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Wednesday, August 30, 2023 - Volume 16, Issue 1
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Message from Administration
On behalf of the administration team, we are excited to welcome you back for the 2023/24 school year!
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St. Benedict has long been a place that is “A Celebration of People” and we will continue to embrace that tradition.
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We are pleased to welcome Vice-Principal Leisha Craftchick and Vice-Principal Matt Anderton to the admin team, both of which are returning to the St. Benedict community in new roles. We know that their unique gifts will contribute to the fantastic learning culture at St. Benedict.
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As an admin team we look forward to working with you as partners in Catholic Education.
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We greatly value the home as the first teacher of a child and believe firmly in developing positive school to home connections.
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Wishing you the best as we embark on a new academic year!
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First day of School: Tuesday, September 5
Please remember to wear your UNIFORM on the First Day – NO CIVVIES ON FIRST DAY!
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The first day of school will be a full, normal school day with normal bell schedule.
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Please remember to use your locker!
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Admin Team
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Stay Connected with
St. Benedict's!
Twitter
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2023 Important School Start Up Information
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Registration Information & Timetables
Student timetables and locker information are accessible through the Aspen Student Portal. Students and families will be notified of the publication of schedules to the Aspen portal via School Messenger/Newswire. Please visit our website at St. Benedict Start Up Procedures & Information for more information and instructions.
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If students are experiencing difficulty accessing their timetables through the Aspen Portal, they are welcomed to come to the main office for assistance on the first day of school.
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Locker information has been uploaded into Aspen and should be available in the student portal. Students can log into their Aspen account. Once in the portal, the information is located on the “My Info” tab.
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Uniforms
Uniform policy will be in effect starting the first day of school. Spirit wear days will continue as in the past (spirit tops with uniform bottoms on Wednesdays). Civvies days will be communicated via the St. Benedict School Year Calendar and morning announcements.
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A previously owned uniform distribution event will take place on Thursday, August 31st in the school cafeteria. The shop will also run the first few weeks of school for students that cannot make the August sale.
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School Cash Online
Mandatory consent forms and fees are accessible through School Cash Online beginning in September. Forms are to be completed by the end of September.
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Instructions, a detailed checklist, and information documents by grade level can be found on our school website. Click here to be redirected.
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SCOL notes for students over the age of 18:
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- If a parent has an account and has the student attached, then yes, they will still receive notifications regardless of the student’s age. SCOL doesn’t remove students from a parent’s account when they turn 18.
- If the student wants to complete the forms themselves, they will have to create an account and add themselves as a student. However, the parent will still have an account and receive the same notifications and be able to complete the forms as a student can be picked up in SCOL by more than one person.
Bus Route Information 2023-2024
Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) has announced that bus route information for the 2023-2024 school year is available as of Monday, August 21, 2023, on their website.
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STSWR website login instructions:
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Catholic School Advisory Council
St. Benedict C.S.S. sees family involvement as one of its main priorities; our CSAC council is a group of parents, teacher, and administors that are dedicated to making St. Benedict a great place for all students to learn and grow. On behalf of our school community, we would like to thank the many members who contributed to the success of the 2022-2023 school year. We look forward to welcoming all returning members, as well as individuals who are new to our school community and are intersted in joining this dynamic group. Our first CSAC meeting for the 2023-2024 school year is schedule for Thursday, September 28th from 6:00PM-8:00PM. Meetings are held in room 111.
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If you wish to nominate yourself or another parent/guardian, please complete the nomination form on School Cash Online or visit our school website for further information and instructions.
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If you have questions or require further information, please feel free to contact the school or Jordan Figueirdo at Jordan.Figueirdo@wcdsb.ca.
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PARENTS! Important Registration Information
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All parents need to ensure their students are registered for School Cash Online. When registering, please be sure to use legal names and correct birth date format shown on the registration page. Once registered, please complete all St. Benedict Start up Fees for all students in your home attending St. Benedict CSS by September 30, 2023.
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Bennie's Buddies are Back!
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Bennie’s Buddies is a student-to-student program created to help Grade 9s in their transition to high school. The program is designed to help create an environment where Grade 9 students learn that people at the school care about them and their future by providing support, connections, and a sense of comfort and belonging.
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Transition to high school can be a major event in the life of a teen. Bennie’s Buddies eases the stress of the transition by having older students guide the Grade 9s in their discovery of what it takes to be successful in high school. It begins with Head Start and the first day of school where the leaders will welcome students into the building, help with lockers and finding their classes, and continues once a month during their homeroom class with academic and social follow-ups throughout the year! Look for the Blue and White "B a Buddy" Tee-Shirts! If you have any questions about this program, please contact Sarah Spitzig at sarah.spitzig@wcdsb.ca.
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Hey Grade 9's look for these shirts during the first week of school for help with lockers, schedules or any questions you may have!
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Looking to unsubscribe from the BENN?
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Has your son or daughter has left the St. Benedict community? Follow the link at the bottom of the newsletter or send an email to the Editor and we will take care of that for you.
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Looking for a quick way to navigate all things WCDSB for parents?
Check out the Board website for information and information pertaining to Aspen Portal, Brightspace, School Cash Online, Transportation updates, and other resources
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Who is your Guidance Counsellor?
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Counsellor’s Name
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Ext
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Last names
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Dh – Ho, International students
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2023 Start Up Course Change Requests
The last day to submit course change requests for Semester 1 is Monday, September 11th by 3:00pm.
Course Change Requests
Students and families need to recognize it is not always possible to make changes to existing student schedules. Some courses are already full or conflict with another course making it impossible to take them this school year. Students requesting a possible course change must fill out the form located in the link below.
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- Complete an online request form for your guidance counsellor (assigned based on your last name) on the school's Guidance page. To access and complete the form, simply click the plus sign beside your counsellor’s name.
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- Have your parent/guardian email your Guidance Counsellor that they approve of the request for course change (this is not a guarantee the course change can be made).
- Guidance will then contact students via phone, email or call into their existing classes once the form has been filled out and we have heard from a parent/guardian.
Please be aware that guidance will be prioritizing “Essential Changes” according to the criteria below:
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ESSENTIAL CHANGES
- In grade 9, 10 or 11 and do not have 8 courses on their timetable.
- Failed a course last year or last semester and no longer have the prerequisite for a course on their timetable.
- In grade 12 or year 5 and do not have enough courses on their schedule to reach 30 credits/graduate by the end of this year.
- Level changes (for example moving from academic to applied).
- Missing a prerequisite course for entry into a post-secondary institution.
- Have a course in their schedule in which a credit was already earned.
Please understand that we cannot accommodate teacher requests or requests to be in classes with friends.
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We want to thank you for following the course request change process and for your understanding and patience while we work together to support students and families in a successful school year.
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Junior Boys Soccer
All grade 9 and 10 boys interested in trying out for the junior boys soccer team please come to an important meeting in portable 7 on Wednesday September 6th at lunch. If you cannot make the meeting you must let either Mr. Dufresne or Mr. Radic in the PHE office know.
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All athletes need to pick up and submit a signed waiver in order to tryout. Tryouts will begin on Thursday September 7th at 2:15 on the back field. Don’t forget your cleats, shin guards and water bottles.
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St. Benedict Cross Country
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Please meet in room 308 after school on Tuesday, September 5th for an important information meeting! We are looking forward to a fun and exciting season this year! Please contact Mrs. Spitzig or Mr. Porto for more info!
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Arts Extracurricular Info Meeting
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Are you interested in auditioning for plays? Joining bands or choir? Being a part of tech crew? Getting involved in arts battles? Performing at coffee house? Promoting arts at Bennies? There will be an information meeting at the beginning of lunch on Wednesday Sept 6 in room 104. Contact Mr. Renner or Mrs. O'Brien McKinnon for more details.
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Doctor Who Club is Back...and it's about TIME!
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DOCTOR WHO CLUB returns on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8th after school in room 226. Join us every week for pizza, companionship, and the joy of watching both new & classic episodes of the world's longest running science fiction series. There will be a welcome back prize raffle to celebrate the new year, and all new members are welcome.
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We will be preparing for this November's 60th anniversary, featuring the return of David Tennant and the imminent arrival of the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. The Doctor stole his TARDIS and ran away from his people to adventure in time and space...come to DOCTOR WHO CLUB and experience those adventures first hand.
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Watch this space in the coming issues for hints and tips from our library staff!
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Thursday, August 31
9:00am: Used uniform sale - GRADE 9
12:00pm: Used uniform sale - GRADES 10-12
Monday, September 4
Labour Day
Tuesday, September 5
First Day of School - FULL UNIFORM REQUIRED
8:00am: Classes begin
2:15pm: Cross Country information meeting
Wednesday, September 6
BENN Newsletter release
10:40am: Arts Extracurricular info meeting
10:40am: Jr. Boys soccer: info meeting
Friday, September 8
2:15pm: Doctor Who club
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Be sure to check out the calendar on the school website for updates!
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