February 24, 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
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,
State of our Students
We will be hosting our second session entitled, State of our Students, on Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Bethel High School Cafeteria. At our last session, school staff, combined with parents, students, and community members, conducted extensive data analysis on issues facing youth's emotional well-being. The focus of this second session will be on developing community solutions to the problem. We really hope that you will consider attending. To register, please complete the Registration Form.
2023-2024 Education Budget Update
The Board of Selectman and Board of Finance will be deliberating the budget this week. If you would like to participate, please click on the schedule, where there is a hybrid option. The requested increase maintains all of our current curricular and extra-curricular programs; and accommodates significant student enrollment increases, while addressing the needs of our students with disabilities. The proposed budget does not contain any new initiatives or programs that we do not currently have. Also, all budget information can be found on our District Financial Dashboard.
President’s Student Service Challenge
Bethel Public Schools will be taking part in the President’s Student Service Challenge. All students who meet or exceed the requirements for the President’s Service Challenge will receive a Presidential Service Award certificate. All hours must be done within one year (April 1- April 1). The Presidential requirements are as follows:
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria:
Bronze Level:
Kids: (ages 5-14) 50 -74 hours
Young Adults: (ages 15-25) 100-174 hours
Adults: (Age 26+) 100-249 hours
Silver Level:
Kids: 75-99 hours
Young adults: 175-249 hours
Adults: 250-499 hours
Gold Level:
Kids: 100 hours or more
Young Adults: 250 hours or more
Adults: 500 hours or more
Students applying for the Presidential Service Award must document all hours with signatures from organizations or hours on non-profit letterheads. PLEASE ONLY SEND IN COPIES! Be sure to keep a copy of all hours for your records. Please include the current grade and age of the student.
Completed tracking forms must be submitted to Linda Anderson, Bethel High School Internship Office, by Friday, April 1st in order to be awarded the Spring 2023 PVSA. (NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS DATE) Documents may also be emailed to: andersonl@bethel.k12.ct.us with any questions.
2023-2024 Proposed Education Budget Information
Board of Education 2023-2024 Budget Dates
As the schedule develops we will post it here, on the website, and in other district communications.
Thursday, March 20, 2023, Public Hearing at 7:00 PM at BHS Auditorium & Zoom
Monday, April 3, 2023, Annual Town Meeting at 7:00 PM at BHS Auditorium & Zoom
Tuesday, April 18, 2023, Town Referendum - Tentative Date
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
STEAM Expo -April 19th - Save the Date
You're Invited!
STATE OF OUR STUDENTS, COMMUNITY FORUM, Session II
We are about to engage in Part 2 of the State of Our Students. In January, we engaged in a community conversation around factors that are impacting the emotional well-being of youth in our community. Participants in our first session included parents, community members, town officials, our students, the Bethel Cares Coalition, and faith-based organizations such as Walnut Hill Community Church, St. Mary School, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. From the data, the following themes were developed to outline the scope of the problem:
We need to talk more about anxiety and depression. We underestimate the number of youth who are struggling. Parent awareness is of critical importance.
Therapeutic services are not available in the community or have long wait lists.
Social media is a huge influence on mental health due to exposure to negative information and behaviors, increased pressure, constant (24/7) access, cyberbullying, etc.
Incivility is normalized in media and social media.
Conflict resolution and accountability need to be modeled by all adults.
There is a negative impact of social media and technology on relationships.
Building positive relationships between students and the greater Bethel community is of critical importance.
An increase of exposure to risky behaviors is normalized through social media, vape shops, etc.
Parents may have a low capacity to manage risk behaviors, due to a lack of knowledge or confidence in what to say to their children.
We will be hosting our second session on Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Bethel High School Cafeteria. The focus of this session will be on developing community solutions to the problem. We really hope that you will consider attending. To register, please complete the Registration Form
Date: March 1, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 pm
Place: Bethel High School Cafeteria
Department News
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
BHS SENIOR PARENTS - CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE!
Order a Yearbook Parent AD for Your Graduate Today!
FINAL DATE TO ORDER, 2/26/23!
Grades 9-11: The final date to GUARANTEE a 2023 Wildcat yearbook is February 28th. This is also the final date to order personalization! Go to Jostens to order your yearbook!
Grade 12: We are extending our Senior Recognition Ad sale one more week! The FINAL date to order a special celebration of your senior is Sunday, February 26th! Please see the attached flier with directions from Tribute AD company.
Email Rebecca Lacey-Aubin at BHS with any questions - laceyr@bethel.k12.ct.us
This Week's Updates & Reminders
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MIND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
March 11, 2023, from 12-3 p.m. at Bethel High School
Parents and adults 18 years or older, join us for a blended (pre-work online/in-person) Mental Health First Aid Workshop.
Parents will learn about recognizing the signs for:
Crisis situations
Non-crisis situations
At-risk behavior
Children grades 3-12 are welcome and will enjoy age-appropriate activities that encourage interactions with others.
This is a free event with lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A. You must register on or before March 1st at this link.
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.
Upcoming Calendar Events
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
Do Good Fundraiser
March 1, 2023, 4-8 PM
BHS Theater Boosters
Ariel & Friends Tea Party
March 11, 2023
BHS Theater Boosters
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
"SAFELY COEXISTING WITH WILDLIFE"
March 19, 2023
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Pets & Vets 101
March 26, 2023
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
It's Softball Season
Bethel Softball Association
Registration Opens
January 23-March 5, 2023
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Parks & Recreation Spring Brochure
Registration Begins February 22, 2023
Bethel Parks & Recreation
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Save the Date
Mini Golf "fore" the Library
March 31, 2023 &
April 1, 2023
Bethel Public Library
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
2023 Spring Season Registration
Registration Closes April 1st.
Bethel Youth Soccer Association
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Foster Care
Foster Parent Training
See Flyer for Details
Foster Care
Find Out How You Can Change a Child's Life
See Flyer for Details
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.
BPS COVID Guidance/Protocols
As a reminder, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revised their COVID guidance for schools on August 11, 2022, after the Department of Health had released its Operational Strategies guidance. Please note the following:
If a student has symptoms we ask that families test their child at home. If the student tests negative and symptoms are of a mild respiratory disease (no fever, infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, etc.) the student can return to school with improving symptoms and fever-free x 24 hrs. without fever-reducing medication.
If the student tests positive, they should be isolated for 5 days. It is recommended by CDC and DPH that they wear a mask for days 6-10.
In the case of an exposure to a COVID+ individual, it is recommended that instead of quarantining an asymptomatic individual should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days, with testing on day 5.
The Bethel Public Schools Health Offices no longer have COVID test kits available to distribute. However, every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests through the U.S. Postal Service. Please click on the link below:
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!
BHS Kindness Assembly 2023
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=fa26b254fe0f
If you have a student Athlete participating in Spring Sports please watch the
Spring Sports Meeting for Parents. Presented by Athletic Director Mark Caron
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=ab032297fa42
Berry Roars at its January School Assembly!
http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=28aca61e0764
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
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 lineup 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
Extended Free School Meals 2022-2023 School Year
The CT General Assembly passed legislation to make Breakfast and Lunch free (through federal grant funding) to all students in the State of Connecticut through the remainder of the school year. This means that we will NOT need to resume charges as of March 1st. If anything changes we will let you know!
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