COVID-19: Information & Procedures

June 10, 2020

Summer Phase 2020 Book/Supplies List

Because we cannot hand out books and supplies at school since we are virtual for Summer Phase, a book & supplies list is copied below. It's just like college: see if any of your scheduled courses are on the list, and purchase the supplies indicated. ALL FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE A CREDIT ON THEIR FACTS ACCOUNTS TO OFFSET COSTS. However, if you are really smart, you'll follow the advice on the book list and cut your costs. HAVE YOUR BOOKS AND SUPPLIES WITH YOU AT HOME BY THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER PHASE, 6 JULY 2020.

Summer Phase 2020 Book/Supplies List

Course names are in italics.
Prices quoted on this list are from Amazon, but use whatever vendor you wish for physical books or ebooks.
Consider buying used books, which help both the environment and your wallet!

You must have your books/supplies in your possession by the first day of class, which is 6 July 2020.

"Ta-Nehisi Coates" (Mr. Onion):
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
13.11 hardcover
12.99 Kindle

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates
12.59 paperback
4.99 Kindle

"The Global Melting Pot" (Mr. Rodriguez):
City of Thorns by Ben Rawlence
11.39 paperback
9.99 Kindle

"The 60s"(Fr. Augustine):
The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960s by David Farber
14.99 paperback
11.99 Kindle

"History of Science" (Dr. Lansang):
A Little History of Science by William Bynum
11.59 paperback
7.99 Kindle

"Toxicology" (Dr. Lansang):
The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum|
13.99 paperback
4.99 Kindle

"Myth & the Mythic" (Mr. Riley):
Tales of the Greek Heroes (Puffin Classics) by Roger Lancelyn Green and Rick Riordan
5.99 paperback

"Guns, Germs, & Steel" (Mr. Riley):
Guns, Germs & Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
14.29 paperback
10.74 Kindle

"Kindle Catholicism & Film" (Br. Patrick):
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth (3rd Ed.) by Brian Singer-Towns
25.95 paperback

"Intro to Humanities" (Msr. Lodato):
Study Skills for High School Students by Carol Carter
14.04 paperback
7.99 Kindle

"Vietnam" (Mr. Miseo):
The Vietnam War: A Concise International History by Mark Atwood Lawrence, et als.
16.99 paperback
9.07 Kindle

"Pacific War" (Mr. Miseo):
The Pacific War: The Strategy, Politics, and Players that won the War by William Hopkins
19.99 paperback
13.49 Kindle

"Leadership 1, 2 and 3" (Messrs. White, Molina and McFraland)
I'm Still Here | Black Dignity in a World made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
16.99 hardcover
7.99 Kindle

"Drama Workshop and Intro into Psychology" (Ms. Flynn and Dr. Lamourt):
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs
13.93 paperback
12.99 Kindle

"Beginning and Advanced Drumline" (Dr. Fletcher):
Sticks: $8.66: (Click here to purchase)
8” drum pad: $15.16: (Click here to purchase)

"Zines" (Mrs. Wye-Hunsinger):
Dixon Oriole Presharpened Pencils (12 #2 pencils) $2.82 (if you already have #2 pencils, that’s fine): (Click here to purchase)
Sakura Pigma 30061 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set, Black Ass't Point Size Ct set (01, 03, 05) $7.78: (Click here to purchase)
Sakura 38081 Pigma Blister Card Brush pen, Black $6.44: (Click here to purchase)
Hammermill Copy Plus 20lb Paper, 8.5 x 11, 1 Ream, 500 Total Sheets, 92 Bright, Acid Free, Economical Printer Paper 105007R $5.00: (Click here to purchase)
Prang Thick Core Colored Pencils, 3.3 millimeter cores, 7 inch length, Assorted colors, 12 count (22120) $3.99: (Click here to purchase)

June 9, 2020

The main dress code is as follows:

Prep Division / Senior members: Black SBP hoodie, black pants and black dress shoes

9th grade & Transfers: Gray SBP hoodie, khaki pants and brown dress shoes
(NB: Transfer students: when ordering uniforms, please tell the store you are a 9th grader to avoid confusion. This will have no bearing on your actual grade in school)

During the warmer months students may be allowed to wear the SBP polo shirt of the same color.

Click below to order uniforms for Summer 2020:
English:

Español

June 8, 2020

St. Benedict's providing meals for our community through the summer

Since the move to remote learning, St. Benedict's has continued to supply nearly 25 families with Breakfast and Lunch each week. We have the ability to continue to do so, even through the summer. In order to ensure that we are ordering the proper amount of food and that we are not wasting food, we need all families who are interested in receiving meals to complete the attached survey. Your child does not need to be eligible for free or reduced breakfast/lunch to receive meals at this time. Meals are delivered every Monday for the entire week and are available for pick up at the school after 9:00 AM on Mondays.

We are asking anyone who wishes to receive meals to complete this survey, even if you have been receiving meals over these last several weeks.

May 27, 2020

Personal Item Retrieval / School Property Return

Dear Parents,

We are aware that there are a number of students from all divisions of the school who left personal items behind when we closed the doors in mid-March. Many students have items in their desks, cubbies, classrooms, or lockers that they have been unable to retrieve.

In addition, many students, from all divisions, have school property such as textbooks, calculators, team uniforms, instruments, and other SBP-owned items which were issued to them on the condition that they be returned at the end of the year (or season).

The policy below outlines plans that have been made for students to retrieve personal items AND drop off school property in the coming weeks. Please pay careful attention to the dates and procedures so that this process can be efficient and safe for everyone involved:

PREP DIVISION

Items may be picked and/or returned at the following times:

Friday, June 12, 2020: 9 a.m. - 12 noon & 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 2020: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Glass doors of Cawley Hall (which lead to the auditorium)

Before you arrive:

• SBP personnel have bagged all items from lockers and prepared them for pick up.
  • Bags are labeled by locker number
  • Make sure you know your (your son’s) locker number

• Clearly label anything that is being returned to the school:
  • Textbooks: Please tape a piece of paper to the cover of the textbook indicating your name, your teacher, and your block.
  • Other items (uniforms, warm-ups, calculators, etc)*:
    • Please place in a plastic bag (shopping or garbage) and CLEARLY LABEL ON THE OUTSIDE:
    • Student Name
    • What is in the bag
    • Who the bag should be returned to (teacher, coach, team)

*If you have multiple things to return to different people (ie, a track uniform and warm-up and a calculator for calculus) please place these in separate plastic bags - 1 for track items and 1 for calculus - each labeled as above.

*All baseball, crew and track teams need to drop off all school owned uniforms and equipment. Everything must be cleaned before returning and labeled with the student’s name/spor

Arriving by car:

• A pick-up lane will be established along the front side of the school building (north-bound on King Blvd.)
  • Entrance to this lane will be in front of the church at the corner of William St. and King Blvd.
• STAY IN YOUR CAR until signaled.
• Once you are in the lane call 973-792-5751
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, student name and locker number
    • Color, make, model of your vehicle
    • Your call back number
• STAY IN YOUR CAR
• When you arrive at the front of the line (directly in front of the glass doors of Cawley Hall) a member of the SBP staff will place your (son’s) bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW GET OUT OF YOUR CAR
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CAR.
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

Walk-up Procedures (FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED):

• Persons who do not arrive by personal vehicle are welcome to line up in front of Cawley Hall while maintaining social distancing.
  • Markers will be placed on the sidewalk indicating 6 ft of separation.
• DO NOT APPROACH THE TABLE OR DOORS
• When you arrive, please call 973-792-5751 to let us know you are present.
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, student name and locker number
    • Your call back number
• When you arrive at the front of the line a member of the SBP staff will place your (son’s) bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW APPROACH THE TABLE
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE AREA.
  • Please immediately begin walking away from the area so that the process may continue for others.
    • DO NOT CHECK THE CONTENTS OF YOUR BAG HERE
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

If you later discover that there are items missing, you are welcome to contact Mrs. Tuorto at mtuorto@sbp.org.

MIDDLE DIVISION

Items may be picked and/or returned at the following times:

Friday, June 12, 2020: 9 aa.m. - 12 noon & 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 2020: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Side door to Mary Room on William St. (next to dismissal gate)

Before you arrive:

• SBP personnel have bagged all items from cubbie and prepared them for pick up.
  • Bags are labeled by cubbie number
  • Make sure you know your (your child’s) cubbie number

• Clearly label anything that is being returned to the school:
  • Textbooks: Please tape a piece of paper to the cover of the textbook indicating your name, your teacher, and your block.
  • Other items (uniforms, warm-ups, calculators, etc)*:
    • Please place in a plastic bag (shopping or garbage) and CLEARLY LABEL ON THE OUTSIDE:
    • Student Name
    • What is in the bag
    • Who the bag should be returned to (teacher, coach, team)

*If you have multiple things to return to different people (ie, a track uniform and warm-up and a calculator for calculus) please place these in separate plastic bags - 1 for track items and 1 for calculus - each labeled as above.

Arriving by car:

• A pick-up lane will be established along the side of the property (west-bound on William St.)
  • Entrance to this lane will be alongside the soccer field on William St.
• STAY IN YOUR CAR until signaled.
• Once you are in the lane call 973-792-5741
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, student name and locker number
    • Color, make, model of your vehicle
    • Your call back number
• STAY IN YOUR CAR
• When you arrive at the front of the line (directly in front of the Side door to the Mary Room) a member of the SBP staff will place your child's ) bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW GET OUT OF YOUR CAR
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CAR.
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

Walk-up Procedures (FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED):

• Persons who do not arrive by personal vehicle are welcome to line up alongside the wall next to St. Mary’s Church while maintaining social distancing.
  • Markers will be placed on the sidewalk indicating 6 ft of separation.
• DO NOT APPROACH THE TABLE OR DOORS
• When you arrive, please call 973-792-5741 to let us know you are present.
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, student name and locker number
    • Your call back number
• When you arrive at the front of the line a member of the SBP staff will place your (child’s) bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW APPROACH THE TABLE
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE AREA.
  • Please immediately begin walking away from the area so that the process may continue for others.
    • DO NOT CHECK THE CONTENTS OF YOUR BAG HERE
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

If you later discover that there are items missing, you are welcome to contact Mr. Duffy at jduffy@sbp.org.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION

Items may be picked and/or returned at the following times:

Saturday, June 13, 2020: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Glass doors of Cawley Hall (to the left of the 520 entrance and leads to the auditorium)

Before you arrive:

• SBP personnel have bagged all items from desks and classrooms and prepared them for pick up.
  • Bags are labeled with the student's name.

• Clearly label anything that is being returned to the school:
  • Textbooks: Please tape a piece of paper to the cover of the textbook indicating your name and grade.
  • Grade 6A: Please return the novel "Amos Fortune."
  • Grade 6B: Please return the novel "Sounder."
    • Please place in a plastic bag (shopping or garbage) and CLEARLY LABEL ON THE OUTSIDE:
    • Student Name
    • What is in the bag
    • Who the bag should be returned to (teacher's name and grade)

Arriving by car:

• A pick-up lane will be established along the front side of the school building (north-bound on King Blvd.).
  • Entrance to this lane will be in front of the church at the corner of William St. and King Blvd.
• STAY IN YOUR CAR until signaled.
• Once you are in the lane call 973-792-5726
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, student name
    • Color, make, model of your vehicle
    • Your call back number
• STAY IN YOUR CAR
• When you arrive at the front of the line (directly in front of the glass doors at Cawley Hall) a member of the SBP staff will place your child's bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW GET OUT OF YOUR CAR
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CAR.
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

Walk-up Procedures (FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED):

• Persons who do not arrive by personal vehicle are welcome to line up in front of Cawley Hall while maintaining social distancing.
  • Markers will be placed on the sidewalk indicating 6 ft of separation.
• DO NOT APPROACH THE TABLE OR DOOR
• When you arrive, please call 973-792-5726 to let us know you are present.
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Are you picking up items, dropping off items, or both?
    • If picking up, give student's name
    • Your call back number
• When you arrive at the front of the line a member of the SBP staff will place your (child’s) bag on a table and then signal for you to approach and step back from the table.
  • YOU CAN NOW APPROACH THE TABLE
• You can bring any items you are dropping off and place them on the table. At the same time, you can retrieve the bag from the table.
• For a receipt, you are welcome to take a quick photo of the items you are dropping off as they are on the table.
• PLEASE IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE AREA.
  • Please immediately begin walking away from the area so that the process may continue for others.
    • DO NOT CHECK THE CONTENTS OF YOUR BAG HERE
  • A member of the SBP staff will now collect your items from the table and store them appropriately.

If you later discover that there are items missing, you are welcome to contact Sr. Ann at agass@sbp.org..

June 4, 2020 - NJDOE PARENT SURVEY - DUE JUNE 8

Dear Parents,

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has sent a survey for all parents of students in grades K-12 to complete regarding the re-opening of schools in the state. The links in both English and Spanish are below. It is extremely important that this is completed by Monday, June 8th.

IMPORTANT: Please enter the following information in Question #14:
"My child attends a non-public school in Newark." or "Mi hijo/a no asiste a una escuela pública."

From Fr. Edwin: This survey is very important for our plans going forward. The Governor has done an excellent job managing the crisis of COVID-19; and I anticipate the St. Benedict’s community will provide a robust response.

Click below to complete the survey:

English: NJDOE parent survey
Spanish: NJDOE encuesta para padres

Thank you.

May 28, 2020

Brothers and Sisters,

Graduation for the class of 2020 will be held virtually as planned, following the counsel of physician advisors and the directives of the Cardinal Archbishop of Newark. We continue to discuss and plan to reunite for a post-Graduation celebration at a time when it is deemed safe and responsible to do so.

More information regarding the Virtual Graduation Ceremony is forthcoming.

Fr. Ed

May 14, 2020

CHANGES TO SUMMER TERM, AND MORE, FROM FATHER EDWIN

Brothers and Sisters,

Due to the challenges associated with remote learning, and concerns about students having extended periods of time without structured things to do, the faculty and a committee of students have recommended moving First Term/Summer Phase for this Summer. Therefore, First Term will begin on Monday, July 6 and continue until Friday, August 7. We will then take a break and resume with Fall Term after Labor Day.

Given all of the current information, First Term will be held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. Our schedule during this term will be similar to our current with synchronous classes being held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while asynchronous work will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will, however, extend the length of classes from the current 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Also, Fall/Winter Term course selection forms for the next academic year were due from current freshmen, UD1, and UD2 students on Friday, May 1. All students received an email with the form and instructions on what to do, and one of those instructions was to discuss with a parent. Please remind your son about this important task. We have only received responses from 60% of students, and failure to complete the form will result in electives being chosen for your son.

Thank you for your assistance. Courage!
Fr. Edwin

• Admissions Office - call 973-792-5719 or email mgallo@sbp.org
• Advancement Office - call 973-792-5777 or email mfazio@sbp.org
• Business Office - 973-792-5757 or dchahalis@sbp.org
• Financial Aid Office - call 973-792-5744 or dlamourt@sbp.org

All practices, games, and meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Mr. Jean-Baptiste has been sending detailed information to all UDIIs and Seniors over the last week with information about SATs, college admissions, college financial aid, and more. Please make sure that your son is regularly checking his email as there are a number of action items that are needed.

We will hold Virtual Convo on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. All are invited to participate.

Links to each day's Virtual Convo will be emailed to students and posted on our Social Media channels.

Click here to visit our YouTube channel to join our live Virtual Convos or watch them on replay.

Convocation continues to be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 AM. The link for convocation is sent out by email posted on the school's web page the day before. All are welcome and encouraged to join us for convocation.

CONVOCATION IS MANDATORY FOR ALL MIDDLE AND PREP DIVISION STUDENTS. Middle and Prep division students are required to log into their group "MEET" at 8:20 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. From there attendance will be taken. Students are to remain in their group "MEET" throughout convocation.

Google Classroom and Google Meet will be used to allow counseling groups to continue. Students who attend these groups will be invited to the appropriate Classroom or Hangout group to participate.

• Students who receive individual counseling should make arrangements with their specific counselor to continue.
• Students in crisis or in need of immediate attention should contact the front desk of the school at 973-792-5739. Referrals will be made from there.
• The school buildings will be accessible for anyone in urgent need of a place to go.

Click here to read helpful information to manage anxiety during this crisis.

The best way to stop the spread of any virus is to prevent it from moving from one person to another. According to the best available information, the best way to avoid transmission of the coronavirus is to wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Since the virus seems to be spread primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces, this is the single most important thing people can do to stop the spread. To that end, we are encouraging everyone to:

• Wash Hands: Wash hands frequently throughout the day. Vigorously scrub hands (especially fingers) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching face: Avoid touching eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
• Carry tissues: Coughing or sneezing into tissue is more sanitary than clothing.
• Wash clothing: Frequent washing of clothing (especially school hoodies) is important for general hygiene. (Please note: if people are coughing or sneezing into their clothing, the clothing is now contaminated.)
• Clean phones, computer keyboards, headphones / airpods and other electronic equipment regularly. Check with manufacturers about proper ways to disinfect equipment without damaging it.

For elder members of our community, including alumni, we offer the following important information from the CDC: COVID-19 AND ELDER PEOPLE

Any parents who require official notification from the school that St. Benedict's is not in session and therefore home child care is needed, please email Michelle Tuorto at mtuorto@sbp.org. She will assist you with the documentation you need.

Financial aid forms for the 2020-2021 school year were due on Friday. If you have not completed your form on FACTS, please do so immediately to ensure that we can provide the most financial support possible. This includes current 6th graders.

3) Thanks to the Archdiocese of Newark, we now have a list of schools and food pantries that are serving families in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties (Click here to see the list). In many cases, they are serving ALL STUDENTS regardless of whether or not you typically receive free or reduced meals. Check with your local distribution site for more information. If you requested meals from us and no longer require them (perhaps because there is a more convenient location), please email Dr. Cassidy at gcassidy@sbp.org in order to remove your child's name from the list.