Week of August 2, 2020 * Town Hall is Thursday!
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SBCS Re-Opening Zoom Town Hall - August 6th
Please be sure to mark your calendars for
THIS Thursday, August 6 at 7 pm
for a "Zoom" Town Hall, where you will be able hear from our Administration and ask questions about our reopening plan for St. Benedict this August.
The Zoom link will be emailed out to all families on Wednesday, August 5th.
New Diocesan-Wide Face Covering Guidelines
After a great deal of discussion, review of CDC guidelines, and consideration for the well being of our children and
teachers, and the practicality of mask-wearing at different age levels, the Office of Catholic Schools has shared the face-covering policy that will be used by Catholic Schools diocesan-wide. With our 6 feet of physical distancing in the classroom it allows for students to remove their face covering during times of classroom instruction, but ensures that
teachers and students are as safe as possible
during transition times and any times we may not be able to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.
Face Covering Guidelines
- Teach and reinforce use of cloth face mask coverings.
- Teachers, all staff members, and visitors are to wear face mask coverings when they are not able to maintain a 6ft. distance in classrooms or when in communal spaces such offices, hallways, restrooms, school Masses, etc.
- Face mask coverings are to be worn by students in grades 4-12 when they are at a distance of less than 6ft. in the classrooms or in communal spaces such as hallways, restrooms, school Masses, etc.
- Face mask coverings may be more difficult for our younger students in PK through 3rd grade but they should all have masks with them and will be encouraged to wear them when they are at a distance of less than 6ft. in the classrooms and in communal spaces such as hallways, restrooms, school Masses, etc.
- Developmentally appropriate or medically necessary accommodations should be made as needed.
Reminder: Registration Packets!
Returning families, at the Summer Send Off you received a packet of forms (in a bright yellow envelope) for you to update and return by July 1.
(Registration - 1 per student, Health Clinic - 1 per student, Testing form - 1 per student, Family Information - 1 per household, Parent Involvement Program - 1 per family). We are holding off on the Handbook and Transportation Forms until we have completed more of the planning for the fall - please don't turn those in now. New students will also need to submit a Demographic Form (available on our website
HERE
).
You can drop off the forms in the mailbox at the bottom of the front stairs at school. If you have not yet returned your forms,
please do so as soon as possible
. Thank you!
Regarding School Supplies...
We've heard from a number of parents who have had a very difficult time finding the Clorox wipes listed on the supply list. We understand that cleaning items are very hard to locate at this time. If you have found them, wonderful; if you can't, please don't stress about it. The school has already placed a number of cleaning supply orders to ensure that we are prepared for the beginning of the school year.
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Used Uniform Swap OUTSIDE on the Blacktop - August 17th- 1pm - 4pm
The PTO is hosting a uniform swap on August 17th from 1-4. Things will look a little different - you will be limited to a 20 minute time slot and you may only bring one other person.
Items can be swapped or purchased for $2.
We are looking for volunteers to help set up, assist customers and put away the uniforms.
Please click the link to sign up to volunteer:
To shop at the Used Uniform Swap...
2. Upon arrival you will be screened and your temperature will be taken.
3. Adults and children in 4th grade and up must wear a mask.
4. Items can be swapped or purchased for $2. Your FACTS Incidental account will be charged for purchases. (Your FACTS account may be paid online or be sending cash or check into school.)
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Order your exclusive CENTENNIAL P.E. uniform TODAY!
Deadline to order is THIS MONDAY, 8/3.
The sportswear displays SBCS's own centennial logo, celebrating our 100 years of service!
Legacy P.E. uniform designs are still acceptable.
Youth and adult sizes available.
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Substitute Teachers Needed
Saint Benedict is looking for substitute teachers. Applicants should have their college degree and will have a background check performed as part of the application process. Please contact Sean Cruess or Pam Autry at 804-254-8850 if you are interested. Thank you!
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Welcome New Families and New Siblings!
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NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION
Thanks to our new families who were able to join us last Wednesday morning for our Virtual Orientation! We're so excited to have you in our Comet Community! If you weren't able to make it, we've got the video above! We'll also be sending out a special New Family Orientation email with all of the key takeaway information and dates from the presentation for your reference. It will be heading your way this week!
In the meantime, here are some helpful links to:
Should you have any questions, please reach out to Gretchen at admissions@ saintbenedictschool.org who will be happy to help!
Junior Kindergarten Uniforms
Reminder! Junior Kindergarten students will now be wearing standard school uniforms beginning this Fall. Please refer to our uniform guidelines on our website
HERE
.
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Due to COVID-related restrictions, the local diocesan sports league will not be able to offer elementary soccer or middle school flag football this fall. Thank you to all the families that expressed an interest in SBCS athletics and demonstrated a willingness to coach our athletes.! Nevertheless, please keep an eye open for upcoming athletics news, including the possibility of an SBCS cross country team.
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Summer Reading
We want our students to enjoy a relaxing summer
and
we want to make sure that they are reading good books and practicing their math facts along the way! Our Middle School students will also have a keyboarding certification to complete.
Be sure to check out what you will need to do over the summer now, so you can plan your time accordingly! Our summer reading is available on our website
here
.
NOW IS THE TIME TO BE GETTING THIS DONE
so you don't have to cram the week before school starts :).
Back to School Dates for your Calendar
Monday, August 24th
will be our Welcome Fair (Re-imagined!)
Tuesday, August 25th
will be the 1st Day of School for all students! 12pm dismissal for JK & K, full day 1-8
Wednesday, August 26th
- 12pm dismissal for JK & K, full day 1-8
Thursday, August 27th
- full day all students
Yearbooks ARE still available!
To purchase a yearbook, fill out the google form - see link below. Please fill out 1 form per yearbook.
There are 3 ways to get your yearbook:
- pick up from the side porch of the church
- have it mailed to your home address ($5 shipping fee)
- receive it in the fall from your homeroom teacher
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Important Admissions Update
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Thank you to all of our families for their wonderful referrals. Here's where things currently stand for our admissions this year. Keep in mind that we have reduced our capacity in our grades to preserve proper physical distancing in the classroom. If you have any friends looking for a new school option this fall for the available grades, please have them email us
as soon as possible
at admissions@saintbenedictschool.org. Thank you!
JK - waitlisting
K -
likely to waitlist
1 - likely to waitlist
2 - likely to waitlist
3 - waitlisting
4 - space available
5 - waitlisting
6 - likely to waitlist
7 - space available
8 - space available
*"Likely to waitlist" means that we have more applicants than space available at this time and we are just waiting for returned contract(s) before we can officially waitlist.
If you refer a friend, you'll receive a $75 tuition credit! How it works: You will receive a $75 (2020-21) tuition credit on the first day of school for every new family that starts the school year
and
who listed you as having referred them to Saint Benedict. Only one $75 referral credit will be awarded for each new family. If the new family mentions multiple families on their application, only the first family listed will get the credit.
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We love our Comet Family!!
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"My daughters have flourished in the academic and community setting that sets Saint Benedict's apart. I have seen them encouraged and challenged to be their best selves, both as students, friends, and future leaders. Their happy smiles and excitement when we run into a teacher at the grocery store, their strong friendships, and that they can't wait to get back to classes in the fall says it all- this school is outstanding."
- Stephanie, Mom of Rising JK, 1st and 3rd Graders
We've been so blessed to receive such kind words of support from families! With school being closed,
please know how important it is for us to be able to continue sharing those testimonials with the broader community.
If you have a minute and can send a few words about what your family appreciates about St. Benedict to Gretchen at
admissions@saintbenedictschool.org
it would be VERY appreciated and you will receive
1 PTO Volunteer Hour for the 20-21 school year!
That's an easy hour and does SO MUCH GOOD for your school in this time! THANK YOU!!
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Principal - Sean Cruess
(scruess@saintbenedictschool.org)
Administrative - Pam Autry
(pautry@saintbenedictschool.org)
Financial/Technical - Elizabeth Hanson
(ehanson@saintbenedictschool.org)
Admissions/Development/Communications - Gretchen Ridgely
(gridgely@saintbenedictschool.org)
If you need to stop by the school, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE FIRST
at 254-8850 or email pautry@saintbenedictschool.org.
Our school is a construction site right now and our office hours vary based on work currently underway.
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Nurses Corner...Get Ready for Fall!
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It is a state requirement that
all students
entering Kindergarten and new to the school in grades 1-8
have a physical, including up-to-date immunizations, completed by their local doctor within the year. There is a state-mandated form (
found on the school website here
) that needs to be completed by the doctor at that visit.
We will need an immunization record from a health provider for
all incoming JK students
.
All students entering 6th grade
are required to receive a Tdap booster and must provide the clinic with a copy of this immunization update.
And a reminder to all students with emergent/as needed medications kept in the clinic, such as Epipens and inhalers, the required medication administration forms, found on the
school website
, need to be completed by a physician within the year.
All of the above forms are required for the first day of school (but turning them in sooner is greatly appreciated). Stay healthy!
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Time to get ready for next year!
The Business office is in the process of setting up incidental billing.
As a reminder you will have two FACTS accounts, one for tuition and one for incidentals. FACTS is our student accounts system of record and all charges and payments are recorded there.
Incidental charges (including ASE and Early Arrival) will be entered in FACTS and be due on 5th of the month. Unlike the tuition account, the incidental account can be changed so payments are not automatic.
Incidental invoice emails will contain a payment button that allows you to make payment without logging into to your FACTS account. Consequently, the email can be forwarded to allow someone else to make payment if you desire.
For 2020-2021, families who are paying tuition in one lump payment will pay $10 to have both a tuition account and an incidental account. Families who are paying tuition monthly will pay $45 to have both a tuition account and an incidental account. Families who need a second incidental account will pay $10 the additional account.
If you make a partial payment, it is applied proportionally to charges that are due. If you need the payment applied another way, you should make the payment by phone with a FACTS representative or send in payment to the school office.
FACTS Payments:
If you need to adjust a payment date you have the following options:
1. Log into FACTS and
-- for payments on the tuition plan, move the payment up to 10 days yourself
-- for payments on the incidental plan, you can turn off automatic payments
2. Email
ehanson@saintbenedictschool.org
. You will normally get a response within 3 hours, but you should allow 24 hours. Be as specific as you can with your request.
(Please be advised, that if you call FACTS, the first thing they will ask is if you have reached out to the school.)
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