Benninghoven Family Newsletter

I believe many of you would share the sentiment that the months of January and February have flown by?! It is crazy to believe we are just two weeks away from the end of third quarter.

The newsletter this month contains a lot of new information and ways that you can support our students, school, and community. Our building goals continue to be developing ways that all students are academically proficient and feel they are a part of a caring community. We appreciate the ways in which you partner with us to make that happen!

A reminder that attendance is the largest key factor in student success. Please work to ensure your child is ON TIME and HERE at school as much as possible.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Anna Jensen, Principal

February

27-March 3: READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK BEGINS

March

1: Mathletics District Practice

2: 2nd Grade Music Program, 6:30 pm

3: Trivia Night + Auction - Adults Only - more info below

8: Staff Appreciation - Provided by 3rd Grade

9: Spring Pictures + Class Photos

10: NO SCHOOL for students - Teacher Work Day

13-17: SPRING BREAK - No School and Offices Closed

15: Fun Run Kickoff

22: Preschool Sneak A Peek - Library

23: Playground Night 6-7pm

24: Science Enrichment - 5th Grade

27-31: Book Fair (more info below)

30: Knights Night, Grades K-6; 6:00-7:30 pm

30: 3rd Grade Music Program, 6:00-6:30

Please refer to this calendar for your child's Special Rotation.

We need you! Benninghoven is ready to kick off a new program 4th Quarter called, Round Tables! This program will be for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and occur during our regularly scheduled lunch blocks. Groups of 3-4 students will meet with MVP trained mentors for a lunch bunch group - time to chat, eat, connect with mentors in the community, and play math and reading games to build skills.

The goal for this program is to start, beginning after Spring Break with our youngest Knights, and eventually build to a school wide program. All materials and games will be prepped ahead of group time and provided for mentors.

If you are interested in supporting the start up of this program, please complete the short survey below.

https://forms.gle/Csjpkjtfjmx4nzDg6

For more information or questions, please reach out to Mrs. Pyle or Mrs. Jensen. Schedules and dates will be shared in the coming weeks leading up to the start date. Thanks so much for your work with our school and community, and helping every child achieve their best.

Benninghoven students will begin state assessments and other benchmark tests following Spring Break. There will be a "Special Addition" assessment newsletter coming soon with schedules, dates, and helpful tips!

Until then, we are trying to plan ahead and think of ways to help students do their best! If you are willing to provide some healthy snacks and mints to ensure students are able to properly focus during their testing, please sign up below.

Please deliver your items to the front office anytime between now and Thursday, March 9.

Thank you in advance for your support, as this is an opportunity for students to share and "show what they know." It is also a way for our community to come together and support ALL STUDENTS.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e49aba92ba5f94-benninghoven5#/

Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment OPEN - please help us promote this within your neighborhood and community!

Pre-K and Kindergarten enrollment for 2023-2024 is OPEN online at the SMSD site. If you or a family you know is trying to enroll in Kindergarten and does not have access to a tablet or laptop, please contact the BH Office at 913-993-1900 to schedule an appointment to enroll at the school. For Pre-K, you can schedule with Susana Belvedere (913-993-6441).

PTA Section

Did you know?

The PTA is already working hard to fill the executive board positions and committee roles for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have questions or are interested in serving on the PTA executive board or as a committee lead, please contact us at rbhptapres@gmail.com. Thank you!

Benninghoven's Annual Adult Trivia Night and Auction The Benninghoven Auction and Trivia Night is only one short week away. Join us Friday, March 3 for trivia and live auction items. You won't want to miss this fun event where you can bid not only on in-person exclusives like the classroom baskets but for $100 or less you could win a trip to Branson or Florida. So grab your friends, neighbors or family (they don't have to be Benninghoven parents) and purchase your Trivia Night tickets now. Don't have a team, no problem. We can match you with other trivia players that are also looking for a team. Tickets will be sold until all teams are filled.

Can't make it to Trivia Night? We'll miss you, but the good news is this years auction is also online. Register for a bidder account and start bidding on items beginning February 27 at 9am. Check back throughout the week and keep those bids going. Online bidding will close at 8pm on Friday, March 3. The winning bidder will be notified via email. Pay for items online and pick up at Trivia Night if you are present or pick up items the following week at Benninghoven if you can't make it to the event. You will be notified of more specific pick up days and times after bidding closes.

All money raised via Trivia Night and our online auction will come back to our school and directly impact your child and his/her classroom via field trips, science enrichment, classroom materials, family activities, and more. Thank you all for your support! Visit our auction website to purchase tickets, register as a bidder for the online auction, and sign up to donate to your child's grade level basket. Trivia Night | benninghovenpta

Book Fair The book fair will be March 27-31. Students will attend the fair during the school day with their class. We will be using the Scholastic e-Wallets again (more info to come on how to access your student’s e-Wallet).

Each year, the PTA provides funding for EVERY student to get a book from the book fair during their classroom visit. Each student will be given a dollar amount they may spend, for a BOOK ONLY, at the fair. If a student chooses a book that is more expensive than the given credit the balance is the responsibility of the student. The fair will also be open during Knights Night on March 30 for students and parents to purchase additional items.

Fun Run Our Fun Run fundraiser kick off is March 15. The Fun Run date is April 6. More information and opportunities to volunteer at the run will be communicated soon.

Dodgeball Tournament Thank you Benninghoven community for forming 17 teams for the Dodgeball Tournament! What a great afternoon of competition and cheering students and teachers on. Congratulations to the Beach Boys, a 6th grade team, that won. Thank you to Judy Hilt who planned and coordinated the event. Thank you to Greg Housel for being an outstanding MC. Thank you to our SMNW student referees that gave up a Saturday afternoon to support Benninghoven. Thank you to our parent volunteers that worked the concession stand and admission table. Thank you to the parents that coached and encouraged their teams. Thank you for all attending. Those stands were packed! What a great team effort.

Next PTA Meeting Mark your calendar for April 13 at 6:30pm for the final PTA meeting of the year. Benninghoven leadership will be our guest speakers. The slate for the 2023-2024 PTA executive team will also be presented. We hope to see you all there.

6th Grade Knightings (repeat) Did you know we have a special Knighting for our 6th graders? We want to celebrate as many 6th graders as we can through the end of the school year. All proceeds raised from the 6th Grade Knightings will be used for a special bonus treat on 6th Grade Celebration Day. To Knight someone, visit www.benninghovenpta.org and scroll down to the 'You’ve Been Knighted’ section to sign up.

Yearbook (repeat) Final reminder that yearbook orders are due March 1. If you haven't ordered one yet, you can order online via Inter-State. Code:72611G.

Benninghoven Family Directory (repeat) The PTA hopes you are enjoying your grade level directory. Please use this to connect with other families, send birthday invites and build a stronger Benninghoven community. Please contact your child's teacher to get a link to your grade level directory. If there are any changes that need or you would like your child's information added, please reach out to the PTA at rbhptapres@gmail.com.

PTA Social Media

@benninghovenpta

Benninghoven PTA Facebook

We are excited to bring the birthday book tradition back to Benninghoven. This is another way that we can partner with you to celebrate your child and all they bring to our school. In honor of their birthday a book will be donated to their classroom library. During the week of your child's birthday (or half birthday for our summer birthdays) the book will be read aloud to the class in celebration! Longer titles may need to be a preview of the book if time does not allow for the book to be read in its entirety.

How it works: You may either send in a book from home or purchase one from the BH Amazon Wish List. Books could be a favorite title of your child, a book from the BH Birthday Book Suggestions Amazon Wish list, or a requested book from your classroom teacher. There will be special book plaques in the office or library that will be affixed to the book and include your child’s name. If you would like the book to be a surprise then you can drop it off in the office or have it shipped directly to the school from the Wishlist. Be sure to put your child’s name and teacher in the memo so we can make sure it is given to the correct classroom.

A good resource to check for age appropriate books is Common Sense Media. You are also welcome to email Mrs. Readman in the library if you have a question about a particular book being a good fit for a specific age group.

If you need support or are not able to purchase a book, just let your child’s teacher know. We will have a collection of books that students will be able to select from, so ALL students have the opportunity to participate.

Donate to the Book Bank: If you would like to donate to the Book Bank for our school you can do so by writing a check to Benninghoven and turning it in to the front office. Or, you can purchase books and drop them off as well. Your efforts to make this a success are appreciated as we celebrate our students and increase the love of literature!