WEEKLY NEWS
July 18, 2017

Important Dates:
Book Day - Aug. 21
First Day of Class (1-8) - Aug. 22
Kindergarten Orientation - Aug. 22
Junior K Orientation - Aug. 23
First Day of Junior K - Aug. 28
Welcome Bishop DiLorenzo
Next weekend, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo will celebrate the 11:00am Mass at St. Benedict Church on Sunday, July 23.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The Eucharist celebrated by the bishop has a quite special significance as an expression of the Church gathered around the altar, with the one who represents Christ, the Good Shepherd and Head of his Church, presiding” (no. 1561).
New Students
Please remember that we need a copy of the birth certificate for all new students no later than Book Day (August 21). We encourage you to do this before Book Day if possible.  The copy can be mailed, scanned and emailed, or dropped off at the school office to the attention of Pam Autry, our school secretary.
Summer Reading
We encourage students to take a break and relax over the summer, however, we don't want them to completely forget about learning.  With this in mind, we do have summer reading for the students.  In addition, we've noticed that typing is a weak area for most middle school students.  We have included a free typing program that middle school students will be expected to complete over the summer.  The summer assignments can be found here.
Supply Lists
We are excited to announce that our school is offering online school supplies through ClassBundl for the upcoming school year! You can simply search our school, select your student’s classroom, and have their supplies bundled and shipped to your door. Each purchase earns 5% cash back to our school. You can order supplies online at ClassBundl.com/Order.  For those who prefer to purchase the supplies on your own, the lists can be found here.
  Some throwback pictures - just for fun!
Virtus Training
If you are an employee or someone who is interested in volunteering at any Catholic Church or School in our Diocese, the Diocesan Safe Environment program requires that you attend the 'Protecting God's Children for Adults' session provided by VIRTUS.  This is a one-time session for adults to learn ways to protect children from child sexual abuse.  For your convenience, Saint Benedict will be offering a number of VIRTUS sessions this fall.  
August 14 at 9am in St. Benedict School (in English)
September 6 at 6:30pm in St. Benedict Church (in Spanish)
September 20 at 6pm in St. Benedict Church (in English)
You will need to register at:  http://virtusonline.org/virtus/index.cfm.  When registering, be sure to list the school you are affiliated with.  VIRTUS training should be completed before you begin your volunteer role.
New Web Site
The school is in the process of creating a new web site to better serve the needs of our families and prospective students.  The new web site should be completed before school starts in the fall.  In the meantime, we are limiting the information we post on the old web site.  Returning families should have already received pre-filled family information forms for the next school year.  New families will be receiving summer information forms in the next couple weeks.  The Health Clinic form and a few other forms will be coming out later in the summer.  Please contact the school office if you are missing any forms.
Parish News
Vacation Bible School: 

Theme: God’s Mighty Messengers

Dates and Times: July 31 – August 4 from 9am-12noon; Cost: $20

Participant ages Pre-K through rising 4th grade; Volunteers ages Rising 6th grade and up.

Please see registration forms on the side porch of the church.


EDGE: The parish middle school youth group has a number of exciting summer events planned.  View the informational flyer here.

July 20 - A Hike in Blue Ridge Mountains

Keeping our EDGE tradition alive we are heading into the great outdoors.  Fr. Tony will lead us up the mountain and celebrate mass for us. Cost $10 to cover gas.  9am – 5:30pm. 

August 11 – Bowling

Try to be King of the lanes as we spend the morning knocking down pins at King Pin Lanes.  The cost is $10, which covers shoes and 3 games.  Bring additional money for lunch as well.
Other News
Nurse's Corner: Just a quick reminder that all students starting 6th grade in the fall are mandated by the state of Virginia to receive a Tdap booster.  Please consider getting this done sooner rather than later this summer!

All students need to be up to date with immunizations and physicals.  If your child needs an emergent medication, they will not be permitted to attend school until the clinic has this medication.  Please turn in the physician-signed forms and medications on book day.  The Commonwealth of Virginia health forms (including physical examination) can be found here.
Upcoming Dates:
Aug. 21     Book Day
Aug. 22     First Day of Classes
Sept. 4      No School - Labor Day