September 22, 2023
BHS NEWSLETTER
Check out the BHS Important Links Guide if you have questions about Bethel High School.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 25 School is closed for Yom Kippur
October 2-6 Spirit Week/Homecoming
October 11 PSAT's
October 26 & 27 Conferences
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Traffic safety continues to be a major concern as those who are dropping off and picking up are not following very simple guidelines that keep students and staff safe. Unfortunately, we do not have the staff to be in all locations at all times, and count on you to do the right thing. However, starting Tuesday we will have a staff member in the senior lot to ensure that those who are dropping off follow protocols. As a reminder, you are not to drop your child off in the middle of a parking lot, in the middle of a road, or any other areas that have not been designated by the school. During pickup times, do not block the entrance or exit of the parking lot, do not park along the sidewalk of the senior lot, do not enter the bus lane, and do not race through parking lots. If you do not feel you can follow these guidelines, please remember the district provides busing for our students. Thank you again for your partnership in helping to avoid a major tragedy.
Chris Troetti
Please join me in congratulating Mashnoov Chowdhury for earning Semifinalist status in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Over 1.3 million students entered the National Merit Scholarship Program. Mashnoov is one of 16,000 to move forward in the program. He will be competing for one of 7140 scholarships worth $28 million offered this spring. Best wishes, Mashnoov!
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!
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:
Class of 2024 - Senior portrait appointments are still available!
Click here to schedule
8.5x11_BethelSEPAT_Flyer (2).pdfOdyssey 23-24.pdfCustomer flyer for drivers 2023.pdf
Thinking about going into the trades? Here are a few workshops. Click on the links below for several upcoming Open House Opportunities.
BTECOpenHouse Oct 2023.pdfOpenHouseCTAero9-30-2023.pdfOpenHouseSSAMT9-30-2023.pdfBe a part of our Adult Mentoring Program!
We are currently looking for individuals who are interested in mentoring our high school students. We are looking for responsible adults who are willing to make a connection and offer support to these students.
This would entail a commitment to meeting with a student approximately 30 minutes every week during school hours (7:30am-2:10pm).
If you are interested and willing to hear more about the program, please contact one of the following individuals at Bethel High School (203-794-8600): Colby Holleran (holleranc@bethel.k12.ct.us), Megan Mason (masonm@bethel.k12.ct.us) or Corrine Caridi (caridic@bethel.k12.ct.us)
Character Strong Tip of the Week:
People who are consistently optimistic are happier and they accomplish more. This is not to dismiss the reality that people feel stressed or saddened by difficult circumstances. Optimistic people accept the fact that things get tough at times yet remain determined and focused on positive outcomes rather than negative ones. Thinking positive is the first step, but needs to be followed up by actions to get results. If I want to lose weight and get into shape, thinking positive thoughts without taking action won't work. Instead, setting small, attainable goals while focusing on positive outcomes will motivate one's mind and body to eat smart and exercise daily. Optimistic thinking and goal-directed behavior empowers a person to achieve their goals in life.
Are you a parent who is interested in attending a 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.
PSAT TESTING AT BHS
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Bethel High School will be administering the Digital PSAT to students in Grades 9-11. Each grade will participate in the following:
GRADE 9: Freshmen will take the Digital PSAT 8/9.
GRADE 10: Sophomores will take the Digital PSAT/NMSQT.
GRADE 11: Juniors will take the Digital PSAT/NMSQT.
GRADE 12: Seniors may report to the Library Learning Commons to work on college essays and applications. The school counselors, Ms. Randalot, and English teachers will be available to assist seniors at this time. Seniors may also use this day to visit college campuses, complete community service requirements or work on Capstone projects.
Reminders for students who are testing:
Testing begins promptly at 7:30a.m. It is imperative that all students get plenty of rest, eat a nutritious breakfast, and arrive to school by 7:15 a.m.
Students must bring their fully charged Chromebook and may use their own College Board approved calculator. College Board Approved Calculators are listed HERE.
Students will be seated in desks, spaced out appropriately, facing the clock. Testing rooms will be spread out across the building. Students are assigned to a room alphabetically by grade. The Room Assignments will be shared with students a few days prior to testing. For students testing with accommodations, they will receive a separate pass to their testing room.
Bus transportation will be provided to and from school. Students will be dismissed from their testing rooms at 11:40 since it is a half day. A late bus will be provided to students who are testing with extended time.
Breakfast will be offered prior to testing in the BHS cafeteria between 7:00-7:30. Students are encouraged to pack snacks/water that they can have during the scheduled break on testing day.
Students are not to be wandering the hallways. If a student arrives late, he/she must report to the Main Office for direction.
We will collect student cell phones and any wearable technology as students enter the room. All technology must be turned off.
These are the links to the online student guides:
the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide (.pdf/2.09 MB) for grades 10 and 11; and
the PSAT 8/9 Student Guide for grade 9 students (.pdf/1.28 MB)
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 $14.00), 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