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The Bennington Public Schools resources provide staff and families with important information about district contacts, curriculum expectations and review processes, grading practices, social-emotional learning, student handbooks, and volunteer procedures information. Together, these resources serve as a central reference for understanding district expectations, instructional practices, student supports, policies, and procedures.

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Introduction of Staff

The Kindergarten Team

DeAndra Dirkschneider

ddirkschneider@bennps.org

Elizabeth

Elliott

eelliott@bennps.org

Meg Peitzmeier

mpeitzmeier@bennps.org

Brooke Flynn-Miller

bflynnmiller@bennps.org

Kindergarten

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Grade Level and Classroom Information

Page #

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General Daily Schedule

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Morning Work
Community Circle
Calendar Time
Math
Reading Intervention
Language Arts (CKLA Skills)
Recess/Lunch
Specials

Library, Art, Guidance (once a week)
Music and P.E. (twice a week)

Language Arts (CKLA Knowledge)
Recess
Snack
Science, Social Studies, Thematic Activities
Centers

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Recess

Page #

2 recesses each day

Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather

Students will need to wear a coat, snow pants, snow boots, and gloves to be able to play in the snow when it is present

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Lunch

Page #

Students have the following lunch choices each week

main course
alternate
lunch from home (your child may purchase a milk from school with their home lunch)

Do not send lunch from fast food restaurants
Do not send pop
Outside visitors are not allowed at lunch

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Classroom Snack

We have a daily snack break. You may send a healthy snack with your student daily. Some parents prefer to pack larger quantities that students may keep in their lockers or pack a single snack each day.

Milk is available for snack break if you have paid for it through www.myschoolbucks.com. This is a separate account from the lunch account. Snack milk is open for 2 weeks to start each semester.

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Testing Information

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Portfolios
Collection of student work samples/assessments throughout the year
District Benchmark Assessments and mClass

Completed in the fall, winter, spring

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Homework Expectations

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Read nightly with your child and as the year progresses, they can start reading to you!
Practice tricky words and optional at home activities
Practice letters, letter sounds, numbers, etc.
Play outside and enjoy time with your family!

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Retake Opportunities

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Not applicable in kindergarten

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District and State Testing

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Beginning of the Year, Middle of the Year, End of the Year

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)- Math + Reading
mClass through

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Special Events in Kindergarten

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Field Trips
Fun Run
Thematic/ Holiday Celebrations
Park Picnic
Playground Swap
Careers on Wheels
Music and Art Extravaganza
Field Day

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Field Trips/Chaperones

Two field trips in kindergarten

Fall: Vala’s Pumpkin Patch
Spring: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

*Parent Chaperones welcome to join both field trips

*Parent Chaperones must fill out Bennington Volunteer Form prior to attending

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Birthday Celebrations

Students are welcome to bring in treats to celebrate their birthday. These need to be store

bought. All treats must be able to be stored at room temperature.

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Classroom Behavior

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Behavior Matrix

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Bennington Public Schools Behavior Matrix

Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Be Kind

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Classroom Behavior Incentives

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Principal’s 200 Club Slips
Badger Stickers for Classroom Sticker Charts
Small Treats/Prizes

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Think Sheets/Referrals

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If a student needs multiple redirections for behaviors, they will be given a “think sheet” to take home and talk with parents and get signed.

If a student is physical or threatening to a peer or adult, they will receive an office referral.

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Possible Consequences

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If a student needs redirections for not being safe, kind, respectful, or responsible, they will receive a reflective reteaching/practice during their classroom center time with their teacher.

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Specials

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Guidance
Art
Music
PE
Media

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School Counseling

K-5 Curriculum Overview

Counselors: Regina Guinn & Aimee Pryor

Each grade level classroom will receive a 30-minute whole class counseling lesson once per cycle week.

Curriculum Topics Include:

Unit 1: Growth Mindset Unit 2: Emotion Management Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Unit 4: Bullying Prevention Unit 5: Problem Solving Unit 6: Child Protection

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School Counseling

Bennington Public Schools Comprehensive School Counseling Program

The Bennington Public Schools Comprehensive School Counseling Program serves all students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. School Counselors, Mrs. Guinn and Mrs. Pryor, provide weekly classroom counseling lessons using the Second Step curriculum. Classroom teachers reinforce and extend the skills introduced during these lessons throughout the school week, helping students apply and practice these skills in their daily interactions.

In addition to classroom counseling instruction, school counselors are available to support individual students and facilitate small groups based on student needs. Small groups may address topics to include;

Social skill development
Friendship and peer relationships
Anxiety, stress, and worry
Coping skills and emotional regulation
Adjusting to changes in family dynamics, including the death of a loved one, divorce, separation, or the addition of a new family member

Our school counselors collaborate with students, families, and classroom teachers to provide support and help students develop the social-emotional skills needed to be successful at school and beyond.

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Students receive 45 min per week in the classroom

Art

Miss Lamb

slamb@bennps.org

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Kindergarten Music

Mrs. Angie Murphy

amurphy@bennps.org

Students enjoy music for 30 minutes two times each cycle.

Mark our concert on your calendar!

May 13, 2027

Details will be shared later in the year

Bennington Elementary Music believes students should have creative musical learning in order to foster lifelong confidence, enjoyment of the arts, and self expression through interactive and engaging experiences.

Bennington Public Schools Elementary students who are proficient in music will be able to…

♫ read age appropriate music

♫ perform music alone and with others

♫ make cultural and personal connections through music

♫ create music alone and with others

♫ notate age appropriate music