Week of December 12, 2021
A few pictures from our Christmas Tag Day and everyone's favorite SANTA SHOP!!
Coming up this week....
For all in-person events, indoor masking is required regardless of vaccination status.

  • Tuesday, Dec. 14th:
  • FREE TAG DAY....CELEBRATE GREGORY HOUSE! Everyone is asked to wear BLUE!!!

  • MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMS (Middle School ONLY has dismissal at 12:30pm. Middle School dismissal forms must be received before exams.)

  • Wednesday, Dec. 15th:
  • JK & K Parents! Coffee with Mr. Cruess at 8:30am in the Cafeteria. RSVP BELOW!

  • MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMS (Middle School ONLY has dismissal at 12:30pm. Middle School dismissal forms must be received before exams.)

  • Thursday, Dec. 16th:
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMS (Middle School ONLY has dismissal at 12:30pm. Middle School dismissal forms must be received before exams.)

  • Friday, Dec. 17th:
  • LESSONS & CAROLS PERFORMANCE 11:30AM @ Saint Benedict Church - Parents & Grandparents invited to attend!
  • ALL students will be dismissed from Church at 12:30pm. (NO ASE)


PLANNING AHEAD:
  • Dec. 20 - Jan. 2nd Christmas Break!
  • Monday, Jan. 3rd - Students return
  • The Comet Connection newsletter will go out on Christmas Eve and Jan. 2nd, while we are on break. There will be no newsletter on Dec. 19th or Dec. 26th.

Check out our school calendar on the website HERE!
Need a past newsletter? Check out our archives on the website HERE!
Principal's Corner
The season of Advent provides many wonderful opportunities for families. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which simply means "coming." There are many devotions and traditions associated with Advent that help us commemorate the coming of Jesus into the world. Many families have an Advent wreath and light candles for each Sunday in Advent. Advent calendars mark each day as we count down toward Christmas. A Christmas nativity scene may be set out, leaving the manger empty until Jesus is born on Christmas day. Another activity is having a manger that children can fill with straw as they make little sacrifices. Christmas caroling is a longstanding tradition throughout the world. All of these little things remind us of what Christmas is really about and give us an anticipation for the coming of Jesus.
JK & K Parents: Coffee with Mr. Cruess!
This Wednesday, Dec. 15th, Mr. Cruess, Mrs. Menzies and Mrs. Brunner will be visiting with our current JK & K parents during our monthly Coffee with Mr. Cruess at 8:30am in St. Anselm. We'll be talking about what parents can expect in the second half of the school year, the re-enrollment process and your great questions! So drop your student off in carline, park your car and join us for some coffee and bagels! Just be sure to RSVP by Monday night!
4th & 5th Grade Book Club!
Mrs. Clark will host an after-school book club for students in the fourth and fifth grades. We will meet twice a month on Mondays from 3-4pm in the school library. If your child is interested in participating, please sign up HERE. The introductory meeting will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022.
Substitute Teachers Needed
Saint Benedict School 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!
Lost & Found
LAST CALL!! Parents, please encourage your child to check our Lost and Found closet in the Cafeteria. It is filled with water bottles and uniform fleeces. We will be cleaning out the Lost and Found closet over Christmas break and donating all remaining items to charity.  
Growing in Our Faith
Yay Lunch Gift Cards
The Perfect Holiday Gift: Yay Lunch Gift Cards
If you are looking for a holiday gift for your child’s teacher, your friends, or yourself this holiday season,Yay Lunch has just the thing for you! You can now order holiday gift cards in quantities of $15, $35, and $50 + write a custom message for your recipient. You can purchase them directly on yaylunch.com and you can order until December 22nd.

Give the gift of lunch this year! Find out more on how to give the perfect gift on yaylunch.com
For the Health of Our Community
Mask Policy (as of 8/13/21):
The statewide public health emergency order requires the wearing of masks in K-12 schools when indoors regardless of vaccination status. This Order was effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until the CDC guidelines for K-12 schools change, or unless this Order is sooner amended or rescinded.
• Indoors: Masks are required for all individuals aged 2 years and older, including students, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
• Outdoors: Masks do not need to be worn when outdoors.

And remember...
ONLY COME TO SCHOOL IF….
  • Your temperature is under 100.4 degrees.
  • You do NOT have other symptoms of COVID-19, without an alternative diagnosis. Other symptoms include chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • You have NOT had a positive diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19 in the prior 10 days.
  • You have NO known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days.
  • Please notify the school about a positive COVID test or possible exposure by sending an email addressed to pautry@saintbenedictschool.org, dlawrence@saintbenedictschool.org, and scruess@saintbenedictschool.org.