September 1, 2023

BHS NEWSLETTER

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

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Mon., Sept. 4 Labor Day - No School

Sat., Sept 9 Quest for the Best @ 6 PM

Wed., Sept 13 Open House @ 5:30 PM

Dear Parents/Guardians,


You are cordially invited to the Bethel High School Open House on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.  The Open House will begin with a session for 9th grade families with the School Counseling Department in the auditorium @ 5:30 p.m.  Following the session, all parents are invited to follow their student’s schedule @ 6 p.m.  Each class period will be twelve minutes in length allowing teachers to give you an interactive overview of the class with his/her expectations for students.  We will also have BHS administrators, school counselors, the college and career center associate, social workers, the school psychologist, and the supervisor for special education, will be available to discuss programs provided for BHS students. 


Please note, class schedules can be found on the Parent Portal app or you may print your child’s schedule at home from Parent Portal before attending Open House.  We will not have printed schedules available.


A Video Welcome from Mr. Troetti will be sent to parents prior to Open House. 


The schedule for the evening is listed below:

5:30- 5:55 School Counselors Meet with Freshman Parents in the BHS Auditorium

6:00 – 6:12 Period 1

6:12 – 6:17 Pass to Period 2

6:17 – 6:29 Period 2

6:29 – 6:34 Pass to Period 3

6:34 – 6:46 Period 3

6:46 – 6:51 Pass to Period 4

6:51 – 7:03 Period 4

7:03 – 7:08 Pass to Period 5

7:08 – 7:20 Period 5

7:20 – 7:25 Pass to Period 6

7:25 – 7:37 Period 6

7:37 – 7:42 Pass to Period 7

7:42 – 7:54 Period 7

7:54 – 7:59 Pass to Period 8

7:59 – 8:11 Period 8  


We look forward to seeing you!

Chris Troetti 

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 National Honor Society will be holding information sessions next Tuesday and Thursday after school in the Library Learning Commons for any Junior or Senior student who is interested in applying for our chapter of the NHS. Some of the requirements for consideration  are a minimum of 3.4 GPA, strong leadership roles, and active community service. Come and hear more about what steps to take to apply for membership for the 23-24 school year. 

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:


Mark your Calendars! 

Picture Day is here!

Class of 2024 - Senior portrait appointments are still available!

Click here to schedule

Customer flyer for drivers 2023.pdf

Click here to read the Music Newsletter

Center for Empowerment & Education 

Presentations Grades 9-12


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 boundaries, 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. 


If you do not wish for your child to attend the Grade 9 programs, please immediately notify Stacie Kaye at kayes@bethel.k12.ct.us


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.


If you do not wish for your child to attend the Grade 11 programs, please immediately notify your child’s Grade 11 Health teacher (Talicia Smeraglino, Anthony Fernandes or Ann Belardinelli) at the start of the semester. 


12th Grade (Spring 2024 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 the Grade 12 program, please notify BHS 

Asst. Principal Mari Lerz at lerzm@bethel.k12.ct.us by January 31, 2024. 


If you have any questions about the programs, contact Cristina Cabral, Manager of Community Based Programs: cristina.c@thecenter.com or (203) 731-5200 x226. 

Character Strong Tip of the Week:  


As students were welcomed back from summer holiday, staff encouraged students during this first week to think about the upcoming year and identify short and long-term goals they would like to achieve.  Helping your student establish goals and create a step by step plan she/he can use to achieve their goals reduces anxiety because it provides a clear structure and blueprint for being successful.  It results in greater optimism and confidence that goals can be accomplished and problems overcome if we persist with and change our plan as necessary.


Are you interested in attending a Character Strong lesson?  

Please email Tom Salvador for more information.


For more information about the Character Strong program, please visit the BPS EI website.

Nurse's Office 

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

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, 8/28/23, 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.


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 dropping off 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 the doctor's orders which must be signed by both the doctor and parent/guardian. 

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


*** Please also note that physicals for athletics are only valid for 13 months. It is your responsibility to make sure that your child’s physical is updated so that they are able to continue participation in their chosen sport. 

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