Newsletter for February 23, 2010

Saint Benedict Catholic School's WEEKLY NEWS

3100 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221

February 23, 2010

Next Friday, March 5 is an early dismissal, due to our SACS Self-Study Visit.  Because of the visiting team's schedule, we will dismiss the students at 11:45, instead of 12:30 as it says on the calendar.  After-school care will be available starting at 11:45.

In the spirit of St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Benedict Catholic School will sponsor a series of lectures in our new St. Anselm Hall.  St. Anselm was a famous, English Benedictine and educator.  He is often referred to as the "Father of Scholasticism."  The first lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30pm.  Monsignor Mark Lane will give a Lenten talk on "The Power of the Cross in Art History."  There is no cost, and everyone is invited to attend!  From the earliest period of its existence, Christianity has been recognized as the "religion of the cross."  The beauty of the cross expresses the central paradox of Christian faith: the cross of Christ's execution is the symbol of God's victory over death and sin.  Through works of art this seminar will focus on the history of the cross from the Catacombs to the modern era.  There will be an opportunity to discuss the images.

The information night on our "Formation in Christian Chastity" program will be part of the PTO meeting on February 24.  If you would like an overview of the program or have questions about what is taught, please make plans to attend. 

This Friday, our school is sponsoring the Friday Lenten supper at St. Benedict Church after 5:30 Mass and Stations of the Cross.  We would love to have school families join us.  If students come to Mass, Stations, and the Supper, they will be given a free Tag Day on Monday, March 1.

There has been interest expressed about starting a Band Program at St. Benedict.  Colleen Crafton, one of our parents, has put together a proposal for the band program, which was included in a previous communication envelope.  If you are interested in participating in the program, please fill out and return the form.  If there is enough interest, we will move forward and work on implementing the band program in the fall.

Reenrollment contracts for next year will be coming in early March.  If you have questions about reenrollment, please contact the school office.  If you are looking for new uniform items for next year, Rose Uniforms is currently offering 15% off through March 10.

It is not too early to apply for tuition assistance for next school year.  FACTS is now accepting applications for 2010-2011 at http://www.factstuitionaid.com/.  Anyone seeking tuition assistance must apply through FACTS.  There will be no paper applications this year; all applications should be completed online.  If you plan to apply for financial aid, please start the process now, and don't wait until the last minute!

Please be aware of the following changes to the Battle of the Books schedule.  The meeting scheduled for March 1st is canceled and will be made up on March 15th after school.  The Final Battle of the Books Competition will be held Monday, March 29th.  If you are planning to participate in the competition, you must attend the March 15 meeting.

Please support our 6th Grade Drink Pouch Brigade!! 

We will be collecting empty Capri Sun drink pouches in order to benefit the planet, as well as our school.  Collection containers are in the school cafeteria.  

Saint Benedict School has been entered in the Monument Ave 10K on March 27, 2010.  Our school will compete for most attendance in the Small School Division and we need your child to help us win up to $500 for running in the 10K.  The first twenty students who register for the 10K or the 1 mile kids run (ages 5-12) and agree to wear a Saint Benedict School t-shirt on the day of the race will get their entry fee subsidized $15 by the student council.  We will also offer other prizes for students who come in first, second, or third place from amongst our students.  Students must register at school by February 25th to get the discount and should bring their money into school so that we can keep track of our student registration.  See Mr. Kelleher or go to http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/10k/10k.htm for further details.

Anyone who wants to place a personal order from Original Works can go to the website, http://www.originalworks.com/ and click on "personal orders."  Thank you so much for your enthusiastic support of the program and our school!

Benedictine and St. Gertrude High Schools will host their 2nd Annual 5K Challenge on March 13, 2010 at 9:00am.  The Catholic school that sends the most runners/walkers to the race will be awarded the Challenge Trophy.  Please see the enclosed flyer for more details.

The St. Benedict Institute on February 10 had to be cancelled due to the weather.  They hope to reschedule later in the spring.  The next St. Benedict Institute seminar will feature Father Sidney Griffith, Ph.D. from Catholic University of America on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 7 PM.    The lecture will take place in the Temple Building on the VCU campus.  The title of the seminar is:  "The Early Church and Islam.  The address is 901 W. Main St, Room 1169. The seminar is free and open to the public.

The St. Benedict Lenten "mite box" Baby Bottle Campaign is underway.  Bottles are available in the church, and families may fill their bottle with spare change and their Lenten offering.  The bottles will be collected on the weekend of Palm Sunday.  ALL proceeds go directly to the Crisis Pregnancy Center - Richmond.

There is currently a bill in the General Assembly to establish tax credits for those who donate to scholarship funds.  This would provide more of an ability for us to help those in need of financial assistance.  The bill is currently in a Senate committee, so we encourage you to contact your state senator and ask them to vote for HB 599.

Make sure this year's PTO Spring Gala is on your calendar.  It will be held the evening of May 15.  More details to follow.

Up coming events:

Feb. 23            Interim Reports

Feb. 23            St. Anselm Lecture at 7:30pm in St. Anselm Hall

Feb. 24            PTO Meeting at 6pm in the Science Room

Feb. 26            School Mass at 8:30am in the church (dress uniform for middle school)

Feb. 26            Lenten Supper following the 5:30pm Mass (sponsored by St. Benedict School)

Feb. 27            First Reconciliation in the church

Mar. 4-5          SACS Self-Study Visit

Mar. 5              School Mass w/BHS at 8:55am in the church (dress uniform for middle school)

Mar. 5              Early Dismissal at 11:45am

"Everyone who listens to the word of God and acts on it will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."         

-Matthew 7:24