Week of February 26, 2023
Dear Families,
The video above is of Friday's African American Heritage Prayer Service in which 800+ students came together to celebrate the rich heritage of African Americans, focusing on six Black Catholics on the road to Sainthood. At school, we have posters of each of these amazing people in our cafeteria. At the 53:00 min mark, you can see our Praise Dancers performing! Then at the 1:10:08 mark, you will see our very own Mackenzie Adams receive the Julia Greeley Student Leadership Award! We are so proud of our students!
On Saturday, three of our students competed in the Black History Academic Bowl at Leo High School! They represented the school well!
On Monday, February 27th, the school will be hosting a meeting to discuss the creation of an Academy of St. Benedict the African Parent Association Club. Please join me at 5 PM in our school library. I'd love your input!
On Tuesday, we will celebrate our Kind Kids from January and February. Tuesday is also a Kind Shirt Day. Wear one of the school kind shirts with your proper bottoms and gym shoes.
It's hard to believe that we usher in March this week as the second trimester of school comes to an end.
On Thursday, March 2nd, grades 2 & 3 travel to the Art Institute of Chicago to learn about art across cultures.
Friday, March 3rd, is our Parent-Teacher Conference day. It is a remote learning day for all students as conferences run from 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM. Remote Learning Day with Free Child Care (all ages) for Parent Teacher Conference day. Sign up here for child care.
All parents are asked to complete the 5 Essentials Survey to offer feedback on the school in different categories, including communication, safety, curriculum, Catholic Identity, leadership, and teaching. The feedback gained from the survey helps guide improvements in the school. Here is the link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/archchicago
Registration for the 2023-2024 school year continues. Over 120 children are registered, including some new students! Get those seats saved now! The early registration fee is now $50 ($100 is the regular rate). We will continue to offer the $25 Spirit Wear gift certificates until we run out. The fee must be paid to get the gift certificate.
Also, if you refer a new family, you will receive a $300 tuition credit (credited $150 in Dec and May). We will fill up! Use this link: https://forms.gle/mGCqKp9M5YAgxhj48. It's also on the app! Our current third grade has 57% of its class re-registered!
There are class incentives, and I've added them below. For our current 7th graders, there is a special incentive. We are halfway there, 7th grade! When the whole class is registered, we will order their Class of 2024 hoodies!
Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders SGO are starting to make awards for the 23-24 school year. Keep an eye on your email if you applied! We will begin sending out contracts for the upcoming school year in late March and April.
Please keep sick children home. We have a shared commitment to the school community to keep everyone well. Physicals are needed if your child is entering K, 2, or 6 or will play Flag Football in the fall or basketball in 23-24. Make those appointments now and send the forms in asap!
In the event of inclement weather, any shifts to e-learning or delays in the opening of the school day will be posted on both the school mobile app and Bloomz. We will also post on www.emergencyclosingcenter.com.
Clubs & Games this week:
- Monday- Chess Club, Basketball Practice
- Tuesday-Football practice (some spots remain - link below), Fight Like a Girl (grades 4-8) register here, Spanish Club Group 2 - 3:15-4:00 (full)
- Wednesday - Basketball skills practice from 2:15-3:15
- Thursday - Cooking Club Grades K-3 3:15-4:15. (This session is full)
- Saturday - 2:20 PM Grade 7/8 basketball game - arrive by 2 PM.
Upcoming important Dates:
- February 27th - Parent Meeting to discuss Parent Association 5 pm - Library
- February 28th - Flag Football Practice -Physicals must be in before playing - Grades 5-8 only. The registration form is here. The team is capped at 20 players - 15 play per game.
- March 2nd - Grades 2 & 3 attend Art Across Cultures at the Art Institute of Chicago.
- March 3rd - Remote Learning Day with Free Child Care (all ages) for Parent Teacher Conference day. Sign up here for child care.
- March 7th - Parent Advocacy Meeting to support Tax Credit Scholarships. See the information below.
Let's make this week a great week for learning!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- February 27th - Meeting to discuss a school Parent Association - 5 PM - School Library.
- February 28th - Kind Shirt Day
- March 3rd - Parent-Teacher Conferences 8 AM - 5 PM. Remote learning day with onsite childcare available - registration form: https://forms.gle/t2gGzz9h8e7AX3kB6
Academy of St. Benedict the African
