HAPPY NEW YEAR, COMETS!!
Coming up this week....
For all in-person events, indoor masking is required regardless of vaccination status.

  • Monday, January 3rd - Students return - WELCOME BACK, COMETS!

  • Wednesday, January 5th - JK & K Parents (only) Coffee with Mr. Cruess (see below to RSVP by Monday!)

  • Thursday, January 6th @ 6:30pm - State of the School Zoom (see below)

  • Saturday, January 8th - Comet Basketball! Click here for schedule. GO COMETS!

Planning Ahead:
  • Friday, January 14th - 12:30pm Dismissal (No lunch. ASE is available.)
  • Monday, January 17th - No School. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Thursday, January 20th - PTO Meeting
  • Friday, January 21st - 2nd Qtr. Report Cards Posted
  • Saturday, January 22nd - JK/K Assessments for the 22-23 School Year (New Applicants Only)

Check out our school calendar on the website HERE!
Need a past newsletter? Check out our archives on the website HERE!

Inclement weather & school closings: FYI - as we enter into winter months, we just wanted to remind parents that any school closing information will be sent out via the Parent Alert System (you selected in Parents Web how you wished to be contacted through this system - email/text/call.) Any closings are also listed on our school calendar and we will also alert local TV channels as well. Questions? Contact Mrs. Autry at pautry@saintbenedictschool.org.
Principal's Corner
State of the School
We start this New Year with joy and expectation. It is also an opportunity to look back on the many blessings of this past year. As we look at our blessings, I want to invite all of our parents to our annual State of the School presentation on Thursday, January 6 at 6:30pm. The event will be held virtually and the Zoom link can be found below. I am excited to share the many successes of our school community over the past years and the ways in which our Lord has richly blessed St. Benedict Catholic School.

Topic: St. Benedict State of the School Report
Time: Jan 6, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 845 6149 8189
Passcode: 084659


For the health of our community...

Parents, please see this new letter from our Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Kelly Lazzara, regarding updated Covid guidance.

Also, please remember that our current policy requires all visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. That includes coming in to sign kids in when they are late or picking up students early. Thank you for making every effort to keep everyone in our school community safe and healthy. We also want to ask parents to help support our healthy school community by encouraging your children to be diligent in wearing their masks properly and to have extra masks handy in their backpacks.

As we return back from our break where we enjoyed visiting with other family and friends, we are counting on you, our parents, to be our first line of defense against spread of the virus. Please check your child each morning before you leave for school and keep them home if they are sick. If your child has COVID symptoms, we ask that you please have them tested, just to ensure that we are not transmitting the virus further. COVID symptoms are listed below.
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

We know it is never easy when a student is sick or has to quarantine, but we are relying on your assistance. Thank you so much for working with us to keep our kids safe, healthy, and learning in-person.
JK & K Parents: Coffee with Mr. Cruess!
This Wednesday, January 5th, 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!
Re-enrollment Time is Coming Up!
Just a reminder to all of our families that re-enrollment contracts for the 22-23 school year will be going out at the end of January. We will send them home in your youngest student's backpack and an email will go out to alert you that they have been sent out. You will have 2 weeks to sign and return your contract with your deposit to secure your child's spot in their classroom for next year. If you have any questions, please contact Gretchen in the Admissions office at admissions@saintbenedictschool.org.
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!
Growing in Our Faith
High School Information & Upcoming Events
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.