On Friday, students will engage in a "Reverse Evacuation Drill." In this type of drill, students who are outside and brought back into the building for safety reasons. We have done this in the past during recess. This year, we have been asked to conduct the drill at dismissal time.

We plan to do this just before dismissal on Friday. This drill is supposed to simulate a response if the outside area was unsafe, such as a weather event. We plan to start just before dismissal times so that we are finished by 3:55 p.m.

We will be celebrating our fifth graders on Friday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. Since the promotional ceremony takes place during the school day, all visitors must be signed in through our security system, Raptor. In order to speed up the process, we are offering the option to RSVP now, and we can sign you in ahead of time and have your badge pre-printed.

Below are two links for you to complete. If you are already in the Raptor System, you will complete the first link. If you have never signed in at Benfield to visit during the school day, you are not in the system, and we will need more information. You will complete the second link.

(1) Currently in the Raptor System

(2) Not in the Raptor System

* Please complete one per person.

We have seen an increase in the number of COVID Cases at Benfield. We are continuing to encourage students to wash their hands, use hand-sanitizer, and socially distance from others.

When a child is sent home from the Healthroom we are required, per the Anne Arundel County Health Department, that the child needs to be out of school for at least 24 hours. The only exception to this is if there is a documented diagnosis (such as allergies) that would cause the symptoms.

More details can be found here: www.aacps.org/covidprotocols, or at the Department of Health (DOH) COVID Health Line at 410-222-7256 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Kindergarten registration has officially opened! Please be sure to share this information with neighbors who have an incoming kindergarten student for the 2022-2023 school year. Registration information can be accessed by clicking here.

We would like to give a warm Springtime welcome to our May PTO Sponsor of the month....The Severna Park Team of Cummings & Co Realtors!

Last Spring we spoke about the insane seller's market we were in, but somehow things have gotten even crazier this year! Whether you are looking to sell your property for top dollar, or you know someone who needs expert help navigating this difficult buyer's market and gaining access to the limited off-market listings this year, reach out to Eric McPhee or Kevin Lyons of the The Severna Park Team of Cummings & Co Realtors: Your Local Real Estate Experts!

443.261.5817 - info@severnapark.com - SEVERNAPARK.com

Benfield Start / End Time

Next year doors will open at 7:45 a.m. for arrival with instruction beginning at 8:00 a.m. and dismissal will begin at 2:25 p.m.

For the ECI Half-Day Program, the morning will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 10:35 a.m. The afternoon class will begin at 11:50 a.m. and end at 2:25 p.m.

Mandatory Bus Registration for 2022-2023 School Year

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is implementing a mandatory bus registration process for the upcoming school year. Beginning on May 4, families whose students are eligible for bus transportation, based on the student’s primary address, received an encrypted email from AACPS containing a secure link to the bus registration form for each student who is eligible for bus transportation. Be sure to fill this form out as soon as possible, regardless of whether your student needs transportation or not. Print a copy of the receipt email.

Families will receive a separate form for each child. Forms are student-specific and cannot be forwarded to others. Students whose families do not complete registration forms will not be eligible to ride a school bus for the entire 2022-23 school year even if they reside in the transportation zone.

Please note that prekindergarten and kindergarten students, students who have IEPs that contain transportation accommodations, and students designated as homeless will automatically receive transportation. If you do not have email access or need other assistance in this process, please contact the school.

School Breakfast and Lunch

Over the last two years, breakfast and lunch meals have been free for all students. Beginning next year this will change. Students not eligible for free meals, will be expected to pay $1.50 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch. We currently serve breakfast to 180-200 students daily, and the number of students getting lunches has doubled. Free access to breakfast and lunch has become a routine for our students, so I wanted you to be aware of the changes.

Unless eligible for a free lunch, students will have to begin paying for breakfast and lunch. Families will have the option to apply for the free lunch program if eligible.

AACPS School Reopening Plan: This website is updated regularly as information changes. Please check it regularly.

Absent Note

Brightspace - If you are interested in learning more, please click here: Brightspace for Families.

Contact Tracing Protocols: Important information about contact tracing.

Emergency Form - Please be sure to update and submit your child's emergency form.

Parent Portal: This is an excellent resource for parents as it has information about grades, attendance and more. If you have not signed in yet, be on the lookout for an email on Wednesday with instructions.

Permission to Administer Medication at School Form

Safety Protocols: This links shares the safety protocols in place at schools.

Transportation Form Acknowledgement of COVID-19 Risk - any student who rides the bus to school must have this form on file.

Transportation Updates for cancelled/late buses

Virtual Math Support through AACPS Mathematics Department