“O God, let all the nations praise you.”
Psalm 67:4As we count down the last days of school, I first wish to thank you all for your patience, understanding and
support this year, especially for me. While facing m many personal challenges, I have appreciated the
thoughts and prayers from our school families. You and your children are a blessing to me and have helped
me heal both spiritually and physically in my times of need. I see God through each and every one of you.
I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge our outstanding faculty, staff and parent organization. My
gratitude for the dedicated leadership demonstrated time and again throughout this year is deep and not
something to be taken for granted. St. Benedict Catholic School is richly blessed to have the personnel and
volunteers that go above and beyond each and every day.
Even though it is ending, the year has been one of great achievement and accomplishment. Students have
demonstrated tremendous growth both academically and spiritually. Setting learning goals and differentiating
instruction enables students to achieve more. Providing students the opportunities to practice the works of
mercy helps deepen their understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We are proud of the
accomplishments of all our students.
As we head into the summer months, please keep these areas of growth in mind. As with any seeds that are
planted, they need to be watered in order to continue growing. Please continue to water seeds of reading,
math, writing and faith formation. The reading program offered at the library is a great motivator during the
summer. Math flashcards and computer challenges are a great way to keep skills sharp. Good old fashioned
letter writing to grandparents or postcards from family vacations are simple but good ways to practice writing
skills. Daily prayer and weekly Sunday Mass or worship should be a part of every family’s summer menu!
These are just a few of the ways you can help with preventing “the summer slide.” Of course summer is also a
wonderful time of family, friends and fun. On behalf of the faculty and staff of St. Benedict Catholic School, we
thank you for your continued support and wish you and your family a rest-filled and relaxing summer.
If you have any needs or questions over the summer please feel free to contact Mrs. Spetz or Mrs. Hartman as
we will have summer office hours. If we are not in when you call, please leave a message or e-mail so we can
get back to you.
Summer Office Hours
June and August M-F 9:00 – 3:00
July Varied
THURSDAY THOUGHTS
From Mrs. Hartman
Registration
Many classes for the 2018-2019 school year are already full and have waiting lists. If you have not yet
registered, PLEASE return your registration packet and the $100 registration fee by the last day of school,
Friday, May 24 to ensure your student continues to receive the quality education and faith formation that St.
Benedict Catholic School provides.
All registered families will be receiving the Tuition/Scholarship/Financial Aid Award forms soon.
Looking Ahead
The Facility and Finance Committees of Little Flower Parish along with the St. Benedict School Board of
Trustees have been working with a short and long term strategic plan that has been outlined for the Little
Flower Campus. These plans have always considered the completion of new HVAC (air conditioning) for the
entire building. The only portion left is the east wing of the school.
Prior to the planned HVAC installation in Summer 2020, there are many projects that must take place within
and outside the building. These renovations, including a new roof and safe asbestos removal according to
OSSHA standards will be taking place this summer. Coordination of contracted services will necessitate a later
beginning and ending for the 2019-2020 school year.
We are currently working on the school calendar, but at the very least, school would begin on Monday, August
20 (or later) and continue after Memorial Day next year. We wanted to give you a little warning for summer
planning and will publish the calendar as soon as possible.
Additional Changes
Regretfully, this will be Mrs. Stacy Marino’s final year at St. Benedict Catholic School. Mrs. Marino has
informed me that she will be moving on to new adventures next year. For nine years, Mrs. Marino has given of
her time and talent to enhance both Art and the Library and will certainly be missed.
I am excited to share with you some additional changes taking place for the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs.
Patrice Tscherne (current 1st grade teacher) has accepted the Art/Library position. Mrs. Amy Brahaney
(current Kindergarten teacher) will become the new First Grade teacher. We will be posting and seeking a new
Kindergarten teacher for the coming year. We wish all well during these transitions.
Walk For Water
As you know, our students participated in our yearly service project to “Walk for Water.” The amount
collected for Walk for Water was $1820.39. Student collections will allow the Diocese of Chipata to drill
boreholes, each with a hand pump station, so that impoverished villagers can easily pump clean groundwater
to the surface. Thank you for your help and support in instilling the Works of Mercy within our students.
FIELD DAY
Tomorrow, Friday May 18 is Field Day and Cook-out.
Pre/K – 4 Field Day Activities 8:30 – 11:00 Lunch 11:00 – 11:45
Gr. 5 – 8 Field Day Activities 11:45 – 2:15 Lunch 11:00 – 11:45
Thanks to Mr. Pettaway, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Smith and PTO for planning this fun event and to all the parent
volunteers making it possible.
Students may wear shorts, including gym shorts (if it is warm enough) or sweatpants and Field Day
shirts/sweatshirts and of course, tennis shoes for Field Day! FYI – Weather is supposed to be cooler on Friday.
Graduation
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2018. While it is always difficult to say goodbye, we are proud of
the young Christian leaders they have become and look forward to hearing about all the accomplishments they
will achieve in the future.
KAMERON ALLEGRINI LUKE BARNETT
GEORGIA BURNHAM NOAH ERNST
VICTORIA JAQUES ELIZABETH KEEL
JOSHUA LEWANDOWSKI BRENDAN MCMANUS
ANDREW METZGER KAYLIE OHLMAN
IAN RATTIGAN LINDSEY REKHART
NATALIE REKHART JASON RIDLEY
TRENTON THIEMAN JAELYNN VERNON
KRYSTAL WATT BLAKE WYSE
Special Congratulations to Natalie Rekhart upon receiving a Superior rating at the State Science Fair in
Columbus. She was also the recipient of the Future Physician’s Award!
Upcoming dates
Fri. May 17 Field Day and Cook-out
May 20-22 Middle School Exams
Thurs. May 23 8
8th Grade Clap Out @ 12:00
8th Grade Graduation @ 6:00 pm
Fri. May 24 Last Day for students (K-7)
Mon. June 3 Report Cards are mailed home
FINAL THOUGHT: Thank you for your continued support as we work to finish the year STRONG!
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, and LOVE.