Bench Elementary BACK 2 SCHOOL News

Students that are caught being Safe, Respectful or Responsible will be given a Bee Ticket. This ticket is collected at the office and is entered into a drawing for recognition and a prize each Monday. Let's have an unBEElievable start to the school year!

August

27....Kindergarten & KinderREADy Parent Meeting

29....WHO'S MY TEACHER? Check PowerSchool after 4 PM to see.

30....Meet 'n Greet & Supply Drop Off (for 1st-5th grade students)

September

Hispanic Heritage Month

3......1st Day of School

4......Dismiss 1 Hour EARLY (1:15 & 2:00) ***This and EVERY WEDNESDAY

12....Title Meeting - ALL Parents Are Welcome to Attend

12….Parent Night

20...Picture Day

27...Native American Day

KEEP READING TO FIND OUT THE TIMES AND DETAILS SPECIFIC TO THE EVENTS LISTED ABOVE.

TUESDAY, August 27th from 5:30-6:30 pm

This meeting is for parents. It will last about an hour. If you have someone who can watch your child(ren) it'll be easier to listen and engage in the presentation as it'll be rather lengthy for children. If not, we understand and will have a few quiet activities for students. You will be able to meet our KinderREADy and Kindergarten teachers and principal. There will be a quite a lot of information shared during the Parent Meeting. We look forward to seeing you! If you are unable to attend and would like to recieve the powerpoint containing pertinent information, please let us know.

Parents and students are invited to meet your teacher on FRIDAY, AUGUST 30th, from 11:00-12:00. WHO'S MY TEACHER? Check PowerSchool after 4 PM on Thursday, August 29th to see.

All ANNUAL UPDATE forms are to be completed online. These forms include the Annual Update Form, Weapon’s Contract, Photo/Media Release, Field Trip Permissions, etc. Please log into your PowerSchool for Parents account, click on your student's name, then click on Forms on the left-hand side. Please complete all forms by Monay, September 9th.

WHO'S MY CHILD'S TEACHER? Parents will be able to log into PowerSchool on Thursday, August 29th, at 4:00 pm to see which teacher you child will have. PLEASE go to https://powerschool.billingsschools.org/public/ to ensure you can access your PowerSchool parent account with the username and password you previously set up. You may click on Forgot my Username or Password link if needed or call the office for assistance.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ~
• 1st - 5th grade students will be greeted by their teachers outside beginning at 7:50 (SEE IMAGE/MAP BELOW). Teachers will spread out over the entire playground. Each classroom teacher will have a sign with their name and grade.
• Kindergarten teachers will be in the LIBRARY; use Entrance #9.
• KindeREADy students will meet their teacher in the FRONT of the school on the Southwest corner.
• Independent Living staff and students will meet directly in the FRONT of the school.
• Our instructional bell rings at 8:15. Students who arrive late will need to enter through the main doors.

• EVERY DAY THERE AFTER ~
• After the first day morning routines will change. ALL students will enter through the main entrance. Then eat breakfast (if they choose to) or engage in a quiet activity in the hallway until 8:00. Classroom teachers will begin inviting students into their classrooms at 8:00 for a soft start.
• Instruction begins promptly at 8:15 each day. PLEASE BE ON TIME!

Entering the School

• As a new principal to Bench last Spring, I found that we often had many extra people in various locations throughout the school after students began arriving. Our priority and attention needs to be given to the students from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave. As a result we need students dropped off at the main entrance. Staff will assist students to breakfast and/or their classroom if needed. Parents will not be walking students to their classroom, visiting with teachers or remaining in classrooms with their children during soft start. If there is a significant concern or urgent message that needs to be conveyed to the teacher, PLEASE come to the office for assistance. You may also send an email or Remind message to the necessary staff.
• If you'd like to eat breakfast with your child in the gym (cafeteria), you'll need to sign in at the office. Please have your ID with you. After finishing breakfast, please direct your child(ren) to their class and exit through the main entrance. Staff will be present in the breakfast area and hallways to assist your child(ren) if needed.
• Thank you in advance for your support! Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.

Exiting the School at Dismissal

Class will exit through doors nearest their classroom or the main entrance. Classroom teachers will walk with their class to the front of the school.

EVERY WEDNESDAY - Dismissal is 1 hour early

Our Kindergarten through 3rd grades dismiss at 2:15 everyday except Wednesdays which is always a 1:15 dismissal time. Students in 4th and 5th grades dismiss at 3:00 everyday except Wednesday which is at 2:00.

Snacks & Water are encouraged! If your child brings a snack from home, PLEASE send healthy snacks. Cookies and chips are not healthy mid morning snacks. We work with the Billings Education Foundation and other donors, often being able to provide snacks for our students; however, this is not a guarantee and your support is appreciated. Students may not have beverages in classrooms other than water unless it is for a special occasion and has been approved by their teacher. Please do NOT send your child to school with coffee, hot chocolate, koolaid, or flavored water, etc.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Attendance Phone 281-6203

Please call the above number if your student is sick, unable to attend school, will be tardy or need to leave school for an appointment, please call the school, send a Remind message or an email to the secretary before 9:00 AM to report the absence.

PLEASE HELP TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS ARRIVE AND DEPART SCHOOL SAFELY

The 'turn in' directly in front of the school is NOT a drop off/pick up zone. It is a bus zone only! Please use the crosswalks.

Breakfast will be served in our classrooms. Please see the image below to know where to locate your child(ren) teachers.

REMIND will allow parents to receive newsletters, announcements and reminders about upcoming events, deadlines and activities at Bench Elementary as a text message directly to your phone. Parents are auto enrolled through your PowerSchool parent account and will be our primary form of school wide communication.

Parents who do NOT have a PowerSchool parent account will NOT be automatically enrolled in REMIND. Parents may add themselves by texting @benchs to the number 81010 (see image below).

Please contact Tami Concepcion at concepciont@billingsschools.org or 281-6326 if you are having trouble or have questions. You may ‘unsubscribe’ by replying with a text message @LEAVE.

1. Early to bed, early to rise

Getting back into a school sleep schedule won’t happen overnight! A few weeks before school starts, get your child into the habit of going to bed earlier. Gentle winding-down activities such as bath time and reading before bed can help your child relax.

2. Re-establish a routine

Establishing a consistent routine is important for kids. Write out the steps in the routine and rehearse them with your child. In the evening, this could include doing homework, playtime, brushing their teeth, having a bath, and reading before bed.

3. Encourage independence

Children who play an active role in preparing for back to school – such as choosing and organizing school supplies and new clothes – are more likely to get excited about going back to school, which in turn eases their jitters. Is your child old enough for chores like emptying the dishwasher or making lunches? Daily, age-appropriate tasks will help your child gain independence and confidence.

4. Choose the right backpack

Backpacks that are too heavy or worn improperly could result in muscle strain, headaches, and neck pain. Try to choose a backpack made of sturdy, lightweight fabric with wide, padded straps that will support your child’s shoulders. Watch that they don’t sling it over just one shoulder.

5. Talk about safety

Review outdoor safety rules – things like looking both ways before crossing the street, taking the same route every day if they are walking, familiarizing themselves with crosswalk rules, and being cautious in talking to strangers.

6. Establish healthy habits

Involve your children in choosing and preparing healthy lunches and snacks. Help them find physical activities they enjoy. Take them shopping for healthy snacks and lunch items they can pack themselves. Try to stick to regular meal times.

7. Limit screen time

Back to school is the perfect opportunity to re-establish screen time limits. Why not have the whole family “unplug” in the evenings before bedtime? Choose a spot where everybody can charge their devices overnight. Use an alarm clock instead of a cell phone to wake up in the mornings.

8. Map it out

If your kids are starting at a new school, practice walking or driving to the bus stop or to the school building a week or two before school starts. You could even play in the school playground before school starts. This creates fun memories associated with the school before summer vacation ends.

9. Talk about first-week jitters

Reassure your child that being nervous is natural – even for teachers. You can help your child cope with these feelings when you:

• Let them express their fears. Perhaps you can offer stories of your own first-day jitters when you were a child.

• Teach them to breathe deeply and slowly to calm their nerves.

• Discuss the scenarios that worry them. For example, if they’re worried about who to sit with or talk to on the first day, help them plan a strategy and rehearse it so they’ll know what to do.

10. Celebrate the start of a new school year

If you celebrate the first day of school, your kids will see back-to-school as a transition they can really enjoy. Try a back-to-school party the day before school starts, complete with cake, balloons and educational gifts. And don’t forget to take a picture on the front step in their first-day-of-school outfits. It’s going to be a great year!

Tami Concepcion, Principal concepciont@billingsschool.org

Nikki Wight, Secretary wightn@billingsschools.org

Reed Wasson, Counselor wassonr@billingsschools.org

Email: concepciont@billingsschool.org
Website: https://billingsschoolsorg.finalsite.com/our-schools/elementary-schools/bench
Phone: 406-281-6203