Ben-Hem Bobcats

Happy New Year, Bobcats!

As we step into this new year, we're looking forward to all the wonderful moments we'll share together as a community. We're thrilled to kick off 2025 with a brand new event - our PTO Family Bingo Night! This fun-filled evening is the perfect opportunity to meet new faces, catch up with old friends, and enjoy some friendly competition. Whether you're a bingo pro or a first-timer, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Let's make this year one of connection, laughter, and community spirit. We can't wait to see you there and work together to make our school an even better place to call home. Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

Best,

Karen Ghilani

ACTIVE KIDS/ACTIVE MINDS PROGRAM - SPRING SEMESTER

We're excited to introduce Active Kids and Minds (formerly BOKS), a before-school physical activity program at Ben Hem this spring. AK+M prepares children for a day of learning and helps them appreciate the lifelong benefits of exercise and healthy choices. Inspired by Dr. John Ratey's book "SPARK," this program aligns with his research at Harvard Medical School, which shows that "exercise is the single most powerful tool we have to optimize brain function." Classes feature fun, team-oriented games that kids love! Learn more about this program below.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY MORNING DROP-OFF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our morning drop-off line relies on parent volunteers. We need help assisting students from cars to their designated areas.

• 4th Grade Parents (January): January Sign-up Link
• 2nd and 3rd Grade Parents (February): February Sign-up Link

Volunteer time: 8:00 AM to 8:20 AM (Live drop-off starts at 8:05 AM)

BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING: Understanding Attendance Metrics

Did you know that Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and chronic absenteeism are different metrics? We track student attendance as one metric to help us evaluate learning over time. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than 10% of the school year, or 18 days, or 2 days a month. This can impact student success in class.

• Ben Hem's current ADA: 96%
• Students classified as chronically absent: 46 (less than 90% attendance this school year)

For more information, read this article from healthychildren.org: "School Attendance, Truancy, & Chronic Absenteeism: What Parents Need to Know"

BOBCAT BINGO FUNDRAISER - SAVE THE DATE: JANUARY 31, 2025

Our Bobcat Bingo event is coming soon! Visit our ticket website to:

• Learn more about the event
• Register for the silent auction (even if you can't attend)
• Purchase tickets

Website: https://auctria.events/Benhembingo. This family-friendly event replaces our traditional AEO (An Evening Out). Join us for a night of BINGO, raffles, and a silent auction!

IMPORTANT DATES

• January 15, 2025: Early Release Day (12:05 PM dismissal)
• January 20, 2025: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• January 31, 2025: PTO Family Bingo Night
• February 5, 2025: Early Release Day (12:05 PM dismissal)

Do you have questions about the ACTIVE KIDS/ACTIVE MINDS program?

TYPICAL ACTIVE KIDS CLASS ● 40 minutes long ● Fun warm-up game or movement drills ● Running activity, relay races, obstacle courses and strength movements ● Fun game ● Cool Down

WHEN IS ACTIVE KIDS? Active kids will run Wednesday and Fridays mornings from 7:20-8:05. The session starts January 8th and the last day will be Friday June 6th.

HOW DO I SIGN UP Complete the attached registration materials for each child and make sure to sign the last page. Approximately 30 children may participate in the session and the participants will be chosen on a first come first serve basis.

IS THERE TRANSPORTATION TO AK+M? Parents will be responsible for transporting their children to school. Children who attend a before school program are eligible to enroll and participate.

COST OF THE PROGRAM? 2 days of AK+M is $60.00. Please make checks payable to: NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS Active kids is designed to involve the whole community and family.

If you are interested in becoming part of the AK+M team, please contact Adam Payne @ adpayne@natickps.org. You can also visit the Active Kids website at www.activekids.org for more program details. I hope that you will share my enthusiasm for this program, and you will in turn, see a positive impact on your children.

Sincerely, The Ben Hem AK+M Team

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