Family Update
Week of May 30, 2022
Moving Up Ceremonies, Graduations, and a Look Ahead
Good morning,
It's hard to believe we are here, but it's the last week of the 21-22 school year! This is a very busy week!
There is no video as there is too much to capture. Please take a few minutes to read this thoroughly.
Monday is Memorial Day - we are grateful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom. Enjoy the day off!
Tuesday, grades 3-5 have a field trip. Scholars should be in their gym uniforms (shorts preferred) and gym shoes. It will be hot! Scholars also need a lunch. The bus is leaving at 8:45 and will not return until 2:15.
Wednesday morning, the staff supplies and serves breakfast to the Class of 2022 - Fuel for the Journey ahead. Then at 10, the school has a special assembly to honor Ms. Murphy and celebrate her as she prepares to retire in a few weeks. The ice cream truck is coming at 12:45 for our scholars. This is the 8th graders' last day of school.
Thursday at 1 pm is our Candle & Ribbon Ceremony for our 7th and 8th graders. Thursday is our PK3 scholars' last day of school.
Friday we celebrate a year well done! Our PK4 scholars graduate at 9 AM and then are dismissed for the day. Our Kindergarteners graduate at 10:30 and may leave after the ceremony. Our first - third graders have their moving up program at 12 pm. Included in that ceremony is a special promotion for our first graders as they've never had in-person graduation due to the pandemic. Again, scholars may leave following the ceremony. Last, but not least, at 1:30, our fourth - sixth-graders will move up! Four guests per scholar are allowed for the various promotions. Masks are required for our guests. There is no extended day Friday.
We are giving out graduation tickets for 8th grade, Kindergarten, and PK. All 8th-grade graduates will receive 6 tickets and can purchase up to 4 more. For both PK and Kindergarten, each graduate receives 4 tickets and can purchase up to 2 more. Additional graduation tickets for all are $5/each. For 7th and 8th grade, Candle and Ribbon tickets (4 per student) are available. Also, if accounts are settled, graduation gowns may be picked up from the office. The hours for pick up are 6:30 AM -3:30 PM. Families with outstanding balances must clear them for scholars to participate in graduations.
We did it! We have 177 students registered and the ice cream truck is coming on June 1st!
To get registered, simply fill out the form today! The fee to register will be taken care of later. Reserve your child's spot today. The majority of contracts have been sent home with scholars.
Do you have a family to refer to St. Benedict? Referring families will receive a $300 tuition/fees credit next school year! Our families are our best marketers! Keep spreading the good news! Remind your friends and family that the school accepts AFC/Childcare for preschool! Act quickly ~ we will fill up!
This is the last week to register for our five-week summer program which begins on June 13- we will close registration on June 7. Students entering PK3 - 5th grade in August are welcome. Families with AFC/Childcare will pay their copay for the program along with any field trip fees. Invoices were sent home with students last week. Reserve your child/ren's spot now.
Please continue keeping children home who are not feeling well- there are flu bugs, COVID, and other viruses going around. Please do not assume it's "just a cold or allergies" - take a home COVID test. We have a shared responsibility in keeping the school and its community well, and we have all done a fabulous job!
- FOLLOW THE DRESS & UNIFORM CODE. The orange gym uniform may NOT be worn anymore. A kind shirt or the blue PE shirt is acceptable.
- Students MAY not have nail polish, artificial nails, any jewelry, or smartwatches. Students do not need their cell phones at school. They are kept in the office all day. - This is becoming an issue and it's distracting from learning. Students will be receiving notices. Following the rules and expectations is required at St. Benedict. It may not seem like a big deal when a child wants to paint their nails or wear jewelry, but it sends a message to the child that rules don't matter. It's a distraction and it's disrespectful to everyone who commits to following the expectations. We will have students remove the jewelry and place it in a baggie in their backpack.
- Please be sure to check the "Save the Date" section below.
- The school office is open Monday through Friday 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Our amazing office staff can take payments, sell hoodies and polos and answer questions. After 3:30, please leave a message on the mainline or dial 101 at the recording to be connected to my extension. If you need extended day after 3:30, dial 107 at the voicemail message.
Thank you for trusting us with your child/ren. Have a safe and wonderful summer. See below for summer hours and information!
Mrs. Farrand
8th Grade Dissects!
Bravery Celebrated
Our Last Liturgy
FREE! DePaul Leadership Opportunity at St. Benedict for Grades 6, 7, 8 (in 2022-2023)
We will be hosting the DePaul University Future Catholic Education Leadership Program. This is a free program. It will be offered mainly on Wednesdays from June 15th - July 13th with an extra Tuesday added to make 6 sessions from 9 AM - 11 AM. The program will be facilitated by DePaul University Professors. Scholars in the program will earn a micro-credential in leadership following the completion of their leadership project. Cultivating leadership skills in our students is the focus!
Please complete this form if interested: https://forms.gle/FHH75h64NgynXo6h9
Students will need to arrive at 8:45 and be picked up at 11:00 on session days.
Class #1 - Thursday June 16 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Class #2 - Wednesday, June 22 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Class #3 - Wednesday, June 29 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Class #4 - Wednesday, July 6 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Class #5 - Tuesday, July 12 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Class #6 - Wednesday, July 13 from 9:00am - 11:00am
Summer Office Hours
The week of July 18th, the offices are closed.
July 25 - August 5, the hours are 7 AM - 2 PM
On August 8th, we resume regular hours of 6:30 - 3:30.
Of course, we will make appointments for those needing a different time.
2022-2023 School Calendar
Fight Like A Girl Program - Fall 2023 Sign Up now - no $ due now!
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- May 30th - Memorial Day - no school
- June 1st - Last day of classes for 8th grade
- June 2nd - Candle & Ribbon 1pm (Grades 7 & 8)
- June 3rd - Last day of school for all students, PK & K graduations, and moving up ceremonies grades 1 -6. (NO Extended day)
- June 4rd - Eighth Grade graduation 10 AM - St. Kilian Church
- June 13th - July 14th - Summer Program
- August 22nd - First day of the 2022 -2023 school year. Full-Day for all students, no extended day.
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