Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When will my child go to specials?
A: Your child will attend specials every day. Our specials include Art, Music and PE. On PE days, your child must wear tennis shoes. On our back to school night, you will receive your child’s specials schedule.
Q: What should my child bring to school?
A: Every day your child should bring his/her backpack, red folder, book baggie folder with small reader, library book, a dry snack (nut-free), water bottle and a change of clothes. Please do not allow your child to bring toys or stuffed animals to school.
Q: Will my child have homework?
A: Yes, your child will have a weekly small reader and a nine week sight word list. Every Monday, your child will need to turn in his/her small reader in order to get a new book. If you lose a small reader, there will be a fee of $8.00 for each book. The lost book fee must be paid before your child can receive a new small book. Small readers will need to be kept inside your child’s homework folder/book baggie. Inside the homework folder you will find a sight word list, reading log, parent tips and a small reader. All of your child’s small readers will be on his/her independent reading level. Reading to and with your child is very important in kindergarten and we ask that you read as much as possible! We will also send a monthly optional homework menu, that will have activities that you can do at home to help your child.
Q: How do I communicate with my child’s teacher?
A: Inside your child’s red daily folder will be a zipper bag. We ask that all notes, money (please label all money envelopes) and permission forms be placed in this bag. You may always email or call your child’s teacher with questions or concerns; however, during the school day our classroom phones will not ring so you will need to leave a voice message. The red daily folder will be another method of communication. Inside the red daily folder will be a monthly calendar with important dates and a behavior log. Please initial your child’s folder each night and clear out any papers from that day. Each week your child’s teacher will also send out a classroom newsletter that details the week’s lessons, daily reminders and classroom needs.
Q: Should my child bring a snack?
A: Yes, your child will need to bring his/her own snack and water bottle to school every day. We ask that you send a dry, nut free snack to protect our students with that particular allergy. Your child’s teacher will let you know if any other food products need to be avoided in the classroom. Teachers do not keep extra snacks in the classroom, so please have your child pack his/her snack every day. Water bottles with lids are also great for snack time and on hot days during recess. Please label all snacks and drinks.
Q: Will my child take a nap?
A: No, we do not have a rest time.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: We love volunteers! McKinney ISD requires every volunteer to fill out a criminal background application before being able to volunteer in the school. You may access the background application via www.mckinneyisd.net and click on parent resources. This application must be completed every year and can take up to 2 weeks to get approved. Visitors who wish to eat lunch with students are not required to have a background check. Lunch visitors must sit at the designated visitor table and not at the class lunch table. Your child’s teacher will have more information about classroom volunteers during back to school night.
Q: Where can I find my child’s school supply list?
A: Local stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart, will post the school’s supply list a few weeks before school begins. If you pre-ordered your child’s school supplies from Bennett’s PTO, then your child’s supplies will be in his/her classroom on back to school night in August.
Q: What should I label?
A: Please label all jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles.
Q: Can I come and eat with my child at lunch?
A: Yes, we welcome you to come eat with your child after the first 2 weeks of school. We are working hard to set cafeteria expectations during the first few weeks of school and would like time to practice our procedures before inviting lunch visitors. Lunch visitors must sit at the designated “visitor” table and not at the class lunch table.
Q: How do I set up my child’s lunch account?
A: Please visit our school website (www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett) and click on parent resources and online lunch account. You will receive your child’s identification number once you register your child for school. It is highly recommended that you submit lunch money via the online lunch account service instead of sending a check or cash with your child to school. You may also view the school’s lunch menu at: www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett and click on parent resources and lunch menu.
Q: What does “closed campus” mean?
A: We will have specific days that our campus will be closed to visitors and volunteers throughout the year. These “closed campus” days are for when we are administrating the STAAR test in grades 3, 4, and 5. The entire campus will be closed during STAAR testing days and we will not have any volunteers or visitors on campus that day so that we may have a secure testing environment. We also ask that on the “closed campus” days, you do not drop off any special treats, lunches, birthday treats or any other items, so that our building stays as quiet as possible for our test takers. We will always post our “closed campus” days in our newsletters and on the school and grade level websites.
Q: Can I celebrate my child’s birthday at school?
A: Yes, you may send a special birthday prize for your child to share with his/her entire class. However, the birthday prize may not be a food item. We suggest pencils or stickers if you choose to send a birthday prize. Please contact your child’s teacher for a correct student count in the classroom.
Q: Can I send birthday invitations to school?
A: Yes, you may send birthday invitations to school as long as every child in the classroom is invited. We are not allowed to send home birthday invitations to only girls or boys.
Q: How will my child be dismissed at the end of the day?
A: We have several dismissal options to help your family. Your family will be assigned a number and you must have that number when picking your child up. The numbers will be printed for your family on card-stock paper, so that they will be more durable. You may pick up your number from your child's teacher during Bennett Blast-Off . During car pool or walk-up, please hold your sign so that a school staff member can easily read the number. Staff members will call out numbers in the dismissal areas, so it is important that you practice reading and saying the number with your child before school begins.
Options:
1. Front of School Car Pool (Parent drives car in car pool lane and picks child up)
2. Walk-up (Parent/guardian will come to front door to get child)
3. Back of School Car Pool (Parent drives in car pool lane and picks child up)
4. Day Care Buses (Students will wait for day care buses with school staff members)
5. Club 360 After School Care (Students will wait for Club 360 staff with a school staff member)
*If you have any questions regarding your child's dismissal plan, please talk with your child's teacher. We will not allow children to tell a teacher that his/her transportation has changed, so please communicate with your child's teacher and fill out the change in dismissal form. Safety is our number one concern and we ask that you help us in following transportation change rules and using our various cross-walks located around the school. It is also important that you have your child's dismissal tag, even if it is your child's teacher that is on duty.
Q: What does the district's report card look like?
A: In October, there will be a Parent-Teacher Conference Day where we will go over your child's first quarter report card and answer any questions you may have. For an sneak preview of the report card, please visit the following link the district has provided for a great parent resource
https://www.mckinneyisd.net/elementary-student-support/elementary-report-cards/.
Q: How do you teach the alphabet and letter sounds?
A: We teach the alphabet and letter sounds through a variety of methods. We use alphabet charts, Frog Street Press poems/songs, Spalding Spelling and Words Their Way. We also expose our students to the alphabet and letter sounds with literature rich text.
Parent tip: Talk about the letters in your child's name and the sounds they make. It is a good idea to make connections and associate letters and sounds with favorite books, common words, toys, family member names and games. Remember to view the weekly grade level newsletter to see the letters, sounds and words we are studying each week.
Q: What math programs do you use to guide your lessons?
A: The district uses the following programs along with researched based best teaching practices for elementary students: Go Math, First Steps, Envision and Investigations. Remember to view the weekly grade level newsletter to see the objectives we are studying each week!
Q: What computer programs will my child be using at school?
A: Every child will learn how to log in and access the I-read Reading Program. This is a data-driven reading intervention program for students. I-Reading promotes reading acceleration and progress through a high-interest online interactive curriculum. We will also introduce students to brainpopjr.com, starfall.com, Pebblego, Imagine Math, AMIRA and other various educational websites.
Q: How often will my child visit the Learning Commons (library)?
A: Each class has a different schedule of when they will go to the Learning Commons; however, your child will go to their once a week. You will need to send your child's library book to school each day. Kindergarten students will check out 1 library book; however, parents can check out 3-5 books for their children. Just remember, if a book is lost or damaged it must be paid for before another book can be checked out.
Q: What should I do if my child is absent?
A: Please send a note the next day your child is present, letting us know why your child was absent. If your child went to the doctor, please send in a copy of the doctor's note. You may also call in to the attendance hotline, so that the school can notify the child's teacher, registrar and school nurse. (469-302-5445)
Q: How can I get the Bennett Elementary Newsletter?
A: Please sign up for the school wide newsletter on our school website and follow us on Facebook. This will allow you to get all the latest information going on at school and prepare for upcoming special events. http://www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett Your child's teacher will also send out a classroom newsletter each week.
Q: How can I get my child's classroom newsletter?
A: Please submit your email address to your child's teacher and the newsletter will be sent to you via email each week. If you do not have access to email, please let your child's teacher know and he/she can send home a paper copy in your child's folder.
Q: What state guidelines does my child's teacher use in order to teach my child?
A: In the state of Texas, we are governed by the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). These are state guidelines that all districts and schools use in order to create and provide lessons for the students. All of the TEKS will be taught during the school year. The TEKS are also reinforced through our homework activities. The TEKS allow for teachers and parents to plan and view what the students will learn and should master by the end of the school year. If you would like more information on the TEKS for your child's grade level or another grade level please visit: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148 and scroll to the very bottom of the page. You will see the title: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills by Grade Level (Elementary).
Have a question? Please do not hesitate to contact us!
Q: When will my child go to specials?
A: Your child will attend specials every day. Our specials include Art, Music and PE. On PE days, your child must wear tennis shoes. On our back to school night, you will receive your child’s specials schedule.
Q: What should my child bring to school?
A: Every day your child should bring his/her backpack, red folder, book baggie folder with small reader, library book, a dry snack (nut-free), water bottle and a change of clothes. Please do not allow your child to bring toys or stuffed animals to school.
Q: Will my child have homework?
A: Yes, your child will have a weekly small reader and a nine week sight word list. Every Monday, your child will need to turn in his/her small reader in order to get a new book. If you lose a small reader, there will be a fee of $8.00 for each book. The lost book fee must be paid before your child can receive a new small book. Small readers will need to be kept inside your child’s homework folder/book baggie. Inside the homework folder you will find a sight word list, reading log, parent tips and a small reader. All of your child’s small readers will be on his/her independent reading level. Reading to and with your child is very important in kindergarten and we ask that you read as much as possible! We will also send a monthly optional homework menu, that will have activities that you can do at home to help your child.
Q: How do I communicate with my child’s teacher?
A: Inside your child’s red daily folder will be a zipper bag. We ask that all notes, money (please label all money envelopes) and permission forms be placed in this bag. You may always email or call your child’s teacher with questions or concerns; however, during the school day our classroom phones will not ring so you will need to leave a voice message. The red daily folder will be another method of communication. Inside the red daily folder will be a monthly calendar with important dates and a behavior log. Please initial your child’s folder each night and clear out any papers from that day. Each week your child’s teacher will also send out a classroom newsletter that details the week’s lessons, daily reminders and classroom needs.
Q: Should my child bring a snack?
A: Yes, your child will need to bring his/her own snack and water bottle to school every day. We ask that you send a dry, nut free snack to protect our students with that particular allergy. Your child’s teacher will let you know if any other food products need to be avoided in the classroom. Teachers do not keep extra snacks in the classroom, so please have your child pack his/her snack every day. Water bottles with lids are also great for snack time and on hot days during recess. Please label all snacks and drinks.
Q: Will my child take a nap?
A: No, we do not have a rest time.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: We love volunteers! McKinney ISD requires every volunteer to fill out a criminal background application before being able to volunteer in the school. You may access the background application via www.mckinneyisd.net and click on parent resources. This application must be completed every year and can take up to 2 weeks to get approved. Visitors who wish to eat lunch with students are not required to have a background check. Lunch visitors must sit at the designated visitor table and not at the class lunch table. Your child’s teacher will have more information about classroom volunteers during back to school night.
Q: Where can I find my child’s school supply list?
A: Local stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart, will post the school’s supply list a few weeks before school begins. If you pre-ordered your child’s school supplies from Bennett’s PTO, then your child’s supplies will be in his/her classroom on back to school night in August.
Q: What should I label?
A: Please label all jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles.
Q: Can I come and eat with my child at lunch?
A: Yes, we welcome you to come eat with your child after the first 2 weeks of school. We are working hard to set cafeteria expectations during the first few weeks of school and would like time to practice our procedures before inviting lunch visitors. Lunch visitors must sit at the designated “visitor” table and not at the class lunch table.
Q: How do I set up my child’s lunch account?
A: Please visit our school website (www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett) and click on parent resources and online lunch account. You will receive your child’s identification number once you register your child for school. It is highly recommended that you submit lunch money via the online lunch account service instead of sending a check or cash with your child to school. You may also view the school’s lunch menu at: www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett and click on parent resources and lunch menu.
Q: What does “closed campus” mean?
A: We will have specific days that our campus will be closed to visitors and volunteers throughout the year. These “closed campus” days are for when we are administrating the STAAR test in grades 3, 4, and 5. The entire campus will be closed during STAAR testing days and we will not have any volunteers or visitors on campus that day so that we may have a secure testing environment. We also ask that on the “closed campus” days, you do not drop off any special treats, lunches, birthday treats or any other items, so that our building stays as quiet as possible for our test takers. We will always post our “closed campus” days in our newsletters and on the school and grade level websites.
Q: Can I celebrate my child’s birthday at school?
A: Yes, you may send a special birthday prize for your child to share with his/her entire class. However, the birthday prize may not be a food item. We suggest pencils or stickers if you choose to send a birthday prize. Please contact your child’s teacher for a correct student count in the classroom.
Q: Can I send birthday invitations to school?
A: Yes, you may send birthday invitations to school as long as every child in the classroom is invited. We are not allowed to send home birthday invitations to only girls or boys.
Q: How will my child be dismissed at the end of the day?
A: We have several dismissal options to help your family. Your family will be assigned a number and you must have that number when picking your child up. The numbers will be printed for your family on card-stock paper, so that they will be more durable. You may pick up your number from your child's teacher during Bennett Blast-Off . During car pool or walk-up, please hold your sign so that a school staff member can easily read the number. Staff members will call out numbers in the dismissal areas, so it is important that you practice reading and saying the number with your child before school begins.
Options:
1. Front of School Car Pool (Parent drives car in car pool lane and picks child up)
2. Walk-up (Parent/guardian will come to front door to get child)
3. Back of School Car Pool (Parent drives in car pool lane and picks child up)
4. Day Care Buses (Students will wait for day care buses with school staff members)
5. Club 360 After School Care (Students will wait for Club 360 staff with a school staff member)
*If you have any questions regarding your child's dismissal plan, please talk with your child's teacher. We will not allow children to tell a teacher that his/her transportation has changed, so please communicate with your child's teacher and fill out the change in dismissal form. Safety is our number one concern and we ask that you help us in following transportation change rules and using our various cross-walks located around the school. It is also important that you have your child's dismissal tag, even if it is your child's teacher that is on duty.
Q: What does the district's report card look like?
A: In October, there will be a Parent-Teacher Conference Day where we will go over your child's first quarter report card and answer any questions you may have. For an sneak preview of the report card, please visit the following link the district has provided for a great parent resource
https://www.mckinneyisd.net/elementary-student-support/elementary-report-cards/.
Q: How do you teach the alphabet and letter sounds?
A: We teach the alphabet and letter sounds through a variety of methods. We use alphabet charts, Frog Street Press poems/songs, Spalding Spelling and Words Their Way. We also expose our students to the alphabet and letter sounds with literature rich text.
Parent tip: Talk about the letters in your child's name and the sounds they make. It is a good idea to make connections and associate letters and sounds with favorite books, common words, toys, family member names and games. Remember to view the weekly grade level newsletter to see the letters, sounds and words we are studying each week.
Q: What math programs do you use to guide your lessons?
A: The district uses the following programs along with researched based best teaching practices for elementary students: Go Math, First Steps, Envision and Investigations. Remember to view the weekly grade level newsletter to see the objectives we are studying each week!
Q: What computer programs will my child be using at school?
A: Every child will learn how to log in and access the I-read Reading Program. This is a data-driven reading intervention program for students. I-Reading promotes reading acceleration and progress through a high-interest online interactive curriculum. We will also introduce students to brainpopjr.com, starfall.com, Pebblego, Imagine Math, AMIRA and other various educational websites.
Q: How often will my child visit the Learning Commons (library)?
A: Each class has a different schedule of when they will go to the Learning Commons; however, your child will go to their once a week. You will need to send your child's library book to school each day. Kindergarten students will check out 1 library book; however, parents can check out 3-5 books for their children. Just remember, if a book is lost or damaged it must be paid for before another book can be checked out.
Q: What should I do if my child is absent?
A: Please send a note the next day your child is present, letting us know why your child was absent. If your child went to the doctor, please send in a copy of the doctor's note. You may also call in to the attendance hotline, so that the school can notify the child's teacher, registrar and school nurse. (469-302-5445)
Q: How can I get the Bennett Elementary Newsletter?
A: Please sign up for the school wide newsletter on our school website and follow us on Facebook. This will allow you to get all the latest information going on at school and prepare for upcoming special events. http://www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/bennett Your child's teacher will also send out a classroom newsletter each week.
Q: How can I get my child's classroom newsletter?
A: Please submit your email address to your child's teacher and the newsletter will be sent to you via email each week. If you do not have access to email, please let your child's teacher know and he/she can send home a paper copy in your child's folder.
Q: What state guidelines does my child's teacher use in order to teach my child?
A: In the state of Texas, we are governed by the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). These are state guidelines that all districts and schools use in order to create and provide lessons for the students. All of the TEKS will be taught during the school year. The TEKS are also reinforced through our homework activities. The TEKS allow for teachers and parents to plan and view what the students will learn and should master by the end of the school year. If you would like more information on the TEKS for your child's grade level or another grade level please visit: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148 and scroll to the very bottom of the page. You will see the title: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills by Grade Level (Elementary).
Have a question? Please do not hesitate to contact us!