Academy of St. Benedict the African
September 10, 2023
September 10, 2023
Dear Families,
The video above covers some of the highlights from Open House and some upcoming events.
Monday is a Kind Shirt Day. Please have children wear their green kind shirts with the proper uniform bottoms and gym shoes.
Monday is also a meeting day for our Parent Association Club. This is open to all St. Benedict families. We will meet at 8 AM and 5 PM. Both meetings will follow the same agenda. We are planning our Family Potluck Picnic for 9/30.
I'm trying to gather a group of parents to help lay more mulch on Wednesday morning. Please call the office to sign up. This is hard work. Families will earn a PAW or two for assisting.
Thursday morning is the very important press conference at St. Sabina as we all advocate to save the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Please attend if your schedule allows. It begins at 10 AM. You may take your child and return them after the meeting. Learning advocacy skills and having a voice is an important skill.
Friday we have our first Parent-Teacher Conferences. While there are no report cards, this conference allows families to connect with the teacher to gain information about how their child/ren is settling into the year and how we partner to work towards the greatest success for our scholars. See each child's teacher's Bloomz page for the sign-up sheets. Email the teacher if you can't access the sign-up sheet.
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.
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.
Flag Football opened the season on Saturday against St. Sabina. The team lost a tough game 21-20. They played hard right up to the last whistle.
Praise Power Choir is getting ready to begin. This choir is open to scholars in grades K-3. Only 25 students may be in the choir at this point. Sign up quickly, there is a time stamp on the form. Ms. Elizabeth will lead the choir on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30. Form: https://forms.gle/8cAxuvCF9JikhMWG9
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 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.
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
Professional Development Day - 9/22
Children do not need to wear a uniform on the 22nd. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided. Students may bring their own if desired.
The children will play, do art projects, get outside, engage in learning activities, and have a lot of fun!
Our Playground
The children are so joyful as they play on our new playscape. As mentioned above, we need to put more mulch on the foundation. Please help us on Wednesday.
Save the date for 10/20 as we will have the grand opening with the donors and special guests.
Upcoming Events
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser 9/29 - 10/3
Picture Day - 9/20
Prayer Walk - 10/19 9:30 AM
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 fee for August.
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!
Open House is September 6th from 5 PM - 6:30 PM - earn a PAW per family for attending.
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 11th - Kind Shirt Day - Wear your kind shirt with your uniform bottoms.
September 15th - Parent Teacher Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal there is after-care until 6.
September 20th - Picture Day - Students may dress up for pictures
September 22nd - Professional Learning Day No school. Childcare is available 6:30 AM - 5:15 PM
September 29-October 3 - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
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