Week of January 7th
Dear Families,
It was so nice to welcome our scholars back this past week. It's almost time for our students in K-8 to take the winter diagnostic assessment in iReady. This week, teachers will be discussing individual goals for iReady growth, and we will be getting everyone motivated to do their best. Students achieving 100% of their annual growth in January will be going on a special field trip!
Music classes for grades K-3 will start this week. We haven't had music since the pandemic, so I'm excited to bring it back, even in this limited capacity.
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open. Use this form. We will fill up again, so don't delay! The registration fee through 2/15 is $25/per student. Registering now secures the lower rate, even if you need a bit of time to make the payment. The first 100 students registered will receive a voucher for Martinelli's for a gym t-shirt and shorts once the fee is paid. Registration for new families will open on January 28th during Catholic Schools Week.
Our Glow Run fundraiser is set for 1/31, which is during Catholic Schools Week. You will be able to register your child to participate beginning tomorrow. Students will receive pledges for either per lap or per event. There are prizes for the children. The run takes place during the school day with classes going for about 45 -50 minutes. We are hoping to raise enough money to add a preschool playscape to Marcy Park Playground. The gym will be transformed into a glowing fun run! We do need some volunteers for the day. This is a PAWS opportunity.
Please check your FACTS account to ensure you are making payments. We need to keep the accounts up to date so that the school can meet its obligations.
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 here as well! 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.
We are currently working on next year's calendar and planning for a 5-week summer program. More details for both will be shared soon!
Children who are sick MUST stay home. There are many viruses active right now, including COVID, RSV and the Flu. 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. Between 7:40 - 8:00 AM, students will enter school at door 2. We begin at 7:45 and teachers are taking attendance in assembly.
In the event of inclement weather, please check Bloomz and the school app. Both will list whether school is delayed, closed or open. I will also send alert notifications through both platforms.
Next Monday, January 15th, school is closed for Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. The Family Update will be sent out that Monday morning at 9 AM.
Let's set goals to be on time and in uniform each day! Excellence does happen on purpose!
Warmly,
Mrs. Farrand
jfarrand@academystbenedict.org
773-776-3316, enter 101 at the voicemail message if needed.
Sports and Clubs
Basketball & Cheerleading are in full swing! Practices for basketball are Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5 pm. Cheerleading practices on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30. Games are on Friday nights and Saturdays at St. Sabina. As times change on that schedule, we do post the game times later in the week on the board by the main office and on the basketball Bloomz page.
This weekend, our school played two tough games. Our 5/6 team lost to Providence Englewood. The cheerleaders did a wonderful job motivating the team and the fans! Our 7/8 team battled back from a large deficit, showing tremendous resilience and perseverance. It was tight at the end, but we did lose 28-24. We are proud of the hard work of all of our scholar-athletes.
Chess club is on Wednesday afternoons.
Coding through a BSF program will begin the week of 2/12 on Mondays. More information is coming.
Yearbook club will be starting the week of January 22nd. This club is open to 6-8 graders. More details will be shared next week.
Fight Like A Girl will offer a spring session.
In February, I will offer another cooking club session. The first session will be for 1st - 3rd graders, limited to 15. Sign up form will be coming in the next couple of weeks.
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