Academy of St. Benedict the African
October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
Dear Families,
Popcorn, Popcorn, Popcorn! 🍿🍿🍿🍿Our fundraiser started on Friday and ends on Tuesday at noon. There is still time! Download the Double Good popcorn app, and enter code SZX HJE. Then share that link with families and friends and on social media! More information is below!
It was wonderful seeing some of our families at the Family Potluck Picnic. We had lots of yummy food and fun! I hope more can join next year!
Our flag football team won a commanding game over Barbara Sizemore. There was a focused effort on playing as a team and building each other up!
This Wednesday is a Kind Shirt Day. Children should wear their green kind shirts with the proper uniform bottoms and, of course, their gym shoes.
Chess club will return on October 11. Please complete this form if interested.
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.
Fight Like a Girl returns on October 12th. Ms. Dowd will be returning as our school's coach. This program is for girls in grades 4-8. Empowering our girls and teaching important self-affirming skills. Complete this form.
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.
Please be patient and kind at drop-off and pick-up. Keeping the children safe is most important. Morning care begins at 6:15 each morning. All scholars enter through the main entrance, Door 1. We open the door for all other children at 7:15 when breakfast starts. Breakfast ends at 7:40. All K-8 students go to the cafeteria upon arrival, and PK students will go to their classrooms.
The calendar is on our website. It is linked! Additionally, please join our Bloomz page. Please use the code given to join the school. The codes for each teacher are listed below. Also, download the school app. It is the hub for all school information. There is typically a banner message on the app with information.
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.
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
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 continue to enter contracts for families. Please call if you do not know your monthly fee.
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 batteries! 2 multi-packs (at least 8 batteries) for a PAW - AA, C, or D, or any combination.
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 29- October 3rd - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser!
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 Club meetings at 8 am and 5 pm
October 11th - Chess Club starts -sign up above
October 12th - Fight Like A Girls begins - sign up above
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 23rd - Playground Grand Opening 10 AM
October 27th - Harvest Festival - more information coming
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