Benson News

Dear Benson Elementary Families,

As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful moments we’ve shared at Benson Elementary. December is a time of celebration, gratitude, and community, and I’m reminded daily of how special our Benson family truly is.

This month, we continue to emphasize our core values: being kind, being safe, and being responsible. These guiding principles are not only shaping our students into thoughtful and compassionate individuals but also strengthening our school culture. It’s inspiring to see students helping one another, practicing safe choices, and showing responsibility in their learning. Together, we’re creating an environment where every child can thrive.

As we prepare for the holiday season, I encourage families to spend time together reflecting on the small acts of kindness and responsibility that make a big difference. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, writing a thank-you note, or simply showing gratitude, these moments align with the values we cherish at Benson.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events this month, including our annual PTO Winter Fest on December 9. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I’m so grateful to lead such an incredible school community. On behalf of all of us at Benson Elementary, I wish you a joyful and safe holiday season and a happy New Year.

Warm regards,
Dr. Spangler
Principal, Benson Elementary

December 9: PTO Winterfest @ 5:30pm (see flyer below)

December 13: Upper grade Winter Music Showcase (see flyer below)

December 16 - 20: Winter Holiday Spirit Week

December 18: Kona Ice After School

December 20: Non-Student Day

December 23 - Jan 3: Winter Break (no school)

Dear Families,

We are excited to announce a series of parent workshops that will provide valuable insights and tools to support your child’s learning and development at home. These workshops are designed to build on the topics introduced in our student assemblies, creating a strong connection between school and home.

The student assemblies will focus on important themes such as cultural understanding and empathy, helping students build stronger relationships and foster a more inclusive school community. The day following each assembly, the parent workshops will dive deeper into these topics, offering practical strategies to continue these meaningful conversations at home.

Here are the details:

• Cultural Understanding Assemblies: January 9 (Grades 3-5) & January 10 (TK-2)

• Parent Workshop: January 10

• Empathy Assemblies: January 23 (Grades 3-5) & January 24 (TK-2)

• Parent Workshop: January 24

We hope you’ll join us for these engaging and informative workshops. Your partnership in reinforcing these important messages will make a big difference in our efforts to build a positive and supportive environment for all our students.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

Dr. Spangler

Help us meet our Sees Candy Fundraising Goal! Use the link below to order your holiday treats.

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/barbarabe_benson_elementary_pto86/ShaDen8238/candy

Please see our No Food Birthday Policy attached below.

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!

*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