The Buzz

Dear SBPS Parents and Guardians,

As we complete another week of the school year, I continue to be grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment that our students bring to campus each day. While the late-summer heat has certainly made its presence known, our classrooms have been filled with curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning experiences. It has been a joy to see students growing in confidence, building new friendships, and embracing the opportunities and challenges of a new school year.

On Monday, students in Grades 1-8 gathered for our first All-School Bengal Assembly. Throughout the year, these monthly assemblies will help us strengthen our school culture, celebrate student achievement, foster a sense of belonging, and reinforce the values and expectations that help our community thrive. I was especially proud of how students supported one another and participated with enthusiasm and respect. Moments like these remind us that St. Benedict Prep is more than a school; it is a faith-filled community where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Thank you to the many parents and guardians who attended our Back-to-School Night on Wednesday. We appreciate your partnership and your commitment to your child's education. One of our core beliefs is that students flourish when school and family work together in support of their growth and formation. This year, we introduced a new format by hosting all K-8 presentations on a single evening. We believe this change offered benefits for families, but we would greatly appreciate your feedback. If you attended, please take a few minutes to complete the survey below so we can continue improving the experience for future years.

Next week, our students will continue the i-Ready Fall Diagnostic Assessment, with a focus on reading. I am proud of the effort and perseverance our students demonstrated during the mathematics assessment this week. Their readiness, focus, and positive attitude are a testament to the support they receive both at home and at school. The information gathered through these diagnostics helps teachers better understand each student's strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to provide the support, challenge, and encouragement needed for every child to succeed.

We are also blessed with a unique faith-filled opportunity on Wednesday when students in Grades 2-8 will participate in a special Mass celebrated with Archbishop Sorrentino of Assisi, Italy. The Archbishop will bring relics of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and Blessed Carlo Acutis and will share with students the importance of relics within our Catholic tradition. In preparation, our teachers will help students learn about these holy men and women and reflect on the role of the saints in our faith journey. Students will also have the opportunity to write prayer intentions that Archbishop Sorrentino will bring back with him to Assisi. This promises to be a memorable experience that deepens our students' understanding of the Communion of Saints and our connection to the universal Church.

Also on Wednesday, we will launch this year's FUN RUN, sponsored by the Home and School Association. This year's theme, Global Kitchen, promises to bring plenty of excitement and fun to our community. Funds raised through the FUN RUN support many important initiatives, including teacher appreciation efforts, community-building events, and special projects that enhance the student experience. We are grateful to our Home and School Association for all they do to strengthen our school community and support our mission.

Finally, the annual Baby & Kids Garage Sale will take place on Saturday, September 12. Thank you to the many families who have already donated items. This event has become a beloved tradition that welcomes families from throughout the area while raising funds that benefit our school community. We still have one final donation drop-off on September 8, and we are especially in need of volunteers. If you have not yet signed up, please consider offering a few hours of your time. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve the school, meet other families, and contribute to an event that has a meaningful impact on our community.

As we approach the Labor Day weekend, I invite all of us to pause and give thanks for the many blessings God has entrusted to us. We are grateful for the gift of family, the opportunity to learn and grow together, and the dedicated faculty, staff, and parents who make St. Benedict Preparatory School such a special place. May this long weekend provide your family with time for rest, renewal, and joyful moments together.

Thank you for your partnership and for entrusting your children to St. Benedict Prep. Together, let us continue to build 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 bless you and your family throughout the days ahead.

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

• Back to School Night Parent Feedback Survey

• Please consider volunteering for the Garage Sale!

• Fall Picture Day information

Please find listed below important dates: 

• Sept 7 - No School - Labor Day - Happy End of Summer

• Sept 8 - Happy Birthday Father Ryan!

• Sept 8 - iReady Reading Diagnostics begin at 8:05AM Day 1

• Sept 8 LAST GARAGE SALE DONATION DROP OFF 6-8PM

• Sept 9 HSA FUN RUN KICK OFF DAY

• Sept 10 iReady Reading Diagnostics Day #2 - Begins at 8:05AM

• Sept 10 FALL PORTRAIT Day - grades PK-8 - see below for more info

• Sept 11 - Deadline to sign up for Sarah Hall Theatre Clubs and Tuesday Chess Club

• Sept 12 - GARAGE SALE begins at 8AM (please sign up to volunteer!)

• Sept 14 - Registration Deadline for Grades 4-8 Basketball Teams - See info below

• Sept 20 - Fall Athletic Mass 10AM in Church - for all FALL STUDENT Athletes and their families (it’s also DONUT SUNDAY)

May God bless us all! 

Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School 

Ms. Rachel Gemo,
Head of School