Best of Bennet
November 2022
From the Administration
Hello Bennet! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There are some great events coming up in December. Our Holiday Concerts are around the corner! Grade 6 is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/6/22 at 7 pm, and Grade 5 is scheduled for Thursday, 12/8/22 at 7 pm. Both concerts will be held in Bailey Auditorium at Manchester High School. On Wednesday, 12/15/22, Bennet will also be hosting a holiday event at the Buckland Hills Mall Barnes & Noble from 5-8pm. Please see all of the great details in the attached flyer! We hope all families can celebrate the season with us!
As many of your know, Bennet PE teacher Michael Silver, has transitioned to Assistant Principal, working with our Grade 5 students. We are very happy to have him join the administrative team!
Color outside the lines,
Megan Thompson
GO TEAM!!!
We are so excited to share that our amazing 10u football team Pop Warner Red Hawks continues their post season journey to Nationals! The boys are headed to Florida to compete and will be there for the first week of December.
We are looking to raise funds to help supplement the cost of Nationals for our players and staff! Any amount helps!
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.
Does your child participate in Afterschool Clubs?
If your child qualifies for the bus they are also offered a late bus on Mondays and Tuesdays, which leaves Bennet about 4:30. This bus does NOT stop at regular bus stops, so please take note of the list below and talk to your child about how to walk home from the late bus stop. If you prefer to pick up your child from activities, we ask you to park on Wells Street and pick up at 4:15 at the Franklin front door.
Things to note on the calendar:
EARLY DISMISSAL Wednesdays started October 5th!!! Students will dismiss at 1:15 on Wedndesdays from October 5 through June 7.
PLEASE PLAN AHEAD - DISMISSAL ON DECEMBER 23rd is 11:45. We had many families not take note of that extra early dismissal the day before Thanksgiving, so we are asking that you mark your calendars now.
Do you have pumpkins you need to get rid of?
A lot of us decorate our front steps with pumpkins, mums and other fall items. Right about now people are thinking about what winter decorations they want to replace the fall items with. You could throw away the pumpkin, but instead, why not help out your local wild life?
What animals will eat leftover pumpkins?
If the pumpkin isn't rotting, you can remove the seeds (save them!) and then cut up the fruit. Be sure to remove any candles and wax from the fruit before setting it out for animals, like porcupines or squirrels, to nibble on. As for the seeds, many birds and small mammals would love to have these as a snack or you can wash and bake these for your own family to try (I like mine salted...you bite off the outer shell and the inside is yummy!
Getting your child to talk!
As the parent of a teen (and 4 more in their 20s), it is often difficult to get more than grunts and the typical "fine" and "ok" answers from my child some days. Other days she doesn't stop talking!! Here are some fun conversation starters that kids cannot just answer with one word and might even inspire a real conversation!!
- Who do you eat lunch with at school?
- What bands are you listening to lately?
- What's your favorite show right now?
- What teacher drives you crazy?
- What teacher do you like best this year?
- How would you describe your style?
- Which subject do you think would be the most fun to teach?
- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you travel?
- Who is your best friend?
- What would your perfect day consist of?
- What is your favorite memory of us?
- If you could be any animal, what would you be?
- What is your most embarrassing moment?
- If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would you meet?
- What is your dream job?
- If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- What is your earliest memory?
- What is the first thing on your bucket list? Then share your bucket list.
- Would you rather live on the beach or in the mountains?
Good luck and keep talking to your child!! The more you talk to your child about easy topics, the easier it will be when tougher topics arise.
Nut Policy
Water bottles
What's for lunch?
It's getting cold outside!
If you are in need of mittens, hats, scarves or jackets for your crew, please reach out to us. We often have donations of new (even handmade!) items to share with those in need.
Are you in need of before or after school care?
Thankful Thoughts from Ms. Leahy's Homebase:
I am thankful for…
~my cousin and my Bestie. Kennedy B.
~my family, friends, video games, God, Jesus, and basketball. Devin C.
~my friends and my family for always being there when I need them. Ameera C.
~the lunch teachers who bring us out for our recess. Anaiya C
~my mom, dad, brother, family, German Shephard, and Pomeranians. Da’Vyne D
~water and food. Naya F.
~for my mom and my dad. Camrin G
~my body because it helps me to stay healthy and if I’m feeling some type of way someone can notice my body language. Telissa G.
~Corgies, being alive, swimming, and my family. Emmy G.
~for all of my friends and my teachers. Danielise G.
~having better breakfast and lunch at school this year. Jaylen J.
~for all of the teachers at Bennett. Daylyn J.
~for everything that I have. Darshan L.
~my mom. Jojo L.
~for family, friends, and football. Kevyn R.
~my dog Bruno. Noah R.
~my family and the food I get. Mueen S.
~my mom, dad, siblings, nana, grandma, grandpa, my bed, food, and my life. Ava T.
~my family and friends. Ta’Keo T.
~my teacher for always being able to help me and being super sweet. Jemma T.
What are YOU thankful for?
Ms. McDonnel's Kiddos are also Thankful!
What are you thankful for?
- My Mom, my Stepdad and my dogs - Makayla
- I'm thankful for my parents and for food - Melody
- I'm thankful for my family and friends, my life and pets and video games - Aniyah
- I'm thankful for my family and the army for protecting our state - Alex
- I'm thankful for my games - Efrain
- I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad and brothers - Jayden
- I'm thankful for my Mom, Dad and the rest of my family. I'm also thankful for my pets and my friends and myself and that's what I'm thankful for. -Ava
-I'm thankful for my shoes - Mia
-I'm thankful for my mom's cooking - David
-I am thankful for my Uncle. My Uncle is a Marine and risks his life for this country. He is the best Uncle anyone can have. He is always coming over and plays with us kids. -Logan
- I'm thankful for video games, family, and friends and Earth. -Aiden
- I'm thankful for my Mom because she puts a roof over my head and food on the table and gives me lots of love. - Austin
- I am thankful for my family and candy - Danae
- I am thankful for my family and everything I have. - Isaiah
- I'm thankful for my teacher and my family.
-I am thankful for my mom and my dog Oreo. - Wyatt
- I am thankful for my doggy and my family.
-I am thankful for my Mom, my home, my sister, my fish, and my dog. -Laila
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.
Shout out to Security Guard Barb Avery. Ms. Avery noticed a Bennet Cub with a ripped up backpack that the kids were starting to notice. She took it upon herself to talk to the youngster, find a new backpack for him and help him call mom for permission. How nice it was to see him walk in today proudly sporting the new pack!
Shout out to Crossing Guard (at Main/School) Kim Aiken. Ms. Kim noticed that a few kids were riding bikes to school with flat tires. She brought her air pump in, and pumped up the tires after all the kids went inside.
We really have some kind people helping out our kiddos and I want them to know how much we appreciate them!
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
Have you looked at the Virtual Backpack
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 working with your children at Bennet Academy?
Coming to you in Grade 6 Math - Mrs. Manjrekar!
Mrs. Manjrekar joins us from the West Hartford Public School District. In addition to that, Ms. M taught math in India for 17 years! Mrs. Manjrekar always wanted to be a math teacher and loves her job and helping students understand math. She lives with her husband and two sons in West Hartford and enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, baking, reading, walking, hiking and watching movies.
The Attendance Office welcomes Johnny Green!
Mrs. Christensen in Grade 5!
Formally a Bennet Bear herself, Mrs. Christensen has been teaching for over 30 years in Manchester. She is married with two children and has an 8 year old grandson that she adores! Her hobbies include grandmothering, quilting, metal detecting, and exploring different places in the world, especially beaches!
In 6th grade Humanities:
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. There is ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING or meeting students at CVS.
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