November 17, 2023
BHS NEWSLETTER
Check out the BHS Important Links Guide if you have questions about Bethel High School.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
November 22 Early Dismissal
November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess
December 22 Early Dismissal
December 25-29 Holiday Recess
The district calendar can be found here
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We received great news this week from College Board. We’re pleased to announce that BHS is one of 4,570 schools nationwide—which represents 30% of eligible high schools— being recognized on the 2023 AP School Honor Roll. Of these schools, 1,770 also received the AP Access Award, demonstrating a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
BHS is recognized for both the Bronze award and AP access award.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
Please join me in congratulating our outstanding students and staff for their commitment to excellence!
Chris Troetti
Safe Driving in Parking Lots:
We have seen an increase in fender benders in our parking lots. Most students have done the right thing and reported the incident to the main office and/or Officer Broad. However, there have been a few cases where the student or adult has left the scene of the accident. We understand that accidents happen as many of our drivers have just begun driving. Please remind your students that if they have an accident they must report it immediately. Thank you for your for your partnership in this matter.
US News and World Report
We are once again pleased to announce that Bethel High School earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2023-2024 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released on August 29th. Please see Bethel High School's updated U.S. News profile page, with details about its rankings. Thank you to our staff, students and greater community for making BHS a wonderful place to be!
Class of 2024 - Senior portrait appointments are still available!
Click here to schedule
Ski Club Flyer.pdfCentral PTO 23-24.pdfBMS-LionKing 11x17 poster 11-7-23 (1).pdfPJ Day 2023.pdfMiddle and High Schools.pdfCustomer flyer for drivers 2023.pdfCOF Open Screen 2023-2024.pdfCOF Announcement.pdf
HRRA Recycling Poster Contest - Deadline Extended! - turn in to Rebecca Lacey-Aubin at Bethel High School NO LATER THAN Wednesday 11/22
Contest theme - “Keep It Loose” Don’t Bag or Bundle Your Recycling!
Create a billboard ad to encourage residents to keep their recycling loose in their recycling bins.
NEW!
Our 17th Annual Billboard Recycling Contest will have FOUR Grand Prize Winners!
One Grand Prize winner in each of the following categories will receive $500.
• Grades K-2
• Grades 3-5
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 9-12
Grades K-5 students received templates from their art teachers. BMS and BHS art teachers have templates available as well.
Please email Ms Lacey if you have any questions - laceyr@bethel.k12.ct.us
BHS Yearbook Information
Underclassman Families - The Holiday BHS Yearbook Sale ends on 12/16. It is currently on sale for $75. Order online at Jostens HERE. Last year we sold out before the end of the school year!
Senior Families - Senior items are PAST DUE! Please help your senior to complete the following ASAP:
Personality Shots - bring props, outfits, and anything else that represents you to room 105 during period 2 on Tuesday 11/21.
SENIOR FORMAL PORTRAITS by Legacy Studios - If you have not yet had your senior formal portrait session, schedule HERE. The next and final available appointments are in December.
Please email yearbookbhs@bethel.k12.ct.us with any questions or concerns.
Follow us on Instagram - btl_yearbook
Seniors can come to room 105 to meet with the yearbook staff and advisor/teacher Ms. Lacey during period 2 for assistance.
Senior Recognition Ads - please see the flier for senior recognition ads. Early Bird Deadline is 11/30/23. Direct LINK HERE
Senior Personalization option - Please see the attached order form for yearbook personalization. Senior yearbooks are included in class dues, but personalization is an optional extra cost.
Bethel HS 2024 (2).pdf
Center for Empowerment & Education
Presentations Grades 9-12
Character Strong Tip of the Week:
Some say that who you are is the way you behave when you think no one is watching.
Our behavior is directly connected to our values. If we value health, we exercise and eat right. If we value school and education, we study hard and try our best in class. Who we are determines what we focus our time and energy on each day, and also on how we treat ourselves and those around us. We have a choice, no one can make that for us. Our choices are a clear reflection of our values.
Are you interested in attending a virtual Character Strong lesson? Please email Tom Salvador for more information on upcoming virtual sessions.
For more information about the Character Strong program, please visit the BPS EI website.
Nurse's Office
PARENTAL/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY:
It is your responsibility to alert the health office of your child's school if your child requires medication. Parents/guardians are responsible for supplying their child's medication (i.e. EpiPens, inhalers, diabetic supplies, etc.) at the start of each school year and replacing this medication upon expiration. These medications must be accompanied by current doctor's orders (see blank forms below) which must be signed by both the doctor and parent/guardian.
Updated: BPS - AuthorizationofMedication.pdf
Updated Allergy Treatment Protocol.pdf
Working papers are available all year long from the Main Office @ BHS. Please read this important letter.
The process is as follows:
The student gets a job.
Employer gives the student a “Promise of Employment”. This letter MUST have ALL of the following information: the business information (preferably on company letterhead), hourly wage (currently minimum wage is $15.00), the hours per week and a DETAILED list of tasks (no vague descriptions like ‘cleaning’ are permitted). If the letter does not have all that information, we cannot issue Working Papers.
Student emails or brings a copy of the Letter of Intent to Hire to the Main Office at BHS – call first (203-794-8600 opt. 0) to make sure someone is available. Secretaries prepare the working papers and give them to the student.
Please don’t wait until the last minute as this may impact your start date at your new job.
Exceptions to the need for the ED-301(Working Papers)
1. If the employer is a licensed summer camp, a municipality, state or federal employer, Working Papers are not required BUT the same prohibitions for time/days of work apply – especially with 14 and 15-years old. The prohibitions for the hazardous tasks which apply to all minors also apply – see the Hazardous Occupations Orders in the Manual. Working on roofs, use of certain machinery etc. are all prohibited.
2. Agricultural Jobs – We do not issue Working Papers for minors to be employed on farms. When we say agriculture or farm work, we are implying work that is directly related to the function of the farm: dealing with animals, planting, picking product etc. If you get this kind of job, you must simply provide proof of age (14-17) to the employer and if you are under 16 years old, you are not permitted to use ladders or power-driven equipment.
PLEASE NOTE that this ceases to be agriculture when it is work in retail stores (not just a produce stand on the side of the road). If you are working in a STORE like a garden center, this is not agriculture and does require Working Papers.
3. Minors under 16 do not work AT ALL ANYWHERE (including agriculture) during the school year, EXCEPT that a 15-year-old may work in a Grocery Store as a cashier, bagger or stockperson and only on a Saturday for no more than 8 hours. Work is restricted to periods of school vacation (defined as when school is out of session for 5 days or more) and never on a day followed by a school day.
· At 14 we issue Working Papers for a minor to work as a caddy or in the pro shop of a private or municipal golf course during school vacations.
· At 15 we issue Working Papers to work in retail as a cashier, bagger or stock person during school vacations or for the grocery store exception during the school year.
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