May 3, 2024
Newsletter
Bethel Public Schools E-News
“Our Primary Purpose is to Improve Student Achievement”
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!
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
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Upcoming Calendar Events
May
27 - Memorial Day Observed - Schools Closed
June
7 - BMS Moving Up Ceremony at the Ralph DeSantis Field at 6 PM.
10 - Class of 2024 Graduation Date at the Ralph DeSantis Field at 6 PM.
11 - Class of 2024 RAIN DATE - Graduation
11 - Last Day of School - Early Dismissal K-12 (Tentative, 2 out of the 5 built-in emergency days left if needed.)
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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.
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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
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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
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Upcoming Calendar Events
May
27 - Memorial Day Observed - Schools Closed
June
7 - BMS Moving Up Ceremony at the Ralph DeSantis Field at 6 PM.
10 - Class of 2024 Graduation Date at the Ralph DeSantis Field at 6 PM.
11 - Class of 2024 RAIN DATE - Graduation
Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events
See flyers for full details
School Events
Varsity Baseball Matchup
May 6, 2024
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BHS Theater End of Year Dinner
May 14, 2024
RSVP by May 8th!
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BHS Post Prom Fundraiser
Support BHS Post Prom
BHS PTSO Fundraiser
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Post Prom 2024 Needs Volunteers!
Community Events
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Bookmark Contest
May 1-May 31st
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Relay for Life
May 4, 2024
Danbury Fair Mall
High Students in need of volunteer hours? You can volunteer as well.
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Bethel Park & Recreation
Summer 2024
Registration Starts May 6, 2024
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Girls Lacrosse Camp
Wednesdays 6/19-731
Bethel Park & Recreation
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Bethel Park & Rec Day Camp
Registration Begins
April 22th Online at 9 AM
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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
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2024 Bethel Spring Soccer
See Flyer for Details
Spring Lacrosse
Grades K-8
Registration is Open Now
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Summer Reading Skills
Classes offered
See Flyer
Regional YMCA of Western CT
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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:
Regulation – 5131.911 – District Safe School Climate Plan – 10-21-21
Policy/Regulation 5118 - Nonresident Students - 10-21-21 & 3/17/22
Policy/Regulation 1140 - Distribution of Materials- 10-21-21
Policy 1170 - Recognition of Citizens, Staff Members, Members of Board of Education, Students- 10-21-21
Policy 1312 - Public Relations- 10-21-21
Policy 3524.2 Green Cleaning- 10-21-21
Policy/Regulation 5141.3 - Health Assessment and Immunizations - 10-21-21
Policy 5131.911 - Bullying & Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Intervention - 11-18-21
Policy/Regulation 1220 - Citizens Advisory Committee- 12-16-21
Regulation 1221 - Citizens Advisory Committee for the BOE- 12-16-21
Policy 1331 - Smoking in School Facilities- 12-16-21
Policy 1411 - Law Enforcement Agencies- 12-16-21
Policy/Regulation 4118.231 Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco-Free Workplace - 12-16-21
Regulation 2232 - Electronic Records and Information - 2-15-22
Policy 5141.231 - Chemical Health Policy for Student-Athletes - 2-15-22
Regulation 5118 - Nonresident Students - 3-17-22
Regulation 5111 - Admission - 3-24-22
Policy 1416 - Fiscal Authorities 4-21-22
Policy 1700 - Otherwise Lawful Possession of Firearms on School Property - 4-21-22
Policy 2000 - Concept and Roles in Administration - 4-21-22
Policy 2111 - Equal Employment Opportunity - 4-21-22
Policy 2112 - Professional Learning - 4-21-22
Policy 2113 - Grievance Procedures - Title IX - deleted 4-21-22
Policy 2130 - Job Descriptions - 5-19-22
Policy/Regulation 2131 - Superintendent of Schools - 5-19-22
Policy 2141 - Recruitment and Retention of the Superintendent of Schools - 5-19-22
Policy 2142 - Evaluation of the Superintendent - 5-19-22
Policy 6162.52 - Student Privacy (PPRA) - 6-21-22
Policy 6162.51 - Student Surveys (deleted) replaced with Policy 6162.52 - Student Privacy (PPRA) - 6-21-22
Policy 6141.51 - Enrollment in an Advanced Course or Program and Challenging Curriculum - 6-21-22
Regulation 5131.911 - District Safe School Climate Plan - 10-20-22
Policy 6148 - FAFSA - New Policy - 10-20-22
Policy 2150 - Administrative Staff - 10-20-22
Policy 6146.1 - Grading/Assessment Systems- 10-20-22
Regulation 6146.1 - Grading/Assessment Systems - This regulation has been deleted - 10-20-22
Policy 6146.11 - Weighted Grading and Calculation of Grade Point Averages, New Policy - 10-20-22
Policy/Regulation 5113 - Student Attendance and Truancy - 12-15-22
Policy 5141.21 - Administration of Student Medications in the Schools - 12-15-22
Policy 4118.235/4218.235 - Reports of Suspected Abuse or Neglect of Children or Reports of Sexual Assault of Students By School Employees - New Policy - 12/15/22
Policy 2210 - Administrative Discretion in Absence of BOE Policy - 1-19-23
Policy 2220 - Representative and Deliberate Groups - 1-19-23
Policy 2222 - Administrative Council - 1-19-23
Policy 2231 - Policy and Regulation Systems - 1-19-23
Policy 2300 - Role of Board of Education and Superintendent - 1-19-23
Policy 6144.1 - Curricular Exemptions - 4-20-23
Regulation 6153 - Field Trips - Day Trips and Overnight Trips (Curricular and Extracurricular) - 4-20-23
Regulation 6153.1 - International Field Trips - 4-20-23
Policy/Regulation 4111 - Recruitment and Selection - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4111.1 Equal Employment Opportunity - 5-18-23
Policy - 4111.3 Minority Recruitment Plan - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4112 Appointments and Conditions of Employment - 5-18-23
Policy/Regulation - 4112.5 Security Checks and Fingerprinting - 5-18-23
Regulation 5141.11 - School Bus Accidents - 9-21-23
Regulation - 4112.4 Health Examination - 9-21-23
Policy 1120 - Board of Education Meetings - 10-19-23
Policy 6141.321 - Student Responsible Use of the District's Computer Systems and Internet Safety - 10-19-23
Policy & Regulation 4118.5 - Employee Responsible Use of the District’s Computer Systems and Electronic Communications - 10-19-23
Policy 5131.81 - Electronic Devices - 10-19-23
Policy & Regulation 1330 - Use of School Facilities - 10-19-23
Regulation 5131.911 - District Safe School Climate Plan - 11-16-23
Regulation 5113 - Student Attendance and Truancy - 12-7-23
Policy 4112.51 - Employment & Student-Teacher Checks – 3-18-24
Policy 4121 - Substitute Teachers – 3-18-24
Policy & Regulation 3542.43 - Food Service Charging – 3-18-24
Policy & Regulation 5112.4 - Disenrollment – 3-18-24
Policy 6159 - Individualized Education Program/Special Education Program – 3-18-24
Policy 5141.21 - Administration of Medication – 3-18-24
Bylaw 9323 - Construction of the Agenda – 3-18-24
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.
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