Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of August 15, 2021
Thank You for an Amazing Start to the 2021-2022 School Year
Visitors & Volunteers Welcome Back Into the Building - Friday, August 27th
We encourage parents to use these two weeks to complete your criminal background check for the 2021-2022 school year. Here is the link to complete your annual criminal background check: https://webserv.mckinneyisd.net/workspace/.
Thank you for sharing your BEAR with us each and every day. We look forward to seeing YOU visiting and volunteering in the building starting on Friday, August 27th.
Welcome! We are excited for all of our Bennett Bears to visit the Learning Commons and participate in the many literacy and STEM activities we offer throughout the school year. Make sure you read our weekly newsletter featured in the Bear Business and check out the Learning Commons Google Site, http://gg.gg/bennettlc, to stay abreast of all we have to offer.
What is a Learning Commons?
The mission of the Bennett Elementary Learning Commons is to ensure that students and staff are effective evaluators, users and communicators of ideas and information, enabling them to be literate life-long learners.
The Bennett Elementary Library is transitioning into a “Learning Commons” to accommodate the needs of our 21st Century learners. A Learning Commons is a place for experts and learners to come together to engage with information and create new understandings. Its flexible space allows individuals, small groups and classes to visit at their own convenience. The open commons is a distinctive place where teachers can demonstrate the very best teaching and learning practices in the school and others can observe excellence in action.
Beginning of the Year Orientations
We will be busy the next few weeks making sure students have access to devices and assisting students in selecting books from our library collection.
Week of August 16-20:
2nd-5th students receive a laptop for classroom use
2nd-5th students meet with Mrs. Stallbaumer to discuss the Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), technology care and management expectations, and digital leadership
K-1st students receive an iPad for classroom use and their teachers will discuss Student Acceptable Use, digital citizenship, and classroom expectations
Week of August 23-27:
K-5th students will visit the Learning Commons for a Library Orientation
K-5th students will select books from our collection for their reading enjoyment
-Mrs. Stallbaumer & Mrs. Perkins
Mrs. Stallbaumer will be selecting 5th grade students to serve on the Bennett Bears Kid Talk Show for the 2021-22 school year. To be considered, fifth grade students must complete the online application.
THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS 8:00pm, Thursday, August 19, 2021.
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED NO LATER THAN END OF DAY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021.
While students (not parents/guardians) must complete the application and short essays, a parent/guardian will need to complete the last section of the application.
Please direct questions to Mrs. Stallbaumer, via email, at astallbaumer@mckinneyisd.net.
Application Link and Informational Flyer: http://gg.gg/id3b4
Complete Your Annual Criminal Background Check Here
MISD to Provide FREE Breakfast & Lunch to ALL Students Again this Year
August Breakfast Menu
August Lunch Menu
MISD Counseling Impact Groups
I’m excited to announce that we will have small group counseling sessions this year, led by Bennett’s IMPACT counselor, Christyna Skidmore.
These 4-session groups will focus on conflict resolution & healthy relationships, self-regulation, impulse control, and/or executive functioning skills.
Parents, teachers, administrators, students, and the counselor are all invited to recommend students for group sessions. Parents must give consent for their students to participate.
Click here to refer a student.
NEW Carpool/Walk Up Signs for All BEARS
**Please Note - Parents will need their child's carpool/walk-up sign every day for dismissal. If you don't have your child's carpool/walk-up sign, you will be asked to go into the front office to check out your child.
Bennett's Arrival & Dismissal Details
Bennett's Arrival & Dismissal Map
BEARS Celebrating a Birthday in August
1 - Durham, Paulina
2 - AnaBelle
4 - Elinor, Oliver, Bryson
5 - Ethan, Ayden, Gerry, Saesha
6 - Sally, Johah, Tyler, Emory
7 - Sara, Thomas
8 - Nicolas, Akshaj, La'miya
9 - Julian, Nolan, Mrs. Lane - secretary
11 - Z'narriehh
12 - Bond, Matteo
13 - Kacey
16 - Jules, Caleb
17 - Lela, Kingston
18 - Eliana
19 - Daniel
20 - Isabella, Mrs. Fahsholtz - 5th grade teacher
21 - Mrs. Gore - 4th grade teacher
22 - Charity
23 - Kevin, Juliette, Jonas
24 - Lovella, Brooklyn, Mrs. Blazek - kindergarten teacher
25 - Haley, Jason, Allison
26 - Hensley
27 - Kaden
28 - Gabriella, Mrs. Androlowicz - STC aide, Mrs. Leiker - 3rd grade teacher
30 - Ahiyan, Hailey, Vivian
Upcoming Events for our BEARS
August Events:
Monday, August 16th:
Dyslexia Services Begin
Tuesday, August 17th:
Alpha (GT) Supply & Say Hi - Webb Elementary - 5:00PM-7:00PM
Thursday, August 19th:
*News Crew Applications Due
* Alpha (GT) Supply & Say Hi - Webb Elementary - 5:00PM-7:00PM
Monday, August 23rd:
*Alpha Services Begin
*Kindergarten Color RED Day
*PTO sponsored "Popsicles in the Park" & Watch DOGS Kick-Off - 6:30PM
Tuesday, August 24th:
*Kindergarten Color WHITE Day
*PTO/Bennett Fundraiser Kick-Off - Big Kahuna Fundraiser
Wednesday, August 25th:
Kindergarten Color YELLOW Day
Thursday, August 26th:
Kindergarten Color GREEN Day
Friday, August 27th:
*Kindergarten Color BLUE Day
*Visitors & Volunteers Welcome in the Building
Sunday, August 29th:
PTO Sponsored Jeremiah's Italian Ice Spirit Night
Monday, August 30th:
Kindergarten Color ORANGE Day
Tuesday, August 31st:
Kindergarten Color BLACK Day
September Events:
Wednesday, September 1:
Kindergarten Color PINK Day
Thursday, September 2nd:
Kindergarten Color PURPLE Day
Friday, September 3rd:
*Kindergarten Wear Your FAVORITE Color Day
*PTO Sponsored Principal's Coffee - 8AM
Tuesday, September 14th:
PTO General Meeting & Bike & Safety Rally - 6:30PM
Wednesday, September 15th:
Progress Reports go home with 1st-5th grade BEARS
Week of Monday, September 20-24
College Week
Monday, September 20th:
*MAP Window Opens for K-5th
*MClass Window Opens for K-2
Tuesday, September 21st:
National IT Professional Day
Wednesday, September 22nd:
PTO Sponsored Jersey Mike's Spirit Night
Friday, September 24th:
*September Friday Live - 2:15PM - Bennett gym
*Wear Bennett spirit wear attire
Saturday, September 25th:
Crape Myrtle Run - details to come
Tuesday, September 28th:
Picture Day
Thursday, September 30th:
1st & 2nd Grade Alpha (GT) Referrals Due
Nurse News from Nurse Tiffany
New McKinney ISD Covid Sign
NEW MISD Covid Protocols
Effective 8/2/2021, all existing protocols will be replaced with the following information. We will continue to monitor and adjust our protocols based on any updated information from Collin County Health Department, Texas DSHS, Texas Education Agency and CDC.
- All staff, visitors and students (with parental assistance) should monitor for symptoms of illness prior to campus arrival.
- CDC Guidance (including those fully vaccinated) recommends to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Schools in Texas, including McKinney ISD, may highly recommend but may not require masks.
- Campuses will work to ensure no student is treated differently as a result of their choice to wear a mask or not wear a mask.
- Visitors will be allowed on campus according to standard visiting rules.
- Social distancing will be maintained when feasible.
- Staff and students will continue to be expected to wash their hands frequently throughout the day.
- Parents and employees will continue to be required to report confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 to campus administration or their supervisor, but this information will no longer be tracked on the District COVID-19 Dashboard.
- Staff and students with symptoms of COVID 19 (until ruled out) OR a confirmed case of COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days from the date of symptom onset or positive test if no symptoms.
- Staff will not conduct close contact reviews and students/staff will not be required to quarantine for exposure.
- Current MISD COVID-19 numbers may be accessed through TEA at https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/schools/texas-education-agency/
- Current Collin County/City of McKinney numbers may be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8a63b1622bea4d65b28658f2101b5392
NEW MISD Covid 19 Isolation Protocols
New MISD Isolation Protocols
Step 1: When a student, who is on campus, has displayed symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, coughing, shortness of breath, etc., the school nurse will provide a clinical assessment to determine if and when a student needs to be sent home. Students who are ill will be separated from their peers and should be picked up within one hour.
Step 2: The campus nurse will speak with the parent/guardian regarding quarantine and isolation needed for their symptomatic student. The student who has symptoms of COVID-19, may return to campus after 10 days have passed from symptom onset AND symptoms resolved AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication. The student may return to campus before the end of the 10 day period only IF a note from a health care provider is received by and discussed with the campus nurse prior to the student returning to campus.
Step 3: The campus nurse will follow up with the student throughout the quarantine and isolation period.
Step 4: If the parent of the student reports to the campus nurse that the student was tested for COVID-19 and is now lab confirmed positive, the steps for “ Students Who Report That They are Lab-Confirmed Positive for COVID-19” will be followed.
Students Who Report That They Are Lab-Confirmed Positive for COVID-19
Step 1: When a student has been lab-confirmed positive for COVID-19, the school nurse and teacher should be notified of their illness and should remain home for 10 days from the date of testing.
Step 2: The student who had the lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive test result, may return to campus after 10 days have passed from the date the positive test was performed AND symptoms resolved AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Step 3: The campus nurse will follow up with the lab confirmed COVID-19 positive student throughout the quarantine and isolation period.
Step 4: MISD will follow Texas Education Agency and Collin County Health Department guidance for reporting lab positive confirmed COVID-19 cases.
MISD Health Information & Forms - See Below
Join Us for Popsicles in the Park to Kick Off PTO Sponsored Watch DOGS - Monday, August 23rd
Kindergarten Color Weeks - August 23 - September 3 - All BEARS Are Invited to Join Us in Wearing the Color of the Day
Bennett's Specials Schedule
Bennett's Instructional Schedule
McKinney ISD Alpha Dates
McKinney ISD School Calendar - 2021-2022
1: The World Technology Changes for our BEARS
1:The World
Elementary Changes for 2021-22
McKinney ISD elementary campuses are committed to providing the best possible instructional experiences for our students in ways that both engage and empower them. Part of this commitment to high-level instruction includes access to technology tools for teaching and learning in the classroom. During the 2020-21 school year the district expanded our 1:The World laptop initiative to include students in grades 3-12. All students in these grade levels were provided with a MacBook Air computer that traveled to and from school on a daily basis. The laptops were checked out to individual students with the understanding that these devices would move with your child from grade level to grade level each year and would serve as their primary tool for technology use at school throughout their career in MISD.
In an effort to consistently reflect on best practices for our youngest learners with technology the decision has been made to modify the 1:The World program at elementary. Students will continue to have access to a personal device for learning at school, however, they will no longer travel to and from school. Student devices will be stored in the classroom for use as necessary, but parents should not be expecting them to return home each night as was our previous practice. We believe that elementary students will have opportunities to grow in their understanding of how to be quality and responsible users of technology by practicing within their school environment. As they leave us for 6th grade, their personal laptop will travel with them for use in middle school and at home. Any incidents with laptops from the 2020-21 school year will be removed from your child’s inventory record and annual usage fees will no longer be charged for any elementary student. Students may continue to customize their personal MISD device with a cover of their choice or school-appropriate stickers etc. and all devices will be stored in locked cabinets while not in use.
What is the classroom standard for technology access in McKinney ISD’s PK-5 classrooms?
PK-1: Class set of iPads managed by MISD’s technology department
2nd grade: class sets of laptop computers stored in carts
Grades 3-5: Individual laptops checked out to students that will move from grade level to grade level on a 5-year refresh plan. Devices will be stored in classroom carts but will not travel from school to home
What changes are being implemented this year?
In order to grow students in their understanding of digital citizenship, internet safety, and responsible use of technology, laptops will be checked out to individual elementary students in grades 3-5, however, they will not travel to and from school until students arrive in middle school in the 6th grade. Last year, students in 4th and 5th grade took their devices home each day. This year, students in grades 3-5 will NOT travel to and from school with their individual laptops. All student devices at elementary will be stored in classrooms in charging carts to be used during the school day only.
Annual laptop fees are no longer required
Why did the model for technology access at elementary schools change, specifically for students in 4th, and 5th grade?
The decision was made to reset and adjust expectations for our elementary students using 1:1 technology in order to provide “training wheels” for elementary students. MISD district leadership believes that 1:1 instructional technology will be best leveraged by ensuring our youngest users have the opportunity to grow in their understanding of using technology responsibly and safely while supported by their teachers in a blended learning classroom.