Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members:

Staff Appreciation

I can not believe we are about to enter the first week of May.   Soon the end of the year will be here.  Each school will have a number of activities to celebrate the end of the year and to kick off summer.   As we coast to the end of the year, it is a perfect time to express our gratitude to our staff.   We are blessed to have an amazing group of educators, administrators, paraeducators, technology staff, custodians, and secretaries who work tirelessly to ensure the children of Bethel receive a quality education.   Next week is Staff Appreciation Week.   Tuesday, May 3rd is Teacher Appreciation Day.   It is a perfect opportunity to thank a teacher for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.  

New Director of Finance and Business Operations

The Bethel Public Schools is pleased to announce our newly appointed Director of Finance and Business Operations, Ms. Jen Variale, effective July 1st. Ms. Variale was appointed to the position that will be left vacant by Mrs. Theresa Yonsky’s retirement.

Ms. Variale was selected from a pool of 15 applicants.  The following qualities distinguished her candidacy: 

• Educational background in finance and business administration. 

• Work in the private sector in business and finance.

• Ability to analytically solve complex problems.

• Superior skills in technology.

• Presentation skills and ability to effectively work with different stakeholder groups.  

• Demonstrated collaborative leader who can evaluate operations and programs for greater outcomes and efficiencies.  

• Deep knowledge of teaching, curriculum, assessment, finance, and school operations.   

• Ability to work with the team to develop a long-term vision and operationalize that vision.  

Ms. Variale has a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Brown University.   She then went on to get a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance from Santa Clara University in 2010.   Ms. Variale worked as a Finance and Planning Manager for IBM where her duties included, but were not limited to:  development of long-term strategic financial plans; management of teams; providing financial analysis and business recommendations to senior executives; and negotiated resolutions to conflicts regarding funding and capital allocations.  In 2010, Ms. Variale sought to become certified to teach mathematics at the secondary level.  In addition to teaching at Bethel High School, she served as the Department Chair. She has been instrumental in working with her department in transforming instructional practice and creating new courses to prepare students to meet the demands of college and the global workforce.  She is adept in data analysis and evaluation of program effectiveness to improve student outcomes.  She worked with the math department to change the course sequences and pathways to improve outcomes.  In addition, she regularly works with students and families to maximize student outcomes.  

We are confident that Ms. Variale will continue to move the Bethel Public Schools in a positive direction and look forward to having her in the role of Director of Finance and Business Operations, effective July 1, 2022.  

Multi-Sport Turf Complex

As you are likely aware, the Town of Bethel received a private donation of a multi-sport turf complex on the fields next to Bethel Middle School.  Construction is set to begin on Monday, May 2nd.  We met with representatives from Claris Construction to discuss logistics, including not interfering with parent drop-off and pick-up.  The project is anticipated to be completed by the beginning of September.  The picture represents an architectural rendering of the completed project.  The complex will be lined for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and a practice football field.  

BHS Ranks 40th in the State!

We are pleased to announce that today, Bethel High School was ranked 40th in Connecticut and 1857 in the Nation by the US News and World Report.  To put this in context, there are 556 high schools in Connecticut, and of those, 431 are public schools.  Furthermore, there are close to 18,000 public high schools ranked nationally.  Bethel High School ranks in the top 10% in the state and nation.  A particular point of pride is the college readiness indicators, academic performance, and graduation rates in the context of our district demographics. 

COVID Update & Test Kit Availability

COVID rates continue to climb in Connecticut and in the region.  We have seen an increase in cases in the schools. The Department of Public Health has asked us to communicate that if you or a family member have symptoms and you would like a home test to rule out COVID, simply email your child’s school nurse.  We just received a new supply of test kits from the State of Connecticut.   Also, every household in the U.S. is ow eligible to receive a second set of 4 free test kits.  Go to www.covidtests.gov.

We hope that you enjoy the nicer weather that we are supposed to get over the weekend.