• Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29 - No School, Fall Break
• Wednesday, December 4 - Dismissal at 11:40 am
• Thursday, December 5 - 1st Grade Music Program at 6:00 pm
• Friday, December 20 - Dismissal at 11:40 am, Winter Break Begins
• Monday, December 23 - Thursday, January 2 - No School, Winter Break
• Friday, January 3 - No School, Staff Inservice

Bond Issue Update
Over the past year, Bennington Public Schools has been evaluating feedback provided by our community regarding previous bond issues, working with project stakeholders to respond to this input, and attempting to develop plans that meet the needs of the District and community.

BPS has launched an online survey to further gather information on the topic. All residents of the district should have received a postcard in the mail inviting them to complete the survey by December 2, 2024, to share their thoughts and priorities. Paper copies of the survey are available at the District Office for those unable to complete it online.

All surveys are due by December 2, 2024.

On December 6th, we are offering a hygiene presentation for our 4th grade students. This presentation will help students understand that personal hygiene is each individual’s responsibility.

ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED PERMISSION FORM TO ATTEND. FORMS ARE LINKED BELOW AND A PAPER COPY WAS SENT HOME FRIDAY.

The video we will show is available for parent previewing.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ2e0KH5WrI

After the video, Mrs. Yosten, the school nurse, and Mr. Boyes will do a question and answer discussion and will be available for students to ask any questions.

ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED PERMISSION FORM TO ATTEND. PERMISSION FORM IS LINKED BELOW AND A PAPER COPY WAS SENT HOME ON FRIDAY.

On December 6th, we are going to have a Human Growth & Development presentation for all of the

5th grade students. We will be using materials from the “Always Changing and Growing Up” Program. These materials will help both boys and girls:

• Understand the physical and emotional changes they experience during puberty and

acknowledge that these changes are a normal part of growth and development.

• Understand that personal hygiene is each individual’s responsibility.

• Understand how girls manage their periods.

• Learn about making good decisions and powerful words to make a positive impact.

• Learn how to stay healthy and confident from the changes that occur to their brains, eating well,

and staying safe.

• Talk to parents and trusted adults about their feelings and questions during puberty to help them better understand and get the support they need.

Please note: sexual orientation, intercourse, and/or relationships will not be discussed.

There will be two videos shown, one video is developed specifically for boys and the other video is developed specifically for girls. The videos are available for parent previewing.

• GIRL VIDEO: Always Changing and Growing Up - Girls Puberty Education

• BOY VIDEO: Always Changing and Growing Up- Boys Puberty Education

Mr. Boyes will do a follow up discussion with the boys and Mrs. Yosten, the school nurse, will do the same with the girls. Questions will be allowed and answered as necessary.

We encourage you to use this lesson as a springboard for starting to talk about the topic with your child, if you haven’t already started. You, too, play an important role in helping your child navigate puberty with confidence! You can access the puberty materials that your child will receive at pgschoolprograms.com, and download a helpful guide designed specially to help parents with students support them as they enter puberty.

Anchor Pointe will have many opportunities to volunteer and assist our wonderful staff and students! In order for family members to volunteer they must complete the volunteer application process. There are multiple levels for which families can volunteer. There are different expectations and procedures for each level. The levels are:

• Level II: This level works with children but in a supervised manner. This would include opportunities such as being a room parent, lunchroom parent volunteer, classroom presentations from parents, or with the book fair. Parents will complete the application process but will NOT have a background check. This is for volunteers who will NOT be left unsupervised with children.
• Level III: This is for field trip volunteers. Any volunteer that may be alone with children will first complete the application process and then have a background check by the district. Level III applications need to be submitted to the school office a minimum of two weeks prior to the field trip to ensure ample time for a background check to be completed.

As you start looking ahead, it may be of benefit for you to complete this process if you have a desire to be a room parent or accompany the class on a field trip.

We would love to have as many volunteers covered and ready to go to properly be prepared for anything or any activity our classrooms may be doing in the future. Now is the time to get prepared for the wonderful activities we have planned throughout the school year.

All applications must be submitted to the Anchor Pointe Elementary office and must have an official signature of the person applying to be a volunteer.

If your child will miss school, please send an email to jschafer@bennps.org and your child's teacher, or call our school office at (402) 238-2166 prior to the beginning of the school day.

Provide the child's name and the reason for the absence (for attendance coding purposes).

If your child needs to leave school early, or if your child's daily dismissal plan changes, please let us know as soon as you're able. Early notification is helpful to ensure messages are delivered to teachers prior to dismissal.

Kindergarten - 5th grade students will start school at 8:05, and dismissal is at 3:07.

Students may arrive at 7:50, and can attend Reading or Walking Club in the morning from 7:50-8:00.

Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:00.

For the safety of all students, please note that arrival and dismissal for K-5th grade walkers, bikers, and car riders takes place on the north/main side of our school.

The south side of our school is for school buses, daycare vans, and preschool traffic only.

A wonderful elementary school located in beautiful Bennington, Nebraska built to Inspire, Learn, and Achieve...TOGETHER. #anchoreducated

Website: www.benningtonschools.org
Location: 17007 North HWS Cleveland Boulevard, Bennington, NE, USA
Phone: 402-238-2166
Twitter: @Anchor_Pointe

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Bennington Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Students: Mr. Dan Bombeck, Director of Student Services, 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (dbombeck@bennps.org). Employees and Others: Dr. Matt Blomenkamp, Assistant Superintendent 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (mblomenkamp@bennps.org). Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education (OCR), please contact the OCR at 601 East 12th Street, Room 353, Kansas City, MO 64106, (800) 368-1019 (voice), Fax (816) 426-3686, (800) 537-7697 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.

Title IX

The Bennington Public School District is committed to offering employment and educational opportunity to its employees and students in a climate free of discrimination. Accordingly, unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation of any kind by District employees, including, co-workers, non-employees (such as volunteers), third parties and others is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.