Best of Bennet
May 14, 2021
From the Principal
I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful spring weather! All students are doing wonderfully back with full time learning. Our grade 6 students have completed their SBAC testing and grade 5 will be testing next week. It amazes me how our students have taken things in stride so well this school year. From changing schedules, pandemic protocols, testing, etc. No matter what it was, students and families took it head on. Bennet staff have been troopers as well! The resiliency that the entire Bennet community has shown this school year is inspiring! Thank you all for your support!
With appreciation.
Joe Chella, Principal
LAST CHANCE THIS YEAR FOR SPIRIT WEAR!
Spring Spirit Wear Sale closes 8:00 am May 17th, so order TODAY!!
Click on the link below. Then scroll down and click on "Bennet Academy" to enter the online store. Please complete the entire order form when placing an order. Remote families-the PTSA will get your order to you.
https://rainbowgraphicsct.com/online-stores/
See a few of the available options below!
Tie-dye tee
Baseball cap
Hoodie
When's the last day of school?
Can my child go to school today?
Has your child or a family member been in close contact with a known positive Covid person?
Does your child or a family member have a persistent cough, or other respiratory symptoms, shortness of breath, lung congestion?
Has your child or a family member lost the ability to smell or taste?
Does your child or a family member have a fever over 100 F?
If you have answered YES to any of these questions for you or your child, your child should stay home and you should call the school absentee line.
If you answered YES to any of these questions for a member of your family, please contact the school nurse for advice prior to sending your child to school.
We are Nut-Free this year!
Remind your student please!
What's for lunch?
Team James
Team James has been working hard this spring writing argumentative texts on topics such as the environment, video games pro and cons, and animals. They have been learning about argumentative text features in reading class, and applying those skills built upon in writing.
During math class, students have been working on a unit in fractions.
Our science unit on ecosystems and organisms has students discovering movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. They can use models to describe that the energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) and connect that energy to the sun.
In social studies, learning continues on colonial America's development. This week, they learned of the Stamp Act!
Please ask your child to share some of heir new knowledge with you. As always, please direct any questions to your child's teacher! Take a look at a few smiling faces from Team James below. Want to see more? Follow this link!
Team James
Team James
Team James
SOCIAL STUDIES
5th Grade Social Studies
During our last several weeks together, 5th graders will continue to study the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, and The Declaration of Independence. They will create posters as if they were going to a protest for the cause, “No Taxation, Without Representation.” Next, they will have an in-depth look at “The Sons of Liberty,” asking the question (with an open-mind), were they vandals or activists. Lastly, the students will examine the contents of the best break up letter of all time….The Declaration of Independence. Hopefully at the end of our learning they will have a better understanding of why we celebrate The Fourth of July!!
6th Grade Social Studies
Our geographers have been hard at work diving into the vibrant and colorful culture and geography of Mexico. Students have taken the time to look at the physical features of Mexico, including the weather and climate, in order to determine how those factors influence the ways of life in the country. Students have analyzed life in the dry and hot desert region of northern Mexico as well as life in the wet and tropical regions of southern mexico.
Students have also taken a look at some current events in the country of Mexico including immigration and American owned companies that have factories in Mexico called Maquiladoras. Students used their skills to look at multiple perspectives in order to develop a claim that expressed their opinions on some of these topics.
Looking ahead, students will continue to draw conclusions on the country of Mexico by analyzing their ancient cultures and civilizations. This is always an exciting time for the students as they dive deeply into the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and learn about how they impacted both Mexico’s cultures as well as our modern day lives.
MUSICAL NOTES
Quarter four has been an exciting time for our Bennet musicians. Our hybrid students have made a smooth transition to full time learning at school. It has been exciting to hear the sounds of our fifth and sixth grade instrumentalists filling the music wing once again. Our fully remote instrumentalists and general music students continue to work hard and are making excellent progress in their online lessons.
Students enrolled in General Music this quarter have been busy in both their remote music rooms and in their music classes at school. It has been wonderful getting to know our newest group of Bennet Musicians and experimenting with new activities and games. It has been especially wonderful having the majority of students back in the building for music class. Students in General Music have been brushing up on their music literacy skills and delving into topics such as music history, musical artists and a variety of musical instruments. Students are engaging in the use of programs, such as Jamboard, Google Slides, and Smart Music, as a means to strengthen their skills and also as an opportunity to perform musical rhythms and melodies. General music students are also able to transfer their learning into their instrumental groups. As the quarter progresses, we will continue to expand on our exploration of orchestra and band instruments. We will also continue our study of music history by listening to a diverse repertoire of music and discussing the ways in which it has evolved throughout the 20th century.
We want to acknowledge and commend those instrumental students that were able to participate in the virtual lessons for all of their hard work this school year. Our hope is that those students who were unable to participate in lessons this year will restart lessons in the fall, whether they are going into 7th grade at Illing or 6th grade here at Bennet. Our instrumental students that took lessons this year continue to advance with both their technical and reading skills. Students continue to use Smart Music as a practice tool as they expand their music literacy skills and learn more advanced technical skills. As we approach the end of the school year, students should have a few selections of music that they can share with their family. Our in-person learners are very excited to come down to the music rooms with their classmates and play music together. Students will have their last lesson during the week of May 24th. It is our hope that all of our instrumental students will take part in our amazing instrumental program this fall!
Collection of School Instruments:
We are collecting all school-owned instruments beginning on May 24.
*Students that have in-person lessons who are also using a school instrument will leave the instrument with Mrs. Browning or Mr. Garrison at the end of their last lesson, during the week of May 24th.
*Students who were unable to take part in virtual lessons will need to drop their instrument off at Bennet, regardless of which school they originally rented the instrument from.
+In-person students should bring their instrument to their home base.
+Remote students will need to drop off their instruments between June 1st and June
8th at the Main Office in the Franklin building.
CURIOSITY CAMP - SUMMER PROGRAMMING!
You can see a sample schedule here. The program runs 8am-4pm and transportation is provided if needed. There are also extended hours available through MELC (7-8am and 4-5:30pm - no transportation is provided for these extended times- and MELC registration is required for extended hours at melearning.org).
Students will partake in field trips, STEAM opportunities, hands-on and inquiry-based activities, Read180, opportunities to build leadership and strengthen personal academics through tutoring elementary students, physical activities, SEL, targeted academic intervention, and so much more!!
The future looks bright!
Keeping us healthy!
Thanks teacher!
2020-2021
Yearbook Cover Winner Announced
Nice work!
Could you use a helping hand?
If you have fallen on hard times - you're not alone. Unfortunately, during this pandemic many people have also felt the economic consequences. These services have been put in place to assist people in need: CT/Government assistance: https://www.connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp - this is the website to apply for cash assistance, food stamps(SNAP) and medical. The first box will ask you questions and take about 15 minutes - to find out if you are eligible. The second one beneath it will take about 30-60 minutes to fill out for benefits. Click on it and it will take you to a page of information: You'll want to click the circle to the left on the page for start a new application - it looks like this:
Start a new application for any of the following:
Manchester Food Pantries: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/ct-manchester
Mobile Foodshare is an outdoor pantry-on-wheels for people who need food assistance. The program visits community sites throughout the Greater Hartford area. Food choices vary from week to week, but usually include several types of fresh produce. To receive the Mobile Foodshare schedule on your cell phone text FOODSHARE to 85511.
Thanks to Miss Cavanna, Bennet Academy Social Worker (860-647-3571 x70543), for sharing these resources.
Do you want to lend a hand?
If you know other ways community members can help, please share your ideas with us for possible publication in a future newsletter. Email cberman@mpspride.org.
Let's debate!
Ms. Jodoin's kids argued their side of "Should chocolate milk be served in school?" It went well!
Let's argue our point!
School Spirit!
SHOUT OUTS!
We are trying to highlight positives this school year...and the following people have had a positive impact on us at Bennet!! Do you want to see someone shouted out next time? Email your suggestion to cberman@mpspride.org.
Ms. Shewokis wanted to shout out to Edriel C in Ms. Carlson's class for being helpful to a peer who wasn't feeling well. Thanks for being a good Samaritan Edriel!
Mrs. Berman shouts out to Laeliz S and Breanna M from Mr. Lemay's class for their cheery interaction the other day...even though it's been a couple of years since they have seen me at their elementary school, the girls not only recognized me but shared a sweet conversation and made my day.
Mr. Taylor would like to shout to Ms. Montminy who has maintained a positive attitude while working extremely hard subbing this year. Great Job Ms. M!
Mrs Berman would like to shout out to Ms. Debra Donnelly, who has been subbing at Bennet this year. Ms. Donnelly always has a smile on her face and a positive thing to say and has spread random acts of kindness along her path! Thanks for sharing your positive attitude Ms. D!
The Bennet Bear Den
NURSING NEWS!
REMINDER for 6th Grade Families
As the school year is coming to a close quicker than you think - In order for your child to start 7th grade they need to have a physical exam by your doctor, a walk-in clinic, or an urgent care center, as well as both the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines. Physicals for 7th grade may be dated anytime anytime after January 1, 2020, so if your child had one last winter or over the summer and you have not provided the nurse with a copy, please do so now. You can fax the paperwork to the nurses at 860-647-6348 or send the hard copy to the Nurse’s office via your child. Be prepared, doctor's offices often schedule physicals months in advance, especially during summer - You don’t want your child to miss the first days of 7th grade!
Bennet School Nurses
Penny & Elisha
860-647-3582 (p)
860-647-6348 (f)
Attendance Line
REMINDERS - Masks, Water Bottles, and Home Access Center!
*Now that it is warming up - please be sure your send your student with a water bottle as all water fountains remain closed this year. We do have filling stations throughout the school to refill their bottles.
*Please be sure your student has a mask when they leave the house. It is also helpful if they carry an extra mask in their backpack just in case.
*Progress notes were posted in the Home Access Center May 6th, or mailed home if your child earned a D or below in any subject. Your login and password remain the same for HAC throughout your child's time in Manchester Public School through graduation. Please keep this information in a safe place as you can always log in to look at your child's grades, but it is also where Progress Notes and Report Cards are found. If you need help logging into the HAC please contact the Registrar, Heidi Turner at b39hturn@mpspride.org.
Take a look at our Virtual Backpack!
News from the Bennet Office:
Would you like to talk directly to Principal Chella? He has parent office hours every Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. If you would like to sign up for a Google Meet with Mr. Chella please contact his secretary Mrs. Hegenauer (laurenh@mpspride.org) to sign up for a time slot as soon as possible, but no later than 2:00 pm Thursdays. If there are no time slots available for the current week you will be scheduled for the following week.
Picking your student up early? Please call ahead and we will have your student ready. Let us know when you arrive and we will meet you at the door with your student to check your ID. Thanks for being patient with this early dismissal procedure as we limit visitors.
For all technology assistance (including Chromebooks, laptops and iPads), go to the IT Helpdesk or call / text 860-682-0607, Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
- Did you move? Please see the list of required documents. Contact Registrar Heidi Turner to update your information: b39hturn@mpspride.org or 860.647.8275.
- New number? Please remember to update the registrar with any changes to your phone number or email so we can reach you!
- New email? If you are reading this on our app and not in your email it may mean we have old information. Please contact Ms. Turner with your new email address so you don't miss out!
A note from the security team.
Please be aware of our school security guards directing traffic for arrival & dismissal times at the exit area of our bus Lane and Vine St. Parents dropping off and picking up should enter the property via Spruce to School Street and exit onto Wells Street. Thank you for your patience.
Is there something you would like to see in this newsletter?
Bennet Academy
Email: jchella@mpspride.org
Website: https://www.mpspride.org/Domain/9
Location: 1151 Main Street, Manchester, CT, USA
Phone: 860-647-3571