Academy of St. Benedict the African
August 20, 2023
August 20, 2023
Dear Families,
Here we are! School starts on Tuesday morning. All students in K-8 should be in uniform with gym shoes. Please plan to arrive between 7:15 and 7:40, entering the building at Door 1 - the main entrance. Students may be dropped off on Justine and Laflin St. Parents who walk their children in will need to park on Justine, Laflin, or 60th Street and walk in. Please be patient and kind at drop-off and pick-up. Keeping the children safe is most important.
School is over at 1:45 on Tuesday. Families should park and walk into the lot to pick up their PK-5th students. Grades 6-8 will be on the Laflin St side of the building. All children stand with their teacher until an adult/older sibling comes to get them. Pick up before 2 pm, as after-care starts on Wednesday. Again, safety first.
All K-8 students go to the cafeteria upon arrival, and PK students will go to their classrooms. PK, K, K/1, and First-grade class lists are posted in the vestibule, cafeteria, and outside the classrooms. Classroom numbers with grades are also posted. There will be many people to assist on Tuesday.
Supply lists and the calendar are on our website. They are linked: click the one you need! Additionally, please join our Bloomz page. Please use the code given to join the school.
The codes for each teacher are listed below.
We had our Back to School Ice Cream Social this past Friday. We had lots of students and families attend. The energy and excitement were palpable! We broke ground on the playground on Friday, too! The installers expect it will take about a week. We are getting close!
Aftercare will begin on Wednesday. Students must be picked up before 6 pm.
As a reminder, students entering K, 2, and 6 must have updated physical, dental, and vision forms. Any students in grades 5-8 who will play sports also need physicals. As we move past COVID, the school will no longer supply masks. Students choosing to wear a mask must bring their own. Children who are sick MUST stay home. We understand it is sometimes hard for working families; we have a shared responsibility to our community to limit the spread of illness.
The Family Update is emailed on Sunday mornings at 9 AM. It's sent on Monday at 9 AM if we have a long weekend. Next week, the video will be included at the top that hits the highlights.
The 2023-2024 school year will be our best year yet!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Communication
Bloomz is our day-to-day communication and direct teacher-parent communication tool. Be sure to download the app today. Students may also download the app.
The school mobile app is another tool. Download the school app: Academy of St. Benedict, from the App Store on Apple phones and the Play Store for Androids. You will see our logo. Join without the code. This is the hub. You can access the website, see past Family Updates, go to PowerSchool, send an attendance note for illness or tardiness, etc.
We are your partners!
Ice Cream Social
Playground Installation Begins
The Faculty & Staff
Uniforms
* Our Polo Shirt order will be in on Tuesday.
Please see the image for more information. Order your gym uniforms if you need them from Martinellis immediately.
****************************************************************************************
Tuition Payments & Action for Children
We continue to enter contracts for families. Please call if you do not know your fee for August.
Please get in touch with me if you have concerns.
****************************************************************************************
Save the Tax Credit Program! August 29th at School!
Join us at school from 5 pm - 7 pm to learn how to help save this program. Over 100 students have a tax credit scholarship for this year. This is a hugely important program for our families. Receive a PAW for attending.
Menus
Calendars
The calendar is always accessible on our website and our mobile app.
⭐2023-2024 School Year Calendar⭐
PAWS
PAW-pportunities!
We need copy paper if you're looking for a good PAW opportunity!
Open House is September 6th from 5 PM - 6:30 PM - earn a PAW per family for attending.
Virtus Training and Volunteering
Families earn a PAW for getting in compliance.
Email or call Ms. Fernandez for more information: mfernandez@academystbenedict.org. She is extension 102 at school.
Save the Date!
August 22nd - First day of school. 1:45 pm dismissal - no after-school care
August 25th - First Spirit Day
September 4th - Labor Day, no school
September 6th - Open House 5 PM - 6:30 PM - Earn a PAW for attending
September 15th - Parent Teacher Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal there is after-care until 6.
September 20th - Picture Day - students may dress up for pictures
September 22nd - Professional Learning Day-no school. Childcare is available 6:30 AM - 5:15 PM
Who's Who in the Offices?
Mrs. Thornton, Assistant Principal x100
Ms. Fernandez, Business Manager x102
Ms. Botello, Administrative Assistant Main number 773-776-3316
Mrs. Martinez, Student Accounts x103
Ms. Zakowski, Office x104
School & Office 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 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 2:30 PM on Wednesdays
Extended Day: 3:15 PM - 6:00 PM - to reach extended day, call the school and enter 101 at the recording. The late pickup fee is $ 3 per minute per child. Please don't be late.
Office Hours - Every Day - 6:30 - 3:30 and by appointment
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