Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of January 25, 2021
MISD Updates 2020–2021 Academic Calendar with Designated At-Home Learning Days for Spring Semester
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 came 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. There will not be a required time to log in on the asynchronous days, and assignments will be posted on SeeSaw and Canvas.
February 1, 2021
February 16, 2021
March 15, 2021
April 12, 2021
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. Campuses will be providing additional information to parents regarding instruction on asynchronous/at-home learning days.
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!
Bennett's 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year - Emily Peek
Join us in celebrating and congratulating Bennett's 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year!!! Mrs. Peek, 1st grade virtual teacher, was nominated by her peers and selected to serve as our Bennett Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Peek's peers shared, "Mrs. Peek has thrived as a virtual teacher. She is constantly reworking lessons/instruction to tailor to her students. She has found ways to motivate her students such as having a work fairy, sending them "snail mail," and her newest motivator..."bee" eraser pets. The "bee" stands for "Bennett and Eddins Elementary" (an awesome idea to help her virtual students at Bennett and Eddins unite as a class family).
Also, Mrs. Peek brings so much to our school. She is patient, loving, and fun. Students grow leaps and bounds in her classroom because she puts so much emphasis and heart into her guided reading groups. Students feel loved, grow in their confidence, and are excited about school each day."
Thank you Mrs. Peek for your dedication and service to our amazing school!
Bennett's 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year Nominees
100th Day of School - Thursday, January 28th
January Friday Live - January 29th - Virtually
Bennett's January Paraprofessional of the Month
Mark Your Calendar - Virtual Bear Cubs in Training - Thursday, February 11th
PTO Sponsored Jeremiah's Ice - Friday, February 12th
January Parent Lunch Visitor Sign-Up
January Breakfast Menu
January Lunch Menu
Clinic News from Nurse Tiffany
Thank You for Your Generous Donations
THANK YOU to all of our BEAR families for participating in the annual MacTown Miracles holiday food drive, sponsored by the Student Councils at all 3 McKinney High Schools. Bennett families came together in a big way, filling THREE large moving boxes full of food and paper goods! Below is the MISD press release about the event.
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.
Save the Date - 3rd Grade Alpha Camp - April 7-9 - More Details Posted in Canvas this Week
Bennett Spirit Days - 2020-2021
School Appreciation Days - 2020-2021
Bennett's Arrival & Dismissal Plan
Arrival & Dismissal Map
Important Information from Our Counselor, Christie Thompson
Our school is proudly participating in The Great Kindness Challenge, a week-long program (Jan 25th-Jan 29th) dedicated to creating a culture of kindness and compassion in communities worldwide.
This past year has been challenging for our school community, so we are extra excited to participate in this uplifting week of positivity.
To help our students “practice kindness” and put their compassion into action, they will receive a Great Kindness Challenge checklist from their teacher.
We will encourage all students to complete as many acts of kindness as possible at school, and we hope you will celebrate them from home!
K-2nd grade students who complete all of the kindness challenges on their BINGO sheet will receive a small prize, and 3rd-5th grade students who complete 25 challenges from their checklist will win a small prize. Be sure to put your name and your teacher’s name on your challenge sheet!
Virtual students can drop off completed challenge sheets or send a picture of their completed challenge sheets to their teachers or directly to me at cthompson@mckinneyisd.net. In-person students can use the mailbox across from the cafeteria or give their completed challenge sheets to their teachers.
Together, we will lift each other up, cheer each other on, and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!
Warm regards,
Christie N. Thompson
School Counselor
504 Campus Coordinator
469.302.5437/5438
Visit my website
or Twitter account!
The Great Kindness Challenge - In-Person Learners
The Great Kindness Challenge - Virtual Learners
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
January Events for our BEARS
Thursday, January 28th:
100th Day of School - wear 100 items or dress like you are 100 years old
Friday, January 29th:
*Multicultural Children's Book Day - #ReadYourWorld
*Friday Live - 2:15PM - Virtually on Bennett Facebook Page via link
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
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
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
Friday, February 26th:
Friday Live - 2:15PM - Virtually
Saturday, February 27th:
5th Grade Alpha Testing
January & February Birthdays
January Birthdays
25 - Harel, Emileigh
26 - Connor, Carson, Kaselyn
27 - Beau, Weston, Martina
28 - Mrs. Schindler - 3rd Grade Teacher
29 - Jade, Kailani
30 - Mollie Recker - 2nd Grade Teacher
31 - Bliss, Mary Claire, Mrs. Crider - STC Teacher
February Birthdays
1 - Ella, Jaeah, Asadbek
2 - Amanda, Mason
3 - Mia, Michael, Quin, Sufiyan, Israel
4 - Alana, Katie, Peyton
5 - Alison
7 - Noah
8 - Presley, Ashton, Keegan, Maddox
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