Ben-Hem Bobcats

1- WHO'S BETTER THAN US?

There are so many reasons that Ben Hem is a great place. This past week there were two great examples. Last Friday night, a group of talented parents organized and executed Parent's Night Out! The night was a huge success and offered our community a chance to socialize and come together. A special thanks to Julie Messer and Adrienne Kinchla for the behind the scenes work in making this night a huge success.

Another example was this past Tuesday when all after school events were closed due to weather. All of our parents had their pick up plans updated before lunch! It might not sound like much but it saves our front office hours of phone calls. Thank you for doing your part so that we could run a smooth dismissal. It did take a little longer running live car pickup seeing as the numbers were twice what they were on a normal day. And, everyone got home safely. Thanks!

2 - MORNING ARRIVAL VOLUNTEER SIGN UP!

Our morning drop off line depends on the parents in our community. In April, we are looking for the parents of 4th graders to help our students out of the cars and to the right place. Live drop-off starts at 8:05 and volunteers are asked to be there from 8:00 to 8:20. Please Sign Up Here!

3 - HEART HEALTHY CHALLENGE AT BEN HEM

Congratulations to our community for coming together to support the American Heart Association through our yearly Kid's Heart Challenge. Each year our Physical Education teachers host this event during a unit on cardio conditioning and heart health. Students develop their jump roping skills, including coordination, balance, cardio endurance, breathing techniques and focus while having fun and setting goals for themselves during class. This year, Ben Hem raised $16,110.08. That is impressive.

4 - RED SOX MVE - MOST VALUABLE EDUCATOR!

Our PTO has shared an invitation from the Red Sox Community Relations office below. Each year the Red Sox solicit feedback from local communities to help celebrate educators. If you have someone that you would like to nominate, see the flyer and follow the directions. All entries are submitted directly to Red Sox for review and selection.

5 - ICYMI: ASAP REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!

2023-24 Early Risers & ASAP New Family Registration is now open. Registration is online from March 13 - April 7. Attached is the flyer. For more information please visit our web page at www.natickps.org/programs/asap .

Stopping the Cycle of Anger: How to Navigate Anxiety and Big Feelings with Calm and Compassion

Thursday, March 23 at 7pm via Zoom -- For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages

In this talk, author Renee Jain, MA, will offer practical, supportive techniques to address anger and other intense emotions in ourselves, our children and our teens with more understanding and less screaming. She will discuss how to uncover what's underneath these big feelings and how to empower individuals, parents, and children to shift to more positive response patterns. ASL interpretation will be provided at this event. Register and learn more about this FREE online program and more upcoming events at www.SPARKKindness.org

Check out the Ben Hem PTO Facebook page to see what is happening.

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