Thanks to everyone in our community for making this first week back to school fabulous. We have been busy welcoming in our new familiar students, establishing routines, and making new friends. It is going to be a great year. Outlined below are things to know about upcoming events and reminders of how our school works best.

• SCHOOL WIDE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: We are asking everyone at Ben Hem, students and staff, to make a poster or a Google slide to introduce themselves to our community. We will be displaying everyone's finished work so that we can learn more about each other. Click here for the Google Slide Deck and directions.

• WELCOME METCO: In case you missed it, the Natick Public Schools has expanded our METCO programming to include elementary aged students. Historically, our program began in fifth grade. We now accept students in Kindergarten. Ben Hem is excited to expand the legacy of METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunities) in our community! At present we have three METCO students and will look to grow this program each year. We are always looking for partners to help families that are new to Ben Hem. If you are interested in being a partner and helping new families find their way, please let me know at kghilani@natickps.org.

• SCHOOL SAFETY: We welcome parents at Ben Hem and want to be sure everyone knows our protocols for access to the building during the school year. As you know, our doors are locked to the public. Visitors can gain access at the front door. Our office staff will let you in. Visitors are then required to sign in at the office. Please have your driver's license with you to scan. If you don't have a driver's license, our office staff can help you sign in. We keep a log of all visitors throughout the school day and it is managed through this system. When you are admitted into the building, please do not hold the door for anyone else. All of our staff have access cards to get in. Each visitor is required to buzz the office to gain access to the building. Our systems work really well when everyone follows them. Thank you in advance for helping us with this important work.

• SAVE THE DATE: COMMUNITY EVENT: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 is Ben Hem's Open House. We have redesigned the night formally known as "Curriculum Night." This year we will be hosting a family friendly open house. Our goal is to ensure that all families take this opportunity to check in and get a better sense of their student's day. Grade level teachers will have curriculum information available to families as well as the access to information on our website.

Here is how it works:

• The building will be open for families to tour and meet all the faculty that work with your students.

• Families should attend together (parents, caregivers, siblings)

• Visit classrooms, specialists, service providers, etc during the event

• PTO is hosting a dessert social so once you have toured the building you can grab a snack and socialize with other Ben Hem families.

• DAILY REMINDERS:

• Please send your students to school with a water bottle and a snack each day. We have bottle filling machines that students can use to refill as needed. Everyone has snack daily and should bring that in from home.

• Please do not park in the parking lot in the morning. We have more staff working at Ben Hem this school year and need to be sure they can park and get into school in the morning in a timely manner.

• Remember to that you can update PickUp Patrol at anytime. This is the way we reconcile attendance and run dismissal so please add any changes to your account in a timely manner.

We are all looking forward to a great year. Thanks for partnering with us to do this important work.

Best,

Karen

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