Academy of St. Benedict the African

Dear Families,

Advent begins today. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church encompassing the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each day at morning assembly, we will light the candles (battery operated) on the Advent Wreath. This first week, we light a purple candle signifying Hope.

Tuesday at 5 pm, we have our Parent Association Meeting. All are welcome. We have planning to do for our upcoming Sneaker Ball and Fun Run.

On Wednesday, Mrs. Crews begins her maternity leave. We are very excited for the Crews family and their little one who will be arriving soon. We are so lucky that Ms. Pannell and Ms. Jackie are coming out of retirement to help us out. Ensuring consistency is vital. Ms. Pannell will start with us on Monday.

There are two days in December when we DO NOT have after-school care. The first is December 13th for our staff Christmas party. The second is December 20th, which is our last day before Christmas break. On the 20th, students may go home after the Christmas program concludes. We will not dismiss during the program.

Basketball practice is Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:45. Game times this week are 6:20 PM Friday for grades 5 &6 and cheer squad. Grades 7 & 8 play at 1:50 PM on Saturday.

Cheerleading is Tuesdays from 3:30-4:45. They will cheer for the 5/6 team on Friday night at 6:20 PM.

Chess club is every Wednesday (grade 3 and up) at 3:45. Praise Power Choir is also on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30.

Fight like a Girl is on Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30.

All shirts must have the school logo or our school's name; plain light blue polos are not part of the uniform. We have polos in the office. ALL students wear gym shoes every day. Uniforms define us as a community. Please be respectful of the school rules.

The calendar is on our website. It is linked! Additionally, please join our Bloomz page. Also, download the school app. It is the hub for all school information; from the app, you can get to PowerSchool, complete the absence form, go to FACTS, and go to Bloomz. There is typically a banner message on the app with information. Students with phones should download the school app.

Children who are sick MUST stay home. We understand it is sometimes hard for working families, however, we have a shared responsibility to our community to limit the spread of illness. Please fill out the absence form on the app or send an email. School attendance is required every day unless sick. That includes being on time.

Please check your child's blue folder daily and remind your child/ren of the school expectations. We begin each day with a community assembly, as it sets the tone for the day. We are better together.

Save the date for our annual Christmas Program on December 20th at 9:30 AM, and then we begin our Christmas Break. We do need help from 3-6 pm on December 19th to set up the gym. This is a PAW opportunity.

Let's have a great week of learning!

Warmly,

Mrs. Farrand

jfarrand@academystbenedict.org

773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.

Our basketball teams opened up the season with games this weekend. The 5/6 team, cheered on by our cheerleaders, lost a tough game to Shabazz Friday night. Our 7/8 team played on Saturday and lost to Perspectives. We look forward to witnessing the growth of the teams over the season.

Uniforms are required every day, with no exceptions. All students should be in their regular uniform with the school polo shirt unless it's a gym day. Traditional gym shoes are required each day. Allowing your child to be in the wrong uniform is disrespectful. Please ensure they have the correct clothes on every day.

The building is warm and cozy. Only St. Benedict sweatshirts and hoodies are allowed over the polos. Navy blue plain sweaters can also be worn - provided there are no logos of companies on them.

Students must wear a St. Benedict top and/or hoodie on Fridays, which are spirit days. They may wear jeans, joggers, or shorts (weather permitting). Gym shoes are required every day for all students PK - 8th grade. Of course, their regular uniform is also fine!

Please see the image for more information. Order your gym uniforms if you need them from Martinellis immediately.

Each family has an account in FACTS to monitor their tuition account. Payments for most are due on the 17th of the month. A few of our families have different due dates to accommodate pay periods. As a reminder, late fees are automatically assessed on the 4th day after the due date.

Tuition accounts that are past due will be receiving phone calls. As a school that relies on tuition to run, we need your help staying up to date. Please call if there is an issue. Extended day ends at 6:00 pm each day. Please be on time. There is a $3/minute per child late pickup fee. Please be on time.

Please get in touch with me if you have concerns.

Please do not send in fast food - including but not limited to Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, Burger King, and Starbucks. Let's be respectful of those with life-threatening food allergies, as well as the feelings of those without fast food.

An image of the calendar is here. There is also an option to download the pdf.

The calendar is always accessible on our website and our mobile app.

Get in compliance. Go to virtusonline.org, take the class online, and consent to the background check. Earn a PAW!

We need batteries! 2 multi-packs (at least 8 batteries) for a PAW - AA, C, or D, or any combination.

We will need help on December 19th from 3-6 setting up the gym for the Christmas Program.

To volunteer at school in any capacity or chaperone a field trip, adults must attend a Virtus class training session, consent to a background check through the Virtus system, and complete mandated reporter training. Go to www.virtusonline.org to get started. Be sure to choose Academy of St. Benedict the African. Virtus is only required once. Mandated Reporter training must be renewed every three years.

Families earn a PAW for getting in compliance.

Email or call Ms. Fernandez for more information: mfernandez@academystbenedict.org. She is extension 102 at school.

December 5th - Parent Meeting at 5 PM.

December 13th - NO AFTERCARE - Staff Christmas Party

December 20th - Christmas Program at 9:30 AM - No aftercare

December 21st - January 3rd -Christmas Break

January 4th - Return to school

January 15th - No School - Dr. King's Birthday

January 26th - Professional Learning Day - Free childcare

January 28-February 3rd - Catholic Schools Week

January 31st - Fundraising Fun Booster Glow Run - Details coming (4 volunteers are needed)

February 1st - Black History Month Begins

February 7th - PK4, Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation Pictures

February 9th - Sneaker Ball

February 19th - No School - President's Day

February 29th - Black History Program 10 AM

Mrs. Farrand, Principal x101

Mrs. Thornton, Assistant Principal x100

Ms. Fernandez, Business Manager x102

Ms. Botello, Administrative Assistant Main number 773-776-3316

Mrs. Martinez, Student Accounts x103

Ms. Zakowski, Office x104

**for questions related to tuition, please reach out to Mrs. Farrand or Ms. Fernandez first.

Morning Care: 6:15 AM - 7:15 AM

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 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 2:30 PM on Wednesdays

Extended Day: 3:15 PM - 6:00 PM - to reach extended day, call the school and enter 101 at the recording. The late pickup fee is $ 3 per minute per child. Please don't be late.

Office Hours - Every Day - 6:30 - 3:30 and by appointment

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