1/21/22
Dear Parents & Guardians,
COVID-19 continues to persist and affect everyday life for many of us. Positive cases at Benson Schools roller coaster from higher cases to low cases. Fortunately, and credit to our staff and substitute teachers, no change in learning plan has had to be made due to staffing shortages.
The purpose of this email is to inform families that Benson Schools will discontinue sending individual notifications for a close contact at school. Feedback from many families is that they are tired of being informed, with a number of families receiving five or more notifications of close contacts this year. As a result some families no longer open correspondence from the school thinking it is another close contact notification.
Benson Schools asks that families continue to complete a personal health screening each morning. Please stay home if a child(ren) is ill and get tested. The District has provided home test kits and now the federal government is sending out free COVID test kits to families. Log on to COVIDtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 to order free COVID test kits.
Benson Schools continues to prioritize in-person learning for our students. It is best for students learning and mental health to be in school where they have access to meals, caring staff, and get to interact with peers.
Once again, Benson Schools will no longer be sending individual notification for a close contact at school. Families are urged to keep students home when sick, get tested, and get vaccinated if possible.
Thank you for your help as we all get through this together.
Dennis Laumeyer
11/9/21
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This is another COVID-19 update to make sure everyone is up-to-date on numbers at Benson Schools and Swift County. The area is currently on an upswing. Swift County currently has 114 active cases. Benson Schools currently has 15 active cases. Benson Schools has been in session for 45 days. To this point, six staff members have tested positive and 57 students have tested positive for COVID-19. Please do morning health checks and keep students home when they are ill. Eligible students are encourage to get vaccinated. An email was sent to families of children ages 5-11 about vaccination opportunities at the Swift County-Benson Hospital. Thank you for your continued support as we continue to work to keep students safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Dennis Laumeyer
10-25-21
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This email is a COVID-19 update so everyone is current on where active cases are in Swift County and Benson Schools. Swift County has 51 active COVID-19 cases. Benson Schools currently has 12 active cases. To date, 32 students have tested positive. Five staff members have tested positive. There seems to be colds and other illnesses going around the county at this time as well. Please keep children home if they are ill and contact the school nurse if there are any questions. Benson Schools will continue to monitor COVID-19 school, county, and state data.
In addition, Benson Schools has received some BinaxNOW at Home test kits. Parents/Guardians may call the school nurse to request a BinaxNOW test kit to test at home. If a child is symptomatic, the parent/guardian may administer the test at home. Two tests must be administered at least 24 hours apart. included in this email is the procedure for BinaxNOW testing and form to be sent back with the child. Please contact School Nurses Julie (NS) or Amanda (BHS) at 320-843-2710 to request a test kit or ask questions.
Finally, it sounds like the FDA is close to approving the COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5-11. Information will be coming from the Benson Clinic regarding vaccination opportunities for those parents/guardians interested in having their child get a COVID-19 vaccination.
BinaxNOW at Home Test Procedure.pdf
BinaxNOW Test Result Form.pdf
Thank you for your partnering with the school to keep students safe. Together we will continue to get through this.
Sincerely,
Dennis Laumeyer
10-6-21
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is a COVID-19 update. Benson Schools has been in session 26 days. As of today, 10/6/21 two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 (during workshop days) and 17 students have tested positive. Benson Schools continues to follow COVID-19 protocols and mitigation strategies.
This is a reminder to do morning health screenings and, most importantly, stay home when sick! It is understood that it is allergy season and other things going around, however with COVID still present, it is better to error on the side of caution. In addition, please call the school if any household members test positive for COVID-19. Thank you for following this guidance. Together we can keep students as safe as possible.
Anyone who is eligible is encouraged to get vaccinated. The District strongly encourages identified close contacts who remain in school to wear a mask.
Thank you for all of your help in this matter!
Sincerely,
Dennis Laumeyer
Meal Sign Up Information
The school is offering a childcare program at Northside Elementary for elementary-age children of health care professionals, first responders and other emergency workers that need childcare. Contact the Northside Office should you need this service for your child(ren) and complete the form below to register.
Childcare Registration for Emergency Closure