Bennett Bear Business Newsletter

Welcome to my 1st edition of the Bear Business Newsletter! This is our weekly communication tool to learn about all the things going on at Bennett and in McKinney ISD. As of this week, the Bear Business is sent to Bennett families on Sunday of each week. A weekly call out to families about our school events for the week is sent to Bennett families on Sunday between 4:00-6:00pm to the phone number listed as Contact 1.

January 17, 2023 marks my 1st official day as the Principal at Bennett Elementary and I could not be more excited! I am honored to continue the legacy that has been built at Bennett over the last 20 years. Bennett is a family-centered campus with a history of academic excellence. We have an incredible staff who each have a heart for their students. Ms. Holderman and I have worked the past few weeks to make the transition as smooth as possible for students, staff, and families.

Our Bennett PTO hosted a Principal's Coffee on Friday, January 13. We had a wonderful turnout! I shared with parents that Bennett is a strong campus and there are not immediate changes that need to be made! We will continue with our high expectations for students and inclusive environment for learning. While you may see minor changes as the Leadership changes, our processes and communication will continue as it always has, top-notch. We will continue our Bennett Live celebrations and our wonderful PTO events. Bennett Elementary is the "the very best school in McKinney" because of each one of you!

-Kassie Halpin

Principal, Bennett Elementary

The same team is on duty for Arrival and Dismissal each week.

January 16-January 20 - Team 2

January 23-January 27 - Team 1

January 30-February 3 - Team 2

February 6 - February 10 - Team 1

February 13-February 17 - Team 2

Our Bennett students earn tickets for our monthly stuffed animal drawing. Students who are following our school-wide expectations, classroom expectations, participating in a our campus reading challenges, helping a friend, etc earn tickets from all staff members. Each Friday, 5 lucky tickets are drawn on the Morning Announcements for students to pick a "Principal Prize"! Then, at the end of the month, 1 lucky ticket is drawn for the stuffed animal! After spending the day in the classroom, the lucky student gets to keep the stuffed animal forever!

Bennett Live! is our Monthly celebration for students and staff! We come together as a school family and celebrate our students! Parents of the Bears who are receiving awards are invited to attend.

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who are being referred for the MISD Gifted & Talented Program, called Alpha, must have their referrals submitted by Thursday, January 19. See the Alpha website information located below in this week's Bear Business newsletter. Reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.

January 16 (Monday)

• No School for Students/Staff in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr holiday

January 17 (Tuesday)

• 4th grade Field Trip to the DMA
• Shelter in Place for Severe Weather Drill at 9:45am
• Bluebonnet Voting begins in the Learning Commons
• PAWSitivity Tuesday - wear a kindness shirt

January 18 (Wednesday)

• 4th & 5th grade Choir 7:15am

January 19 (Thursday)

• Drama Kids 3:15-4:15 in the Science Lab
• 3rd - 5th grade ALPHA referrals are due
• 1st and 2nd grade ALPHA students attend @ Bennett
• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb

January 20 (Friday)

• Last day for Watch Dogs to register for the Spring semester
• Wear Bennett Spirit Wear
• Running Club 7:15
• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb

January 23 (Monday)

• 3rd grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb

January 24 (Tuesday)

• PAWSitivity Tuesday - wear a kindness shirt

January 25 (Wednesday) *Modified Specials Schedule today!

• K-2 Bennett Live at 8:15am
• 3-5 Bennett Live at 9:00am
• Wear Bennett Spirit Wear
• 4th & 5th grade Choir 7:15am

January 26 (Thursday)

• 1st and 2nd grade ALPHA students attend @ Bennett
• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb

• Drama Kids 3:15-4:15 in the Science Lab

January 27 (Friday)

• 100th day of school
• Running Club 7:15am
• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
• PTO sponsored BINGO night 6:30-8pm
• Wear 100 things/Dress like you are 100/or Wear Bennett Spirit Wear

January 30 (Monday)

• 1st day Watch Dogs are on campus for the Spring semester
• 3rd grade students attend ALPHA at Webb

January 31 (Tuesday)

• PAWSitivity Tuesday - wear a kindness shirt

February 1 (Wednesday)

• Fire Drill at 9:15am
• Progress reports go home
• 4th & 5th grade Choir 7:15am

February 2 (Thursday)

• 1st and 2nd grade ALPHA students attend @ Bennett
• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
• Drama Kids 3:15-4:15 in the Science Lab

February 3 (Friday)

• 4th and 5th grade ALPHA students attend @ Webb
• Running Club 7:15am
• Wear Bennett Spirit Wear

February 6 (Monday)

• School Counselor Appreciation Week!
• 3rd grade students attend ALPHA at Webb

February 7 (Tuesday)

• K-2 students Dental presentations in the Bennett cafeteria 2:00-2:30pm

February 8 (Wednesday)

• Bear Cubs in Training for incoming Kindergarten (23/24) Bears 2:15-2:45pm (see flier for details)

February 10 (Friday)

• PTO provides breakfast for Bennett staff
• PTO board meeting 10:00 in the Bennett Science Lab
• Wear Bennett Spirit Wear

1 - Abdalhalim

3 - Viyan

4 - Ms. Simmons - 1st Grade Teacher

5 - Hayden

6 - Wyatt, Rhys, Elijah

7 - Grace, Zain, Sofia

8 - Matthew, Adrianna

9 - Olivia

11 - Lincoln

12 - Reese, Camryn, Arghya

13 - Alessandra

14 - Allison

15 - Chase

16 - Jason

17 - Jack

18 - Ella, Michael, Claudia

19 - Victoria, Jackson, Ms. Thompson - Counselor

20 - Ben, Bryson

23 - Jack, Myah, Ms. Luthi - Dyslexia Teacher

25 - Emileigh

26 - Ademide, Ryan

27 - Weston, Beau

28 - Ms. Schindler - 3rd Grade Teacher

29 - Jade

30 - Boaz, Helena, Ms. Recker - 2nd Grade Teacher

31 - Ms. Crider - STC Teacher

You have a chance to have a voice at the very best school in Mckinney! Now seeking nominations for: President, Vice President , Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Spirit Wear Chair, Volunteer Chair, Fundraising Chair, Social Chair, Communication Chair, Historian, Publicity, and Yearbook.

Jan 10 - Jan 20 - Registration window open for Watch Dogs

Jan 20 - Last day to register for Watch Dogs for the semester

Jan 30 - 1st Day Watch Dogs are on campus to serve students

Thank you for your patience in the morning and afternoons as we ensure the safety of our students and staff!

Club 360 is McKinney ISD's after school program.

Perfect for those who work from home, the Stay-at-home-Parent, and retired persons!

My name is Kassie Halpin, and I am the proud principal at Bennett Elementary. Let me be the first to welcome you to our AMAZING school family! This is my first year as Principal and my 4th year at Bennett. I have been in education for 15 years. Serving the students and families at Bennett is a true honor and I look forward to a wonderful school year! Bennett is "the VERY Best school in McKinney" because of YOU!

Email: khalpin@mckinneyisd.net
Website: https://www.smore.com/app/reporting/out/e87yb6?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.schools.mckinneyisd.net%2Fbennett%2F&t=schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett/&w=w-3190484287&i=&l=
Location: 7760 Coronado Drive, McKinney, TX, USA
Phone: 469-302-5400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MISDBennett
Twitter: @BennettBears