Benefield Parent Newsletter
Titans United: Together We Shine
April 2, 2021
Greetings Benfield Parents and Guardians-
Starting this month, all students in grades 3-5 will begin taking the Georgia Milestone Assessment (GMAS). These assessments will be used to assess student mastery of the AKS. The test administration dates are below. Please make sure your child is in school every day for these important assessments.
Good test taking tips for parents include a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and coming to school on time. Thank you for your continued support. Please continue reading to find out what is going on in and around Benefield.
Proud to serve you,
Mrs. Stevens
GMAS Testing Dates (April 22-May 21)
Calendar of Events
April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day(WAAD)
April 5 - 9 - Spring Break
April 12 - 16 - Virtual Book Mobile
April 17 - Saturday Intervention, 8:45 a.m.
May Calendar of Events
May 1 - Saturday Intervention, 8:45 a.m.
May 20 - PreK- 4th Grade End of Year Virtual Awards Ceremony, 6:00 pm
May 24-25 - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Do you need help preparing for GMAS?
Turn Your Photos Into Gifts!
Click here to order: http://benefieldes.shutterflystorefront.com/
Lost and Damaged Chromebooks
Please supervise your children as they use school issued technology to support their learning. Parents will be responsible for reimbursement to the school for damage to school property. This includes lost or damaged books or technology equipment such as Chromebooks.
Things to Do At Home With Your Children
K-2
Enlarge your child's vocabulary with a few big words
Your child's vocabulary may be filled with short, simple words. But you don't have to speak to him in small words. Expand his vocabulary by using some "big" words occasionally. Children naturally mimic the adults around them, so to teach your child a new word, use it often. Define it. Use it in another sentence. Relate it to words your child already knows ("This book is so interesting; it's captivating!").
3-5
Start preventing substance abuse today
Parents of elementary schoolers sometimes think they don't have to worry yet about preventing drug and alcohol abuse. But the actions you take now can help protect your child. Discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and establish firm family rules about their use. Help your child set and work toward personal goals and feel good about progress. And always know where your child is and with whom.
Do you need help with reading to your child?
Benefield teachers have created a collection of videos to help families get the most out of reading to their young children.
These videos are available on the Benefield eClass homepage.
Biblionasium
Benefield now has access to Biblionasium, an online platform that allows students to build a bookshelf of favorite books and log their reading. Click here for more information on how to access Biblionasium through the media catalog.
Gwinnett Grows
Are you looking for a FREE program to work with your child aged birth - 5 years old? Come join Play 2 Learn and experience childhood developmental appropriate practices. Please feel free to email xandria.mcbride@gcpsk12.org for more information. The following link can provide an overview of the program.
http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/gcpstv/videos/news/focus/343462269
Titan Water Bottle Sales
Yearbooks
Titan Book Fair
The Book Fair ends today, Friday, April 2! Scholastic and Benefield have many safety features in place including, limiting the number of students in the fair, using eWallet, and sanitizing stations. In order to limit the number of students in the fair, teachers will be signing up for shopping dates and times for their classes.
In order to limit cash transactions, Scholastic is offering eWallet. eWallet is a digital payment option that allows families to add funds to a digital account that can be used at the Book Fair. Visit our book fair homepage to get started. We will also be accepting checks made out to Benefield Elementary, credit cards, and cash. Be sure to include sales tax in your purchase price. In Gwinnett County, we pay 6% sales tax. For example, if your student would like to buy a book that costs 5.99, you would place $6.35 on their eWallet account to include sales tax. Click here to learn more about eWallet and view a tax calculator.
At this time, parents are not able to shop with their children at school. However, we are offering an online fair option for those who are unable to visit the fair in person. Click here to visit our online fair. All orders from the online fair will be shipped directly to your home.
Thank you for your support of the Book Fair! We use our funds to support our reading promotion program, author visits, and book giveaways. Today a reader, tomorrow a leader!
Safety Reminder
In order to continue safety here at Benefield, please help us at home. As students return to the building, please remember to assess your child each morning for wellness.
Safety continues to be our priority. If your child is exhibiting symptoms, please keep them home and notify the teacher via email. It is important to do a wellness assessment each morning before sending your child to school. Check for temperature and symptoms using the checklist below:
□ Fever (100.4° or higher)
□ Headache
□ Sore throat
□ Cough
□ New loss of taste or smell
□ Fatigue
□ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
□ Congestion or runny nose
□ Muscle or body aches
□ Nausea or vomiting
□ Diarrhea
When an individual has not tested for COVID-19 and is NOT a close contact to a case. Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will likely have at least 2 symptoms of COVID-19 illness listed above, that cannot be explained by another underlying medical condition or at least 1 of the following: Fever 100.4 or higher, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or new loss of taste or smell.
A suspected case is considered to be a positive case until medical clearance is provided by a health care provider or until they have tested negative.
Benefield Elementary School
Heather Tack, Assistant Principal
Melanie Singleton, Assistant Principal
Kelli O'Loughlin, Assistant Principal
Michelle Vendryes, Assistant Principal
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/benefieldes