Ben-Hem Bobcats

Dear Ben-Hem Families,

Spending time in classrooms is one of the highlights of my week, and the past few days have been filled with wonderful examples of learning, creativity, and connection across Ben-Hem! I loved watching our fourth graders demonstrate leadership, patience, and kindness as they worked alongside their kindergarten buddies. It's always special to see the connections between our oldest and youngest learners and the pride our fourth graders take in being role models.

Meanwhile, in first grade, “Dr. Kaufman” and “Dr. Ferrari” were fully in character as they brought their study of the human body to life! The excitement and engagement were contagious, and it was wonderful to see how these creative experiences are helping students develop a deeper understanding of what they're learning.

These moments are such great reminders of the joy, curiosity, and connection that make Ben-Hem a special place to learn and grow.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Jordan

We are excited to introduce a new Elementary Curriculum Night this fall, created in response to family requests and Strategic Plan goals to create for more opportunities to learn about the curriculum and instructional materials being used in our elementary schools. We want families to understand not only what their children are learning, but also the resources, approaches, and instructional practices that support that learning.

Curriculum Night and Open House: Different Purposes

We want to clarify that Curriculum Night will complement, not replace, our elementary Open Houses.

• Open House will continue to be our community-focused event, centered on belonging, relationships, and the student experience. It is an opportunity for families to see classrooms, connect with teachers, and experience what school is like for their children.

• Curriculum Night will focus specifically on the district-adopted curriculum and high-quality instructional materials being used across our elementary schools. Families will have an opportunity to learn about the curriculum, understand what students are learning, and ask questions.

Save the Date!

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

7:00–8:00 p.m.

Virtual District-Wide Elementary Event

To increase accessibility for families across the district, Curriculum Night will be held virtually and district-wide. The evening will be facilitated by our elementary principals and instructional coaches, who will provide an overview of our adopted curriculum and instructional materials. The presentation will be followed by time for family questions and conversation, giving parents and caregivers an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the curriculum directly from our instructional leaders. Log-in information and additional details will be shared with families as we get closer to the event.

We look forward to partnering with you and helping families better understand the high-quality learning experiences we are working to provide for every elementary student.

Sincerely,

Johanna Even, Brown Elementary Principal

Karen Ghilani, Memorial Elementary Principal

Jordan Hoffman, Ben Hem Elementary Principal

Shelby Marscher, Lilja Elementary Principal

Transportation Update: (Website: NPS Transportation Route Updates)

If your child's route has changed, please remember to update Pick Up Patrol to reflect this.

From the Transportation Department:

Please be advised that there have been multiple changes to many bus routes, including additional bus stops and time changes. Please review your bus route online HERE. If there has been a change, you will see a recent (within the past week) updated date written at the top of your bus route. These changes will start on Monday, October 19.

Please make sure your students are at their bus stops on time if there has been a time change. Please have your child at their bus stop 7-10 minutes early. Pick-up times can fluctuate due to traffic and weather conditions.

If your student is being picked up at another location that is NOT listed on the bus route, please send me an email at ragostinellisolivan@natickps.org so I can add the bus stop to the bus route. Should there be a spare bus driver, they will not pick up or drop off at any non-designated stops that are not included on the bus route.

Should you wish to request an additional bus stop, please email me at ragostinellisolivan@natickps.org. Bus stops can be added for safety concerns - ie: A busy street with no sidewalk for students to access a group bus stop. Please note that students attending NHS have fewer bus stops, as it is expected most HS students can walk further to their bus stops without adult supervision. However, if there is no adequate sidewalk and you live on a main road, please email me a request for an additional bus stop.

If emailing, please include your student's first and last name.

Please take this time to review the Transportation Expectations Manual with your student.

Families of multilingual learners are invited to attend the upcoming English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) meeting on Thursday, October 22, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Brown Elementary School.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families, learn more about multilingual learning, and share your voice! Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be provided.

Please take a moment to review the event flyer for more information. And please RSVP here.

We hope to see you there!

October 21st: Elementary Virtual Curriculum Night

October 25th: PTO-Sponsored Monster Mash 12:00-3:00PM

October 26th: Picture Retake Day

October 30th: Ben-Hem Spirit Parade 8:40AM

November 4th: Early Release Day (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

November 18th: Early Release Day (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

November 19th: PTO Meeting 7-8PM Ben-Hem Library

November 25th: Early Release Day, Start of Thanksgiving Break

November 30th: No School - Professional Development Day

We want to highlight an important resource available to students and families through our partnership with Cartwheel. This service provides timely support for students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.

A few key points:

• Students can typically meet with a licensed therapist within a few days

• Appointments are virtual and designed to fit your schedule, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends

• Services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese

• MassHealth is fully covered, and most private insurance plans are accepted

Getting started is quick and straightforward—families can learn more and complete a brief interest form here. No referral is needed, and families can reach out whether concerns are emerging or ongoing.

Supporting students’ mental health is a shared priority. We want to ensure families have clear, practical pathways to access care when it’s needed.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Do you have expired or unused medications, vape pens, or e-cigarettes? Drop them off for free at Prescription Drug Take Back Day so these items can be disposed of properly and safely. The process is quick, easy, and anonymous - no questions asked.

For questions and more information, contact Natick 180 at natick180@natickma.org

To find a drop off location near you, visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Sarah Ward joins us on Mon 10/26 at 7 pm for Building Executive Functioning Skills at Kennedy Middle School in Natick. This interactive program will provide caregivers with practical strategies they can begin using right away to help children and teens become more organized, independent, and prepared for the demands of school and life.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5