Ben-Hem Bobcats

1- WHAT'S IN YOUR HEARTS, NATICK?

Our Art teacher, Ms. Curtis supported this community project with some of our classes at Ben Hem. Participants were asked to dig deep and reflect on what or who is most important to them and paint that feeling/person/place onto a red wooden heart. The completed hearts are being tied together and installed on the fencing on the MBTA pedestrian bridge. It is due to be unveiled on April 1.

2 -MCAS TESTING BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 3

Spring MCAS testing will begin for our 4th graders next week. The MCAS testing schedule for both ELA and Math is posted below. Students in grade three and four complete two series of tests, each with two days of testing. We begin MCAS testing upon arrival and students have as much time as needed to complete the assessment. Please make every effort to have students here on time and ready to work on these day.

3 - 4TH GRADE PARENTS PLEASE READ: 5TH GRADE COURSE SELECTION REQUIREMENT

Students in 5th grade get to select which performing arts class they would like to take for the year. They take other classes for specials including PE, a full year course, and Art, Library Research Skills, Tech Ed, Instructional Technology, Theater, and Health, which are all trimester-based courses. Students have many options for their music class. Included are several important links to help you decide between our course offerings and answer some frequently asked questions.

• Band at WMS
• Chorus at WMS
• Exploratory Music at WMS
• Orchestra at KMS

The following link is to select whether your child will be participating in band, chorus, general music or orchestra next year. Please be sure to complete all required sections of this form.

• 4th-5th Selection Form

Please complete the selection form by Friday, April 7, 2023. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sue D’Agostino, Vice Principal at Wilson Middle School, at sudagostino@natickps.org.

4 - CAFETERIA REMINDERS

This year we continue to benefit from free lunches for all students. This does not include items that are purchased a la carte, specifically milk. Milk is charged to your student's account if it is not part of a school breakfast or lunch. It is not free if it is NOT PURCHASED WITH A SCHOOL LUNCH OR BREAKFAST. Please check your myschoolbucks account to view your student balances or reach out to kgentili@natickps.org with further questions and concerns. Thank you for taking the time to check into this.

5 - SPARK KINDNESS: GROWING UP IN PUBLIC: NAVIGATING REPUTATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Growing Up in Public: Navigating Reputation and Social Media in the Digital Age

Thursday, April 13 at 7pm via Zoom -- For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages

In this talk, author Devorah Heitner, PhD, will share pragmatic, research-based advice on how we can mentor our kids on cultivating a healthy online presence. She will address why character and learning how to navigate relationships are most important and how parents can stop stressing and focus instead on helping young people become responsible digital citizens. ASL interpretation will be provided at this event Register and learn more about this FREE online program and all our upcoming events at www.SPARKKindness.org

Check out the Ben Hem PTO Facebook page to see what is happening.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5