Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
week of May 1, 2023
A message from Ms. Halpin
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I cannot believe this is the newsletter for May 1! The school year has passed by so quickly and we are all looking forward to our exciting events to end the school year!
Early voting has started in McKinney. Dowell Middle school and Evans Middle School are nearby voting sites. Please take time to vote after drop off or before pick up. This election is very important for our school district and I encourage all registered voters to make their vote count! Early voting ends on Tuesday, May 2 and Election day is Saturday, May 6.
Please remind your students that not following our school expectations may result in missing out on our many events coming up. We want to ensure that everyone feels safe at school and is able to focus on their learning.
I would like to provide a reminder for our families about electronic devices. Devices such as cell phones and smart watches should be left in the students locker or backpack during the school day. District policy states that these items should be put away during the school day to maintain a distraction free learning environment. These items may be collected by teachers and returned at the end of the day if students are in possession of the items. We appreciate you helping to ensure we have the best learning environment for all students.
We have STAAR testing this week for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Bears. We begin with Math on Tuesday and Science (5th only) on Thursday. We will have a closed Campus Tuesday - Friday to ensure we maintain a secure testing environment for students. Our students have shown growth is so many ways this year and we are all proud of their accomplishments!
We will have schedule changes on STAAR testing days for Specials and Recess. Please see the flier below for changes to your student's grade level.
Thank you for the many ways your support our school!
-Kassie Halpin
Principal, Bennett Elementary
May Character Trait
Gratitude is being thankful for the things we have and celebrating our accomplishments.
Newsletters: Grade Levels, Specials & the Learning Commons
Important Information from Bennett!
Thank you Volunteers!
Messages from Dowell MS
A couple of things for our soon to be 6th graders…
Hello Future Lions! Art classes are filling up for next school year. If you are still interested in joining band, choir or orchestra at DMS, you can still sign up. Contact Jennifer Morse, counselor, at DMS (jmorse@mckinneyisd.net) and then our directors will reach out to your family for details. Taking Art in 7th grade is always an option, but it is hard to pick up an instrument in 7th grade due to master scheduling. If your child was selected for AVID, they can do band, choir or orchestra next year and do their two years of PE in 7th and 8th grade. Please reach out to DMS if you have any questions. Can’t wait to meet you in August!
Melanie Machost
Principal, Dowell Middle School
Important Information from the Nurse!
School-Wide Events
April Stuffed Animal
April Stuffed Animal!
Congratulations to our April Stuffed Animal Winner!
Field Day is Wednesday May 10!
Important information from Coach Gray!
We are excited about our upcoming Field Day on May 10! We are welcoming volunteers/visitors on our campus that day and request that you RSVP in advance, so we have an opportunity to pre-print VOLUNTEER/VISITOR badges.
However, we definitely need your help because this event is not possible without parent volunteers. If you are going to come to field day, we encourage you to sign up to volunteer at a Field Day station. All students will rotate through every station, so you will have the opportunity to see your student. To sign up as a Volunteer, please make sure you have your McKinney iSD background check completed: https://www.mckinneyisd.net/human-resources/volunteer/.
- Kindergarten - 2nd grade Field Day is 8:15am - 10:49am
- School wide Lunch from 11:00am-11:45am. Each grade level will communicate their location and parents/guardians are invited to join us
- 3rd - 5th grade Field Day is 12:00pm-2:34pm
Please use the sign up genius link to sign up as a VOLUNTEER. There is a K-2 link and a 3-5 link. You may sign up for 1 or both.
If you plan to visit on field day, please RSVP at the link below. An RSVP will allow us to pre-print your visitor badge. If you do not RSVP, you will need to plan to stop by the Bennett office for a badge prior to joining field day activities.
There is a link below with detailed descriptions about each station to view before signing up for the station.
Sincerely,
Coach Gray
Save the Date! Bennett Live is Thursday, May 25
K-5 Bennett Live @ 9:00am
Invitations sent to Parents & Guardians of students receiving awards!
Grade Level Events & Reminders
Recurring Weekly events @ Bennett
Tuesday - PAWSitivity
Wednesday - Choir
Thursday - Drama Kids
Friday - Wear Bennett Spiritwear
Friday - Run Club
Looking ahead at the Calendar of events!
May 1 (Monday)
- No Alpha due to the STAAR testing this week
- "Bee" amazing Reading Challenge Ends today
- Fire Drill scheduled for 9:00am
- National School Principal Day!
May 2 (Tuesday)
- STAAR Math testing for 3rd, 4th, 5th grade students
- CLOSED campus for all visitors and volunteers due to STAAR testing
- No Lunch Visitors for any grade level
May 3 (Wednesday)
- CLOSED campus for all visitors and volunteers due to make-up STAAR testing
- No Lunch Visitors for any grade level
May 4 (Thursday)
- STAAR Science testing for 5th grade students
- CLOSED campus for all visitors and volunteers due to STAAR testing
- No Lunch Visitors for any grade level
- Drama Kids after school 3:15pm
May 5 (Friday)
- CLOSED campus for all visitors and volunteers due to make-up STAAR testing
- No Lunch Visitors for any grade level
- PTO Board meeting - transition to new board - meeting location TBD
- Last day to RSVP for Kindergarten Round-up on May 9
May 8 (Monday)
- 3rd grade attends ALPHA @ Webb
- Teacher Appreciation Week!
- Surprise for students at Arrival!
May 9 (Tuesday)
- Kindergarten Round up event @ 12:15pm
- Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 10 (Wednesday)
- Field Day!
- Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 11 (Thursday)
- Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade ALPHA students attend @ Bennett
- 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
- Teacher Appreciation Week!
- Drama Kids 3:15-4:15 in the Science Lab
May 12 (Friday)
- 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
- 5th grade students take home Crepe Myrtles
- Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 15 (Monday)
- 3rd grade Alpha @ Webb - last day this year for 3rd grade
- Kindergarten Celebration 8:30am Cafeteria
- 3rd grade Celebration 2:00pm Cafeteria
May 16 (Tuesday)
- 1st grade Celebration 8:30am Cafeteria
- 4th grade Celebration 2:00pm Cafeteria
May 17 (Wednesday)
- 5th grade Celebration 8:30am Cafeteria
- 2nd grade Celebration 2:00pm Cafeteria
May 18 (Thursday)
- Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade ALPHA students attend @ Bennett - last day for the school year!
- 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
- PTO spirit night @ Handel's Ice Cream - Ms. Halpin will scoop your ice cream!
- Drama Kids after school in the Science Lab
May 19 (Friday)
- 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb - last day for the school year!
May 22 (Monday)
- Senior Breakfast @ 7:30am - McKinney ISD seniors return to Bennett for breakfast and tour!
May 23 (Tuesday)
May 22 (Wednesday)
- K - 4 class parties during Specials time
- 5th grade will have regular specials
May 23 (Thursday)
- Last Day of school!
- Flag Lowering Ceremony
- Bennett Live!
- 5th grade Walk
- 5th grade End of the Year Party
Safety Patrol
Upcoming Schedule for Safety Patrol students
May 1 - 5 - Team 2
May 8 - 12 - Team 1
May 15-19 - Team 2
May 22 - 25 - Team 1
Important Information from McKinney ISD
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
2023-2023 MISD calendar
2023-2024 MISD calendar
May Birthdays!
May
1 - Braylen, Bennett
2 - Ola, Ms. Ray (Kindergarten teacher)
3 - Pierce, Josephine, Ms. Hill (2nd grade teacher)
4 - Carsen
5 - Emily, Ja'Korian
7 - Ms. Boysen (Special Education teacher)
10 - Mallory
11 - M'Kyri, Ms. Halpin (Principal)
12 - Landon
13 - Maverick, Ebunoluwa, Cameron
14 - Yusef, Femi, Dexter, Demi
16 - Isaac, Amira
17 - Wynter, Ms. Morris (Kindergarten teacher)
18 - Wrenley, Tomas
19 - Gia
20 - Gabriel
21 - Abigail
22 - Olivia, Ian, Ja'marion, Peyton
23 - Evelyn, Ms. Taylor (Dyslexia teacher)
24 - Carlos, Vaanya
25 - Ja'myrhia
27 - Madelyn, Doyin, Rory
28 - Iasmina, Mabry
29 - Samantha, Zachary, Eva
30 - Soren, Scarlett
31- Isaac, Leighton, Hayden
Information from the Bennett Cafeteria
How to add money to your student's lunch account
Make checks payable to McKinney iSD
Get your t-shirts for $10 each while supplies last! Orders will be delivered to students on a weekly basis.
2023-24 school supplies
Bennett PTO sponsored Watch Dogs Information
Important Dates for Our Watch Dogs!
**Watchdog registration closed on January 20th
MISD Gifted and Talented Information (ALPHA program)
Alpha teacher contact information
Alpha Testing Dates 22/23
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
The safety of our Bears is our #1 Priority
Arrival & Dismisal Procedures
Traffic flow map
Early Check-out Information
Bennett Schedules
Bennett Instructional Times
Bennett Specials Schedule
Bennett Spirit Days 22/23
Important Information from McKinney ISD
Club 360
McKinney ISD is looking for Crossing Guards!
MISD Weather Guidelines - Important information!
About Me
Email: khalpin@mckinneyisd.net
Website: https://www.smore.com/app/reporting/out/e87yb6?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.schools.mckinneyisd.net%2Fbennett%2F&t=schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett/&w=w-3190484287&i=&l=
Location: 7760 Coronado Drive, McKinney, TX, USA
Phone: 469-302-5400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MISDBennett
Twitter: @BennettBears