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Kellie Paisley-Hopper is joining our Benton staff as our new assistant principal. Mrs. Hopper began her teaching career at Benton Elementary in 1997, and has taught fifth and sixth grade for the past 26 years. She is delighted to be stepping into this new leadership role, and is excited to be working alongside the staff and students of Benton during the 23-24 school year.
![Kellie Paisley-Hopper is joining our Benton staff as our new assistant principal. She is posing with the school mascot.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5168011/large_wc7071Fc5uT-4t-vrPpEuA.jpeg)
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We look forward to seeing you tonight at the Benton Elementary Open House from 4 PM - 6PM, 9/5/23. We will have a Passport/Scavenger Hunt activity, updated Story Walk, and treats for those that attend. See you then!
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Benny the Bulldog greeted Benton students and bus drivers on our first day. He went shopping for our Open House on Tuesday, and it looks like he picked up some treats! Thank you, PTO, for making our first day even more special.
![Treats for the open house.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5106388/large_unmFC7t9Sv2pSLe2TBofXw.jpeg)
![Picture of Benny the Bulldog](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5106391/large_tTaXPN6XWFb27xVrF7r9Zw.jpeg)
![Principle Wedge and Benny the Bulldog.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/5106392/large_lLucOaLi_nU9jirnqJsrdA.jpeg)
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Good evening and welcome back to school! Our elementary students start school this Wednesday, August 30th. Our staff returned today and have a day full of workshops tomorrow. We will be ready for your child on Wednesday morning. Please remember that student drop-off this year is at 8:15 AM. The school will not be open for early drop-offs. Our school day begins at 8:30 AM. Dismissal for walkers will begin at 2:50 PM. Please let your child's teacher know what your end-of-day plans are so they have everything prepared. Email or Remind works very well. Also, an important packet will be going home with your child on their first day. Please take some time to complete it and return as soon as possible.
We are very excited to welcome your student back to school. Welcome back!
Sincerely,
Mr. Wedge
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Attention Benton Elementary Families:
The PTO would like to remind you about the free family event night! Please join us at 6pm in the Williamson Center. The evening show will be different then the assembly the kids will attend during school hours. Guaranteed to be fun for all!
Sample his show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/86FYGTmE1CU
Can't wait to see you all there!
P.S. I heard rumors that there may or may not be a special appearance from Benny the Bulldog
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This is an important message for Benton families who drop students off prior to 8:15 AM. To support families with childcare issues, we have allowed families to drop children off between 8:05 and 8:15 AM. We have minimal adult support during this time as teachers are preparing their classrooms. Students are expected to be on their best behavior if they arrive between 8:05 and 8:15 AM, or the privilege of an early arrival will be revoked. Please do not drop off your child between 8:05 and 8:15 AM unless absolutely necessary. Please do not drop your children off prior to 8:05 AM for any reason as students are not allowed in the building and are not permitted to wait outside the entrance. Thank you for your support in this as we need to keep SAFETY as our top priority.
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This is a reminder that MSAD49 students will not have school tomorrow, January 23, as we have a scheduled Teacher In-Service Day. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!
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We have an early dismissal (noon) on Thursday, December 22nd followed by our Holiday Break. Students return on Tuesday, January 3d.
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The Benton PTO is excited to announce we have created a volunteer sign up form for our 9th annual Craft Fair on December 10th. This is a HUGE fundraising event for our PTO. We appreciate any help you are able to contribute as this fair couldn't happen without volunteers like YOU!!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C49A5AF28A7FF2-benton
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Benton Elementary School will be sponsoring a Christmas Giving Tree for our students during the holiday season. If you feel that your family is in need of assistance, please complete the below form.
https://forms.gle/Mja6mYrdVuNtueyD9
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Thank you, New Balance, for donating 40 pairs of New Balance shoes and 40 items of New Balance apparel! The total value is $2,880. Our students are fortunate to have this generous donation.
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Please show your support on November 8th! Yes on 1
https://www.foxbangor.com/news/item/new-school-vote-coming-to-ballot/
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Please vote YES on Voters Referendum Question 1. It is 100% state funded! A new building will help us increase efficiency, enhance and increase programming opportunities, replace aging school buildings, and create a Pre-K through 6 campus. We are excited about this incredible state-funded opportunity! We will lose this gift for our children if this Referendum Question 1 is not supported on November 8th. Please remember that this new school is FULLY FUNDED by the state. If we pass this up, they will give it to the next district in line. Please do everything you can to spread the word and support our students!
Mr. Wedge
![Referendum Questions](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3250464/large_referendum_questions_new_school.jpeg)
![Breakdown](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/3250466/large_new_build_summary.jpeg)
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Turkey Basket
Are you in need of a Thanksgiving basket? This will include a frozen turkey and some of the fixings! The Brady Martin Memorial Thanksgiving Food Drive will be providing baskets for any family in need. If you would like a basket, please fill out the form below.
https://forms.gle/d5ieunPTMy5cTPCu6
Any further questions please contact your child(s) school counselor at 453-4240
Kelsey Rohman (grades 1-3)
Marissa Martin (grades 4-6)
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Reminder: We don't have school tomorrow (teacher in-service day) and Monday (Indigenous Peoples Day). Have a wonderful long weekend!
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Parking Notice: It is important to adhere to the posted signs that the front parking lot is for staff only during school hours. Parked cars have been blocking the bus loop in the afternoon. They need room to take the turn and line up for students. Vehicles have been blocked in the parking lot and have attempted to pass buses and weave between them to exit the parking lot. Please do not use staff parking during arrival/dismissal as it is for staff and buses only. Thank you!
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Save the Date: Parent/Teacher Conferences are next week (10/5 and 10/6) from 3:30-7:00. Your child's teacher has (or will very soon) send home a sign-up sheet. We look forward to seeing everyone! If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher. Don't forget that we do not have school on Friday, 10/7, as it is a teacher in-service.
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PAL Fall Sign-Ups
![PAL Sports](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2882548/large_PAL_Fall_Sports.jpg)
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Looking for Mums? Help support our Garden Club
![Mums Flier](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/live_feed_image/image/2877526/large_Mums_flier.png)