Newsletter for November 11, 2008

Saint Benedict Catholic School’s WEEKLY NEWS3100 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                November 11, 2008 The Honor Roll Assembly for grades 4-8 will be held at 8:15am on Thursday, November 13 in the Multi-Purpose Room.  We will recognize those students who achieved All A Honor Roll and A/B Honor Roll for the first quarter.  Parents are invited to attend. The Make-Up Day for school pictures will be Wednesday, November 12 from 8:30-10:30.  Information is included in today’s communication envelope. 

Grandparent’s Day for grades K-5 will be held on Friday, November 21.  Be sure to invite your grandparents to attend.  Invitations can be found in today’s communication envelope.  This is always one of the most special days of the year.  Please return the RSVP form to the school by November 19.

We’re nearing the conclusion of Saint Benedict Parochial School’s annual Fall Fundraiser.   This is our last week!!!  Make sure people know they could win this year’s great prizes: a 47” flat screen HDTV, a Nintendo Wii package, and the new IPOD touch. All money and unsold tickets are due back to the school by Friday, November 14.  The raffle drawing will be held on November 19, at the PTO dinner.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Muller at rusandsteph@comcast.net.  Thank you for supporting your parish school!

 We have an important change to the school calendar.  St. Gertrude’s graduation will now be held on June 3.  St. Benedict’s 8th Grade Promotion will be held on June 4.  Please mark the change on your calendar so there is no confusion. 

The weather is starting to get colder.  Please make sure your student comes to school dressed warmly enough to be outside in the morning and during recess!  Remember that students may wear any coat or jacket to school and on the playground.  When they are in the building, they must wear the school sweatshirt or fleece.

This year's Saint Benedict Book Fair features books from Scholastic and Sophia Press.  The Book Fair will be open to Saint Benedict Parish on Sunday, November 16 after the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses.  School children will visit the Book Fair during the week of November 17-21.  Don't forget that parents have the opportunity to browse for books during the PTO Dinner on November 19, and we will have Grandparent's Day for the elementary grades on November 21.  You can preview some of the featured books on the school website by clicking on "Parents" then "Book Fair."  Also, we are still looking for a few more volunteers.  Please contact Melissa Whitehurst at melissa_mom2003@yahoo.com if you can help out.  Thank you!  

Come one! Come all, to the Annual PTO Dinner on Wednesday, November 19th!  Dinner served by Cary St. Cafe!  Dinners are $6 per person and $20 per family!  Please fill out the form and reserve your spot now! 

The 8th Grade is sponsoring a FOOD DRIVE for the month of November!  The Central Virginia Food Bank needs our help!  Please bring in non-perishable items such as:  Canned tuna or salmon; peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruits, spaghetti sauce, hot and cold cereals, pasta, and rice.   The drive will end on Wednesday, November 26th!!!

Girl Scout Troop 952 is collecting socks and gloves during the month of November for the homeless.  Drop off boxes are located at St. Benedict School or items can be brought to the school office.

Due to safety concerns, we have closed the front steps of the school.  As many of you know, the steps are sinking and pulling away from the building, due to a poor foundation when they were built 90 years ago.  We have contracted to have them repaired, and the construction has begun.  While the steps are being repaired, please use the ramp entrance (the handicap-accessible door closest to the alley) and be conscious of any construction-related changes.

The St. Joseph’s Auxiliary will hold its thirty second annual bazaar on Saturday November 15, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, 1503 Michael’s Road.  All proceeds benefit the elderly residents entrusted to the care of The Little Sisters of the Poor.  Bring the whole family for a spectacular day featuring:  hand-made jewelry, a variety of needle crafts, and many other “fun”, creative items; delicious homemade frozen meals and baked goods; treasures old and new-showcasing jewelry, house wares, children’s items, and holiday decorations; and back by popular demand, the super duper kid’s carnival (from 11:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) with ticketed games, face painting, a moon bounce, and much more!  Admission is free, and concessions will be available offering breakfast and lunch.

 
If you still need to register for a Virtus Training session so that you can volunteer in the school, there will be training here in the school library on Saturday, December 6.  There will be one session starting at 9:00am and the other at 2:00pm.  You do not need to attend both sessions. 

For Catholics or Non-Catholics interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, St. Benedict Parish will be hosting Exploring the Catholic Faith sessions each Wednesday evening.  Each evening a different topic will be addressed.  This week’s topic will be “Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate.”  Contact the parish office for more information at 254-8810 or e-mail Mr. Drummond at bdrummond@saintbenedictparish.org.

 Up coming events:

Nov. 12           Make-Up Picture Day

Nov. 13           Honor Roll Assembly for grades 4-8 in the MPR

Nov. 14           School Mass at 9:00am in the church (dress uniform for middle school)

Nov. 19-21      Book Fair

Nov. 19           PTO Dinner

Nov. 21           School Mass (dress uniform for middle school) and Grandparent’s Day for grades K-5

Nov. 26           Early Dismissal at 12:30 (TASC is closed)

Nov. 27-28      No School – Thanksgiving Holiday

  “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?  Run so as to win the race.”            -1 Corinthians 9:24