April 8, 2022 Newsletter
Bethel Public Schools E-News
“Our Primary Purpose is to Improve Student Achievement”
This Week's Content
Superintendent's News
Christine Carver, Ed.D.,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members:
Parent University Series
This past fall we surveyed our families and asked what topics you wanted to learn about to better support your children. The overwhelming feedback we received was supporting their mental health and well-being. In response to this, our district’s Family School Partnership Committee planned a four-part Parent University series of workshops centered around this topic. Over the past several weeks, our district provided parent sessions around Emotional Intelligence, Internet Safety, Mental Health and Building Resilience, and our final session, The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being.
Yesterday our district was fortunate to have Dr. Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist, speaker, consultant, and author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital World (a Wall Street Journal best nonfiction book of 2013). Dr. Steiner-Adair met with our PPS staff (school counselors, social workers, and psychologists), Bethel Middle School students, secondary (BMS and BHS) faculties, and parents. Her message was clear. Technology has both positive and negative effects on our children and all of us. On the positive side, we know that technology provides us with a wealth of information and knowledge. It can also serve as a powerful collaborative tool connecting us with others. Technology also can serve to bring out the creativity in all of us. However, Dr. Steiner-Adair also spoke about how social media, in particular, is also straining our relationships. We are losing face-to-face contact with others, losing our ability to hear the tone when we read texts and other print messages, and we are lacking in our ability to empathize with others. Dr. Steiner-Adair did provide parents with several ways to support their children such as:
Have parental controls on devices
Set limits on usage and follow through on them
Have boundaries on where you can use technology (don’t keep phones and devices in bedrooms overnight)
Support the Wait Until 8th Pledge
Be present when you are with your children rather than texting others and/or working, and talk and actively listen to your child
Free your children from distractions and multi-tasking, especially when doing homework
Sign and commit to the Common Sense Family Media Agreement
We are role models for our children. Let’s model the healthy, positive behaviors we want to see in them when we are using technology.
Budget Update - Annual Town Referendum - School and Town Budget Vote – Tuesday, April 19, 2022
The Annual Town of Bethel Referendum (vote) on the school and town budgets is Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Polling centers are open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
This Week's Updates & Reminders
Bethel Education Foundation
Honor a Teacher
Purchase Online
See flyer for full details
Summer’s BEST has been reimagined for Summer 2022!
There are a few spots left in the Summer's BEST programs, register now!
Go to the Summer's BEST 2022 Website for program & registration information.
Sincerely,
Linda Anderson
Coordinator of Community Programs
Questions? Please email Linda Anderson at: AndersonL@bethel.k12.ct.us
STEAM Expo is Back!
Save the Date: 4/20/22, 6:00- 8:00 PM at Bethel High School
See the flyer for additional details about this wonderful event for students, families, and community members.
Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events
ATTENTION
BETHEL PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS
Post Prom Committee needs your donations to help keep our kids safe!
Bethel Parks & Rec DAY CAMP
REGISTRATION BEGINS
APRIL 18TH AT 9:00 AM
See flyer for details
2022 Summer Programs
Bethel Park & Recreation
Registration Begins May 4th
See brochure for programs & details
Mothers Day Flower Arrangement
Hosted by
Girl Scout Troops 50141 & 50958
Register by 4/9/22
An Earth Day Happening: Celebrating Community Poetry Contest
Open to K-12
Entry deadline Midnight, April 16, 2022
Join the Dad Team!
Be a SUPERDAD
See flyer for details
The Argyle Saxophone Quartet
Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 2pm
Edmond Town Hall ~ Alexandria Room
45 Main Street ~ Newtown Connecticut
Tickets are $10 at the door.
Author Visit
Karen Romano Young , Author
The book is for 8-12 year-olds
Free event and a Bethel author!!
May 1st, 3 PM
Bethel Fish & Game Fishing Derby
Saturday, May 14, 2022
8 AM - 11 AM
Ages up to 15
WorkspaceCT.org
Spring Programs!
Acting, Music, Cooking, STEM,
Woodworking, Dance, Science & MORE!
Tunnel to Towers
5K Run & Walk Bethel
June 26th at 8:30 AM
BHS Football Field
See flyer for registration Info
Hoyt Adventure Day Camp
Connecticut Yankee Council, BSA
See flyer for details
IRS Advance Child Tax Credit Payments
For info to claim the remainder of the Child Tax Credit, See flyers
Board of Education Policy Updates
The Bethel Public Schools, as a learning community devoted to the academic and social growth of our children, creates educational opportunities that inspire competence, creativity, teamwork, and a drive to excel. In an environment of trust and respect, high expectations for student performance are evident in the discussions, actions, and policies of the Board of Education. Board of Education policies can be found on our district website. As a way to increase communication about Board of Education policies we include Board of Education policy updates in this section of our newsletter as they are approved by the Board. You can find the Board of Education policies on the district website at: Bethel Board of Education Policies
Recently Revised/Reviewed Policies & Regulations:
BEtv - See what's new this week!
Check out the latest BOE meeting
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=b8935e410581
Bethel Town Hearing
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=a5e8624be6c0
Parent University 2022 has a new edition in it's latest series:
Mental Health & Well Being: Building Resiliency
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=c2ca86e9b0bb
Bethel Wintergaurds perform for Friends and Family
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=86d5bd3852d8
Check out BHS Classical Concert
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=a3908f27d855
FInd out who dominates the BHS Dodgeball Tournament!
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=d7ed512287a5
Parent University is back!
Check out this course on Emotional Intelligence
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=00e6fd495d31
And make plans for the next course on Internet Safety
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=893915eb36c6
BHS shows it's Kindness in this virtual Assembly
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=c1b5961b2959
What is Social-Emotional Learning and how is it making an impact on our kids? Check out this interview for answers!
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=b040437c65ca
The latest Board of Education Meetings can be viewed here.
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/Show-Videos?g=f87c9047&page=1&filter=vod
Check out our full line up here
https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/betv/home
Watch when you want to watch? Go to our Video On Demand Channel
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show-videos?g=4d17c1b509fc&page=1&filter=vod
If you don't get us on Comcast cable, Channel 97, you can still see all our programming streaming live at
http://dv2.discovervideo.com/play/?id=xw3838k&player=291&type=flash