The Friday Flyer is published bi-monthly. The next edition will be published on Wednesday, November 26. All articles need to be submitted by midnight, Monday, November 24.

Principal's Post
Chris Thomas

School Parking Lot

I want to commend those who have been using the West parking lot only to pick-up and drop off a child (children). I have noticed you are doing an excellent job in following our parking lot guidelines to keep all of our students safe. Thank you! In case you need to brush up on our guidelines, please see below.

       Cones~ Each morning, orange cones are used as a boundary to keep vehicles from moving in and out of the main parking lot (In front of the offices). Please do not drive your vehicle through the cones. I realize at times the cones leave just enough room for small vehicles to pass through, but please resist the temptation.

        Child Drop-off and pick up~ If you transport your child to or from school, please use the West parking lot. Another option is to park your vehicle alongside the raised sidewalk on NE 16th.   Using these two drop-off points will not only keep you from blocking buses, it will also lower the risk factor when students and staff walk in the main parking lot.

         Drive Slowly~As you are driving through the neighborhood and school parking lot, please be aware of the unexpected. While we always encourage students to use sidewalks and crosswalks, it may not happen 100% of the time. The best way to protect walkers, especially when they make poor choices, is to drive slowly.

Planning a Vacation

During the months of November and December, it is common for families to go on vacation. While I always encourage parents not to plan a vacation that overlaps into our regular school day calendar, the reality is that one or two days of school missed shouldn't impact a child's academic growth too greatly. It's when students miss three or more days of school that it becomes a concern. There's no substitute for classroom learning experiences and students who miss several days of school often suffer from learning gaps that are very difficult to overcome. All said, please consider the above before making vacation plans during the school year. Thank you. It is also noteworthy to mention that school absences, due to a vacation, are considered "unexcused" in our district. The term "unexcused" is significant because the state requires that students have no more than 7 in a single month and 10 in an entire school year. If you should have any questions about the information above, please let me know.

Chris Thomas
Bennett Elementary School
Principal

Bennett PTSA Website

Looking for information about Bennett?

Our PTSA website covers school programs, parent involvement, fund raising, calendars and anything else you can think of!

Check out http://schoolbennett.org/default.aspx

From PTA Parent

Flu-Fighting Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy
This fall and winter, practice these easy flu-fighting tips to help keep yourself and your family healthy:

Sign up today to get your flu vaccination at a local PTA-sponsored clinic in your area. Go to pta.org/flushotclinics and click on "Schedule a Flu Shot Appointment" to search for clinics in your area.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick to help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Clean your hands often.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after sneezing.

Encourage your friends and family to practice these habits to stay healthy this flu season.

Library Corner
Jean Bolivar

3 Easy Ways to Encourage Reading
1) Make sure you have interesting books at your child's reading level.
Join and visit our library, the public library, or set up a book swap
club with friends to add your child's personal library. The more
interesting books are available, the more likely your child will be to
read them.

2) Turn off the TV and have reading time for everyone. Show your child
reading is important by setting the example. Read together, or read
separate books, but set the example to read.

3) If the TV is on, put on the captions! Almost all TVs have a setting
to have the captions visible. Reading while listening improves fluency.
While this shouldn't be the only place kids are reading at home, it
could be an additional way to practice.

Bennett catalog
http://weblibr.bsd405.org
Ask Mrs. Bolivar for the passwords to World Book Online, CultureGrams,
Elibrary, and NetTrekker

Safety Patrol Assistance Needed

Safety Patrol Assistance needed!

Since the fifth graders are off to Islandwood environmental camp next
week, we are in great need of some parents who could help out with
crossing guard duties next Monday through Thursday. We need three or
four parents who could help in the mornings (8:40 - 9:10am) and/or
afternoons from 3:20 - 3:40. If you've always wanted to wear one of
those stylin' orange vests and wave a flag at a crosswalk this is your
chance.

Please email Mr. Halstead with day and am / pm availability.

Thanks, Mr. Halstead

halsteadd@bsd405.org

PTSA Committee News

Volunteer Needed

We are still looking for a Volunteer for Friday Distribution. This person would meet in the office every Friday or every other Friday to put together information to be sent home with students. It should only take about an hour. If you can help please contact Christie Allemand at cwist2@gmail.com.

Friday Flyer Distribution

Friday Flyer Paper Distribution (that is sent home in backpacks) will be every other Friday. Please try to have information needing to be sent out in the office by Thursday the end of school day.

Family Art Night

    ART NIGHT 2008 at Bennett
        Thursday Dec. 4th 6:30pm-8:00pm
   It's fun and FREE!

Workshops include:
Clay pottery- Gina Ray on the wheel

Holiday Art Cards- Theresa Goesling

Origami- Amy Doran and Claudia Marmandiu

Hand Drumming- Stephen Panther

Fused Glass Creations - Sue Bentsen
(create one of a kind fused glass magnets)

Instrument Petting Zoo - courtesy of Mills Music

Dance -(hip-hop, tap, ballet) courtesy of Premiere Dance Center in Redmond behind Safeway on 24th.

Add your individual Flair to our large Abstract painting in the Gym!

Workshops will end at 7:45.

Community News

BELLEVUE SKI SCHOOL

BOARD/SKI SCHOOL COUNTDOWN!

Bellevue ski school is starting on January 10th. Sign up now for discounted pricing through
November 30th. All registration is online so, check out our website for ski school dates & great information at www.bellevueskischool.com. Registration ends on December 15th.

Please COME and ENJOY the SNOW, BOARDING, and SKIING with your friends!

BENNETT ELEMENTARY HOODED SWEATSHIRTS

Show Your Spirit!

Bennett Elementary Hooded Sweatshirts

*    Two Designs to Choose From
*   Navy with White Lettering and Paw Print
* Available in Youth and Adult Sizes
*    Only $16 for Youth sizes and $20 for Adult sizes

Please fill out the form below and give to school office (*Please call me to let me know your order is in the office!) with "Bennett Sweatshirts" on the envelope (checks only please). Delivery time is 2-3 weeks. You will get a call when your shirt(s) have arrived. Questions? Call Chris Douglas @ 425-603-1718.

Youth Size: Small      Medium     Large
Adult Size: Small      Medium      Large      Extra Large
Style: #1 - Large Center Emblem -- or -- #2 - Small Pocket Emblem
Price: Youth $16.00      Adult $20.00

Name:________________ Child's Name:_____________ Teacher:____________

Phone:________________ Email:________________________________________

Circle choices of style, youth or adult sizes: TOTAL
Order #1      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL      ENCLOSED:
Order #2      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL
Order #3      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL      $________
Order #4      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL
Order #5      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL

The Friday Flyer Newsletter | Bennett Elementary PTSA 2.3.22

www.bennettelementary.org | TheFridayFlyer@yahoo.com

2008-2009 Editor: Meg Mylan

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Bennett PTSA Executive Board 2008/09

Joe Mehlholff, President

Cynthia Coron, Vice President

Christie Allemand, Vice President

Vanessa Swanson, Treasurer
Kristin Nash, Secretary