March 22, 2024
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,
Town Meeting on the Town and School Budgets
Next Step - Annual Town Meeting -
April 4th, Thursday - Town Meeting - BHS Auditorium @ 7:00 PM babysitting will be provided.
The proposed town, school, and capital budget now go to an Annual Town Meeting. The town meeting is for registered Bethel voters. At this meeting, the registered body of Bethel voters votes to move the budget to a referendum or voting. By charter, any resident from the floor can make a recommendation from the floor to reduce any aspect of the budget, and the voters present vote on the motion. There are three votes at this meeting, the town budget, the school budget, and if applicable any capital budget items.
Prior to the budget being set for the referendum, 2024-2025 Education Budget Information can be found on our website’s District Dashboard under the District Financial Dashboard.
Community Partnership Program
A shout-out to the Community Partnership Program! The 18-22 Community Partnership Program assembled 450 boxes for Brotherhood In Action to be filled and distributed to families in need.
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2024-2025 Education Budget Process Information
2024-2025 Education Budget Information
At the January 18th Board of Education meeting I presented the second presentation, a recommended budget to the Board of Education (2024-2025 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Presentation). The proposed 2.99% increase in spending focused on maintaining all of our top-quality curricular and extracurricular programs, but adding an additional special education teacher and multilingual learner teacher/literacy specialist at Bethel Middle School due to increased needs.
As a district, we have received a number of grants to support the mental health needs and mathematics tutoring at Bethel Middle School. In addition, the Town of Bethel will receive an increase in Education Cost Sharing (ECS). This grant, from the State of Connecticut, has to be used to offset the cost of education in a community. With the increased state aid of $688,684 bringing the total percentage down to 1.69%.
The increase in spending due to contractual salaries increased. Due to the fact that we shifted our health insurance to a high deductible plan, we saw savings again this year or it did not increase beyond the budgeted amount. To be clear, next year we do anticipate an increase for the next fiscal year.
Both presentations can be viewed on our BEtv Channel. In addition, all budget documents will be housed on our district dashboard, under the section financial dashboard.
At the Board's January 30th meeting, the Board of Education approved a 2.99% increase for the 2024-2025 school budget. The Board of Education presented its proposed 2.99% budget increase for 2024-2025 to the Board of Finance/Board of Selectmen on February 20th. You can view the recorded presentation here.
Next Step - The proposed town, school, and capital budget now go to an Annual Town Meeting. The town meeting is for registered Bethel voters. At this meeting, the registered body of Bethel voters votes to move the budget to a referendum or voting. By charter, any resident from the floor can make a recommendation from the floor to reduce any aspect of the budget, and the voters present vote on the motion. There are three votes at this meeting, the town budget, the school budget, and if applicable any capital budget items.
This year’s Annual Town Meeting on the budget is on Thursday, April 4th at 7:00 PM at Bethel High School Auditorium. Babysitting will be provided (for children who are toilet trained).
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 2024-2025 Budget Dates
April 4th, Thursday - Town Meeting - BHS Auditorium @ 7:00 PM babysitting will be provided.
Please Note: Before the budget is set for the referendum, 2024-2025 Education Budget Information can be found here in the Superintendent’s Bethel Public Schools Newsletter each week and on the District Dashboard on our website. District Dashboard - 2024-2025 Education Budget Information
Information from the
BPS School Resource Officer Team
Bring Me Back Home
Bring Me Back Home (BMBH) is a new registry for Connecticut residents that allows law enforcement access to information to assist in the recovery of missing or wandering persons. The provided information and photo, accessible through the COLLECT criminal justice and safety system, helps first responders and families reunite with individuals living with cognitive challenges, such as Dementia or Autism. This information is confidential and secure and can only be accessed by law enforcement personnel in an emergency.
Follow the link below:
https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP/Division-of-Emergency-Service-and-Public-Protection/Bring-Me-Back-Home
If you have any questions, please contact School Resource Officer Beamonte, beamonej@bethel.k12.ct.us.
This Week's Updates & Reminders
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 (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023). The Presidential requirements are as follows:
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria:
Students applying for the Presidential Service Award must use the x2VOL online tracking system to track service hours. The site can be found here:
https://www.x2vol.com/index.html.
Instructions for Tracking Community Service Hours and/or Finding Opportunities using x2VOL online tracking system can be found here: Tracking Community Service Hours and/or Finding Opportunities
All hours must be submitted through the online tracking system by April 1, 2024 in order to be awarded the Spring PVSA. (NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS DATE)
Please email Kim Randalot, Bethel High School at randalotk@bethel.k12.ct.us with any questions. Presidential Volunteer Service Award Flyer
Solar Eclipse on April 8th
One thing that I never thought I would have to do as a Superintendent is to address the impact of a Solar Eclipse. This total eclipse is historical and could be, weather permitting, an awesome experience to view with your family. Based on the path outlined by NASA , the eclipse path is supposed to be slightly north of Connecticut, creating 90% to 92% coverage in Connecticut between 2:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. In Bethel, the largest coverage will be at approximately 3:26 PM.
The eclipse will create dusk-like conditions and cause some safety concerns due to the timing. The largest safety concern is eye damage that can be caused when looking directly at the eclipse. The problem for us in the schools is that the eclipse will occur during dismissal, while students are traveling on buses or walking home. It will be very difficult to monitor students during this time frame. Even if we were to provide protective eyewear, we can not monitor that our students actually have the protective devices on. Obviously, if it is a cloudy day, safety concerns would be minimized. We expect the State Department will be issuing guidance to districts on the best way to handle the situation. I can share that some districts in New York, who are on the direct path have called an early dismissal due to these concerns. So, more to come.
Regardless of how we address the safety concerns from a school perspective, please talk to your children about the following advice I took from the NASA website on eclipse safety:
"When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.
Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. When viewing the partial phases of the eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. (The solar filters do the same job as the eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.)
Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. One way is to use a pinhole projector, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole!"
Retrieved from: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
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The Brian Kirmil Arts Scholarship
Dear BPSD family and friends,
I’m honored to share with you that I am serving as the Chairperson for the newly established Brian Kirmil Arts Scholarship, in honor of the late A. Brian Kirmil, who served as principal of Rockwell School from 1996 to 2013.
We are looking for initial donations to start a yearly $500 scholarship in Brian’s name that will be awarded to a graduating senior from Bethel High School who has participated in our district arts programs. (Music, theater, dance, visual arts, etc.)
To make a tax-deductible donation and read more about the scholarship, please visit:
https://www.betheledfoundation.org/kirmil-scholarship.html
We are hoping to raise $5,000 by April 28th of this year, which will fund our scholarship for the first 10 years.
Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with anyone and everyone who knew Mr. Kirmil so we may keep his memory alive through this arts scholarship.
A very special thanks to The Kirmil Family, all our committee members, and to the BEF for their support in establishing this scholarship.
Thank you so much and "have a sparkling day"!
-Dennis J. Arcano
Brian Kirmil Arts Scholarship Chairperson
K-3 General Music, Anna H. Rockwell & Ralph M.T. Johnson Elementary Schools
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NJROTC Military Ball - Friday, March 29, 2024
The Military Ball will be held on Friday, March 29, at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT from 5:00 – 11:00 p.m. See the Military Ball letter for further details.
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2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration is Open
Beginning July 1, 2024, the Connecticut General Statute requires that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year to enroll in Kindergarten.
Circle of Friends Early Childhood Program Information
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Upcoming Calendar Events
March
29 -Good Friday - Schools Closed
April
15 - 19 - Spring Recess
Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events
See flyers for full details
School Events
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Meet & Greet
April 1, 2024
SEPAT
(Special Education Parent Advisory Team)
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BEF Family Game Night
April 3, 2024
Bethel Education Foundation
BHS Girls Lacrosse Restaurant Fundraiser
April 2, 2024
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Post Prom Restaurant Fundraiser
April 8, 2024
BHS Girls Lacrosse Mental Health Game
April 15, 2024
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Post Prom 2024 Needs Volunteers!
Community Events
A special night with NY Times Bestselling Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka
April 3, 2024
Recommended Grades 8-12
Edmond Town Hall
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WorkspaceCT Summer Programs
Earlybird pricing for WorkspaceCT summer experiences for kids and teens runs for two more weeks. Use code EARLYBIRD15 by March 31 for 15% off all summer programs. See their summer offerings here: https://www.workspacect.org/summerprograms
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Teen Thrive Fair
April 19, 2024
Waterbury Police Activity League
&
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
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2024 Bethel Spring Soccer
See Flyer for Details
Spring Lacrosse
Grades K-8
Registration is Open Now
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Summer Reading Skills
Classes offered
See Flyer
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
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Jane Goodall Reasons for Hope
April 7, 2024
Free Movie
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Amazing Amphibians & Radical Reptiles
April 12, 2024
FREE EVENT
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Frog Watch
April 12, 2024
FREE EVENT
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Spring Bird Exploration
April 18, 2024
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
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Llama Nature Hike
April 20, 2024
CVH Animal Sanctuary
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For the LLOVE OF LLAMAS
April 27, 2024
CVH Animal Sanctuary
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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Teen Volleyball Clinic
March 2 - April 13, 2024
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays!
Every Saturday Month of March
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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Swim Lessons
See Flyer
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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Kid's Night Out &
Middle School Madness
See Flyer
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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Swim for Eggs
March 30, 2024
Regional YMCA of Western CT
Swim Lessons:
We Offer Lessons Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Classes all prices are listed in the flyer along with a clickable link to our registration site.
STEAM Activities:
We have a STEAM class offered this session too! It is a great class where kids can explore their creative and scientific abilities! the STEAM classes are offered on Saturday Mornings.
Drop Off Events:
Each Month we offer Drop off events it is a benefit for both kids and parents. We offer kids' night out which is a younger age group of kids we have pizza drinks and snacks with a theme night of fun activities these events are from 6:30-8:30 pm giving parents 2 hours to enjoy the kid-free time. We also have Middle School Madness this event is typically on Saturday evenings and runs from 7-9 pm the kids have access to the pools including an inflatable slide and diving board, we have a gaga pit and basketball available there are also plenty more activities the middle schoolers can participate in!
Egg Hunt:
We offer an egg hunt in the pool baskets are provided for each kid. After each kid collects their eggs, they will receive a prize and photos with the bunny. Registration is required.
Volleyball Clinic:
We are offering the volleyball clinic again! This program is for 7th 8th and 9th graders interested in learning volleyball and potentially playing in high school.
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.
School-Based Health Center
Do you want to be the first to know when school is delayed or canceled in bad weather? Follow me at Instagram & Threads @christinelcarver, Bethel Public Schools Facebook Page, X @BethelCTSuper, and Bethel Public Schools Website We post photos of school and district events, general communications, and school closing/delay information. Also, be sure to check out our bethelpublicschools Flickr page
FAQs
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 Digital Learning & Data Privacy Resources
Bethel Public Schools is committed to innovative teaching and learning using 21st-century personalized curriculum with 1:1 digital resources available in a protected anytime, anywhere learning environment. While we are dedicated to providing rich, relevant, and rigorous resources we will only do so in compliance with Federal and State laws on student data privacy. On the district’s website, the Student Data Privacy pages are designed to inform and address staff, students, and parents on approved digital resources, student data privacy legislation, and data breach notifications.
If you are new to the district, we have a Blended Learning website to support our students, staff, and families as they use digital tools to enhance teaching and learning. It is a wonderful resource—please bookmark this site!
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
Policy 6144.1 - Curricular Exemptions - 4-20-23
Regulation 6153 - Field Trips - Day Trips and Overnight Trips (Curricular and Extracurricular) - 4-20-23
Regulation 6153.1 - International Field Trips - 4-20-23
Policy/Regulation 4111 - Recruitment and Selection - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4111.1 Equal Employment Opportunity - 5-18-23
Policy - 4111.3 Minority Recruitment Plan - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4112 Appointments and Conditions of Employment - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4112.5 Security Checks and Fingerprinting - 5-18-23
Regulation 5141.11 - School Bus Accidents - 9-21-23
Regulation - 4112.4 Health Examination - 9-21-23
Policy 1120 - Board of Education Meetings - 10-19-23
Policy 6141.321 - Student Responsible Use of the District's Computer Systems and Internet Safety - 10-19-23
Policy & Regulation 4118.5 - Employee Responsible Use of the District’s Computer Systems and Electronic Communications - 10-19-23
Policy 5131.81 - Electronic Devices - 10-19-23
Policy & Regulation 1330 - Use of School Facilities - 10-19-23
Regulation 5131.911 - District Safe School Climate Plan - 11-16-23
Regulation 5113 - Student Attendance and Truancy - 12-7-23
Policy 4112.51 - Employment & Student-Teacher Checks – 3-18-24
Policy 4121 - Substitute Teachers – 3-18-24
Policy & Regulation 3542.43 - Food Service Charging – 3-18-24
Policy & Regulation 5112.4 - Disenrollment – 3-18-24
Policy 6159 - Individualized Education Program/Special Education Program – 3-18-24
Policy 5141.21 - Administration of Medication – 3-18-24
Bylaw 9323 - Construction of the Agenda – 3-18-24
School Bus Routes 2023-2024
2023-2024 Bus Routes are posted on the district website under “Departments” on the menu bar and then “Transportation Information”
If you have questions with regard to the Bus Routes, please contact the Bus Company directly at 203-748-8091.
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 television stations, websites, Twitter, and text message via our SchoolMessenger communication system.
TV Channel 3, TV Channel 8, & TV Channel 6.
Bethel Public Schools Website – www.bethel.k12.ct.us
Connecticut Weather Website – www.ctweather.com
Follow me on Instagram & Threads @christinelcarver, Bethel Public Schools Facebook Page, X @BethelCTSuper, and Bethel Public Schools Website
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 (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 Health Updates 2023-2024
Changes in COVID Isolation Guidance from the CDC
We sent out a separate communication last week. In case you missed that communication, as of last Friday, the CDC has updated its COVID-19 isolation guidance to reflect improvements in patient outcomes with existing effective treatments and vaccines. After testing positive for COVID-19, individuals may go back to normal activities including school and work when the following are both true for 24 hours:
Symptoms are getting better overall and
No fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Parents should inform their child’s school nurse if their child tests positive for COVID-19 or other communicable illnesses such as flu, strep, norovirus, and RSV.
CT State Department of Education State Mandated Screenings
The Bethel Public School District follows the mandated screening guidelines as set by the State of Connecticut.
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 7 and 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 7th grade/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.
School Lunch Program 2023-2024
Bethel Public Schools have opted into the State Transition Assistance for Breakfast and Lunch Expenses (STABLE) funds. These funds will provide one breakfast meal per day at no cost to ALL students and one lunch meal per day at no cost for students eligible for reduced-price meals. Because free lunch status has been extended for the school year 2023-2024 to include reduced eligible students, it is important that all families who might qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch submit an application as soon as possible. Applications can be found on the Bethel Public Schools' website under departments, Foods & Nutrition, or in the main offices at each school.
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