Week of January 9, 2022
In case you missed this on social media, this week our little Michelangelo's in JK were hard at work recreating "The Creation of Adam" ala Sistine Chapel. ❤️
Coming up this week....
For all in-person events, indoor masking is required regardless of vaccination status.

  • Wednesday, January 12th - 8:30am St. Anselm, JK & K Parents (only) Coffee with Mr. Cruess (RSVP here by Monday!)

  • Friday, January 14th @ 11:45am LESSONS & CAROLS PERFORMANCE at St. Benedict Church.

  • Friday, January 14th @ 12:30pm EARLY DISMISSAL FROM CHURCH (immediately following Lessons & Carols). (No Lunch. ASE is available. If attending ASE, please send lunch with student.) 2nd Quarter Grades Close.

  • Saturday, January 15th - Go Comets! Basketball Click here for the schedule.

  • Monday, January 17th NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Planning Ahead:
  • 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 Recap
If you missed it, I wanted to share a brief summary from our State of the School presentation this past Thursday evening. Although this year continues to be impacted by COVID-19, we are grateful to our faculty, students, and parents for working together to keep our kids healthy and learning in-person. In spite of COVID, we are excited to see the return of many sports, clubs, field trips, and community gatherings. Our school continues to have a strong financial footing with a balanced budget, healthy enrollment/retention numbers, increasing tax credit gifts, the return of Oktoberfest, and a substantial endowment. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond provides support for Catholic Education across the diocese through the Parish Sharing and McMahon Parater contributions to schools. This year we plan to complete our Centennial Campaign in partnership with the diocesan-wide Learn to Lead campaign. Our goal is to raise $600,000 to update our playground and outdoor space, as well as pay off the remaining debt for our new HVAC system. There are many ways families can support our school: talk to friends with students at other schools about your experience at St. Benedict, promote our tax credit program and Centennial Campaign, get involved in our PTO, and continue to be engaged, encouraging, and joyful. We are so grateful for our wonderful St. Benedict community! Here's the video from the State of School Report.
Next PTO Meeting is Jan. 20th
Our Centennial Gala is April 30th at the Commonwealth Club! 
Please join us for this historic occasion as we mark 100 years of service to the Richmond community. 

Enjoy delicious food and drink, dancing, and both a silent and live auction curated with fabulous items for all to bid on. 

Visit our Gala website today to purchase your admission tickets and commemorative ads to remember the occasion. 


Next PTO Meeting
Our next PTO meeting will be held in the school cafeteria on Thursday January 20th at 6:30pm. We will continue working on the Gala and encourage any and all parents interested in helping to execute the event to attend. We have opportunities on all committees including Auction, Art Projects, Centennial Booklet, Technology and Logistics. 

Hope to see you there!
Georgia Riccobono, PTO President
Tuition Assistance for 2022-23
Tuition Assistance - All returning families without significant business/self-employment income must apply for tuition assistance no later than March 1st. Those with significant business/self-employment income have until June 1st. That being said, the sooner you complete your application, the sooner you will hear from us. You will have two weeks after receiving the tuition assistance decision to cancel your contract and receive your deposit back. Please know that because the tuition assistance model assumes that the only change on your tax return is your W2 income, in years with a lot of changes in your life the model struggles to be accurate; therefore, we may reach out to you and discuss waiting for your 2021 return to be complete before making a final decision. That being said this does not change the deadlines for applying.

  • March 1st Deadline:
  • Returning Families with W-2 income and without significant business self/employment income (2020/2021 Return and 2021 W2s)
  • Returning Families who do not file taxes - March 1 - other documentation of income
  • June 1st Deadline:
  • Returning Families without W-2 income who file a tax return (2021 Tax Return)
  • Returning Families with W-2 income and significant business/self employment income (2021 Tax Return)
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
In Case You Missed This on Social Media...
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….