Benson News

Hello Benson Families!

A special WELCOME to new families joining our Benson community!

The Benson staff is so excited to start the year with all of our students and families. To start the year strong, below are a few things families can do to prepare for the first day on August 14th:

• Mark your calendar for BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT on August 22nd from 5:00-6:00pm
• Complete DATA CONFIRMATION in Aeries Parent Portal
• Get UNIFORMS ready
• Connect via PARENTSQUARE & SOCIAL MEDIA
• Gather SCHOOL SUPPLIES
• Check BELL SCHEDULE (school begins at 8:10am each day)

We can't wait to meet our new Benson students and welcome back our returning students. See you soon! #BensonBears #WeAllBelong

Sincerely,

Dr. Spangler

Benson Principal

We look forward to seeing everybody on the first day of school! There will be fun back-to-school photo opportunities for you and your children. All parents are welcome to walk their children in the gates on day one. We are a closed campus, so only TK and Kindergarten parents will be allowed on campus for the remainder of the first week of school.

Sunday, AUGUST 11

9:00am - 11:00am

• Incoming TK/Kinder Park Playdate
• Pine Tree Park

Tuesday, AUGUST 13

• Teacher Assignments Visible in Aeries at 4:30pm (see flyer below on steps to take)

Wednesday, AUGUST 14: First Day of School & Minimum Day

• 8:10am school starts
• 1:20pm TK - 5th grade dismissal

Thursday, AUGUST 22: Back To School Night

5:00pm - 6:00pm

• Session 1: 5:00pm - 5:30pm / Session 2: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
• Resource/Support Stations
• Uniform Exchange

Friday, AUGUST 30: Minimum Day

• 1:20pm TK - 5th grade dismissal

Monday, SEPTEMBER 2: NO SCHOOL | LABOR DAY

Every Friday, beginning August 16, Benson Elementary invites families to the quad to watch our morning Friday Flag Assembly. Friday Flag Assemblies begin at 8:10am and last about 15 - 20 minutes. This is when Dr. Spangler hosts a fun dance party on stage for our Benson Bears as well as shares announcements for upcoming events. We also LOVE to celebrate and shout out our amazing students at Friday Flag as well as our teachers, staff, and community. Please join us!

Join us for Back to School Night to meet your child's teacher and see their classroom. We will have community resources, PTO, and a uniform swap available in the courtyard.

There will be two sessions offered, in case you have multiple children at Benson. Come hear from your child's teacher and learn about their new class!

Each year, parents must complete a Student Data Confirmation for each child. This is done through your Aeries Parent Portal and is best done on a laptop or desktop rather than a mobile device. You can access your Aeries Parent Portal through the Tustin Unified School District website on the Families & Community page.

**Computers will be available in the front office for those who need assistance with completing Data Confirmation.

Parent Portal - Tustin Unified School District

Be sure to:

• Parents, set your notification preferences to "General & Emergency" or you will not get the weekly eNewsletter. *Other contacts can be set to "Emergency Only."
• Provide a minimum of 3 emergency contacts (including parents).
• Make sure you submit and provide an e-signature or your data confirmation will not be complete.
• Complete BEFORE the first day of school (8/14/24).

Benson is a uniform school. Student uniform choices include:

• Top: red, white, blue (light or navy), or grey with or without a collar, no logos

• Bottom: navy blue, khaki, or blue jeans without rips - pants, shorts, skirts or jumper

• NEW THIS YEAR! Spirit Wear/Bear Wear is allowed ANY DAY of the week! Show Benson PRIDE by wearing BENSON spirit shirts

Target Cat & Jack uniforms are currently on SALE!

Teacher assignments will be posted on the Aeries Parent Portal on August 13 at 4:30pm.

See directions below.

*IMPORTANT*

Gates open at 7:50am for all students TK-5th grade. Students may not arrive prior to 7:50am as there is NO SUPERVISION.

Click HERE to find a list of suggested school supplies by grade level. Returning students should bring their TUSD-issued iPads (fully charged!) daily. TK, Kinder and new students will be issued an iPad within the first month of school. As a reminder, these lists are suggestions by the teachers. Materials are available in classrooms for student use as well.

*We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE students to bring a reusable water bottle daily- especially in the heat!

Have you downloaded the Parent Square app? The app allows you to stay connected with Tustin Unified School District and Benson Elementary. Families can also access from the web using Aeries email or phone #. Stay connected with Benson school news this year!

Benson continues to be a safety-first campus, meaning only students and staff are permitted on campus before, after, and during school hours. Volunteers and parents/family members visiting campus for events such as meetings or awards assemblies are also welcome on campus but must sign in through the office and obtain a visitor's badge.

TK- 5th may enter through the front or back gates and navigate to the quad to find and stand in their classroom's line. Gates will open at 7:50 for students. Please note, that beginning 8/14, only students will be allowed to enter campus. All others need to check-in at the front office if they need to come on campus. TK & K parents will be allowed to walk their children to their line for the first week of school only.

As always, Staff will be available to help guide students to their class and learn our before-school routines!

THANK YOU for helping to keep our campus and children safe!

Parents/guardians picking up students in grades TK: Please park your car on the street and walk to the TK gate to pick up your child.

Parents/guardians picking up students in grades K-5: Please drive through the car line and wait for your student to be sent to your car at the front of the school. Please do not exit your vehicle in the car line.

FRONT PARKING LOT

• K-5 Students may be dropped off in the car line by the open gate.
• Do not allow your child to walk through the parking lot except in the crosswalk or exit the car before reaching the front of the school.

*IMPORTANT: HAVE A PLAN!!!

PLEASE take the time to discuss your after-school plan with your child BEFORE the start of school. Establish this ahead of time, make sure your child completely understands and ask these questions:

• Does your child to go to after-school care? Where do they go?
• Which GATE (front or back) should your child go out?
• WHO is picking up your child?

Once you establish your plan, PLEASE let your child's teacher know where your child should go. This helps to eliminate confusion at dismissal time.

As always, we ask that parents and families adhere to all traffic regulations, signs, and the direction of staff, as well as practicing PATIENCE and SAFETY when dropping off and picking up students.

Thank you!

It is important that students arrive on time each day, ready to learn! This includes being well-nourished and well-rested.

NUTRITION/ FOOD

• The Tustin Unified School District has announced its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Seamless Summer and Afternoon Snack Programs. The USDA Food and Nutrition Services extended meal service flexibilities that enable school districts to provide free meals to all students.

• Breakfast is available for students during their RECESS time each day.
• Students may bring their own lunch/snack. If you elect to bring food from home, please ensure that it is nutritious. Keep in mind that students may NOT bring soda or candy.

SLEEP/ REST

• A good night's sleep is crucial to ensure that students are ready for school and have the stamina to shift back to our full-day learning schedule!
• Work now to establish a consistent bedtime routine for the school year.
• The CDC recommends that school-age children (ages 6-12) get 9-12 hours of sleep per night.

All students interested will be offered FREE breakfast at their morning recess and a FREE lunch at their scheduled lunch time.

It's a must-read to know what is happening at Benson!

Every Sunday Dr. Spangler sends out Benson News. This is your way to read about everything coming up at school and see some pictures from the previous week. Be sure to look it over!

Connect with the school by following us on social media!

Instagram: @BensonBears

Twitter: @BensonBears1

2024-2025 Hashtag: #BensonBears #WeAllBelong

Hello, my name is Jaclyn Spangler and I am honored to be the principal of Benson Elementary School. I love being a Benson Bear and I look forward to meeting all of our new and returning Benson families very soon.

I grew up in Orange and I am married with two young children (Jameson 8, and Blakely 4). We are a very active family and love to travel.

I have worked in Tustin Unified for the past sixteen years. My roles in Tustin have included teaching positions, Digital Learning Coach, and Assistant Principal. I completed my undergraduate degree at Vanguard University, my Master's Degree from Concordia University, and my Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Southern California.

I am excited and eager to continue to partner with the teachers, staff, and parents at Benson Elementary School. I look forward to getting to know the community, building relationships, and helping to provide students with exciting learning opportunities.

Email: jspangler@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/benson
Phone: 714-730-7531