Good Afternoon Banneker parents and guardians,
Wednesday Backpack has arrived!
As you know we are making a great effort to be GREEN! So, our newsletter is electronic.
*It is imperative that you keep your child home if they are not feeling well or have any symptoms. The healthier we are, the longer we stay together.
*We are now accepting applications! Register Now for grades K1-6th gr.
To be considered for K1 students must be 4 by August 31st, 2026 Apply now
Application deadline is March 6th, 2026
Lottery will be held March 6th, 2026 at 11:00am
(Do not resubmit an application if your child already attends)
This month, our school-wide character education themes are Growth Mindset and Perseverance which are important habits that help children tackle learning with confidence, take appropriate risks, and rebound from setbacks. A growth mindset is the understanding that abilities and intelligence can grow stronger through ongoing effort, practice, and takeaways from challenges. Kids with this mindset willingly engage tough tasks, seek help when needed, and view obstacles as steps forward rather than dead ends.
Perseverance means keeping at it despite boredom or difficulty—like powering through a hard math problem, finishing a writing task, or sharpening a skill without quitting. Building this skill creates self-confidence, determination, and real satisfaction from steady progress.
Parents can strengthen these qualities at home by calling out effort and smart strategies (e.g., “You kept trying different ways—that’s great”), treating challenges and mistakes as key to learning, setting small reachable goals, sharing stories of determined role models, and living these values in family routines.
- Noting your child’s hard work, creative thinking, and staying power (e.g., “I saw how much focus you put into that,” or “You stuck with it through the rough parts”).
- Motivating your child to try new or tough activities, while reinforcing that mistakes are just part of getting better.
Thank you for your steady partnership this month as we continue to build your child’s resilience.
Reminder- Wednesday, March 18th is a Half-day students will be dismissed at 11:30am please plan accordingly.
Appropriate Attire
We like to see our students dressed appropriately now that the winter winds have approached. Coats, scarves, hats, and gloves would be great. Please make sure that your child’s name is printed on their clothing items in case they are misplaced or lost. Also, a reminder that Lost and found is getting full!! Please come in and check for any items your child may have lost. If your child brings an unfamiliar item, we ask that you return it back to school so we may return it to its rightful owner.
Coats for KIDS– Do you have any coats you would like to donate? The Banneker is collecting gently used coats in all sizes for families in need. Starting October 1st-January 9th. Our goal is to collect 200 coats.
Lunch Menu: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/1157/district/1191/school/9330/menu/35562
Free Food Market! One Thursdays every month, 3pm- 5pm: If interested, Peabody school hosts the free food market. Bring your own bags. Future dates are:
Thursday, March 19th Thursday, April 16th Thursday, May 21st Thursday, June 18th
Uniform Policy:
As the weather continues to change students must and should dress appropriately:
Students Are not allowed to wear Jeans, only on half days for $1- Funds are donated to charity
Khaki bottom: including shorts or skirts (No leggings).
Maroon tops: plain maroon tops (no tank tops).
No open toe shoes, flip flops, sandals, and Crocs.
If students are not dressed in uniform parents will be required to bring them a change of clothes.
Want to purchase uniforms, go to https://www.donnellysclothing.com/BENCHCAMBMA
Banneker Community Closet- Uniform Recycle
Are you getting some early cleaning done? We are collecting gently used uniforms for our uniform recycle program. If your child has outgrown their uniforms, please consider donating them to the Banneker. You can drop them off to the nurse or the front desk. Thank you
Personal Property:
Portable electronic devices are not allowed in any classroom, Students must have all portable electronic devices turned off during the school day. No portable electronic device may be visible during the school day. Any unauthorized use of portable electronic devices will lead to confiscation. Parents will be required to retrieve the device from an administrator. Banneker is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Transportation
Banneker is pleased to be able to continue to offer transportation services to our families.
In an effort to ensure that all our students get home safely and are always accounted for please remember:
Bus
- If you need to make any changes regarding pick up or stop status you must call the school before 2pm.
- We are no longer able to switch buses but families can switch stops or change to parent pick up.
- Parents are not permitted to take students off the bus accept at their designated stop unless prior arrangements have been made
Parent pick up
- Parents in cars are prioritized
- Please remain in your car and drive off as soon as possible safely
We can no longer accommodate bus changes! If you need to make any dismissal changes for your Child/ren please call Ms. St. Germain between the hours of 8am-2pm. Anything after will not be accepted.
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 2:45 pm. Just a reminder, please arrive at the bus stop 10-15 minutes prior to both pickup and drop off times. For parent pick-up simply drive up to the side of the building to pick up your child. No need to park your car.
**Phone message system
One method the Banneker uses to communicate with our families is through the phone and email message system.If your contact information has changed, you need to inform the school immediately. It is important that we have updated address and contact numbers. Please email Mstgermain@banneker.org with any updates.
Upcoming events
Black Excellence-
- Friday, April 3rd @ 6pm Banneker’s own dance team will be performing an array of dance performances
Ongoing Events
Scholastic Book Club- All Grades – https://clubs.scholastic.com Book prices range from $1.00 to $15.00. All orders can be shipped directly to your home!
Upcoming dates to remember
Friday, March 13 End of second Trimester
Wed, March 18 Half-day @ 11:30am
Friday, April 3 Black Excellence Performance
Mon, April 20-24 Spring Break
Parents Please feel free to share our events with your friends and coworkers, we love it when we all can come together as a community to help one another.
