WEEKLY NEWS
May 8, 2018
Education Corner
"Always be joyful, pray constantly, and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Cultivating a heart of gratitude in a child is no easy task but it is our duty as parents to do so. How Do We Raise Grateful Kids in an Era of Thankless People?
News and Notes
USED UNIFORM INFO:
Come by the cafeteria on Tuesday, May 22 from 4-6PM and enjoy the selection and savings on gently used uniforms. You may purchase items for $2 each OR bring your very gently used uniform items and swap for another uniform item. Cash or Check only!

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
On Thursday, May 10th, the Student Council will sponsor their last tag day of the school year. The theme for this tag day will be Tourist Day! For the low cost of only $2.00, students may wear Bermuda shorts, capris, flowered shirts, and other tourist themed items. Please use good sense when allowing your student to dress for Tag Day. NO sandals or short shorts are allowed. As always, if the student would rather not participate, regular school uniform will be the outfit of the day. Thank you for your support of the student council throughout the year.

ORDER YEARBOOKS NOW!
It's school yearbook ordering time!  Order here before they're gone!

SAINT BENEDICT PLAYERS
The Saint Benedict Players are happy to announce next year's theatre season. Our show in the fall will be a musical version of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." In the spring we will continue our classical tradition and perform a middle school version of "Romeo and Juliet." Auditions for the fall show will be the first week of September, so any rising 5th-8th grade student is encouraged to audition.
PTO News
A very special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make Teacher Appreciation Dinners a success. Your donations and efforts are truly appreciated by the faculty and staff of Saint Benedict School. We would also like to thank El Patron for donating enchiladas for the event. We are extremely grateful of their generosity and support of our school.

The PTO Potluck is coming up on  Saturday, May 19th . Invitations will be sent out this week. Stay tuned...

The PTO is actively looking to fill the vice president and treasurer positions on the PTO board. If you'd like more information on either of these roles please email Jennifer Eschbach,  jmeschbach0314@comcast.net
Benedictine Sisters - 150th Anniversary
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia celebrated their 150th Anniversary on May 1, 2018 with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The Sisters were responsible for teaching at Saint Benedict Catholic School, Saint Gertrude and many other schools across Virginia.  

Saint Benedict was pleased to take part in the celebration of the Sisters' dedication to the children of Virginia.
Minds in Motion
"Minds in Motion" is a year long education outreach program that teaches students discipline, dedication, and self awareness through the joy of dance. Students begin by learning a basic dance curriculum that builds toward choreography in preparation for the culminating performance at Dominion Arts Center's, Carpenter Theatre, which took place two weeks ago.

Mrs. Brunner submitted these photos and said, "I saw my students become confident, joyful performers as they retold the story of the Founding of Jamestown. What a treat to watch them perform! I am so very proud of all of their dedication and fortitude and artistry."

What a special way to learn - weaving music and dance into a history lesson!
House System Introduced at SBS
The tradition of Houses goes back to English boarding schools and has recently been incorporated into American schools across the country. We are excited to bring this idea to our school. We anticipate many benefits to include:

COMMUNITY - The House system will further increase the already strong sense of Christian Community at Saint Benedict. It will provide a forum for new families to be welcomed and for returning students to feel a sense of belonging. The smaller communities will provide a place where each student will play a part in a safe and welcoming environment and which will provide additional service opportunities as well.

LEADERSHIP - The House system will promote virtue and will develop leadership and provide academic support.

SCHOOL SPIRIT - The House system will provide a framework to accommodate friendly competition, encourage school spirit, and increase volunteer participation.

Each student will be a part of one of four Houses (with family members all in the same House). The faculty has selected the names of the four doctors of the church who are pictured in the mural at Saint Benedict Church above the tabernacle as the names for the four Houses - Augustine, Jerome, Gregory, and Ambrose.

Watch for more details in the coming weeks!
Comet Campaign
Tick Tock . . . time is running out! Our fiscal year ends on June 30th! Have you made your donation to the Comet Campaign ? Our goal is 100% participation!

Class Giving Participation Percentages by Grade:
 JK - 67% K - 40% 1st - 75% 2nd - 60%
3rd - 65% 4th - 43% 5th - 50% 6th - 52%
7th - 39% 8th - 50%

Family (parent and grandparents)  49%
Faculty/Staff          68%

Make your donations online TODAY! Donate HERE
Knights of Columbus Sponsored Daddy-Daughter Dance
The Knights of Columbus, Fr. William J Nolte Council, are excited to announce that they will host a Daddy-Daughter Dance.
WHEN: Saturday, May 12th from 1:30 to 4:30pm
WHERE: Saint Anselm Hall, Saint Benedict School.

Tickets are available after masses at Saint Benedict or send a check payable to The Knights of Columbus and marked for Daddy-Daughter dance to the school.

Dads, stepdads, grand-dads, uncles and/or father figures are invited to come and enjoy an afternoon of fun with the special little girl(s) in your life.

$25 in advance/adult with child and $10 per additional girl.

More details HERE
Saint Benedict School in Pictures
What a beautiful day for Our Lady's May Crowning!
Mass Schedule
Friday, May 11
Choir: 4th Grade
Readers: AJ Douglas, Genevieve Doran
Servers: Hector Cibes-Lee, Fanty Erazo-Polanco, Tabitha Pickral

Friday, May 18
Choir: 3rd Grade
Readers: Xavier Cornelius, Simon O'Herron
Servers: Owen Sibal, Liam Cruess, Noah Mikkelson
Summer Camps at Benedictine College Preparatory
Summer camp registration is now open.
More details HERE
Saint Gertrude Summer Camps
Dates: June 11 – 15 and June 18 – 22
Offerings: Cooking, Theatre, Sewing, Art, Coding, Robotics, STEAM, Irish Dance, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Basketball, CPR & First Aid, Knitting & Crochet
  • Open to girls, rising fifth grade through rising ninth grade
  • Morning and afternoon sessions available; combine sessions to create a full day
  • BonSecours athletic trainer onsite for athletic camps
  • If participating in a full day that includes athletics, transportation is provided to/from Outdoor Athletic Center and SGHS
Upcoming Dates
May 8, School Board Meeting, 6:30PM, Library
May 17, PTO Meeting, 6-7PM, CAFE
May 19, PTO Potluck and Social, 4-6PM