Bennett Bear Business Newsletter
Week of January 4, 2021
Changes to MISD COVID Protocols - Second Semester
We want to thank you for partnering with us as we navigated the unprecedented circumstances of the first semester. We have a few updates related to COVID protocols as we plan for the second semester.
Changes to Close Contact Definition and Quarantine Period – Effective January 5
In collaboration with the Collin County Health Services Department, the definition of a close contact will be revised on January 1, 2021. Additionally, the quarantine period will be revised to align with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) updates.
*Revised Close Contact Definition: Being within 6 feet of an infectious person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period; additional factors, such as consistent and proper masking, may affect this determination.
*Proper masking - both the infectious individual and potential close contact are wearing a multi-layer face mask that covers the nose and mouth and fits around the nose and chin.
*Revised Quarantine Period (for those considered close contacts): 10 days
Two-Week Delay for Campus Visitors and Many On-Campus Activities – Effective through January 18
In order to minimize the potential spread of possible COVID cases as students and staff return from Winter Break, McKinney ISD will delay the start of several activities for two weeks. Evaluations and special education services will continue. However, the following programs and activities will be delayed until Tuesday, January 19.
*No Elementary Gifted and Talented Services. Services resume on Jan. 19.
*PALS Program
*Reach Mentor Program
*All lunch visitors
*All in-person meetings should be rescheduled or held virtually
*Ready, Set, Teach Students on Campus
*On campus visitors for academic award ceremonies
*Private lesson teachers
*Tutors
*Other visitors and meetings as determined by campus
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue our efforts to maintain a healthy and safe environment for staff and students.
Sincerely,
McKinney ISD Health Services
Bennett Elementary Earns the CREST Award for our Counseling Program
Time to Return Your MISD Device - Tuesday, January 5th
January is School Board Appreciation Month
Lynn Sperry, Trustee Place 5
Lynn Sperry has served on the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees for 34 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University and taught public school vocal and instrumental music for grades 1 – 8.
Sperry served 12 years as a Director of the Texas Association of School Boards. She is a graduate of the Texas Association of School Boards Leadership TASB program, “Class of 2000” with the designation of “Master Trustee.”
Sperry feels that her experience in education along with her years of involvement as a parent and current involvement as a grandparent are assets to the MISD School Board.
She is proud to set goals for the district that raise the bar academically and feels that the budget and the increase in student population are ongoing challenges for MISD. Sperry is extremely proud of how the board and district administration have handled bonded indebtedness over the years. The result is a very stable financial future for MISD.
McKinney ISD has the earned reputation of a quality district, and Lynn is very excited to see students representing many different disciplines excel in district, state and national competitions. MISD has truly become an outstanding organization, and she is proud to work with a board of trustees that makes students its priority.
Sperry received the Carey Cox Award – The Outstanding McKinney Citizen 2006. She was awarded the Kim Hoffman Volunteer of the Year for McKinney 1997 (co-recipients Lynn and Neil Sperry).
Sperry’s community involvement includes: Founding and current Board Member Emeritus of McKinney Education Foundation; Board Member, McKinney Baylor Scott and White Hospital; Past President, Avenues Counseling Center Board; Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney, Board Member; Founding Member and MISD liaison to Serenity High Advisory Board.
Currently, Lynn serves on the Executive Committee of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards.
Her three children attended MISD schools and she is proud that the education they received prepared them for success in college and in their careers. Lynn has seven grandchildren. The oldest is a 2016 graduate of McKinney North High School and the other six are enrolled in four MISD campuses (MNHS, Dowell, Eddins and Webb Elementary). Lynn and her husband Neil own Neil Sperry’s GARDENS. She and her family are members of the first United Methodist Church of McKinney.
Staff Development Waiver Day - Monday, January 4, 2021
Welcome Back, BEARS - Tuesday, January 5th
MISD Schools Are Closed to All Visitors & Volunteers - Tuesday, January 5th - Friday, January 15th
Quarter 2 Report Cards Available in Home Access Center - Wednesday, January 6th
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, all McKinney ISD parents will have access to your child's Quarter 2 report card in the Home Access Center (HAC) online located on the McKinney ISD webpage. Click the link below to access HAC.
If you are the parent of a virtual learner, we will have a hard copy of your child's Quarter 2 report card ready to pick up in the Bennett office on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, after 8:30AM.
We are so proud of our BEARS and their accomplishments during Quarter 2. Let us know if you need anything. We've got this!
School Resource Officer Appreciation Day - Saturday, January 9th
January Parent Lunch Visitor Sign-Up
January Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Specials Team's January Newsletter
Important Information from Nurse Tiffany
Upcoming Events for our BEARS
January Events for our BEARS
January 2020 - McKinney ISD School Board Appreciation Month:
*Thank You MISD School Board Members
*Bennett Elementary will celebrate MISD School Board Member, Lynn Sperry, this month
Monday, January 4th:
Staff Development Waiver Day - No School for Students
Tuesday, January 5th - Friday, January 15th:
Closed Campus to All Visitors & Volunteers
Tuesday, January 5th:
*3rd Nine Weeks Begins
*Quarter 3 In-Person & Virtual Changes Begin
*12:00PM Creed Lunch
Wednesday, January 6th:
Report Cards go home - virtual families may come to school to get their child's report card
Saturday, January 9th:
School Resource Appreciation Day
Monday, January 18th:
Holiday - No School for Students or Staff
Tuesday, January 19th:
Campus Open to Visitors & Volunteers
Friday, January 22nd:
PTO Bingo Night - 6:30PM-8:00PM - via Zoom - more details to come
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
January Birthdays
2 - Mason
4 - Kaden, Mrs. Rottinghaus - 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Simmons - 1st grade teacher
6 - Henry, Elijah, Wyatt
7 - Zain, Sofia
8 - Adrianna, Matthew, Brianna
9 - Hudson, Lucas
10 - Eli
12 - Camryn
13 - Alessandra, Cohen, Caleb
14 - Allison, Leslie
15 - Chase, Jaxyn
16 - Jason
17 - Jack
18 - Elias, Ella
19 - Victoria, Mrs. Thompson - Counselor
20 - Alessandra
21 - Grace, Brooklyn, Bea
22 - Hank
23 - Andrew, Jack, Mrs. Luthi - Dyslexia Teacher
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