I’m So Blessed!
GPS and maps on our cell phones came in handy this weekend. I was at a family wedding in rural Iowa, and we definitely did not know how to get around the area. At one point, we missed the turn onto a gravel road, and the GPS/map rerouted us to the next gravel road. I had my doubts, however, when that next gravel road ended, and all that was left looked like two ruts alongside a field. The GPS/map was right though when those ruts came to another paved road, and there was even a stop sign!
Educational Savings Accounts Applications Being Accepted
The application process for the Educational Savings Account program opened on April 16th and will close at 11:59 p.m. on June 30th. Families must apply each year through the state’s vendor, Odyssey, even if you received an ESA this year or if you are not required to verify your income.
Eligible families in 2024-25 are the following:
- Anyone who received an ESA this year (but you must apply again for next year)
- If you received an ESA this year based upon income, you will not have to verify your income again, BUT you will need to apply
- All kindergartners and first graders. We did some work in Odyssey this weekend, and, while the system’s organization is not yet sortable, I could tell that not all families of kindergartners or first graders have applied.
- New transfer students
- Families whose income is at or below 400% of poverty, which is about $124,800 for a family of four
TheStudents First ESA Application is available in English and Spanish. Apply Now
Returning applicants: Parents/guardians with an existing Odyssey portal account will log in to the existing account to begin the application for the 2024-25 school year.
Applying for the first time: Parents/guardians who do not have an Odyssey portal account will first be directed to sign up with an email and password. Parents/guardians will receive a message from Odyssey asking them to confirm their email address. After the email is confirmed, the parent/guardian can sign in to the Odyssey portal to begin their application.
In 2025-26, all families, regardless of income will be eligible for ESAs.
ESA verifications as of 5/12/2024:
- 67% of kindergartners have had ESA applications verified
- 70% of first graders have had ESA applications verified
All K and 1st graders are eligible for ESAs regardless of income.
Leaps & Bounds Registration Closes May 21
Registration for both sessions of Leaps & Bounds closes May 21. We currently have enough students registered that we can offer one of the two sessions, but need more students to make both of them financially viable. L & B focuses on reading and math for students currently in K-5th grade. 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.
Session I: June 17-21 & June 24-28 (8:00-11:30)
Session II: July 15-19 & July 22-26 (8:00-11:30)
Jumpstart Kindergarten
Registration for Jumpstart Kindergarten opened last week. This optional program for incoming kindergartners is July 29 – Aug 1 from 8:00-10:30 a.m.
Relatively No Movement on Registration Fees
There has been relatively no movement on the number/percentage of families who have paid the registration fees for next year. Registration fees have been received for about 75% of next year’s K-8 students and 92% of the students registered for 3 YO preschool.
The 4 YO preschool extra time fee or registration fee for “non-qualifying” students has been received for about 68% of students. We will begin to make provisions for those students who will be leaving after the state-funded time of two hours per day (pick up at 9:25 or 1:40) rather than staying for the three hours per day that we offer (pick up at 10:25 or 2:40).
The link to pay the fees is available on the front page of our website. The link also allows new families the options for paying the extra time fee for 4 YO preschools and the wraparound registration/deposit fee. The K-8 registration fee button can also be used to pay for 3 YO preschool registration and 4 YO Non-qualifying preschool registration.
The registration fee, except for those Iowa residents applying for four year old preschool, is now $125 per child. The extra time fee for Iowa residents registering for 4 YO preschool is $250.
JFK Open Positions for 2024-25
At the present time, there are several open positions at JFK for the 2024-25 school year. This list could become longer and/or different as we internally move people around as well. If you are interested in a position at JFK, please contact me.
- K-5 teaching position. An Iowa teaching license with a K-6 elementary endorsem*nt or willingness to pursue/obtain them is required. We haven’t decided what grade level we are looking for yet.
- Interventionist position. An Iowa teaching license with a K-6 elementary endorsem*nt or willingness to pursue/obtain them is required. Interventionists typically work individually or in small groups with students who need extra help with reading and/or math.
- 3 YO PS, ECLC/wrap-around, and Aftercare positions: One or more positions may be available working with 3-5 year olds and/or 5-12 year olds. Candidates must meet the certification, training, and/or experience requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services or be willing to obtain them.
- Aide positions. With SCCS having approved 1st grade aides for all elementary buildings for next year and after moving current aides around internally, we will likely have open aide positions available for next school year. Typically, our aides work in 3 YO PS, 4 YO PS, K, and now 1st grade. However, they may also be involved in recess duties during the day. All aides must be able to work one or more evenings per week on a rotational basis until 5:30 in after school care for 3-5 year olds or 5-12 year olds.
- Lunch program. Our lunch program will need one to two people to help probably about 3-5 hours per day. Lunch program employees have also often worked to help supervise recesses, to assist teachers in preschool classrooms, and/or to supervise after school care programs. However, combining various roles may not necessarily be a requirement.
Thanks For Their Service
We would like to thank the following staff members for their service at JFK and wish them well in the future as they move on from their roles at JFK: Jennifer Wemhoff, Brenda Fox, Angela Hand, Bridget Parr, and Carole Behr.
New Roles and New Staff
As of today, we have several new staff lined up for next school year, and new assignments for some others. We are still in the process of hiring and may be moving other staff members to new positions as well.
Laura Corcoran will be joining the staff in music. Mrs. Corcoran is looking forward to a more regular teaching schedule now that her children are so involved in their own activities as well.
Stefanie Carlson will be joining the staff in 5th grade or as an interventionist. Mrs. Carlson brings experience in special education and elementary teaching in 4th grade to JFK.
Caitlin Putnam will be switching to JFK’s building coordinator position. A member of JFK’s Building Leadership Team for almost ten years, Mrs. Putnam has been deeply involved in nearly every initiative at JFK.
Billie Inskeep will be moving into kindergarten. Mrs. Inskeep taught kindergarten for a number of years prior to joining JFK’s staff.
Volunteers
While volunteers are always welcome, those who work with children/students must participate in the diocesan safe environment program, which includes online training and background checks. These requirements apply to those who are not the leaders but are “helpers” as well. Coaches, including those for Parks & Rec’s teams using our building/property, scout participants, and many other volunteers must participate in the safe environment program. Adults going on field trips with students may also be subject to these requirements. For more information, please contact the school office.
No Parking on Drive by the Ball Field
There is to be no parking on both sides of the drive by the fall field. Both sides should be open for entering and exiting traffic.
Altar Server Training
Saturday, June 1,9:30-11:30am in the church.
Children and other parishioners, 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.
Calendar Highlights
Here are just a few items highlighted from the detailed online school calendar:
- May 20: Band to Adventureland
- May 23: 3 YO PS Conferences. JFK Skate Night
- May 24: 2nd Grade Picnic. 4th Grade Bowling
- May 26: AHS Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation
- May 27: Memorial Day. No Classes. ECLC Closed
- May 28: 8th Grade Field Trip. 4th Grade Picnic
- May 29: Last Day of PS Classes. 3 YO PS Family Event. 4 YO PS Evening Family Events
- May 30: Field Day. Last Day of K-8 Classes. Early Dismissal at 12:40
- May 31: Last Day of ECLC. 8th Grade Graduation. JFK Night at the River Bandits
- June 1: Altar Server Training
