Letter and School Opening FAQ from Mr. Wedge
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kP22A6x0XjcQdfG0R22Xj3N25NkjS6fw5GWhTZvU5LA/edit?usp=sharing
Benton Guidance Needs Assessment
The following assessment is to help determine the needs of our student body and to assist us in developing appropriate interventions.
Please answer the following questions to the best of your best ability. The survey will remain confidential. If you have multiple children at Benton please fill this out for each child.
The feedback that we receive will better prepare us as School Counselors in identifying what your child needs during the reopening, after the reopening, and beyond.
Thank you and we look forward to working with your child!
Kelsey Rohman and Marissa Martin
https://forms.gle/qSGTkRDfVafPAGjG7
Correction on last message: 9 AM-10 AM. Thank you!
Step-Up Presentation for our incoming First Grade Benton Bulldogs! Please share with any 1st grade families and take a few minutes to watch (Youtube link below).
Also, 1st grade families can get a brief Step-Up tour of the building and the playground from Mr. Wedge and Mrs. Blais on Wednesday, August 25th, from 9AM-10PM and from 6PM-7PM. We will meet in the front parking lot. Please bring a mask to wear for the inside tour. No appointment needed.
https://youtu.be/CXu_-J-Uevw
Summer Feeding Program!
This is a free program for children 18 and under.
When: June 16th- August 27th
What time: 9-11am, Monday-Friday
Where: Albion, Benton and Clinton Elementary, Fairfield Primary and Lawrence Junior High School
What will be served: a breakfast and lunch option will be provided and on Friday food will be provided for the weekend.
Have questions: Contact the Manager in charge of the sites
Jane Reardon, jreardon@msad49.org, (207)238-1118 Albion, Benton, Fairfield Primary
Heather Drew-Clark, hdrew-clark@msad49.org, (207)238-1119 Clinton Elementary and Lawrence Junior High
Monday (June 14, Gray Day) and Tuesday (June 15, Blue Day) are both early dismissals. Pick-ups will be dismissed starting at 11:20. Students will take a bagged lunch home. Our buses will start loading at 11:30. Their departure will take more time than normal because our 6th graders will be held back to parade out of the building as a group. Community members are welcome to participate in their send-off to the junior high school.
Please do not forget to turn in your child's Chromebook/iPad with charger and case no later than Tuesday, June 15th. If you have any questions, please call the Benton School Office.
Our 4th grade students made solar powered ovens and cooked s'mores. Some students insisted they make Mr. Wedge a s'more with their solar powered ovens because "Mr. Wedge totally loves science!" Benton Elementary is a school that loves science. Thank you to all of our teachers who make learning engaging and fun!
Mrs. Whited's students dropped their engineering projects over the past two days. They were given specific materials and had to create something that would keep the egg safe from a drop out of their classroom window. The students in the pictures were successful and their eggs remained safe! Great work!
Due to the high temperatures, MSAD 49 schools will have an early dismissal today, 6/7, and tomorrow, 6/8. Benton Elementary students will be dismissed at 12 PM.
Important information about device turn. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.
1. Device (Chromebooks and iPads) collection will begin on June 10th.
Gray students will have 10th & 14th
Blue students will have 11th & 15th.
2. Remote student will deliver to the schools on the 14th & 15th
Collection protocol for all devices:
All devices need any stickers removed from them (to the best ability).
Chromebooks need their chargers and their cases.
iPads need the charging cable as well as the brick that was provided. (Please make sure these are the correct bricks. The smaller bricks will not charge the iPads)
Letter from LJHS to our 6th Graders
Ms. Turner’s and Mrs. Perry’s 5th grade classes have been working on a fun engineering project to wrap up their year of science! The students worked in groups to plan and design a bird feeder using only a specific list of materials. They then had one day to work together to construct the feeder and problem solve through any challenges they came across while building. The students had a blast and hope everyone can enjoy seeing their projects out front of Benton Elementary, and hopefully lots of bird visitors too!
On Friday, May 21st, 4th grade students at Benton Elementary sent science experiments to the edge of space. Professor Rick Eason from the University of Maine provided a high altitude balloon for science experiments to be attached to. Each 4th grade classroom attached their own experiment - students hypothesized before the launch about what would happen to their objects. Blue day 4th grade students were able to watch the launch from Benton Elementary’s playground, and 12 4th graders were able to help the launch. After launching the balloon traveled up into the atmosphere for approximately 2 hours as it expanded to a diameter of around 40ft, before popping and descending back to the ground. Our experiments were returned to Benton Elementary after being recovered in Topsham where they landed in a tree. Students and staff are looking forward to discussing the data about what happened to their experiments at such a high altitude! Thank you to the University of Maine and Professor Rick Eason for providing such an amazing science experience to our students.
Please read Mrs. Reardon's letter and complete the attached form. Hard copies will be sent home soon. Your support with this is very important as it provides vital resources and funding for our students. Thank you!
Our Spring NWEA assessments begin on May 17th. If your child is 100% remote, please call the school to schedule a time to take the NWEA. In addition, if your child is a 100% remote 5th grade student, please sign up for the Science MEA. Thank you!
This is an important letter from our Assistant Superintendent in regards to our summer school program.
Per updated guidance from the Maine CDC and DOE: Students do not have to wear a mask if (and only if) they can social distance 6 ft from staff and students when outdoors for recess or when outdoors for class. Students must continue to wear a mask when they are playing outdoor games such as kickball, soccer, or playing on any of the equipment. They do not have to wear a mask if they are doing other activities where they can maintain a 6ft distance.
Stop by and enjoy our new Story Walk at Benton Elementary this Spring. Thank you Mrs. Delorie, Mrs. Roy and Mrs. Pratt for putting this new story together. This beautifully photographed book, Seed, Soil, Sun: Earth's Recipe for Food, by Chris Peterson and photographed by David R. Lundquist, takes readers on a journey from seed to plate. Readers are able to see how a single seed can draw nutrients from the soil and food from the sun, and in turn grow into the seeds, stalks, leaves and roots that we know as fruits and vegetables. This book is a wonderful reminder that food comes from the Earth before it reaches the grocery store shelves, and may even inspire readers to start a garden of their own!
Important Information about April Vacation: If you are traveling outside of New England over break, your child is required to quarantine for 10 days upon return or provide a negative COVID test. Please notify the school nurse if this applies to you. This test can be completed up to 72 hours prior to returning to Maine. Additional Information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus/travel.shtml#out
Parent/Teacher Conferences are this week. Conferences are being held virtually this Wednesday and Thursday after school hours. Contact your child's teachers for a Google Meets invite/link. There will be no school this Friday as it is a Teacher Comp day for conferences. Have a great week!
