Bennington Elementary students are bringing home their Remote Education Day packets today. These materials will be used only if we experience a 3rd and/or 4th snow day this winter. Families received initial information about this new Remote Education Day plan from the district on October 28th.

Inside the packet, you’ll find clear directions and activities your child can complete at home should we reach those additional snow days. Please keep the packet in a safe place so it’s easy to access if needed.

If a Remote Education Day is called, teachers will be available by email to answer questions and support students throughout the day.

There may be occasions when attending school due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances may not be advisable. Student safety and learning is always the top priority for Bennington Public Schools. The District will either cancel school for the day or announce a two-hour late start.

School closings will be announced using the following media sources listed below:

District Notification: ParentSquare (Phone, Email, Text Message, App)

Television: KMTV 3, WOWT 6, KETV 7

Radio: KFAB (AM 1110), KKAR (AM1290)

Social Media: Facebook - Bennington Public Schools Facebook, Twitter - @aaronplasBPS

When school is closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Bennington Public Schools will make efforts to make up these educational opportunities. The District has embedded days into the school calendar for such occasions. 

All-Star Kids program will be closed when school is closed for a snow day.

Decisions about high school extra-curricular activities will be made and announced through ParentSquare. There are times that a storm may move through early in the day and practice or competition may be held in the afternoon or evening. There are also times that storms hit some communities harder than others, so the administration is in communication with other districts to determine if a competition will be held or not. Decisions are always based on the safety of Bennington's staff and students.

School facilities are closed to youth sports when school is not in session. Only emergency staff report to school buildings on snow days to make sure students and staff are safe during poor weather conditions.

Making decisions regarding snow days is never fun or easy. These tough decisions will inevitably make some upset because they think we should be called off while others can’t believe how ‘soft’ schools have become with their decisions. We promise to do the best we can with the information and resources we have at the time. Please remember, you can keep your child(ren) home on days that we have school but you think we shouldn’t.

The Omaha metro has a very unique set-up with so many schools in such a small area. This can create a comparison and judgment between districts, and how they are handling inclement weather including both snow/ice and extremely cold conditions. But each district does not ha

This school year, BPS is introducing Remote Education Days. These days count as instructional days and allow students to continue learning even when weather prevents in-person classes.

BPS is hoping to not add school days and keep the last day of school the same, but we are restricted by state mandates on the number of instructional hours we must provide to our students. Any changes to the school calendar will be communicated early and often!

No, only the third and fourth snow days will be Remote Education days. If there are more than four snow days, a determination of a Remote Education day will be communicated.

Printed materials will be sent home on the second Friday of November with all elementary students. The packet will include expectations and directions on how to complete the work. Teachers will be available via email for questions and help throughout the Remote Education day.

More information will be shared with families in the November newsletter to families. On Remote Education days, teachers will have lessons available on Google Classroom or accessible through email. Teachers will be available via email for questions and help throughout the Remote Education day.

Decisions about high school extra-curricular activities will be made and announced through ParentSquare. There are times that a storm may move through early in the day and practice or competition may be held in the afternoon or evening. There are also times that storms hit some communities harder than others, so the administration is in communication with other districts to determine if a competition will be held or not. Decisions are always based on the safety of Bennington's staff and students.

Late start days will begin exactly two hours later than the normal school start time. When weather permits for a later start, the streets, sidewalks and parking lots can be better cleared and rush hour traffic can be completed. Late start days will be announced in the same manner as school closings.

In the event of inclement weather, the District may delay the start of the school day by two hours. By starting two hours later, this allows for streets, sidewalks and parking lots to be cleared and for rush hour traffic to be complete.

Elementary - 10:05 AM to 3:07 PM

Middle School - 10:00 AM to 3:10 PM

High School - 10:10 AM to 3:17 PM

Yes, transportation will be provided and stop times will be modified and will be running approximately two hours later to get students to school for the two-hour late start.

No, staff is not on duty and students are not permitted to enter the buildings before a designated time. Remember, the District will announce a late start to allow authorities and school personnel time to clear roads, sidewalks and parking lots for safe travel.

Before school and/or morning extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, and groups) will be canceled on late start days. After school activities will proceed as scheduled.

There will be no morning preschool on a late start day. Afternoon preschool will be scheduled as normal with normal transportation.

Yes, for students enrolled in the All-Star Kids program that have an enrollment category that includes morning care. The hours of operation will be 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM at all locations. Breakfast will be served around 9:45 AM.

Yes to both. A grab & go breakfast will be offered. Lunch will run at the similarly scheduled time. Check your building's website for the exact times.

No, Bennington Public Schools builds extra hours into the school calendar every year. Late starts will not significantly affect the District’s ability to schedule school days to meet the Nebraska Department of Education’s requirements.

Bennington Public Schools has updated our procedures for volunteers working with students. We truly value the time and talents our parents and caregivers share with our school community! If you plan to volunteer at school this year—whether in the classroom, at events, or on a field trip—please take a moment to review the new procedures. If you would like to volunteer, simply complete this application form, sign it, and return it to the school office where you hope to volunteer.

If you have filled out this form in the past and have already been approved, you’re all set—no need to complete it again. If you’re not sure of your status or have any questions, our office staff is happy to help. Just give the Bennington Elementary office a call at 402-238-2690.

To help keep our process safe and efficient, please review the following reminders:

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and the process running smoothly!

All information regarding upcoming Bennington community events, sports camps, and activities are posted on our district website, and shared through the weekly district newsletter, the Badger Update.

If you wish to have your event or activity shared, please click here to complete a google form. For questions, please contact the District Communications Coordinator, Stacy Hawn, at shawn@bennps.org.

The Bennington Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Students: Mr. Dan Bombeck, Director of Student Services, 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (dbombeck@bennps.org). Employees and Others: Dr. Matt Blomenkamp, Assistant Superintendent 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (mblomenkamp@bennps.org). Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education (OCR), please contact the OCR at 601 East 12th Street, Room 353, Kansas City, MO 64106, (800) 368-1019 (voice), Fax (816) 426-3686, (800) 537-7697 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.

The Bennington Public School District is committed to offering employment and educational opportunity to its employees and students in a climate free of discrimination. Accordingly, unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation of any kind by District employees, including, co-workers, non-employees (such as volunteers), third parties and others is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.