“I thank my God for all the memories I have of you.
Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy.”
Philippians 1:3-4
My heart is filled with joy as I have received so many remembrances and expressions of sympathy on the loss of my sweet mom! She was a woman of great faith and always helped me not only in life but also in my vocations as teacher and principal. She always had encouraging advice and guidance for me as we spoke often about the needs and challenges my students have faced over the years. She loved hearing my stories about the cute and clever things that students have done and said at school. My mom was also a constant source of prayer for the many families and children I have served, even though she never personally knew the vast majority of them.
Thank you for all your kindness and understanding during these most difficult days I have recently experienced. Please know that your children have also been generous in sensitivity and love, which has been a tremendous support! While my mom is no longer praying on earth, I believe with all my heart that she has joined the angels and saints in heaven and continues to pray not only for me and my family, but for all of your families as well.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences conclude this evening. Thanks to all parents who attended this important event. Sharing the academic and spiritual progress of students is one of the joys of teaching. Conferences are a great opportunity to begin the lines of communication between home and school. It is important that this communication continues throughout the year. In addition to on-going e-mails and phone calls, parents are also encouraged to keep track of student progress on Gradelink, using the access code sent home by your child’s teacher. If there are ever any questions, please be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher by e-mail or by making an appointment for a follow-up conference. Thank you for supporting your child and their teachers in their Catholic education.
A huge thanks to the PTO and parents who provided dinner and desserts for hungry staff of teachers. It was delicious and appreciated.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to Parent/Teacher Conferences, there is NO SCHOOL this Friday, October 26th.
Halloween/Spirit Day
This month, Spirit Day will coincide with Halloween which is next Wednesday, October 31st. Students may wear jeans and their favorite Halloween themed shirts. Students in grades Pre-K through 3 will participate in the annual Halloween parade. These students may bring their costumes to change into for the parade through the school and gym beginning at 1:00. Parents are invited to come to the gym to watch the students as they done their disguises. You may park in the back lot and enter through the gym doors. More details about costumes and class celebrations will be provided by the classroom teacher.
All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. All Saints’ Day was formally started by Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD. Boniface IV also established All Souls’ Day, which follows All Saints.
All Saints’ Day is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all Catholics are required to attend Mass on that day, unless they have an excellent excuse, such as serious illness. St. Benedict School will celebrate the Feast of All Saints with mass on Thursday, November 1 (no mass on Tuesday next week).
THANK YOU to all who are following the requested safe morning drop off procedures. When dropping students off at the gym doors, there should be ONE line of traffic along the sidewalk. THAT ALSO MEANS CARS CANNOT PARK IN THE LINE WHILE PARENTS GET OUT TO TAKE STUDENTS INSIDE THE BUILDING. If you need to escort your child, please park in the lot and walk to the door. This helps the one lane of traffic to consistently move.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN KEEPING OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SAFE!
Upcoming School Events
Fri Oct 26 NO SCHOOL
Mon Oct. 29 Windy City Players Assembly @ 8:30 in the gym
4th Grade Field Trip
Tues Oct 30 No School Mass
Quiz Bowl at St. Benedict @ 9:30 in the gym
Wed Oct 31 Halloween Spirit Day
Parade @ 1:00 in the gym
Thur Nov 1 Feast of All Saints School Mass @ 8:15
Mon Nov 5 Picture Retakes
PTO Meeting – 6:30 in the Extended Day Room
FINAL THOUGHT: Love always wins!
ST. BENEDICT SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
United in Community, in partnership with families, guided by the message of St. Benedict, God calls us to LIVE, LEARN, LOVE.