ST. Benedict School
Susan Rys - Principal
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ST. Benedict School
Susan Rys - Principal |
Principal's
Message
I hope your holidays were filled with beautiful memories warmed by the love
of family and friends. Many wonderful things happened in 2011. As Catholics
and people of faith, we should always find great hope in the future because
of the most enduring experience of Christmas. The remembrance of Jesus Christ
as the Savior of the world is the greatest gift of all. May the wonderful blessings
of Christmas be with you throughout the New Year and may the peace of the Lord
guide you and your families to a deepened faith. Let's pray that weekly Mass
and time for worship can be New Year's resolutions everyone can keep. God bless
you and Happy New Year!
All
I Want For Christmas
Congratulations are in order again this year for Mr. Whitaker, the teachers
and students for a wonderful Christmas Program. This year's program titled "All
I Want for Christmas" was an exceptional production. The script was the
result of an after school writing class. The cast delivered the message of the
true meaning of Christmas. DVD's are still available for $10.00.
The
profit was $480 because of the sales of homemade cookies from our school families.
Immaculate
Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe
Students attended Mass for the feasts of Immaculate Conception and Our
Lady of Guadalupe in December. Father Ismael visited classrooms beforehand
to talk about the many different symbols of Mary that are symbolic to
people of different cultures. Students dramatized the story of Our Lady
of Guadalupe and Juan Diego at Mass.
Christmas
Prayer Service
St. Benedict faculty and students reflected on their Advent journey
and the true meaning of Christmas at our Christmas Prayer Service
on December 21. Students in Kindergarten through Second Grade dramatized
the Christmas story as it was read. Daily readings, positive behaviors
and various service projects throughout the school helped students,
faculty and staff prepare for the birthday of Jesus. The choir led
the student body in songs, including "Happy Birthday Jesus."
Eighth
Grade Dates to Remember
Eighth grade graduation pictures were taken on Thursday, January 5. The
photographers took four proofs: two in cap and gown and two in dress clothes.
These are not pre-paid. High School Entrance Tests will take place on Saturday,
January 7. Parents were advised to contact specific High Schools about times
and location of the test. The eighth grade class trip to Milwaukee will
be on April 25. The Ribbon Mass is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at 8 am.
Illinois
Tax Credit Information
Effective January 1, 2000, an Illinois resident who is the parent or legal
guardian of one or more qualifying students is eligible to take a tax credit
on his or her Illinois elementary or secondary school. This income tax credit
is 25% of the qualified education expenses. The total credit will not exceed
$500.00. Qualified education expenses include tuition for students in K-12,
book fees, and lab fees. You can obtain a copy of your tuition statements
for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 on-line. You have your ID and Password from
both years from Smart Tuition. Please note that they are different accounts
for each year. If SMART Tuition provides the receipt information for families
this year, we will send the information home.
Pot
of Gold Raffle
St. Benedict School will have its annual raffle in March. The raffle is one
way your family can meet its fundraising commitment. Tickets will be $1.00
each. An information letter will be sent home with the amount of tickets reflecting
your fundraising balance. Your fundraising commitment is due by March 15,
so what better way to fulfill your commitment than by taking a chance at $500.00
Save your $$$$$$$$ and take a chance! The drawing will be on March 23 at the
Fish Fry. Please note that $225 or the balance will be added to your SMART
Tuition statement in April if your fundraising commitment is not paid in full
by that time.
6
Hour Reading Club
Students should be tracking recreational reading for the Six Flags 6 Hour
Reading Club. Any K-6th grade student who completes 6 Hours of reading will
receive a free pass to any Six Flags Theme Park. Tally sheets are due Thursday,
February 16. Information was sent home in November.
Reverend Martin Luther King Day
Please note that there will be no school on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
St. Benedict School's long-term goals include the continued focus on knowledge and respect for one another's culture.Lessons will be covered in classroom about Dr. King and the meaning behind his "I Have a Dream" speech.We will also have a Prayer Service on February 3.
Mid
Trimester Progress Report
Trimester reports for the second trimester will be sent home on Friday, January
13. This communication tool is meant to give you an update on your child's progress.
Parent communication and involvement is vital to a child's success.
Discipline
With Purpose
St. Benedict School will be focusing on the following DWP Skills during January.
Lessons on Reasons for Rules will be covered January 5-14. Lessons on Completing
a Task will be covered January 17-28. While the fifteen skills are incorporated
daily, specific weeks during the school year have been set aside to teach
the grade appropriate lessons that are part of the Discipline With Purpose
curriculum. Parent handouts on both skills are provided this month so you
can help teach the skills at home. "Together We Work For the Children
We Love."
Confirmation
Preparation
The seventh grade students, along with Religious Education students and
High School students began their formal preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation
in October. A Parent/Student Confirmation meeting was held explaining the
requirements of the program including service hours, sponsors, the curriculum,
weekly Mass attendance, and the Confirmation retreat scheduled for March 3
with the Confirmation students and his/her sponsor. Requirements are monitored
and it is expected that students take responsibility for completion of the
expectations. Confirmation is scheduled for Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in
Church. The retreat will be held in Father Connors Hall from 5:00-8:00 P.M.
First
Communion
These students will begin preparation for their First Communion in February.
There is a mandatory First Communion Parent Meeting on February 15 at 7 p.m.
in church for parents of Catholic second graders and other students from grades
3 and 5 and 7.
Believe
Kids Orders
Believe Kids Credits will be credited and posted to your February Smart Tuition
Statements.
Drop Off and Pick Up ConcernsPlease review our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure the safety of all of our students. Thank you for your cooperation.
On New Street, cars may pull up to the curb and drop off students. Students can not get out of cars in the driving lane. All students and adults must cross the street at the corner by the crossing guard. Crossing in the middle of the street in the morning or at dismissal is not allowed. No cars are to stop on Gregory to drop off students by the front door. Gregory is a very busy street. Stopping in front of the door can cause a serious accident. In the city lot by the rectory, all traffic flows one way. Cars that enter on York must drive all the way around the lot and drop off students by the crossing guard in the morning. Stopping by the alley after you enter on York is not allowed to avoid having a student get hit by a car or causing an accident. After school, traffic flows one way, also. Parents are asked to park their car and escort younger students to the sidewalk area by the crossing guard in the morning and to escort younger students to cars in the afternoon. Older students walk to and from their cars in the parking lot. It is imperative that our safety directives are followed and that parents/guardians are cautious and drive slow. On York Street, parents should not park in front of Church to pick up students. That is a driving lane. You can park on the north side of the street facing Western Avenue or in the lot. Thank you for your cooperation.