every student bring up their offering was special. Then, the students’ spontaneous hand gestures as we sang Matt Maher’s “Lord, I Need You” was touching.

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:

Apr 21: ISASP
Apr 22: ISASP (No Alg at AHS). Dance/Cheer Clinic
Apr 24: ISASP
Apr 25: 2 Hr Early Dismissal (12:40). No 4/5 Yr Old PS classes. ECLC and Aftercare Open. Kickball Tournament/Cheer Squad
Apr 26: First Communion Retreat
Apr 27: Stage Set up.
Apr 29: Hearing screenings (K, 1, 5).
Apr 30: Putnam Museum presenter.
May 1: Skate night.
May 2: Backward Dress Day.
May 4: First Communion

Chad