Family Update
Week of March 29, 2021
This Week at Academy of St. Benedict - Holy Week
Good morning,
We hope that you find the summary video above this section to be helpful. It captures many of the very important items that are included in the update.
This week we are only in school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Easter Break begins on Thursday with a planning day for teachers. Students return to the building on April 12th. Please be at school by 7:50!
Still at the top of the list: We are registering for the 2021-2022 school year. The first step will be to complete the registration Google form. If you register between now and 3/31, you do not have to put the $50 down; we will add it to the contract for later payment. Please click the link here. Also, all families registered by noon on 3/31 are entered into a special drawing on 3/31 for a $50 Gift Card to Amazon! We will do the drawing at noon live on our Facebook page
For those who already completed the Google Form, the financial contract will be emailed out for your acceptance. We are planning for full in-person instruction for the 21-22 school which limits the number of students per classroom. Reserve your child's seat today! Remember that students entering kindergarten and sixth grade must have a physical completed. Students entering second and sixth must have a dental exam. Vision screenings are required for kindergarten students. Please make those appointments now! New students need all three!
Registration is open to new families, too. Do you know a new family, especially a preschool or kindergarten family? You will receive a $300 referral credit for any new family that registers! We are looking to enroll new preschoolers and kindergarteners for next year! Do you know anyone with 3, 4, or 5-year-olds? You could receive a special referral credit! Let us know.
While this is a short week, there is a lot going on. First, we have picture day on Monday. Students may be out of uniform. See the section dedicated to picture day below.
Tuesday morning at 10:15 there will be a special Storytime Live on Facebook. Please let your friends know! This is geared for PK-2nd graders! Mrs. Farrand is reading Tiara's Hat Parade!
Tuesday afternoon, we have our first Kind Kid party of the year! Each homeroom has selected two students. Those Kind Students will receive a certificate as well as a very special treat!
Deacon Gill will also be with us on Tuesday to meet with our 5th - 8th graders. This week, Holy Week is the holiest week of the Catholic Christian year. The scriptures are fulfilled this week!
Wednesday, we will celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, St. Benedict the African. Students may wear jeans with a red, black, and/or green top. St. Benedict the African's feast day is April 4th.
Also on Wednesday, Grab & Go breakfasts, lunches and snacks will be sent home with students. Only the lunches will require refrigeration.
All students will enter through the front doors until we return from Easter Break. We will have extra cleaning focused on that area with the increased number of students using the steps/handrails there. After Easter Break, students will begin gathering outside with their teachers at 7:30.
As a reminder, any person who is on our property must have their mask on properly (over the nose) as we work to keep everyone safe. Please check Class Dojo each afternoon before dismissal.
The school office is open from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Please call the office to make an appointment before stopping in. PAW donations may be dropped off between 9-1:30 or 2:30-3:30.
Punctuality Matters - It's a Skill for Life!
Any students arriving after 8 AM will gather in the cafeteria (by cohorts) and start their morning work down there. Once there is a break in instruction in a classroom, those students will be admitted to class. This will limit the number of times a classroom is disrupted.
We want all students in their seats at 8 AM ready to learn. Please have students at school by 7:50 AM.
Sweatshirts are Still Available!
Masks!
Work and Progress
March 29th All School All Students Picture Day
**All Students will be photographed***
March 29th Picture Day Information for E-Learners ONLY!
PK, K, 1st, and 2nd-grade students: 11:00-11:30
3rd, 4th, 5th students: 11:30-12
6th, 7th, 8th: 12 - 12:30
For siblings please come during one of the grade's times. Students with 1 adult only will enter at door 2 maintaining STRICT social distancing. As soon as the picture is taken, students must leave.
Students may wear the outfit of their choice, provided it is school-appropriate.
***Families of in-person learners***
Students will have their pictures taken with their class in a very traditional manner on 3/29. Students may dress down in a school-appropriate outfit. If your child wears dress clothes, we suggest sending their uniform so that students may change after pictures.
Easter Break Plans
FREE - Title 1 Virtual STEM Night - REGISTER NOW
This program is for grades K-8. Click here to register! This is a completely free event! Each child will receive a STEM kit valued at close to $100 for this fun night!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Illinois Assessment of Readiness Test Dates - ELEARNERS!
We are requesting they come into the building, following all protocols, to complete their IAR testing, which is a requirement of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program April 20-22 from 8:30-11:00. April 27th will be a make-up day, same time.
Students will enter through door 2 bringing their fully charged Chromebook and a book to read. The students will remain in the gym for the duration of testing. Parents will need to pick-up at 11 AM.
As always, call the office if you have questions.
Tax Agreements - Financial Accounts
While we know that these are very challenging times, the financial health of the school is important to its longevity.
Families with tax agreements as part of their financial contract must make those payments before students return from Easter Break. We have spoken with many families about their financial plans making arrangements.
As a reminder, families with children in PK4, K, and Grade 8: All PAWS and finances must be clear by 5/15 for your child to participate in any graduation (virtual -PK & Kindergarten or live for grade 8).
The most important thing is that you stay in touch with us so we can develop a plan with you.
We value you and your family. These unprecedented times are challenging for everyone.
.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- March 29th - Picture day for ALL students. E-learners will receive a time to come in.
- March 30th - Kind Kids Party! 2 in-person students from each class attend!
- March 31st - St. Benedict the African Day - students wear Red, Black,and/or Green
- March 31st - Grab and Go Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be sent home with students for the break. Only lunches will need refrigeration.
- April 1st - Planning Day- no school
- April 2nd - 11th - Easter Break (School reopens Monday, April 12th)
- April 14th - Kind Shirt Day
- April 29th - Kind Kids Party! 2 in-person students from each class attend!
- April 30th - PD day - no school
- May 1st- 22nd - iReady Diagnostic Window
- May 14th - Professional Development - no school
- May 27th - Candle & Ribbon grades 7 & 8 (specifics to follow - modified program)
- May 31st - Memorial Day - no school
- June 4th - Last day of school -2pm dismissal- NO Extended day
- June 5th - 8th-grade Graduation (Specifics to follow - modified program)
- June 7th - Virtual PK and K graduations via Zoom- details to follow
- June 8th-9th - Elearners return chromebooks/tablets, chargers, and textbooks to school between 8:30-10:30
- June 14th- July 30th - Summer office hours 8 AM - 2 PM daily
- August 16th - First day of the 2021-2022 school year!
PAW List!
It's time to get your PAWS completed! We also need volunteers to clean up the area around the school and the yard. If interested, please call the office.
Two Special PAW Deals:
- Buy two cases (10 reams/case) of copy paper and receive credit for 3 PAWS!!
- Two $50 gift cards will result in credit for 3 PAWS!
Items may be shipped directly to the school. Send it as a "gift" and put your family's name on the gift receipt.
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.