St. Benedict Elementary School Principal Newsletter
Excel Challenge Honor Create Serve
Issue: September 3, 2008
Thursday9-4-08 / Preschool Prayer Service at 9:30AM in Church – PK parents welcome to join us
HSA Baby Garage Sale Drop Off 6PM – 7:30PM
K-5 Back to School Parent Night 6:30PM – in Kittler Hall (3rd floor of High School Building #4 – look for signs – no children please)
Friday
9-5-08 / Art Club and Chess Club Registrations due today
All Schools (K-12) Back to School Mass in Church 1:30PM
Did you turn in your MONKS & WRENCHES sign up sheet?
Monday
9-8-08 / SBES Anti-bullying Week – Creating a Peaceful Community
Art Club Begins – until 3:45PM
Kickball for intermediate grades after school
Tuesday
9-9-08 / 2PM DISMISSAL TODAY
No Bingo due to work in GYM
Wednesday
9-10-08 / Wednesday FLYERS Go Home – BUZZ EMAILED
Kickball for primary grades after school today in courtyard
Thursday
9-11-08 / Middle School Required Laptop Orientation and Back to School Parent Night 6:30PM – In Kittler Hall
Friday
9-12-08 / Conflict Resolution Training grades 4 and 5 today with school counselor, Ann Kulig
**********************SCHOOL NEWS**************************
Parent Night is an Opportunity to Meet Teachers and See the School We invite parents/guardians to attend Parent Night this year. For grades K-5, Parent Night is Thursday, September 4th. For Middle School, grades 6-8, Parent Night is Thursday, September 11th. Both evenings begin in Kittler Hall for an informative presentation by the principal, pastor and other guests, and then parents are invited to go to their child’s homeroom for a brief presentation. This evening is for ADULTS only – please leave your children at home. If you must bring your children, they need to be with you at all times.
*** The Middle School Laptop Parent Orientation is also on SEPTEMBER 11th beginning at 6:30PM – Parent attendance is mandatory if your child is to be able to take home a laptop. This applies to parents of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The policies and procedures have been updated and this is why we require parent presence.
******************PARENT INFORMATION*********************
Daisy Girl Scout Leaders Needed
The Girl Scouts Program is looking for new Kindergarten Moms interested in helping out twice a month with St. BenedictsTroop# 174KindergartenDaisy Girl Scouts. Meetings will begin Thursday September 18th rightafter school. For more information and to register your daughter inKindergarten DaisyGirl ScoutsPlease contact Debbie Gordils-Kowalski, St. BenedictsScout Coordinator @ r call 773-525-7783. This program has grown tremendously over the past three years...please consider this special role in the school and parish life, and most importantly, our daughters’ lives!
BALL & AUCTION NEWS – RECORD TOTALS FOR 2008 B&A!!!
For those of you who did not get to see the Parish Steward in July, our final number from the Ball & Auction was published. We are thrilled to report that the event brought in
$102,798.40. We couldneverhavereached this numberwithout the support of our Sponsors, Contributors, Donors, Faculty and of course, Volunteers who made the 2008Ball & Auctiona success. Thank you for your continued support to The Schools of St. Benedict.
This year’s8thAnnual Ball & Auction will be held once again at Navy Pier on March 28, 2009. We are looking for ideas for a theme. If you have any suggestions please let
Kerry Kinsloe know by Wednesday, Sept 13th at
CARPOOL PARTNER NEEDED
A school parent is looking for a carpool partner to transport children to and from school from the Roscoe Village area. If you think you are interested in this gas saving, environment saving and money saving partnership, call Erin Nolan at 312-961-3329 or email . She is able to drive the children in the morning, but is looking for someone to pick them up in the afternoon.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
St. Benedict Parish & Schools is seeking volunteers to assist us in serving our students and community more effectively. We need several people to assist in light clerical activities throughout the school day, any time would be much appreciated. The work is light and consistent, and even a small investment of time would pay great dividends in the benefit to our students. If interested, please contact Scott Bell, 773 539 0066 ext 360 or
SBES Needs Your Help For Our Annual Parish and Schools Volunteer Day – Monks and Wrenches on Saturday, September 6th from 8AM to 1PM.
The annual parish and schools volunteering event known as"Monks and Wrenches" is scheduled for Saturday, September 6th from 8AM to 1PM. This is an important day for our parish and school grounds...last year we accomplished so much together. As principal, this help is essential and very much appreciated!
I am in need of volunteers to assist with the following:
1) We have ordered 40 tables for the middle school that will accommodate the laptop program. This is exciting!! But I need help! I need people who can put tables together and remove the current desks/tables to the basement. It would be great to have the Middle school kids come back on Monday the 8th to brand new classroom set up!
2) We still have a lot of work to do cleaning up after the Comcast volunteer day. It is tedious work, but for those who want to help, but maybe don't have the physical ability to carry big things...this is a good one.
3) There are some little things as well....
If you can assist this day, I would greatly appreciate it. Attached are the forms to volunteer. You can fill it out electronically and email back to me, or print it out and send it to school with your children.
God Bless all of you and thank you for considering to participate in the special event. IF YOU PLAN ON COMING, PLEASE COMPLETE AND TURN IN THE FORM SO WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WE WILL HAVE FOR LUNCH.
140 FAMILIES HAVE GONE GREEN HERE AT SBES – THANK YOU!! If you would like the weekly BUZZ emailed to you, please email me at and put in the title, “PLEASE BUZZ ME.” The hope is to email the BUZZ to you instead of sending a paper copy home with your child…help us reduce the amount of paper we use each week… I am going to really try to do it with less paper this year. The email BUZZ is quite reliable. Again, there will be no paper BUZZ this year.
Parent Partnership Program Registration Deadline is September 15th. Parents who will be participating in the Parent Partnership Program this year need to register by September 15th. To register, parents need to complete the registration form (included in the summer mailing) and return to the school office. Parents may pick up additional forms in the main school office. This program allows parents to receive up to $200 off tuition per family for volunteering at least 20 hours by April 1, 2009. Please note, all families need to sign up in order to receive this discount. It is also mandatory this year for parents who receive the $200 to complete a background check and attend a Protecting God’s Children workshop. For more information on these workshops, please contact either Ms. Gemo or Mrs. O’Keefe.
*********A Message from Rob Potempa, Athletic Director ********
Bitty Basketball Registration Update
If you have missed the sign up deadline for Bitty Basketball there still maybe time to register yourchild for this sport. Please contact Lorraine Sikora by orphone (773) 248-1365 no later than tomorrow, September 4th.
Additionally, parents who have alreadyregistered your children please know we have had to move the first game date back by one week. We willnot start basketball untilSaturday, September 20 due to scheduling conflicts.Plan to receive teamselections, gameand refreshment schedules by September 7th. If you have any questionsplease contact me.
Registration for Fall Sports (kickball, volleyball, and cross country) are NOW CLOSED Teams have been set and practices are underway. Basketball Registration is OPEN and if you're interested in cheerleading, please contact Rob Potempa at . Please check the website to download registration forms.
Kickball begins the week of September 8th with grades 3, 4, and 5 beginning on Monday after school in the courtyard. Deb Gordils is the mom in charge of running kickball for this age level. Kickball for grades K, 1 and 2 will begin after school on Wednesday, September 10th in the courtyard. Doreen Morand is the mom in charge of running kickball for this age level.
SPECIAL THANKS!! goes out to Donna and Pete Koulogeorge, Linda Lunkes and Fran Fazio for helping the athletic department display all the hard earned trophies that St Ben's has won in the past few years. Through generous donations, we are able to display our beautiful trophies in the main hallway on the first floor under the staircase. Please stop by and take a look!
If you have not gotten a physical for your child and they plan on participating in athletics this season, please do so quickly. Forms can be picked up in the school office. Please have the doctor fill out the form and return them to school as soon as possible. If you already turned one in, then there's no need to run out and make copies. I will be checking all physicals that have been turned in this year.
Thank you to all the parents who came out to the basketball/cheerleader orientation meeting. We are anticipating an exciting basketball season with the help from our awesome cheerleaders! All families who were present received 1 hour of volunteer time towards their 10 hours that are requested of them.
All forms and information will be updated on the website by the end of the week. In the wake of St. Ben's "Going Green", we will have all athletic documentations updated and uploaded onto the website for eveyone. So anytime you need a form or look up athletic guidelines, they will be located online. The athletic department will be reducing the amount of forms sent out this year. Registration for Fall Sports(kickball, volleyball, and cross country) are NOW CLOSED Teams have been set and practices are underway. Basketball Registration is OPEN and if you're interested in cheerleading, please contact Rob Potempa at . Please check the website to download registration forms.
UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS
Thursday, September 4th
Cross Country Meet - St. Patrick's Cross Country Meet @ Schiller Woods 4:30
Please arrange rides for your child
7/8 Girls Volleyball 3:00-4:30 in Ackerman
Monday, September 8th
Kickball for 3,4, and 5 grades begins today after school
4/5/6 Girls Volleyball 3:00-5:00 in Ackerman
Tuesday, September 9th
7/8 Girls Volleyball 2:00-4:00 in Ackerman
Wednesday, September 10th
Kickball for K, 1 and 2 grades begins today after school
The Home and School Association Corner
What is the “HSA?”
The Home and School Association (HSA) is our parent group here at St. Benedict schools (preschool and elementary). It is similar to a PTO (parent/teacher organization) at other schools. Our association is open to everyone. There is no fee to join. In fact, as a parent or guardian, you are automatically a member. Our basic focus is to build a sense of community within our schools. Parent volunteerism is encouraged and welcome. We have many active members making a difference all year long. We look forward to your support this year.
The HSA 1st Annual Baby & Kids' "Green" Garage Sale is Almost Here!
We will be accepting donations in the courtyard during the following dates and times:
Back to School Night, Thurs. Sept 4th - 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Sun. Sept 7th - 7:30 am to 1:30 pm
We are accepting all types of baby and kid related items....
All sizes of kids' and baby clothing and footwear ~ Maternity clothes ~ St. Benedict School Uniforms ~ Halloween Costumes ~ Dress Up Costumes ~ Books ~ Movies ~ Puzzles ~ Games ~ Toys both big and small ~ Bikes ~ Trikes ~ Ride-ons ~ Kids' Sports Equipment ~ Cribs ~ Crib Sets ~ Blankets ~ Exersaucers ~ Bouncy Seats ~ Baby Swings ~ Changing Tables ~ Highchairs ~ Strollers and Joggers ~ Car Seats and more...
We also need your recycled shopping papers (paper or plastic), "Jewel" type plastic bags, and cardboard boxes to use at the sale. These items can be dropped off at the dates and times listed above. Thank You!! If you have a portable hanging clothes rack that you would be willing to let us use for the sale, please contact Jane van der Zanden-Thompson @ 773-604-8919 or
Volunteers are needed for Set-up on Friday, September 12th as well as the day of the sale.Can you volunteer for a 2 hour shift? Please contact Judy Pyke @ 773-528-0108 or . All proceeds from this event will fund the elementary and preschool teachers' curriculum needs.
SAVE THE DATE – Sept 17th
Please join us for this year’s first Home and School Association’s (HSA) All Parent Meeting. It will be held September 17, 7-8:30 pm in Heidenreich Hall (2nd floor PS building- enter through Byron courtyard door).
This is your opportunity to mingle with parents and learn about our 2008/2009 community building initiatives. You can gain information, ask questions, and sign-up to be involved. We will also discuss our awesome Room Representative program.
We are excited for the great school year. Hope to see you all there!
Annual Wreath and Wrap Sale about to Kick Off and Go Bananas!
Do your kids love the gross motor room? Were you happy to see the playground resurfaced? Wasn't it a relief thatwe were able to keep the school nurse 2 years ago?
All of these things and much more were made possible by the annual Wreath & Wrap sale sponsored by the HSA each year.
So get ready to GO BANANAS on 9/17 when the 6th Annual Wreath & Wrap sale kicks off! This year we hope to support electrical upgrades in the elementary school, purchase sound and lighting equipment to be used by the drama club and for other school functions, and purchase new rugs and play sets for the pre-school classrooms.
Watch for more info coming soon!