The Buzz

Dear SBPS Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last weekend's Oktoberfest celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity to honor our parish's German heritage while strengthening the bonds that unite us as a faith-filled community. One of the great blessings of St. Benedict Preparatory School is the partnership between parish, school, and families, and events like Oktoberfest remind us that we are at our best when we gather together in fellowship, service, and celebration. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Oktoberfest Committee and the many volunteers who made the event such a success. Their vision, dedication, and willingness to expand the festivities onto Byron Street created an even more welcoming and vibrant experience for our parish and neighborhood community.

This evening and tomorrow, our faculty will welcome families for First Trimester Progress Report Conferences. These conferences are an important part of our partnership with parents and guardians as we work together to support the growth and development of each child. At St. Benedict Prep, we believe that every student is uniquely gifted by God and capable of continued growth when supported by caring adults both at school and at home. Conferences provide an opportunity to celebrate successes, discuss areas for growth, and identify next steps that will help students continue to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.

Families should have received their child's progress report and i-Ready results to help inform these conversations. Last week, we also launched Learning Portrait for students and parents in Grades 1-8. Learning Portrait is designed to provide a richer understanding of student learning and growth over time. I apologize for the technical difficulties some families have experienced while accessing the platform. Our partners at Learning Portrait have identified issues related to the single sign-on process and are actively implementing a new direct-login option. We are hopeful that this updated access method will be available early next week. We know many families were eager to use Learning Portrait during conference week, and we appreciate your patience as we work through these final implementation details.

I would also like to apologize for the confusion regarding the scheduling of my Learning Portrait Parent Workshop. The error was entirely mine, and I regret any inconvenience it caused, especially for parents who arrived for this morning's session. My intention was always to host the workshop on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. For families who are unable to attend, I will be recording the presentation so that everyone has the opportunity to learn more about Learning Portrait and how it can support your child's learning journey.

As Learning Portrait continues to roll out, I will provide weekly updates in The BUZZ, including helpful tips, videos, and guidance for families. Our goal is to ensure that parents feel informed, supported, and equipped to partner with us in understanding and encouraging their child's growth.

On Tuesday, October 13, we are asking all Preschool through Grade 8 students to wear their maroon polo shirt or another maroon top. We will be taking a full-school photograph to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of St. Benedict Parish. This historic photo will capture a special moment in the life of our parish and school community, and we hope to create a unified look by having all students wear maroon.

Finally, on Saturday, October 17, we are pleased to host the City of Chicago Clerk's Office Mobile City Hall at St. Benedict. This event will provide neighbors and community members access to a variety of city services without needing to travel downtown. As a school and parish committed to serving our broader community, we are grateful for opportunities like this that bring valuable resources directly to our neighborhood. Additional information can be found below.

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and support. Together, we are building a community rooted in faith, characterized by belonging, and committed to helping every child discover and develop the gifts God has given them. May God continue to bless our students, families, faculty, and staff as we journey through this school year together.

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

• Last Day to Sign Up for Middle School Croatia Trip

• Order this year’s yearbook now

• Sign up for bitty basketball

Please find listed below important dates: 

• October 8 and 9 - First trimester conferences

• October9 - No school for parent-teacher conferences

• October 12 - No school for Indigneous People’s Day

• October 13 - ALL STUDENTS Grades PK-8 Wear Maroon for all school photo

• October 15 - Kindergarten Parent Mixer

• October 16 - Preschool VIP Day

• October 17 - Mobile City Hall in GYM from 10am to 1pm - see information below

• October 23, 2026 Third Grade Rosary Prayer Service 9:30AM 

• October 25, 2026 - Father Ryan’s Installation Mass at noon with reception after

  October 29, 2026 Middle School Spooktacular 5:30-7:00 PM

• October 30, 2026 Halloween Celebrations

• November 1, 2026 All Saints Day   

• November 2, 2026 All Souls Day  

• November 2, 2026 All Souls Requiem Mass 1:30PM grades 1-8  

• November 6, 2026 No School Professional Development Day  

• November 11, 2026 - Veterans Day

• November 12, 2026 Middle School Trimester Final Exams-Math & SS 

• November 13, 2026 Middle School Trimester 1 Exams Day 2-ELA & Science 

• November 13, 2026 Last Day of Trimester 1

May God bless your family and our entire SBPS community as we continue this journey together.

Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School 

Ms. Rachel Gemo,
Head of School