Academy of St. Benedict the African
September 25, 2022
Week of September 25, 2022
Good morning,
The video at the top of the update contains highlights from this bulletin.
What a busy week we had! Our junior high scholars attended Peace Day at Daley Plaza with about 2,000 other scholars. Many of our scholars were chosen to be flag bearers. On Wednesday, we had our first high school visit day. The day was filled with local Catholic High School admission officers describing their schools to our scholars. Some of the best visits are from our alumni who come back to tell of their experiences in high school.
Our new lights were installed on Friday. The difference is quite noticeable and will be far more cost effective! The Verde team worked diligently to finish the classrooms on Friday and the rest of the school on Saturday. The new lighting in the gym and cafeteria is light and bright!
🍿Our Double Good Popcorn Sale starts on Friday, September 30th at 8 AM and runs for just 4 days. Download the Double Good Popcorn app and use EZVTSP as the code. We are raising funds for new library books. Half of your family's sales are credited back to your account. 🍿
Mrs. Thornton's first- grade class enjoyed a pizza party on Thursday as each child in her room has at least one parent/guardian connected to her Bloomz page. Are you connected to your child/ren's teacher page? Do it today - see the codes below. Pizza parties can still be won!
We are having our first Kind Kid party of the year on Thursday afternoon. Two students per classroom are chosen to attend. It's a beautiful recognition of kind behavior!
Please welcome Ms. Winston to our faculty. She will be taking over the K/1 Split Classroom. The school and I are so grateful to Ms. Pannell and Ms. Jackie for starting the class in such a wonderful way. Ms. Winston worked with Ms. Pannell and Ms. Jackie last week to make the transition as smooth as possible. Ms. Winston brings many years of experience to St. Benedict!
As a reminder, please keep sick children home. We have a shared responsibility to keep the school healthy. If your child has cold or allergy symptoms, please administer a home COVID test before sending the child to school - the symptoms of a cold/allergy are very similar to COVID. We do have a vaccine event on 10/3. Parents do not have to be present for children to participate. We have consent forms. COVID, flu, and all childhood vaccines are available. Call the office if you'd like to take advantage of this wonderful service.
Our Flag Football team was impressive in this week's game against Paul Cuffee Elementary School. They worked as a team to a commanding 46-34 win.
Please continue to be courteous and kind at drop-off and pick-up. A few extra minutes won't hurt, and our children's safety is at stake.
All scholars enter the school at door 1. For extended day families, pick up is from door 2 after 3:30.
As your family gathers together after school or in the car on the way home, ask your child/ren how they were kind at school. What did it look like? As we work to cultivate a kind culture, it's essential that the children and adults say what kindness looks like beyond being "nice."
Let's make this a great week of learning!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
773-776-3316 enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser 🍿
Our Fundraiser will run from September 30 at 8 AM - October 4th at 8 AM. Go to Doublegood.com - download the app. The group code to set up your store is EZVTSP.
Once you set up your store, send the link to your family and friends and share it on social media. 50% of what you sell goes toward your fundraising obligation and account.
Flag Bearers - Peace Day 2022
Caught Being Kind
Bloomz and the School App
All classes have been set up! Use the code below if you haven't joined your child/ren's class. Once an entire class is connected, they'll have a pizza party!
Also, if your child goes to extended day, join that group.
Additionally, please download the school app. This app is the hub for all school information!
Uniforms
While the full navy blue dresses that some girls have been wearing are adorable, they are not part of the uniform and should be saved for a dress-down day. A jumper with the polo is fine.
All K-8 scholars must wear gym shoes every day. Each must have the school polo with the logo or name of the school embroidered. Plain polos and button-up shirts are not part of our uniform.
On gym days, the children wear a gym uniform. There are two versions of the gym uniform - see below. The gym uniform must be purchased at Martinellis 3517 W. 95th, Evergreen Park.
The school has the polo ($15) and the school hoodie ($20 cash/$23 card). We have a limited supply of extra Kind shirts available for $5. Cash only, please, for those shirts. Please label all hoodies and sweatshirts.
Also, the children will be asked to remove their jewelry if wearing any. It's a distraction, against our dress code, and creates safety concerns. All boys should remove their earrings before coming to school. Our dress code as it relates to jewelry and nail polish aligns with all other Catholic Schools in our council.
Calendar
The calendar is always accessible on our website and our mobile app.
2022-2023 School Calendar
PAWS
Tuition Payments & Action for Children
Currently, there are families attending afterschool care without a plan for its cost. This week, we will be making calls to either help with AFC, determine a flat rate, or add per diem charges to the account. Our business office will assist all families with their Action for Children paperwork, be it an initial application or a redetermination. AFC can cover costs for our 3, 4, and 5-year-olds and before and aftercare for our 6 - 13 year-olds.
It's essential that payments are made as scheduled so that the school can meet its obligations.
Please reach out to me or Ms. Fernandez, our business manager, if you have concerns.
Academy of St. Benedict is Playing Flag Football
School & Office Hours
Arrival for breakfast 7:15 AM - 7:35 AM
Classes Begin: 7:45 AM (Children not in their seats at 7:45 are marked tardy)
School Ends at 2:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 2:00 PM on Wednesdays
Extended Day: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - to reach extended day, call the school and enter 107 at the recording.
Office Hours - Every Day - 6:30 - 3:30 and by appointment
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
- September 30 - October 4th - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser. Use code EZVTSP
- October 3rd - Vaccine Bus - All vaccines are available for children, their families, our staff, and community. 10AM - 2PM
- October 4th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 6th - 7th Annual Prayer Walk for Peace 9 AM
- October 10th - No School
- October 17th - Kind Shirt Day
- October 19th - Chipotle Fundraiser 4pm - 7pm - 63rd and Halstead
- October 25th - Picture Day
- October 28th - Carnival - Details to follow
- November 14th - 17th - Scholastic Bookfair
- November 17th - Parent -Teacher Conferences from 8-4, Remote Learning Day with Childcare available from 6:30 - 5:15.
- November 18th - NO SCHOOL/NO Childcare - Professional Learning Day
- November 21st - 25th Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
- December 13th - NO EXTENDED DAY - ALL Staff Meeting
- December 21st - Christmas Program at 9 AM
- December 22nd - January 3rd - Christmas Break
- January 4th - All return to school
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