1 - SAFETY DRILL TODAY

Earlier this week Officer Heffler and I visited classrooms and lunches so she could introduce herself to our students and talk about how we practice being safe in our school. Today, we had our first safety drill where students stayed in their classrooms and followed their teachers directions. Our Bobcats did amazing. We practice evacuation and safety drills a few times each school year.

2 - NEXT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 IS AN EARLY RELEASE DAY

Ben Hem will dismiss at 12:05 pm on Wednesday. Please update PICKUP PATROL if your student will have a change in dismissal.

3 - NO DISMISSALS BETWEEN 2:00 - 2:30

We have noticed a large number of families coming to dismiss their children after 2:00 pm. If you have to dismiss your student prior to 2:41, please plan to do it by 2:00 pm. The end of day is a busy time in our school and close to end of day dismissals can create confusion in our dismissal process. We appreciate your help.

4 - WEATHER IS CHANGING

Fall has arrived. Remember we go outside everyday. Please send your students with the appropriate clothes to be outdoors. They can always remove a layer if they are warm. This is also a good time to swap out the change of clothes that your child may keep in their lockers.

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

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