Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Linked below you will find a nomination form for the Hennessey Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award. The purpose of this award is to honor and reward a Bethel High School teacher that has an established record of improving student achievement, inspiring a love of learning in students of varied abilities, and has earned the respect of students, parents and colleagues (further details concerning the criteria can be found in the link). This highly prestigious award will be announced prior to the annual awards ceremony at the Amber Room on May 25th. The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 1, 2023. Please submit nominations at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

Hennessey Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award

Past inductees include:

Rosemary Pardalis, Robert Owen, Ray Turek, Damon Coachman, Mariya Peterson, Mari Lerz, Gene Waring, Mary Fernand, Katherine Burke, Kathleen Ciskowski, Christopher Ciparelli, Reine Issa, Mark Ferrandino, Julia Taborsak, Tom Fox, Katie Stevens

NGSS Testing 2023

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has required that all juniors across the state take the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) assessment this spring. The NGSS assessment will be administered to Grade 11 students at Bethel High School during the week of April 24-28th.  Students will take this assessment on their school-issued Chromebooks during a double block in their Physics class. Students who are not enrolled in Physics will be given a pass to their testing room-which will include their testing date/time. 

The NGSS assessment is an untimed assessment administered on the Chromebook. On average, it takes about 90 minutes to complete. Students must bring their fully charged Chromebook to school on testing day. 

The assessment will require students to use information, observations, and data to think and act like scientists. Questions will challenge students to show a deeper understanding of their scientific knowledge by making sense of the natural world and solving problems. 

Please note that students who do not meet the state proficiency standard will be enrolled in a Science Standard Preparatory course OR a Science elective of their choice during the spring of their senior year. 

To find more resources related to the Next Generation Science Standards, please visit https://www.nextgenscience.org/. If you have any questions about the NGSS assessment, please contact Mari Lerz, Assistant Principal/Testing Coordinator, at lerzm@bethel.k12.ct.us or Ray Turek, the Science Dept. Chair at turekr@bethel.k12.ct.us. 

Please help us to make Post Prom a safe & memorable night for our seniors!

We are asking for food and beverage donations, gift cards (to the stores we will be making further purchases) and cash (for all our online needs).

Food and beverage donations can be dropped off at BHS starting Monday, April 17th. Please label your donations with "Post Prom".

Any monetary or gift card donations would be greatly appreciated and would be gladly accepted as soon as possible so we can start ordering! You may venmo us at "BHS-PTSO" (please note "Post Prom - Food Donation") or by a check made out to BHS-PTSO or cash (also please note "Post Prom - Food Donation"). Checks and cash can be dropped off to the BHS main office. 

All baked good items may be dropped off at BHS starting in the morning on Friday, May 19th. Again, please label "Post Prom".

We are looking forward to a great night! If you have any questions, please email us at Bethelhsptso@gmail.com.

Please use this Sign-Up Genius to see what we need and to sign up for the item(s) you would be willing to donate.

THANK YOU!

From the Nurse

Non-Compliance

The Connecticut General Statutes (Section 10-204a and Section 10-206) require local boards of education to ensure that each child attending school be adequately immunized and have an up-to-date health assessment (physical) on file.  The Bethel Public School District requires that all students who enter Grade 10 have a mandated health assessment dated on or after July 1, 2022 in order to be compliant.

These forms can be found below: 

STATE OF CT - HEALTH ASSESSMENT RECORD: Age 5 - Grade 12

Your child can also pick up a blank form during the school day at the BHS Health Office.

Because the school district must comply with the state regulations, your child will not be allowed to begin 10th grade on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year, unless you provide the school with an updated health assessment and/or documentation with the necessary immunizations completed before that date.

Please provide the proper documentation to your child’s school; paperwork can be mailed, faxed or emailed to your child’s school.

Bethel High School,  300 Whittlesey Drive,  Bethel, CT 06801

Attn: Lisa Davenport, RN or Jill Kurtz, RN

Phone: 203-794-8600 ext. 1262

Fax: 203-830-7350

davenportl@bethel.k12.ct.us

kurtzj@bethel.k12.ct.us

The Center for Empowerment and Education, formerly known as the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, has been working with students in the Bethel Public School system for many years providing educational programs on a wide variety of programs including healthy relationships, sexual harassment, and online safety.  The Center for Empowerment and Education is a member agency of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence and has been providing services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the Greater Danbury area since 1975. The Center has offered sexual assault prevention and awareness programs in community schools for over twenty years.

Since October 1, 2016, all local and regional school districts in Connecticut are required to implement sexual assault awareness and prevention programs in grades kindergarten through twelve, as per Section 17a-101q of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) and Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, have developed a framework as well as performance indicators for these programs. 

Bethel High School is partnering with the Center for Empowerment and Education and their education team to provide programs to our Grade 9-12 students that align with the guidelines set forth in the state-wide framework. You can learn about the Center from their website: https://thecenterct.org

Please see below the programs that will be offered in each grade level:

9th Grade via Health classes: 

Healthy Relationships & Dating Violence

In the United States, 1 in 3 teens is a victim of sexual, emotional, verbal or physical abuse by a dating partner. This program analyzes the root cause of this issue, power and control, and sheds light on unhealthy relationship dynamics. Students will learn to identify “red flag” behaviors and where to seek help for themselves or a friend.

Cybersafety 

This program on cybersafety teaches students about online dangers such as bullying, online strangers, sexting, geotagging, etc., as well as what they can do to stop these behaviors and protect themselves. This workshop helps students understand what sexting is, why it happens, and the legal, social, and emotional consequences associated with it. 

11th Grade via Health classes: 

Got Consent? Addressing Sexual Assault

This program helps students understand sexual assault by explaining specific laws, statistics, and debunking myths about perpetrators and victims. Our interactive clicker technology allows teens to anonymously input answers for all to see, creating a meaningful and profound discussion. Through activities and conversation, students learn what consent is and when it can and cannot legally be given. Students will learn of the options and resources available in the aftermath of an assault. 

Flirting or Hurting? Addressing Sexual Harassment

This program about sexual harassment focuses mainly on understanding and communicating personal boundaries. Students identify the difference between flirtatious behaviors and sexual harassment, along with the continuum of harmful acts that can constitute sexual harassment. Students learn laws and consequences associated with harassment.

12th Grade (Spring 2023 during Wildcat Time): 

Know Before You Go

This program is for students in 12th grade and explores campus sexual assault and the importance of consent. Analyzing campus culture and social norms, students will learn to identify behaviors, attitudes, and customs which lay the groundwork for sexual violence to flourish. The second half of this program will focus on empowering students to be “upstanders” in potentially harmful situations. Attendees will gain tools that will allow them to intervene in safe, non-violent ways to help end sexual harassment and sexual abuse. Students will also learn about Affirmative Consent and the policies and laws in place regarding college campuses’ response to sexual assault.

If you do not wish for your child to attend these programs, please notify BHS Asst. Principal, Mari Lerz at (203) 794-8600 ext. 1400.  

If you have any questions about the programs, contact Michele Cousens (she/her/ella) 

Prevention Education Coordinator, The Center for Empowerment & Education, 2 West Street, Danbury, Connecticut 06810 Phone (203)731-5200 x251, michele.c@thecenterct.org 

Scholarship Season is HERE! Students and families are invited to view the Scholarship Program overview. In a separate document, Seniors will have access to the current local scholarship offerings which include details for applying and submitting applications. Each scholarship is unique and varies in format, requirements and submission process, so each one should be reviewed carefully. Many of these scholarships will require submitting to the Career Center for final processing, and late applications will not be accepted.

Scholarship workshops are being planned for students to get assistance with this process, and there will also be an upcoming Coffee With Counselors for parents which will cover our scholarship program in more detail. Stay tuned for upcoming dates!

Stay tuned for more to come...

Twitter: @BHSCareerCenter

IG: @BHS_Career_Center

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Board of Education complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting the exclusion of any person from any of its educational programs or activities, or the denial to any person of the benefits of any of its educational programs or activities because of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, alienage, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or gender identity or expression, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law.

It is the policy of the Board that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, alienage, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law is prohibited, whether by students, Board employees or third parties subject to the control of the Board.  The Board’s prohibition of discrimination or harassment in its educational programs or activities expressly extends to academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities, including athletics.  It is also the policy of the Board to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, alienage, disability (including pregnancy), veteran status, or gender identity or expression.

         Title IX District Coordinator, Dr. Kristen Brooks, Assistant Superintendent, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801, 203-794-8613                                  Section 504 District Coordinator, Dr. Christine Sipala, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801, 203-794-8616