Family Update
Week of February 15th - February 22nd
This Week at Academy of St. Benedict
Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day,
We hope that you are staying warm on these unbelievably cold days. It looks like there is some relief coming soon! Remember, there is no school tomorrow as it's President's Day.
We are continuing our study of prominent African-American figures and learning more about Black History. Each morning, we share a brief biography of a different person researched and narrated by a junior high student during the morning announcements. Different rooms are celebrating in different ways! Look for information from your child's teacher!
GoGuardian has been added to our school computer management system. This program helps us maximize instructional time while providing safeguards for students. One of our goals is to develop good Digital Citizens. Teachers are using the program to set up "scenes" in the classroom that focus students on the webpages/applications needed during class. Over the weekend, we did block access to YouTube using the school devices and emails. Please remember the school email, accounts, and devices should only be used for school-related work.
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.
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. With the extreme cold, we will not take the children out to wait for pick-up. We ask the parent to come to the main entrance and we will call for each student/family. We will definitely dismiss this way on Tuesday. Thank you!
If your child needs a hat, gloves, and/or a new winter jacket, please let me know. We may be able to help!
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.
Registration is open to new families, too. Do you know a new family? You will receive a $300 referral credit for any new family that registers!
Families may not go back and forth between e-learning and in-person learning. If your child is an in-person learner and is absent for a day or two, they may not move over to elearning. They will be marked absent. However, if the child is sick for an extended period of time, we will make individual arrangements as necessary. Please contact me if you have questions about that policy.
As stated, February 22nd is the next time e-learners may return to in-person instruction for the year. If you choose to have your child/ren stay elearning at that point, they will continue it through the end of the school year. If you plan to send your child back into the building on 2/22, please send me an email by Wednesday.
Teachers will be sending out the SignUp Genius forms to schedule next week's parent-teacher conferences. They are scheduled for Friday, February 26th from 12-6. Some teachers may begin on Thursday. All conferences are done using Zoom.
The school office is open from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Please call the office to make an appointment before stopping in.
Graduation Pictures
E-Learners are expected at school between 9:00 and 9:30. Students will enter at door 2 by the gym. Only one adult may accompany the child.
While we don't know what graduation for our students will look like, the gowns will be a keepsake. The fee that was added to FACTS is only the gown fee. If you have questions, please call the office.
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
Students in grades 3-8 who have a tax credit scholarship this year will also take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in March. This is required by the program.
Tuition
If you need help with your tuition plan, there are a few options. All begin with a phone call or email to Ms. Murphy or to me. From there, we can set up an income tax agreement. Many families will be receiving a refund at tax time after filing their FY20 taxes. Another option for some families may be using some of your Federal stimulus money. We certainly understand and respect that either of these may not work for your family. The most important thing is that you contact us so that 1. we know there's a problem and 2. we can develop a plan with you.
We value you and your family. These unprecedented times are challenging for everyone.
.
Tips for Successful e-Learning
- Have a designated space for schoolwork, ideally a table/desk.
- Ideally, students are wearing one of their school shirts.
- Be ready to begin instruction at 8 AM daily.
- Students should wear headphones.
- Have all supplies for the day at the workspace.
- Participate in class Zooms by asking questions.
- When not speaking on Zoom, be on mute.
- Reach out to teachers when there is a question.
- Stick to the daily schedule designed by the teacher.
Please discourage eating and drinking near the school-owned Chrome Books and Tablets. If your child's device isn't working properly, please contact me.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- February 19th - End of the second trimester
- February 19th - 8th, Kindergarten, and PK4 graduation picture day.
- February 22nd - last day for e-learners to return to the building for the 20-21 school year
- February 26th - Parent-teacher conferences (via Zoom) - 11:30 dismissal
- 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 - 12th - Easter Break
- April 19th - 30th - ACT Aspirer test window Grades 3-8
PAW 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 Lysol wipes, disinfecting spray, or a combination of the two for a PAW.