Monday Mail October 25, 2021
On Thursday, October 28, we are lucky enough to be hosting Jodee Blanco, the NY Times best-selling author of Please Stop Laughing at Me... and one of the first voices of the anti-bullying movement. In fact, Jodee was recently featured on our local news as an expert weighing in on reports that the recent post office shootings were a result of workplace bullying. She will be talking to our students during the day. In the evening, she will be presenting a session for the entire family - open to all in the dicoese. Her presentation will cover:
Her own story as the target of severe school bullying, as well as what her parents and teachers did that helped; what didn’t and why; and insights from the thousands of students she has worked with across the nation. Specific, practical advice for adults on how to intervene with a victim, bully or bystander, from the rare point of view of someone who has lived through it. Insights into the plight of the Adult Survivor of Peer Abuse™ and suggestions on how to overcome those open wounds from the past. We hope you can join us for the powerful seminar, October 28th at 6:30pm in the SBA Theatre. We welcome SBA and our partner school families!
A Season Of Giving The SBA Annual Giving campaign is officially underway! This is traditionally a time of year for gratitude, and as we reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, we keep coming back to you. You chose to partner with us in the education of your child. This means that you share our value of a Catholic, Co-Ed, and College Prep education. Your children are the very heart of St. Benedict. They are the reason we all come to work every day. A gift to SBA during this Season of Giving not only helps us provide a much more comprehensive and hands-on education for our students, it also helps to protect and ensure the legacy of Catholic diocesan education in our city. Your support is needed now more than ever. Here are some ways you can show your support during the month of November. Unrestricted gifts to the SBA Annual Fund benefit Every Eagle, Every Day.
Alumni Give Thanks, Give Back Week is Nov. 15-19. A gift to your alma mater can truly have a lasting impact for future generations of Eagles. #iGive Catholic/Giving Tuesday will support a specific project related to our beautiful chapel, the heart of our campus. This restricted gift shows the power of our collective faith! However you give or the size of your donation, your support makes a difference. The Reverend Mae “Mother” Wyatt said, “When we plant a tree, we don’t plant it for ourselves but for our children.” We hope you will prayerfully consider making a gift to ensure Catholic diocesan education for students in Memphis in perpetuity.
Make a Gift Today
Grandparents and Grandfriends Mass It's hard to believe that we only have one week left in October! We want to call attention to a schedule change for this year. Class is in session next Monday, November 1st. While we have traditionally been out of school on holy days of obligation, we will be here and will celebrate mass together, in a very special way. The Most Reverend David P. Talley, Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis, is coming to preside over an all-school mass on Monday, November 1st for All Saints Day. Because we have such an honorable celebrant, we would love to invite grandparents and special "grandfriends" to attend with our students. We have sent an invitation to grandparents whose emails we have on file, but please share with any special guests that you would like to attend with your student. After the mass, which will be at 10am in the SBA Gymnasium, we will have a light reception and your students will be free to take their guest(s) on a tour of the school as well as take a photo with them. In order to accurately set up for seating on the floor for our students and their guests, please RSVP below if your student will have anyone in attendance with them. If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Van Frank, Director of Alumni.
RSVP Here
Trunk or Treat! Partner School Trunk or Treat St. Francis and St. Benedict are partnering to host a Trunk or Treat for our families and partner schools on Wednesday, October 27th from 6-7pm. The event will run between both campuses. SBA clubs, organizations and teams will be setting up cars/tables to distribute candy. Please note, there will be no vehicular traffic along the route between the two buildings after 5:45pm on Monday. We would love for you to join us for the fun family event!
Sophomore Retreat Next Wednesday, November 3rd, is our Sophomore Retreat Day. Only 10th graders, faculty and staff will be on campus - grades 10,11,12 will all be remote. Please note we have updated the school calendar on the website with retreat days, as well as home and school events. We are working on an interactive calendar feature for our website, but we hope this new version is helpful in the meantime!
Faith at St. Benedict Welcome home, Father Dexter!
Monday 10/25 No Mass
Wednesday, 10/27
Thursday, 10/28
Tuesday 10/26 8th Period Mass
Friday, 10/29
7th Period Mass
6th Period Mass
5th Period Mass 11:30-12:30pm Confession
Eucharistic Adoration at the Nest A favorite tradition at SBA is First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. Parents are needed in the Chapel during these hours each month. Please email Father Dexter to offer a time and day you would like be present with the Lord.
St. Martin De Porres Pilgrimage On Saturday, October 30, the St. Martin De Porres National Shrine, in conjunction with Modern Catholic Pilgrim, is hosting a pilgrimage for racial justice and reconciliation. The walk will begin at Immaculate Conception Cathedral at 1pm and will end at the St. Martin De Porres shrine downtown. Our Dominican sisters will be participating, so let Sister Mary Martin know if you plan to attend. You can find more information on their website: www.stmartinshrine.org. To register, click here. You can register for the walk in its entirety, or from various points along the way. The stops and the distances are outlined on the registration form.
SBA Weekly Sports Report
We are ecstatic to announce Nick Dressman as our Head Athletic Director, and Jake Garbuzinksi as our Associate Athletic Director. Both are familiar faces around the Nest! Mr. Dressman is a theology teacher and has served as the assistant Athletic Director in years past. Coach Garbuzinski is the head baseball coach. Prior to joining SBA this summer, he was a baseball coach at Rhodes, and prior to that Munford High School. With both Dressman and Garbuzinksi having a firm knowledge of TSSAA athletics, as well as a deep love of all things SBA, we are confident that the future of Athletics at SBA is in very capable hands!
Congratulations to the following Eagles for making the Commercial Appeal's Top Athletes of the Week for Bowling: Mason McHughes, Adam Fillion, Luke Trouy, Geno Siano, Sean Simoncic, Emma Drzycimski, Tori Moore and Rachel Gammill. Also, a special shout-out goes to Terri Brooks on her CA Athlete of the Week nomination, and Neely Taylor on being named 42nd in the Nation for High School Softball Players by Extra Inning Softball! Full recaps, stats and photos for all our teams can be found on our new athletics website. Be sure to check it out - recaps and photos are largely courtesy of our talented students!
SBA Boys Lacrosse Tryouts Did you know that lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America? If you are interested in playing lacrosse, you need to plan on tryouts on Saturday, October 30 from 9-11am on the SBA turf field. If you have a conflict that can't be avoided, please contact: sbaeagleslacrosse@gmail.com. Saturday, October 30 9-11am Wear tennis shoes or cleats Bring water, all your equipment and your stick (loner equipment will be available)
Lady Eagles Basketball Tryouts Coach Paul Stoddard is back and ready to lead the Lady Eagles basketball team to victory! If you want to get on board, make sure to come to tryouts from 6-8pm both November 1 and 2 in the SBA Gymnasium. Please wear basketball shoes/clothes and bring water. November 1 6:00-8:00pm November 2 6:00-8:00pm SBA Gymnasium
Boys Basketball Tryouts Coach Josh Weeden is bringing a new and infectious energy to our boys basketball program! If you are interested in playing the 2021-22 season, make sure to mark your calendars: November 1 3:30-5:30pm SBA Gymnasium
Cheer On Your Fellow Eagles At This Week's Events:
Thursday, October 29 - SBA Girls vs. SMS (All Star)
Friday, October 29 - SBA vs. CBHS (Home) 7:00pm
Saturday, October 30 - Regional Competition 4:00pm (Renasant Convention Center)
Athletic Season Passes & Game Tickets If you are planning on attending multiple sporting events this year (and you SHOULD!), consider picking up an Athletic Season Pass. Passes are good for admission for two to all SBA home events, excluding TSSAA postseason events. Don't miss out - a limited number remain! Individual game tickets will also be sold. Note - Students should use their student IDs to get in at SBA-hosted regular season games. In order to expedite entry into games, anyone attending a game at SBA who needs a ticket, should plan on purchasing via the link below prior to the game:
SBA Athletic Season Pass
Individual Game Tickets
Fan Covid Guidelines We are excited to welcome fans back to the Nest for the start of the 2021-22 home sports season. SBA
continues to follow all Shelby County and CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our students, staff, parents and guests. Masks are required for entry into the building and must be worn at all times. Fans are asked to stay as socially distanced as possible in the stands. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in removal from the building. Thank you for your understanding!
Student News DIHD Student Committee The student Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Dignity (Student DIHD) Committee contributes to creating an inviting and inclusive student environment at St. Benedict. The student DIHD collaborates with peers, teachers, and faculty to encourage diversity of thought and promote the dignity of every human person by supporting dialogue that contributes to a greater understanding and appreciation of inclusion, empathy, and the Catholic social teachings. The Student DIHD’s primary mission is Applications due by 3:15pm on October 29
to represent SBA students’ voices by engaging the entire SBA community in constructive dialogue. The goal is to empower students to further promote and develop a Christ-Centered Culture of love, compassion and unity and fostering a welcoming support system for the entire community at SBA. You can pick up an application during lunch, or from Mrs. Stoddard, Mr. Frierott, Sister Rita Marie or Kendrick Nelson.
Order Your Butter Braids for the Holidays! The ever popular sale of butter braids is back! The Junior class is raising funds for Prom through the sale of butter braids and cookie dough. They arrive frozen and ready to bake so they are the perfect items to have stocked away in the freezer as we enter the Christmas season. To order, click on the link below and then scroll down to select the student from whom you wish to order. Because they ship frozen, local orders only, please.
Order
Women's Choral Fall Concert - Monday, October 25 Ever heard the voice of an angel? How about a whole chorus of them? The Women's Chorale will
be performing their Fall Concert on Monday evening, October 25 at 6:30pm in the Chapel. Please join us!
Letter Jacket Pickup - Wednesday, October 27 If you ordered a letter jacket last month, a rep from Herff Jones will be here on Wednesday, October 27, during lunch so that you can pick up yours. You should receive an invoice in the mail this week with your balance. You will need to pay that online at www.highschool.herffjones.com, or bring money on Wednesday. Any questions, reach out to hcsampson@herffjones.com.
Are You Registered to Vote? Young people (ages 18-29) make up the largest block of eligible voters in the country. But seniors make up the largest block of people who actually cast ballots - which may mean that positions favored by youth may not be enacted. Use your voice, use your vote. Getting registered is easy! Check out these convenient options:
Online
By Mail
By App
SBA Library News The October Newsletter from the SBA Library is now available. Be sure to check it out and note the classic Halloween movie schedule!
National Honor Society Tutoring If you need tutoring, the SBA National Honor Society has several different convenient options. Take a look on quicklinks.
VFW Voices of Democracy Program Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars' premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 57,00 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme is, "America: Where do we go from here?" Please stop by the office for an application with further details.
SBA Health News COVID cases since school started: Students (20) Staff/Faculty (5) No new cases this week!
SBA COVID Policies SBA is following the Shelby County Health Department as well as for all of our COVID-19 guidelines. You can find our most current policy here. Please note that while absences due to quarantine will count as we return to preparing our students for higher learning, students will have the opportunity to remote in and keep up with classroom instruction and assignments. To see the algorithm we follow for returning to school, please click here. Please note that per Health Department guidelines, only negative PCR test results will be accepted for returning to school.
If your student will be taking any as-needed medications (Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, and/or allergy medication) during the school day, please fill out our Prescription Form, and send in with a bottle marked with your student's name. We will not share any medications amongst students. They will only receive medicine from their specially-marked bottle. If your student needs to carry an Epi Pen/Auvi Q injector or inhaler, please fill out the appropriate form and submit to Nurse Lynn.
Prescription Drug Form
Epi Pen Contract
Mark Your Calendar
Inhaler Contract
Final Friday Coffee & Conversation Please join us on Friday, October 29 for our Final Friday Coffee & Conversation series. This time, we will feature Chris Burke, Director of Advancement at SBA, and Kyle Van Frank, our Director of Alumni. November kicks off our Season of Giving with our Annual Fund Drive, a "Give Thanks, Give Back" campaign and "I Give Catholic" Tuesday. Words cannot express our gratitude to our donors. Your generous support has allowed our students to thrive in our Catholic, Co-Ed, College Prep environment. Come find out what the Office of Advancement has in store to protect and grow the St. Benedict legacy.
Free Car Wash - Sponsored by Boys Basketball November 13, 2021 Want to meet Coach Weeden and the boys basketball team ahead of the 2021-22 season? Or maybe you just want to get your car washed! Either way, come out from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, November 13 in the SBA Parking Lot. Washes are free, but donations to offset the cost of the basketball prgoram will be accepted.
Meet Me In St. Louis - SBA Theatre Fall Play The SBA Theatre Department presents MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS! This beautiful, classic musical runs November 11th through the 14th in the SBA Theater. Tickets are $15 to the public and $10 for students (reserved seating). A limited number of general admission SBA student section tickets will be sold at all three lunches for $5.
St. Michael's Church Speaker Series - Judaism & Christianity: Commonalities St. Mike's has invited the SBA community to their speaker series on November 15 at 7pm. Rabbi Micah Greenstein from Temple Israel will be sharing how we may have more in common with our Jewish brothers and sisters than we thought! To register, click on the button below.
Register
Project Graduation Trivia Night - Rescheduled for February 15, 2022! Trivia Night has been postponed to February 15, 2022. This gives you plenty of time to rewatch Baby Boom and Ferris Bueller so you are ready for our 80's Night Theme! Get your table together and reserve your spot. RSVP to Amy Iovinelli - amyiov6@gmail.com. All proceeds go towards hosting Project Graduation for our seniors.
Save the Date! - SBA Gala & Auction Mark your calendars for April 30th for "Many Eagles, One Mission," SBA's gala and silent auction. This will be an evening you don't was to miss.
Did You Know? The Daily Eagle Our students receive a newsletter every Monday though Friday called, aptly, "The Daily Eagle." There is a good bit of overlap with the Monday Mail content, but also more time-sensitive announcements, daily menu offerings, schedule changes, etc. If you would like to read The Daily Eagle, you can find that day's version by scrolling down on the "News from the Nest" page on our website and clicking on "The Daily Eagle."
SBA Business Directory If you are interested in being featured as a spotlight member of the SBA Business Directory, you can join here. We will feature a member every month.
Attendance While we certainly hope that the steps we are taking to reduce the spread of any communicable illnesses will lower overall absences this year, we know they will happen. Whenever a student must be absent from school, a parent or guardian should call the school
office (901.260.2893) or email us at attendance@sbaeagles.org before 9:00am to notify us of the reason. Upon the student's return to school, he or she must bring a doctor's note, if applicable, and a written statement signed by the parent stating the reason for the absence. This must be brought to the office before the student's first period class.
The Eagle Cafe The Eagle Cafe is back and better than ever this year. Your old favorites like the legendary cookies and meatloaf with sides haven't gone anywhere. But this year the Eagle Cafe will also feature new items, like fusion cuisine (think Korean tacos) and iced coffees from the new Java Nest. There are multiple ways to pay (declining balance cards and meal plans). Find out more about your dining options and view our current menu here.
2021-2022 Academic Calendar We are working on a new interactive calendar feature for our website. In the meantime, this School Calendar has been updated with new dates, including retreats and exam days. All dates are subject to change. Please watch for schedule announcements on social media and through Monday Mail.
Quicklinks We talk a lot about Quicklinks on the website, but we realize that they can be hard to find! Quicklinks live on the homepage. You can access them by clicking on the small gray box (pictured circled in yellow) on the scrolling banner on the homepage. We put timesensitive and current information there, as well as things like the current year's school calendar or forms you need easy access to. Of course, anytime you have questions on where to find something, feel free to call the office or contact us at communications@sbaeagles.org.
Driver's Permit - Certificate of Attendance Needed Did you know that a certificate of attendance is required for a student to get a Driver’s Permit? You may pick up a form in the front office during office hours. Please have the student's Social Security Number to complete the form.
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God Bless & Go Eagles!