The Bark Community Edition 8/19/2026

Aug 19 2026

Welcome Back, Bennett Bulldogs!

Hello and welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

We are excited to begin another wonderful year of learning, growth, and community together. Our staff has been busy preparing for the year ahead, and we look forward to meeting new families and reconnecting with returning ones.

We can't wait to welcome our students back on the first day of school:

Grades 1-5: Wednesday, September 2
Kindergarten: Tuesday, September 8
Preschool: Wednesday, September 9

This newsletter serves as our special Welcome Back Edition. Throughout the school year, you can expect to receive The Bark Community Edition newsletter twice each month on Fridays, featuring important updates, celebrations, upcoming events, and information to help keep our Bennett community connected.

In this edition, you'll find information about Meet the Teacher, the school supply list that was originally shared in June (included here as a helpful reminder), key dates, and other important back-to-school information.

Thank you for being part of our Bennett community. We are looking forward to an amazing year ahead and can't wait to see everyone soon!

Go Bulldogs!

Warmly,

Jessica Strazzulla, Principal

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

8/31- Meet the Teacher 3-4pm, followed by PTSA sponsored ice-cream social
9/2- First Day of School 1st-5th grade
9/7- No School, Labor Day
9/8- First Day of Kindergarten
9/9- First Day of Preschool
9/16- Curriculum Night 5:30-7:00pm
10/2- Walkathon
10/16- Picture Day

2026-2027 BSD Academic Calendar

BSD Cultural Calendar

School Supply List Reminder for 2026-2027

Each year, we suggest a few basic supplies to help students start the school year prepared and ready to learn. In June, families received a school supply list, and we are including a copy here for your reference. If you have any questions, please contact the Bennett front office. We are happy to help!

School Supply List 2026-2027

Meet the Teacher & Ice Cream Social

Next week, families will receive an email from their child’s assigned classroom teacher on Friday, August 28. We invite all families to join us for our Meet the Teacher event on Monday, August 31st from 3:00-4:00pm. This informal opportunity allows students and families to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and explore the school campus before the first day of school. Families are also welcome to drop off school supplies during this time, although this is completely optional.

Following Meet the Teacher, from 4:00-4:30 p.m., our amazing PTSA will host an Ice Cream Social on our playground. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful opportunity to connect with other Bennett families and kick off the new school year together.

As you prepare to receive your teacher assignment, we would like to share a reminder about our class placement process. Our team puts a great deal of thought and care into creating balanced classrooms that support the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. We deeply appreciate the trust families place in us throughout this process. To support the integrity of these carefully considered placements, classroom assignments will be finalized when teacher emails are sent to families. Thank you for your understanding, partnership, and support as we prepare for a successful school year for all students.

We look forward to seeing you on August 31 and beginning another fantastic year together!

Transportation Application for Open Enrolled/Open Transfer Families

Families attending Bennett through Open Enrollment or Open Transfer who are interested in school bus transportation may apply using the link below. Transportation requests will be reviewed after enrollment counts are finalized and seat availability is determined. Available seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage interested families to submit their application as soon as possible.

Bennett Elementary 2026-27 School Bus Waitlist

Student bus stop information will be available through the Stopfinder App. Learn more about the new App here: www.bsd405.org/stopfinder .

For eligible student bus riders who live outside the no-transportation zone, bus information will be sent in an email on Monday, August 17^th from no_reply@transfinder.com . Check your spam folder if you do not see this in your email box. For any families new to the Stopfinder App, an 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 .

Lunch Meal Options & Pricing

Students have the choice to eat at school or bring a home-packed lunch. For those choosing school meals, here are the 2026–2027 meal prices:

Elementary (Preschool, Grades K–5)

Milk only: $0.75
Lunch: $4.25

How to Pay for Meals

Nutrition Services uses PayPAMS for online payments. Visit www.paypams.com to set up your account and manage meal payments.

For the full monthly menus and more details, visit the BSD Menus and Nutritional Information page.

Complete a School Meal Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals

The 2026-2027 Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application (CNEEB) is open. Qualification for free or reduced-price meal benefits is based on household size and income. Families, including those with students attending schools where meals are available at no cost, are encouraged to complete the CNEEB application to establish eligibility for school meal benefits.

Families must reapply every year. If your student(s) qualified for free or reduced-priced meals last year in the Bellevue School District, their prior year eligibility is extended for the first 30 school days to allow time for a new application to be completed. The final day they may use their prior year eligibility is October 15, 2026. After this date, meals will be charged at the paid meal price if eligibility for free or reduced-price meals has not been reestablished.