BADGER BEAT

December

9th-18th Food Drive (see flier below for specific requests)

13th- 2nd semester snack milk opens

16th Parent Work Night at 6:30pm

20th Winter classroom parties and Early Dismissal at 11:40 no lunch served

22nd-Jan 3rd Winter Break

January

3rd Teacher Inservice

6th Back to school and PTO meeting at 7 pm

10th Snack milk sign up will close at 4pm NO EXCEPTIONS, Spirit Day! Wear your Badger Blue!

16th Raising Cane's Night 5-9 pm

20th No School-Martin Luther King Day

22nd Early Dismissal at 11:40 no lunch served

23rd Bring $1 to wear pajamas-DC trip fundraiser

27th Parent Work Night at 6:30 pm

28th Health screenings-see volunteer sign up below

Late start days will begin exactly two hours later than the normal school start time. When weather permits for a later start, the streets, sidewalks and parking lots can be better cleared and rush hour traffic can be completed. Late start days will be announced in the same manner as school closings.

Late Start Q&A

Why are we having a late start day?

In the event of inclement weather, the District may delay the start of the school day by two hours. By starting two hours later, this allows for streets, sidewalks and parking lots to be cleared and for rush hour traffic to be complete.

What is the school scheduling time for students on a late start day?

Elementary - 10:05 AM to 3:07 PM

Middle School - 10:00 AM to 3:10 PM

High School - 10:10 AM to 3:17 PM

Will transportation be provided on a late start day?

Yes, transportation will be provided and stop times will be modified and will be running approximately two hours later to get students to school for the two-hour late start.

Will the District provide supervision if I drop off my child(ren) at school early on a late start day?

No, staff is not on duty and students are not permitted to enter the buildings before a designated time. Remember, the District will announce a late start to allow authorities and school personnel time to clear roads, sidewalks and parking lots for safe travel.

Will students be required to attend extracurricular activities on late start days?

Before school and/or morning extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, and groups) will be canceled on late start days. After school activities will proceed as scheduled.

Will preschool students attend on late start days?

There will be no morning preschool on a late start day. Afternoon preschool will be scheduled as normal with normal transportation.

Will the All-Star Kids program be affected by late start days?

Yes, for students enrolled in the All-Star Kids program that have an enrollment category that includes morning care. The hours of operation will be 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM at all locations. Breakfast will be served around 9:45 AM.

Will there be breakfast and lunch on late start days?

Yes to both. A grab & go breakfast will be offered. Lunch will run at the similarly scheduled time. Check your building's website for the exact times.

Will students have to make up instructional time lost on a late start day?

No, Bennington Public Schools builds extra hours into the school calendar every year. Late starts will not significantly affect the District’s ability to schedule school days to meet the Nebraska Department of Education’s requirements.

There may be occasions when attending school due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances may not be advisable. Student safety and learning is always the top priority for Bennington Public Schools. The District will either cancel school for the day or announce a two-hour late start.

School closings will be announced using the following media sources listed below:

District Notification: School Messenger (Phone, Email, Text Message)

Television: KMTV 3, WOWT 6, KETV 7

Radio: KFAB (AM 1110), KKAR (AM1290)

Social Media: Facebook - Bennington Public Schools Facebook, Twitter - @aaronplasBPS

When school is closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Bennington Public Schools will make efforts to make up these educational opportunities. The District has embedded days into the school calendar for such occasions. Students will NOT make-up the first two snow days. If there are more than two snow days, students will make up the third, fourth, and fifth snow days on May 28, May 29 and May 30. BPS is hoping to end school as scheduled but we are restricted by state mandates on the number of instructional hours we must provide to our students. Any changes to the school calendar will be communicated early and often!

School Closing Q&A

Will the All-Star Kids program be affected by snow days?

All-Star Kids program will be closed when school is closed for a snow day.

Will students be required to attend extracurricular activities on snow days?

Decisions about high school extra-curricular activities will be made and announced through School Messenger. There are times that a storm may move through early in the day and practice or competition may be held in the afternoon or evening. There are also times that storms hit some communities harder than others, so the administration is in communication with other districts to determine if a competition will be held or not. Decisions are always based on the safety of Bennington's staff and students.

Will Bennington School facilities be open to the community for youth sports practices on snow days?

School facilities are closed to youth sports when school is not in session. Only emergency staff report to school buildings on snow days to make sure students and staff are safe during poor weather conditions.

What if I don’t agree with the decision to have school when it is snowing, cold, or icy?

Making decisions regarding snow days is never fun or easy. These tough decisions will inevitably make some upset because they think we should be called off while others can’t believe how ‘soft’ schools have become with their decisions. We promise to do the best we can with the information and resources we have at the time. Please remember, you can keep your child(ren) home on days that we have school but you think we shouldn’t.

Will Bennington Public Schools call “cold days” when the temperatures are well below freezing?

The Omaha metro has a very unique set-up with so many schools in such a small area. This can create a comparison and judgment between districts, and how they are handling inclement weather including both snow/ice and extremely cold conditions. But each district does not have the same set of variables including buses that can be plugged in at night, walking distance for students, and the ability to have late starts. With that said, please know it is possible for each district to have a different response on both snow days and ‘cold days’. Again, if you think we shouldn’t have school on a ‘cold day’ where other districts have shut down, please feel free to keep your child(ren) at home.

The colder weather is here and here are some reminders about morning drop off and recess

• Morning supervision begins at 7:50 am

• Advancing each vehicle as far as possible up the drop off line allows the maximum number of students to exit to their waiting spot safely

• Adults waving your vehicle forward are doing so in an attempt to maintain a quick and efficient drop off line

• Students begin entering the building as early as 7:55 am--please make sure they have coats, hats and gloves

• Students are tardy after 8:05 am

Students have at least one 30 minute recess each day. Please make sure to send your child in clothing and accessories that are warm enough to allow for 30 minutes outside. Students have space in their individual lockers to keep all layers, coats, hats, and gloves!

The Pine Creek health office is in need of pants for students who may need an extra pair! We are looking for sizes 8/10, 10/12, 12/14 boys and girls. We could use sizes 5/6 for boys only. Thank you in advance!

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month. Please follow their Facebook page at PineCreekPTO and their newsletter for updates and events.

The 5th grade teachers are excited to share that the Bennington Foundation is funding their Virtual Field Trip to Historic Jamestowne in December. All 114 5th graders will interact with a historian around the original Jamestowne Fort in Virginia. 5th graders are learning about the start of the United States and what better way than to have a personal tour of the first successful settlement!

The yearbook committee would love to see your pictures! Please click on the following links to add your photos! Be sure to choose the best photos and try not to submit duplicates.

Red Ribbon Week- https://plicbooks.com/go/QR6TGU

Trunk or Treat Monster Mash- https://plicbooks.com/go/E3622E

Kindergarten Field Trips/Class Photos:https://plicbooks.com/go/J6NQP4

First Grade Field Trips/Class photos- https://plicbooks.com/go/JGQAR8

Second Grade Field Trips/Class photos- https://plicbooks.com/go/DZ2CVB

Third Grade Field Trips/Class photos- https://plicbooks.com/go/NFM8L7

Fourth Grade Field Trips/Class photos- https://plicbooks.com/go/6E6NG5

Fifth Grade Field Trips/Class photos- https://plicbooks.com/go/2TNZH3

Badger Bash- https://plicbooks.com/go/ZMR4MA

Badger Blue Days/First Day- https://plicbooks.com/go/EVA2G2

Homecoming (Pj, Hawaiian, Neon, Disney)- https://plicbooks.com/go/NETKC1

Pine Creek 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 I: NO contact with children, working in areas such as the office, but not directly with any children.

• 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 Pine Creek Elementary office and must have an official signature of the person applying to be a volunteer. Attached is the volunteer application.

Bennington Public Schools Volunteer Application 8-7-24.pdf

Principal- Alison Dellwo (adellwo@bennps.org)

Assistant Principal- Krista Bendell (kbendell@bennps.org)

Secretary- Liz Peterson (epeterson@bennps.org)

Health Para- Amanda Hladik (ahladik@bennps.org)

Email: adellwo@bennps.org
Website: benningtonschools.org
Location: 7801 North HWS Cleveland Boulevard, Bennington, NE, USA
Phone: (402)238-2372
Twitter: @pinecreek_elem

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.