Weekly Newsletter: November 10, 2019
This Week's Schedule
Wednesday, Nov. 13
  • Ambrose House Wears Shirts
Friday, Nov. 15
  • Grandparents Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm from school)
  • Family Fun Night (Parish Event)
Message from the Principal
Did you know? Our middle school students discuss great literature weekly in our middle school seminar.  

Mrs. Cisik is involved with the seminar for the entire middle school, but I have the opportunity to assist with the 8th grade seminar each week. 

So far, we have had the opportunity to read such fascinating works as: The Allegory of the Cave (Plato), Man or Rabbit (C.S. Lewis), The Selfish Giant (Wilde), Ozymandius (Shelley), and The New Colossus (Lazarus). 

We practice sharing ideas and even presenting opposing viewpoints in a way that is courteous and respectful. Students critically examine these classic pieces of literature to determine the themes and truths they can draw from them. 

Then we ask how these lessons can be applied to our lives today. When students graduate from St. Benedict, we can be confident that they know how to think critically.

Sean Cruess, Principal
House Cup Winners Rejoice!
Last year's House Cup winner was Ambrose House. 
In recognition of their victory, all students in Ambrose House may wear their House T-shirts to school with their regular school uniform on Wednesday, November 13.
Grandparents Day
We are very excited to welcome all our Grandparents and Grand-Friends on Friday, November 15. On that day grandparents often like to bring the grandkids with them at the end of the day. 

If your student will be going home with their grandparents from St. Benedict Church (immediately following Mass and the Veteran's Day Program), we need permission sent to the classroom teacher no later than Thursday at 4:00pm. 

The PTO has created a form to use that can be found here. Please complete one form per student and send them to your child's homeroom teacher. 

All students without a permission form received by the homeroom teacher by 4 on Thursday, will be dismissed from the school at 12:30.

Gala Planning
Gala Planning is Officially Underway

Please join us at our next PTO meeting on November 21 to start planning our annual Spring Gala.
This is the only PTO fundraiser of the year and takes many parents coming together to make it a success. 
Come to the PTO meeting to learn about the different Gala Committees being formed. They include: Auction, Centennial Booklet, Logistics & Decor, Technology, and the Art Projects. 

This year's Gala will be held on April 25, 2019, at the Commonwealth Club.  
CALLING ALL COMETS!

We’re excited to announce that we are participating in #iGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday, our nation’s first-ever Catholic day of giving!

This year it will be December 3 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM CST.

Your gift will support The Centennial Fund for St. Benedict Catholic School!

As you know, we are raising $1,000,000 to take care of
important renovations to our 100-year old school, including:

  • ...replacing our aged HVAC so we have efficient heating and cooling throughout the entire building (no more hot lunchrooms and clanging boilers in the winter!).
  • ...new and more! playground equipment with a softer surface for little knees.
  • ...beautiful new fencing that will expand our playground and enclose our grassy area.
  • ...weatherproof tables and seating for outdoor classroom space.
  • ...plus, new chairs, tables and carpeting in our shared spaces and more! 
  • (Click here to learn more about this important campaign 100-years in the making!)

BUT WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.
The level of participation from our families in this campaign is  CRITICAL to helping us gain support from our alumni community, local philanthropists and grant-making foundations
who can get us to our $1,000,000 goal and make this happen!

But they won't support this campaign unless YOU, our CURRENT FAMILIES,
support this campaign.

That's why our goal this #iGiveCatholic Tuesday is to get
100% School Participation for our 100 Year Old School!
and remember...
It's  not  about the dollar amount, (though we hope you'll make your best gift)...
it's about  PARTICIPATION  !!

ADVANCE GIVING BEGINS NOVEMBER 18TH!
So spread the word, tell your family, grandparents and friends...
their gifts count towards our school participation too!


Don't want to give online?  That's fine too! Just send in your donation no later than December 3, 2019 in an envelope with your student. In the memo line be sure to write "Centennial Fund" so we know what its for! It will still count towards our "100% for 100" #iGiveCatholic challenge!

Want to help us make a BIGGER impact?  Go to our school's iGiveCatholic page , click on FUNDRAISE and tell us why you love our school. You'll get your own #iGiveCatholic fundraising page that you can share on social media or over email with your family and friends. Check out my page  here  ! Want to know more? Email Gretchen at centennial@sainbenedictschool.org. And thanks so much for increasing our impact!!

CLICK HERE TO HELP US GET TO 100%!

Mass Schedule

Friday, November 15 - Grandparent's Day (Mass at 10:30am)
Choir: 4th Grade
Lectors: Alexis Griffin, William Proctor
Servers: Lemma Wheatley, Cristian Ramos, Max Brunner

Friday, November 22
Choir: 3rd Grade
Lectors: Robbie Cleveland, Cecilia O'Herron
Servers: William Proctor, Isaac Fitzpatrick, Seamus Cruess
Volunteering
Help Distribute Lunches
School lunches are   delivered and labeled    for each ordering child by Yay Lunch. It's easy-peasy, but we need parent volunteers to help give them out!

And your kiddos will love to see you during their lunchtime. You just have to be VIRTUS trained and background checked to participate.    Here are the times - CHOOSE ONE or CHOOSE ALL we're just grateful for your help:
  • 11:30am - 12:00pm
  • 11:45am - 12:15pm
  • 12:15pm - 12:45pm

Ministry
St. Benedict Parish Religious Education for grades Kindergarten through 5th takes place on Sunday mornings from 9:45am to 10:45am at St. Benedict Catholic School.

The next several classes are Sundays November 17, 24, and December 15.

There will be no Religious Education on December 1 or 8. 
Edge, St Benedict Parish Middle School Youth Ministry and Religious Education, takes place on Wednesday nights in St. Anselm Hall from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

The next several meetings are Wednesdays November 13, 20, and December 4.

There will be no meeting on November 27.
Contact Rob Hamrick at  rhamrick@saintbenedictparish.org  for more information on K-5 Religious Education or Edge
First Penance Class

First Penance preparation takes place on Sundays, November 10, and 17 from 9:45am to 10:45am in St. Anselm Hall. One Catholic parent is required to attend.

At this time, if your child was baptized at a parish other than St. Benedict's, proofs of baptism with notations from the parish of baptism are due to the parish office.

Likewise, if your child is registered at a parish other than St. Benedict's, permission from your pastor for you child to receive sacramental preparation at St. Benedict's must be sent to either Kevin Corcoran or Fr. John David Ramsey.

Contact Kevin Corcoran at  kcorcoran@saintbenedictparish.org  if you have any questions. 
Family Fun Night

Our second annual family fun night will be on Friday, November 15 starting at 5:30pm! We are excited to announce that Hollywood Cheesesteak and Return of the Mac food trucks will be returning for food purchases.

Wristbands costing $10 will be sold for beer on tap from a Brown Distributing beer truck. Lawn games will include giant Jenga, giant Checkers, and giant Connect 4.

Firepits will be provided for warmth and comfort. All are welcome! 
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