Best of Bennet
January 28, 2022
From the Principal
I hope this message finds you all doing well heading into this snowy weekend!
We have officially started the third quarter and are, believe it or not, halfway through our school year. Report cards will be posted in the Home Access Center (HAC) next Tuesday, 2/1/22.
Please know we are here to support you as together we work to help your student make the most of their 2021-2022 school year. We are very appreciative of your support and partnership!
With appreciation!
Joe Chella, Principal
Can my child go to school today?
Has your child or a family member been in close contact with a known positive Covid person?
Does your child or a family member have a persistent cough, or other respiratory symptoms, shortness of breath, lung congestion?
Has your child or a family member lost the ability to smell or taste?
Does your child or a family member have a fever over 100 F?
If you have answered YES to any of these questions for you or your child, your child should stay home and you should call the school absentee line.
If you answered YES to any of these questions for a member of your family, please contact the school nurse for advice prior to sending your child to school.
Attendance Line - 860-647-3582
Please take note, even if your child is in quarantine, it is important to call them in absent if they are to ill to complete assignments or participate in remote learning (if they qualify).
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CVS
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Things to note on the calendar:
REMEMBER WE HAVE EARLY RELEASE EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH JUNE 1st. Students will dismiss at 1:15 on Wedndesdays.
The marking period ended January 25th. Report cards will be posted to Home Access Center (HAC) by February 1st. Students will also bring home a report card next week as well. If your child is earning a D or below the report card will be mailed home. If you do not know your HAC information please email Mrs. Turner (b39hturn@mpspride.org). You can see your child's grades, attendance and progress notes as well as report cards, so take note of the different tabs.
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February Dreambox Challenge
Students Complete 12 lessons between January 30 - February 12
If they complete the challenge and have completed their classwork,
teachers will be able to sign students up for a special celebration in the library during math workshop!
Hour of Code: Exploring Circuits - February 23
Paper circuits projects, littlebits and robots!
To log-in to Dreambox:
Go to MPS K-8 Resources and log-in to Clever
Choose Dreambox
Choose your lesson
Complete 6 per week to meet the challenge!
Tips:
Use your tools - math strategies, multiplication chart, scratch paper
Use the tips and help buttons that Dreambox offers
Choose a different activity if one becomes too frustrating
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Parents please help!
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We are Nut-Free this year!
Remind your student please!
What's for lunch?
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We have water stations all over the school, and we are running out of cups!! Do your part to save the landfill by sending your student with their own bottle to fill.
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Ayden Rodriguez and Ms. Crudden are "clout-tastic"!
The Bennet Bear Den
Gizelle Clarke and Veneetha Quddus
5th grade PTSA members celebrating our sock drive!
Ms. Montminy
Brianna Rovegno
Mr. Gordon's 5th Grader is the first in Bennet history to read all 10 Nutmeg Books!
Physical Education
Current Unit: Basketball
Students will be working on the primary skills of basketball which includes: dribbling, passing and shooting. Activities help students work on speed, agility, strength and motor skills.
What’s up next: Floor Hockey
Did you know…. Our FAVORITE sports are:
Mr. Silver - Basketball
Mr. Leitao - Football
Ms. Palmisano - Gymnastics
Mr. Wibly - Football
Ms. Coles - Soccer
Lets Think: Who invented the game of basketball and where was it first played?
*We will post the answer in a future newsletter*
Have a question? E-mail us at:
Coles: b25scole@mpspride.org
Silver: msilver@mpspride.org
Leitao: mleitao@mpspride.org
Palmisano: apalm@mpspride.org
Wibly: swibly@mpspride.org
What's up in Mrs. Bertuglia's Class?
Read about the happenings in Ms. Kearney's and Ms. Surdam's classes:
Welcome back and Happy New Year to all of our Bennet families!
Math: In January our students have been working hard on dividing decimals. We have investigated how to share money equally amongst people, how to figure out the cost of an individual item, and how decimals show up in our everyday lives. As we continue to build on our decimal skills, look for fun ways at home to build students skills! You could have students help with the grocery shopping or family budget.
Science: In our science unit we have been exploring ecosystems and food webs. We have investigated how matter moves from amongst the environment and organisms. Students have also explored how plants grow. We analyzed data and learned how plants get the matter they need to grow primarily from sun and water. We are currently wrapping up this unit and looking forward to our new unit on earth’s systems! We will explore the biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Reading: We are enjoying book clubs! We held a book tasting where multiple books were presented to our reading groups. The groups explored them and decided which book interested them. Students work together to create a daily reading goal, explore various aspects of their story, and hold discussions to share their thinking.
Writing: Students are putting forth great effort in their writing! We are writing narrative stories about small moments that are important to our lives. So far, we have learned how to show our details to help our readers visualize our stories. We have also practiced writing strong leads, adding dialogue, and how to organize our stories into paragraphs.
Social Studies: Students are exploring why our school is named after Elisabeth M. Bennet. Each student conducted their own research on their assigned topic. As they read about Ms. Bennet, students took notes.We are currently putting the final touches on their projects that will share all of what they learned.
Exciting lessons with Mr. Pinatti!
In math, students are exploring working with variables to write and solve equations and inequalities. They are also learning to express inequalities on a number line and using tables to represent data.
In Science, students are learning about how genes relate to traits and physical characteristics. They had fun collecting data on their own physical traits and comparing them to the class. Not one person had hair on their upper knuckles! They are also using data, graphs and other sources of information to create evidence based claims and argue their position. This week our class will begin our unit on salmon. We have access to a tank of salmon eggs which will be monitored daily. In the spring, sixth graders will release the salmon into a CT rivier!
Creating Change with Mr. Gordon's and Mrs. Emmerich’s classes!
During advisory our students have been learning about what an activist is. Our discussions focus around how activists can be any age, gender or race. We learned an activist is someone who takes action to create change - big or small!
Some of the famous activists we have learned about are Greta Thunberg (Climate Change), Marley Dias(1,000 Black Girl Books) and Anwar Boutahar(Children’s Mental Health. As our discussions evolved over the last few weeks we began making connections between these activists and ourselves.
A special shout out to both of our classes for engaging in these meaningful discussions to show that anyone can make a change in the world!
News from the Barnard Building!
Check out this update from: Ms De Angelis, Mr. Menefee, Ms. O’Hara, Ms. Longanecker, and Ms. Anastas!
In Language Arts, students finished writing their personal narratives before winter break. They worked on elaboration techniques like, show, don’t tell, flashbacks, internal thinking, and more to bring out the deeper meaning of their stories. After the break, we jumped into our historical fiction unit that uses the text, Refugee. They are learning how to orient themselves to the historical setting. Furthermore, they are studying how the characters react to the setting. As the story progresses, students will consider how the characters change and grow. They will write a literary essay on a character from Refugee. They will create theories about a character and turn them into a thesis. Students will learn strategies to gather, analyze, and explain evidence to support their claim.
In Social Studies, the students took part in a research project to learn about Elisabeth M. Bennet. Your child worked to answer our compelling question: why is Bennet Academy named after Elisabeth M. Bennet? Students learned about who she was, what motivated her, why she was honored as a lifesaver, and more. After their research, they created individual projects to teach others about her. Now, students are learning about the different historical periods and settings found in our read-aloud, Refugee, to understand the historical conflict in the book.
In Math, we have been learning about the differences between equations and expressions as well as learning how to solve one and two step equations. Ask your Bennet Bear about some math vocabulary (variable, coefficient, constant, solution). In order to be successful in solving equations, we continue to review and practice order of operations, inverse operations and basic math facts. It is important that our students practice fact fluency. In an effort to continue to reinforce our studies, students are using DreamBox. The goal is to have every student use DreamBox for a minimum of 60 minutes per week. Your help in supporting this goal is appreciated. We will be adding inequalities to our work now.
In Science, we learned:
- How components of multicellular organism are organized;
- That humans have sensory receptors that respond to different types of stimuli and send information to the brain for interpretation, and
- How the environment and genetics affect who we are and how we are similar or different.
We are now learning about the life cycle of Atlantic salmon. The salmon eggs are here and soon we will begin collecting data about the eggs (and when they hatch, the fish). The plan is to record our data and observations over the next few months. Ask your student about some of the challenges salmon face as they attempt to return to spawning grounds, and how those challenges impact the survival of the species.
What are Ms. Sarah Brown and Ms. Amy Couch's Class doing?
We just finished up a unit on Bullying in advisory. We explored cyberbullying, physical bullying, and emotional bullying. The students ultimately ended up creating skits and performing them. Ms. Couch is currently working on our new unit for Advisory which will start next week.
We would like to remind families to make sure their student charges their laptop. We have had many students come to school with either their laptop dead, or dying shortly thereafter. When this happens, they have to complete their classwork at home.
We would also like to thank students and families for coming to school ready to learn and with a mask that fits. It has a been a calm January and we are very appreciative of the efforts made by students to be their best selves.
We are halfway through the year with grades closing this past Tuesday and the new semester beginning this week. Ms. Couch's class will get to experience Spanish with Senora Mokites and Ms. Brown's class will have computer education with Mr. Weyrauch.
Family Survey
If you have not already, please take the Family survey sent out by Manchester Public School.
ELISABETH M. BENNET T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST
Using information they have learned about Elisabeth M. Bennet, students can design a t-shirt celebrating the local hero that she is. The T-Shirt design must utilize this form and fill the whole box and be hand drawn - no copying or tracing! The winning design will be featured on a t-shirt and be available for sale, raising funds for the Statue Project! How cool would that be? I for one will be buying one!!
Ms. Chapman's & Ms. Leining's Bears working on their Elisabeth M. Bennet projects and descriptive language ELA activity (above and below)
SHOUT OUTS!
We are going to continue highlighting the positives this school year. Throughout the year please let us know who has made you smile, or been a wonderful role model for your child, went that extra mile, or was there when you needed a shoulder. This could be a student, a teacher, support staff, or even an administrator. Remember, we rise by lifting others!
Nurse Penny wants to shout out Adrian Genaro for being a supportive, sweet and caring friend!
Nurse Christie shouts out to some of our wonderful evening custodians - Ms Connie and Mr Frank - for helping jump her car after her battery died last week!
Ms. Shewokis gives a big shout out to Mickiyah Smith for helping make a student feel comfortable and welcome on her first day!
Mr. Kaplan would love to give a HUGE shoutout to his class for getting 97% of their multiplication facts correct during their Blooket math warmup! He is so proud of their hard work and how much it is paying off!
Ms. Reimels shouts out to Barb Avery for doing a great job covering classes and bringing learning to the students.
Shout out to ALL the behavior techs, security, office staff, guidance counselors and all those covering classes so we can be running strong at Bennet Academy! We could not do this without you! You are intensely appreciated!
Big shout out to Monika Wilcox, our new long-term sub for Art! She's doing a GREAT job navigating a whole new world!
Mrs. Kehoe shouts out to Mrs. Berman. She is always a team player and steps in to help whenever needed.
Nurse Penny & Nurse Elisha shout out to Knox Thompson for being a kind and sweet buddy to a Bennet Bear that is new to the country and just learning the language, helping him navigate his new world.
Ms. Reimels shouts out to Lashunda Kerr for always being ON IT with her students and attending to them with care, love and attention. Also, she makes strong positives connections with many other students in her day to day routines.
Mrs. Holman shouts out to Mr. Duva, Ms. Fortin, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Boccia, Mr. Pinatti and Mrs. Bertuglia - Thank you for being the best, most supportive work family ever. I am so thankful to work with you all. This amazing group of teachers stepped up and stepped in when I needed them most. They had my back and I was able to be out and come back with a seamless transition! You guys are the coolest, funniest and most loyal friends a girl could ask for!!!
Bennet would like to welcome Karen Montminy to our library staff as a library paraprofessional. Both Highland Park and Bennet Academy are fortunate to have her as part of our teams!
Ms. Reimels shouts out to Mr. Steven for the many positive connections he makes every day, all day, and for the many classes he covers and for how he checks up on students and teachers.
We want to hear from parents and staff alike - email cberman@mpspride.org with your shout-out!!
Our latest STAR Students!
Nurse's Corner
Parents please talk with your children about not texting or calling home from their cell phones when they feel ill and would like to go home. If your child is not feeling well the protocol is for them to get a pass to the nurse, who will then evaluate their status and determine if a call home is warranted, or if they need a little TLC, a rest, some ice, etc. and to go back to class. It is becoming an issue with students using their phones and parents arriving unexpectedly.
Bennet School Nurses
Penny Parent & Elisha Mathews
860-647-3582 (p)
860-647-6348 (f)
WELCOME to NURSE MICHAUD!!
Hello, Bennet community!
I wanted to introduce myself and fill you in on my role here at Bennet. I am new to MPS, and was hired to cover nurse absences and assist with nursing duties that could use an extra hand around the district. My home base, however, will be here at Bennet where I will be working on preparing sixth graders to move up to Illing. Specifically, making sure they meet all medical requirements as mandated by the state.
SIXTH GRADE PARENTS: Requirements for your student to start Grade 7 include:
-a copy of your child's most recent physical dated January 1, 2021 or later
-Tdap booster
-MPV/meningococcal vaccine
These documents can be faxed to Nurse Michaud at 860-647-6348. Please call 860-647-8189 with questions or email cmichaud@mpspride.org.
I look forward to working with your students!
Christie Michaud BSN RN
Manchester Public Schools
District Nurse Substitute
REMINDERS - Masks, Water Bottles, and Home Access Center!
*Please continue to send your student with a reusable water bottle as all water fountains remain closed this year. We do have filling stations throughout the school to refill their bottles.
*Please be sure your student has a mask when they leave the house. Masks are required on buses and in school building at all times. It is also helpful if they carry an extra mask in their backpack just in case.
*Just a reminder that grades, progress notes and report cards are posted in the Home Access Center. Your login and password remain the same for HAC throughout your child's time in Manchester Public School through graduation. Please keep this information in a safe place as you can always log in to look at your child's grades, but it is also where Progress Notes and Report Cards are found. If you need help logging into the HAC please follow the link above and click on "forgot my user name or password". We no longer have access to your password at the school level.
Take a look at our Virtual Backpack!
The PTSA needs you!
Bennet PTSA is looking for a new Treasurer this school year. Interested candidates should email the PTSA @ bennetacademyptsa@gmail.com.
To join the PTSA as a regular member please fill out the membership form below and send it in with your child or email it.
News from the Bennet Office:
Picking your student up early? Please call about 10 minutes ahead and we will have your student ready. Let us know when you arrive and we will meet you at the front door with your student to check your ID. Thanks for being patient with this early dismissal procedure as we limit visitors.
For all technology assistance (including Chromebooks, laptops and iPads), go to the IT Helpdesk or call / text 860-682-0607, Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
- Did you move? Please see the list of required documents. Contact Registrar Heidi Turner to update your information: b39hturn@mpspride.org or 860.647.8275. Remember we cannot change your child's bus information until you have provided your new proof of residency.
- New number? Please remember to update the registrar with any changes to your phone number or email so we can reach you! We send out newsletters twice a month and emails from the principal weekly and you do not want to miss anything!
- New email? If you are reading this on our app and not in your email it may mean we have old information. Please contact Ms. Turner with your new email address so you don't miss out!
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10 Ways to Bring Social-Emotional (SEL) Learning Home
From your Bennet Social Work Team...Last time we brought you the 7th of 10 tips and here is tip #8...
Tip #8:
Help your child express and name their emotions. This helps our kids to understand what they are feeling, and us to understand them. If they can identify their feelings they will be better able to control the not-so desirable ones! Ask them to choose an emoji that shows how they feel, or use the following scale, which many of them are already familiar with: Green is happy, blue is sad or tired, yellow is ok and red is angry. It's a quick and easy way to see where their emotions are at. Being aware of how our kids are feeling in a given moment allows us to intervene sooner rather than later, avoiding an escalation of negative behaviors if they are in the red zone!
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NOTES FROM SECURITY
If you pick up your child utilizing the School Street to Vine Street route please be aware that you may be blocking driveways of the residents on School Street. We have had several compaints about people not being able to get in or out of their driveways as cars are sitting in line, blocking the driveways and not yeilding for a resident to pull in or out. If you are blocking a driveway and see a car trying to get in or out, please yeild to them. It is very frustrating for our neighbors to have to fight to get in and out of their property every day. We appreciate your being aware of your location and helping spread goodwill!
Please be aware as you drive through our pick up/drop off area that students are everywhere!
Please do not stop on the CVS side of Wells Street to drop off or pick up your child. It is much too dangerous to have students crossing that narrow road and causes traffic issues on both sides of the road. Also, there is no parking in the CVS parking lot for drop-off or pick-up.
Please be sure to discuss pick up and drop off plans with your student to eliminate any confusion and keep your plan consistent. Thank you.
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Bennet Academy
Email: jchella@mpspride.org
Website: https://www.mpspride.org/Domain/9
Location: 1151 Main Street, Manchester, CT, USA
Phone: 860-647-3571