WEEKLY NEWS
May 15, 2018
Education Corner
We are not surprised by this article's title and content. What a privilege to teach and live out the Catholic faith here at Saint Benedict School.  
CONGRATULATIONS
Mrs. Barbara Young!  
Congratulations to Mrs. Barbara Young, our 2nd grade teacher, for being honored as an Excellence in Catholic Education Award winner! These awards are given by the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools for outstanding teaching and dedication to Catholic Education.
Forms and More Forms! 
It's that time of year again. Returning Families are receiving pre-filled forms in the communications envelope today. New Families will receive forms at the new family orientation meeting on May 29 (6:30pm in the Library).

What you will find in your envelope:
-Student Registration Form - one per student.  Be sure to provide two emergency contacts with FULL address including Zip Code and phone number!
- Family Data Sheet - one per household/address. Must include information for each parent listed on the birth certificate (unless parent has no rights and documentation to that effect is on file). Information required for anyone with guardianship or parental rights.
- Health Clinic Form - one per student
- Race and Ethnicity Form - one per NEW student
We ask that you get these forms back before the end of school!  
(This summer we will send out the School Handbook Acknowledgement Form, Extended Day Acknowledgement Form, and Transportation Form). 

Parents of new students are also asked to bring an original Birth Certificate to the school to either Pam Autry or Lisa Yost, Admissions Director in the next few weeks or to the new family orientation meeting on the 29th. 

Do you have a NEW student?
A student entering Kindergarten or Sixth Grade? 
If so, you need to get a Virginia State School Physical completed and turned into the Health Clinic. You can find the form at http://www.saintbenedictschool.org/school-life/handbook-n-forms.cfm
Every student in Virginia entering Kindergarten or Sixth Grade needs this form. Don't wait - have your physical done early!

Thank you for your assistance in getting all paperwork in early. Early submission helps us to be prepared and organized for next year and we appreciate your promptness.
Virtue of the Month Winners for March & April
MARCH - The Virtue of Prudence

Winner - Aidan Eschbach
Honorable Mention - Noelle Sharp

Winner - Natalia Jimenez 
Honorable Mention - Carmen Jackson

Winner - Nic Honsharuk
Honorable Mention - Michael Williamson

APRIL - The Virtue of Hope

Winner - Nicholas Shea
Honorable Mention - Ava Crow

Winner - Diego Pelaez Luna
Honorable Mention - Stella Peters

Winner - Ella Wagner
Honorable Mention - Leon Haughton 
News and Notes
USED UNIFORM INFO:
Come by the cafeteria on Tuesday, May 22 from 4-6PM and enjoy the selection and savings on gently used uniforms. You may purchase items for $2 each OR bring your very gently used uniform items and swap for another uniform item. Cash or Check only!

ORDER YEARBOOKS NOW!
It's school yearbook ordering time!  Order here before they're gone!

VOLUNTEER HOURS OPPORTUNITY
Parents needing PTO volunteer hours but who are unable to help during the school day can earn hours by assisting with school sponsored hospitality at the 8:30am and 11:00am Sunday masses at Saint Benedict Church on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Please contact Mr. Cruess for more details. 

SAINT BENEDICT PLAYERS
The Saint Benedict Players are happy to announce next year's theatre season. Our show in the fall will be a musical version of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." In the spring we will continue our classical tradition and perform a middle school version of "Romeo and Juliet." Auditions for the fall show will be the first week of September, so any rising 5th-8th grade student is encouraged to audition.
Spring Sports at SBS
Congratulations to our brand new track team who had an amazing inaugural season!  

Special mention and congratulations to Roth Thomas who placed first in the 1600m and Siobhan Cruess who took first place in the 100m at the Richmond Catholic Schools Track Meet.
PTO News
LOTS of news here! PLEASE read ALL to keep up with all of the events AND volunteer opportunities too! We couldn't do all that we do for the school without EACH of you and your families! 

The PTO Potluck is coming up this Saturday, May 19th from 2-4PM . We are hoping to see many of our SBS families at this fun event. RSVP by May 16th so we can have plenty of food!  Invitation with details and to RSVP:
https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/3fc61bce629db9937319
 
This year's potluck is also an opportunity to support a member of our school family, Jack Donner, one of our 5th graders who struggles every day with cystic fibrosis. We are hosting a dodgeball tournament preceding the potluck. Your participation, donations, and prayers are all important and so appreciated.

 Volunteers for our POTLUCK are still needed! Please sign up HERE

NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION Meeting: We need help with the hospitality for our new family orientation meeting on Tuesday, May 29th. We want our new families to feel especially welcomed - thank you for your contributions! 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054ea8a628a4fe3-newparent

FIELD DAY is fast approaching and is a highlight for our children each year. We are looking for volunteers for the K-7 Field Day that will be held on June 4.
Sign up here to volunteer for this event:  https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0E45ADA623A0F94-field1 

Parent Volunteer Hours: Don’t forget that it is your responsibility to record your PTO volunteer hours. They can be entered in ParentsWeb (Family Home - Service Hours).  There will be a charge for unfulfilled volunteer hours at the end of the school year.

The PTO is actively looking to fill the vice president and treasurer positions on the PTO board. If you'd like more information on either of these roles, please email Jennifer Eschbach,  [email protected]

PTO Meeting: The PTO meeting scheduled for this Thursday, May 17th at 6pm and will be held in the school library. 
Benedictine Sisters - 150th Anniversary
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia celebrated their 150th Anniversary on May 1, 2018 with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The Sisters were responsible for teaching at Saint Benedict Catholic School, Saint Gertrude and many other schools across Virginia.  

Saint Benedict was pleased to take part in the celebration of the Sisters' dedication to the children of Virginia.
Comet Campaign
Tick Tock . . . time is running out! Our fiscal year ends on June 30th! Have you made your donation to the Comet Campaign ? Our goal is 100% participation!

Class Giving Participation Percentages by Grade:
 JK - 67% K - 40% 1st - 75% 2nd - 60%
3rd - 65% 4th - 43% 5th - 50% 6th - 52%
7th - 39% 8th - 50%

Family (parent and grandparents)  49%
Faculty/Staff          68%

Make your donations online TODAY! Donate HERE
Mass Schedule
Friday, May 18
Choir: 3rd Grade
Readers: Xavier Cornelius, Simon O'Herron
Servers: Owen Sibal, Liam Cruess, Noah Mikkelson

Note: No School Mass on May 25th
Summer Camps at Benedictine College Preparatory
Summer camp registration is now open.
More details HERE
Saint Gertrude Summer Camps
Dates: June 11 – 15 and June 18 – 22
Offerings: Cooking, Theatre, Sewing, Art, Coding, Robotics, STEAM, Irish Dance, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Basketball, CPR & First Aid, Knitting & Crochet
  • Open to girls, rising fifth grade through rising ninth grade
  • Morning and afternoon sessions available; combine sessions to create a full day
  • BonSecours athletic trainer onsite for athletic camps
  • If participating in a full day that includes athletics, transportation is provided to/from Outdoor Athletic Center and SGHS
Upcoming Dates
May 17, PTO Meeting, 6-7PM, Library
May 18, 8:30am, Middle School dress uniform
May 19, PTO Potluck and Social, 2-4PM