Benninghoven Family Newsletter
March 7, 2021
Vision: A place where everyone pursues their greatness.
Mission: A community coming together for our kids.
Dates to Remember:
March
12: Yearbook orders due
19: No School
April
2: No School
5-9 Spring Break
12: 4th quarter begins
15: Kindergarten Round Up (more details to come)
May
3-7: Teacher Appreciation Week
20: SMNW Graduation 7PM
14: Field Day
21: Back Up Field Day
27: Last Day for kids, early dismissal
June 3rd School Offices close for summer.
Quick Links
Follow us on Twitter @BHknights512
Find us using #uKnighted512 & #BHSticksTogether
From the Principal
It was wonderful to see so many families virtually during conferences this week! Our Knights Staff would like to thank you for spending time with us and partnering to support students. We know that partnerships between school and home make a difference and we appreciate your involvement.
We also want to remind everyone that yearbook orders are due by the end of the week. Ordering information is included in this newsletter.
Have a great week and enjoy the beautiful weather!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gonser
Specials This Month
On Site Procedures
Enrollment 21-22
PreK & Kindergarten Enrollment for 21-22
We are excited to kickoff enrollment for incoming pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Rhein Benninghoven Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year! Online enrollment registration opened on February 16, 2021. Families can complete the enrollment documentation for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, reserve a spot for pre-kindergarten families, and allow the district to begin to plan to welcome our incoming early learners to our schools.
If you are a new family to the Shawnee Mission School District, click here to access online enrollment. If you already have children enrolled and attending Shawnee Mission Schools, you should log into your Skyward Family Access account and select New Student Enrollment to enroll your incoming pre-K or kindergarten student. Please be sure to indicate whether you are enrolling for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and also that the enrollment is for 2021-2022 when prompted on the application form.
Once you have enrolled online, we will follow up with you to share additional information about our full-day kindergarten program and events coming up in the spring. These events are designed to offer students an opportunity to spend some time in the school setting, while parents ask questions and prepare for their child’s kindergarten experience. Our school will be holding kindergarten welcome activities on April 15th. More detailed information about the activity session and how to sign up will be sent to you in the future.
For families enrolling in pre-kindergarten, the school district will follow up with you once we receive your online enrollment application to confirm the attendance location to which your child will be assigned and to provide additional information regarding pre-k welcome and screening activities scheduled for the week of May 3-7. In 2021-22, the Shawnee Mission School District will continue to offer fee and no-fee pre-kindergarten options for families. Pre-kindergarten in Shawnee Mission is a half-day program. Wraparound care options are available at some sites through third-party partners, Johnson County Parks and Recreation and YMCA. For more information regarding site locations and programming information, please click here. Information about wraparound care programs can be found here: YMCA and JCPRD.
We are thrilled you have chosen the Shawnee Mission School District to serve your child’s pre-kindergarten or kindergarten needs. We look forward to welcoming your child and working with you for your child’s success.
Get to Know Our New Superintendent!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theSMSD/status/1366857185548976131?s=20
Facebook: https://fb.watch/3_pMkAxSeb/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/bFONtuoorzM
Yearbook Orders
In-person students should have received a flyer with an attached envelope to order a yearbook. The order deadline is March 12th. You can return the envelope with $13 payment via check (made payable to Benninghoven PTA) or cash to the office.
You can also order online at www.inter-state.com/yearbook. Our code is: 55063X. You will be prompted to enter your student’s name and select their class. There is no fee for the transaction through this website. So it is still just $13.
Remote students will have their individual pictures in the yearbook. If you want to order one, you can do so through the link above.
If you are unsure if you have already purchased a yearbook, please contact Courtney O’Neal at cbhiggins77@hotmail.com. It is easier to see if you’ve already purchased one than to issue a reimbursement for duplicate purchase.
Important Health Info for Reference
Employment Opportunity
The Shawnee Mission School District Food Service Program is looking for dedicated food service employees. Food Service employees work on school days and have evenings, weekends and summers off. It is a perfect job as you work when your children are in school. The district offers an excellent benefit package which includes paid holidays, health insurance, retirement plan, uniform reimbursement and paid sick leave.
For more information and a listing of available positions, visit the district website at www.smsd.org . Go to the Human Resources tab, select Job Opportunities from the drop down menu, Click on External Candidate Search, click on food services and apply for the position(s) you are interested in.
Questions can be directed to the Food Services Department at 913- 993-9710 or foodservice@smsd.org.
Transfer Request Process
SMSD Families:
Please see the information below regarding the transfer request process for the 2021-2022 school year. Please note that the process has changed and there are two separate transfer request windows.
The first, for students currently enrolled in grades K-11 and a later window for incoming kindergarten students. Please be aware that due to high enrollment, the following schools WILL NOT be accepting new transfer requests for the 21-22 school year: Briarwood, Brookridge, Corinth. If an incoming kindergarten student has a sibling currently on transfer to one of these three schools, contact the school principal for consideration.
For SMSD students currently enrolled in grades K-11 for the 2020-2021 school year - All In-District transfer requests will be submitted electronically using the Skyward Family Access system. The custom form will be available beginning March 1 at 12 a.m. and will close on April 30 at 11:59 p.m. Please note that any students CURRENTLY APPROVED for transfer to another location DO NOT need to reapply.
For SMSD students entering kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year - All In-District transfer requests will be submitted electronically using the Skyward Family Accesssystem. In order to complete the form, you MUST first complete the enrollment process in your home school through the online enrollment portal. The custom form will be available beginning July 7 at 12 a.m. and must be completed by July 19 at 11:59 p.m. to be considered in the initial approval period. The form will remain open through August 2 and additional transfers will be granted as classroom space allows with final notifications being made the week of August 2.
Requesting a Transfer for SY 2021-2022
** IMPORTANT: The parent/guardian listed as family 1 will need to complete the form in Skyward Family Access. Attached to this message are directions to assist.
Next Steps:
- Log-in to Skyward Family Access
- Complete Elementary In-District Transfer Request
- Repeat, as needed, for each student
- Complete before Friday, April 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Questions?
To learn more about the transfer process, visit our website.
Please contact your child’s school with school-specific questions.
Forgot your username/password?
The Skyward Family Access parent account is based on the parent email address on file with the school. First, try using the “Forgot your Login/Password” to reset your password. This link is on the login page for Family Access. If that process is not successful, please contact your child’s school directly to ensure it has your most current email address on file.
JoCo Library Event
The Johnson County Library is hosting a session called: Talking to Your School Aged Child About Race on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. This conversation will take place on line from 6:00- 7:30PM if you would like to join in.
https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/5fff29b3ab84cc7d08f621a4
SMAC PTA Diversity Book Drive
The Shawnee Mission Area Council (SMAC) PTA is excited to announce the launch of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Book Drive! The Amazon Wish / Purchase Lists have been crafted by our school librarians with all students in mind.
Our goal and hope is that all students will see themselves and their families represented in literature. We hope all students have the opportunity to learn about, recognize, value, and embrace the uniqueness of their classmates and community through reading.
This is an exciting opportunity to support our students through literature! See the flyer below.
From PTA
PTA News & Notes
Please visit our PTA website today, www.benninghovenpta.org, to stay up to date on all of the latest PTA info! You will also find links and information on the following:
- Joining PTA – It’s never been easier! Memberships are just $9 and you can join online through Memberhub.
- Staff Appreciation – Help us show our faculty and staff how much we appreciate them! This year in lieu of food items we are collecting monetary donations for staff appreciation activities.
- Volunteer Opportunities – We are always looking for volunteers and couldn’t do what we do without your support! Check out our Committee sign ups and let us know where you can help.
Spirit Wear
2020 Spiritwear is here with hundreds of apparel choices and over a dozen NEW Benninghoven Knights designs to choose from! Order direct any time throughout the year and orders will be processed as they're received and shipped straight to your home. There will be a different promotion offered each month. Shipping is always free on orders of $50+! Info is posted on the PTA website, or click the link here to go straight to our online spiritwear shop.