June 7, 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,

Making Reading & Mathematics a Delightful Part of Summer

As the school year draws to a close and summer is just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a joyous and rejuvenating break. Summer is a time for relaxation, exploration, and creating precious memories with your family. And amidst all the fun-filled adventures that lie ahead, we would like to emphasize the importance of reading to your children and encouraging independent reading.

When you take the time to read to your children, you are not just sharing a story and inspiring a love for reading, but also building a strong foundation for their academic success and personal growth.

During these long summer days, reading becomes an even more essential activity. It helps combat the dreaded "summer slide," a phenomenon where students lose some of the progress made during the school year. By reading regularly, your children can maintain and even enhance their reading skills, ensuring a smoother transition back into the classroom when the new academic year begins.

To make reading a delightful part of your summer routine, here are a few suggestions:

Remember, reading is not only an academic exercise but also enhances children's creativity, critical thinking skills, and empathy. So let this summer be filled with the magic of books and the joy of reading.

In addition to reading, the State Department of Education is lauching a Governor's Summer Math Challenge.   Berry, Rockwell and Johnson School have included resources on the flyers below of games, computer apps and other resources to maintain skills over the summer!   The Berry, Rockwell and Johnson flyers even contain the supply lists!   Check them out!  

Berry/Rockwell Summer Resources


Johnson Summer Resources

Wishing you and your family a summer filled with sunshine, laughter, and wonderful stories.



FREE SUMMER MEALS

COMIDAS DE VERANO GRATIS

This Week's Updates & Reminders

Student Recognition

Bethel Student's Bookmark Contest Winners & Runners Up

Congratulations to the following students who created colorful bookmarks Inspired by their Favorite Book!

Winners in their age group:


Thiya Bhattacharya (Johnson School)

Anvitha Gautham (Berry School)


Runners-up in their age group:


Ashlyn Germinaro (Bethel HS)

Julianna Hashemi (Bethel Middle School)

BHS Graduation can be viewed LIVE

The Bethel High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bethel High School DeSantis Field. (Rain Date - June 11th)


Bethel High School will be live-streaming the graduation ceremony for family members and friends who are unable to attend in person. Join us via live stream on June 10th by using the link below. 


BHS Graduation Ceremony LIVE

Board of Education Sets 

2024-2025 School Lunch Prices 

At its last meeting, the Board of Education set the 2024 - 2025 School breakfast/lunch prices.

Elementary (Berry/Rockwell/Johnson):  $3.25

Middle/High School:  $3.60

breakfast for all schools:  $2.50  

adult breakfast:  $3.50

adult lunch:  $5.00

The Free/Reduced Lunch Applications for 2024-2025 will be updated and posted sometime over the summer on our website, along with being made available at the schools. 

For students who qualify for either free or reduced-price meals, breakfast will be free.

BHS Track and Field Training Center 

SUMMER HOURS

BHS Track & Field Training Center 


SUMMER PUBLIC HOURS 

    JULY  - AUGUST 


    Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 6 AM - 7:30 AM

    Saturday/Sunday - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM 


If you are not a current member, please complete the required registration form for public access to the Bethel Track and Field Training Center.  To be eligible for access you must be a Bethel resident, 18 years or older,  and pay the annual $25 fee.  


BHS Track and Field Training Center Public Registration Form

2024-2025 School Calendar

2024-2025 Calendar -BOE Approved 2-22-24 - 2 pages - Revised 6-6-24.pdf
Grad&Dad BEF Fundraiser 2024 (1).pdf

IMPORTANT HEALTH OFFICE INFORMATION 

Student Medications

Non-Compliance

The Connecticut General Statutes (Section 10-204a and Section 10-206) require local boards of education to ensure that each child attending school be adequately immunized and have an up-to-date health assessment (physical) on file.  The Bethel Public School District requires that all students who enter Grades 7 and 10 must have a mandated health assessment dated on or after July 1, 2023 in order to be compliant.


These forms can be found below: 

STATE OF CT - HEALTH ASSESSMENT RECORD: Age 5 - Grade 12

Your child can also pick up a blank form during the school day at either the BMS or BHS Health Offices.

Because the school district must comply with the state regulations, your child will not be allowed to enter school on the first day of the 2024 - 2025 school year, unless you provide the school with an updated health assessment and/or documentation with the necessary immunizations completed before that date.

Please provide the proper documentation to your child’s school. Paperwork can be mailed, faxed or emailed to your child’s school.
Bethel High School                                                                          Bethel Middle School
Nurse Lisa Davenport, RN                                                            Nurse Christopher Cruz, RN
Nurse Jill Kurtz, RN                                                                        Nurse Lydia Petitti, RN
300 Whittlesey Drive                                                                     600 Whittlesey Drive
Bethel, CT 06801                                                                            Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203-794-8600 ext. 1262                                                   Phone: 203-794-8669
Fax: 203-830-7350                                                                          Fax: 203-794-8083
davenportl@bethel.k12.ct.us                                                        cruzc@bethel.k12.ct.us

kurtzj@bethel.k12.ct.us                                                                  petittil@bethel.k12.ct.us

Upcoming Calendar Events

June


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. 

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

Circle of Friends 

Early Childhood Program Information


Circle of Friends Flyer 24.25.pdf

Flyers, Fundraisers &, Community News & Events

See flyers for full details 

School Events

Community Events

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY - TODAY!

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Cub Scouts Flyer Spring 2024.pdf

Join Cub Scouts!

[Original size] Bethel Youth.pdf

Boys Wildcat Soccer Camp

Summer Volleyball Camp 2024

Summer flyer 2024.pdf

Bethel Park & Recreation

Summer 2024

Registration Starts May 6, 2024

2024 Summer Camp.pdf

Bethel Park & Rec Day Camp

Registration Begins 

April 22th Online at 9 AM

Girls Lacrosse Camp

Wednesdays 6/19-7/31

Bethel Park & Recreation

Bethel Youth Cheerleading Spring Cheer Camp

Thursday Nights in May


Spring Lacrosse

Grades K-8

Registration is Open Now

529 University of Bridgeport Elem PHONE.pdf

Summer Reading Skills

Classes offered

See Flyer

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 

2024 Spring Flyer (1).pdf

2024 Bethel Spring Soccer

See Flyer for Details

Summer Theater Summer 2024

Parks & Recreation

Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary


CVH102874_mch_fly_butterflyprty_8.5x11.pdf

June 8, 2024

Bug Bazaar.pdf

June 23, 2024

Firefly Flyer.pdf

July 10, 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. 


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