April 12, 2024 

Newsletter

Bethel Public Schools E-News 

“Our Primary Purpose is to Improve Student Achievement”

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This Week's Content

Superintendent's News

Christine Carver, Ed.D.,

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,


We hope you have a relaxing spring break with your family next week!  


The town referendum or vote for the education and town budgets is Tuesday, April 23, 2024.   Polling centers will be open between 6:00 AM  to 8:00 PM.  You can find a list of polling centers on our town website.  This is the Tuesday after our Spring break.   

PowerSchool Upgrade - IMPORTANT 

Due to a system upgrade, PowerSchool will be unavailable to all students, parents, guardians & staff on Monday, April 15th, and Tuesday, April 16th.  We are switching to a cloud-hosted version of PowerSchool, which includes the Parent Portal.  When the system is back up, we will send a message, which will include a new URL for logging in.   We will also provide you with information regarding the app, as you may need to log out and back in.  The migration will also affect your ability to register your child while we are shut down on Monday or Tuesday.  

Impact of Technology Video Series

As we have said in previous communications, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of technology on the physical and mental health and overall safety of our students.   In response to that concern, the Social Emotional Learning and School Climate Collaborative have developed a series of videos to address a variety of issues that we are seeing.  Below are the next videos of the series you will receive in the next few weeks.  Our goals are to educate you on the issues and discuss ways to partner to keep our students safe.  Please watch!  


Elementary Level

The next video in our series regarding the impact of technology is for parents of elementary age students entitled, “It is Worth the Wait.”  Ms. Soucy and Dr. Grieco share why you should wait to give your child a smart device.  


It is Worth the Wait


Districtwide

What are some of the dangers and impacts of group chats/texting?  What can you do as a parent?  This is the next in our series about the impact of technology on our students.  


Group Texting 

Parent/Guardian Feedback Survey

Be on the lookout for our annual parent/guardian feedback survey. You will have the opportunity to complete an anonymous survey about your child's school experience and your own perceptions of the school in which your child(ren) attends. We will use the feedback from the survey for improvement efforts in providing the highest quality education for your child(ren). You will receive further information regarding this survey soon.

Honor A Teacher 2024 Flyer.pdf

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

Save the Date 2024 for E-newsletters.pdf

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 

Newsletter - Kindergarten Registration 24-25 (2).pdf

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

COF OS 2.12.2024.pdf
Circle of Friends Flyer 24.25.pdf

Upcoming Calendar Events

April

Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events

See flyers for full details 

School Events

BHS Graduation VIP flyer (newsletter).pdf

BHS Graduation VIP Raffle

Closes April 30th

BHS Girls Lacrosse Mental Health Game

April 15, 2024

post prom.pdf

Post Prom 2024 Needs Volunteers!

Community Events

2024 Summer Camp.pdf

Bethel Park & Rec Day Camp

Registration Begins 

April 22th Online at 9 AM

Teen Thrive Fair Updated.pdf

Teen Thrive Fair

April 19, 2024

Waterbury Police Activity League

&

Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board

EarlyBird Pricing at Workspace.pdf

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 

Summer Theater Summer 2024

Parks & Recreation

Stable Strength.pdf

Stable Strength Parent Workshop 

April 28, 2024

Ridgebury Farms

Stable Strength Teen Wellness Program

See Flyer for Details 


Relay for Life flyer.pdf

Relay for Life

May 4, 2024

Danbury Fair Mall

High Students in need of volunteer hours?  You can volunteer as well.  

2024 Spring Flyer (1).pdf

2024 Bethel Spring Soccer

See Flyer for Details

Spring Lacrosse

Grades K-8

Registration is Open Now

529 University of Bridgeport Elem PHONE.pdf

Summer Reading Skills

Classes offered

See Flyer

Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary


Amphibian Flyer (1).pdf

Amazing Amphibians & Radical Reptiles

April 12, 2024 

FREE EVENT

Frogwatch Flyer.pdf

Frog Watch

April 12, 2024

FREE EVENT

Bird Exploration at the Sanctuary.pdf

Spring Bird Exploration

April 18, 2024

Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary

Llama nature hike.pdf

Llama Nature Hike

April 20, 2024

CVH Animal Sanctuary

Llove of llamas.pdf

For the LLOVE OF LLAMAS

April 27, 2024

CVH Animal Sanctuary

Regional YMCA of Western CT

volleyball Clinic - Untitled Page (1).pdf

Teen Volleyball Clinic

March 2 - April 13, 2024

Regional YMCA of Western CT

Sping 1 AD - Untitled Page (1).pdf

Swim Lessons

See Flyer

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. 


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.

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: 


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.  


2023-2024 Free Reduced Lunch Press Release

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