The Buzz

Greetings SBPS Parents and Friends:

As we prepare for the long weekend ahead, our school community turns its attention to the significance of Monday’s holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s life and work continue to offer us profound lessons—lessons about courage, justice, peaceful action, and the transformative power of love. In Catholic education, we are called to form children who recognize the dignity of every person, stand up for what is right, and become instruments of peace. Dr. King’s witness beautifully echoes these Gospel values, and his legacy remains an important touchstone for the way we teach, lead, and live in community.

To honor Dr. King, our 4th grade students will lead a Peace Prayer Service tomorrow, and we warmly invite all parents to join us. Their preparation has been thoughtful and heartfelt, and it will be a special moment for our school to gather in prayer, reflection, and hope.

You may also notice something new when you enter the gym lobby. Over the Christmas break, we began the first phase of its renovation—and what a difference it has made already! The space now reflects the energy, spirit, and love our students and families have for Bengal athletics. Additional finishing touches will continue to roll out over the next few weeks, but it already feels like a fresh, welcoming entrance that celebrates our community. These renovations were made possible through the generosity of those who supported last year’s 2025 Athletic Fundraiser, and we are deeply grateful.

Looking ahead, our 2026 Athletic Fundraiser is just around the corner—Saturday, January 24, in the evening, right here in the gym. This adult‑only event promises good drinks, great conversation, lively music, and a much‑needed mid‑winter night out. If you haven’t already, secure a sitter and plan to join us! In past years, proceeds have allowed us to complete meaningful updates such as the gym concession stand renovation and now the new lobby. Your participation truly strengthens our athletic programs and enhances the spaces our students use every day.

A huge thank‑you goes to our Athletic Board for their leadership, planning, and countless hours of work—both for the fundraiser and for overseeing the lobby improvements. Your dedication shines through every detail, and as January basketball games begin, we are so proud to welcome our families and guests into a space that radiates Bengal pride.

We will also be providing news and updates regarding this year’s Gala on Saturday, April 11. The committee is up and running and we are so excited for this year’s event. If you would like to help out with this year’s committee, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Joe Accardi at jaccardi@stbenedict.com. It’s a great way to contribute to the mission and success of the school, all the while making new friends and having a great time.

Next week, our students in grades K-8 will begin their READING iReady Winter Diagnostics. This is a time to check in with one way of measuring student learning progress. We look forward to sharing the information in advance of upcoming parent-teacher conferences in February.

Next week also looks to be a cold one. Please be sure to have your students come to school with coats, gloves, and hats in the event we can get outside for recess and get some fresh air. We’ve noticed that some students are opting to wear lighter coats/sweatshirts. These items may not be warm enough for time spent outside.

Wishing you and your family a restful and meaningful weekend as we carry Dr. King’s message of peace and unity into the week ahead.

There’s a lot more important information below. Be sure to check out the following:

• Bengal Bash Athletic Fundraiser - Save the Date and Buy Tickets today

• Holiday Basketball Camp Registration information

Please find listed below important dates:

• January 16, 2026 - 4th Grade Peace Prayer Service

• January 19, 2026 - No School – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday  

• January 20, 2026 - iReady Reading Diagnostics  Grades 1-8 begins 

• January 20, 2026 - 7th Grade Agora Information Session for Parents - Virtual 7PM

• January 23, 2026 - PK-8 Open House 8:15AM to 10AM 

• January 24, 2026 - Athletic Fundraiser at 7PM

• January 25-30, 2026 - Catholic Schools Week (full schedule coming)

• January 25, 2026 - Catholic Schools Week Family Mass 10AM 

• January 25, 2026 - Preschool and Kindergarten Open Gym at 11AM (after 10AM Mass) in Ackerman Center

• January 27, 2026 - Catholic Schools Week Mass

• January 27, 2026 - Gala 2026 Committee Meeting in Upper School Library - 7:30PM - Join Our Committee!

• January 29th- February 1st - 8th Grade Popcorn Sale to Support Washington DC Trip

• February 7, 2026 - Year One Confirmation Candidates Retreat - see information below

May God bless us all in the coming year,

Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School

Ms. Gemo’s Prayer Corner

Invocation for Peace
Words of Pope Francis, Vatican Gardens, Sunday, June 8, 2014

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.

Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!

Amen.