Dear Families,

The video above reviews the highlights of this newsletter.

We had a great turnout for parent-teacher conferences on Friday! Building strong home-school connections is key to student success! If you missed your conference, please use Bloomz or email to contact your child/ren's teacher. No report cards are sent home without a conference.

I have incredible news! Our playground has been fully funded!!!! I will share the 3D drawings as soon as I have them. The playground will be installed after school gets out as it takes 12-14 weeks to be built and shipped. We will have fun ribbon cutting for the playground during our Back to School ice cream social on August 18th.

This week we have a four-day week. Friday is a no-school day for all students and staff; the building is closed.

**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 130 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. Beginning on April 5th, all registered students may dress down on Wednesdays through the end of the year.

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
• 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 - Fight Like a Girl 3:30-4:30
• Saturday -St. Patrick's Day Parade - Gather at 11:30 - see below!

A new session of Cooking Club will begin on 3/16 for grades 4 - 6. Please register here This is limited to 20 children.

Upcoming important Dates:

• March 7th - Parent Advocacy Meeting to support Tax Credit Scholarships. See the information below.
• March 8th - Kind Shirt Day
• March 10th - NO school
• March 11th - St. Patrick's Day Parade - BSF Scholars asked to participate.
• March 13th - 8 AM and 5 PM - Parent Association Meeting
• March 16th - Whole School Liturgy 9 AM (parents welcome)
• March 17th - Spirit Day
• March 20th - 24th - IAR testing for Grades 3-8

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.

• March 7th - Parent Advocacy Meeting to support Tax Credit Scholarships. See the information below.
• March 8th - Kind Shirt Day
• March 10th - NO school
• March 11th - St. Patrick's Day Parade - BSF Scholars asked to participate.
• March 13th - 8 AM and 5 PM - Parent Association Meeting
• March 16th - Whole School Liturgy 9 AM (parents welcome)
• March 17th - Spirit Day
• March 20th - 24th - IAR testing for Grades 3-8
• April 7th - Good Friday - No School
• April 10-14th - Easter Break - No School
• May 31st - Last day of school for 8th grade
• June 1st - 1pm Candle & Ribbon - 7th and 8th Grade
• June 3rd - 10 AM 8th Grade Graduation
• June 8th - PK 3 Last Day of School
• June 9th - Last Day of School - no afterschool care - more info coming.