Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members:

Parent University Last Session - DO NOT MISS OUT!

Our last Parent University Session is next Wednesday, April 6th. Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, Speaker, and Author of the 2013 Wall Street Journal best nonfiction book, The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age, will be doing two parent sessions, one focused on elementary and the second secondary in the Bethel High School Auditorium.  All sessions are open to the public.  

Elementary - 5:30 to 7:00 PM - The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood & Family Relationships in the Digital Age. 

Overview: Learn about the impact of technology on the mental health and well-being of our youth and

strategies to support children in the digital age.

Secondary - 7:15 to 8:45 - Is Technology Addictive? From Distraction to Obsession to Addiction

Overview: An over-dependence on technology can significantly impact our children’s lives. Join us as we learn about the warning signs that lead to obsessive and addictive behaviors and strategies to avoid them.

Child care will be provided for children ages 4 and toilet trained.  The sign-up for child care can be accessed using this Babysitting Form.  

COVID Home Tests 

As you are aware, the Department of Public Health has provided the district with a number of COVID-19 home tests to distribute to families.   As many people are traveling over the April break, DPH is recommending testing your child prior to returning to school on Monday, April 18, 2022.  As a result, they are recommending an additional  distribution of test kits to all families.  As we did before, we will be sending home test kits per child prior to the April break.  The schools will be communicating to you exactly when they will be distributed.  If you do not want your child to receive the kits, simply email your child’s teacher.  

Mock Car Crash Assembly at Bethel High School

On April 20th Bethel High School students will be participating in an assembly of a mock car crash caused by an individual who was under the influence.  This assembly was planned  by a group of seniors, in conjunction with our School Resource Officer, Jason Broad,  from their work at a student leadership summit.  The purpose of this advisory is to raise awareness about driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  In this assembly, the students, with the assistance of first responders,  will simulate an actual accident caused by an individual driving under the influence, including the arrest of individuals responsible, death, and injury. Our students have even arranged for Life Star to do a flyover as part of the presentation.  Given the realistic nature of the mock car crash, we wanted to make you aware of the assembly.  If you feel the topics would have a negative impact on your child, simply call the school and we will find an alternative activity.  

The following departments/organizations are involved in this demonstration: Bethel Police Department, Bethel Fire Department, Stony Hill Fire Department, New Milford Police Department, Danbury Police Department, and the Redding Police Department.  Students will also be placing signs in the community to raise awareness of the serious nature of driving under the influence.  

Budget Update

The Board of Education wants to make sure you are informed and have a chance to be involved in the budget process.  On Monday, March 21, 2021, there was a Public Hearing on the Town of Bethel and School budgets.  The Board of Finance met on Thursday evening (March 25th and voted to move the school budget (4.43% increase over last year’s budget) to the Annual Town Meeting.  The proposed town, school, and capital budget then go to an Annual Town Meeting. The town meeting is for registered Bethel voters. At this meeting, the registered body of Bethel voters vote 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 is on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Bethel Middle School Auditorium.  Childcare will be provided for children ages 4 and toilet trained. There is no sign-up for childcare for the Town Meeting. 

Prior to the budget being set for the referendum, 2022-2023 Education Budget Information can be found on our website’s District Dashboard under the Financial Dashboard. 2022-2023 Education Budget Information