Welcome Back, Heritage Families!
What a great first week with our students! Our halls have been filled with smiles, laughter, and excitement as we welcomed everyone back to Heritage.
This week, we focused on getting to know our classmates and teachers while learning and practicing our school-wide expectations. Students participated in expectation rotations, where they visited various locations throughout the building and learned what it looks and sounds like to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in each space.
Our students have already shown us that they are ready to soar into an incredible school year! We are so proud of the positive energy, enthusiasm, and effort they have brought with them this week. What a wonderful start to Soaring to New Heights!
Take care,
Ms. Woodrich
Heritage Principal
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August
- Friday, August 21st - SNACK MILK CLOSES for the district @ 4:00; See section below
- Monday, August 24th - PTO Meeting @ 6pm
- Thursday, August 27th - Picture Day; more details below
September
- Friday, September 4th - Spirit Day!
- Monday, September 7th - No School (Labor Day)
- Wednesday, September 9th - Early Dismissal; 11:40 AM
- Thursday, September 10th - Evacuation Drill - more information to come
- Friday, September 25th - Fun Run
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This week's Heritage Hero is Addy! She helped a kindergarten student find their classroom. Thank you for being an amazing example at Heritage! |
- The elementary school day begins at 8:05 A.M.
- Students will be let in the building at 7:45 for breakfast.
- Students will be let in the building at 7:45 for clubs beginning after Labor Day.
- Walking Club and Reading Club begin August 24th.
- Supervision for students begins at 7:50 outside of the building. Please do not drop off prior to this time unless they are attending breakfast or a club at 7:45.
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ALL students will be let in the building at 8:00.
- K-1 will enter through the east side of the building. Grades 2-5 will enter through the main doors.
- The elementary school days ends at 3:07.
- Below is a map to help guide everyone for drop off and pick up.
Please refer to this map to know where to drop off and pick up students every school day. The parking spots are for any parents who would like to park in the front and walk up to get their child. If you are pulling up to get your child(ren) please stay in your vehicle and we will send all students to their appropriate cars. This makes our drop off and pick up more efficient for all.
If you have children that are in multiple grades we ask that they dismiss where the youngest sibling dismisses. For example, if you have a 4th, 2nd, and Kindergarten student. The 4th and 2nd grader will walk to the Kindergarten loop to dismiss with the younger sibling. Please also make sure to communicate this with the classroom teacher prior to the first day of school.
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If you child is going to be absent, arriving late, or leaving early, please notify the school by one of the following ways:
- Calling the front office at 402-238-2095
- Emailing your child's teacher AND Ms. Carissa (carissajohnson@bennps.org)
- "Report an Absence" on your ParentVue/Synergy account
If there is going to be a change in your child's normal transportation going home, please call the office or email Ms. Carissa (carissajohnson@bennps.org) PRIOR to 2:00pm.
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During the first few weeks of the school year, we are working really hard on learning our routines and procedures. We will be welcoming lunch visitors AFTER labor day so our students have time to get used to the routines. In the coming weeks, we will share the procedures for lunch visitors when they visit our cafeteria. Thank you for understanding! |
Students are invited to eat breakfast and lunch at school daily. Daily breakfast prices for the 2026-2027 school year will be $2.15. Breakfast will be served from 7:45 to 8:00 am daily. If your child eats breakfast, they will not have time for a morning club. For lunch, students can enjoy our cafeteria options or bring a lunch of their own. Daily lunch prices for the 2026-2027 school year will be $3.05. If your child brings a cold or “packed” lunch from home and gets milk from the school, their account will be charged only for the milk. |
The Free and Reduced Meal applications are now available for the 2026-27 school year. Applications need to be filled out every school year. Each family only needs to complete one application for their entire family.
Nebraska passed LB966 Hunger Free School Act. This new law is a five year pilot program that covers the household cost of student reduced-price meals. Thus, the price of a reduced-price meal this year is $0.00.
For assistance on how to apply online or to obtain a printed copy of the application, please call the District Office at 402-238-3044.
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Families also have the option to purchase semester snack milk for their students. The cost is $53.40. This is separate from our lunch program and can be paid online. Students can get another milk during their class "snack time". Please see the attached document for more information on snack milk prices. All payments for lunch and snack milk will be done at myschoolbucks.com. You can start ordering 1st semester snack milk Monday, August 3rd. Once you log in, go to the school store and look for the carton of milk. 1st semester snack milk will completely shut off for the district on Friday, August 21st @ 4:00 PM. You will no longer be able to purchase it; NO exceptions. |
PTO Memberships for 26-27 are available: You can now purchase your Membership for the 26-27 school year. We would love you to JOIN OUR TEAM and welcome all parents, guardians, AND staff to become members of the PTO. You can purchase your membership on the PTO website today or through the MySchoolBucks App. We are also excited to bring back our Membership drive. Simply complete all of the checklist items on the PTO Flyer and return to PTO for a chance to win a giftcard!! |
2026 FUN RUN Fundraiser: Be on the lookout for information on the FUN RUN Fundraising program on our Facebook page in August & September. This will detail the prizes, incentives and experiences that students will be eligible for this September. Fundraising will begin September 11th - 27th, 2026. More information to come! |
Get Your 26/27 Badger Gear: PTO is selling new apparel in our online store! New designs are available along with sizes for adults and kids, with plenty of different styles available. CLICK HERE to start shopping and don’t forget to list Heritage as your school as all proceeds and deliveries of items will go to Heritage! Sale ends Friday, August 21st at midnight.
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Ditch the Dishes at Jimmy Johns: Mark your calendars for our first Ditch the Dishes of the year on Wednesday, August 19th at Jimmy Johns (15601 Whiting Cir Bennington, NE) from 3-8pm. Heritage will receive 15% of ALL SALES from this event! |
Adopt the Lounge: Let’s STOCK THE LOUNGE for our Heritage Staff!! Our staff love snacks and drinks so let’s kick off the 26/27 school year with a fully stocked lounge! In August - we are asking our PTO membership to donate items. If you’d like to donate, please see our links below on how to donate.
1) The PTO created an Amazon Wishlist for easy purchase options which will be sent directly to the PTO. Just click and pay!
2) A SignUp Genius has been created if you prefer to shop while out and about. Click on the link HERE to purchase specific items for the lounge and then contact heritageptooutreach@gmail.com to coordinate a donation drop off. Thank you for helping to support our amazing Heritage staff!
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PTO Volunteer Shifts Available: Looking for ways to get involved at Heritage? PTO has plenty of volunteer shifts available that you can sign up for. These shifts can be done at school or on your own time, so pick what works best for you! Check out our Signup Genius link to learn about all of our volunteer opportunities. |
Baker’s/Kroger Partnership : We have been approved as a Community Rewards partner with Baker’s/Kroger Supermarkets! This is an exciting opportunity to exercise passive fundraising to funnel donations to Heritage. All you have to do is designate “Heritage Elementary PTO” (Org#: NU711) in the rewards section of your Shopper’s account - a portion of every transaction will be donated to Heritage on a quarterly basis! |
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.
If you have filled out a 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 office a call at 402-238-2095.
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The steps below outline what needs to happen before an individual can volunteer at any of our schools. Contact the school to discuss a volunteer opportunity.
Level I
- Level I volunteers are not required to complete a volunteer application form.
Level II
- Complete a volunteer application form and return it to the building Principal
- The building Principal will review the volunteer application and communicate with the volunteer applicant of the approval or denial of the request based on the application information and the volunteer's good standing with the district.
Level III
- Complete a volunteer application form and return it to the building Principal.
- The building Principal will review the volunteer application and submit the form to the District Office for a background check.
- The cost of the background check will be covered by the district.
- Complete the background check sent via email to the volunteer applicant by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
- Once received, click the link provided and the on-screen instructions will guide you through the background check process. This link will expire after 14 days.
- Please allow 2-3 weeks for the background check to be completed and results sent to the District.
- The building Principal will communicate with the volunteer applicant of the approval or denial of the request based on the application information, the volunteer's good standing with the district, and the results of the background check.
Volunteer activity can only begin AFTER the applicant receives an approval email from the building Principal and a Volunteer Level III background check is cleared. All volunteers must follow Bennington Public Schools guidelines regarding safe and responsible volunteerism.
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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.
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Notice of Non-Discrimination
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.
Title IX
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.
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