1 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - ELEMENTARY CONFERENCES

The first early release day to host parent conferences is next Wednesday. If you are coming on campus for your conference, please sign in at the main hallway on your way to your child's classroom. We look forward to setting goals and talking about your student's progress at school.

2 - THANK YOU IRON TREE SERVICES!

Last Monday, Iron Tree Services came to Ben Hem to replace the trees that were destroyed last spring by vandals. They planted four native Red Maple trees and one Redbud tree to replace the Magnolia planted in memory of Ms. O'Brien. The Redbud has heart shaped leaves and is the first to bloom in the spring. I fitting tribute to the love and care that Ms. O'Brien shared with her students. We are so fortunate to have community partners to help. Thank you, Iron Tree Services.

3 - CLINIC SCREENING INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

All health screenings conducted in schools are required by Massachusetts Law. Screenings at Ben-Hem will begin in early November and will be ongoing throughout the school year.

Vision Screening : Vision screening is conducted for all grades K – 4. The nurse will send a referral to parents if a follow up appointment is needed with their physician.

Hearing Screening: Hearing screening is conducted for all grades K - 3. The nurse will send a referral to parents if a follow up appointment is needed with their physician.

Growth Development Screening: Height and weight screenings are conducted for students in grades 1 and 4.

Parents and legal guardians have the opportunity to request, in writing, that their child not participate in the screenings. The request must be written each year if you do not want your child to participate. Please send this letter via email or hard copy to the attention of the BenHem School Nurses: BenHemnurses@natickps.org.

4 - OCTOBER IS ADHD AWARENESS MONTH

October is ADHD Awareness month! Please take a moment this month to consider folks in our

community who live with ADHD.

• ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects approximately 10% of children according to the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html). Certainly, we all work to manage our attention and impulsiveness at times (long meetings come to mind). Our students with ADHD find that regulating attention is so difficult that it effects their learning, playing and development.

• Executive Functions are also a significant problem and getting things done, organizing materials and activities, and managing emotions can be difficult. It is important to remember that our children’s brains are still developing and the prefrontal cortex which regulates these skills is not fully mature until early adulthood. Parents can expect messy bedrooms for a while!

• Attention and Executive Functions are developing skills and, as with all skills, there are differences between children. We should expect that children are still learning to manage their attention, emotions and behaviors and allow for moments of independence (and discomfort). This helps them to learn coping skills and to develop confidence.

• We can support students’ development by encouraging them to plan tasks and activities ahead of time. For example, before starting an activity take a moment to plan with them. Ask them what materials they’ll need, how long they expect they’ll work on it and what steps they’ll take. Ask also how they’ll know if it’s going according to their plan and what they’ll do if it’s not. The skills they will develop with your coaching will be helpful to them throughout their lives.
• Interested in more information about ADHD? Please follow this link: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/documents/adhdfactsheetenglish.pdf

5 - THIS MONDAY: BEN HEM SPIRIT DAY PARADE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31

***PLEASE NOTE: IF WE HAVE INCLEMENT WEATHER, WE WILL NOT HOST THE PARADE OUTDOORS. WE WILL EMAIL PARENTS BY 10:00 AM IF THE SPIRIT PARADE IS CANCELLED.***

We are happy to keep our Spirit Day Parade alive. This event is optional to all students at Ben Hem. If you plan to participate in the parade, please be sure to check review these guidelines so that we can ensure a fun and inclusive parade. If you have any questions about what is acceptable, please reach out to me before October 31.

The parade will begin at 2:00 pm. Caregivers and family members are invited to line the fire lane from the recess hard top to the East Evergreen Road side of the building. All students that are participating will exit the recess doors and reenter the building on the East Evergreen Road side of the building.

If students do not want to participate they may join each other in the library for a game block facilitated by Mrs. Langan. Or, sometimes students will walk in the parade and not wear a costume. These options are available for any students. Please let your classroom teacher know if your student will participate in either of these options.

Check out the Ben Hem PTO Facebook page to see what is happening.

Did you know our PTO creates a school directory each year to share contact information with families that OPT-IN to the directory. Complete this form with information you want shared to be included in the 2022-2023 School Directory. This is voluntary and only information included will be published.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5