MS. RACHEL GEMO,
HEAD OF PARISH SCHOOL
May 14, 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 38
THE BUZZ FROM MS. GEMO | LOWER SCHOOL NEWS - GRADES PRESCHOOL-3
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS - GRADES 4-8 | WEEKLY CALENDAR | HSA
Dear SBPS Parents and Guardians,
We are proud to share that our school has been selected as a 2026 National Gold Star School® winner by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). This national recognition honors elementary and middle-level schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to NAESP’s Three Pillars of the Principalship: Established Culture, Empowered People, and Optimal Systems.
More than 220 schools applied for the inaugural award, and only 57 were selected. This distinction reflects the strength of our school community—our shared values, our collaborative approach to teaching and learning, and our dedication to continuous improvement. It highlights the daily work of our educators, the engagement of our families, and the resilience and growth of our students.
Being named a National Gold Star School® is both an honor and a responsibility. It affirms the systems and relationships we’ve built together, while motivating us to continue refining our practices to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and connected.
We are grateful to our students, faculty, staff, families, Archdiocesan partners, and community members for contributing to this achievement. This recognition belongs to all of us, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead. We are planning a student celebration on Thursday, May 21 at 2:15PM in the gym. We are so excited to share this award with all our Bengals.
Thank you to our Home and School Association for hosting a vibrant and fun Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. The staff enjoyed personal charcuterie plates, 10 minute chair massages, a wonderful morning bakery, a delicious luncheon featuring Tuco and Blondie, and lots of messages of appreciation chalked around our campus. Thank you for supporting our GOLD STAR Faculty and Staff!
Congrats to our amazing Middle School Musical Students and our Benedictine Children’s Choir on their fine performances of Annie Jr. If you missed the shows or would like to see them again, be sure to check out our YOU TUBE channel at https://www.youtube.com/@stbenedictprep/streams. Congrats to our teachers Mrs. Hannah Thompson and her theatre assistant, Ms. Angela Rak. They helped our students do such a wonderful job telling this timeless tale of a spunky, red-headed orphan.
Our next anticipated show is our Strings and Band Concert which will be held in the GYM on Tuesday, May 19 at 5:30PM. The concert is free and open to all school families. Please come and see the growth that our students have accomplished this year with their instruments.
On Friday, I have the pleasure of being with our 8th graders…soon to be graduating. We will spend the day together at their 8th grade graduation retreat at the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Lincoln Park. Thank you to the Home and School Association for sponsoring their lunch. Please keep our 8th graders in your prayers as we spend the day reflecting on their time here at St. Benedict and look toward their high school years.
Finally, please congratulate and keep in your prayers our 2026 Track and Field State Qualifying Student Athletes who will be competing this weekend at the IESA State Meet: Zach Thorn, Aidan Kowalski, Maren Castelli, Vivian Knuckey, Chloe Milton and Reese Massick. We are so proud of our Bengals! Good luck at State!
As always, thank you for your partnership in nurturing both the faith and growth of our students. We are grateful to walk this journey with you.
There’s a lot more important information below. Be sure to check out the following:
NAESP Announces the 2026 Gold Star Schools
Fall Bengal Athletics 2026 Sports Registration
Summer Camp Registration
Please find listed below important dates:
May 15, 2026 Happy 5th Ordination Anniversary Father Ryan!
May 15, 2026 8th Grade Graduation Retreat
May 19, 2026 May Crowning Mass at 8:30AM
May 19, 2026 - Band and Strings Spring Concert - 5:30PM - all invited
May 20, 2026 - Kindergarten Play Date and Parent Info Session (for all incoming K students) at 4:30PM
May 20, 2026 - 8th Grade Graduation Dinner Dance
May 21, 2026 - All School Assembly - 2026 National Gold Star Celebration for Students and Staff at 2:15PM
May 25, 2026 - No School for Memorial Day
May 26, 2026 - 2028 Pueri Cantores Travel Meeting at 7PM via ZOOM - link is forthcoming
May 28, 2026 - HSA Ice Cream Social 5-7PM
May 29, 2026 - 8th Grade Graduation in Church at 7PM
June 1 and 2, 2026 - Spirit Shop Uniform Donation Drop Off at Dismissal
June 3, 2026 - Last Day of PK and K
June 4, 2026 - Field Day for grades 1-7
June 5, 2026 - Last Day of School 11:30AM Dismissal
May God bless us all!
Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School
Ms. Gemo’s Prayer Corner
Please continue to pray for Ms. Deletioglu, Head of Upper School, who is currently on medical leave. Please pray for a speedy and full recovery.
Please also pray for our pastor, Father Robert Ryan, who is celebrating his 5th Ordination Anniversary.
Please pray for peace in our world.
EASTER PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We praise You for the joy of Easter and the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who through His Resurrection brings us hope, renewal, and everlasting life. As we celebrate this sacred season, bless our school families with peace, faith, and gratitude. May the light of the Risen Christ guide our children as they grow in wisdom, compassion, and love, and strengthen us as partners in nurturing hearts rooted in Your truth. Fill our homes with the joy of Easter and help us to live each day as witnesses of Your mercy and grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.