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Bennington Public Schools

Developing a community of learners!

The Badger Update: November 21, 2025

Posted Date: 11/21/25 (3:05 PM)

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The Badger Update

District Parent Communication Newsletter

November 21, 2025

Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, November 26th - Friday, November 28th
  • No School, Fall Break
Monday, December 8th
  • Board of Education Meeting, 6pm
Wednesday, December 10th
  • Early Dismissal Day
  • Elementary: 11:40, Middle: 11:50, High: 12:00
Friday, December 19th
  • End of 1st Semester - Early Dismissal Day
  • Elementary: 11:40, Middle: 11:50, High: 12:00
December 22nd - January 2nd
  • Winter Break
Monday, January 5th
  • No School - Staff Inservice Day
Tuesday, January 6th
  • First Day of 2nd Semester
Icon image of a calendar
View the 2025-26 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 December 8, 2025, 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, parent, or student since the last newsletter.

Codi Burnham, Leah Christiansen, Don Combs, Kaitlin Duncan, Brandi Eby, Lilly Engeman, Kelly Gowen, Shay Hanson, Jennie Heese, Scott Heese, Marissa Hoff, Nick Hoff, Caden Hurt, Taylor Jensby, Sara Jorgensen, Carrie Laughlin, Kirsten Lichty, Makenzie Limbach, Rob Loptin, Anna Lukehart, Haley McFadden, Kim Mitchell, Millie Mitchell, Stephanie O'Callaghan, Danielle Robb, Andrea Salic, Tyler Stender, Jay Thayer, Cassandra Vallis, Katharine Wilson, and Kylie Woolery
Shine Your Light Nomination Form
 

BPS Transportation Update

2025–26 Transportation Billing Update

The 2025–26 Transportation Billing Notice is attached for your review. If your student uses district transportation, you should have also received an email with this information. Transportation fees have been assigned in MySchoolBucks, where families can log in to view invoices and make payments. The attached document includes billing details, payment options, and answers to common questions. If you have any concerns about your invoice, the Transportation Office is available to help.
 

Activities and Athletics

Watch home games on YouTube!
One Act
Tuesday, November 25th
  • 2pm - EMC Conference Competition at Elkhorn HS
Saturday, December 6th
  • 8:30am - District Competition at Gretna HS
Unified Bowling
Tuesday, November 25th
  • 4pm - Varsity Dual at Maplewood Lanes Bowling Alley
Wednesday, December 3rd
  • 1pm - Varsity Districts at Lucky Strike in Elkhorn
Girls Basketball
Saturday, November 29th
  • 1pm - Varsity Jamboree vs. Papillion La Vista South HS at BHS
Thursday, December 4th
  • 5:45pm - Varsity at Wahoo HS
  • 7:15pm - JV at Wahoo HS
Friday, December 5th
  • 6pm - JV vs. Crete at BHS
  • 7:30pm - Varsity vs. Crete at BHS
Boys Basketball
Saturday, November 29th
  • 2:30pm - Varsity Jamboree vs. Papillion La Vista South HS at BHS
Thursday, December 4th
  • 5:45pm - JV at Wahoo HS
  • 7:15pm - Varsity at Wahoo HS
Friday, December 5th
  • 6pm - Varsity vs. Crete at BHS
  • 7:30pm - JV vs. Crete at BHS
Wrestling
Tuesday, December 2nd
  • 6:30pm - JV & Varsity Scrimmage at BHS
Saturday, December 6th
  • 10am - Varsity Invitational at BHS
Girls Wrestling
Tuesday, December 2nd
  • 7pm - 9/JV/Varsity Scrimmage at BHS
Saturday, December 6th
  • 10am - 9/JV/Varsity Invitational at BHS
MS Band

Sounds of the Season

A concert featuring the combined BMS and BSMS Bands in the gym at Bennington South Middle School

Tuesday, December 16, 2025
  • 5:30 p.m. - 6th Grade Band
  • 6:45 p.m. - 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, and Jazz Band
MS Choir

Songs of Snow and Light

A concert featuring the combined BMS and BSMS Choirs in the gym at Bennington South Middle School

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 5 p.m.
  • 6th Grade Choir
  • 7th Grade Choir
  • 8th Grade Choir
  • Harmony in Blue (Acapella Ensemble)
Full Calendar for All Events
 

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
Bennington Community Food Pantry
COPE
 

Community Activities

Craft Fair
BCF - Santa Claus

Community Youth Actvities

Trip to Europe for Class of 2028 Graduates

Mrs. Johnson is planning a TRIP TO EUROPE for all Sophomores students graduating in 2028! The trip will be 14 days and include 5 countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. It will depart as soon as school is out for the summer in 2028. 

There will be an INFORMATIONAL PARENT MEETING in January. Watch the newsletter for more information. Attend with your parents so that you have all of the information about travel, safety and the entire adventure!  

Also, visit our exclusive website for more information or to sign up: www.bluedottours.com/Johnson-8Y73
BBA Flyer

Bennington Basketball Association

School's Out Winter Specialty Basketball Clinics
December 29th, 30th, and 31st
UPT Bank & Trust Sports Complex (South Building)
702 N 210th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022

The More You Play, The Less You Pay!
December 29th
  • 9:30am - 12pm - Pure Shooting
  • 1pm - 3:30pm - Master Handles
December 30th
  • 9:30am - 12pm - Scoring & Finishing Moves
  • 1pm - 3:30pm - Games & Contests
December 31st
  • 9:30am - 12pm - The Art of Shooting

Open to All 1st through 8th Grade Boys and Girls
Players from All Programs!

Cost:
1 Session = $60
2 Sessions = $115
3 Sessions = $165
4 Sessions = $210
5 Sessions = $240

Register Now through December 27th at 10 p.m.
Bennington Soccer Club

Bennington Soccer Club

Winter Academy

Players will work on their foot skills, passing and shooting. Instructors from UNO, Creighton and BENSC will be on site to work help train the players.

For ages 7U-13U
$125 per person
January 17th, 24th, 31st, & February 7th
at Bennington Elementary

More information & to Register: https://www.benningtonsoccer.org/winter-academy
Bennington Cub Scouts Flyer

Join Cub Scouts!

Cub Scout Pack 13 is for Boys & Girls in Grades K-5
  • The Pack is made up of 6 Dens (1 for each grade)
  • There is usually 1 Pack activity (on Saturday afternoons) and 2 Den activities per month.

Cost: Pay $150 in dues, plus sell a minimum of $300 in popcorn for 1st-5th graders.

Check out our website: www.pack13cubscouts.com

Email us for info or to join: pack13bennington@gmail.com
2026 Youth Summer Kickball League

2026 Youth Summer Kickball League

Saturday Afternoons
June 6th thru Aug. 15th
Seymour Smith Park

5 Boys and 5 Girls per team
Ages 9 thru 17 (3 Divisions) 

Bennington Public Library

Bennington Public Library

Have you ever wondered… What does it feel like to ride the runners behind a team of dogs, steering a loaded sled through mountainous terrain, crossing the vast Alaskan tundra, hugging the shoreline of the great Bering Sea? What does it take to care for a team of Alaskan huskies? Could my dog be a sled dog, too?

Musher, Karen Land, will cover these subjects and more when she and Sophia, the Alaskan husky, visit our library on Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 AM. This event is open to and appropriate for all ages.

BBA

Bennington Basketball Association

K-4 Developmental League

Who: Kindergarten -4th grade, boys & girls
Cost: $250 for each player (includes a ball and jersey top)
**If you use a jersey from last year, you can save $25 off the cost

Skills Clinics: November 8th, 15th, 22nd
Team Practice/Exhibition Games: December 6th, 13th, 20th
Games: January 17th, 24th, 31st, February 7th, 14th, 21st

Register online at
Omaha Parks
 

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.