November 3, 2023

BHS NEWSLETTER

Check out the BHS Important Links Guide if you have questions about Bethel High School.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

November 7 Professional Development - No School

November 10         Veterans Day Observed - No School

November 22 Early Dismissal

November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess

Dear Parent/Guardian, 


Did you know that Bethel High School has a pathways program? Since 2016 over 330 students have signed up for pathways with at least 30 students receiving a certificate upon graduation every year. 


The BHS Pathways Program is designed to connect students with specific interests to a concentration of study. This program allows students to increase their depth of knowledge, participate in internships and/or other varied experiences and provides them with an opportunity to earn a certificate upon graduation.  There are six Pathways: Arts Pathway

Education Global Studies Business Healthcare Career Technical Readiness

If a student is interested in signing up for a particular Pathway, we ask that he/she fill out the Pathway Sign-Up Form.  Please note: To ensure students in the senior class qualify to complete a Pathway, they must sign up before the end of November during their senior year. Any student in the grades 9-11 can sign up for a Pathway at any time throughout each school year.

If you have further questions about the Pathways Program, please contact Mr. Troetti, BHS Principal: troettic@bethel.k12.ct.us or 203-794-8600 ext. 1402.


Stay tuned for a date for an informational meeting regarding the pathways program. 


Chris Troetti 

Congratulations to the BHS Boys Soccer Team for winning the SWC Championship. 

Best wishes to our Marching Band and Colorguard as they compete this weekend in nationals. 

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: www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/connecticut/districts/bethel-school-district/bethel-high-school-4413.  Thank you to our staff, students and greater community for making BHS a wonderful place to be! 

"The Dream Big! Competition is an exciting program offered by Connecticut’s Office of the Treasurer (OTT). The competition gives Connecticut parents and guardians the opportunity to win money toward their child’s future education. This year’s competition features more prizes than before, including three grand prizes of $20,000."

Submissions must be uploaded by 5:00 p.m. on November 6. There is no cost to enter. For program details and entry process visit:

 www.chetdreambig.com

Class of 2024 - Senior portrait appointments are still available!

Click here to schedule

Ski Club Flyer.pdf
Central PTO 23-24.pdf
BHS Theater Boosters Flyer November 9 Meeting UPDATED.pdf
BSA_ErasTourMovieFlyer.pdf
Middle and High Schools.pdf
Customer flyer for drivers 2023.pdf

We are excited to continue to offer incoming freshmen, sophomores, and rising juniors an online tracking system for community service hours, called x2VOL. This paperless system allows students to enter community service hours online at any time, as well as check for volunteer opportunities.  Please note, freshmen will receive x2VOL training at the start of the school year.

 

Please take note:

Click here to read the Music Newsletter

Center for Empowerment & Education 

Presentations Grades 9-12

Click Here

Youth Mental Health First Aid Flyer (1) (1).pdf

Character Strong Tip of the Week:  


During the day, we interact with many people and we call them our friends.  A friend is someone we trust, support, and consider a significant part of our lives.  An acquaintance on the other hand is a person we enjoy hanging out with but don't really know that well.  To be a good friend, be supportive, caring and trustworthy.  Friends are thoughtful, giving and less self-centered.  Friendship is an important part of our lives - it takes one to know one.


A person you know may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. Are you interested in being certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid?  Please click this sign up link for the upcoming certification session on Tuesday November 7th from 8-12 pm with a follow up session in February.  This certification program is offered at no cost to the participants who must be 18 or older to participate.  All adults in our community are invited to attend this important program.


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.

 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


Please keep track at home of the expiration date of both the medication and orders. While the BPS nurses will attempt, if time permits, alerting parents of expiring medications and/or orders, the nurses are not responsible for reminders about expiring medications and/or orders. 


Failure to have the medication and doctor's orders in the health office will result in your child not being able to participate in field trips and various other school activities.

Working papers are available all year long from the Main Office @ BHS.  Please read this important letter.

The process is as follows:

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