Family Update
Week of February 22nd - 26th
This Week at Academy of St. Benedict
Good morning,
This week we are going to start something new with the Family Update. Along with this update, there will be a video of its highlights. This video will always be at the top! You can listen to those highlights and then read the rest of the bulletin and access the links as needed. We understand that everyone's time is precious.
First, we do need each family to complete the UChicago Impact 5 Essentials Survey. Please take a little time to complete the survey today! Here is the link:
http://survey.5-essentials.org/archchicago/survey/parent/
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!
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 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.
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.
Tomorrow is the last day for e-learners to return to in-person learning. Thank you to the families that reached out to tell us they are either staying e-learners or returning. At this point, all e-learners will remain e-learning through the end of the school year.
Conference day is Friday beginning at noon. Some teachers are beginning on Thursday afternoon. Each classroom teacher has sent out a Sign-Up Genius form for families to make an appointment. The Zoom link and password will be sent prior to Friday. Dismissal for students is 11:30 on Friday. Our extended day program will be open until 6 PM. There is a $20/per child charge if you do not have extended day built into your contract.
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.
If your child needs a hat, gloves, and/or a new winter jacket, please let me know. We may be able to help!
The school office is open from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Please call the office to make an appointment before stopping in.
Registration for 2021-2022
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.
Empower Illinois has started awarding the Tax Credit Scholarship to families! Check your emails! Once the family accepts the award in the student portal, we accept it on behalf of the school. At that point, contracts can be drawn up. We will begin sending out contracts for next year in the next couple of weeks. Any needed meetings will take place on the phone or on Zoom. Again, complete the link to the registration form and pay the $50 partial registration payment to get started.
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!
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.
.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- February 22nd - last day for e-learners to return to the building for the 20-21 school year
- February 23rd - Coffee with the Principals 9 AM - link is above
- 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 Aspire 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.