Best of Bennet
October 2022
From the Administration
It’s hard to believe we suddenly find ourselves halfway through Quarter 1 and settled into our daily school routine! Launch units have wrapped and our classes are commanding deep thinking, risk-taking and perseverance as we learn new skills. Conferences are coming up, so stay tuned for information about how to book an appointment with your child’s teacher(s)!
Clubs and Extracurriculars are rolling out and filling up! Remember to check our Bennet Virtual Backpack often for information about all we have to offer outside of the school day! Offerings will be happening Mondays and Tuesdays after school and late buses are available for students who usually take a bus. We want everyone to be able to participate!
It is getting cooler out and we want to get students outside for recess whenever possible. Please remind your child to dress appropriately (layers are good!) so they can enjoy the fresh air without shivering!
Color outside the lines,
Megan Thompson
Do you need to pick up your child early?
To make it quick and easy to pick up for early dismissal:
- Call ahead - give us 5-10 minutes notice that you will be arriving so we can find your student and have them ready and waiting when you arrive.
- Come before 2:15. After that you will not be able to park out front because our mini-buses start arriving. It gets chaotic with end of day business for students, so picking them up before that time is easier.
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 prior to medication?
Has your child had diarrhea or vomiting within the last 24 hours?
If you have answered YES to any of these questions, your child should stay home and you should call the school absentee line.
If your absence is COVID-related please contact the school nurse for advice prior to sending your child to school.
Things to note on the calendar:
EARLY DISMISSAL Wednesdays starts October 5th!!! Students will dismiss at 1:15 on Wedndesdays from October 5 through June 7.
No School on Election Day - Tuesday, November 8th.
No School on Friday, November 11 - Veteran's Day.
Are you in need of before or after school care?
MELC
Ms. Tanner's
Ms. Sarah Brown's 6th Grader
Nut Policy
Water bottles
What's for lunch?
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy Club Beautification
Club Beautification is a group of Bennet Bears that meets every Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:15. This club will focus on keeping our historical building, Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy, in style for the season and holidays. There is a year of fun filled activities planned so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. Please see Mr. Orlowski in Barnard 203 if you are interested in joining. Permission slip will also be in the Virtual Backpack.
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.
Mrs. Finn shouts out to the Secretarial staff of Heidi, Dorrine, Makiah, Carla, Kelly and Tammy Sue for welcoming me and teaching me the "Tricks of the Trade!"
Your turn - I want to hear from parents and staff alike - email cberman@mpspride.org with your shout-out!!
Locks and Lockers
Parents have the option of renting school locks for the 22-23 school year. Please complete this form BENNET LOCK RENTAL FORM if you are interested in renting a school lock from Bennet Academy. Parents are allowed to provide students with their own locks, however, students must share their lock combination with the teacher. Locks must be returned to their homeroom teacher by June 1, 2023.
The Bennet Bear Den
Nurse's Corner
Do you have medications you still need to drop off for your child to take during the school day? Please call ahead and schedule a time to drop these off with the nurses. You also need to include the Authorization for Administration of Medicine by School Personnel form, signed by your doctor. We can not administer medication without written Drs orders.
Bennet School Nurses
Penny Parent & Carrie Bowman
860-647-3582 (p)
860-647-6348 (f)
Attention Grade 6 Parents!!
Your student will be required to have a physical dated January 2022 or later and proof of tdap and meningococcal vaccines in order to be cleared medically for 7th grade. If they have not already had a physical during that time frame that you submitted to the nurse, please schedule one. You can request your doctor fax the paperwork to us at 860-647-6348.
Addressing this proactively saves a lot of time and energy for the nurses, parents, and their pediatricians come spring/summer when appointments book out months in advance. Questions can be directed to Christie Michaud at 860-647-8189 or cmichaud@mpspride.org.
Christie Michaud BSN RN
Manchester Public Schools
District Compliance NurseAttendance Line
Ms. Wollert's Cubs!
Girl Power!
Working so hard she was exhausted!
Yali, a 5th grader, was so excited to do art in Mr. Courey's class that she fell asleep and was dreaming about art.
Does your child want to join a club?
Monday and Tuesday afternoon we have late buses for those participating in clubs or staying after for extra help or detention. Parent pickup on Monday and Tuesday for the clubs is 4:15 and buses will leave Bennet about 4:30. Late buses are available for any student already assigned a bus. Parents please note, late bus stops are NOT necessarily the same as your child's regular stop. They often have a much further walk from the late bus stop.
Attention Parents!
*Connect with Bennet staff, students and families!
*Build a sense of community!
*Spread JOY!!
Please email b47koles@mpspride.org to learn more, ask questions or to join!
REMINDERS - Water Bottles, buses and birthdays!
*Bus behavior: Please talk with your child about bus rules and behavior. Behavior at bus stops should be the same as expected in school. Students should keep hands and feet to themselves and wait patiently at their bus stop. This means no entering other people's yards, no picking flowers, no running into the street, no wrestling with peers, etc. When the bus arrives, students should find a seat and remain seated until it is time to disembark. There is NO FOOD or gum allowed on the bus. Students should remain seated and talk quietly with a friend, no yelling or otherwise distracting the driver. Bus behaviors will be dealt with swiftly and may include assigned seating, bus suspensions, or other disciplinary actions.
*Only students that qualify for a bus may ride that bus. Therefore, you cannot send your student home on a different bus to go home with a friend. If you would like your child to get off a different bus stop on their regular bus you may write a note to the office and we will communicate with the bus company. Thank you for understanding.
*Birthdays - In Manchester we do not celebrate birthdays with food or balloons. Please do not send these items in with your student.
Who's New at Bennet Academy?
New Math & Science teacher in 5th grade - Ms. Borcea!
Ms. Borcea is starting her 17th year teaching, which includes Verplanck, Keeney, and now 5th grade math/science at Bennet. She lives in Manchester and has two grown daughters and a beautiful new grandson. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog, reading a lot, cooking, and gathering with family and friends.
New in 6th Grade - Humanities teacher Timothy Craig!
Welcome to Nancy Shoemaker in Special Education!
Nancy retired from teaching in 2021 but found she missed working with kids - go figure! She comes to Bennet 3 days a week for the 6th grade Special Education department. Outside of school The Shoemakers are a very active family: biking, boating and skiing. Last, but certainly not least, Mrs. Shoemaker loves spending time in New Hampshire with her grandkids.
Christine Allison is new in the Art Department for Grade 6!
Christine is the new 6th grade art teacher here at Bennet. Last year, she taught as a district wide art teacher at Buckley, Bowers and Highland Park. Now, she is so excited to lead our Bennet Bears as they grow as artists, as students and as members of a greater community of learners. Ms. Allison has a strong background in Ceramics at CCSU, but has been dedicated to drawing and painting her whole life. Some things she loves to do in her free time are hiking with her dog Blu, knitting, reading, and attending Hartford Athletics games. We all look forward to an amazing school year!
Welcome Mrs. Finn - our new front office secretary!
Stop by and say hello to Tina Finn (officially Christina), our new secretary!! Not new to Bennet, Tina was a paraprofessional for 14 years before realizing it was time for a change- and what better place but our main office!!. She has been married for 38 years to her college sweetheart and has three children, two sons and a daughter. She resides in Glastonbury and is enjoying life as an empty nester! Tina loves going to fairs in the fall and prides herself in going to one or two different fairs every weekend this fall. Stop by and say hello to Tina in the Franklin office!
Special Programs welcomes Alexus Menendez!
There is a new counselor in Grade 5 - Welcome Mrs. Walsh!
Jessica Walsh joins our wonderful counseling staff, having been working in the School Counseling field for about 8 years. Jess grew up in Connecticut and is very familiar with the town of Manchester. Dancing is her passion and we have a champion Irish step dancer in our midst. Mrs. Walsh taught different types of dance for many years including tap, hip hop and Irish. Spending time with family and friends and traveling as much as possible make up any free time this busy momma has.
Another School Counselor joins the team - Welcome Mr. Ahlberg!
News from the Bennet Office:
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.
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 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!
A note from the security team.
Please be aware as you drive through our pick up/drop off area that students are everywhere! Students should be dropped off in designated areas. You should not let your student exit your car on Wells Street.
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.
Lost & Found
DROP OFF AND PICK UP INFORMATION!!!
There will be no drop off or pick up allowed on Wells Street or at CVS. Please do not ask your child to meet you at CVS. Students are not allow at CVS unless accompanied by their parent, so security will stop them from heading over there.
Special Programs families and Mini-buses will be the only vehicles allowed to pull in front of the Franklin Building for drop-off in the morning. No other vehicles will be allowed to access the front of the Franklin building unless the time is past 8:15 a.m. Late students will be dropped off at the front door, ring the bell to be let in, and will receive a late pass before being sent to class. Parents do not need to accompany late students to the door. If the tardy is due to a doctor's appointment, please get a note from the doctor for your child to have the tardy excused.
Please see map below.
Is there something you would like to see in this newsletter this year?
Bennet Academy
Email: jchella@mpspride.org
Website: https://www.mpspride.org/Domain/9
Location: 1151 Main Street, Manchester, CT, USA
Phone: 860-647-3571