Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of February 1, 2021
Check Out our January Friday Live Video
Monday, Feb. 1—MISD Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Day
We want to remind you that Monday, February 1, has been designated as an asynchronous (at-home) learning day on the MISD academic calendar. There will be no on-campus instruction on Monday. Rather all MISD students will complete assignments at home.
In December, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced a new waiver option for school districts that allows for the scheduling of periodic asynchronous (at-home) instructional days during the spring of 2021.
Asynchronous learning is a general term used to describe education or lessons that do not occur in the same place or at the same time. For example, students would learn from home and receive classroom assignments from learning platforms such as SeeSaw and Canvas and complete the assignment independently.
Under this new option, districts are provided with an opportunity to change a regular school day to be asynchronous instruction (students learn remotely and independently) in order to provide additional planned professional development, teacher preparation days and to focus on teacher planning and student engagement.
The waiver option comes at a critical time during the COVID-19 pandemic when most school districts and teachers can benefit significantly from additional planning and collaboration due to the demands of teaching in-person and virtual students simultaneously.
The following dates have been designated as asynchronous instruction days in McKinney ISD, and all students will learn remotely and independently on these days. Assignments will be posted on SeeSaw and Canvas.
February 1, 2021
February 16, 2021
March 15, 2021
April 12, 2021
Click here to view the MISD calendar page.
Club 360 Holiday Care will be available to elementary parents in need of childcare. However, due to staffing limitations, students may not complete asynchronous assignments while in Holiday Care.
Sincerely,
McKinney ISD Communications Department
February Parent Lunch Visitor Sign Up
February Breakfast Menu
February Lunch Menu
Bennett's Valentine Party Plan for Making & Sharing Valentines for Classmates
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. Please include this information in your principal newsletter going out this week, as this coming Monday, February 1st, will be one of these days.
February 1
February 15 & 16
March 8 -12
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
Monday, February 1st - Asynchronous Learning Day for Students - Teacher Work Day for Staff
National School Counselor Week - February 1st-5th
PTO General Meeting - Tuesday, February 2nd - via Zoom
World Read Aloud Day - Wednesday, February 3rd
Quarter 3 Progress Reports Go Home - Wednesday, February 3rd
PTO Sponsored Classroom Party Donations Due - Friday, December 5th
February Newsletter from Our Specials Team
Important Information From Nurse Tiffany
Exciting Information from our Learning Commons
“Acceptance, understanding, and respect begets peace and is best achieved through education.
Reading promotes connections across cultures to unite all people. Connecting allows people to appreciate the unique qualities that add “spice” to the beautiful melting pot that is our community and shared planet.”
Bennett Elementary students are encouraged to expand their global knowledge by learning about each of the 7 continents and celebrate literacy and diversity by participating in our 2nd annual #ReadYourWorld challenge. This challenge is in honor of Multicultural Children’s Book Day (January 29), World Read Aloud Day (February 2), and NEA’s Read Across America program where students are “encouraged to select books that they can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow readers to see a world or character that might be different than them,” (NEA, 2021).
How to participate:
- Read 7 books total (1 book for each of the continents)
- Complete the Digital or Paper Reading Log
- Submit a Digital Reading Log to Mrs. Stallbaumer or return a Paper Reading Log to Mrs. Stallbaumer
Digital “Read Your World” Reading Log (Student’s must access through SSO)
Paper “Reading Your World” Reading Log
Students who complete the challenge will have their name announced on morning announcements and their picture featured in our Reading Hall of Fame.
Students may read print books and eBooks to complete the challenge. The Bennett Library Catalog has many options. When searching the Bennett Library catalog, go to Destiny Discover, scroll to the bottom of the page to Collections. Here you will find “Collections” of books and eBooks for each continent. However, you are not limited to the books that are listed. You may read books from home, in your classroom, and books you check out from the public library. The SORA app is also a great resource for eBooks.
Email Mrs. Stallbaumer at astallbaumer@mckinneyisd.net with any questions.
Mrs. Stallbaumer
Upcoming Events for our BEARS
February Events for our BEARS
Monday, February 1st - Friday, February 5th:
Counselor Appreciation Week
Monday, February 1st:
Teacher Work Day - Asynchronous Learning for MISD Students
PTO Yearbook Price Increases to $35 + tax
Tuesday, February 2nd:
Creed Lunch for January Creed Winners - 12:30PM - outside front of school
PTO General Meeting via Zoom - 6:30PM
Wednesday, February 3rd:
National School Counselor's Day - shout out to Mrs. Thompson
World Read Aloud Day
Progress Reports go home
Monday, February 8th:
In-Person Learners will Bring their Valentine's Box & Valentines for classmates
Virtual Learners will have a Virtual Option for Sharing Valentines
Tuesday, February 9th:
Individual Picture Day
Wednesday, February 10th:
3rd Grade Living History Museum - parents will view via Zoom - not on campus
Thursday, February 11th:
Bear Cubs in Training - 9:00AM - Virtually
Friday, February 12th:
Valentine's Class Parties - 2:00PM-2:45PM - Room Rep & Teacher Only
PTO Sponsored Jeremiah's Ice
Monday, February 15th:
Staff Development Waiver Day
Tuesday, February 16th:
Teacher Work Day - Asynchronous Day for Students
Special Olympics Basketball Day
Thursday, February 18th:
5th Grade Parent Meeting for Middle School - more details to come
Tuesday, February 23rd:
PTO Sponsored In & Out Burger Pre-Orders Due
Friday, February 26th:
Friday Live - 2:15PM - Virtually
Saturday, February 27th:
5th Grade Alpha Testing
Individual Picture Day is Coming - Tuesday, February 9th
Dear families,
Spring Picture Day is coming up! Our BEARS will have individual spring pictures taken on Tuesday, February 9. Virtual students will receive information from their teacher regarding what time to come to campus for pictures.
Pre-order envelopes will be sent home the week before picture day. You can order online or send in your form and money on picture day to give to the photographer. After picture day, students will bring home a QR code that parents can scan to see their proof before ordering, if you prefer.
Proofs will be available online approximately 10 days AFTER picture day. Out of an abundance of caution, and to ensure we are doing what is best for the safety of all staff and students, class pictures will not be taken this year.
Upcoming PTO Event in March - Parent Feedback Requested on Topics
Save the Date - 3rd Grade Alpha Camp - April 7-9 - More Details Posted in Canvas
February Birthdays
February Birthdays
1 - Ella, Jaeah, Asadbek, Ethan
2 - Amanda, Mason
3 - Mia, Michael, Quin, Sufiyan, Israel
4 - Alana, Katie, Peyton
5 - Alison
7 - Noah
8 - Presley, Ashton, Keegan, Maddox
9 - Valentina
10 - Owen
11 - Isabella
13 - Cannon, Ms. Holloway - 3rd Grade Teacher
14 - Rhett, Lai
15 - Travis, Sawyer, Ean, Claire
16 - Mrs. Covey - 1st Grade Teacher
17 - Jocelyn
18 - Carter, Brenlee
19 - Daniel, Mrs. Sullivan - Kindergarten Teacher
20 - Kendall, Sophie, Ella
22 - Efosa, Estrella, Alan, Emmaline, Alexis
23 - Kylie
24 - Nora
25 - Santiago, Mason
27 - Carlie
28 - Luke
McKinney ISD News Brief - Important Information for Bennett & MISD
Bennett Families- Please read the latest McKinney ISD | News Brief.
*You can read about latest information about a Bond Election in May. A Bennett Elementary refresh is on the proposed Bond, along with playground upgrades and continuing to provide the latest in technology for our students.
*You can read about the latest change in the 20/2021 Calendar that includes 4 days our Bears will be learning at home. Our teachers will regroup and plan for an amazing Spring semester for our students.
*Learn about our amazing MISD Board of Directors and MORE!
Mark Your Calendar - Virtual Bear Cubs in Training - Thursday, February 11th
PTO Sponsored Jeremiah's Ice - Friday, February 12th
K-5th Grade Virtual Classrooms
Our virtual classrooms are for students that meet the following criteria:
1. Parents have selected their child to be a virtual learner for Quarter 1, 2, 3, and/or 4
2. A student tests positive for Covid and is required to quarantine
3. A student is required to be in quarantine as determined by Nurse Tiffany
Therefore, if your child is traveling or not feeling well and will be kept home from school, they will not be jumping on a Zoom link with their grade level virtual teacher(s). Students will be counted absent and provided with their make-up work upon their return to school. Also, be sure to send in their doctor's note or parent note within three days of their return to school.
Thank you for understanding as our teachers continue to work tirelessly to serve our BEARS.