January 27, 2023
Newsletter
Bethel Public Schools E-News
“Our Primary Purpose is to Improve Student Achievement”
This Week's Content
Superintendent's News
Christine Carver, Ed.D.,
Superintendent of Schools
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Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,
Community members/parents have asked, “How do I get copies of fliers, notices, etc.? and How do I know what is going on?”
All of the information previously distributed by paper in backpacks is provided to parents via email in the weekly newsletters (school and district). Making copies is not environmentally or fiscally responsible. If you cannot read the whole newsletter, I highly encourage you to read the Principal or my letter as it often contains the most up-to-date information. Also, the district newsletters are available on our website. You can always look there if you delete the message. If you, as a parent/guardian, are not receiving it, please check your spam folder, and check in the PowerSchool Parent Portal to ensure your email information is correct, if neither is the case, please contact your child’s school directly to resolve the issue.
Parents receive the school and district newsletters automatically using the email contact information in PowerSchool. If you know of a community member interested in opting-in to receive this newsletter, they can sign up using the link on the main page of our website at www.bethel.k12.ct.us
BPS Parents/Guardians: Opt-In for our SchoolMessenger Text Messaging
The district uses the SchoolMessenger notification service to send important information to families through phone calls, emails, and text messages.
To receive important information from the district/schools via our SchoolMessenger SMS text messaging service you can Opt-In to participate in this free service* just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587, from the wireless cell phone number that the district has on your file. If during the school year, any of your demographic information were to change, you can update it at any point by contacting your child’s school directly.
If you have any questions about student demographic updates, please contact your child’s school directly.
You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.
We recommend saving this shortcode and Caller ID to the contacts on your phone. This will help prevent any 3rd party call blocking systems from interfering with your receipt of important messages sent by the school or district.
*Please note, although the district does not charge you for this service, it does not pay for text message charges that may be incurred by you for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
2023-2024 Proposed Education Budget Information
2023-2024 Proposed Education Budget Information
2023-2024 Proposed Education Budget Presentation
In the last few years, because education budgets are so complex, the Board of Education has asked the administration to divide the information into two parts. The first part was on November 3, 2022. On that date, I presented to the Board of Education an overview of current trends and needs that affected the development of the 2023-2024 school budget. Included in that presentation were topics such as enrollment trends, class size, growing special education needs, etc. We also discussed the impact of the end of the Federal grants the district has received as a result of the pandemic. A copy of that November 3rd presentation is linked here. You can also watch the video of the presentation/meeting by clicking this link.
At last night’s Board of Education meeting I presented the second presentation, a recommended budget to the Board of Education (2023-2024 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Presentation). The proposed 5.95% increase focuses on only maintaining all of our top-quality curricular and extracurricular programs. I also recommended to the Board to consider adding specialists to address the intervention needs of students above that base amount. The full presentation can be viewed on our BEtv Channel. In addition, all budget documents will be housed on our district dashboard, under the section financial dashboard.
Why is the requested increase so high this year? The biggest drivers of the budget are increasing enrollment and general inflation, special education costs, health care costs, and contractual obligations. In addition, we are losing some grant funding that we used to cover unexpected special education expenses (see below). In addition, we are also feeling the effects of inflation on the cost of goods and services, gasoline, etc. The national inflation rate was 8% for 2022. While we are hopeful that in 2023, inflation will stabilize, the requested increase is below the national average.
How much has enrollment increased? Our school district enrollment has increased by 9% over the last six years. Given recent enrollment projections, we are expected to increase an additional 5.1%. The projections (NESDEC and Milone and McBroom) have been historically inaccurate and an underrepresentation. Year to year, we have had an increase of 65 students with disabilities requiring specialized programming. We can not continue to sustain the growth without additional funding.
How do we compare to other districts in terms of our spending? Bethel is currently ranked 149 out of 164 districts in terms of Per Pupil spending for 2022. We have actually lost ground due to increased enrollment, resulting in loss of resources for more students. Our per-pupil expenditure is in the lowest 10% for the state, yet the community of Bethel is ranked in the top 50% in wealth. We would need a $6,102,756, dollar increase just to reach the state average in per-pupil spending. The net result is that we can not provide equitable services to our students as compared to other communities within the region and state. This means because we are extremely limited in resources, if we have significant cuts from the proposed budget, it will impact, or cut, non-mandated programs such as athletics, extracurricular programs (i.e., clubs and activities), and curricular programs (i.e., ROTC, EMT program, pathway programs, specials, etc.). It is these types of programs that engage students in school and it would be devastating to student mental health if we had drastic cuts in these non-mandated programs.
What is happening with health insurance and what are we doing to try to address the increased cost? Last year, health insurance premiums went up 10.5% and this year is anticipated to go up another 10%. Health benefits comprise almost 20% of our overall operating budget. Aside from salaries and special education costs, it is one of the biggest drivers in the budget. As a result, we have gone out to bid to see if we can get better rates, without compromising coverage for our employees. Preliminary quotes indicate significant reductions in health insurance which could go into effect on July 1st and reduce the overall percentage increase.
Why has special education spending increased so dramatically? First, we have a moral, legal and ethical responsibility to provide services to our students with disabilities. We always strive to be more fiscally efficient by trying to provide quality services in the district. The main spending increase is due to a significant increase in the number of students with disabilities. Year (2021) to Year (2022) we had an increase of 65 students, with a total of 518 (October 1st). We had many students move in this academic year, which were not budgeted for. Thankfully, we had Federal grant funding that helped mitigate the impact. Much of the grant funding will end in September of 2023. This means that we have to transfer the expense into the operating budget. Second, COVID has significantly impacted the complexity of needs for our students with disabilities. Third, we have an increase in students who require out-of-district placements (from 18 to 27 in one year). The increase in tuition and transportation costs alone account for 1.64% of the increase. Lastly, the State of Connecticut has not met its obligation to fully fund the excess cost grant for students with disabilities. This has resulted in a significant loss of reimbursement, shifting the burden to local taxpayers.
What has happened with increases in salaries? Last year, nationally, salaries increased by 4.6%. This is largely due to inflation and shortages in the labor market. Our contractual salary increases are significantly lower than national trends, yet our personnel feels the impact of inflation. In addition, like the private sector, there is a looming teacher and administrator shortage. Many districts struggle to fill positions and competitive salaries, benefit structures, and working conditions are critical in maintaining quality staff. Salaries represent almost 84% of our budget. Teachers teach children. We have phenomenal teaching, administrative, and support staff. If we do not adequately compensate and support our staff, they will have a lot of options for other positions.
The District and Board of Education want to make sure you are informed and have a chance to be involved in the budget process. Below are the mechanisms for public participation.
Board of Education 2023-2024 Budget Workshop Dates
As the schedule develops we will post it here, on the website, and in other district communications.
Tuesday*, January 31, 2023 (Budget Workshop) - Schools/Athletics
Thursday, February 2, 2023 (Budget Workshop/Approval)
Tuesday*, February 7, 2023 (Budget Workshop – Alt. Date if needed)
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - BOE Budget Presentation to the Board of Selectmen & Board of Finance at 7:00 PM
*Meeting dates that are an exception to Thursday meetings.
All Board of Education meetings are held in the Board of Education Offices, Meeting Room E, Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School Street, at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise posted).
Please Note: Prior to the budget being set for the referendum, 2023-2024 Education Budget Information can be found here in the Superintendent’s Bethel Public Schools Newsletter each week and on District Dashboard our website. District Dashboard - 2023-2024 Education Budget Information
Department News
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BHS SENIOR PARENTS -CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE!
Order a Yearbook Parent AD for Your Graduate Today!
Submission Deadline 2/17/2023
This Week's Updates & Reminders
Bethel Central PTO Candidate Forum
February 1, 2023
7:00 PM
BHS Auditorium
Bethel Central PTO will be hosting a Candidate Forum in advance of the special election for First Selectman. Both candidates will be present to answer questions from parents and the community about the education system in Bethel as well as other concerns parents might have in the community.
Questions will be provided to the candidates prior to the event.
Please submit your questions for the candidates to bethelcentralpto@gmail.com no later than 1/28.
Kindergarten Registration is Open!
Attention Families!!!
Do you have children that will be 5 on or before January 1, 2024 and ready to join the Bethel Public Schools family?
If the answer is yes, please complete the registration process for your child to attend kindergarten in the fall.
Please see the info below for our process.
Kindergarten Registration for the
2023-2024 school year is now open!
To access the kindergarten registration site, go to our district website, www.bethel.k12.ct.us, scroll down, and click on the “Registration” link in the maroon circle halfway down the page. Select BPS Pre-Registration Form K-12. There you will begin the online process to formally register your child for kindergarten.
At the completion of your online registration, an email will be sent to confirm that the parent portal account has been created AND all of the online enrollment forms have been filled out. At this time, we anticipate that in-person appointments will take place in March & April (no registration appointments will take place until all of the online registration is complete). This appointment will take approximately 15 minutes as long as all of the required paperwork is provided. Students do not need to attend this appointment with their parents. Parents/guardians will be contacted using the email provided during online registration to make a kindergarten screening appointment, which usually takes place at the end of May. More information will follow on this step of the process.
If you are a parent of a current Circle of Friends student, you do not need to complete the online registration. Kindergarten registration instructions will be sent home with your child.
If you have any questions about the process or need help, please contact the District Registrar at (203) 830-7355.
School Closing/Delay Decisions/Notifications
Although we are enjoying mild temperatures, winter is coming! Families should have a plan for delays, early dismissals, and/or school closings. To be honest, calling delays, early dismissals, or closings are one of the most challenging aspects of my job. I get frequent feedback from parents and students on the topic. Safety is always our top priority. When determining any weather-related decision, we look at the timing of the storm, total accumulation predictions, ability to complete a school clean-up, and road conditions. Please be reminded, if you feel that conditions are unsafe, you can make the decision that you feel is in the best interest for your children. A few reminders about our process:
I will try and give you a preview of any potential issues through our district’s Bethel Public Schools Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter @BethelCTSuper. By following these pages, it might help your planning.
After a decision is made, if it’s on the same morning of the delay or closure, I will post the decision on the district’s Bethel Public Schools Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter @BethelCTSuper prior to 5:00 AM. In addition, we send out a text if you have subscribed to receive district text messages. Please note, we do not send out phone calls. Many parents complained that they did not want to receive the early morning calls. Therefore, we also send out an email.
If you have a specific concern or questions about any type of decision, please do not hesitate to call me or send me an email (carverc@bethel.k12.ct.us). A reminder that weather is not an exact science and can be highly unpredictable.
For our young drivers, they frequently remind me on social media that parents will not allow them to drive in inclement weather. Please note, if school is in session, students can always access district transportation.
Reminder: In addition to Facebook, Twitter, email, and texts, announcements are also made over the following radio, television stations, and websites:
WLAD AM Danbury 800 on the dial
WINE AM Brookfield 940 on the dial
WICC AM Bridgeport 600 on the dial
WEBE FM Bridgeport 108 on the dial
WEZN FM Bridgeport 100 on the dial
TV Channel 3, TV Channel 8, & TV Channel 6.
Bethel Public Schools Website – www.bethel.k12.ct.us
Connecticut Weather Website – www.ctweather.com
Please Note: Notifications are sent out as soon as decisions are reached. Being on the notification list is not a substitute for monitoring your local media (radio, TV, and so on) in situations where a delay in opening or school closing is an obvious possibility (such as when the weather forecast calls for snow). The BPS website is updated as media calls are made.
Upcoming Calendar Events
February 8 - Professional Learning Day - Early Dismissal K-12
February 20-21 - Presidents' Day Recess
March 15, 16, and 17- Conference Day - Early Dismissal - K-8
March 15 - *Full School Day - BHS ONLY (*BHS No Conferences)
March 16 - Conference Day (Evening) & Prof. Learning - Early Dismissal - BHS
March 17 - Conference Day - Early Dismissal - BHS
March 22 - SAT/PSAT & Prof. Learning - Early Dismissal - BHS ONLY
April 7 - Good Friday, Schools Closed
April 10-14 - Spring Recess
May 26 - Professional Learning Day - Early Dismissal K-12
May 29 - Memorial Day Observed
Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events
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Formal Dress Exchange
Saturday | February 11 | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Sunday | February 12 | 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
BHS PTSO
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FOREIGN FRIENDS
CREATURES FROM FAR AWAY
FEBRUARY 12, 2023
@ EDMOND TOWN HALL GYM
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
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Save the Date
Mini Golf "fore" the Library
March 31, 2023 &
April 1, 2023
Bethel Public Library
FREE EVENT
February 5, 2023
Byrd's Books
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2023 Spring Season Registration
Registration Closes April 1st.
Bethel Youth Soccer Association
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It's Softball Season
Bethel Softball Association
Registration Opens
January 23-March 5, 2023
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.
Do you want to be the first to know when school is delayed or canceled in bad weather? Follow me at: @BethelCTSuper In order to enhance communication with parents, in addition to our Twitter feed, we have a Facebook page at Bethel Public Schools, and Instagram at @christinelcarver We post photos of school and district events, general communications, and school closing/delay information. Please “like” our page! Also, be sure to check out our bethelpublicschools Flickr page
Bethel Public Schools App
Check out the App for the Bethel Public Schools. If you go into your App Store and type in Bethel Public Schools, you should be able to install it for free. The App can provide you quick mobile access to information commonly requested.
Our calendars, time schedules, social media feeds, athletic schedules, district social media, lunch menus, etc. are all in the App. You can even call the schools from the App.
After you download the App, you will be prompted to select the schools from which you want to get information. Essentially, this is the "news", push notifications, and the "events calendar". This is a screenshot of what the App looks like.
Bethel Public Schools Flickr Page
Check out the photos on the Bethel Public Schools Flickr page! Dan DeBlois, District Photographer, will post photos on Flickr throughout the school year. Follow @DanDeBlois on Twitter to be notified when the photos are posted.
We post photos taken by our staff. The photographs are from various school events open to the public. Sports, Concerts, and Musicals are some examples. We will be regularly including more events. On Twitter follow @DanDeBlois for updates on event postings. Go to flickr and take a look.
BEtv - See what's new this week!
Meet Johnson Schools resource officer in their JStv Interview
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=6049abd5fe69&apg=4d17c1b509fc
Dr. Carver presents the proposed School Budget for next year
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=dee119ce9385&apg=4d17c1b509fc
BMS Winter Chorus Concert
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=f47523da87d1&apg=4d17c1b509fc
BMS Winter Orchestra Concert
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=6982c09e0030&apg=4d17c1b509fc
BMS Winter Band Concert
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=906777c39926&apg=4d17c1b509fc
BHS Cabaret 2023
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=661c76686fbf&apg=4d17c1b509fc
BHS Coffee house, music, and poetry from BHS Students
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=a853f909f35e&apg=4d17c1b509fc
The state of our Students -A Community Forum
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=825995f7e057&apg=4d17c1b509fc
Take a walk back in time! Here is a throwback concert from 2004!
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=f22c46526b8b&apg=4d17c1b509fc
The latest Board of Education Meetings can be viewed here.
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/Show-Videos?g=f87c9047&page=1&filter=vod
Check out our full line-up here
https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/betv/home
Watch when you want to watch. Go to our Video On Demand Channel
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show-videos?g=4d17c1b509fc&page=1&filter=vod
Board of Education Policy Updates
The Bethel Public Schools, as a learning community devoted to the academic and social growth of our children, creates educational opportunities that inspire competence, creativity, teamwork, and a drive to excel. In an environment of trust and respect, high expectations for student performance are evident in the discussions, actions, and policies of the Board of Education. Board of Education policies can be found on our district website. As a way to increase communication about Board of Education policies, we include Board of Education policy updates in this section of our newsletter as they are approved by the Board. You can find the Board of Education policies on the district website at Bethel Board of Education Policies
Recently Revised/Reviewed Policies & Regulations:
Regulation – 5131.911 – District Safe School Climate Plan – 10-21-21
Policy/Regulation 5118 - Nonresident Students - 10-21-21 & 3/17/22
Policy/Regulation 1140 - Distribution of Materials- 10-21-21
Policy 1170 - Recognition of Citizens, Staff Members, Members of Board of Education, Students- 10-21-21
Policy 1312 - Public Relations- 10-21-21
Policy 3524.2 Green Cleaning- 10-21-21
Policy/Regulation 5141.3 - Health Assessment and Immunizations - 10-21-21
Policy 5131.911 - Bullying & Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Intervention - 11-18-21
Policy/Regulation 1220 - Citizens Advisory Committee- 12-16-21
Regulation 1221 - Citizens Advisory Committee for the BOE- 12-16-21
Policy 1331 - Smoking in School Facilities- 12-16-21
Policy 1411 - Law Enforcement Agencies- 12-16-21
Policy/Regulation 4118.231 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco-Free Workplace - 12-16-21
Regulation 2232 - Electronic Records and Information - 2-15-22
Policy 5141.231 - Chemical Health Policy for Student-Athletes - 2-15-22
Regulation 5118 - Nonresident Students - 3-17-22
Regulation 5111 - Admission - 3-24-22
Policy 1416 - Fiscal Authorities 4-21-22
Policy 1700 - Otherwise Lawful Possession of Firearms on School Property - 4-21-22
Policy 2000 - Concept and Roles in Administration - 4-21-22
Policy 2111 - Equal Employment Opportunity - 4-21-22
Policy 2112 - Professional Learning - 4-21-22
Policy 2113 - Grievance Procedures - Title IX - deleted 4-21-22
Policy 2130 - Job Descriptions - 5-19-22
Policy/Regulation 2131 - Superintendent of Schools - 5-19-22
Policy 2141 - Recruitment and Retention of the Superintendent of Schools - 5-19-22
Policy 2142 - Evaluation of the Superintendent - 5-19-22
Policy 6162.52 - Student Privacy (PPRA) - 6-21-22
Policy 6162.51 - Student Surveys (deleted) replaced with Policy 6162.52 - Student Privacy (PPRA) - 6-21-22
Policy 6141.51 - Enrollment in an Advanced Course or Program and Challenging Curriculum - 6-21-22
Regulation 5131.911 - District Safe School Climate Plan - 10-20-22
Policy 6148 - FAFSA - New Policy - 10-20-22
Policy 2150 - Administrative Staff - 10-20-22
Policy 6146.1 - Grading/Assessment Systems- 10-20-22
Regulation 6146.1 - Grading/Assessment Systems - This regulation has been deleted - 10-20-22
Policy 6146.11 - Weighted Grading and Calculation of Grade Point Averages, New Policy - 10-20-22
Policy/Regulation 5113 - Student Attendance and Truancy - 12-15-22
Policy 5141.21 - Administration of Student Medications in the Schools - 12-15-22
Policy 4118.235/4218.235 - Reports of Suspected Abuse or Neglect of Children or Reports of Sexual Assault of Students By School Employees - New Policy - 12/15/22
Policy 2210 - Administrative Discretion in Absence of BOE Policy - 1-19-23
Policy 2220 - Representative and Deliberate Groups - 1-19-23
Policy 2222 - Administrative Council - 1-19-23
Policy 2231 - Policy and Regulation Systems - 1-19-23
Policy 2300 - Role of Board of Education and Superintendent - 1-19-23
School Closing/Delay Information
In the morning when it is necessary to close school due to inclement weather or have an unscheduled early dismissal due to forecasted inclement weather for the afternoon, the “Schools Closed” or “Early Dismissal” announcement will be made over the following radio, television stations, websites, Twitter, and text message via our SchoolMessenger communication system.
WLAD AM Danbury 800 on the dial
WINE AM Brookfield 940 on the dial
WICC AM Bridgeport 600 on the dial
WEBE FM Bridgeport 108 on the dial
WEZN FM Bridgeport 100 on the dial
TV Channel 3, TV Channel 8, & TV Channel 6.
Bethel Public Schools Website – www.bethel.k12.ct.us
Connecticut Weather Website – www.ctweather.com
Twitter - @BethelCTSuper
Facebook - Bethel Public Schools
When school is in session for the day and it is necessary to have an unscheduled early dismissal (click for times) due to weather or other emergency an “Early Dismissal” announcement will be made. You will be notified by our automated message system, SchoolMessenger, via voice, text message, email, and appropriate announcements will be made over the above radio, television stations, websites, and Twitter.
*Therefore, it is important your contact information is accurate and you update your contact information promptly if this information changes. If during the school year any of your demographic information were to change, you can update it at any point by contacting your child’s school directly.
The SchoolMessenger caller ID for all phone notifications is: (855) 326-1797.
**Please add this number as a contact in your phone so you can easily identify the call is coming from the Bethel Public Schools.
Please Note: There will be no school activities, including athletics, on days when school is closed due to inclement weather.
For emergency announcements, SchoolMessenger notifications are sent out as soon as decisions are reached. Being on the notification list is not a substitute for monitoring your local media (radio, TV and so on) in situations where a delay in opening or school closing is an obvious possibility (such as when the weather forecast calls for snow). The BPS website, is updated as media calls are made.
Please note, although the district does not charge you for this service, it does not pay for text message charges that may be incurred by you for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
SchoolMessenger alert for Text messages
For all NEW parents/guardians:
Reminder to New BPS Parents/Guardians - SchoolMessenger:
The district uses the SchoolMessenger notification service to send important information to families through phone calls, emails, and text messages.
To comply with wireless carrier requirements and protect against unsolicited text messages, you may receive a text message on the wireless cell phone number which the district has on your file, requesting that you "opt-in" to receive important information from the district via our SMS text messaging service.
The message you receive will come from our 'short code', 67587 and read similar to the following:
"Bethel Public School messages. Reply Y to subscribe or STOP to cancel. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Visit schoolmessenger.com/txt for info"
So that you may continue to receive these important messages, we encourage you to reply with "Y" or "Yes" when you receive such a verification message. If you do not reply, you will not receive any further text messages from our schools.
To opt-out of all text messages from SchoolMessenger, visit http://www.schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg/ or reply with "STOP" to the opt-in message that you receive. If you opt-in, but later decide to opt-out, simply send "STOP" to 67587. You may also reply "STOP" to any message from our organization.
Please check with your wireless carrier for information about your mobile service plan and any possible charges related to text messaging. Our organization does not reimburse for any charges associated with sending or receiving text messages. See flyer for details/QR Code.
SchoolMessenger Call-In Message Retrieval
As you know, our automated message system, SchoolMessenger, allows us to communicate important information to parents, guardians, and staff via voice, text message, and email. Our SchoolMessgenger account now has a Call-in Message Retrieval feature.
The Call-In Message Retrieval feature is a powerful option that allows SchoolMessgenger phone call recipients to dial a toll-free number where they can replay previous phone notifications that they may have missed, or someone else answered the call, in cases where a cell phone call was dropped before the message could be completed, the reception was poor and/or the recipient was unable to understand the message.
The SchoolMessenger caller ID for all phone notifications and Call-In Message Retrieval is: (855) 326-1797
*Again, please add this number as a contact in your phone so you can easily identify the call is coming from the Bethel Public Schools.
Please Note: When a recipient wants to call into the system to listen to a message they might have missed, they simply hit re-dial on their phone, and, if their caller ID is not blocked, the system will identify them and play back the most recent 10 calls to that number from the past 30 days - including the time/date that the message was sent.
If the recipient has their caller ID blocked, the system will prompt them to enter the number that received the original call, after which the system will replay the recent messages to that number.
School Lunch Program 2022-2023
As was communicated in a separate email and on social media, the schools have opted into Shool Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) funds. These funds provide meals (breakfast and lunch) at no cost for all students at the beginning of the school year (anticipated through December). Even though lunch will be free at the beginning of the year, it is important that all families who might qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch submit an application as soon as possible. Please read the email which was sent for more information. Español. Português.
BPS School Resource Officers
School Resource Officer's Program Goals & Objectives
Assignment of a uniformed law enforcement officer to a school by the Police Department to work in cooperation with the school administrators, students, staff, parents, and community members in the following areas:
Law Enforcement - To help maintain a safe and secure environment that will be conducive to learning. To help prevent crime and violence in our schools and on our school grounds. To help decrease criminal offenses committed against persons and property in and around schools and to help enhance overall safety
Education- Counseling - To promote positive attitudes regarding the police role in society and to inform students of their rights and responsibilities as lawful citizens. To help students learn more about the law and the criminal justice system
Law Enforcement - Education - To establish a liaison with school personnel in a cooperative effort to prevent disruptive or violent behaviors.
School Official - SRO’s are considered school officials in the capacity of district and school safety.
We would like you to meet our School Resource Officer Team for 2022-2023
Our School Resource Officer's biographies can be found on our website at BPS Resource Officers
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, 203-794-8613 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801
Section 504 District Coordinator: Dr. Christine Sipala, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, 203-794-8616 , 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801