Best of Bennet
March 26, 2021
From the Principal
Happy Spring! We have now entered the 4th quarter! It is amazing to think that despite all the hurdles the pandemic has thrown at us, that we have consistently moved forward and we are now in the final quarter of the school year. Bennet students have continued to persevere! We, as I am sure you at home, are so proud of students' commitment and hard work thus far this school year!
We will be sharing our schedule, for both remote and in-person students, for the April 19 full time return soon.
As always, thank you for your partnership!
With appreciation!
Joe Chella, Principal
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 Rowling
Students on Team Rowling continue to do a fantastic job this marking period! They have continued to work hard each and every day whether they are hybrid or remote. As the marking period winds down, students have done a tremendous amount of work in all subject areas. Students have become more confident in using various multiplication and division strategies while tackling challenging problems. They have also become determined researchers learning about firefighters, sharks and chocolate. Through their research and note taking, they have learned to craft research reports that teach about information they learned about these topics.
In addition to all of the great work in reading, writing and math, students continue to learn about the 13 colonies and have created advertisements to try to get people to move to a certain colony as well as writing postcards to friends during the Colonial Times.
Finally, students have become experts on the global issue of plastics affecting our environment. They have learned how to become more aware of how plastics can harm the four spheres of the Earth and have also begun problem solving ways to use less plastics.
As you can see, students on Team Rowling are challenging themselves each and every day with their learning. Please continue to check in with your child to make sure they are completing their in class assignments as well as reading each night for at least 30 minutes.
Team Roosevelt
We are ready for spring! September through December was a period of adjustment for everyone! After a while students and teachers on team Roosevelt finally got used to our hybrid and remote schedules and were off and learning! As we moved through the winter months and winter break, students learned to navigate various virtual learning tools and programs and found much success in this new and different learning time!
All along we have been using our Advisory period to not only celebrate differences but to keep working to learn the importance of kindness and honoring individual and collective diversities. We recognize that this is vital in order for us to co-exist with understanding and appreciation for all the learners and identities that make up our learning community. February was a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate Black Excellence through our equity lessons during Black History Month. Mae Jemmison, John Lewis, Corlotta Walls LaNier and Amanda Gorman are just a few of the notable Black Leaders students on Team Roosevelt dedicated time to research and celebrate. Black History Month inspired Bennet to continue to celebrate diversity, leadership and mentors of all races and creeds, local or famous every month! Students and staff members had the opportunity to write about someone who inspires them, submit it to Mr. Chella and he read them on the morning announcements.
Elijah Bucko in Miss Skoog’s class was the first Roosevelt student to submit a write up that was selected by Mr. Chella to be read over the announcements! He wrote about Willie O’ree who was the first black hockey player ever to play in the National Hockey League. Elijah is inspired by not only his athletic accomplishments, which include: “tallying 30+ goals four times while setting career highs with 38 goals during the 1964-65 and 1968-69 seasons” but also his desire to break barriers with regard to race and a hockey legend!
Roosevelt students who currently learn on the hybrid model are excited to get back to full in-person learning which is scheduled to happen starting April 19th. Both teachers and students living the hybrid schedule realize that, like with any schedule change, this will take a period of adjustment. In time, we are confident that we will get familiar with navigating the new, full in-person schedule. We are excited to combine cohorts and to learn together in person and not just remotely on Wednesdays...it is always exciting when new learners with new ideas are introduced to our classroom.
Our students have thoroughly enjoyed reading and immersing themselves in the text, Refugee by, Alan Gratz. This school wide learning experience has been so meaningful and at times emotional. We are sad to say goodbye to our beloved characters, Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud as this book comes to a close but we are better readers and writers as a result of the experience. Talk to you students about this amazing learning experience and if you have the chance, read the book! It's hard to put down!
Thank you to all of our students and parents who are working so hard to navigate this unprecedented time. You are amazing, your kids are amazing (and resilient) and we are so blessed to have had them learn with us during this unforgettable year. Stay healthy and stay safe!
MATH
It is great to see that students have been participating in Dreambox, which is a fabulous tool to extend mathematical learning outside of the classroom. Students are starting to make connections between the lesson content and the games they are playing through the program. We would love to see all students taking advantage of this program. Please ask your child what they think of Dreambox and how often they are logging in.
Grade 5 teachers would like to extend compliments to our fifth graders who continue to demonstrate perseverance and resilience in their new learning. We are proud of the positive math identities that continue to develop throughout this year.
Grade 5 mathematicians continue to develop their understanding of multiplication and division of whole numbers through learning experiences using multiple strategies. Having access to multiple strategies provides a strong foundation for problem solving. This multi strategy approach also provides students with an opportunity to personalize their new learning and synthesize it with what they already know to formulate a new understanding of math patterns & relationships.
Our upcoming learning experiences, Unit 3, will include operations using fractions. Fifth grade students will name fractional parts of whole and sets, compute with fractions, understand equivalence, compare & order fractions, and apply fractions to a variety of problem solving situations.
Grade 6 Math Students have just finished working on ratios and rates. From generating equivalent ratios to comparing unit rates the students were able to successfully use a variety of visual models prior to moving toward using an equation to solve real world problems. Next time you visit the grocery store (even if you are shopping online) please have your child help you determine the better buy by finding the unit price. You can also practice with ratios when cooking as recipe ingredients are added in a certain ratio to other ingredients. Up next is our study of numeric and algebraic expressions. Exponents, order of operations, substitution, and simplifying expressions will be covered.
Miss McKnight’s Grade 5 & 6 Rising Math students have been showing the brilliance they bring to math thinking in a variety of ways. Students have worked on Number Talks, 3 Reads when reasoning and solving math complex math problems, Social Justice Math, playing Kahoot, and other math games. Miss McKnight includes the 8 Mathematical Practices in all the class lessons, and looks forward to students engaging in productive struggle when solving problems. In the near future, Miss McKnight and students will be inviting families to join in an Exploration and Learning Workshop that will be mostly facilitated by the students. Please look for your invitation. Starting this week, students will earn incentives for joining their scheduled Google Meets. Look for days and times in Miss McKnight’s Weekly Newsletter.
Advanced Math and Pre-algebra: Your child is learning to use integers and other rational numbers to solve problems. A part of this is learning the meanings of integers and how to use them to describe quantities that have opposite directions or values, and learning how to compare and order these positive and negative values. Your child will also learn about the position of integers and rational numbers on a coordinate plane. Students will also get experience with adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative values. This is a 7th grade standard that will continue to be used throughout the rest of the year.
At home, you may want to play one of the following games:
VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR!
March 22 through April 4th you can follow the link below to order books to support Bennet Academy.
Spring Scholastic Book Fair Information
All orders will be shipped directly to the customer’s home. ANY “ALL BOOK” orders of $25 or more will be shipped for free. If an order contains any non-book item it will negate the free shipping. If you would like to order non-book items and also order at least $25 in books, you should place two separate orders for the books and non-book items. Shipping will then be less expensive. Happy shopping!
We need YEARBOOK candids!!
Many parents have been asking about the "regular" yearbook photos that we typically take in the fall and use for identification in our computer system as well as the yearbook and parent purchase. Obviously this year will look very different for that and more information will be forthcoming from Central Office as to how we can accomplish that. Stay tuned!
Bear Care Corner
With the promise of coming back into the building full time after April break is looming, it means Bear Care will soon be coming to an end. In the meantime, please remind your Cub to come to Bear Care with a charged Chromebook and charger, earbuds, a reading book, and a nut-free snack!
Mrs. Brown & Mrs. WIlbon's Cohort A
Mrs. Brown & Mrs. Wilbon's Cohort A
Team Angelou
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.
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.
Michael Sokola (Ms. Rosa’s class) and his family would like to shout out Mrs. Breault for the persistence to get Minecraft Club up and running.
Mr. Menefee
Ms. O'Hara
Thank you to our staff!
The Bennet Bear Den
We Rocked Our Socks for Down Syndrome Awareness Days March 22 and 23!
Riley S
Mr. Witten
Mrs. Berman
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, Jackets, and Report Cards!
*We try to go outside every day for mask breaks, PE class and whenever we can sneak in a short break. Please be sure your student is dressed appropriately - it can still be cold outside, especially in the shade!
*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.
*It is almost report card time!! The 3rd quarter ended March 24th. Your child's teacher should have already reached out to you to schedule a parent/teacher conference if desired. Grades will be posted in the Home Access Center March 30th by 4pm. 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!
PICTURE DAY UPDATE
Do you want to make a real impact on our school? Join the PTSA!
Help your student get involved with PTSA!
Bennet Bears! Strong communities are comprised of strong individuals & we need your child!
As a member of the PTSA (Parent, Teacher & Student Association), students will represent their peers and classmates of Bennet Academy. We will work to ensure Bennet is a welcoming, respectful and inclusive community.
Together we will identify goals for our school community, discuss activities for all members to engage in, and develop plans for implementation. Think movie nights, spirit days and more! Your time, talents and skills can help build a stronger school community & WE NEED YOU!
Meetings will be held virtually on Thursday afternoons from 3-4pm. Use this PTSA FORM to join!
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