Benninghoven Family Newsletter
December/January
Mission: A place where everyone pursues their greatness.
Vision: A community coming together for our kids.
It's the most wonderful TIMES of the DAY!
My heart is SO FULL! This has been an incredible semester at Benninghoven and I am honored I am a part of seeing the success each day. Students have made growth in so many ways and we have the very best teaching staff and community. Thank you for all you do each day to make this a wonderful place to be.
Have a restful, safe, and "heartwarming" holiday season!
Anna Jensen, Principal
Important Dates
December
19: Last day for Pre-K students
20: Early Dismissal, K-6 12:30
20: PTA Staff appreciation - Holiday cookies provided by all grades
21-Jan. 4: Winter Break; School and Office CLOSED
January
5: Beginning of 3rd Quarter
6: Starbase Trip, 5th Grade
9: 6th Grade Trailridge visit to Benninghoven; 1:10
11: Mathletics Practice, 3:15
11: PTA Staff appreciation - Provided by 4th grade
13: Starbase Trip, 5th Grade
16: MLK Jr Day - NO SCHOOL and Offices Closed
18: School Spelling Bee, Grades 4-6 at 1:30 - more info coming soon!
18: Mathletics Competition at Ray Marsh
19: PTA Sneak a Peek Music - For Future Benninghoven Knights
19: PTA Playground Night from 6-7pm
20: PTA 3rd Grade Science Enrichment
20: 5th Grade Starbase Trip
23-27: PTA Great Kindness Week
27: 5th Grade Starbase Trip
26: PTA Meeting at 6:30pm
30: PTA 4th Grade Kansas Day event
Date TBA: PTA Bingo - Free Family Event
ABCD Specials Rotation Calendar
Please refer to this calendar for your child's Special Rotation.
Info. for 6th Grade Families - SEE BELOW!
Hello Future Wildcats!
We are so excited to welcome our future Wildcats to Trailridge. We realize this transition is not only exciting but also may create a little anxiety for your students. To help ease that transition we have created an event geared around helping our future Wildcats learn about Trailridge. We are excited to host you and your families for our annual Wildcat Welcome! This celebration of Trailridge will allow your students to explore what Trailridge has to offer. They can learn more about our course offerings, clubs that we offer for students, athletic teams that your students will be able to participate in and much more. Wildcat Welcome will be held on January 23rd, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Trailridge Middle School. All future Trailridge community members are welcome! Mark your calendars and we hope to see you then! If you have any questions, please contact the Trailridge Office at 913-993-1000.
Upcoming MVP Training Opportunities
1/3 1:00-2:00 Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W 71st, SM, KS 66204
1/9 6:30-7:30pm McAuliffe Elementary, 15600 W 83rd St, SM, KS 66219
Student Absences - Attendance Secretary Mrs. Hoffman (REPEAT)
Families,
If your student will be absent or late, please be sure to let our Attendance Secretary know, Amy Hoffman. Many families are emailing Nicole Cunningham, which is great. However, a faster and more effective approach is an email to Amy at amyhoffman@smsd.org.
Thanks!
Food Resource
Below is a link to a list of food pantries and food resources in Johnson County. It has information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food related resources.
Can you please include in monthly parent newsletters?
Food Service Information for Families - PLEASE READ
Food Service INFORMATION
Congress did not extend federal school meal waivers which means school meals are no longer available free to all students. Families must apply for meal benefits and be approved in order to receive meals for free or reduced.
Families can apply online at: https://www.schoolcafe.com/SHAWNEEMISSION.
It is the expectation that students will have money on their food service account or cash in hand to purchase meals or ala carte items.
Payments for school meals may be made:
- Online through eFunds (subject to transaction fee) – look under optional fees for lunch account
- By sending a check or cash payment to the school office – marked for meals
- By credit card at most school offices
- By calling the Food Service office between 7am and 4pm at 913-993-9710 to make a credit card payment over the phone.
NEW THIS YEAR - BIRTHDAY BOOKS (REPEAT)
We are excited to bring the birthday book tradition back to Benninghoven. This is another way that we can partner with you to celebrate your child and all they bring to our school. In honor of their birthday a book will be donated to their classroom library. During the week of your child's birthday (or half birthday for our summer birthdays) the book will be read aloud to the class in celebration! Longer titles may need to be a preview of the book if time does not allow for the book to be read in its entirety.
How it works: You may either send in a book from home or purchase one from the BH Amazon Wish List. Books could be a favorite title of your child, a book from the BH Birthday Book Suggestions Amazon Wish list, or a requested book from your classroom teacher. There will be special book plaques in the office or library that will be affixed to the book and include your child’s name. If you would like the book to be a surprise then you can drop it off in the office or have it shipped directly to the school from the Wishlist. Be sure to put your child’s name and teacher in the memo so we can make sure it is given to the correct classroom.
A good resource to check for age appropriate books is Common Sense Media. You are also welcome to email Mrs. Readman in the library if you have a question about a particular book being a good fit for a specific age group.
If you need support or are not able to purchase a book, just let your child’s teacher know. We will have a collection of books that students will be able to select from, so ALL students have the opportunity to participate.
Donate to the Book Bank: If you would like to donate to the Book Bank for our school you can do so by writing a check to Benninghoven and turning it in to the front office. Or, you can purchase books and drop them off as well. Your efforts to make this a success are appreciated as we celebrate our students and increase the love of literature!
News from your PTA
PTA Fun Fact:
The PTA provides four opportunities to welcome future Benninghoven students into the school. Future Knights, ages 3-5 are invited to join us for PE, Library, Music and Art activities led by our great staff and 6th grader students! Please invite your neighbors and friends to participate. For more details and to RSVP, click here.
Staff favorites:
The PTA has compiled a 'Favorites List' for most of the Benninghoven teachers and staff. These include things such as their birthday, favorite treat, restaurants they enjoy, classroom Amazon wish lists and stores they love. If you plan to give a holiday gift to a teacher or staff member, these lists might spark some great ideas. Gifts are never expected but always appreciated. See the favorites here.
Benninghoven Family Directory
The PTA hopes you are enjoying your grade level directory. Please use this to connect with other families, send birthday invites and build a stronger Benninghoven community. Please contact your child's teacher to get a link to your grade level directory. If there are any changes that need or you would like your child's information added, please reach out to the PTA at rbhptapres@gmail.com.
PTA Social Media