The Bark Community Edition 12/19/2025

Dec 19 2025

Dear Bennett Families,

The month of December has flown by, and we hope your students have been sharing some of the exciting things happening at school! Grade levels continue to earn rewards for their Pawsitive Paws, and last week our staff had fun with a “Secret Staff Spirit Week” to keep students guessing and giggling at our shenanigans, especially as we celebrated our 67th day of school (6/7 was all the rave… if you know, you know 😉). These moments help us build connections and create memories that spark joy and wonder. You can see some pictures on our Instagram page.

Our Student Lighthouse Leadership Team wrapped up the week by hosting a Pajama Week for students as a way to celebrate all the generous donations sent to Hopelink, thank you for supporting this effort! We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our 2nd and 3rd grade parents who provided a delicious lunch for staff. Your thoughtfulness means so much, and we feel fortunate to have such a caring community.

We’re ending the week with our Kindergarteners on a lively Gingerbread Man hunt, following clues and laughter in what has become a treasured Bennett tradition!

As we head into winter break, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for sharing your students with us, we can’t wait to see you in the new year! Here’s to a joyful season and an amazing 2026 ahead.

On behalf of all our staff, thank you for being part of our Bennett family.

In partnership,

Jessica Strazzulla

Principal

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

12/15/25 - 1/16/26 - Open Transfer, Choice Schools and Language Program Application period
12/20-1/4- Winter Break- No School
1/5- School Resumes
1/8 - Open House for Incoming Preschool/Kindergarten families for 2026-2027
1/19- MLK Holiday - No School
1/23- Walkathon GLOW PARTY!
1/26- Non-Student Day- required certificated staff workday (No School)

BSD Cultural Calendar

Nurse Corner

Has your family received their annual flu vaccines yet? If not, this is a reminder that there’s still time to get a flu shot. Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against flu illness.

Where to get a flu shot and other vaccines? Visit Vaccine Clinics

Trish Ignacio

School Nurse

(425) 456- 4805

Bennett Elementary Family Photo Wall📸🐾

Thank You for Sharing Your Family Photos!
A big thank you to all the families who have already sent in their pictures, we love seeing your smiling faces! If you haven’t had a chance yet, no worries! I’ll continue accepting photos over the winter break. It’s never too late to join in. I’ll be putting them up so we can start the new year with a beautiful Family Photo Wall that celebrates our amazing community.

Drop off a copy or email a digital copy to me strazzullaj@bsd405.org, (include your name and teacher).

Extra Support Coming to Our School

Starting in January, our district will provide additional administrative support to elementary schools without assistant principals. A district support administrator will rotate among schools on scheduled dates throughout the year to assist with student behavior and other needs.

Your child may mention meeting this adult during their visit. For example, Bennett has previously welcomed Ms. Brenda Naish, and she may return as part of this support. We’re excited about this added resource to help ensure a positive and safe learning environment for all students.

PTSA News

Mark Your Calendars: GLOW Party Coming Soon!
We’re excited to announce that on January 23, we’ll celebrate our Walkathon success with our much-anticipated GLOW Party! This fun event is a way to thank our students and community for their incredible support. Get ready for music, lights, and lots of glowing fun!

District News and Resources

Inclement Weather and Potential Closure Reminders

Winter is approaching and may bring unpredictable weather to our community. Families are encouraged to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and learn about our emergency closure decision-making process. While some decisions are made for the whole district, conditions may vary across different communities, which may result in different decisions for some schools. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances.

Read the full article to learn more about:

Receiving emergency communications
Transportation during severe weather, including snow routes
Changes to childcare options in the event of delays, closures and early dismissals
Special circumstances like power outages

Local Levies Help Fund Learning and Safety

Washington state does not pay for all the costs of running public schools. Local levies approved by voters help fill that gap so that students have the tools and support they need to learn and grow. All levies approved by BSD voters stay in the Bellevue community to support our students and schools.

BSD has two levies on the February 10 ballot. The Educational Programs and Operations Levy helps pay for teachers, counselors, and programs such as art, music, athletics, and advanced classes. The Technology and Capital Projects Levy funds student laptops and tablets, network systems, and safety improvements in school buildings.

Learn more our levy renewals.

Open Until January 16: Open Transfer, Choice School and Language Program Application Period

The open transfer, choice school and language program application period for the 2026-2027 school year is now open and will close on Friday, January 16, 2026. Learn more about who should apply.

New student enrollment opens for preschool and K-12 on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Bellevue Digital Discovery, BSD's online school, accepts applications year-round.

Winter Break Wellness and Immunization Reminder

As Winter Break approaches, we hope your family enjoys a restful and rejuvenating time together. This break is an excellent opportunity to focus on your child’s well-being and preventive health as we head into the cold and flu season. Read the full article as BSD Health Services shares:

· Tips to prioritize health and well-being

· How to access vaccines and required immunizations

· Where to find food and assistance resources

A Time for Rest and Reflection: Embracing Mental Health This Winter Break

Winter Break is here, and we invite you to take a moment to slow down, recharge, and embrace the peace this season can bring. The school break and holiday season is often filled with joy and connection, but it can also bring challenges — whether it’s missing a loved one, juggling holiday preparations, or managing the pressures of the season. While each of us celebrates in our own way, it’s important to acknowledge all feelings that may arise and remember it’s okay to ask for support when needed.

BSD has a variety of mental health resources available online and accessible year-round and has also partnered with Care Solace to help support the well-being of our community. Whether you or a family member need support with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can connect you to care options that meet your needs — quickly, confidentially, and at no cost to you. Access support by:

· Calling 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available 24/7/365)

· Visiting the Care Solace website

· Searching for providers independently or click “Book Appointment” to get assistance via video chat, phone, or email.

Please note that Care Solace is NOT an emergency response service or mental health service provider. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.