Family Update
Week of January 25th - 29th, 2021
This Week at Academy of St. Benedict
Good morning,
It was wonderful having students back with us in the building. Currently, 118 students are in-person, and 86 students are learning from home. Thank you to our e-learning families for joining our meeting on Thursday night. Seeing so many of you brings joy!
***Please watch the weather on Monday afternoon. For families with students in the extended day program, please pick up as soon as possible so that we may get everyone (including our staff) home safely.***
School opens for morning care Monday morning at 6:15 AM. The doors open for students at 7:30 AM. Breakfast will be available until 7:55. 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!
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.
This week all students in K - 8th grade will take the iReady Winter diagnostic. E-learners will complete their diagnostic during the time the teacher schedules and be on Zoom. It's important that the school gets a true picture of your child's progress. Please do not help during the diagnostic. There is no grade given. The data is used to plan the next steps for students and classrooms. The data is also used to design your child's personalized learning plan on iReady moving forward.
We are getting ready to begin registration for the 2021-2022 school year. It will open for our current families, in good financial standing, on February 1st. The first step will be to complete the registration Google form and pay the $50 fee (toward the registration fee). The form will be linked in next week's Family Update. From there, we will contact families to review financial plans and other information. On February 8th, we will open registration to new families. There are limited seats available. Be sure to reserve your child's seat!
The popcorn fundraiser begins on Thursday and runs through Monday, February 1st. It's a short 4-day event. Please follow the instructions on the flyer (attached).
There is a pizza day scheduled for February 5th as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The $8 is due on Friday, January 29th at 8 AM (no exceptions). The money and the slip should be in a baggie and given to the teacher. The school will provide the cookie to all students who pay for pizza. There is a copy of the slip attached to this update.
Please make plans to NOT send students to school in any part of the orange PE uniform. It was retired two years ago. All students should be in their light blue PE uniforms on the appropriate days. The crew neck sweatshirt can be worn over the polo on cold days. Also, students must be in uniform every day. We have the polo shirts in the school building available for $10/each. Martinelli's on 95th in Evergreen Park sells the gym uniform.
The school office is open from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Please call the office to make an appointment before stopping in.
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 have time designated on Tuesday, January 26th, and Wednesday, January 27th from 2-4 PM to set up tax agreements or make adjustments to contracts. Appointments may be set up for phone calls or Zoom meetings. Exclusion letters were sent to all families with past due balances.
We value you and your family. These unprecedented times are challenging for everyone.
.
POPCORN Fundraiser
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!
- January 26-28th - iReady diagnostic testing grades K-8.
- January 28-February 1st - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
- January 31-February 6th - Catholic Schools Week
- January 29th - Money due for Home Run Inn Pizza day
- February 1st - Registration for the 21-22 school year opens for returning families
- February 5th - Pizza day! (orders must be placed by 1/29 at 8 AM)
- February 12th - Planning day - No school for students
- February 15th - Presidents' Day - No school for students
- February 19th - End of the second trimester
- 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
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.