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Stratford Elementary School

Dream Big, Achieve Greatness, and Shine Bright

The Badger Update: October 23, 2026

Posted Date: 10/23/26 (03:27 PM)

Bennington Badgers Logo

The Badger Update

District Parent Communication Newsletter

October 23, 2026

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, November 9th
  • Board of Education Americanism Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
  • Board of Education Meeting, 6pm
Wednesday, November 11th
  • Veterans Day Program, 8:30am - Bennington Elementary
  • Early Dismissal Day
November 25th, 26th, & 27th
  • No School - Fall Break
View the 2026-27 School Calendar
School Times, Elementary: 8:05am - 3:07pm, Middle School: 8:00am - 3:10pm, High School: 8:10am - 3:17pm
 

Board of Education Update

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on November 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at the District Office. All meetings are open to the public. Regular meetings are streamed live through YouTube and viewable on the District website. Special meetings, where there are action items on the agenda, will also be streamed live. Agendas for Board of Education meetings are posted on the district website the Friday before each meeting. Click here to view agendas and minutes.
 

Shine Your Light Award

Recognize a BPS Staff Member!

Bennington Public Schools would like to recognize staff members throughout the year. Do you know a staff member that shines their light? Are they going above and beyond? Have they done something to help someone make their day better? Nominate them using the short form linked below.

Check out the list of staff members that have been recognized!
Congratulations to the staff members below that have been recognized by a colleague since the last week.

Amy Ackerman, Sherri Angermiller, Joy Bollig, Danielle Buchholz, Alayna Cade, Traci Duckworth, Sara Fay, Tatum Freeberg, Ben Gentry, Mary-Helen Hoppes, Kelsey Krayneski, Shannon Lehman, Elizabeth Loghry, Roxanne McGavran, Bobbi Jo Schram, Kelly Sund, Caitlin Suter, Caitlyn Suter, and Niki Thornton
Shine Your Light Nomination Form
 

Communication Update

We Want Your Feedback! Parent Climate and Culture Survey

Bennington Public Schools wants to hear from you! We encourage all parents to complete the Parent Climate and Culture Survey.

Your feedback helps us celebrate what's going well and identify opportunities for improvement at both the school and district levels. All survey responses are confidential, and your honest feedback is appreciated!


Please complete the survey by Friday, October 30, 2026. Thank you for helping us continue to make Bennington Public Schools a great place for students to learn and grow!
Parent Climate & Culture Survey
 

Save the Date

Veterans Day
 

Activities and Athletics

Watch Home Games on YouTube!
Football
Friday, October 23rd
  • 7pm - Varsity vs. Millard North at BHS
Saturday, October 24th
  • 10am - JV vs. Gretna East at BHS
Friday, October 30th
  • 7pm - Varsity - Round One of Playoffs
  • Opponent and Location TBD

Volleyball
Tuesday, October 27th
  • 6pm - Varsity Districts at Millard North

Unified Bowling
Tuesday, October 27th
  • 1pm - Varsity Triangular at Maplewood Lanes

Quiz Bowl
Saturday, October 31st
  • Quiz Bowl Invite at Ralston High School

Vocal Music
Thursday, October 29th
  • 7pm - Vocal Music Concert at BHS

Marching Band
Saturday, October 24th
  • NSBA State Marching Band Competition at Seacrest Field, Time TBD
Full Calendar for All Events
 

Community Youth Activities

BHS Badger Boo
Bennington Public Library - Freaky Fun Friday

Bennington Public Library

Freaky Fun Friday Halloween Party
October 30th
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Bennington Library

Costumes Encouraged!
Fun & games for all ages!

Girl Scouts - My Guy & I Enchanted Ball

Girl Scouts

My Guy & I Enchanted Ball
November 7, 2026
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bennington Elementary Gym

Girls of all ages - bring your dad, grandpa, ungle, big brother, or any male role model who's made a difference in your life. This night is all about celebrating those special bonds!

Registration
$7 online or $10 at the door per person

Bennington Public Library

Meet Professor SKO, Rusty and Sparky!

Join Us November 8th for an out-of-this world afternoon of LEGO creations, space exploration, and fun!

November 8th
3:30 - 4:30pm
Bennington Library

What's Happening?
Lego Space Challenge!
Meet the Robots!
Photo Opportunities!

Space is for everyone. Come explore with us!

Aim for the Stars - Winter Break STEM Camps

WINTER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN!
Sphero Robotics for 3rd Grade:
Calling all aspiring roboticists! 🤖💻 Learn how to code robots and put your programming skills to the test with daily challenges using Sphero robots.

Astronomical Adventures for 4th-5th Grades:
Blast off into an out-of-this-world adventure! 🚀 Explore the planets, stars, and moons at the Mallory Kountze Planetarium at UNO, then design and create your own glow-in-the-dark galaxy T-shirt.

Vex Robotics I for 6th-8th Grades:
Build it. Code it. Compete! 🤖🏆 This camp is part engineering lab and part competition, where teamwork and creativity come together to solve exciting robotics challenges.

Camp will be December 28-31, pro-rated to $220.00 for 4 days
Camp is from 8:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday


402-554-4999

Bennington Basketball Association

Register for the Bennington Basketball Association's K-4 Development Program. This program focuses on teaching and developing the basic fundamentals of basketball through skill work, practice and games.

Registration Closes October 16th

Who: Boys & Girls grades Kindergarten thru 4th 
Dates:
  • November 7, 14, 21 - Skills Clinics
  • December 5, 12, 19 - Team Practice & Exhibition Games
  • January 16, 23, 30 & February 6, 13, 20 - Games
BHS Dance Team - Top Golf Tournament

BHS Dance Team - Top Golf Tournament

Join the BHS Dance Team for a Topgolf Tournament as they raise money for UDA Nationals! Come golf, eat, have fun, and support the team.

Saturday, December 5
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Topgolf Omaha, 908 N. 102nd St.

Tickets:
$60 per player
$300 per team of 6
$30 spectator

Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just looking for a fun day with friends, everyone is welcome! Click here to register, purchase spectator tickets.

The Dance Team is also looking for event sponsors, with donor levels available at $500, $1,000, and $2,000. Click here to become a donor. 

Help send the Bennington High School Dance Team to UDA Nationals! 💙
Bennington Basketball Association

Bennington Basketball Association

The BBA K-4th Grade Badger Developmental League is a recreational-based program designed to introduce the game of basketball for participants. The program focuses on teaching and developing basic fundamental skills, learning and understanding team concepts all while having fun learning the values of being part of a team and displaying good sportsmanship. Heavy focus on individual and team skill development in November and December 2026 with games being played in January & February 2027. 

Who: Kindergarten thru 4th grade boys & girls
Dates: November 2026 thru February 2027
Cost: $350 for each player (includes a ball, bag and jersey top) **Discounts available is using gear from previous year
Supernova's Ad - Information Below

Omaha Supernovas: Rising Star Kids Club

Have young Omaha Supernovas fans at home?

The Rising Star Kids Club is back for children 12 and under! Membership includes an official club t-shirt, ticket vouchers to Kids Club matches, an invitation to an exclusive Kids Club Party with the players, and more—making it a memorable experience for the whole family.

Bennington Campus Life: Information Below

Bennington Campus Life

Bennington Clubs:
  • BSMS Thursdays at 7am in the BSMS aux gym starting Sept 3rd.
  • BMS Fridays at 7am in the BMS aux gym starting Sept 4th.
  • BHS Mondays at 7pm in the BHS auditorium commons starting Sept 14th. 

Contact Gina Lindsey for Questions
gina@goyfc.org or 402-614-2158
Bennington Soccer Club - 2026 Goalie Academy

Bennington Soccer Club - 2026 Goalie Academy

BENSC is hosting our yearly Goalie Academy for all 9U - 19U players interested in improving their goalie skills in the off season. 

There will be 4 training sessions held at Anchor Pointe Gym. 

Bennington Soccer Club - 2027 Winter Academy

Bennington Soccer Club - 2027 Winter Academy

BENSC's Winter Academy is open to all 7U - 13U players looking to improve their technical skills in the off season.  

The camp will include 4 training sessions held at Bennington Elementary.  

 

Community Resources

The Community Resources page on the BPS website shares information about local programs available to help families with food sustainability and other essential needs. From food pantries and meal assistance to community outreach efforts, these resources are here to help families have access to what they need.
Explore available resources

School Year Food Bag Program Available for BPS Families

As the new school year begins, the School Year Food Bag Program will continue providing weekend food support for BPS students and families in need. Bag pickup is at St. John’s, with pickup available Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Families interested in participating can complete the registration form here.

The Food Bag Program is supported through a partnership between the Bennington Public Schools Foundation, Bennington Community Food Pantry, and Bennington Women’s Club. 
School Year Food Bag Program
Bennington Community Food Pantry
COPE

Hope 402

Hope 402 provides approximately three days of groceries to families who need additional food assistance. There are no income guidelines or the requirement to provide proof of hardship. 

Current walk-in pantry hours are:
Tuesday: 4:00–6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30–11:30 AM

Pantry location:

For families who cannot visit the pantry, scheduled delivery is also available. Bennington deliveries are made Tuesday evenings following pantry hours.

Families may call or text Hope 402 at 402-505-1995. When requesting assistance, please include:
  • Address
  • Household size
  • Ages of any children
  • Food allergies or dietary restrictions
  • Whether pickup or delivery is needed

Food assistance and scheduling are based on available pantry supplies and delivery capacity.
 

Contact Us

 
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.