Benefield Family Newsletter

It has been a great start to 2023 at Benefield. We look forward to all the great things your child will do this semester. We also look forward to partnering with you to ensure that your child is making progress towards grade level competency. One way that you can partner with us to make this happen is by supporting our cluster and school-wide events. For example, our first-ever Cluster Computer Science Night at Discovery High School will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Discovery High School (next door) at 6:00 p.m. Our virtual GMAS Parent Night will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. This is a very important meeting for all parents of students in grades 3-5. If you need more information regarding these events, let us know. We want to hear from you!

Virtual Awards Night will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 for PreK-2nd grade students & multiple grade levels at Benefield. Students in grades 3-5 will be acknowledged on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Both ceremonies will start at 6 p.m. via Zoom. A personal invitation will be sent to all students who will be honored at our Virtual Awards Ceremony. Criteria for acknowledgement at our Virtual Awards Nights are listed below.

• A Honor Roll​: All A's or E's for first semester in academics
• A/B Honor Roll​: A/B's for first semester in academics
• Most Improved Titan: Awarded to students who have shown consistent academic improvement (2 students)
• In Tune Titan: Award for active participation and engagement in learning ​(2 students)
• Citizenship Award: Award for displaying our behavioral expectations of being respectful, responsible, and ready​

Dear Benefield Family,

It is with immense joy that I write this letter of introduction as the new Assistant Principal of Benefield Elementary. I look forward to working in partnership with Ms. Stevens and the staff to continue the work of advocating for and providing all students and families with an educational experience where values and diversity are celebrated. Prior to joining Benefield, I have had the pleasure of being a 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade teacher, MTSS, SST, 504 and Gifted Coordinator. Although this was not my initial career path, I can honestly say it is the path God has chosen for me.

I am extremely excited to be a part of the Benefield family. I am committed to building relationships and creating a safe, strong learning environment for students and teachers. I look forward to meeting all students, teachers, and families this year!

Mrs. Tammy A. Jones

Assistant Principal

January 16 - MLK Holiday

January 18 - PreK-2 Virtual Awards Night, By Invitation Only

January 19 - 3-5 Virtual Awards Night, By Invitation Only

January 19 - Local School Council, 7:30 a.m. PLR

January 20 - 100th Day of School

January 23 - 101 Dalmatian Day

January 24 - Cluster STEM Night, Discovery High School, 6:00 p.m.

The counselors are excited to be back for an eventful and successful second semester! We will begin teaching the Personal Safety lessons this month. A letter was sent home with each and every student that included information about the Think First & Stay Safe program. After the lesson is taught, another letter will be sent home providing you with the primary concepts and content of the lesson taught.

Our Titan Trait for the months of January and February is Fairness. Fairness is defined as the lack of favoritism toward one side or another. Many often think of Rick Riordan’s famous quote, “Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.” Please see below for a few books to read with your student(s) to support and encourage their reading and character growth.

Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

Lovell, Patty. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Pfister, Marcus. Rainbow Fish

Seuss, Dr. The Sneetches

Various Authors. The Little Red Hen

Polacco, Patricia. Pink and Say

Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree

As we start a new year, please continue to make attendance a priority! Getting your child to school on time each and every day supports their learning. We are continuing to reward classes for being READY with perfect attendance through a raffle. Congratulations to this month’s winners; Ms. Shuman (K), Ms. Rajan (1st), Ms. Shultz (2nd), Ms. Henry (4th) and Ms. Cole (5th). The students will be rewarded with doughnuts next Friday. Making sure your child is at school every day gives their class a great chance to win!

Thank you all for a great first semester! The Family Center is open and ready to check out resources and materials to assist families in mastering grade level content. Do you need extra reading material? Do you need manipulatives to practice multiplication? The Family Center is your one stop shop in order to prepare our students for iReady and Georgia Milestones. Feel free to contact the Family Center for all your needs.

If you need help with mypaymentsplus.com, please feel free to contact xandria.mcbride@gcpsk12.org Click here for a short video on how to acknowledge your Title I documents and forms.

Ms. Xandria McBride, 770-822-6549

Ms. Ana Morales, 678-518-6981

Parents and Guardians, to celebrate the 100 days of school share and write down the 100 reasons your student(s) love their school!

Learn Through Play

As babies grow, they learn to use their bodies to make discoveries. Find out what your baby is learning as they play with you, and activities you can do to support their development!

Babies learn largely through their senses: Their eyes, ears, nose, hands, and mouth are their tools. As babies grow, they learn to use their bodies to make discoveries. They begin to reach and grasp (watch out for long hair), which allow them to explore toys in new ways.

Click to read more

Library Shelfie Day (January 25th) is a day for book lovers to share their favorite books and library shelves with the world in a fun way. Take a picture of yourself holding your favorite book or in front of your favorite bookshelf and post it to our Padlet linked on our Benefield eCLass page. The Padlet will be on display in the Media Center on January 25, 2023.

Thank you for your support of our Book Blast! Through the support of Benefield families and friends, each and every student at Benefield received at least one book to add to their home library. Congratulations to the following students who raised the most contributions for their grade level!

Pre-K: Mia Luna

Kindergarten: Cameron Shields

1st Grade: Paige Hall and Genesis Pauldo (tie)

2nd Grade: Branden Santiago

3rd Grade: Leilani Chestnut

4th Grade: Liberty Orieh

5th Grade: Jamie Williams

A special congratulations to Liberty Orieh, our school-wide winner! We celebrated with a school-wide unveiling of our new books!

Titans READ!

Keep reading Titans, and be sure to enter your minutes on your reading log! In addition to passing out buttons for you reading hats, we will be having drawings for special prizes at the end of the month.

Kelli O'Loughlin, Assistant Principal

Michelle Vendryes, Assistant Principal

Tammie Jones, Assistant Principal

Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/benefieldes