The Bear Business Weekly Newsletter
week of September 18, 2023
A message from Ms. Halpin
WOW! Thank you so much for supporting our school through the Big Kahuna Fundraiser! We are so lucky to have such a supportive school community to support our students! We surpassed our goal of $30,000 and as of today we have a total of $42,000! We will be able to support our classrooms, teachers, and programs at Bennett thanks to your generosity!
Thank you to the Bennett PTO for hosting the "Principal's Lunch" on September 8. Many parents attended and were able to ask questions about our updated security measures and our district Alpha program. The question "what exactly is MAP testing?" was answered and we discussed how to interpret the results. Our PTO will host another "Breakfast or Lunch WITH the Principals" in the Spring. Be sure to check the Bear Business Newsletter for details.
Thank you to the Bennett PTO for organizing the Stix Ice House Spirit Night on Wednesday. It was great to see so many families in attendance. Any night that I do not have to cook is a win for me!
The PTO sponsored Watch Dog program also began last week. We LOVE having our Watch Dogs on campus as much as they enjoy being here. If you have not had an opportunity to sign up, you still can for the Fall semester.
Our full time Security Guard should begin soon. Once our permanent person has started, the person will be introduced and we will plan a meet & greet event for our families.
We hope you join us in celebrating college week by participating in our themed dress up days. See the flier below for more information.
Proud to be a BEAR,
-Kassie Halpin
Principal, Bennett Elementary
Campus Safety
Important information from McKinney ISD
Dear McKinney ISD Parent or Guardian:
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The information in this email will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
Failed to secure the firearm; or
Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety here.
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
Respectfully,
Russel May, Senior Director of Safety and Security
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
The safety of our Bears is our #1 Priority
If you are coming on campus to pick up a student, YOU NEED the Blue Student Dismissal tag provided Meet the Teacher night.
Dismissal Options @ Bennett for the 2023-24 school year
Parents/Guardians/Grown-ups may not meet their child on campus and have them meet at the Bike Racks or at the front door. For safety reasons, anyone coming on campus MUST join the parent walk-up line OR be in a vehicle utilizing a designated carpool lane.
Students should NEVER cross Coronado Drive or Round Hill Drive without an adult to meet a vehicle.
Staff will not allow students to cross into the parking lot to meet a vehicle.
What if I need to change how my student is going home?
Example: my child is a front carpool rider everyday. Their sibling is ill and I need them to walk home. I would complete the form to notify the school.
Absences, Early Check-outs, and Tardies
New way to submit an absence note!!
If your student attends a doctor appointment, please continue to send in the paper note.
You may continue to send in a paper note to the office in lieu of the GOOGLE FORM.
Grade Level Newsletters
School-Wide Events
Bennett Live! Dates this year
Specials Schedule on Bennett Live! days
Safety Patrol Schedule
Our safety patrol students will assist with open vehicle doors and closing them. This should assist in speeding up our arrival and dismissal lines.
week of 9/18 - Team 1
week of 9/25 - Team 2
week of 10/9 - Team 1
week of 10/16 - Team 2
week of 10/23 - Team 1
week of 10/30 - Team 2
week of 11/6 - Team 1
week of 11/13 - Team 2
week of 11/27 - Team 1
week of 12/4 - Team 2
week of 12/11 - Team 1
week of 12/18 - Team 2
Recurring Weekly Events @ Bennett
Choir for 4th & 5th grade students
Running Club 2nd - 5th grade students
upcoming during the next 2 weeks!
**College week - join us in our dress up days!
September 18 (Monday)
- Hats (wear your favorite hat, headband, etc.)
- 3rd grade ALPHA @ Webb
September 19 (Tuesday)
- Hard work (wear sports gear, running shoes OR dress like a hardworking professional)
- Chess Wizards 3:15 Science Lab (for registered students)
September 20 (Wednesday)
- BRIGHT (wear neon, bright colors, tie dye, shades)
- Choir begins! 7:15am Music Room
September 21 (Thursday)
- College Team (wear your favorite college gear or colors)
- 1st & 2nd grade ALPHA classes @ Bennett
- 4th & 5th grade ALPHA students @ Webb
September 22 (Friday)
- Bennett Gear (wear your favorite Bennett gear)
- 4th & 5th grade ALPHA students @ Webb
September 25 (Monday)
-3rd grade Alpha @ Webb
- MAP math testing this week - schedule will be shared by your student's teacher and is in the grade level newsletter linked above
- PTO board meeting 5:30pm @ Bennett
September 26 (Tuesday)
- Bennett Live! 8:15am
September 27 (Wednesday)
September 28 (Thursday)
-1st & 2nd grade ALPHA students @ Bennett
-4th & 5th grade Alpha @ Webb
September 29 (Friday)
-4th & 5th grade Alpha @ Webb
Information from MISD Library Services
Information from the Bennett Cafeteria
September Breakfast Menu
September Lunch Menu
How to Add money to your student's lunch account
Make checks payable to McKinney ISD
Breakfast & Lunch costs
PTO hosted staff lunch on Monday, Sept 11!
Thank you for supporting our PTO by joining, participating in our our yearly PTO fundraiser, and signing up to bring items so we are able to host luncheons like this to our staff!
Complete your background check!
A background check can take up to 2 weeks, so you want to have it completed. We will have turn you away from helping on campus, Watch Dog, or a Field Trip if your background has not been completed.
Important Dates for Our Watch Dogs!
WatchDog registration is open for the Fall semester! You may sign up to be a WatchDog until September 11. Once the sign up closes, you will need to wait until the Spring semester for the next opportunity.
WatchDogs will serve for 1/2 day AM or 1/2 day PM.
AM 7:30-11:30am
PM 11:15-3:15pm
MISD Gifted and Talented Information (ALPHA program)
Alpha teacher contact information
Alpha Testing Dates 23/24
Important Information from McKinney ISD
Club 360
We DO NOT have a crossing guard at Coronado and Round Hill Rd.
MISD Weather Guidelines - Important information!
Previous Editions of the Bear Business Newsletter
About Us
Kassie Halpin, Principal (R)
Dr. Anita Tillson, Assistant Principal (L)
Email: khalpin@mckinneyisd.net
Website: schools.mckinneyisd.net/Bennett
Location: 7760 Coronado Drive, McKinney, TX, USA
Phone: 469-302-5400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MISDBennett
Twitter: @BennettBears