Benfield Family Newsletter
March 14, 2022
Greetings Benfield Families!
MCAP Testing Update
We are currently in "testing season" and I have a few dates to share with you. Please avoid having your child out on testing days as making-up the test is very challenging. The following days students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be involved in MCAP testing:
- English/Language Arts "ELA": April 25-26 and May 3rd-4th
- Mathematics: May 9th-10th and 16th-17th
Parents of fourth and fifth grade students received MCAP scores from last fall in February. As a school, Benfield did well, receiving the highest overall score in ELA and in the top five for mathematics.
Morning Arrival Reminders
The doors open for students beginning at 9:15 a.m. Please be sure that students are not arriving too much before this time, as there are no adults available to supervise students.
In order to help the car rider line go faster, please be sure your child is ready to get out once your car is along the sidewalk at the front of the school. Your child should exit the car asap so that we may keep the line moving. Please do not pull out of the line to go around other cars.
Personal Communication Devices - Smartphones and Smartwatches
Personal Communication Devices have become a distraction for many of our students as they are calling home, receiving calls, text messaging, and using the calculator during class.
A team of us met recently and developed a policy to address this problem. Moving forward, all smartphones and smartwatches need to be turned off during the day and stored in students' lockers. These devices cannot be used while at school unless permission is given by a staff member. For example, it is fine for your child to ask their teacher if they can turn on their device at the end of the day to check for messages from a family member.
Sue Myers
Principal
Email: smmyers@aacps.org
School Phone: (410) 222 – 6555
Google Voice: (302) 404 – 6898
Instagram: benfieldesaacps

2022-2023 Transfers and Withdrawals
Requests for transcripts should be emailed to krobinette@aacps.org for any students who will not be attending Benfield or Severna Park Middle School next year. Please submit this form as soon as you know you will be moving or transferring so that all the proper paperwork can be completed before the end of the school year.
Attention Volunteers!
All volunteers who are not AACPS employees MUST have a background check if they are in our school buildings or engaging with students. These include classroom helpers, making copies, band/chorus parents helping with concerts, set builders, etc.
*Commercial Background Checks (free) are good for two years.
*Fingerprint supported Background Checks ($58.25) are good for the tenure of their students' time in AACPS.
If you are interested in volunteering at Benfield, please be sure to view the Volunteer Video and bring in the signed form. If you have already seen this video and sent in a signed form, there is no need to do it again.
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Strategic Planning Survey
Benfield Elementary PTO
Benfield PTO 2021-2022 Board
President - Marci Flynn
Vice President - Cara O'Brien
Secretary - Jessica Duncan
Fundraising - Beth Karsner and Elizabeth Somerset
Volunteer Coordinators - Krissy Archer, Bridgette Richburg, Martha Satterfield
Membership Toolkit: Click here for membership information.

Support Benfield School and PTO Through Shopping or Donations !
Amazon Smiles Register your Amazon account to support the Benfield PTO. Click here for the link. | Planet Aid / Discover Books Any unwanted clothing, shoes, and books can be dropped off in one of the bins in the car loop. | Box Tops for Education Register for an account either through the App, or through the website www.boxtopsforeducation.com. Registration is free. |
Planet Aid / Discover Books
Box Tops for Education
PTO Sponsor of the Month
Please take a moment to thank our Premier Sponsors of the Month, Mike Archer and Marshall Feldman of First Home Mortgage!
Mike and Marshall are proud Benfield parents and supporters of the PTA. With over 30 years of combined experience, they are experts in helping their clients purchase and refinance residential real estate. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any home loan questions.
This is not a guarantee to extend consumer credit. All loans are subject to credit approval and property appraisal. First Home Mortgage Corporation NMLS ID #71603 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)


AACPS Resources
AACPS School Reopening Plan: This website is updated regularly as information changes. Please check it regularly.
Brightspace - If you are interested in learning more, please click here: Brightspace for Families.
Emergency Form - Please be sure to update and submit your child's emergency form.
Parent Portal: This is an excellent resource for parents as it has information about grades, attendance and more. If you have not signed in yet, be on the lookout for an email on Wednesday with instructions.
Permission to Administer Medication at School Form
Safety Protocols: This links shares the safety protocols in place at schools.
Transportation Form Acknowledgement of COVID-19 Risk - any student who rides the bus to school must have this form on file.
Transportation Updates for cancelled/late buses
Virtual Math Support through AACPS Mathematics Department