May 3, 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,


As previously communicated, the incident in Parloa Park this week was of significant concern.  Because it has been asked of me more than once in the last few weeks, how can the school provide discipline for something that happens off school grounds?  Shouldn't parents just address it?  CT State law and Board of Education policy 5114  define the discipline of out-of-school conduct as such:


"Students may be suspended or expelled for conduct off school grounds if such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process and violative of a publicized policy of the Board.  In making a determination as to whether such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process, the Administration and the Board of Education may consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to, the following factors:  (1) whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school;  (2) whether other students from the school were involved or whether there was any gang involvement;  (3) whether the conduct involved violence, threats of violence, or the unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in section Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38, and whether any injuries occurred; and (4) whether the conduct involved the use of alcohol." 


Many incidents, especially those that involve violence, cause significant disruption in the school environment as many of the issues spill into the school setting.  Often threats continue, students continue to speak to the incidents, etc.  We hope parents also take these incidents seriously and provide home-based consequences for actions.  Please take this opportunity to speak with your child about how conduct outside of school could affect discipline in school.  


Staff Appreciation

I can not believe we are in the month 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 move 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. Tuesday, May 7th is National Teacher Appreciation Day.  It is a perfect opportunity to thank a teacher for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.  

School Nurse Day 2024

Also,  National School Nurse Day is May 8th. School nurses are critical to all aspects of students’ health!  Join us in celebrating our school nurses not only on May 8th but at every opportunity throughout the year! 


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 has 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!  


Setting Boundaries



Sustainable Bethel Commission's Bethel Walk Audit  - May 18th

The Bethel Walk Audit will take place SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 from 1 PM - 3 PM at the INTERSECTION OF STONY HILL ROAD AND OLD HAWLEYVILLE ROAD. The Sustainable Bethel Commission is seeking volunteers to conduct a Walk Audit on part of Stony Hill/ Route 6 in Bethel to document and capture the experiences of pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation riders and others to find and recommend to the town more sustainable transit oriented development options. The objective is to improve safety, ease of access to local establishments, and quality of life for Bethel residents, organizations, and businesses in the Stony Hill area. The Sustainable Bethel Commission and Bethel residents will be taking a close study of the intersection at Stony Hill Road and Old Hawleyville Road and the surrounding area. We are notifying the community and inviting you to participate in the Bethel Walk Audit. Click here for the FB event page, the flyer and more information about what a walk audit entails. 

If you are interested in participating as an individual or a group/organization please click the Volunteer Form link or scan the QR code on the flyer below in the Community News section to complete the volunteer form. Reach out with any questions about volunteering and/or partnering with the Sustainable Bethel Commission to sustainablebethel@bethel-ct.gov 

This Week's Updates & Reminders

2023-2024 Calendar - BOE Approved 3-2-23 - Revised 2-14-24.pdf

Upcoming Calendar Events

May


June

Spring 2024 Newsletter.pdf

Bethel High School Alumni Association Spring Newsletter

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We have mentioned several times in our newsletter the need for help to continue the operation of our Alumni Association. The average age of our board is above 80 years old, and we need new, younger members to continue providing newsletters and operation of the Association. In the event we have to become inactive due to lack of participation, the board has proposed continuing to provide scholarships to two deserving Bethel High School graduates until the current fund held by the Bethel Public Schools administration is depleted.  If you wish to help with the continuation of our Bethel High School Alumni Association, you may contact any of the board members listed in this newsletter, or write to: Bethel High School Alumni Association, 300 Whittlesey Drive, Bethel, CT 06801.

Any and all help to continue our Association will be gratefully appreciated.

Honor A Teacher 2024 Flyer.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

May

June


Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events

See flyers for full details 

School Events

Varsity Baseball Matchup

May 6, 2024

EndofTheYearDinnerBHSTheaterBoostersDinner.pdf

BHS Theater End of Year Dinner

May 14, 2024

RSVP by May 8th!

Post Prom Flyer.pdf

BHS Post Prom Fundraiser

Support BHS Post Prom

BHS PTSO Fundraiser

post prom.pdf

Post Prom 2024 Needs Volunteers!

Community Events

BOOKMARK CONTEST2024.pdf

Bookmark Contest

May 1-May 31st 

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.  

Summer flyer 2024.pdf

Bethel Park & Recreation

Summer 2024

Registration Starts May 6, 2024

BETHEL WALK AUDIT FLYER & INTRO.pdf

Bethel Walk Audit 

MAY 18, 2024

1-3 PM Stony Hill Road & Old Hawleyville Road 


Volunteer Form

Girls Lacrosse Camp

Wednesdays 6/19-731

Bethel Park & Recreation

2024 Summer Camp.pdf

Bethel Park & Rec Day Camp

Registration Begins 

April 22th Online at 9 AM

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

Bethel Youth Cheerleading Spring Cheer Camp

Thursday Nights in May


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

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. 


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