Bennington South Middle School

There were a lot of great things happening at BSMS during the month of November! We had our second academic achievement celebration for students, recognition of our first Learn-Grow-Lead award winners, and our winter sports season began. We have many upcoming activities in the month of December, so please take time to look through the newsletter for specific dates and times.

During the week of December 2nd, students will be completing NSCAS Growth testing in their Math and English classes on December 3rd, 5th, and 6th. Our next early dismissal is Wednesday, December 4th at 11:50am. Hexter 3 grading ends on December 20th. Please take the time to look over grades with your child to help them end Hexter 3 on a positive note. The homework calendar is updated weekly on our website for parents and students to review.

On December 20th, students will be dismissed at 11:50am. Students should not bring anything to school on this day. In addition, we will be donating any remaining lost and found items on December 20th. Please talk with your student about checking the lost and found tables for any missing items. Winter break goes from December 21st to January 3rd. The second semester will start on Monday, January 6th for students.

We look forward to finishing up a great first semester!

Lucas Apfelbeck
Principal

Lions International Peace Poster Contest is an international contest that encourages children, ages 11 to 13, to creatively express what peace means to them. The 2024-2025 contest theme is "Peace Without Limits." This contest allows students to share their unique images of peace with others, so that we may all have greater tolerance and international understanding.

The following students were finalists and winners of the 6th Grade Social Studies Lions Club Peace Poster Competition for 2024 from Bennington South Middle School.

Left to Right:

Aleah Wright, Luke Stenberg, Clara Matthews

On November 20th - 17 select middle school students represented Bennington Public Schools at Nebraska's middle level All-state. There were over 800 auditions and 284 students were selected. What a high honor! They performed the following pieces at the Lied Center: Festival Sanctus, Ave Maria, Sesere Eeye, Climbin Up the Mountain, Windy Nights, and We Sing, We Rise, We Soar! Students received a medal with engraving that said " NMEA Middle Level All State".

Congratulations to the following students pictured left to right:

Emma Clements, Landon Obermier, Adele Rubin, Eli Sukraw, Aisosa Honliasso, Jaxon Trofholz, Rory Schneider, Payton Combes, Blake Donohue, Preston Nocita, Bennett Sindelar, Annelise Knittel, Camauni Irvin, Cora Grosse, Parker Houston, Tanner Fleischmann, and Charlotte Clark.

2 - Bond Surveys Due

4 - Early Dismissal at 11:50am

5 - Choir Concerts (BSMS/BMS combined at Bennington Middle School)

• 6:00pm - 6th Grade Choir
• 7:00pm - 7th Grade Choir and 8th Grade Choir

7 - Holiday Craft Fair @ BSMS, 9am-3pm

15 - Middle School Prep Clinic @ BHS Auditorium Commons, 12:30-2:30pm

19 - Band Concerts (BSMS/BMS combined at Bennington South Middle School)

• 5:30pm - 6th Grade Band
• 7:00pm - 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, Jazz Band, and Marimba Ensemble

20 - End of Hexter 3 (1st Semester) / Early Dismissal at 11:50am

Dec 20 - Jan 5 Winter Break

Jan 6 - Start of Hexter 4 (2nd Semester)

Hexter 1 Aug 14 - Sept 24

Hexter 2 Sept 25 - Nov 6

Hexter 3 Nov 7 - Dec 20

Hexter 4 Jan 6 - Feb 20

Hexter 5 Feb 21 - April 11

Hexter 6 April 14 - May 23

Weather is Changing....

All students will wait outside until the doors unlock at 7:40 am each morning. Please dress appropriately while waiting in the colder temperatures. If the temperatures drop below 20 degrees or colder (actual, NOT feels like), our administration will open the doors sooner.

School Closings and Delays

Bennington Public Schools can notify you three different ways:

School Messenger

Radio - KFAB am 1110 or KKAR am 1290

Television - KMTV 3, WOWT 6, KETV 7

As a reminder, our extracurricular activity schedule and club offerings can be found on our school website. Admission for MS athletics is $3 for adults and $2 for students. Activity passes are accepted and can be purchased on myschoolbucks.

All 7th and 8th grade students wanting to participate in the sport activities at BSMS will need to complete and submit:

1) Sports Physical (dated after May 1st) and

2) NSAA Parent Consent form

Copy of the forms are on the schools website under BSMS. Click on Parents then Documents. The forms are also available below.

Attached are the forms for the physical, vision exam, and immunization requirements for incoming 7th graders and new transfer students for the 24-25 school year. These requirements have not changed from the previous year.

Please note that Nebraska state law requires out-of-state transfer students to submit a physical exam including the vision evaluation.

• These exams must be within 6 months of school starting

• This does not need to be from a Nebraska physician.

• The vision exam must address the 5 components of the amblyopia, strabismus, internal and external eye health, and visual acuity or they may have a vision spot screener exam. If your student wears glasses, this will also count as a vision exam.

Please also note that Nebraska state law requires all incoming 7th graders to submit a physical exam within 6 months of school starting.

• New 7th grade students entering from an out of state school are counted as an out of state transfer students; therefore, would also need the vision exam as noted above.

• The physical and vision exam also includes any students entering school for the first time at any grade level from a home-school setting. The parent or guardian may only opt out of this if they submit a written waiver.

• We do accept physical exams on other forms or computer generated forms from physicians.

• Schools may exclude a student from school if the state mandated immunizations are not submitted prior to the first day of school.

The schools are required to have the immunization record on file prior to the student's attendance.

• If your student is an instate transfer student, you only need to provide the immunization series dates. No physical or vision exam is required.

• Parents/guardians should have received an email notification that will include their login/password information during the middle of July.
• Review each student's informational records, and click SUBMIT once all information is updated.
• Please complete as soon as possible
• If any of the information you reviewed now...changes during the school year, please return to this Verification option to update your student's records. Once submitted, the building secretary will be notified via email of your submitted changes.

We appreciate your help in keeping your student's records updated and accurate at all times.

The Free and Reduced Meal applications are now available for the 2024-25 school year. Applications need to be filled out every school year. Each family only needs to complete one application for their entire family.

Complete the Application in Student Verification

As you are completing the student verification information online, you can now complete the Free and Reduced meal application at the same time.

For assistance on how to apply online or to obtain a printed copy of the application, please call the District Office at 402-238-3044.

Middle School

• Breakfast - $1.95
• Lunch - $3.10

Reduced

• Breakfast - $0.30
• Lunch - $0.40

A la Carte

• Milk - $0.55

The school year is getting ready to start! Please take this time to check your students’ meal account balances online through MySchoolBucks.com. If their balance is negative, you can securely fund their account using your credit/debit card or an e-check. You also have the option to set up AutoPay, which will automatically fund their account when the balance drops below an amount you specify.

Don’t have an account yet? Visit MySchoolBucks.com to sign up today! If you need assistance, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting MySchoolBucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

For all other questions, please contact Bennington Nutrition Services at 402-238-3044.

• If your student would need to miss a day or part of a day from school for any reason, a parent or guardian MUST contact BSMS attendance/health secretary, Mrs. Anne Marie Vanecek at avanecek@bennps.org or call us at 402-238-3079 at extension 6202 and include the reason for the absence.
• If your student needs to leave in the middle of the day, a parent or guardian MUST come in and sign out their student in the office, prior to leaving the building. The student can ask the office staff for an ADMIT SLIP so teachers can document any missing assignments during the student’s absence.
• Tardies are assigned if a student enters the build past 8:00 am. A tardy slip will be given by the front office staff, then the student reports to class. The doors will be locked and all visitors can only access the building through the front desk security.

The following rules apply to the use and application of ALL medications at BSMS....

• Prescription Medication: The student’s parents/guardians MUST provide the school office with a written order by a physician or PA of the prescription stating the type, amount, route for the medication. Parents/guardians also need to sign and complete the Medication Authorization form (printed from the school website or at the front office) permitting the use of medication. All prescription medications MUST be transported to the office staff by the parents/ guardians of the student.

• Non-prescription medication: Parents/guardians MUST complete the same Medication Authorization form from the school as that form gives the office personnel permission to give the medication to your student. ALL medication must be in the original container and not be past the expiration date.

Ph # 402-238-3079 ----- Fax # 402-243-0712

Principal - Mr. Lucas Apfelbeck

Asst.Principal & Athletic Director - Mrs. Erika Hiemstra

Administrative Assistant - Mrs. Sara Marxsen

Attendance & Health office assistant - Mrs. Anne Marie Vanecek

Counselors: Mrs. Christine Denker and Mrs. Amy Sather

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Bennington Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Students: Mr. Dan Bombeck, Director of Student Services, 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (dbombeck@bennps.org). Employees and Others: Dr. Matt Blomenkamp, Assistant Superintendent 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (mblomenkamp@bennps.org). Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education (OCR), please contact the OCR at 601 East 12th Street, Room 353, Kansas City, MO 64106, (800) 368-1019 (voice), Fax (816) 426-3686, (800) 537-7697 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.

Title IX

The Bennington Public School District is committed to offering employment and educational opportunity to its employees and students in a climate free of discrimination. Accordingly, unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation of any kind by District employees, including, co-workers, non-employees (such as volunteers), third parties and others is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.