Saint Benedict Catholic School’s
WEEKLY NEWS
3100 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221
October 16, 2012
This Thursday, October 18 is a 2:00pm dismissal. ASE is available starting at 2:00 for those who need it.
Please remember to complete the diocesan survey that was sent out last week. The deadline for
completion is November 1. The percentage of returned surveys does impact our accreditation.
Classical Education: “The classical view of education holds that human beings are thinking creatures. Unlike
other living beings, humans live by their intelligence. We want to know things. Specifically, we want to know
the truth. From birth, the curiosity of children is astounding. Children observe everything around them. They
pick up language at an astonishing rate. And as soon as they begin to speak, they ask the question “what is it?”
of everything that catches their attention. Children demonstrate what is true of all people: we are natural
learners. Therefore, any plan of education should take advantage of young people’s natural curiosity.”
(Ridgeview Classical School, Fort Collins, Colorado). To read more about classical education, go to
Ridgeview's website at http://www.ridgeviewclassical.com/index.php?c=33.
FallFest – Our Annual St. Benedict FallFest will take place on October 20 from 5-8pm at St. Benedict Catholic
School. Join us for a fun-filled evening of Halloween activities, great food, and trunk-or-treating (don't forget
the costumes!). Make sure to stick around for the iPad 2 drawings and announcement of the iPod shuffle
winners. More information is attached!
If you used ASE during the month of September, you should be receiving your bill today in the communication
envelope. October bills will come out the first week of November. Please submit payments to the school
office. If you have questions about the bill, contact Mr. Massett at lmassett@saintbenedictschool.org.
Class Picture Day – This year we used locally-owned Real Life Events for our class pictures. Proofs were sent
home last week. Please make your selection for the yearbook and return the proof to school. Picture orders
should also be returned to school as soon as possible. Make Up Picture Day will be November 7 and the class
pictures with the entire group will be taken then.
Grandparent's Day will be held on Friday, November 16, starting with Mass at 8:30am. This is an
opportunity for grandparents to join us for Mass, visit the school, meet the teachers, and shop at the Book Fair.
If you have questions, please contact the school office.
Raffle Ticket Sales - Don't forget to turn in your tickets this week! Remember, our top three ticket sellers
AUTOMATICALLY win an iPod shuffle! If you are in need of more tickets, please email Christine
Hardenberger at chardenberger@earthlink.net or Anne Kennon at awkennon@hotmail.com.
Cafeteria News: Please remember that checks for lunches must be made out to “Bettina Pamplona” and
received 2 days before the day which you are ordering for. Thank you to everyone who participated in our
Lunch Program survey.
Parent/Teacher Happy Hour - The featured teacher for October 30 is Marylou Carter, our fearless first grade
teacher! All Happy Hours this year will be at Nacho Mama's in Carytown.
We will soon be kicking off our 2012-2013 Annual Appeal. Our goal for this year will be to raise $15,000.
We will need everyone's support again!
Our Atrium I (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) program that we offer for preschool students on Friday
morning is in urgent need of help on Thursdays from 2-3pm to set up. It involves moving some shelves, small
tables, and rugs.
Please consider helping even once a month.
Contact Paola Carlucci at
michael.carlucci@gmail.com if you can assist.
Chess Team: Our first Chess Team meeting will be held after school on October 24 from 3:00-4:15. The team
is open to players on any experience level in grades 2-8. Please let Mr. Cruess know if your child is planning to
attend, scruess@saintbenedictschool.org.
Please help support our Salt & Light Theatre Company! Our school drama program will be selling as space
in the December 2012 program for “A Christmas Carol” to support program publication and production
materials. This program will be distributed during performances to members of the school and parish
community. Full page, half page, business card/quarter page ads, and patron lines are available for purchase at
a reasonable rate. For more information, please contact Beth Taylor at auriel345@gmail.com.
Earn $$$ for St. Benedict Catholic School while you shop! Use SCRIP cards – available for purchase through
www.shopwithscript.com and through the school office – please contact Jen Bellaver with any questions you
may have at jenbellaver@gmail.com or 359-9150.
Saint Benedict night at Chuck E. Cheese on October 24 is fun for everybody! Enjoy pizza, games and time
with friends and family while helping the Minds In Motion program. Buy scrip ahead of time and help the
school twice! Come by anytime from 3-9pm and play with the Comets. Chuck E. Cheese is located at 9030 W.
Broad Street.
This Friday, October 19, the Students Council is hosting a Middle School Halloween Dance for grades 6-8
from 7:00-9:30pm in Saint Anselm Hall. The cost is $3.00 if the student wears a costume and $5.00 with no
costume. Students are reminded that masks, hoods, and revealing attire are not permitted. Chaperones are
needed/welcomed. Contact Mr. Kelleher at mkelleher@saintbenedictschool.org if you have questions.
From Fr. Kauffmann: Thank you for your attendance at the Bishop’s reception and Centennial Mass on
Sunday. He noticed the presence of so many students in uniform. He was very happy with the presentations
given to him by the students - the dramatic presentation from Hildegard von Bingen, the chant, the Wells Fargo
song and gifts from the PTO. Your presence was very powerful in affirming our Bishop’s strong support of
Catholic schools. The presence of the students and faculty and parents certainly expressed your appreciation of
his commitment to Catholic education. Thank you so very much!
Up coming events:
Oct 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
Oct. 19
Oct. 20
Oct. 25
Oct. 26
PTO Meeting at 6:00pm in the Science Room
Early Dismissal at 2:00pm
School Mass at 8:30am in the church (middle school wear dress uniform)
Middle School Halloween Dance
PTO Fall Festival at 5:00pm
Early Dismissal at 2:00pm
No School – Teachers attend Diocesan Conference
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)