11/12/25 Wednesday Backpack!
As you know we are making a great effort to be GREEN! So, our newsletter is electronic.
This month for November are themes are Gratitude & Community:
Gratitude
Gratitude means being thankful for the people, things, and moments that make your life better.
Showing gratitude: You can show gratitude by saying “thank you,” writing a kind note, writing about what you are thankful for, or telling people you appreciate them.
When you have gratitude, it helps you notice the good around you, feel more joyful, and make others feel special too.
Community
Community means a group of people who care about and help each other.
You are part of many communities, like your family community, your school community, and your neighborhood community.
Everyone has something special to give that helps make the community stronger.
You show community by including others, helping when someone needs it, taking care of shared spaces, and cheering people on.
Supporting Gratitude and Community at Home
- Share “thankful moments” at dinner or bedtime
- Encourage kids to write or draw thank-you notes
- Keep a family gratitude jar—add notes about good things that happen
and read them together later.
- Do a family service project—pick up litter, donate food, or make cards for a local shelter.
- Encourage your child to help at home (set the table, feed a pet, or fold laundry)
and celebrate teamwork.
- Have family conversations about ways to solve problems together or help someone in need.
Banneker Needs YOU!
Dear Banneker Families,
We need your help! Every year, the generosity of our families allows us to keep Banneker strong, joyful, and full of opportunity. Your donations make it possible for us to continue all the wonderful programs our children love -STEAMS projects, community events, enrichment clubs, and field experiences and to keep working toward our dream: our Forever Home at the new Matignon campus!
This year, our goal is bold and exciting: 100% participation from EVERY Banneker family! That means we are asking every single family to contribute because every gift, no matter the size, truly matters. Together, we can show what it means to be a united Banneker community.
The first three classrooms that reach 100% participation will win a much-coveted “Bretous Surprise!” (Just ask your child about it… they’ll tell you it’s something worth striving for!)
And every family who donates $150 or more will receive an amazing 18-month Banneker Calendar filled with beautiful photos of our students, classrooms, and celebrations -a keepsake you’ll want to display proudly!
Your support keeps our mission alive. It fuels the learning, laughter, and love that make Banneker a place where children thrive and families belong. Let’s come together once again and show what makes this community so special.
Thank you for helping us grow …today, tomorrow, and in our Forever Home.
With gratitude,
The Banneker Team
Reminder- Wednesday, November 19th is a Half-day students will be dismissed at 11:30am please plan accordingly.
Character Day- November 27th
Character Day is coming! Start thinking about your FAVORITE book character! We’ll be celebrating our favorite book characters on November 27th. Students and staff are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite book character! We can’t wait to see your costumes! Students will be dismissed at 11:30am.
Lunch Menu: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/1157/district/1191/school/9330/menu/35562
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
Lost and Found
Please label your child’s clothes so they will be returned to you. All clothes in the lost and found not labeled will be donated at the end of the month. Please stop by lost and found if you are missing clothes. 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.
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.
Follow us on Facebook
If you haven’t already done so, please follow us now at Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School. Also check our website at www.Banneker.org for any other information.
**Phone message system
One method the Banneker uses to communicate with our families is through the phone and email message system. It is important that we have updated address and contact numbers. Please email Mstgermain@banneker.org with any updates.
Upcoming events
Make up picture Day– November 17th, Students must be dressed in appropriate attire for picture day. Students are not allowed to wear jeans.
Ongoing Events
Coats for KIDS– The Banneker will be collecting gently used coats in all sizes. Starting October 1st-January 9th
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
Tuesday, November 11 No School (Veterans Day)
Monday, November 17 Make up Picture Day
Wednesday, November 19 Half-day @ 11:30am
Wednesday, November 26 Half-day @ 11:30am (Thanksgiving 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.
