Bennington High School Newsletter

As the end of the First Semester approaches the staff and administration would like to take this time to thank you for your support during the first four months of the school year. We understand that you have entrusted us with your most valuable possessions with the hope that students are safe, engaged in learning, under the care of trusted adults, and receive the proper support to help students explore, grow, and meet expectations at home, school and in the community. The partnership between teachers and parents is a critical factor in the success of students and we appreciate all of you for the efforts you make so Bennington High School can be a fantastic place for kids.

Student progress reports have been posted in NEBSIS for the first four weeks of 2nd Quarter – grades can be found under Student Reports – Current Student Grades. The Fall Semester will wrap up on Friday, December 20. Please encourage your student to communicate with their teacher about missing assignments or work that may impact the semester grade. If you or your child believes the grade is inaccurate please reach out to the specific teacher via email. First Semester grades are finalized by Monday, January 3.

Semester Finals will be utilizing a 3-day format this year. Final exams will begin on Wednesday, December 18 and go through Friday, December 20. If your child will be (is) absent on the Final Exam dates your student will need to contact the administration to arrange a time over Winter Break to complete all semester exams. Semester exams will not be given prior to December 18. Students in satisfactory academic standing will be excused at 1:30 pm on December 18 and December 19. Friday, December 20 is a 12:00 pm dismissal for all students.

Teachers will be communicating with students and parents throughout the week of December 16 regarding academic responsibilities and assignments that need to be completed or can be completed to improve a student’s grade. If a student is requested to stay beyond 1:30 pm on December 18 or December 19 the notification will arrive in Flex Scheduler and students will receive an email. Parents are encouraged to review the Student Success List and contact the teacher regarding opportunities to complete listed assignments.

The NSAA Moratorium will run from Sunday, December 22 to Thursday, December 26. ALL DISTRICT FACILITIES ARE CLOSED TO ATHLETES, TEAMS, and EVENTS. Athletic practices resume on December 27 and contests will be held from December 28 to January 4 over Winter Break. Bennington High School office hours will be posted at a date closer to winter break. Administration will be available and on duty over Winter Break. The availability of the administration will be flexible and dependent on event coverage, semester final make-up exams, and family obligations – we appreciate your understanding in advance of the Winter Break.

School resumes for all students on Monday, January 6 with a full day of school. Students will report to homeroom on January 6 to receive their 2nd Semester Schedule then head directly to 1st hour. Students will be able to make changes to their schedule through Wednesday, January 8. The process for adding and dropping courses for the Spring Semester is the same as the Fall Semester. Students must contact their counselor regarding changes to their schedule. Students who have completed community service hours, LB 399 requirements, or the exploring post must turn in documentation to Mrs. Guynan. Community service hours from August to December are due January 31.

Dr. Greg Lamberty

• December 4: Early Release – 12:00 pm DISMISSAL for students.

• December 9: Board of Education Meeting – 6:00 pm @ District Office.

• December 12: Vocal Music Concert – 7:00 pm

• December 16: Band Concert – 7:00 pm

• December 18-20: 1st Semester Final Exams

• December 20: Early Release – 12:00 pm DISMISSAL for Students

• December 22-26: NSAA Moratorium - All District facilities are closed.

2024 Fall Semester Finals Schedule

**Students absent from finals will be required to make final exams up over Winter Break or at a time agreed upon with the teacher & BHS administration.

** Students in grades 10-12 will receive their Finals Exemption Form on December 11. Forms are due back to the administration by 8:15 am on Monday, December 16.

• Athletic practices will be held over Winter Break. Please contact the head coach of your athlete’s program for additional information on dates and times.

• Graduation for the Class of 2025 is Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 pm.

Safe2Help Hotline & Website: https://www.safe2helpne.org/

Link to the Bennington High School Activities Calendar: https://www.easternmidconference.org/public/genie/428/school/1/date/2022-12-12/view/week/

• Attention Parents / Caretakers of Seniors

In the past, some athletes who have committed to compete in their activity at the college level have wished to sign their commitment paperwork at BHS in front of invited teammates and family. This year, we will be holding these signings in signing day ‘windows’ around the college signing periods. Signings will take place in the Aux Gym before school OR in the Activities Entrance after school during the following windows:

December 2 – 6

February 3 – 7

April 14 – 17

If your athlete would like to sign at BHS, please reach out to the Activities Office and schedule a time during one of these windows. For more information about dates and Athletic Letters of Intent, please head here: http://www.nationalletter.org/signingDates/future.html

• Thank you to the parents of the winter sport athletes for attending the sport specific meeting held by the coaches. Your support and presence are appreciated as we move forward with basketball & wrestling. For those of you that missed the meeting here are some important questions, reminders, and advice. They may lead to good conversation with your athlete.

• Ask your child why they are playing this winter in their sport of choice?

• Ask your child what role they hope to have FOR THE TEAM?

• Ask your child what they hope to accomplish & what they want the team to accomplish?

• Focus on their improvement as opposed to game results or playing time/position.

• Do not allow your child to participate in any non-NSAA basketball or wrestling during the winter season that are part of the Winter Calendar. This will void their eligibility and cause their Bennington High School team to forfeit games.

• If you have questions regarding eligibility, please contact the athletic office.

• Be your child’s biggest fan, not their biggest critic.

• Consider the coaching staff’s perspective before sending an email or calling if your child comes home upset from a practice or game.

• Ask your child to approach a coach themselves. Self-advocacy is one of the most important skills that sports participation can teach.

• Leave the officials alone & remember that they are humans too.

• EVERYONE deserves extra grace in this world, including the refs!

• FOCUS ON SPORTSMANSHIP: All those in attendance at BHS events are expected to:

• be accountable for their actions

• be positive with their support

• be respectful of the decisions that are made by officials

• be aware of their emotions, language and actions

• NSAA PRACTICE MORATORIUM is December 22nd – 26th. BENNINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES ARE CLOSED TO ALL PRACTICES AND ACTIVITIES DURING THIS TIME.

• Home Spectators for athletic contests are encouraged to use the ACTIVITY ENTRANCE to access the gyms on game nights. Sub-Varsity Basketball and Wrestling events will only have the Activity Entrance open on the nights of their events.

HOME VARSITY EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

December 5th – Girls and Boys JV/Varsity Basketball v. Wahoo @ 5:45 and 7:15pm

December 7th – Girls and Boys Varsity Wrestling: Bennington Invite @ 10:00am

December 12th – Vocal Music Concert @ 6:00pm in Auditorium

December 13th – Girls and Boys JV/Varsity Basketball v. Elkhorn North @ 4:00, 6:00, and 7:30pm

December 16th – Winter Band Concert @ 7:00pm in Auditorium

December 17th – Boys and Girls JV/Varsity Wrestling v. Om. Central @ 6:00 and 7:00pm

December 20th – TBD: EMC Conference Tournament Basketball @ TBD

December 21st – TBD: EMC Conference Tournament Basketball @ TBD

December 28th – TBD: EMC Conference Tournament Basketball @ TBD

School Counseling Team:

Jennifer Smith | A-G

Mandy Boesch| H-N

Lisa Bade | O-Z

Angie Shadle | School Counseling Administrative Assistant

Upcoming College and Military Rep Visits:

Air Force ROTC, Monday, December 9, 1:00 pm in the Counseling Office

Important Announcements:

BHS College & Career Fair - On Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, BHS will host its 3rd annual College & Career Fair. More information to come in future “Happenings”.

Seniors: New High School Graduation Requirement

What is the new state law?

Starting with the class of 2025, Nebraska law requires all public high school students to complete and submit a FAFSA (or actively opt out) as a graduation requirement. This is known as Universal FAFSA.

Why does this law exist?

Universal FAFSA ensures that all Nebraska seniors complete the FAFSA, unlocking federal financial aid and encouraging them to consider further education beyond high school.

Why is completing the FAFSA a graduation requirement?

Completing the FAFSA informs students about their financial aid options, enabling them to make smarter decisions about their post-secondary education.

How will this benefit Nebraska students?

In 2022, half of Nebraska graduates didn’t file the FAFSA, missing out on an estimated $23 million in aid. This initiative helps reach the goal of 70% of Nebraskans earning a diploma, degree, or industry credential by 2030.

Where can I direct questions about Universal FAFSA?

Contact the Nebraska Department of Education: https://www.education.ne.gov/fafsa

Source: EducationQuest

College & Financial Aid Awareness Events (not affiliated with BHS)

FAFSA Completion Webinar: offered December 10th and December 13th at 6:30 p.m. During this event, you’ll learn how much college will cost, types of financial aid, all about the FAFSA, how colleges award financial aid, and where to get free help. This is a free virtual event. To register: https://educationquest.org/events/financial-aid-program-4/

Preparing for the FAFSA (live): December 18, 7:00 p.m. Need help paying for college? Don’t miss this livestream about preparing for the FAFSA. You’ll learn what the FAFSA is, when you should get started, and why you should apply. Come ready with your questions, financial aid experts will answer them live! https://educationquest.org/events/preparing-for-the-fafsa/

Additional Opportunities and Scholarships

Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program: Students with an ACT score of 30+ and who are interested in pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are encouraged to check out the UNO Scott Scholars Program.

UNK Honors: DEADLINE is January 7. Students with a 24+ ACT should apply for honors scholarships that include cash, room waivers, and the Omaha World-Herald Scholarship, which is a full-ride scholarship. More information can be found here.

Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) - Rural Nebraska high school seniors interested in dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, or radiography. One of the many benefits of the program is a full tuition scholarship at Wayne State College, Peru State College, or Chadron State College. For more information, click on the college you are interested in attending.

UNMC High School Alliance Program - Interested in taking classes at UNMC? The UNMC High School Alliance program is a partnership between the UNMC and public schools in the Greater Omaha area. To learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, go to: www.unmc.edu/alliance. Applications open up November 1st, 2024 for the 2025-2026 school year. Contact your school counselor with additional information.

Testing - Information and Dates

ACT 2024-2025 - March 25, 2025:

All full-time Bennington High School juniors will take the ACT at BHS on March 25, 2025. There is no need to register for this test and there is no fee for this test. Watch for more information about the ACT and the On To College ACT prep sessions in upcoming months.

2024-2025 ACT National Test Dates:

Bennington High School code number for the ACT & SAT: 280240

Visit https://my.act.org/account/signin?location=https://my.act.org to register for the ACT. If you received accommodations on the ACT at Bennington High School, be sure to select the option for accommodations when you register for the test.

2024-2025 SAT I and SAT II Test Dates:

Visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register to register for the SAT.

My name is Nikki Guynan. I serve BHS students throughout their 9th-12th grade years. My primary role is to help students through the 3C and LB399 graduation requirements and plan and execute graduation day for our Seniors!

December highlights:

1. For all students, 9-12, the next LB399 opportunity provided by the School Board will be Monday, December 9th at 6:00pm!

2. Did you choose Service Hours for your 3C? If so, ALL Service Hours from August 2024-December 2024 will be due Friday-January 31, 2025.

3. Are you choosing Service Hours for your 3C? The holidays are a great time to volunteer. Please make sure if you are wanting to receive proper credit, that you are volunteering for a registered Non-Profit organization and following the Service Hours guidelines.

More information can be found here:

https://bhs.benningtonschools.org/students/graduation_requirements/3cs_requirement

Any senior planning to attend a four or two-year college OR enter the workforce is eligible to apply for BPS Foundation AND Community-Funded scholarships through our easy, online application. Open Dec 1–Feb 1.

Over 30 opportunities are available based on merit, career plans, and community involvement.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Visit our website: BenningtonSchoolsFoundation.org/Scholarships

2. View the opportunities, application link and more information.

Questions? Please contact Scholarship Program Coordinator Megan Detjens at MDetjens@bennps.org.

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.