🆕New/Updated Information
High Reliability Schools Survey for Level 3
JFK has met the criteria for certification as a High Reliability School (HRS) through the research-based framework of Marzano Resources at levels 1 and 2. Level 1 deals with evidence and procedures that we have a safe, supportive, and collaborative culture. Level 2 verifies instructtional language and skills to have effective teaching in every classroom. We have just begun to gather evidence related to level 3: every student has a guaranteed and viable core content curriculum.
Included in our self-examination is a parent survey. Please complete the survey by October 1st. It should take about 7-10 minutes.
No Classes, No ECLC on Oct 5th
There are no classes on October 5th. ECLC is also closed for the staff inservice.
JFK GROWS Students of the Month for September
Each morning, students and teachers at JFK recite the JFK Difference: JFK GROWS. We put God first, use Respectful behaviors, find Opportunities to serve, are Welcoming to all, and make Safe choices. Each month, except December, we are recognizing one student from each homeroom whose teachers have observed them exhibiting these traits particularly well at school during the past month:
KI – Anthony B: Anthony leads by example and is a positive shining light in the classroom. He consistently tries his best, treats others with respect, and approaches each day with a positive attitude. Anthony is a wonderful role model for his classmates and demonstrates what it means to be kind, respectful, and hardworking.
KN – Bodhi C: Bodhi comes to school every day with a smile on his face. He is excited to share what he knows but also loves to learn new things. Bodhi is kind and helpful in the classroom when asked to help others.
1E – Sonny K: Sonny is a wonderful example of a respectful and welcoming student. She uses kind words, treats others with kindness, and helps make our classroom a happy place.
1T – Cora J: Cora is an incredibly kind and helpful member of our class! She is always ready to lend a hand, from keeping friends on track with lessons to helping someone pick up dropped items. She is an active participant and sets a great example, Cora helps make our school community a better place every day.
1Y – Gavin M: Gavin comes to school each day with a positive attitude and puts forth his best effort throughout the day. He is welcoming and loves hugs (especially from Mrs. Moya and Mrs. T!!)
2B – Rachel S: Rachel is new to JFK this year, but she fits right in! From the first day of school, she has used GROWS behavior. She is always respectful to her peers and her teachers. Rachel is always ready to learn and helping those around her when they are in need.
2P – Aria A: Aria is a hard worker who is very intuitive to others’ needs. She is willing to help those in need of anything. Aria is a bright light in 2P.
3M – Miles A: Don’t let Miles’ quiet voice fool you, he is great at participating in class and speaking up when he sees something wrong. He is a friend to all in and out of the classroom. I love his dedication to figure things out and make sure he is doing it correctly. He is such a great part of our classroom community.
3TV – Brielle A: Brielle consistently demonstrates respectful and caring behavior toward both her peers and teachers. She is a delightful student who is always willing to lend a helping hand to her fellow classmates. Brielle works very hard in class and is an active, enthusiastic participant in her learning. Her kindness, positive attitude, and willingness to help others make her a wonderful role model in our classroom.
4B – August M: August is a kind friend who is always willing to help out a peer. He always tries his best and is driven to do well.
4L – Luci T: Luci is consistently kind and always willing to lend a helping hand to her classmates. She puts great effort into her work and strives to do her best in all she does. We are truly grateful to have Luci as a member of our class.
5C – Walker R: Walker comes to school everyday with a positive attitude. He works hard, is a great friend and always willing to help.
5W – Brecken B: He consistently goes out of his way to serve others, either to help pick up dropped papers or to open a door for someone. Brecken is a true model of JFK Grows!
6N – Maddi B: Maddi is new to JFK this year and has fit right in. She is kind, hard-working and participates well in class. She understands and demonstrates our JFK GROWS.
6T – Cora C: Cora is hard working and strives to do her best. She is respectful and follows classroom expectations and is willing to help her classmates and teachers.
7P – Malcolm R: Malcolm always seems to have a smile on his face, even when he’s assigned homework! He is attentive in class and takes direction well. He strives to do his best, and it shows.
7R – AJ J: AJ is a rockstar in class. His class discussion participation has improved so much since the beginning of the year. AJ has a good head on his shoulders and understands when it’s time to have fun and when it’s time to get to work. He is very diligent at trying to keep his classmates on task, and tries to support his teachers however he can. His mature approach to everything is very much appreciated.
8L – Olivia T: Olivia keeps a positive attitude in class, works well on assignments, and puts forth great effort.
8LT – Hanna S: Hannah stays focused on material taught in class, asks questions, and accepts feedback well.
Receive Text Messages from JFK
If you would like to receive text messages from JFK, type “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. Families must opt in to receive text messages.
📌Still Relevant
Revised Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
We have decided to make two revisions to the drop-off and pick-up procedures. The most significant is that the drive near the rectory will return to two way traffic. The second is that we will return to using cones to block off the ability to use the northern most lane to join into the exit going out onto 42nd Street near the school. The revised map is linked here: drop-off and pick-up procedures. This map also adds a visual reminder in locations where drive through drop-off and pick-up should NOT take place.
Thank you for your attentiveness to the procedures in our parking lot, and always proceed slowly and cautiously through every location.
Individual Snacks and Snacks/Treats to Share from Approved Snack List
Snacks must be from the approved snack list. This includes both individual snacks and snacks/treats to share with the whole class. The updated list also shares some of the criteria used to determine the snack list.
Save the Date: “Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land”
OLV is hosting the multimedia event, “Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land,” featuring national author/speaker Christopher West and musician Mike Mangione on Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 7:00-9:30 pm in the church. Cost is $30 per person.
This program explores life, love, and human destiny through the lens of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It weaves together live music, spoken word, sacred art, and video clips into a reflective multimedia experience. CLICK HERE for a video clip.
Altar Servers Needed
Sign your student up to altar serve at a weekend Mass.
I-Ready Math Requirements
I-Ready use can help your child’s math skills.
I-Ready provides personalized math lessons online based on each student’s needs. Students use I-Ready for at least 30 minutes per week at school, enough to complete at least one lesson. Unfinished lessons will be assigned as homework.
Students who are not proficient in math based upon screeners or ISASPs will also be required to use I-Ready outside of school hours, reinforcing the school/home partnership. All students may complete additional lessons at home.
Checking Students’ Grades and Missing Work
Use the instructions below to check in-progress standards grades, missing assignments, and Assumption Algebra grades in PowerSchool. Directions are included for both the computer portal and app.
Please note:
- Some features are only available on a computer.
- Ignore the “Grades disabled by school” message. It does not apply to our standards-referenced grades.
📚Learning Habits Matter
Background Knowledge Helps Reading
What we learn today helps us understand what we learn tomorrow.
Good reading requires more than figuring out the words. Readers constantly connect new information to things they already know. A student who already knows something about oceans, for example, will have an easier time understanding a new article about marine life.
Families can help build that knowledge:
PK–2
• Read and talk about animals, places, science, history, and how things work
• Encourage questions and conversations about new experiences
Grades 3–5
• Mix fiction with nonfiction about interesting topics
• Follow a child’s curiosity—one question can lead to a whole new subject
Grades 6–8
• Encourage reading beyond novels—articles, biographies, history, science, current events, and other interests
• Talk about what students are learning and connect it to things they already know
The wonderful thing about background knowledge is that it builds on itself: the more students learn about the world, the more they can understand the next time they read about it.
🗓️ Highlighted Events
Multiple calendars are available at www.jfkcatholic.org/. A one-page summary calendar is on the school homepage, with detailed calendars available under Calendars at the top of the website. Click any underlined event for more information. Below are a few highlighted events:
- Sept 28: Caffeinate Me H & S fundraiser. Picture retakes & cross country pictures
- Oct 1: Youth & Family Engagement
- Oct 2: Candy Bar Sale Ends. 7/8 March with AHS at Homecoming
- Oct 3: Confirmation Retreat
- Oct 4: JFK at Pumpkin Patch
- Oct 5: Inservice. No classes. ECLC closed.
- Oct 9: Out of uniform fund-raiser
- Oct 13: Parent/teacher conferences
- Oct 15: Parent/teacher conferences. No classes. ECLC open. Dine & Donate for Portillos
- Oct 16: No classes. ECLC open.
- Oct 19: No buses
💭Personal Sharing
When you make regular Mass attendance part of your weekend routine, the “battle” with the kids as they get older becomes less significant. Mass attendance has already become “just what we do as a family.” (And notice I said less significant – the objections might be there anyway.)
As I wrote this week’s Learning Habits Matter, memories of my dad’s reading while growing up came back to me. I didn’t see him read too many books. However, he got up early each weekday so he could get to work early and have a donut and read the morning newspaper. Every afternoon, we also had the evening newspaper delivered to our house, and he read that one every day as well. Sunday mornings started with him reading the newspaper before going to church. As I grew up, I realized that if I wanted to have more in-depth conversations with my dad, I had to read the newspaper like him. I started by reading the comics. When I got older, I read the sports section too. Eventually, I was reading the whole thing just like my dad and able to engage in all of the “adult” conversations as well. I’m not sure how well everyone’s individual news feeds and sources these days provide the same background for common knowledge and conversations.
Chad