The Buzz

Dear SBPS Parents and Guardians,

Tomorrow, our nation pauses to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. For many adults, the memories of that day remain vivid. I was teaching middle school at St. Ferdinand at the time, and I still remember the uncertainty, sorrow, and unity that followed. As we reflect on this anniversary, we are reminded of the enduring importance of the values that emerged in the aftermath: compassion, community, service, resilience, and respect for the dignity of every human person.

At St. Benedict Preparatory School, one of our root beliefs is that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Our mission calls us to form young people who recognize the inherent dignity of others, build meaningful relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. In a world that continues to face division and conflict, we remain committed to helping our students become people of faith, peace, justice, and hope. I invite all members of our school community to join me in praying for those who lost their lives on September 11, for their families, for our nation, and for peace throughout the world.

This past Wednesday, our students were blessed to participate in a truly special Mass with Archbishop Sorrentino of Assisi, Italy. The Archbishop brought relics of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and Blessed Carlo Acutis and shared with students the rich tradition of relics within our Catholic faith. The experience provided a powerful opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the Communion of Saints and to recognize the many ways God continues to work through the lives and witness of holy men and women.

Students also entrusted prayer intentions to the Archbishop, who will carry them back to Assisi. In addition, each student received a blessed Blessed Carlo Acutis "Tiny Saint" charm, which became a third-class relic after being touched to the first-class relic brought by the Archbishop. We hope these charms serve as a reminder of Blessed Carlo's example of holiness, his love for the Eucharist, and his witness that sainthood is attainable in our modern world. We are grateful to Archbishop Sorrentino for sharing this remarkable experience with our students and community.

Another exciting event this weekend is our annual Baby & Kids Garage Sale, taking place on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. Thank you to the many families who have generously donated items and volunteered their time to support this longstanding tradition. The Garage Sale is more than a fundraiser; it is an example of our community living out the values of stewardship, service, and generosity while welcoming families from across the Chicagoland area to our campus.

While many volunteers have already stepped forward, we are still in need of additional help during setup, throughout the day on Saturday, and during cleanup. Specifically, we are in need of volunteers to help out TOMORROW or on Saturday midday or for clean up. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents, strengthen connections within our school community, and contribute to an event that benefits so many families. If you are able, please consider signing up through the volunteer link below.

On Friday, we will also celebrate our annual Home & School Association FUN RUN. This year's Boosterthon theme, Global Kitchen, focuses on the character traits of patience, generosity, creativity, reliability, and adaptability. These virtues align closely with our commitment to forming students of strong character who use their gifts to serve others and make a positive difference in the world. Funds raised through the FUN RUN directly support many initiatives that enrich the student experience, including teacher appreciation programs, parent education opportunities, community-building events, classroom enhancements (maps, globes and classroom rugs), and campus improvement projects (teacher lounge upgrades!). We are grateful for the support of our Home & School Association and all the families who make these opportunities possible.

Parents and family members are welcome to join us throughout the day to cheer on our students. The FUN RUN is always filled with excitement, school spirit, and fellowship. We hope you will join us for this joyful celebration of community.

FUN RUN SCHEDULE

• 8:45AM-9:30AM: PreK 

• 9:45AM-10:45AM: K & 1st 

• 11:00AM-Noon: 2nd & 3rd 

• 12:15PM-1:15PM: 4th& 5th 

• 1:40PM-2:40PM: Middle School Color Run 

Finally, it is important that we regularly test our emergency notification system so that we are prepared in the event of a real emergency. On Friday at 5:00 p.m., all school families should receive both a phone call and a text message through BluePoint indicating that this is a system test. If you receive both notifications, no action is required. If you do not receive either message, please contact Karen Leiva at kleiva@stbenedict.com so we can ensure your contact information is accurate and up to date.

Thank you for the many ways you partner with us in the formation of your children. Together, we are building a faith-filled community where students are known, valued, challenged, and loved; where academic excellence and faith formation go hand in hand; and where young people are encouraged to use their God-given gifts in service to others.

May God bless our school community as we remember the lessons of September 11, celebrate the gift of our Catholic faith, and continue our shared mission of forming disciples, scholars, and leaders who bring Christ's light to the world.

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

• Baby and Kids Garage Sale - Shop or Volunteer….or Both! See information below.

• Last chance to sign up for Tuesday CHESS Club or Sarah Hall Theatre Club options - see information below

• Introductory Video about Learning Portrait

Please find listed below important dates: 

• 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 13 - HSA PK and K playdate in the courtyard

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

• Sept 18 - 12th Annual PK-8 Fun Run in the courtyard - thank you for supporting out HSA!

• Sept 18 - Mrs. Moore’s Last Day - God bless Mrs. Moore’s retirement!

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

• Sept 27 - OktoberFest Carnival arrives - look out for parking restrictions (more to come)

• Oct 1 - Fall Picture Retakes and SIBLING photos from 7:30 to 8:30AM (more information to come)

• Oct 2-4 - OktoberFest Weekend - get your Megapasses today!

• Oct 2 - No School Professional Development Day for grades PK-8

May God bless us all! 

Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School 

Ms. Rachel Gemo,
Head of School