The Bark: Back to School Community Edition

Aug 29 2025

Dear Bennett Bulldogs,

It was such a joy to see so many of you at our meet and greet yesterday afternoon! The building was filled with excitement as students reconnected with friends, met their teachers, explored classrooms, and proudly showed how much they’ve grown over the summer. Welcoming new families to Bennett was also a highlight, we’re so glad you’re here.

As many of you noticed, we’ve had some changes to our staff this year. Some educators have moved on to new opportunities, others have shifted grade levels, and we’ve welcomed new team members to our Bennett community. As I shared at the end of last year, much of our staffing is shaped by enrollment, which naturally brings change. In addition, life transitions over the summer sometimes lead to adjustments. While we will miss those who have departed, I’m continually inspired by how our Bennett educators adapt with grace, flexibility, and a steadfast commitment to keeping students at the center.

We’ve been busy preparing for what promises to be a wonderful year ahead—full of new adventures, updated systems and procedures, and innovative ideas to support our community. Our focus remains on nurturing strong, caring, and trusting relationships with students and families alike.

We envision a school where every child feels supported and valued, and every family experiences a true sense of belonging. The first week back is always a period of readjustment, so we encourage everyone, students, staff, and families to approach it with patience, flexibility, and kindness.

Below you’ll find reminders to help guide our return to school. We’re looking forward to an incredible year together and are grateful to have each of you as part of our Bennett community.

In partnership,

Jessica Strazzulla

Principal

Upcoming Dates

9/1- Labor Day
9/2- First Day of School 1st-5th grade
- Japanese Dual Language Program Launch Celebration
9/2-9/4 Kindergarten Family Connection Conferences
9/5- First Day of School Kindergarten
9/8- First Day of Preschool
9/9- PTSA General Meeting 7pm (Bennett Library)

Save the Date

10/3 Bennett's Annual Walkathon
10/7 Curriculum Night 5:30-7:00PM
10/10- No School
10/17 Picture Day
10/24- PTSA Trunk or Treat

Celebrating the Launch of our Japanese Dual Language Program

On Tuesday, we are thrilled to welcome special visitors to Bennett as we launch our Japanese Dual Language program for first grade families. We are especially honored that Ms. Yoko Sakamoto from the Japanese Consulate General will be joining us to celebrate the very first day of the program. She will spend time visiting the Japanese Dual Language classrooms and meeting our students and teachers.

First grade families enrolled in the program will receive more details directly from their teacher. This is a truly exciting moment for our Bennett community and a wonderful milestone as we continue to grow opportunities for our students.

Bus Transportation Information for Bennett Families

We are excited to offer our Bennett Open Enrolled/Open Transfer families the opportunity to apply for school bus transportation for the upcoming school year! To apply, please use the link provided.

BENNETT SCHOOL BUSWAITLIST 2025-2026

Seats will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis once we have determined availability.

We appreciate your cooperation in sharing this link with other families in our community. We are optimistic that this process will make it easier for everyone involved, from our families to our schools and the Transportation Department.

transportation@bsd405.org

Stopfinder App

Student bus stop information will be available through the new Stopfinder App, replacing Edulog Parent Portal. Bus stop information will not be mailed. You can learn more about the new App here: www.bsd405.org/stopfinder .

For eligible students who live outside the no-transportation zone, an invitation email was sent on Monday, August 18^th from no_reply@transfinder.com . Check your spam folder if you do not see this in your email box. This invitation will link your student’s route information to the Stopfinder App once you have accepted the invitation. Transportation Department can be reached at 425.456.4512 or at Transportation@bsd405.org .

Arrival and Dismissal

Our Arrival is a “Soft Start”

Starting at 8:50 AM, 1st–5th grade students may enter the building and head directly to their classrooms. This “soft start” allows for a calm, flexible beginning to the day, giving students time to get settled and ready for learning. Depending on the teacher’s preference, students will either line up outside their classroom or go straight inside. Kindergarten students will line up outside their classrooms, with teachers opening doors at 8:55 AM.

Important Details

Walking Families: Please walk your children to their designated entrance and say goodbyes there.
Assigned Entrances:
- Kindergarten: Line up outside classrooms; teachers open doors at 8:55 AM.
- 1st Grade: Enter through the back playground gates. For the first week only, students will line up on the blacktop where cones will be set up with teacher names.
- 2nd & 3rd Grades: Enter through the courtyard doors.
- 4th & 5th Grades: Enter through the top playground doors (same as before).
- Preschool: Parents will continue walking children to the door and follow preschool check-in procedures. More details will be shared with preschool families soon.
Late Arrivals: Continue to check in at the office.

To support this transition, all support staff will be stationed around the building to guide students and help them find their way. Teachers will also review arrival process with students, along with other classroom and school routines.

Dismissal

For families using the drop-off/pick-up lane, please pull all the way forward and follow the directions of our school assistants who are guiding traffic. To keep the line moving safely, do not park in the lane or get out of your car to pick up your child.

Parents who prefer to meet their child on foot may wait by the flagpole. Kindergarten students are dismissed directly from their classrooms and their teachers will share specific dismissal procedures with families.

Please also remember: Do not park in the school bus area or wait near the buses. Students need safe access to board, and buses must be able to exit without obstruction. Parking or waiting in your car near the bus area is prohibited.

Safety First

Here are some friendly reminders to help ensure the safety of students during pick-up and drop-off times:

Please observe the speed limit and drive carefully around the school. The speed limit in school zones is 20 miles per hour whenever children are present.
Always stop for students crossing at the crosswalk, as well as for our safety patrol students.
Remember to use crosswalks when crossing the street.
Please avoid parking in the pick-up/drop-off lane, as this lane needs to keep moving forward to maintain a smooth traffic flow.
Refrain from getting out of your car in the drop-off/pick-up lane. Your child should always exit and enter from the right side (the sidewalk side) to keep them safely away from the street.
If you're parking to walk your child to the door, please be extra careful when backing out of parking spaces. We've had some close calls with cars exiting the lot.
Do not park or drop off on 179th Street or NE 18th Street.
Please wait your turn and do not cut in front of others in line. While it's easy to feel impatient, let's all be mindful and considerate of those around us.
Kindly be respectful to our staff, who are working to manage traffic flow and, most importantly, keep students and families safe.

By working together, we can ensure the safety of our students and help keep traffic moving smoothly in our neighborhood.