Academy of St. Benedict the African
September 5, 2022
Week of September 5, 2022 at Academy of St. Benedict
Good morning,
We are settling into routines in the classrooms and throughout the school as we have completed two weeks of school. As a school, we seek to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in all we do in every part of the school. Ask your child how they demonstrate each of the four in their classroom, hallways, the cafeteria, recess, etc.
As we work to keep the school healthy, it's imperative that parents keep sick children home where they can get well and we can limit any spread of illness. We have a shared responsibility to each other. To that end, we do have a vaccine bus coming to school on October 3rd. Parents do not need to be present for children to receive vaccines. There will be flu shots, Covid vaccines/boosters, and childhood vaccines such as MMR, DPT. I'll share the forms needed once I have them.
Open House is Wednesday, September 7th, from 5-6:30. Families who attend will receive a PAW. Open House begins in the gym, and then families will visit their children's classrooms for brief presentations.
Thursday is a kind shirt day. All scholars should wear their Kind shirts with their regular uniform bottoms.
September 16th is a parent - teacher conference day. In order to have meaningful conversations, it is a fully remote learning day. Conferences will be offered all day. Teachers will have sign ups on their Bloomz page by 9/7. We know parents must work and need care, so childcare is offered from 6:30 am - 5 pm on the 16th. All those in childcare at school will have dedicated supervised work time for their assignments. Breakfast and lunch will also be served. Fill out this form to sign your child up for childcare. There is NO cost for this service.
Scholars should be at school between 7:15 - 7:40 to ensure they aren't late! Classes start at 7:45 sharp. The tardy policy will go into effect after Open House.
We have a very special PAW-pportunity for September. Big Shoulders Fund and St. Benedict will be a sponsor at the Englewood Music Fest on September 17th. We are looking for families to staff the table during the day. Families who take a 2.5 -3 hour block will receive credit for one PAW. This should be a wonderful day! Call the office for details!
Please be patient with other families on Laflin during drop-off and pick-up. Be sure to pull over to park your car and not block the street. The children's safety is most important. Families can also park on Justine and walk into the lot. At dismissal, the children will walk to their class spot before being dismissed. Teachers note the adults that pick up the children. Safety first. Also, we are not dismissing students early between 2:15-2:45, so families can avoid the car lines. Missing 30 minutes of school a day is a whole week of school by the end of October. Teachers are teaching right up until the end of the day. Every minute matters.
All scholars enter the school at door 1. For extended day families, pick up is from door 2 after 3:30.
Parents, have you joined your child/ren's Bloomz class? Have you downloaded the school app?
Let's make this a great week of learning!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
773-776-3316 enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Class of 2023
St. Benedict Plays Flag Football
Fruits of the Harvest
School Hours
Arrival for breakfast 7:15 AM - 7:35 AM
Classes Begin: 7:45 AM (Children not in their seats at 7:45 are marked tardy)
School Ends at 2:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 2:00 PM on Wednesdays
Extended Day: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - to reach extended day, call the school and enter 107 at the recording.
Office Hours
Our regular hours of 6:30 - 3:30.
Of course, we will make appointments for those needing a different time.
Uniforms
All K-8 scholars must wear gym shoes every day. Each must have the school polo with the logo or name of the school embroidered. Plain polos and button-up shirts are not part of our uniform.
On gym days, the children wear a gym uniform. There are two versions of the gym uniform - see below. The gym uniform must be purchased at Martinellis 3517 W. 95th, Evergreen Park.
The school has the polo ($15) and the school hoodie ($20 cash/$23 card).
Also, the children will be asked to remove their jewelry if wearing any. It's a distraction, against our dress code, and creates safety concerns. All boys should remove their earrings before coming to school. Our dress code as it relates to jewelry and nail polish aligns with all other Catholic Schools in our council.
UNIFORMS
Proper Uniform
The school hoodie (light or dark blue) or a plain navy sweater (no logos) can be worn, also.
Acceptable bottoms: navy blue skort, skirt, walking shorts.
Newest PE/Dance Uniform
PE/Dance Uniform
Both gym uniforms have mesh shorts, a crewneck sweatshirt, and sweat pants.
Bloomz and the School App
All classes have been set up! Use the code below if you haven't joined your child/ren's class. The first class with all families connected through Bloomz will win a pizza lunch, and the teacher will win a prize!
Also, if your child goes to extended day, join that group.
Additionally, please download the school app. This app is the hub for all school information!
Outside Food, Lunches, and Cupcakes!
Our school is fortunate to be part of the Federal Free Lunch and Breakfast program. We respectfully ask that unless your child has a dietary condition, religious exemption, or other medical reason (and has met with me), they have the school lunch daily.
Many of our children have allergies and dietary conditions, and keeping all children safe is our priority. We do not want children sharing food. Please send nut-free healthy lunches for those who are approved.
All children who attend after school may bring a healthy snack.
For birthdays: Individually packaged healthier treats such as pretzels, goldfish, Rice Krispie Snack, cereal bars, and the like are allowed. We must see the ingredients.
Thanks for your help with this!
Academy of St. Benedict is Playing Flag Football
2022-2023 School Calendar
PAWS
Tuition Payments & Action for Children
Our business office will assist all families with their Action for Children paperwork, be it an initial application or a redetermination. AFC can cover costs for our 3, 4, and 5-year-olds and before and aftercare for our 6 - 13 year-olds.
It's essential that payments are made as scheduled so that the school can meet its obligations.
Please reach out to me or Ms. Fernandez, our business manager, if you have concerns.
⭐⭐⭐School Family Pledge⭐⭐⭐
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- September 5th - Labor Day - No school
- September 7th -Open House 5 pm - 6:30 pm (earn a PAW for attending)
- September 8th - Kind Shirt Day
- September 16th - Conferences from 8-4. It's a remote learning day with childcare available. More details to follow.
- September 19th - Peace Day Chicago- Details to follow (Junior High)
- September 21st and 28th - High School Visit Days for Grades 6-8.
- September 23rd - Kind Shirt Day
- September 23rd - Professional Development Day for Teachers - No School. Childcare is available at school.
- October 3rd - Vaccine Bus - All vaccines are available for children, their families, our staff, and community. 10AM - 2PM
- October 4th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 6th - 8th Annual Prayer Walk for Peace 9 AM
- October 10th - No School
- October 17th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 25th - Picture Day
- October 28th - Carnival - Details to follow
Academy of St. Benedict the African
Email: jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
Website: academystbenedict.org
Location: 6020 South Laflin Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: 773-776-3316
Facebook: Facebook.com/academystbenedictafrican
Twitter: @asba_chicago