Monday, May 11th
- Board of Education Meeting, 6pm
Sunday, May 17th
Friday, May 22nd
- Last Day of School, Early Staggered Dismissal
- Elementary: 11:40, Middle: 11:50, High: 12:00
Monday, May 25th
Monday, June 1st
- Board of Education Budget Retreat, 5:30pm
Monday, June 8th
- K-12 Math Curriculum Material Adoption Preview, 4-5pm
- Board of Education Committee on American Civics, 5:30pm
- Board of Education Meeting, 6pm
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The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on May 11, 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.
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Highway 36 will be closed from 132nd Street east to Blair High Road beginning Monday, May 11. The closure is expected to last approximately 90 days. Suggested alternate routes include:
- Hwy 36 to 132nd Street, north to Pawnee Road, then east to Blair High Road
- Bennington Road to 138th Street, south to Rainwood Road, then east to Blair High Road
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Douglas County has shared that the planned improvements to the 156th & State Street intersection have been delayed until 2027 due to an MUD water main in the area. The intersection is currently scheduled to close after Memorial Day 2027, with a partial reopening anticipated in mid-August and full completion expected 45 to 60 days later. Planned improvements include a traffic signal along with dedicated left- and right-turn lanes. |
Bennington Middle School had an incredible showing at the Nebraska State National History Day Contest held April 25 at Nebraska Wesleyan University. BMS had 11 students compete with 8 projects, and an impressive 8 students representing 6 projects qualified to advance to the National History Day Contest this June in College Park, Maryland.
In addition, Mrs. Diegel was recognized as Nebraska’s National History Day Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all of these students and to Mrs. Diegel on an outstanding accomplishment! #WeAreBPS
National Qualifiers and Awards
🥇Payton Combes and Valeriya Bridgeford
1st Place, Junior Group Performance
Making their Mark: The Women Who Mapped the World
🥇Luke Backhuus
1st Place, Junior Individual Website
Ink that Changed the World: The Revolution of the Gutenberg Press
🥇Makenzie Jacobs
1st Place, Junior Individual Exhibit
A Medical Revolution: The First Organ Transplant
🥈Layne Winkel
2nd Place, Junior Individual Website
Honorable Mention, NebraskaLand Nebraska History Award
Bad Acts, Bad Paper: The Ponca Treaty and the Road to Reform
🥈Amiyah Digilio White and Madeline Uggen
2nd Place, Junior Group Exhibit
The Author Who Rewrote Himself
🥈Evelyn Olson
2nd Place, Junior Individual Exhibit
Dada: A Revolution in Nonsense
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A team of three Bennington South Middle School students, Mitchell Krogstrand, Clinton Peterson, and Drexton Bader, competed against schools across Nebraska in the fall 2025 middle school division of the Nebraska Stock Market Game.
Over a six week timeframe, students started with a hypothetical $100,000 to build a stock market portfolio, with final portfolio values determining team rankings. This BSMS team earned 2nd place overall in the middle school division with a final portfolio value of $106,478.
BPS had three teams place in the top 10 statewide for the middle school division:
- 2nd Place – $106,478
- 6th Place – $104,362
- 10th Place – $103,700
The Stock Market Game is a program of the SIFMA Foundation and is an online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students in grades 4-12 in economics, investing, and personal finance. #WeAreBPS
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Bennington Middle School students Jenna Murray and Tessa Ehlers represented our research program at the state level and stood out among some of the top young scientists in Nebraska. Both students were named State Winners, an outstanding accomplishment as they were 2 of only 10 students recognized across the entire state.
🏅Tessa Ehlers earned:
- $100 award from Nucor Corporation
- An additional $2,500 scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
🏅Jenna Murray earned:
- $100 award from Ward’s Laboratories in Kearney
- The American Physiological Association Award
Jenna will also advance to compete at the national level in the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge. #WeAreBPS
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As testing season wrapped up, students at Stratford Elementary had the opportunity to participate in a “Stress Less Fest” focused on relaxing, recharging, and having fun.
A variety of activities were offered throughout the building, allowing students to choose how they wanted to spend their time and move freely between locations during the half day. The event gave students a chance to celebrate the completion of testing season. #WeAreBPS
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Monday we celebrated our school nutrition staff who play an important role in each school day, helping ensure students are ready to learn. Thank you for your dedication, kindness, and the work you do behind the scenes and in our cafeterias. We are grateful for you! #WeAreBPS |
Tuesday we celebrated the teachers of Bennington Public Schools who inspire, support, and make a difference for students each and every day. Thank you for your dedication, care, and the impact you have in our classrooms. We appreciate all that you do! #WeAreBPS |
Wednesday we recognized our school nurses for the care, support, and expertise they provide to our students and staff each day. Thank you for the important role you play in keeping our schools healthy and safe. We appreciate all that you do! #WeAreBPS |
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 since the last newsletter.
Hallie Biehler, Dave Burgers, Abigail Carr, Jennifer Flynn, Steph Gillespie, Taylor Giroux, Taryn Hailey, Dawn Kucera, Kelly Lum, Brendon Lyon, Erin McCune, Sarah Misfeldt, Kiley Plourde, Tricia Powell, Hayden Rucker, and Matt Wilson
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Friday, May 8th
Thursday, May 14th - Tuesday, May 19th
- Varsity State Tournament at Morrison Stadium (Creighton University)
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Monday, May 11th
- 12:30pm - Varsity Quad at Indian Creek Golf Course
Tuesday, May 12th
- 9am - JV Invitational at River Wilds Golf Course
Thursday, May 14th
- 9am - Varsity Invitational at Northridge Country Club
Monday, May 18th & Tuesday, May 19th
- 9am - Varsity District Tournament at River Wilds Golf Course
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Tuesday, May 12th
- Varsity District Meet at Elkhorn HS
Wednesday, May 13th
- 2:30pm - Unified District Meet at BHS
Wednesday, May 20th
- Varsity State Meet at Omaha Burke HS
Thursday, May 21st
- Varsity State Meet at Omaha Burke HS
- Unified State Meet at Omaha Burke HS
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Monday, May 11th
- 8am - Varsity EMC Tournament at Woods Tennis Center
Tuesday, May 12th
- 4pm - Varsity Dual at Skutt Catholic HS
- 4pm - JV Dual vs. Skutt Catholic at BHS
Thursday, May 14th
- 9am - Varsity Invitational at Woods Tennis Center
Tuesday, May 26th & Wednesday, May 27th
- 8am - Varsity State Tournament at Woods Tennis Center
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Friday, May 8th
Saturday, May 9th
Saturday, May 16th - Friday, May 22nd
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Camps available in Boys/Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Soccer, Softball, Football, Volleyball, Girls/Boys Wrestling, Cheer, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Golf, and Track & Field.
*Use the grade the child will be in for the next school year.
**Please double check that you are signed up for the correct sports AND grade.
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Coach Luke Olson & BBB Staff
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- $55
Grades K-2
Location: Bennington South Middle School
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*May 10th Deadline to get a t-shirt
**You do not to bring a basketball.
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Coach John O'Connor & GBB Staff
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- $55
Grades 6-8
Location: Bennington Middle School
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*May 10th Deadline to get a t-shirt
**You do not to bring a basketball.
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Coach Nick Nyman & BBS Staff
Grades K-4
Grades 5-8
Location: Bennington High School Stadium
*May 5th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coach Ed Anibal & GSO Staff
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Location: Bennington High School Stadium
*May 5th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Dates: June 29-30
Coach Kam Lenhart & FB Staff
Grades 3-4
Location: BHS Stadium
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*June 15th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Dates: July 6-7
Coach Kam Lenhart & FB Staff
Grades 5-6
Location: BHS Stadium
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*June 15th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Dates: July 14-16
Coach Kam Lenhart & FB Staff
Grades 7-8
Location: BHS Stadium
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*June 15th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coach Sami Hansen & VB Staff
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Location: BHS Gymnasiums
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*May 12th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coach Landon Blanchard & SB Staff
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Location: BHS Softball Field
*Bring your bat and glove
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*May 10th Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coach Kristen McCrillis & BHS Cheer Squads
Grades Pre K - 5
Choose ONE Session:
- Morning: 9 - 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon: 12:30 - 3 p.m.
Location: BHS Auxiliary Gym
Performance in the park that evening at the BBQ picnic.
*May 27 Deadline to get a t-shirt and bow
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Dates: June 15-16
*All wrestlers, boys and girls, are welcome
Location: BHS Wrestling Room
*June 1st Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Dates: June 9-11
*All wrestlers, boys and girls, are welcome
Location: BHS Wrestling Room
*June 1st Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coaches Justin Horner & Jocelyn Suing & T&F Staff
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Location: BHS Stadium - Track
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*June 1 Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Boys & Girls Tennis
Coaches Jennifer Christensen & Lance Sindelar & Tennis Staff/Players
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
*Players need to bring their own racquet
Location: BHS Tennis Courts
Walk-up Registrations are welcome - you may not receive a t-shirt.
*May 10 Deadline to get a t-shirt
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Coaches Craig Nichols & Ben Deines
Stone Creek Director of Instruction - Drake Lundeen PGA
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Location: Stone Creek Golf Course
*Must bring Golf Clubs
**No makeup dates for the clinic
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Coaches Craig Nichols & Ben Deines
Stone Creek Director of Instruction - Drake Lundeen PGA
Grades 6-8
Location: Stone Creek Golf Course
*Must be a "Youth on Course" member and bring Golf Clubs
**No makeup dates for the clinic
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Do you have a student ready to start Kindergarten in August 2026? Bennington Public Schools is currently accepting registrations for any incoming Kindergarten students. If your child will be eligible for Kindergarten (age 5 by July 31, 2026) please visit our district website www.benningtonschools.org and click on "Enroll a Student" to register for the upcoming school year, and be sure to select the 2026-2027 school year.
Determining the enrollment for the next year is important for future staff planning. Completing registration also ensures that you receive communication regarding kindergarten.
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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. |
The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program provides no-cost meals to children ages 1- 18 years at approved locations across the state.
*Please note: The Nebraska SFSP sites will be available in the Summer Meals Site Finder after NDE approves site locations, which will be on approximately May 26, 2026.
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Summer EBT (SEBT) provides grocery purchasing funds on EBT cards to households with school aged children who qualify for free or reduced price school meals. These funds can help families cover the cost of food during the summer months when school meals are not available.
Most eligible children are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT, but some will need to apply.
Check to see if you need to apply today at https://bit.ly/4tB6zuz
Have questions or need extra support?
Visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx or call 800-383-4278 (select option 5).
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Artists From Around the World
Location: Bennington South Middle School Art Room
June 1st-June 5th
- Session 1 Kdg-2nd: 8:00am-9:30am
- Session 2 3rd-5th: 10:00am-12:00pm
June 8th-June 12th
- Session 3 Kdg-2nd: 8:00am-9:30Am
- Session 4 3rd-5th: 10:00am-12:00pm
- Session 5 6th-8th: 1:00pm-3:30pm
- Save $20 for early bird sign-up! Sign up by May 15th.
Cost:
- Kit Camp Kindergarten-2nd grade $120.00
- Badgers 3rd-5th grade $145
- Teen Badgers 6th-8th grade $165
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Keep learning close to home this summer. Our In Your Neighborhood Camps are for kids ages 5 to 11 and are available at multiple locations throughout the metro area. These camps build curiosity, life skills and confidence while exploring engaging, fun topics.
Some of these exciting programs are Kitchen Chemists, LEGO® Engineering and Mini Med School.
Free STEM events are also available on Fridays at select locations.
Bennington Elementary School
June 29-July 2
Registration
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Unearth Books: Annual Book Sale
*Sponsored by The Friends of the Bennington Library
- June 4 & 5, 10AM - 7PM
- June 6, 9AM - 3PM
Unearth A Story: Summer Reading
June 1 - July 30
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Mike Trader’s Annual Mid-America Basketball Camp will conduct an individual session this summer at Bennington Middle School June 22-24. The individual camp is open to those 7 years old through 11th grade.
Cost for the camp is $170 (meals included) or $155 (without meals). Registration is from 8:00 am -9:30 am on the first day of camp (June 22) with camp ending at 4:00 pm. Camp will start at 8:30 am and runs to 4:00 pm on June 23 and 24. There will be an awards ceremony from 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm the last day of the camp.
Over 155 boys and girls who played in the 2026 State Basketball Tournament have attended Mike Trader’s Basketball Camp.
The camp has been one of the most popular camps in the Midwest during the past 39 years with over 37,000 campers having attended during that time.
This camp is well known for its great teaching of fundamental skills and having outstanding coaches from throughout the nation teaching the campers. It combines the teaching of these skills with team play and contests throughout the camp.
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BENSC will be offering a summer camp for all 8U - 13U field players and goalies to work on their skills before the fall season starts.
Camp will be held at the Bus Barn Fields on July 6th - 9th.
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Registration is now open for the Fall 2026 soccer season for all 4U - 19U players.
- Registration is open until June 14th for 8U-19U players.
- Registration is open until July 19th for all 4U-7U players.
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BENSC will be holding assessments for the 2026-2027 soccer season during June 8th - June 11th at the BENSC Complex and Neumeyer Fields.
- 9u-19U Girls: Monday/Wednesday, 5:45-7:00pm, 7:15-9:00pm
- 9U-19U Boys: Tuesday/Thursday, 5:45-7:00pm, 7:15-9:00pm
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Saturday Afternoons
June 6th thru Aug. 15th
Seymour Smith Park
5 Boys and 5 Girls per team
Ages 9 thru 17 (3 Divisions)
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Be Your Own Hero
Up to 5 Kids classes for $60 Total
Bring this coupon in and redeem by May 19
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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.
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