Benchmark Parents Association (BPA)

               BPA Letter
Welcome to the Benchmark Parents Association (BPA)
2011-2012 Academic Year!
We look forward to another successful and fulfilling year at Benchmark and hope you will join us.  Recently, you were notified of parent forms on the website for the 2011-2012 school year, including medical forms, the school calendar, and other valuable information.  The enclosed materials are supplements to that mailing and provide information on the Benchmark Parents Association and the many programs and activities we provide and host during the year. 
As parents and guardians of students at Benchmark, we are all members of the BPA!  We actively work as a team with the faculty and staff of Benchmark on events, activities, and committees of the BPA to:
● enrich the students’ experience at Benchmark
● provide support to the school as needed, and
● build the Benchmark Community. 
The BPA relies on each of you to accomplish these goals.  There is a task for every talent and the time commitments vary.  If you have a special talent that you would like to share with us, that is always welcome.  I have found the time and energy spent volunteering at Benchmark to be rewarding, but also a fabulous way to meet other parents who share a common bond - special learners.  By giving your time you will be rewarded with new friends, new contacts, and a great sense of community.  Please remember the commitment you have made to Benchmark School when completing and returning the enclosed volunteer form.  Your involvement is fundamental to our programs and goals, and very much appreciated. 
As mentioned earlier, information on the lunch program and a sign-up sheet are enclosed.  Please note that Benchmark does not provide a formal school lunch program.  The BPA arranges for outside vendors to provide lunch three days of the week as a convenience to families. However this is initiated at the beginning of the year, so it is important to review and return this information prior to the deadline noted on the form.  Before you sign up for the year, please read through the detailed information “About the Benchmark Lunch Program.”  Once the program begins there are no changes, cancellations, or refunds, so please review the information carefully.  We encourage you to take your child to lunch at the various vendors to see if they like our choices and will be happy with the lunch selection.
Look for more information on BPA events, including the BPA newsletter in the Wednesday Announcements emailed to you every week from the school.  Some of the key events during the first few weeks of school are:  the Fall Ice Cream Social and the combined Class Cocktail Parties.  As part of our Parent/Guardian Community Development program, cocktail parties for groups of 2-3 Lower School classes and for the Middle School are held at the homes of Benchmark families.  This is a great way to welcome new families and to provide a social opportunity for veteran families, in a fun relaxed setting. 
To close, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me, or any member of the BPA Board.  Welcome to the beginning of a new school year, and I look forward to getting to know you and working hand in hand to make the year a success! 

Marina Lesser
President
Benchmark Parents Association