1 - BEN HEM SPIRIT DAY PARADE IS BACK ON MONDAY,

OCTOBER 31

We are happy to keep our Spirit Day Parade alive. This event is optional to all students at Ben Hem. If you plan to participate in the parade, please be sure to check review these guidelines so that we can ensure a fun and inclusive parade. If you have any questions about what is acceptable, please reach out to me before October 31.

The parade will begin at 2:00 pm. Caregivers and family members are invited to line the fire lane from the recess hard top to the East Evergreen Road side of the building. All students that are participating will exit the recess doors and reenter the building on the East Evergreen Road side of the building.

If students do not want to participate they may join each other in the library for a game block facilitated by Mrs. Langan. Or, sometimes students will walk in the parade and not wear a costume. These options are available for any students. Please let your classroom teacher know if your student will participate in either of these options.

2 - 18 FAMILIES LEFT!

We have 18 families left that need to complete their yearly forms. Help us hit 100% so that we have up to date contact information for you and your children. If you are having any challenges, you cna call our office to get help at 508-647-6580.

3 - SRO BETH HEFFLER WILL BE HERE NEXT WEEK

Each year our School resource Office, Beth Heffler, comes to our school to introduce herself to all of our Bobcats and share some of the ways that she works at Ben Hem. One things we talk about explicitly is how we practice being safe inside our school. We have safety drills to do this together. During these drills, our teachers guide students in how to follow silent directions and move around the class as a team.

4 - SAFETY UPDATE & REQUEST

Visitors are coming to Ben Hem again this year. We have noticed on a few occasions that visitors are holding the door open for other adults to enter the building. We appreciate the manners AND our safety protocol is that all adults entering our school needs to be allowed in by our office staff and then come to the office to sign in. Please be sure to guide any visitors/staff to the buzzer to gain entry into our building. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

5 - BEN HEM SCHOOL COUNCIL

Welcome Tracy Paradise to our School Council. Tracy is new to our team this school year and is beginning her two year term with us in November. Mary Rossini will also be joining as our PTO representative. The school council meets one Tuesday a month from 5:30 - 6:30 pm virtually. We review school improvement plans, operating budgets and the overall mission of the school. We will be seeking new members again next year. Please consider joining our team for the 23-24 school year.

Check out the Ben Hem PTO Facebook page to see what is happening.

Did you know our PTO creates a school directory each year to share contact information with families that OPT-IN to the directory. Complete this form with information you want shared to be included in the 2022-2023 School Directory. This is voluntary and only information included will be published.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5