Daily Health Screening

Benson Health Screening Letter

---

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The School District has been working hard to develop school re-opening plans so that all students can be back at school with in-person learning. One component of the plan is to decrease the number of people in the school buildings to reduce the amount of exposure to keep students and staff safe.  One part to meet that goal was to hold a virtual Open House for grades 1-12. There was feedback from parents who preferred to have their elementary child see their teacher before school starts.  To meet the needs of students and families, a couple of changes have been made to the back to school plan for Northside Elementary and Benson High School.  Please read carefully below. 

Northside Elementary School (Grades 1-5) First Day of School: 

There will be a staggered start to the first day of school, Tuesday, September 8th so that parents can bring their child(ren) into school, while reducing the number of people in the building at the same time.

1st, 3rd and 5th Grade parents can drop their child off at the classroom door between 7:35 and 7:55 am. 

2nd and 4th Grade parents can drop their child off at the classroom door between 8:00 and 8:20 am. 

If possible, please have 1 parent/guardian per child.

Parent/guardian will meet the teacher at the classroom door and drop off their child with the teacher. We ask that parents don’t enter the classroom. 

If you have children in multiple grades, you can bring each of your children at the same time and take them to their teacher’s classroom.

Parents who have to be at work earlier than your scheduled drop off time can drop off at the earlier time.

School buses will still drop off at 7:45 and 7:55.

If you prefer to drop your child off outside, there will be staff outside welcoming students back to school. 

You may enter either door #1 or door #2. 

For the safety of our school community, masks are required to enter the school building.

Take temperatures at home and do not come if anyone is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Please practice social distancing while in the building.

Benson High School Open House (Grades 6-12):

We are excited for students and parents/guardians to see the new classroom spaces, see their teachers, and get acclimated to the new spaces and updates.

Tuesday, September 1 – 4:00 – 6:00 pm

• Families with Last Name A-M, if that day doesn’t work, then you can attend the other day.
• For the safety of our school community, masks are required to enter the school building.
• Please take your temperatures at home and do not come if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Please practice social distancing while in the building.
• Please limit to only 6-12^th grade students who will be attending BHS and their parents. Please limit time in the building to 10 minutes or less.
• Please use your student portal to find your schedule and locker number
• Park on street on the north end of school as the parking lot will not yet be complete on the south side. Enter door #7 or #10.
• Remember that we are still under construction and classrooms and other areas may not be completely finished. Do not enter marked construction areas.
• There won’t be informational meetings and gatherings at open house, but teachers and administration will be available to answer questions.
• Teachers will be available in their rooms during this time.

Wednesday, September 2 – 4:00 – 5:30 pm

• Families with Last Name N-Z, if that day doesn’t work, then you can attend the other day.
• For the safety of our school community, masks are required to enter the school building.
• Please take your temperatures at home and do not come if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Please practice social distancing while in the building.
• Please limit to only 6-12^th grade students who will be attending BHS and their parents.
• Please use your student portal to find your schedule and locker number
• Park on street on the north end of school as the parking lot will not yet be complete on the south side. Enter door #7 or #10.
• Please remember that we are still under construction and classrooms and other areas may not be completely finished.
• There won’t be informational meetings and gatherings at open house, but teachers and administration will be available to answer questions.
• Teachers will be available in their rooms during this time.

 

---

BENSON SCHOOLS RE-OPENING

This is the most unusual start to a school year that anyone has seen. The School District has been working with staff, MDE, MDH, Countryside Public Health and other local and state organizations to develop a school re-opening plan that allows us to have our students in school, whether in an in-person or hybrid learning model. Nearly 90% of parents who responded indicated that they preferred to have their child back in school. This plans works to respond to the needs of parents and students, while also meeting the health and safety requirements/procedures needed to keep our students, staff, and community healthy.

In addition, the Governor's Safe Learning Plan requires districts to offer a choice distance learning plan. Included in the plan are requirements for choice distance learning, should a family choose that option.  Please notice that the choice distance learning requirements are not the same as distance learning last spring. Families who opt for choice distance learning will need to fill out a form. Here is the link to the choice distance learning form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckzhbad2IIUvJ5jpuHEEm8Jf1S5Ar-9BI7ag8xP55e2LiFig/viewform

Right now, the School Board unanimously approved opening the school year in-person on September 8th, meaning all students and staff will be back into our schools. It is exciting to be able to have in-person learning for students. 

Please read the Benson School Re-Opening Plan carefully as it will answer many questions. We look forward to seeing your child on September 8th.

2020-2021 School Re-Opening Plan  

---

2020-2021 Northside Elementary Supply Lists Grade K-5.

---

PROJECT “GRAND PIANO” RESUMES

As we prepare for the completion of the Benson High School Performing Arts Center, the Benson Music Boosters have taken on a project to raise funds for a grand piano.  We are off to a good start thanks to the generous donation from the City of Benson given on behalf of the “Beautify Benson” campaign, but more donations are needed.

 

“The music staff at Benson Schools have been researching piano options and will be narrowing choices down to five or six pianos.   We then hope to experience each piano with a live (not virtual) visit in order to find one that best suits our needs in our exciting new space.” stated Shelly Mikkelson.   

 

We encourage families to consider giving in memory of, or in honor of, someone special in their lives.  All donations will be recognized on a plaque that will be displayed in the new Performing Arts Center.  Our goal is to raise $40,000.    

 

Donations (payable to Benson Schools) can be sent to:

 

Brock Duncan or Shelly Mikkelson

Benson High School

1400 Montana Avenue 

Benson, MN  56215 

  

Please include “grand piano” in the memo and a note specifying details on who should be recognized.  Once again, thank you for your continued support for the arts in our schools and community!  

---

Academic & Athletic Awards Banquet Video 

 

---

---

---

2019-2020 Construction Updates

 

Benson Public Schools Strategic Plan

---

 

Benson Public Schools 2019 Literacy Plan
Benson Public Schools Budget 19-20
Benson Public Schools Financial Report 6-30-18
MDE School Report Card for Benson Public Schools
2019-2020 Benson School District Schedule for State Testing
Parent Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation in Statewide Testing
Total Special Education System (TSES) Manual