Best of Bennet
March 12, 2021
From the Principal
The weather seems to be shifting with spring around the corner. It will be nice to get outside and enjoy some fresh air! As we know, there is also a change for our students as well. As Mr. Geary has shared, as of April 19, hybrid students will be returning to Bennet five days a week This will also impact remote students as they will be in their remote class five days a week as well. As we get closer, we will share the new schedule for both in-person and remote students. We are looking forward to having much more contact time with students both in-person and remotely!
As always, thank you all for being such great partners as we navigate this unique time and school year.
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.
We are Nut-Free this year!
Remind your student please!
What's for lunch?
What are our young artists up to?
The Grade 5 Art Curriculum includes projects in which students shade with light to dark values to create an optical illusion design, draw a scene using one-point perspective, and learn watercolor techniques to mix new colors, blend, and create a range of values. Students will also create a mixed media and collage design inspired by artist Faith Ringold’s Story Quilts.
The 6th grade Art Curriculum this year includes using Value (light & dark) to create the Illusion of Form (3 Dimensional objects) using pencil, color pencil or watercolor. We also are studying 2 point perspective and space: Objects can appear closer by drawing them larger, and lower on page. If the artist wants to cause objects to seem farther away, they can be drawn smaller, & closer to the horizon line.
Please enjoy the following creations from some of our student artists. Above is a colored pencil still life by Christopher E-D in Mrs. Reimel's grade 6 class.
Ellis B
Charu K
Lan P
Mr. Courey’s 5th grade Class, One Point Perspective Landscape Painting
Giana H
Izabella R
Mr. Courey’s Class Gr. 5, Faith Ringgold style Story Quilt Squares
Sruthi V
Rita D
Mrs. Guzzi’s 5th grade class, Optical Illusion Art
Cole O
Ms. Gillespie’s 5th grade class, Faith Ringgold style Story Quilt Squares
Zale P
Grade 5, Mrs. Guzzi’s Class, One Point Perspective Drawing
Gabriel R
Ellis B
Rachel S
MUSICAL NOTES Grades 5 & 6
Students enrolled in general music this quarter have been busy in both their virtual music rooms and in their music classes at school. It has been wonderful getting to know our Bennet Musicians and experimenting with new activities and games. Students have been learning about music history, different instruments, and have been brushing up on their music literacy skills. Students are engaging in the use of programs, such as Smart Music and Jamboard, as a means to strengthen their skills and also as an opportunity to perform musical rhythms and melodies. General music students are also able to transfer their learning into their instrumental groups. As the quarter progresses, we will continue to dive deeper into our exploration of orchestra and band instruments. We will also continue our study of music history by listening to a diverse repertoire of music and discussing the ways in which it has evolved throughout the 20th century. We look forward to meeting our quarter four students and expanding their musical knowledge. We look forward to the reintegration of our students into the ensemble program in the fall and are excited to see them apply the skills they have built in general music this year.
Instrumental students continue to improve on their note reading skills and their instrumental technique. Students continue to navigate the software program known as Smart Music, which allows students to practice with background accompaniment, add a metronome, and hear their own part. They are also able to receive audio and visual feedback from the program. Students that were unable to participate during the first half of the year, due to scheduling issues, are encouraged to contact Mrs. Browning or Mr. Garrison if they would like to get the login code to join one of the current lesson groups. It is a great time for students to review what they have already learned and build on those skills.
As we approach spring, students will be working on a final project that will involve preparing a concert program flyer along with preparing 2-3 selections that they can perform. They will be able to choose their audience, a family member, a family pet, or even an audience composed of their favorite stuffed animals. We hope to see all of our instrumentalists return to the program in the fall when in-person ensemble classes resume.
We would like to thank the parents of our Bennet Academy Musicians for your continued support!
Physical Education
Physical Education at Bennet
Current Unit: Volleyball - Students will be working on the primary skills of volleyball which includes: Bumping, setting and serving. Activities help students work on hand and eye coordination, agility, strength and motor skills.
Did you know…. Our FAVORITE seasons are:
Mr. Silver - Summer
Mr. Leitao - Fall
Ms. Palmisano - Summer
Mr. Hansen - Summer
Mrs. Coles - Fall
Lets Think: On average, how many steps are in ONE mile? Tune in next month to see if you are correct!
Last Months Let’s Think: What is the average number of times a volleyball player will jump in one game? The average number a volleyball player will jump in a game is 300 times! Were you close?
Have a question? E-mail us at:
Coles: b25scole@mpspride.org
Hansen: khansen@mpspride.org
Silver: msilver@mpspride.org
Leitao: mleitao@mpspride.org
Palmisano: apalm@mpspride.org
Did you know?
What's up next?
Got a cough?
Team Mandella
Team Mandela is taking on March Madness with excitement and enthusiasm! We are continuously impressed by our students' hard work and the wonderful families that support them!
Math - Our 5th graders continue to strengthen and refine their long division skills through the month of March. We have learned the area model, partial quotient, and alternative algorithm strategies so far! Students are using their multiplication and division facts to show their place value skills in many different ways.
Science- We are wrapping up our unit on the earth's spheres. We have learned all about how plastic affects our earth and what we can do to help improve it! Ask your students at home what they have noticed about where plastic shows up in their everyday lives! As March wraps up, we will start our learning about ecosystems.
Reading and Writing - In February and March our focus has been around reading nonfiction and researching about a chosen topic. Students have been learning about ways to become stronger readers of articles and non-fiction topics! We are taking all these great reading skills and turning them into interesting and engaging non-fiction research reports through our writing!
Social Studies - We are currently wrapping up our exploration of the 13 colonies. We have learned about the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies. We explored colonial jobs, economies and lifestyles through different projects!
Special Programs
Classes in the Special Programs are focusing on chapter books currently. Mr. Witten's class is reading a book titled Refugee. This book follows the journeys of the protagonists and their families that escaped the hardships that they faced in their native lands. Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are all from different countries but face similar struggles, and dreams to achieve a better life.
Ms. Stahl's class just finished Chocolate Fever and is starting Matilda. They are focusing on making predictions, retelling the story, and understanding inferences.
Ms. Clark's remote and hybrid classes are reading Charlotte's Web and learning about characters, places, problems and solutions. In February, Ms. Clark's students studied many different African American people who made our world a better place. In Science, they are currently studying all different kinds of maps (topographical, physical, political, weather, state, county and town).
In Mr. Morelli's room there are a lot of exciting happenings! We are continuing all of our work on letters and numbers, our activities with our service providers, and building on all of the skills we've been practicing all year. But, we're also getting ready for spring, and beginning preparations for next year too!
Marcus
Mr. Witten's Class
Super helper!
We need YEARBOOK candids!!
Many parents have been asking about the "regular" yearbook photos that we typically take in the fall and use for identification in our computer system as well as the yearbook and parent purchase. Obviously this year will look very different for that and more information will be forthcoming from Central Office as to how we can accomplish that. Stay tuned!
Bear Care Corner
With the promise of coming back into the building full time after April break is looming, it means Bear Care will soon be coming to an end. In the meantime, please remind your Cub to come to Bear Care with a charged Chromebook and charger, earbuds, a reading book, and a nut-free snack!
Could you use a helping hand?
If you have fallen on hard times - you're not alone. Unfortunately, during this pandemic many people have also felt the economic consequences. These services have been put in place to assist people in need: CT/Government assistance: https://www.connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp - this is the website to apply for cash assistance, food stamps(SNAP) and medical. The first box will ask you questions and take about 15 minutes - to find out if you are eligible. The second one beneath it will take about 30-60 minutes to fill out for benefits. Click on it and it will take you to a page of information: You'll want to click the circle to the left on the page for start a new application - it looks like this:
Start a new application for any of the following:
Manchester Food Pantries: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/ct-manchester
Mobile Foodshare is an outdoor pantry-on-wheels for people who need food assistance. The program visits community sites throughout the Greater Hartford area. Food choices vary from week to week, but usually include several types of fresh produce. To receive the Mobile Foodshare schedule on your cell phone text FOODSHARE to 85511.
Thanks to Miss Cavanna, Bennet Academy Social Worker (860-647-3571 x70543), for sharing these resources.
Do you want to lend a hand?
If you know other ways community members can help, please share your ideas with us for possible publication in a future newsletter. Email cberman@mpspride.org.
SHOUT OUTS!
We are trying to highlight positives this school year...and the following people have had a positive impact on us at Bennet!! Do you want to see someone shouted out next time? Email your suggestion to cberman@mpspride.org.
Ms. Gazaille wants to shout out to Brian A. from Mrs. Clark's class. He spent his entire recess this morning walking around the courtyard and collecting all of the trash. So awesome and so proud of him! (See his picture above under Special Programs!)
The Bennet Bear Den
NURSING NEWS!
REMINDER for 6th Grade Families
In order to start 7th grade your student needs to have a physical exam by your doctor, a walk-in clinic, or an urgent care center, as well as both the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines. Physicals for 7th grade may be dated anytime anytime after January 1, 2020, so if your child had one last winter or over the summer and you have not provided the nurse with a copy, please do so now. You can fax the paperwork to the nurses at 860-647-6348 or send the hard copy to the Nurse’s office via your child. Be prepared, doctor's offices often schedule physicals months in advance, especially during summer - You don’t want your child to miss the first days of 7th grade!
Bennet School Nurses
Penny & Elisha
860-647-3582 (p)
860-647-6348 (f)
Attendance Line
REMINDERS
*We try to go outside every day for mask breaks, PE class and whenever we can sneak in a short break. Please be sure your student is dressed appropriately - it is cold outside, especially in the shade! If you are in need of help acquiring a warm jacket, gloves or a hat for your student please reach out to their guidance counselor. We often have donations we would love to share with our Bennet Cubs.
*Please be sure your student has a mask when they leave the house. It is also helpful if they carry an extra mask in their backpack just in case.
*Progress Notes were posted in the Home Access Center last week. 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 contact the Registrar, Heidi Turner at b39hturn@mpspride.org.
Take a look at our Virtual Backpack!
Do you want to make a real impact on our school? Join the PTSA!
Help your student get involved with PTSA!
Bennet Bears! Strong communities are comprised of strong individuals & we need your child!
As a member of the PTSA (Parent, Teacher & Student Association), students will represent their peers and classmates of Bennet Academy. We will work to ensure Bennet is a welcoming, respectful and inclusive community.
Together we will identify goals for our school community, discuss activities for all members to engage in, and develop plans for implementation. Think movie nights, spirit days and more! Your time, talents and skills can help build a stronger school community & WE NEED YOU!
Meetings will be held virtually on Thursday afternoons from 3-4pm. Use this PTSA FORM to join!
News from the Bennet Office:
Would you like to talk directly to Principal Chella? He has parent office hours every Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. If you would like to sign up for a Google Meet with Mr. Chella please contact his secretary Mrs. Hegenauer (laurenh@mpspride.org) to sign up for a time slot as soon as possible, but no later than 2:00 pm Thursdays. If there are no time slots available for the current week you will be scheduled for the following week.
Picking your student up early? Please call ahead and we will have your student ready. Let us know when you arrive and we will meet you at the 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.
- New number? Please remember to update the registrar with any changes to your phone number or email so we can reach you!
- 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!
A note from the security team.
Please be aware of our school security guards directing traffic for arrival & dismissal times at the exit area of our bus Lane and Vine St. Parents dropping off and picking up should enter the property via Spruce to School Street and exit onto Wells Street. Thank you for your patience.
Is there something you would like to see in this newsletter?
Bennet Academy
Email: jchella@mpspride.org
Website: https://www.mpspride.org/Domain/9
Location: 1151 Main Street, Manchester, CT, USA
Phone: 860-647-3571