Principal Post

Principal Post

September 4, 2024

Dear Parents,

We are settling into a nice routine at school. This week students are doing FAST and iReady testing for Reading and Math this week, with some testing finishing up next week. These assessments provide us valuable information regarding where students are at in their Reading and Math knowledge to start the year, which enables us to monitor their growth throughout the school year to make sure we are meeting their needs. Results will be sent home once all testing is complete.

Attendance Policy

Nothing says fun like an attendance policy! Attendance at school is key in your child’s learning. The classroom instruction and discussion can’t be duplicated!

The State of Iowa has updated its law regarding school attendance. It is below.

Senate File 2435: Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Summary for Schools

Senate File 2435 was signed into law on May 9, 2024, with an effective date of July 1, 2024.

Definitions

·     Chronically absent means any absence from school for more than ten percent of the days or hours in the grading period established by a school.

·     Truant is defined as any child of compulsory attendance age who does not qualify for the specified exemptions listed in Senate File 2435, fails to follow the school board's attendance policy, lacks a reasonable excuse for their absence, and has been absent from school for at least 20% of the days or hours in the grading period.

At St. Paul’s we have the following procedures in place.

·     Once a student reaches 10 unexcused days tardy or absent, a letter is sent to the parent/guardian to inform them the student has reached 10 instances. The letter also states that for further absences require a doctor’s notice to be considered excused. Further absences could result in the school contacting the Truant Officer.

·     Once a student reaches 15 unexcused days tardy or absent, a letter is sent to the parent/guardian to inform them of the number instances and the school may be reporting the situation to the Scott County Truant Officer.

·     Up to 10 tardies or absences, if a parent/guardian calls in the student, it will be marked as excused. Once 10 tardies or absences are reached, the administration will determine whether the instance will be excused based on the reason.

Attendance Matters

When a student misses 2 days a month….

·     They will miss 20 DAYS a year.

·     They will miss 30 HOURS of math over the school year.

·     They will miss 60 HOURS of reading and writing over the school year.

·     They will miss over 1 YEAR of school by graduation.

When a student misses 4 days a month…

·     They will miss 40 DAYS a year.

·     They will miss 60 HOURS of math over the school year.

·     They will miss 120 HOURS of reading and writing over the school year.

·     They will miss over 2 YEARS of school by graduation.

Ladies’ Night Out

Ladies of the parish and school, you need a night out! Please join us on Thursday, September 5 at the Mississippi River Distilling Company. Bring some friends and enjoy an evening of conversation and connection.

Thursday, September 5, 7:00 PM

Mississippi River Distilling Company

318 E 2nd St., Davenport

Households of Faith

Please join the parish in a wonderful opportunity to worship and learn together about prayer and our Catholic faith on Wednesday, September 11.

Below are ways to participate. Join us for all or part of the evening. There are no school activities and no homework so that all students can participate with their families.

·     4:30 Eucharistic Adoration

·     5:30 Mass

·     6:00 Dinner

·     6:30 Faith Formation for all!

PreK/TK Family Social

Home and School is excited to announce our first annual PreK/TK Family Social!

Friday, September 13th

5:30 - 7:00 pm in Denning Hall

Join us for a fun night of pizza, games, and fellowship as we welcome the start of the school year with all Preschool and TK families! This event will allow you to meet parents from the same class, find ways to get involved at school, and give your children a chance to have a fun evening with their new friends! Thank you to Home and School for hosting this event, RSVP at this link by Monday, September 9th.

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScs7QKd6kgGBq.../viewform

First Friday Adoration

Friday, September 6, 7am - 7pm

Come spend some time with Jesus! We are now offering All Day Adoration on the first Friday of the month. Eucharistic Adoration will start following the 6:30am Mass and will conclude at 7:00 pm. Begin your weekend and the month on a positive step and come and pray with Jesus!

Locals Love Us!

Cast your vote for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School as your Quad City favorite at - https://localsloveus.com/vote/72425/