May 12, 2023

 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 and Guardians,


I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather!   As we end this school year, I wanted to update you on a few issues that have become increasingly problematic in the schools.  While the issues below certainly do not apply to all, we want to ensure that our staff have a safe working environment and we promote a culture of kindness.  


Medication and Health Office Requirements 


As a parent or guardian, 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 doctor's orders which must be signed by both the doctor and parent/guardian.  


As a parent or guardian, it's your responsibility to ensure that your child's daily medication that is taken in the health office during the school day or emergency medication, such as an EpiPen or inhaler, is not expired and that the orders are current. Failure to have unexpired medication and current orders will result in your child not participating in certain school activities, but not limited to, field trips, athletics, ROTC trips, etc. To avoid this, please set a reminder on your calendar or phone to ensure that your child's daily and/or emergency medication and orders are current.


If you are asked to pick up your child during the day, please know the health office is following protocols that can also be found on our website.  Students will be sent home if a student has a fever of 100 degrees or greater and s/he should remain home and "fever free" for 24 hours (without medication such as Advil/Tylenol) before returning to school.  If a student vomits or has diarrhea they must go home and cannot return to school until 24 hours after the last occurrence of vomiting or diarrhea. A parent or emergency contact should be available to pick up the student within 30 minutes. Please remember that staff are following the directives of our medical advisor and recommended practice. It is important that you do not decline to pick up your child. We appreciate your cooperation in advance.  


Custody and Dismissal of Children


We know this certainly only applies to a smaller group of parents.  We are increasingly asked to get involved in custody issues between parents of children. While this is more often an elementary issue, we want to communicate that we are legally responsible and obligated to follow the custody agreement established by the courts. We are seeing an increased amount of conflict where parents are asking us to release their children on days that are not specifically outlined or contrary to that agreement.  More times than not, this becomes a conflict at dismissal in front of the child and our staff have to mediate the dispute. Again, because we are legally obligated to follow that agreement, you must provide an updated agreement if you want the dismissal patterns to change.  


In addition, we are asked to communicate to the other parent regarding a host of other issues.  Again, we encourage you to find mechanisms to communicate and please do not expect the school staff to mediate communication unrelated to your child’s education. We can not stress how important it is that we work collaboratively to be on the same page, with the goal of supporting your child. A major aspect of achieving this goal is to streamline communication with both parents at the same time, such as having one meeting and/or conference or putting aside differences in supporting your child. We realize that this can be hard given individual circumstances and we will continue to work with families, but in the end, we all want what is best for your child.  


Teacher Appreciation

This week we celebrated our unsung heroes. Our teachers routinely put others before self and labor to challenge and inspire our young to see beyond the horizon a brighter future.  Bethel is exceptionally fortunate to have such a highly professional, responsible, and dedicated group of teachers working in our schools. Please find a moment to say thank you.


Department News

IMPORTANT INFO FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE 

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. 

This Week's Updates & Reminders

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The Bethel Brotherhood in Action invites you to join the U.S. Postal Workers in the "Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive".  Please contribute by placing canned or dry food items in a bag at your mailbox for the letter carriers to collect.  

The food drive is this Saturday, May 13th.  Here is the online link:  https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive


Make it fun and post pictures of your kids making the donation!



To the Bethel Community, This is our last week before BHS post prom 2023. Thank you so much to all community members and businesses who have donated to support this wonderful event. Post prom will help keep our kid.pdf

BHS Class of 2023 Needs Your Help!

Support BHS Post Prom

Dear Bethel Public Schools Families,


This is our last week before BHS post prom 2023. Thank you so much to all community members and businesses who have donated to support this wonderful event. Post prom will help keep our kids safe and provide them with a wonderful night of memories. We are so incredibly grateful for all who have donated! 


We could never do it without community support. If you would like to donate, it isn't too late! Donations can be made via Venmo or check. 

The BHS PTSO Venmo is @BHS-PTSO


Checks can be made out to BHS PTSO and sent to Bethel High School care of BHS PTSO 300 Whittlesey Drive Bethel, CT 06801- please note in Venmo or on the check that it is for BHS post prom. 


If you would like to donate a gift card or an item for the raffle, please email Danelle Egan at egand@bethel.k12.ct.us to arrange pickup or drop off. 


Once again, thank you very much. It takes a village to raise a child- and what an outstanding village we have in Bethel! 


Sincerely,

BHS post prom committee 2023


Summer’s BEST Enrichment Programs Pre-K-Grade 2

REGISTRATION THROUGH PICKaTIME. 

ON BPS SUMMER PROGRAMS PAGE


The Bethel Public Schools will be offering exciting and dynamic Summer Programs this Summer. We will offer one session of programs for grades Pre-K through Grade 2 (this is the current grade of your child). We will be combining our most popular programs to offer a variety throughout the morning. Class sizes are limited to 15 students each. We hope to create a summertime adventure of discovery, fun, and learning that will enrich your child. The Enrichment programs are self-funding. The cost of each program is set to cover the cost of the teacher and the materials. You will be sending your child to a fun, safe, educational program at Berry School.  


Save July 5- July 21, 2023, to enroll your child in a rewarding summer experience!

Summer Brochure 2023


Sincerely,

Linda Anderson

     Coordinator of Community Programs

Questions? Please email Linda Anderson at: AndersonL@bethel.k12.ct.us 

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

Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events 

School Events

Book Drive

May 10th - June 2nd

Girl Up Club

JWG.pdf

FREE PROGRAM

Junior Winter Guard Club

Pre-Registration Required

See Flyer for details

To the Bethel Community, This is our last week before BHS post prom 2023. Thank you so much to all community members and businesses who have donated to support this wonderful event. Post prom will help keep our kid.pdf

Support Post Prom 2023


Community Events

BethelLibrary5.20.pdf

Griffin Mobile Vaccination and/or Health Screening Clinics  

May 20, 2023

Bethel Public Library

Goats Galore.pdf

Goats Galore

May 21, 2023

CVH Animal Sanctuary

Vaping me crazy 23.pdf

"Vaping Me Crazy!"

May 22, 2023

Newtown Parent Connections

Bookmark Contest


Submission Deadline

May 31, 2023


Create a Colorful Bookmark Inspired by YOUR Favorite Book!

Contest Entry Form


Bethel spring 2023 event ad.pdf

Try Orienteering

June 3, 2023

See Flyer for Details

Bake Sale

June 4, 2023

Proceeds go  to 

Foundation Fighting Blindness

Bethel Historical Firefighters Museum

Come See a Piece of History

Fun for All Ages!

Day Camp 2023.pdf

Parks & Recreation Day Camp

Registration Begins April 17, 2023

(See flyer for details)

Bethel Parks & Recreation

Summer flyer 2023.pdf

Summer Brochure

Registration Begins May 1, 2023

Bethel Park & Recreation

We Are Hiring

Apply Today!

First Student Bus Company

Police Cadet Program

Newtown/Brookfield/Bethel 

Cadet Meetings Every Thursday 6-8PM

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.

BEtv - See what's new this week! 

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: 

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