Academy of St. Benedict the African

Dear Families,

This is the third Sunday of Advent. We light the pink candle for Joy! Christmas is coming soon!

We do need help from 3-6 pm on December 19th to set up the gym. This is a PAW opportunity. Please see Bloomz for more details. Thank you to those who volunteered to bring cookie trays, coffee, and cocoa.

Our annual Christmas program is Wednesday, December 20th at 9:30 AM. We will open the doors at 8:30 for guests. Our sound system is in and we are ready to go. The show is going to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! This is our last day of school before the Christmas break. Students may be dismissed after the program.

There is no after school care on Wednesday. Our regular dismissal time on Wednesdays is 2:30 PM. Students return to school on Thursday, January 4th.

Our basketball teams both played over the weekend. The competition is tough, but our Tigers played hard and are continuing to grow as a team. The next games are January 6th. Our 5/6 team and cheerleaders play at 11:30 am. Our 7/8 team plays at 5:10 pm. Come show your support! There is no admission charge for the games.

There is no basketball practice this week. Players will practice on January 3rd from 3:30 - 5:00. There is no cheerleading this week.

Most families have payments due this week. Please check your FACTS account or call the office. We need to keep the accounts up to date so that the school can meet its obligations.

There seems to be some confusion of what is acceptable each day in terms of the uniform. Every day, except gym days and spirit Fridays, students in K - 8 should be in the light blue school polo and navy blue slacks. A school hoodie (light blue school hoodie, dark blue school hoodie, gym sweatshirt or a school spirit hoodie) may be worn over the polo. The 8th graders have Class of 2024 sweatshirts that they may wear daily. Jewelry, nail polish, and socks that aren't blue, white or black are also not allowed.

The gym uniform, with the gym t-shirt or other school t-shirt, may only be worn on gym days. Every day, students (PK - 8) must be in gym shoes. If boots were worn, due to inclement weather, gym shoes must be sent. Our uniform is mandatory - please be respectful.

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. There are many viruses active right now. 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 (except Liturgy days) with a community assembly, as it sets the tone for the day. We are better together.

The next Family Update will be sent on January 1, 2024. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 4th for returning families. The $25 early registration fee will include a voucher for a new gym uniform t-shirt and shorts. Supplies are limited!

Have a blessed Christmas and New Years with your families and loved ones. We will see you back on January 4, 2024.

Warmly,

Mrs. Farrand

jfarrand@academystbenedict.org

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

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 -AAA, 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. Additionally, we will need cookie trays for the show. Three cookie trays are a PAW.

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 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 -No School - Free childcare available

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 21st - Family Science Night - 5 pm - 7pm

February 29th - Black History Program 10 AM

March 1st - Professional Learning Day - No school - Free Childcare Available

March 8th - Parent Teacher Conferences from 12 pm - 6 pm. Students dismissed at 11:30. There is afterschool care.

March 28th - Holy Thursday, Students dismissed at 1:45 - NO afterschool care

March 29th - Good Friday - No School

April 1st - 5th - Easter Break

April 8th - Return to school

April 26th - Professional Learning Day - No school - Free Childcare Available

May 10th - No school, No childcare

May 27th - Memorial Day - no school

June 5th - 8th Grade Breakfast

June 6th - Candle & Ribbon grades 7 & 8, 1 pm

June 8th - 8th Grade Graduation 10 AM

June 10th - Field Day

June 11th - Moving up day - Our last day of school. No afterschool care.

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