FAQs About Benjamin
Frequently Asked Questions about Benjamin Elementary School
When does school start and end?
A student day is from 7:45am until 2:30pm. Students may arrive at school at 7:25am, but not before as there is no supervision. At 7:40am, the opening bell will ring and students will go to their classrooms to begin the day. Please make sure students are at school by 7:40am at the latest.
Where do I drop off my child?
You will drop your child off in the front of the school. Only busses are allowed in the back. Please pull your vehicle all the way forward in the red zone. The red zone is the red curb in the front of the school. There will be staff members waving you forward in order to keep the line moving. Please do not exit your vehicle. Please prepare students to be ready to exit the car in the morning when dropping off in order to keep the line moving. Your child needs to exit on the passenger side.
*If you need to exit your vehicle to assist your student, please park in our lot. Please use the crosswalk and do not walk through traffic. A staff member will help stop traffic to allow you to cross.
How do I pick my child up?
Pick up is from 2:30-2:45. Please display a sign on your passenger side window with your student's name and class code. For example, Megan Bozarth 1A. Please pull your vehicle all the way forward in the red zone. There will be staff members waving you forward in order to keep the line moving. Please do not exit your vehicle.
When is the best way to contact a my child's teacher?
To limit classroom interruptions, it is best to contact your student(s) teacher via email. Email addresses can be found on the staff directory pages on the Benjamin website. If you need to relay a change in pickup plans for your student, please call the Benjamin office at 309-557-4410 and notify the office staff, as the teacher may not have the opportunity to check their email during the school day.
Who do I call to report that my child will be absent?
Benjamin Elementary has an attendance hotline (309-557-4459). Any time students cannot attend school, their parents or guardians must call the school attendance hotline before 8:00am to report the reason for the absence. The hotline is available for use 24 hours a day. Sick children should not be at school. Do not send children to school if they have a fever, recently vomited, have diarrhea, a rash, signs of respiratory infection, infectious disease, head lice, or any illness that may be transferred to other students. Students must be free of any illness for 24 hours without medication prior to returning to school.
Whom do I see about medical information pertaining to my child?
The school nurse should be given necessary medical information at registration or on a need-to-know basis. Please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Reichard at reichak@unit5.org.
When is the physical exam and vaccination information due?
All students entering Kindergarten are required to provide a physical exam and vaccination information BEFORE the first day of school. Students entering first through fifth grade are encouraged to contact our nurse, Mrs. Reichard to discuss required medical information.
Under what weather conditions do the students have indoor recess?
Generally, students will be outside for recess unless it is raining or the temperature (including wind chill) is 20° F or lower. We follow the Child Care Weather Watch Chart when determining inside/outside recess.
How much does a school lunch cost?
The cost for a student lunch is $2.65 and breakfast costs $1.75. White or chocolate milk can be purchased for $.55 for those eating cold lunch. Milk is NOT free or reduced when students bring a cold lunch.
What should I do when my child needs lunch money?
You may make food service payments online via your Infinite Campus parent portal. Information about food service accounts may be found HERE. You may also send money in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and teacher on it and have them deliver it to the office.
What time do students eat lunch and recess?
TBD
What times do the bells ring and for what reason?
Our bell schedule is as follows:
7:25am - Students may enter the building/Morning supervision begins
7:40am - Students released to classrooms
7:45am - School begins
2:30pm - Dismissal
What should I do if I have to pick up my child early or during school hours?
Please notify your student(s) teacher of any late arrival or early dismissal. Please also leave a message on the attendance line at 309-557-4459. Students who leave during the school day are to be picked up from the office and checked out by office staff. Please ring the bell to speak to the office to let them know you have arrived to pick up your student.
When are students dismissed?
Students are dismissed at 2:30pm.
Do you provide after-school care at Benjamin?
Scribbles will be providing our after care for the 2023-2024 school year. Please check out their website for more information.
Can my child ride the bus home with a friend?
Parents should call transportation at 309-557-4287 for approval. Once transportation has approved your child to ride a bus, parents should write a note or send an email giving their child permission. This note must be turned into your child's teacher. This is only to be done on occasion and not something that will be allowed on a day-to-day basis.