Best of Bennet
September 23, 2022
From the Administration
On behalf of the administration team we would like to welcome new families to our community! The year is off to a great start thanks to the positive energy of our students, families and staff. It has been especially nice to see smiling faces each morning and throughout the day as our students reconnect with their pals, learn the ropes, and take advantage of everything Bennet has to offer. We look forward to after school clubs and activities starting soon- look out of all of the information to come via the Bennet Virtual Backpack! Happy Fall Y’all! Megan Thompson
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.
Our first scheduled day off is October 10th!
Get to know the PE teachers!
Suzy Coles has taught Physical Education and Wellness in Manchester since 2007, across every grade level, mostly at Bennet Academy. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students with techniques and strategies that enable them to be successful and confident. When students find joy and are proud of their new achievements in the skill or activity, it is the best! Outside of school, Mrs. Coles can be found outdoors staying active, working and playing in every season. Her favorites are farming, gardening, nature, biking, hiking, and trail running. She also loves spending time with family, friends, and the best cat in the whole world.
Shawn Wibly is in his second year teaching at Bennet Academy. He has previous Physical Education teaching experience in Plainville and Wolcott Public Schools. His favorite part of teaching is seeing students develop their athletic abilities as well as teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship. When Mr. Wibly is not teaching, he is playing tennis, basketball, and softball. He also enjoys spending time with his fiancée, family, and friends.
Michael Silver has taught Physical Education for 15 years, 10 years in Hartford and the last 5 years at Washington and Bennet Academy. He has taught grades Pre-K through 8th grade and his favorite part of teaching is giving the students an opportunity to be successful at differing skill levels. Michael was raised in Manchester, went to Waddell, Illing and Manchester High School and has been the Aquatics Director for the Manchester Recreation Department for the last 20 years. He is married and has two rescue dogs Tucker and Callie.
Matt Leitao is in his fourth year teaching Physical Education at Bennet Academy. Prior to teaching at Bennet he taught for over ten years in the Clinton and Coventry school districts. Matt was raised and lives in Manchester and worked many years in the community through programming with the Manchester Recreation Department. His favorite part of teaching is being able to give students a positive opportunity to succeed in a physically active setting.
Alicia Palmisano has been teaching Physical Education in Manchester for the past 8 years. Throughout her career she has taught at both the Elementary level and at Bennet Academy, traveling from school to school. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing students grow from the preschool age all the way through grade 6 learning different skills. Ms. Palmisano enjoys being outdoors doing various activities that keep her active such as hiking, swimming, skiing, and running. In her free time, you can find Ms. Palmisano with her dog, Cooper, her daughter, family and friends.
Are you in need of before or after school care?
Nut Policy
Water bottles
What's for lunch?
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 from staff to Mrs. Megan Thompson for stepping into the role of Interim Principal at Bennet and made the start of our year go smoothly. We appreciate you!!
Tish Fortin would like to shout out Shelley Carlson - Thank you Shelley for stepping into a temporary math position and giving the students structure and consistency. Awesome job making connections with students and building a sense of community. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication!
Ms. Fortin also shouts out to Mrs. Jess (Skoog) Holman - Thank you for your support and daily positive outlook!
Shout out to our new secretary to the principal - Mrs. Dorrine Shewokis! She stepped into this new position seemlessly.
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
Take a look at our Virtual Backpack!
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. 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?
Welcome our new Technology Integration Specialist!
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.
Yvette
Mr. Orlowski
Lost & Found
NEW DROP OFF AND PICK UP INFORMATION!!!
There will be no drop off or pick up allowed on Wells Street or at CVS.
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