Academy of St. Benedict the African
September 24, 2023
September 24, 2023
Dear Families,
The video above covers some of the highlights from this newsletter.
Monday, we have our all-school assembly at 2:40 p.m. We will be announcing our Student Leadership Council. This council represents the student body working with school leadership. Last year, the group designed our new playground, lobbied to add more clubs, and planned our first field day in many years. Student voices matter at St. Benedict.
We are continuing to investigate the events from Thursday. I'm saddened that this would happen at school. Please ask your middle school children if they know anything or have heard anything. Safety is our first priority.
Along those same lines, please remember that we are a nut-free school. This includes peanuts and all tree nuts. We have many children with serious allergies. This is one reason we have all children eat the school breakfast and lunch, with the exception of those with medical reasons. We know the allergens in the school food and can better protect our students. No fast food should be coming in. That includes McDonalds, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, etc.
Midterm reports for grades 3-8 will be sent home on Wednesday afternoon. They should be signed and returned to school.
Save the date!!! Our Family Potluck Picnic is on Saturday at 11:30! It should be fun!
Yesterday our flag football team got their first win of the season. They played together, and they played well! Go TIGERS!
Children in PK - 6th grade will receive Bernie's Book Bags this Friday. There is always a nice assortment of books for each age group. This is a great way to build those home libraries.
Our Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser begins on Friday at noon! See the section below for all the details. We are raising money to 1. get a new gym sound system and 2. purchase a playscape for our preschool children. 50% of all sales come back to the school.
There are a few reminders. First, jewelry is not allowed except for small earrings for girls only. No bracelets, no necklaces, no smartwatches. All of these are distractions to learning. There are no fashion statements to be made at school.
Second, all shirts must have the school logo or our school 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.
As a reminder, students entering K, 2, and 6 must have updated physical, dental, and vision forms. Any students in grades 5-8 who will play sports also need physicals. As we move past COVID-19 as a pandemic, the school will no longer supply masks. Students choosing to wear a mask must bring their own.
Children who are sick MUST stay home. We understand it is sometimes hard for working families; we have a shared responsibility to our community to limit the spread of illness.
We are working on setting up a vaccine clinic for the community, both children and adults, for flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines/boosters, and other childhood vaccines for interested families. I'm waiting for a final date. Stay tuned!
Let's have a great week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Flag Football
Faculty Development
Playground Fun
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
We are trying to purchase a new sound system for the gym and a smaller playscape for our PK students.
Download the Double Good App. Enter Code: SZX HJE
Communication
Bloomz is our day-to-day communication and direct teacher-parent communication tool. Be sure to download the app today. Students may also download the app.
The school mobile app is another tool. Download the school app: Academy of St. Benedict, from the App Store on Apple phones and the Play Store for Androids. You will see our logo. Join without the code. This is the hub. You can access the website, see past Family Updates, go to PowerSchool, send an attendance note for illness or tardiness, etc.
We are your partners!
Uniforms
Please see the image for more information. Order your gym uniforms if you need them from Martinellis immediately.
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Tuition Payments & Action for Children
We are beginning to make calls on delinquent accounts.
Please get in touch with me if you have concerns.
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Menus
Calendars
The calendar is always accessible on our website and our mobile app.
⭐2023-2024 School Year Calendar⭐
PAWS
PAW-pportunities!
We need copy paper if you're looking for a good PAW opportunity!
We also need C and D batteries. 2 multipacks of 8+ batteries will be a PAW.
Virtus Training and Volunteering
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.
Save the Date!
September 29th - October 3rd - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
September 30th - Family Potluck Picnic 11:30 -1 pm
October 6th - Tentative date for Vaccine Clinic: Flu, Covid, all other childhood vaccines - open to all community members
October 6th - Preschool Field Trip to Johannson Farms, Bolingbrook
October 9th - No School, Indigenous Peoples Day
October 10th - Parent Association Meetings at 8 AM and 5 PM.
October 15th - All Physicals must be in, per state law
October 19th - 9th Annual Prayer Walk for Peace 9:30 AM JOIN US!
October 20th - Professional Learning Day - Childcare is available at no cost. Form coming soon.
October 27th - Harvest Festival - more information coming
November 8th - Picture Retake Day
November 10th - Professional Learning Day - Childcare Available
November 13th - 17th - Scholastic Book Fair
November 17th - 11:30 Dismissal. Report Card Conferences from 12-6. Aftercare Available.
November 20th - 25th - Thanksgiving Break NO School.
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
Who's Who in the Offices?
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.
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 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
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