Family Update
Week of October 17, 2021
Week of October 17th - 22nd, 2021
Good morning,
The video above this has a brief summary of the Family Update. I hope it's helpful!
We didn't quite hit our goal of 88% yet; let's try to attain it this week! The research shows that every minute counts! Students may arrive as early as 7:15 without an additional charge.
This past week was exciting - our first field trip and picture day. Both were very successful. On picture day, it was so nice seeing the different outfits students chose! There will be a retake date for pictures, but it's not scheduled yet!
This week we have a Kind Shirt day scheduled for Tuesday. Also, the Prayer Walk returns on Thursday at 9 AM. Permission slips were sent home already. I've attached one to this newsletter, too. Students do need the slip as we walk off school property around the block. Our alum who are attending Leo High School will join us as will many school supporters and friends. Parents are welcome to attend as it's an outside activity.
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. If you're nervous about this vaccine, please talk with your doctor.
**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.
This month's Chats with the Principal is October 26th 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. Looking ahead, we have our Book Fair coming up the week of November 8th and a fun game night for families on November 9th. More details are forthcoming! Also, the first two weeks in November, our 8th-grade class will be selling bracelets for $3 to support Wounded Warriors as part of service-learning and Veteran's Day activities.
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.
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
Field Trip Fun
Mr. Tee's Team
Exploring
Halloween Celebrations
Costumes:
- Only grade PK-1 are allowed to wear costumes to school. There can be no scary masks or weapons.
- Grades 2 -8 may wear their favorite sports team jersey/sweatshirt with jeans. No leggings are allowed.
- Those not wanting to wear a costume (pk-1) or sports team jersey should be in regular uniform.
Activity: We will be having a Trunk or Treat the last half hour (2:00 pm) of the day. Our staff will be decorating their trunks to give out candy in the closed parking lot. This outdoor activity makes the event much safer.
It's also a Home Run Inn Pizza Day. See the attached slip. Money is due this Thursday by 8 AM. It's $8/each.
As a special PAW-pportunity, parents may send in multi-mix candy (individually wrapped) to help with the festivities. Two big bags (over 31 oz each) will count for a pound. Please try to send nut-free candy.
Thank you!
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!
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!
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.
PAWS
See the special Candy Paw -pportunity in the Halloween Section above!
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 19th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 21st - Prayer Walk
- October 21st - Pizza money due (8 AM - no exceptions)
- October 26th - Chat with the Principal 2 PM - cafeteria
- October 27th - Kind Kid Celebration
- October 29th - Home Run Inn Pizza Day
- October 29th - Trunk or Treat
- 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