Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of March 15, 2021
McKinney ISD Update on Policy Regarding Face Coverings
Last week, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) held a statewide conference call to discuss the Governor’s Executive Order GA-34. Following TEA’s guidance, McKinney ISD will continue its current practice of requiring face coverings for all students ages 10 and older, as well as all staff members, for the remainder of this school year.
McKinney ISD has reviewed guidance from the Texas Education Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as to how this order impacts school districts and what disease mitigation practices should be in place in MISD.
The TEA guidance states, in part: “Schools must comply with the following requirements: Every student, teacher, or staff member shall wear a mask over the nose and mouth when inside a school building, school facility, facility used for school activities, or when in an outdoor space on school property…” This guidance also applies to any adult visitor on a campus or school facility for any event or activity. McKinney ISD will continue its social distancing and cleaning procedures as outlined in MISD’s “COVID-19 Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Procedures.”
We all desire a return to normalcy, but the safety of our staff and students will remain the priority in our school district. McKinney ISD has experienced a relatively low number of positive COVID-19 cases this year, and we believe this correlates to the safety procedures that have been in place for the entirety of the school year.
Additionally, the proper use of face coverings is a mitigating factor in determining the definition of “close contact” during contact tracing, per TEA guidelines. Therefore, it reduces the likelihood of having to quarantine large groups of students and teachers at one time. McKinney ISD is striving to provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff while also keeping our campuses open for the remainder of the year.
McKinney ISD is fortunate to have been one of the first districts to begin vaccination of its educators. As vaccines continue to be widely distributed to educators and all citizens, district officials will assess and reevaluate the face-covering requirement this summer in preparation for next school year.
We wish all of our students, families, and staff a safe and restful Spring Break, and we look forward to finishing the school year on a positive note.
Sincerely,
McKinney ISD
Daylight Savings Time Begins - Sunday, March 14th
Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Day for our BEARS & Teacher Work Day for Staff - Monday, March 15th
McKinney ISD Offering Curbside Grab-and-Go Meals
We are pleased to announce free curbside grab-and-go meals will be available at Finch Elementary on the dates below.
March 15
April 2
April 12
April 26
Finch Elementary
1205 S. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069
Breakfast 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (Breakfast pickup will also include that day’s lunch. Parents can instead come just for lunch at lunchtime if desired.)
Lunch 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Pick up in driveway off Graham St.
These meals are free, but parents will need to present either a valid student ID number, student name, or other proof they are picking up for a student 18 years old or younger.
If you have any questions regarding the curbside grab-and-go meal service, please reach out to me!
Jason Vickery
Food Service Director
McKinney ISD
510 Heard Street, McKinney, TX 75069
Desk: 469-302-6365
Our BEARS Return to School & Bring Their Technology Device & Charger Back to School Fully Charged - Tuesday, March 16th
Quarter 3 Report Cards go Home - Wednesday, March 17th
PTO Sponsored Parent Education Event - Thursday, March 18th
Rock Your Crazy Socks on Friday, March 19th - In Support of National Down Syndrome Day on Sunday
PTO Sponsored Variety Show Submissions - Due Friday, March 19th
Save the Date - March Friday Live - Virtual Style - March 26th
Our Bennett PTO Wants YOU
Join Our Bennett PTO Board for 2021-2022 - Nomination Forms Due Tuesday, March 30th
Specials Team - March Newsletter
Lawson Early Childhood School - McKinney ISD
Pre-K Registration for Lawson Early Childhood School - McKinney ISD
Head Start at Lawson Early Childhood School - McKinney ISD
Head Start is Accepting Applications - McKinney ISD
March Parent Lunch Visitor Sign Up
March Breakfast Menu
March Lunch Menu
FREE Breakfast & Lunch for All MISD Students for 2020-2021 School Year
Notes from Christie Thompson, Bennett Counselor
Information from Nurse Tiffany
March HealthWhys
Upcoming Events for our BEARS
March Events for Our BEARS
Monday, March 15th:
*Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Day for our BEARS
*Teacher Work Day for Staff
Tuesday, March 16th:
*Students Return to School with their Technology Device & Charger - Please Make Sure Your Device is Fully Charged
*4th 9 Weeks of School Begins
Wednesday, March 17th:
3rd Quarter Report Cards Go Home
Thursday, March 18th:
PTO Sponsored Diversification Awareness Parent Night via Zoom - 6:00PM
Friday, March 19th:
*Celebrate Down Syndrome Day - Wear Crazy Socks
*PTO Sponsored Variety Show Submissions Due via FlipGrid by 4:00PM
Saturday, March 20th:
4th Grade Alpha Testing at Webb Elementary
Sunday, March 21st:
Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Friday, March 26th:
Friday Live - 2:15PM - Virtually
Saturday, March 27th:
3rd Grade Alpha Testing at Webb Elementary
Monday, March 29th:
Creed Lunch - 10:30AM
Tuesday, March 30th:
PTO Board Nomination Forms Due for 2021-2022
March Birthdays
3 - Mrs. Reinhard - Kindergarten Teacher
4 - Kaden, Hannah, Mrs. Danstrom - 5th Grade Teacher
5 - Mrs. Higgins - 5th Grade Teacher
7 - Hannah, Tyler, Mrs. Tidwell - STC Teacher
9 - Phoebe, Luke, Drew
10 - Evelyn, Kate, Cade
11 - Jasiah, Brett
12 - Brady, Grayson
13 - Joelle
16 - Avery, Sophie
17 - Masen, Zachariah
20 - William
21 - Sofia, Jacob, Coach Cusack - PE Teacher
22 - Jeremih
24 - Katelyn
25 - Cooper, Milana, Miles
28 - Brent, Carli
30 - June
31 - Isaiah, JJ
McKinney ISD 2021 Upcoming Elections
Dear Amazing Bennett Parents,
McKinney ISD is holding an important election this spring that contains four ballot items that will impact every student in the district. The link below provides complete information and FAQs about each of the election items. We encourage you to learn about each item and to cast your vote!
Click here to learn more about the MISD 2021 Election!
Sincerely,
MISD Communications