Family News: Happy New Year!
January 8, 2023
Dear Bentley Families
We are excited to welcome our students back after two full weeks of vacation! Whether you observed Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas/Dia de los reyes, or simply celebrated the turning of the calendar to 2023, all of us at Bentley hope that you all enjoyed joy and time with loved ones over the past few weeks.
December was packed full of exciting activities here at Bentley! You'll see photos & descriptions of some of them below. The most meaningful for me was hearing our amazing students make music! We had the pleasure of hearing our 4th and 5th grade instrument players entertain us by playing several numbers for our school community the week before break. We also got to hear 2nd and 3rd graders sing songs about winter in both Spanish & English. We truly have VERY talented children at Bentley! Thank you to our instrument teachers, our music teacher, Ms. Moonan, and all the families who were able to attend our concert!
May all of our families find peace, joy, and good health in 2023!
Liz Rogers,
Principal
(Pro-tip: You can find more photos, and up-to-the-minute information about everything going on at Bentley by following us on our social media pages - Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click on the links below!)
Health Check!
Before the vacation, all students were provided with Covid tests. Please be sure to test your child today or tomorrow morning. If they test positive or have any Covid symptoms, please keep them at home until they are well (5 days of quarantine is advised by the CDC). Due to the anticipated rise in Covid (and flu, RSV, and other illnesses), masks are highly encouraged & supported over the next several weeks.
Please call the school (978)740-1260 and check in with Nurse Charlene if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy!
PTA Meeting AND Presentation for ALL Families
Come to Bentley on Tuesday!
We are so excited to have our monthly PTA meeting on Tuesday at 6:00, followed at 7:00 by a presentation for ALL families about our English literacy program, MyView. Babysitting will be available in the gym starting at 5:45. We'll provide a Zoom link (sent via Parent Square) for anyone unable to attend in-person.
Attendance MATTERS!
Bentley Attendance Rates
Our school continues to improve attendance rates, thanks to all of our families and Anny Cruz and the attendance team. We encourage families to continue ensuring students are in school EVERY DAY AND ON TIME! Be sure to reach out to Ms. Cruz or the main office if you need support getting your child to school every day or if there is a reason your child is chronically late to school.
Thank you to ALL families for your efforts -- ensuring students are in school every day has a direct impact on academic achievement and social emotional growth.
Changes in Dismissal Plans
Be sure to notify Helena and/or Anny in the main office - (978)740-1260 - as early in the day as possible if your child's dismissal plans will change. This way, we ensure students are getting home in the way families are expecting.
Bentley FUN!
Door Decorating Contest
Every classroom, right before the winter break, decorated their door to represent students' ideas about "unity."
Ms. Veronica's library door entry.
Kindergarten students vote for their favorite doors.
Bentley Academy was featured on this decorated door!
Jiji from ST Math
You've probably heard your child talk about ST Math. This is an online math program that helps students use problem-solving to understand math concepts. Jiji is the penguin that appears on-screen while students progress through the program. Because of our progress as a school on the number of puzzles students are solving, we had a special LIVE visit from Jiji the week before break! Jiji met all of our students at lunch & gave out hugs & high-fives for their hard work!
BAIS Musicians
Enjoy these shots from our Winter Concert held on December 20!
Movie Night
In early December, we hosted our first FREE Family Movie Night! It was so cozy on a cold, rainy night -- families set up blankets in the cafeteria and snuggled up to watch Charlotte's Web. While some families brought their own food, others purchased pizza and snacks we had on hand. We had such a great turnout that we ran out of pizza! Keep an eye out for the next movie night, where we'll be sure to have MORE pizza & snacks!
Family Engagement
Are you wondering how to get involved with us at school? Look no further! Here are some fun ideas & upcoming opportunities!
PTA Meeting
This month's meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10, at 6:00. We invite you to meet with the team in person in our cafeteria OR via Zoom (link will be shared in a Parent Square on Tuesday afternoon). Any family member at all from our community is invited to help us raise and spend funds on our students! You'll also have a chance to get to know the officers of the PTA (see the picture above of this dynamic team!):
President - Erin Jackson
Treasurer - Kirsia Rivas
Secretary - Jemila McDonald
Learn about our English Literacy Program, MyView
Immediately following the PTA meeting (approximately 7:00), our Literacy Coach, Anna Dietrich (former 5th grade teacher, Anna Masciola!) will share an overview of the program we use in our General Education classes to teach students critical reading and writing skills. We are currently using MyView in grades 2-5 in all classes EXCEPT Dual Language. (Stay tuned in February for a presentation about our Dual Language curriculum!)
Home Visits
We will resume scheduling home visits from your children's teachers and other Bentley staff in mid-January. So far, this fall, we have completed home visits for 16 students! We look forward to doing more of these in 2023! Reach out to Anny Cruz or your children's teachers to request a HOME VISIT!
Conferences with Teachers
On Wednesday, December 7, many Bentley families met with teachers to learn about their children's academic progress. If weren't able to attend these conferences, please reach out to the main office (978)740-1260, and Ms. Caldeira can help you do this.
Visit your Child's Classroom
Come observe your child's birthday in the classroom or share information about a family tradition. Be sure to reach out to the school to arrange any visit to school ahead of time by calling Anny Cruz, as well as filling out a CORI background check in the office before planning on spending time at school.
ACCESS Testing for Students Learning English
There is a test for English learners called the ACCESS test. (ACCESS stands for Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State). Every child who is an English Language Learner, from Kindergarten to grade 12, must take this important test. Later this year, you will receive the results of the test, and information about how your child is progressing in learning English. The dates for ACCESS testing at our school are January 9 - February 3, 2023
Be sure to check for more details about this test in a Parent Square message that went home on Friday. Reach out to the school with any questions!
Outdoor Time
Fresh air and exercise is an important part of the school day. Time spent outdoors gives students the opportunity to engage in activities that allow them to relax from the structure of the classroom for a short while. We will use guidelines each day that both allow students to get much-needed fresh air and exercise and ensure students' health and safety. Please be sure your child has a coat, hat, and gloves every day throughout the winter. Reach out to Esther Mejia if you are in need of winter clothing for your child.
emejiafernandez@salemk12.org OR (978)740-1260
Healthy Foods at School
Thank you so much to families for supporting our request to keep unhealthy snacks out of school. We have seen a decrease in sugary snacks & items such as Takis, which contain more than a week's worth of sodium (much too much for children!). THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT ENSURING THAT STUDENTS ARE BRINGING HEALTHY SNACKS TO SCHOOL.
As you know, we serve breakfast, lunch, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day for all students (for FREE!). Each day at lunch, students have several options. Check out this months' lunch & breakfast menus on the Salem Public Schools' website (link below)
Bentley School Calendar & Hours
Important Dates
January 10 - PTA Meeting (and spotlight on literacy, immediately following), 6:00-7:30
January 16 - Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday, NO SCHOOL
January 25 - Early Release/PD (12:10-2:40)
February 20-24 - February Vacation - NO SCHOOL
Be sure to check the SPS school year calendar for other important dates!
Bentley Academy Uniforms
- Shirts (and hoodies & sweatpants!) can be ordered (delivered to your home) using this link
- If your family needs support acquiring uniform shirts, please reach out to Anny Cruz, our Family Engagement Facilitator, at the school (978)740-1260
Our uniform policy does not designate which bottoms students must wear, but pants, skirts, or shorts should be appropriate in that they should not show "private" body parts.
After School Care
The Salem YMCA runs our after-school program located at Bentley. Please visit their website for more details. Be sure to sign up EARLY as their program fills up quickly!