Academy of St. Benedict the African

Dear Families,

We wrap up the 2023-2024 school year on Tuesday. It's hard to believe!

Monday we have our field day in the afternoon. Students should be in their gym uniforms.Please see Bloomz as we need some volunteers. All who help must be in compliance.

Tuesday, we have our PK4 graduation at 8:30 AM. Kindergarten Graduation is at 9:30. At 10:30, our students in grades 1-3 will move up. Grades 4-6 will move up beginning at 12:30. Students are dismissed at 1:45 with no aftercare. Students may leave following their graduation or moving up program. Tuesday is a dress down day for all.

Yearbooks are in! Don't miss out. They're $20/each. All classes are featured. It's a beautiful way to treasure the memories and have a keepsake of the 2023-2024 school year!

iReady growth scores are the best yet! Our trip was amazing. Everyone had a wonderful time. I'll post some pictures on Facebook and on Bloomz.

Are you registered yet for the 2024-2025 school year? Second grade is closed and we are making a waitlist. Seventh grade and first grade will close next. Use this form to register if you haven't yet. Please remember that no one is automatically re-registered.

The registration fee is now $50/student. Once registered and the fee is paid, families will receive a voucher for Martinelli's for a gym t-shirt and shorts. There is a referral incentive for current families. Receive a tuition credit of $500 ($250 in January and $250 in May) for the enrolled new family.

Our summer program runs June 17 - July 19 (no class on Juneteenth or 4th and 5th of July). It is currently full. For those with Action for Children, the cost is your copay plus field trip fees. For those without AFC, the cost is $500/child plus field trip fees. If you don't have AFC, let's apply and see if you can qualify. Invoices for the summer program are going home this week.

Please check your FACTS account to ensure you are making payments to clear the account. If you accounts isn't at a zero balance yet, please clear it by the end of July.

The calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is complete. There is an image below and you can access it here. Please don't confuse it with this year's calendar. It is on the new school letterhead, so it looks a bit different. Supply lists are on the website.

You will receive information over the summer about events to meet Mrs. Taylor, the incoming principal. I know that you will welcome her to our community with kindness.

I want to thank all of you for your support and kindness as I prepare to leave Academy of St. Benedict the African on June 28th. It has been a joy and honor to serve our school community. I will miss you all dearly and leave a piece of my heart behind. ❤️

May God bless you and keep you safe over the summer.

Warmly,

Mrs. Farrand

My personal email is jenfarrand11@gmail.com should you want to stay in touch.

All financial accounts must be cleared for the student to participate in graduation and end of year activities. This is for PK4, K and 8th graders. This is a school & Archdiocesan Policy.

PK4 graduates at 8:30 on June 11th and families will receive 10 tickets. Kindergarten graduates at 9:30 on June 11th and families will receive 8 tickets.

Summer Program - June 17 - July 19

First Responders BBQ - August 8th

New Family Orientation - August 15th

Back to School Ice Cream Social - August 19th

Please clear your accounts as soon as possible. Contracts for the 24-25 school year have been entered or are being entered. First payments are due in August.

Please do not send in fast food - including but not limited to Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, Burger King, and Starbucks. Let's be respectful of those with life-threatening food allergies, as well as the feelings of those without fast food.

An image of the calendar is here. There is also an option to download the pdf.

The calendar is always accessible on our website and our mobile app.

Get in compliance. Go to virtusonline.org, take the class online, and consent to the background check. Earn a PAW!

We need copy paper! For a special opportunity, two of the cases (10 reams) will earn FOUR PAWS!! You can send the paper to us directly from Amazon, Walmart, or Staples. Put your name on the gift receipt so we can credit the family properly.

To volunteer at school in any capacity or chaperone a field trip, adults must attend a Virtus class training session, consent to a background check through the Virtus system, and complete mandated reporter training. Go to www.virtusonline.org to get started. Be sure to choose Academy of St. Benedict the African. Virtus is only required once. Mandated Reporter training must be renewed every three years.

Families earn a PAW for getting in compliance. Families who chaperone may not bring any siblings on the trips. Attention must be focused on our students.

Email or call Ms. Fernandez for more information: mfernandez@academystbenedict.org. She is extension 102 at school.

June 17th - Five Week Summer Program begins.

August 15th - New Student Orientation

August 19th - Ice Cream Social 1 PM - 3 PM

August 21st - First day of School - All are dismissed at 3:10 - NO Extended Day

Mrs. Farrand, Principal x101

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.

Morning Care: 6:15 AM - 7:15 AM

Arrival for breakfast 7:15 AM - 7:35 AM

Classes Begin: 7:45 AM (Children not with their class 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

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