Academy of St. Benedict the African
October 22, 2023
Week of October 22, 2023
Dear Families,
The video above includes the highlights of this week's update.
Our Prayer Walk was a beautiful event - even the rain held off. Here is a clip from the news coverage. Our children will change the world!
Monday morning, we are celebrating the opening of the playground. Parents are welcome to join. Big Shoulders Fund, the donors who funded the building of the playground, along with other guests, will be here as Deacon Gill blesses the structure. As space is limited, kindergarten, first grade, and the Student Leadership Council will attend the event.
Monday, we have a mandatory 6th grade parent meeting at 5:30. A representative from each family and the students must attend. Enter at door 1.
Friday is our Fall Fest. This is a most favorite student event! We need help. We need more donations, including candy (nut-free), to make this a most successful event. Please call the office if you can help, or just send the donations in. The cost for students is $15/person (cash only). Students in grades 1-8 can bring extra money if desired. All students may either dress down or wear a costume (students must wear gym shoes). No scary costumes or weapons are allowed. Please remember we have three-year-olds in the building.
Students in morning care are able to go to the chapel at 7 AM to start the day in prayer. It's a beautiful way to start the day in community and prayer.
Our flag football team beat St. John De La Salle this weekend, 22-14. It was a good game! We are hopeful that our team will make the playoffs. As football begins to wind down, we are signing up students for our two basketball teams. We have a 5th & 6th team and a 7th & 8th team. Both teams have both boys and girls playing. The league we play in has a grant, so there is no charge this year for the players. Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/fviMkWr286xuGf5u6
We are also starting a cheerleading squad. This is for students in grades 5-8. This is the form: https://forms.gle/2JLtZzCofakAH4yU6. All sports teams require physicals on file and concussion awareness forms. There is a $40/charge for Cheerleading for uniforms.
We are following up with families that are not compliant with health and immunization records.
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. The fee is $3/minute per child late pickup fee.
Football practice is Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:45.
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 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30.
As you look ahead, November 8th is picture retake day. November 10th is a PD day for teachers and no school. We will have no-cost childcare on the 10th. The form will be shared next week. All students are welcome. Parent-teacher conferences are on November 17th.
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 respectful of the school rules.
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.
Any students in grades 5-8 who will play sports also need physicals.
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. 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.
Let's have a great week!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Uniforms
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.
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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!
October 23rd - Playground Grand Opening 10 AM
October 27th - Fall 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