Family Update
Week of October 10, 2021
Week of October 10th - 15th, 2021
Good morning,
The video above this has a brief summary of the Family Update. I hope it's helpful!
Last week our on-time percentage for school was 86%. This week let's try to get to 88% on- time! Every minute counts! Students may arrive as early as 7:15 without an additional charge.
There is no school today as we take a mini-break. Tomorrow is a busy day - we have our St. Vincent de Paul Produce Pop-Up from 12:30-3. We also have our Chipotle Fundraiser. Families and friends can stop by Chipotle from 4 pm-7 pm and pick up dinner. The school will receive 33% of the sales! These funds will be used for STEM materials! Orders can be placed online using code: AMND47C, Be sure to show the attached flyer when you order and/or mention the school! Also, take a picture at the bus bench with our advertisement right there (63rd & Halsted) and be entered to win a gift card! Send the picture to my email, please!
This Friday is picture day. All students will be photographed. All orders are placed either online or by phone. The event code is 20084801. Call 847-382-3382 ext 7 to order over the phone. The flyer is attached at the bottom of this newsletter. Students may wear any school appropriate clothing for pictures. Please send the uniform if the outfit is very dressy. We still need a couple of volunteers (must be in compliance and vaccinated). Volunteers will receive a PAW.
We have our first field trip in two years this week! Our second and third graders are going to the Lincoln Park Zoo to learn more about animals as part of their informational text units on Wednesday. Each grade has its own bus as we work to keep everyone safe. Field trips are an important curricular experience. Students going on the field trip must bring a sack lunch. Thank you!
**Please remember that students must be in proper uniform every day. There are still many families not following the policy. As a member of a Catholic School community, this policy is not a recommendation, it is a requirement. We believe that excellence happens on purpose. Part of this excellence is being ready to learn in the proper uniform. This includes no bracelets or necklaces, no nail polish or artificial nails, small stud or hoop earrings for girls, and no earrings for boys. The office will begin making calls this week.
Chats with the Principal began on September 28th at 2 pm (30 minutes before dismissal) and run every fourth Tuesday of the month. These are informal meetings where parents can ask questions. Attending three of these over the course of the year will earn a PAW. It's a really nice and informal time to talk.
Please be sure to check the "Save the Date" section below - there are a lot of important events coming up.
Please keep your child home if they are sick or have symptoms that could be COVID-related. As we see some cases coming into the building, we need your help! f the symptoms (including fever) clear up in 24 hours (no medication), please send them back to school. Any illness lasting longer than that will require either a negative COVID test or an alternate diagnosis from the doctor. We cannot accept home test results.
As we come into Flu season, please speak to your pediatrician about getting the flu vaccine.
Our second COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be on October 22nd from 11 am - 2 pm. First or second shots can be given then. Please share this information with your family and friends. Anyone aged 12 and over is eligible for a vaccine.
Please send your child to school with their mask every day along with an extra in their backpack. It's really important that the children are wearing child-sized masks that cover their nose and mouth fully.
Do you have clothes and shoes your children have outgrown or don't want? We have a clothes and shoes collection box in the parking lot! The school receives $0.02/lb and a tree is planted in our honor each time it's emptied. We are the stewards of God's beautiful earth. This is one way we help!
The school office is open Monday through Friday 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM. After 3:30, please leave a message on the mainline or dial 101 at the recording to be connected to my extension. We have hoodies available in the office as well as polos for students. We ordered adult size Kind shirts for sale. They're $10 cash/$12 debit.
Thank you for trusting us with your child/ren. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Mrs. Farrand
NET Ministries - Retreat
Analyzing Text through Speech
Show and Tell
Vaccination Cards for Students Aged 12 and Over & Vaccine Clinic
Our vaccine clinic is set for October 22nd from 11 AM - 2 PM. Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome to the clinic! Families, please talk with your child's doctor (aged 12 and over) for more information. Please let your family and friends know. Help us keep the school community as safe as we can!
Volunteering in School
Go to https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ to register for an online class and consent to the background check. Please see or email Ms. Fernandez (mfernandez@academystbenedict.org) if you need assistance or have a question.
The Archdiocesan policy is that volunteers who are working directly with children, like chaperoning or in the classrooms must be vaccinated. Proof of the vaccination must be shown to me. Thanks for your understanding.
Tuition Payments
The office will continue making reminder calls this week. Please let us know if there is a particular challenge in advance of the payment due date. We will work with you, but we need to know!
PAWS
Thanks for your help!
Travel and Quarantines
In accordance with the Chicago Travel Order, anyone who is not vaccinated against COVID-19 traveling must either quarantine for 10 days upon return or have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of returning to Illinois if the state visited is noted in the travel order. The test results must be shared with the school. Please help us keep our school community well by adhering to this policy.
Thank you! https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/emergency-travel-order.html
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- October 11th - No School
- October 12th - SVdP Produce Pop -Up - School parking lot 12:30-3.
- October 12th - Chipotle Fundraiser 4 pm - 7 pm. More info to follow! Flyer attached
- October 13th - 2nd and 3rd grade go to Lincoln Park Zoo
- October 15th - Picture Day - 1 or 2 volunteers are needed!
- October 19th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 21st - Prayer Walk
- October 26th - Chat with the Principal 2 PM - cafeteria
- October 27th - Kind Kid Celebration
- November 4th - Kind Shirt Day
- November 8th- 11th - Scholastic Book Fair - volunteers needed
- November 9th - Family Game Night beginning at 4:30 pm. - Details to follow!
- November 12th - Teacher PD day - No school for students
- November 15th - Kind Shirt Day
- November 19th - 11:30 Dismissal for students - Parent/Teacher Conferences (offered in-person and via Zoom) Details to follow.
- November 22nd - 26th - Thanksgiving break - NO SCHOOL
- November 30th - Kind Shirt Day
- December 9th - Kind Shirt Day
- December 14th - Kind Shirt Day
- December 17th - Student Dress Down Day - Christmas Colors
- December 18th- January 2nd - Christmas Break
- January 3rd - Welcome back!
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