Family Update
Week of March 8th - 12th, 2021
This Week at Academy of St. Benedict
Good morning,
We hope that you find the summary video above this section to be helpful. It captures many of the very important items that are included in the update.
There is no school this Friday, March 12th. It is a professional development day for our teachers and a day for deep cleaning in the building. The building will be closed.
We have had 30% of our families complete the 5 Essentials Survey. We'd really like to get closer to 50%. Can you help? Have you completed the survey? We do use the data and feedback and value your input! Here is the link:
http://survey.5-essentials.org/archchicago/survey/parent/
Our fourth-grade class did such a fabulous job on their Black History Wax Museum that Ms. Hawkes and two students will be featured on the Archdiocese's Catholic School Radio Show Monday Morning. Their segment begins at 8:35. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/CatholicSchoolRadio
We are registering for the 2021-2022 school year. The first step will be to complete the registration Google form and pay the $50 fee (toward the registration fee). Please click the link here. After the form is complete and the deposit is paid, we will contact families to review financial plans and other information. For those who already completed the Google form, we will be calling to set up the next steps. We will encourage virtual/phone registration for everyone's safety. The first set of financial contracts for the 2021-2022 school year are going out this week.
Registration is open to new families, too. Do you know a new family, especially a preschool or kindergarten family? You will receive a $300 referral credit for any new family that registers!
As a reminder school opens for morning care at 6:15 AM. The doors open for students at 7:30 AM. Breakfast will be available until 7:50. Classes start promptly at 8. Students must be in class at 8 AM. Tardiness disrupts the entire class. Tardiness was an issue this past week. Students must be in school and on-time. Please help us improve our on-time attendance rate!
All students will enter through the front doors until further notice. We will have extra cleaning focused on that area with the increased number of students using the steps/handrails there. Once the weather has warmed up consistently, we will begin using Little Marcy Park again.
At this point in time, there is no returning to the building for e-learners. The date to return was 2/22. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding. Students who are in-person learning may not jump to e-learning on days they are out of school for illness or other reasons. That student will just be absent.
As a reminder, any person who is on our property must have their mask on properly (up over the nose) as we work to keep everyone safe. Please check Class Dojo each afternoon before dismissal.
The school office is open from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Please call the office to make an appointment before stopping in. PAW donations may be dropped off between 9-1:30 or 2:30-3:30.
Show Your St. Benedict Pride!
They may be purchased in the office!
March 29th All School All Students Picture Day
**All Students will be photographed***
March 29th Picture Day Information for E-Learners ONLY!
PK, K, 1st, and 2nd-grade students: 11:00-11:30
3rd, 4th, 5th students: 11:30-12
6th, 7th, 8th: 12 - 12:30
For siblings please come during one of the grade's times. Students with 1 adult only will enter at door 2 maintaining STRICT social distancing. As soon as the picture is taken, students must leave.
Students may wear the outfit of their choice, provided it is school-appropriate.
***Families of in-person learners***
Students will have their pictures taken with their class in a very traditional manner on 3/29. Students may dress down in a school-appropriate outfit. If your child wears dress clothes, we suggest sending their uniform so that students may change after pictures.
Title 1 Virtual STEM Night
This program is for grades K-8. Click here to register!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Family Plans for Spring Break - Please complete!
At this point in time, there are many travel restrictions in place. If your family is an in-person learning family, please complete this form, to the best of your ability, as soon as possible.
https://forms.gle/RzGJdyTDjbJzJAEf8
Thank you!
Testing - Changes
Students in grades 3-8 who have a tax credit scholarship this year will also take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in mid-March. This is required by the program. I will be contacting the students who are e-learners and need to take these tests. The students will need to come to the building with their Chromebooks. All students will be separated to ensure social distancing. The e-learners will remain in the building only to test and then will need to leave. We will call and email near the end of this week to set those plans. At this point, we are still taking the IAR. More information is forthcoming.
Tuition - March 11th Exclusion
While we know that these are very challenging times, the financial health of the school is important to its longevity. Families with delinquent balances are being called to set up plans. Students will be excluded from in-person and e-learning on 3/11 if plans haven't been set up or paid as agreed. If there is a problem getting your tax-agreements paid due to the IRS, we can work with you.
The most important thing is that you stay in touch with us so we can develop a plan with you.
We value you and your family. These unprecedented times are challenging for everyone.
.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- March 12th - Professional Development - no school
- March 15th - 25th - IAR test window.
- March 29th - Picture day for ALL students. E-learners will receive a time to come in.
- April 1 - Professional Development - no school
- April 2nd - 11th - Easter Break (School reopens Monday, April 12th)
- May 1st- 15th - iReady Diagnostic Window
- May 14th - Professional Development - no school
- May 27th - Candle & Ribbon grades 7 & 8 (specifics to follow - modified program)
- May 31st - Memorial Day - no school
- June 4th - Last day of school -2pm dismissal- NO Extended day
- June 5th - 8th-grade Graduation (Specifics to follow - modified program)
- August 16th - First day of the 2021-2022 school year!
PAW List!
It's time to get your PAWS completed! Attached is a new list!
Families you have not taken the Virtus Protecting All God's Children class (needed to chaperone and volunteer (looking to the 21-22 school year) can earn a PAW taking the virtual class. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_0.cfm?theme=0
Families have a 6-PAW commitment for the year. We also will accept 3 large Lysol/disinfecting wipes, disinfecting spray, or a combination of the two for a PAW.