Newsletter for January 26, 2010

Saint Benedict Catholic School's WEEKLY NEWS

3100 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221

January 26, 2010

Anyone who has a rising kindergarten student should contact the school office as soon as possible.  Our next kindergarten screening is February 20 at 9am.  Contact Mrs. D'Aria in the school office to sign up!

This week, we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week.  The Student Council set up the following schedule for us to show our appreciation for everyone who makes Catholic education possible.  Yesterday, you may have received donuts in the morning car line as a thank you from the Student Council to our parents.  Here is the full schedule for the week:

Monday - Parent Appreciation

Tuesday - Volunteer Appreciation

Wednesday - Faculty Appreciation

Thursday - Clergy Appreciation

Friday - Student Appreciation

The Student Council has also organized special days this week for students and faculty to dress up.  Wednesday is "Twin Day."  Students should find another student to dress like, following regular Tag Day guidelines for clothing.  On Thursday, students should wear apparel from their favorite high school or college.  Friday is "Spirit Day" and all students are asked to come to school wearing blue and gold.  We will have a Pep Rally at the end of the day.  If students have any questions about appropriate apparel, they should ask one of the teachers or Mr. Cruess the day before.

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 is included in the communication envelope.  If you are interested in participating in the program, please fill out and return the enclosed form.  If there is enough interest, we will move forward and work on implementing the band program in the fall.

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. 

Reenrollment contracts for next year will be coming in February.  If you have questions about reenrollment, please contact the school office.

At 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!

We would like to recognize some of our talented students who are participating in select teams based on their experience with the Minds in Motion Program, sponsored by the Richmond Ballet.  Those students selected for Team XL this year are Grace Vallei, Abigail Clark, and Madison Atkins.  We also have Jordan Foster and Isabella Muller who were selected for Team XL2.

Chess Club is held after school on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.  If you are still interested in participating, it is not too late to sign up.  Ask for a sign up form in the school office.

Our Energy is directly proportioned to the experiences we have in life.  And Cub Scout Pack 498 is Powered Up!  We are a "AAA" organization (Activity, Advancement, Adventure).  In short, we experience something new.  With more Energy we will have a deeper, richer experience.  This month we will take a look at our Energy.  We will practice being Healthy and Safe, that we may have more Energy!  We will also explore the Power of words and communication.  Our Pack will visit a newspaper press this Thursday and we will prepare for the Blue and Gold Banquet (BSA is 100 years this year).  Also, we will have games, crafts and activities that will Energize us.  So come and check us out this month.  Our Pack generally meets on Thursdays at 6:30 in the SBS Library.  For more information please contact Alan or Candy Johnson at amjengr@yahoo.com or crj498@yahoo.com.

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!

As part of Engineers Week, there are a number of student contests being hosted by the Science Museum of Virginia on Sunday, February 28.  Contests include an egg drop and a popsicle stick bridge-building competition.  For more information, visit http://www.rjec.org/index%1fPage493.htm.

We are in the process of planning a St. Benedict School Golf Tournament for the spring.  The date has been tentatively set for April 26, 2010 at The Crossings Golf Club.  There is still much more planning to do!  If you are interested in helping, please contact Dean Berger at 314-0997 or dfberger@dynamicmobileimaging.com. 

The Knights of Columbus and Lilies of the Holy Trinity of St. Benedict Parish are planning a Carnivale dinner and dance the evening of February 6.  Proceeds will be given to our school, to continue improvements to the school building.  There will be music, food, and masks!  To learn how you can purchase tickets, please contact the school office.

Please read the enclosed Memo from Tom Benedetti, our School Board Chair, about the activities of the School Board!

Up coming events:

Jan. 25-29        Catholic Schools Week

Jan. 26             School Mass w/BHS at 8:30am in the church (dress uniform for middle school)

Feb. 2              Report Cards

Feb. 4              Early Dismissal at 12:30

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

Feb. 12            School Mass w/BHS at 8:55am in the church (dress uniform for middle school)

Feb. 15            No School - Presidents Day

"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