We are off to a GREAT start for the 2020-2021 school year. While technology may be a little cumbersome at times, our students, staff, and parents are doing an amazing job facilitating and participating in virtual learning with a positive attitude, growth mindset, and flexibility to do what's needed to make it work.

Thank YOU parents for all you are doing at home to support the teaching and learning during this unprecedented time for everyone. YOU help make OUR school GREAT.

Proud to be a BEAR,

Amy

Dear Bennett Parents,

I realize that we’re all dealing with a ton of changes, but two things remains constant…I’m proud to be at the very best school in McKinney, and I can’t wait to see my little Bennett Bears!!!

Whether your student is learning remotely or in person, I’ll be available to support his or her social and emotional learning needs.

Please see below:

Guidance lessons, small groups, and Character Strong

1. I will deliver my guidance lessons remotely, and I’ll occasionally join teachers’ Zoom meetings with students.
2. I will be working with more small groups and individual students in my classroom.
3. To emphasize character and SEL, I will give teachers a short, daily warm-up.

Calming Rooms

1. My Virtual Calming Room allows students to click on the pictures to find their calm: https://mrsthompsonliveskind.weebly.com/virtual-calming-room.html
2. My Guidance Classroom doubles as a Calming Room, where students can come read, practice breathing strategies, journal, color, etc. (We will socially distance and keep the room sanitized.)

REMIND Alerts https://www.remind.com/join/thompsl

1. I will use Remind to alert parents when I have information to share, or when I’ve added a new resource to my site.
2. This is a one-way communication tool, so email me if you need to reach me.

Counseling Referrals

1. WebEx video meetings – I can consult with parents (and visit with students for up to 20 minutes).
1. Complete and submit this form for videoconferences: https://forms.gle/rxiJLiNU4qUrp1Dk9
2. Confidentiality: to mitigate the confidentiality limits we’ll face, I will not record or save any of our meetings, but remember that it is occurring over the Internet where 100% security is not guaranteed. Also, I will still be required by law to report any instances of suspected abuse/neglect, or if I believe a student is a danger to themselves or to others.
2. In person visits - https://mrsthompsonliveskind.weebly.com/referral-form.html
3. After school hours - If you, your student, or anyone in your family needs additional support, there is a nationwide Crisis Text Line that you can access 24-7 by texting home to the number 741-741. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secure online platform.
4. Emergencies: Please call 911 in the case of mental health emergencies.

Warm regards,

Christie N. Thompson
School Counselor

Free and Reduced program applications have been delivered to the front offices at the school. To enable social distancing and an easier experience for the parents, we recommend that parents use the online application option, which is open at http://www.mckinneyisd.schoollunchapp.com/. The online application is also usually quicker to process.

August Birthdays:

17 - Lela, Kingston

18 - Ella, Kaylee

20 - Misty Fahsholtz - 5th Grade Teacher

21 - Hailey Gore - 4th Grade Teacher, Nolan

22 - Charity, Alexander

23 - Kevin, Madison, Juliette, Jonas

24 - Jennifer Blazek - Kindergarten Teacher, Lovella, Brooklyn

25 - Haley

26 - Hensley

27 - Anthony, Kaden

28 - Rachel Androlowicz - STC Paraprofessional, Kevin, Gabriella

30 - Ahiyan, Hailey

31 - Elijah, Timothy, Oluchi

Monday, August 17th - Wednesday, September 2nd:

Alpha Virtual Learning

Thursday, August 20th:

PTO Drive-Thru Popsicle Parade - 4:30PM-6:00PM - Crosspoint Church

Friday, August 21st:

Student shirt sizes due for a FREE PTO "Building a Better Me" shirt

Monday, August 24th:

1st Day of Dyslexia Services

Wednesday, September 2nd:

PTO's Chalk the Walk - 8:00PM

Thursday, September 3rd:

1st Day of In-Person & Virtual Learning for our BEARS

Thursday, September 3rd - Friday, September 11th:

No Alpha - Alpha Testing & Home Campus Routines/Procedures

Thursday, September 3rd - Friday, September 18th:

No Visitors & Volunteers between 8:00AM-3:07PM

*As we work to Build Routines & Procedures with our BEARS

Monday, September 7th:

Labor Day - No school for students & staff

Tuesday, September 8th - Friday, September 11th:

Kindergarten Color Week 1 - Every BEAR is encouraged to participate

Tuesday, September 8th:

Kindergarten Color RED Day

Wednesday, September 9th:

Kindergarten Color WHITE Day

Thursday, September 10th:

Kindergarten Color YELLOW Day

PTO General Meeting at 6:00PM - More Details to Come

Friday, September 11th:

Kindergarten Color BLUE Day

Monday, September 14th - Friday, September 18th:

Kindergarten Color Week 2 - Every BEAR is encouraged to participate

Monday, September 14th:

Kindergarten Color GREEN Day

3rd Grade Alpha Face to Face classes begin at Webb

Tuesday, September 15th:

Kindergarten Color ORANGE Day

Wednesday, September 16th:

Kindergarten Color BLACK Day

Thursday, September 17th:

Kindergarten Color PINK Day

Visitors & Volunteers Welcome Back into the Building

Friday, September 18th:

Kindergarten Color PURPLE Day

Thursday, September 17th - Friday, September 18th:

4th & 5th Grade Alpha Face to Face begins at Webb

Friday, September 25th:

September School Wide Friday Live Celebration - 2:15PM - Virtually - More Details to Come

Wednesday, September 30th:

MISD Volunteer Background Grace Period Ends

*Be sure to complete your 2020-2021 MISD Background Check