______BOBCAT BULLETIN

BENFERELEMENTARY SCHOOL

DECEMBER 2012/ JANUARY 2013

DATES TO REMEMBER:

December 14- Benfer Choir Rehearsal - 8:30 a.m. Grades K-2

17- Choir Rehearsal - 2:00 p.m. Grades 3-5

Choir Program and PTO meeting - 7 p.m. in the cafeteria

December 20 - Strack Choir - 1:30 p.m. Grades 3 - 5

December 21- KleinCollinsHigh School Show Choir 8:30 K-2

Christmas Parties- Pre K a.m. 10:15; Pre K p.m.-5th 2:15 p.m.

December 24-January 4- Happy Holidays!

Students return to classMonday, January7, 2013.

January 10 – Spelling Bee - 9:00 a.m.

January 18 - Student Holiday

January 21 – Holiday/Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 25 - Report Cards go home

Fifth grade students visit Strack

January 29 - PTO Fun Runner Kick- Off fundraiser

January 30 - Human/Canine Program - 9:35 a.m. 5th grade

February 7th - Fun Run

Has your child misplaced coats, sweaters, or jackets? Please check the Lost and Found in the cafeteria. We are donating all unclaimed clothing to NAM by January 11, 2013.

Christmas Parties

Christmas Parties will be held on December21st at 2:15 p.m. Morning Pre K and Early Childhood will have their party at 10:15 a.m. All treats are provided by PTO.

I am Thankful - by Principal for the Day

I'm thankful for my family and friends. I'm thankful for a good education. I love my school Benfer because Benfer has the best principal ever, Dr. Lambert. I like to make friends because they can be loyal to one another. This Thanksgiving I plan to eat turkey and pumpkin pie! I can't wait until Thanksgiving 2013!

Students and Teacher Honored at Board of Trustees Meeting

Two outstanding Benfer students and a distinguished teacher were honored at the November Board of Trustees meeting. Benfer Students were recognized for academic achievement, exemplary character, and community involvement. Ms. Jennifer Williams was recognized for instructional leadership and service on numerous committees such as Superintendent's Council, Data Team, TEA STAAR Item and Review Committee, and TEA STAAR Standard's Setting Committee.

Visitors to Our School

If you plan to attend any of the seasonal events during the school day, please plan to arrive early so that you can receive a visitor’s badge in the office. Remember that you will need your driver’s license to scan into the V-soft system.

If a program ends before dismissal, please allow your child to complete the full day and dismiss in the usual way. This will help us to maintain a secure school environment. We appreciate your continued support!

Students Join Klein ISD Men’s Choir

Eightfifth grade boys from Benfer participated in the Klein ISD Men's Choir concert on Tuesday, November 13th. Congratulations to these boys for representing our school so well!

"Reindeer Games" Choir Program/PTO Meeting

Coming soon!! The Reindeer Games!!

Housetop Hurdles, Hoof Hockey, Dancing with the Claus, and the Amazing Race Around The World are just a few of the exciting events taking place at our very own Reindeer Games! Come join the Benfer Choir as they host their very own Olympic Event –“ The Reindeer Games” right here at Benfer!

You won’t want to miss this show. Join us on Monday, December 17th at 7 PM. There will be a brief PTO meeting prior to the program.

Benfer Plays it Safe

Parents, if your children forget their homework, folder or book, etc. at school and you bring them back to school to pick it up after 3:30 p.m., you will need to come into the building with your child and sign in before going into the classroom with your child to get the needed items. Due to security reasons, the doors to Benfer will be locked at 4:00 p.m. every day. Parents or students will not be allowed to enter the building to get books or homework after 4:00 p.m. Thank you for following this procedure.

Attendance

Please send a note to your child’s teacher if he/she has been absent. As stated in the Student Handbook on page 23:

“In the event a pupil is absent from school for any reason, he is required on his return to school to bring a written excuse signed by his parents as to why the child was absent. A student must present a note from his or her parent or guardian within 5 days after the absence or it becomes categorized as an unexcused absence. It is recommended that the date(s) of the student’s absence be included in the signed parent excuse.”

Custody Issues Reminder – Parental Responsibility

Please assist us in the handling of custody related issues. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide the principal a certified copy of the court order affecting any other person’s right to their children. Should you have any questions, please call Dr. Loraine Lambert, Principal at 832-484-6000.

Boystown Social Skills

December 3- Using Table Etiquette

  1. Sit quietly at the table.
  2. Place your napkin in your lap.
  3. Talk in a quiet voice.
  4. Cut food into small pieces.
  5. Chew with your mouth closed.

December 10 – Accepting a Gift

  1. Look at the person.
  2. Say, “Thank you for the gift.”
  3. Do not complain or pout if you are disappointed.

December 17– How to Behave at an Assembly or Performance

  1. Enter quietly and take a seat
  2. Do not talk or get up during the performance.
  3. Clapping is appropriate at the end of the performance. Other noises are not appropriate.
  4. Exit quietly.

January7– Following Instructions

  1. Look at the person.
  2. Say, “Okay.”
  3. Do what you have been asked right away.
  4. Check back.

January14 – Staying on Task

  1. Look at your task or assignment.
  2. Think about the steps needed to complete the task.
  3. Focus all of your attention on the task.
  4. Stop working only when instructed.
  5. Ignore distractions and interruptions from others.

January21 – Asking for Help

  1. Look at the person.
  2. Ask the person if they have time to help you.
  3. Clearly explain the kind of help that you need.
  4. Thank the person for helping.

January 28– Accepting “No”/ Criticism/Consequence

1. Look at the person.

2. Say, “Okay.”

3. Stay calm and don't argue.

4. If you disagree, ask later.