The Bark Community Edition 10/10/2025

Oct 10 2025

Dear Bulldog Families,

Thank You for a Colorful and Joyful Walkathon!

It was truly wonderful to see our community come together for our Bulldogs in Color Walkathon! The event lived up to its name, full of color, energy, and joy thanks in part to the perfect weather that made the day even more special.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible planning committee: Taylor Tagge, Sara Rankins, Allison Syms, and Mallory Dowling. This event would not have been possible without your countless hours of planning, your attention to every detail, and your unwavering dedication. We are so grateful for your leadership. Special shoutout to DJ Scribble (aka Mark Kalal)! His beats kept everyone moving.

Of course, it takes a village, thank you to every volunteer who helped make the day run smoothly. Whether you donated time, cheered on our students, or contributed financially, every bit of support made a difference, your generosity and spirit are what make our community so special.

We have just 7 days left in our fundraising campaign, and we are so close to reaching our goal! Thank you for every single contribution!

It was also great to see so many of you at Curriculum Night! Each year, we aim to make this evening both informative and meaningful, giving you a glimpse into your child’s learning experience and the environment where it all happens.

Below, you’ll find updates on upcoming festivities and important information for the month ahead. Stay connected and thank you for being such an engaged and supportive community!

With Bulldog Pride,
Jessica Strazzulla - Principal Bennett Elementary

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

10/10- No School
10/17 Picture Day
10/20-10/24 UNITY Spirit Week
10/21 PTSA Meeting 6-8pm Bennett Library
10/22- UNITY Day
10/24 PTSA Sponsored Trunk or Treat

Safety Drill for October - Earthquake

Washington state law and Bellevue School District policy require all schools to hold at least one drill per calendar month while school is in session. This month, we will be conducting an earthquake drill and practicing what we would do if we were at school in the event of an earthquake. This will align the Great Shakeout, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:17am.

In the United States, the recommended actions to take in the event of an earthquake are Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and express their feelings. Emphasize that even though sometimes things happen that we may not expect, there are lots of things we can do to help us stay safe.

For more information on earthquakes and general preparedness, you might want to visit the Washington Emergency Management Division (https://mil.wa.gov/personal) or Great Washington ShakeOut (https://www.shakeout.org/washington/index.html) websites. You may also find the https://www.ready.gov/kids site helpful.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

UNITY Spirit Week

Unity Day is just around the corner—Wednesday, October 22nd! Recognized nationally since 2011 and started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, Unity Day is a powerful reminder to wear orange and stand together against bullying, united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

At Bennett, we’re embracing this message with a week full of spirit and positivity! In addition to our beautiful Unity Tree displayed in front of the learning stairs, our PBIS team has organized a Unity Spirit Week from October 20th–24th, featuring themed dress-up days to celebrate community and togetherness:

Let’s come together to celebrate kindness and inclusion all week long!

Bennett Elementary is Instagram Official! 📸🐾

We’re excited to announce that Bennett Elementary has officially joined Instagram! This new venture gives us a fresh way to share updates, celebrate the amazing things happening in our school, and stay connected as a community.

From classroom highlights to spirit days and special events, we’ll be showcasing the heart of Bennett—our students, staff, and families. Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/bennett_bulldogs and join us on this social media adventure!

We appreciate your patience as we find our groove and build our presence. Let’s grow together and stay connected—one post at a time!

PTSA News

Dear Families,

Bennett PTSA is hosting our annual Trunk or Treat event in the Bennett parking lot on Friday, October 24^th from 5-7 PM. Families are invited sign up to decorate their car trunks, dress in costume, and hand out treats to our students. We are also looking for volunteers to donate candy, set up and clean up, and lend outdoor games for the event.

Thank you!

Stefanie Wolf

Parent Volunteer - Communications and Curriculum Enhancement Chair

Bennett Partners with Sister Schools

Support Our Sister School: Kiyunga Elementary Supply Drive

We are excited to continue our partnership with Kiyunga Elementary, our sister school in Uganda! Following a recent visit, our Bennett students are leading a supply drive to collect essential school materials and personal care items for students at Kiyunga.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and make a meaningful impact. All donated items will be sent directly to Kiyunga Elementary, where they will be received by students who are eager to learn and grow.

Our supply drive runs through October 15th, and we are collecting the following items:

Notebooks
Pencils (non-mechanical)
Pens
Erasers
Crayons
Markers
Colored pencils
Pencil sharpeners
Rulers
Dictionaries
Children’s books
Children’s encyclopedias
Coloring and activity books
Balls
Jump ropes
Chalk
Pencil boxes
Protractors
Compasses
Watercolor sets
Scissors

Let’s show our Bulldog spirit and generosity by filling those donation bins! Every item makes a difference.

District News and Resources

Fall Student Survey Launching

We are launching the Fall 2025 Panorama Student Survey to gather valuable insights into students' experiences and to further support their growth and well-being. The survey will focus on several key areas, including school climate, sense of belonging, and social-emotional learning (SEL), offering students an opportunity to share their perspectives.

Learn more about the survey.

If you would like to opt your student out of the SEL portion of the survey, please complete this online form by October 26.

Education Connections: Look for the Helpers

Meet the trusted adults students turn to for support. Learn how to help your child get involved, how to be a supportive presence, and find resources in times of crisis. With recent budget impacts to MHAT services, families may be unsure where to turn. Join us to access mental health care information, learn about school-based support, and connect with local community programs. Free and open to all BSD families, staff and community. The event will include a panel conversation facilitated by Dr. Kelly Aramaki, BSD Superintendent.