Schools

Bethel Public School Newsletter 3.30.12

The BPS newsletter is filled with information for all.

 

 

 

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BETHEL PUBLIC SCHOOLS E-NEWS

Superintendent’s News

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Budget Update

A number of parents have asked me to explain the budget in terms of real dollar impact on residents. The amounts below are based on a home assessed value of $270,000. The issue of the budget is whether residents believe they can afford the cost increases. I am not in any way suggesting whether or not the budget increase is affordable. This is a decision individual residents must make. Parents have asked for a description of the cost increase in terms of weekly impact. That is what you see below. My goal is to present the information and describe the potential impact of the current budget proposal. I believe that we have an exemplary school system and must work together to find ways to build and expand our successful system so that our graduates are prepared all through their educational careers to compete with anyone anywhere for any opportunity.

 

$3.82 = the per household per week cost of the original proposed education budget increase

(inclusive of the $400,000)

 $2.91 = the per household per week cost of the current education budget proposal (with the $400,000 reduction)

 91 cents = the per household per week savings realized by the $400,000 cut to the education budget (based on a home assessed value of $270,000).

 

The Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4th at 7:30pm in the BHS auditorium. This is the only stage of the budget process where funds have the possibility of being restored. Following the Public Hearing will be the Town Meeting on May 7th. At this meeting budget proposals may be kept level or reduced. The final step in approving the budget is the Referendum which will occur later in May.

 The Public Hearing on April 4th will provide all residents an opportunity to speak directly to the Board of Finance regarding current budget proposals. This is an opportunity for parents to express their thoughts and questions. I encourage all to attend this meeting.

 I have been meeting with administrators and examining the wide range of possibilities that will enable us to absorb this cut in ways that are “least impactful” to our entire system. There is no good solution. Any cut is a setback. These conversations are very difficult because we are talking about actual people. As of today our most current proposal calls for eliminating:

*Remedial Summer School for students in Kindergarten – Grade 5. (The PreK program, Summer’s BEST Enrichment Program, and High School Credit recover program will be preserved. Summer’s BEST and the Credit Recovery program are self-funded).

 *Four teaching positions (elementary and middle school)

 Increasing Pay to Play:

BHS $100 to $150

BMS $75 to $100

 Given the very many possibilities, our goal is to make cuts that will do the least amount of harm system-wide. Because we have operated under status quo budgets for years, staffing is the only place left to make reductions that will achieve the budget proposed by the Board of Finance.

 The elementary school positions were selected based on a host of considerations. These cuts raise class sizes at the elementary level. The middle school position is a world languages position. Beginning next year, we will no longer offer world language instruction in grade 6. World language class sizes in 7th and 8th grade will increase.

 All of the Board of Education Budget information is posted on our district website.

The Board of Education’s presentation to the BOF can be found on our homepage. (Click here)

 I am so proud of so many of our students’ recent accomplishments. Please see below for this week’s latest. There is a great deal to be proud of in our public schools!

 

Education Reform in CT

This past week the Education Committee of the state legislature released a revised version of SB 24 (the Governor’s legislative proposal to reform education). There were numerous changes made to the original bill. A number of components of this bill are of concern. Senator Toni Boucher, a member of the Education Committee, will be attending our Board of Education meeting on Thursday, April 5th at 7pm to provide an update on the status of the legislation and respond to questions about how this bill may impact Bethel Public Schools. All are encouraged to attend this meeting.

 

Brown Bag Lunch

If anyone would be interested in talking about some of these items in person, I invite you to contact my office and join me for a brown bag lunch. Please contact pares@bethel.k12.ct.us or call (203)794-8601.

 

Calendar Reminder

Reminder:

April 6th – Schools are closed

April 10 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS & BMS

April 11 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS & BMS

April 12 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS

April 12 – Professional Development Day – Early Dismissal – BMS & BHS

April 16-20 – Spring Recess

 

Bethel Education Association (BEA) CARES FILL-A-BUS FOOD DRIVE to benefit Brotherhood in Action - Saturday, March 31st from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Big Y.

Items needed: Canned or Boxed Meals, Small Canned Hams, Pasta and Sauce, Dry Cereal, Any paper products (napkins, plates, cups, paper towels), Any non-perishable canned or boxed item is welcome. Please consider making a donation.

 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Kevin Hannequin, Dan Manning, Nick Galbis, Aidan Neuner, and Elizabeth Baranovic for recognition of outstanding musicianship at The Greenwich High School Jazz Festival.

Congratulations to Jill Rodgers for her selection to participate in the Fairfield County Strings Festival!

Congratulations to our students who placed in the 2012 Connecticut State Science Fair:

BMS – Nick Cazzaniga (gr.8); Jessica MacIntyre and Kallan Hook (gr. 7).

Congratulations Lydia Socci and Mike Kaluta who passed the NREMT exam.

 

Summer’s BEST 2012

SAVE THE DATES: Bethel’s Summer’s BEST Programs will take place this summer from July 2-July 27, 2012.

Summer’s BEST 2012 has arrived! The Bethel Public Schools will be offering many new and dynamic programs. We hope to create a summertime adventure of discovery, fun, and learning that will build knowledge and enrich your child. The goal of the summer program is to encourage children to explore new skills, talents, and interests as well as maintain and sharpen academic skills, boost academic confidence, and reinforce the value of education.

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.

Enrichment registration begins on April 30, 2012 at the Bethel Board of Education Office. You may register after April 30th by mail or through the schools. Program information is available on our website or click here for Summer’s BEST Brochure and Registration Information

Save the month of July to enroll your child in a rewarding summer experience!

Presidential Service Awards

Presidential Service Awards - All records of volunteer hours are due to Linda Anderson at BHS by April 1st. Please see below for the criteria for each award.

Award Criteria: Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad. The following are the eligibility requirements for each age group:

Kids: Age 5-14

Young Adults: Individual Age 15-25

Adults: Individual Age 26 +

 

Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria Bronze Level

Kids: 50 to 74 hours

Young Adults: 100 to 174 hours

Adults: 100 to 249 hours

Family & Groups: 200 to 499 hours

 

Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria Silver Level.

Kids: 75 to 99 hours

Young Adults: 175 to 249 hours

Adults: 250 to 499 hours

Family & Groups: 500 to 999 hours

 

Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria Gold Level.

Kids: 100 hours or more

Young Adults: 250 hours or more

Adults: 500 hours or more

Family & Groups: 1000 hours or more

 

President’s Call to Service Award Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria All Ages

4,000 hours or more of volunteer service (over a lifetime).

 

Circle of Friends/Kindergarten News

Pre-School Screening - Are you concerned that your child might be experiencing developmental delays?

If so, you and your child (3-5 years old) are encouraged to participate in a Circle of Friends screening. While meeting the staff to discuss concerns or ask questions regarding your child’s development, your child will take part in informal play activities that include songs and motor activities.

The preschool team includes the Supervisor of Special Education, Preschool Special Education Teachers, Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and School Social Worker.

Screening date:  Wednesday, April 25th from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pre-registration is appreciated but drop-ins are welcomed. For more information please contact Katharine MacDonald at 794-8679. The Pre-school screen is open to Bethel residents only.

 

Reminder to Parents about Kindergarten Registration

If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before January 1, 2013, he/she is eligible to start kindergarten in August. If you have not already pre-registered, please do so by calling Sue White at 203-830-7355, Monday–Friday, between 9 AM and 3 PM.  If you have already received your registration packet, please call your child’s assigned school to set up a registration/screening appointment as soon as possible.

Berry School – 203-794-8680

Rockwell School – 203-794-8690

Johnson School News

 

 

Johnson School Art News

Congratulations to the following students who are this year’s Town Winners in the Annual Recycle Poster contest:


4th Grade-Kyra Rubin             1st place

   Chad Lopes            2nd place

   Shivani Mendiratta  3rd place

 

5th Grade-Eve Vucinaj        1st place

   Endora McNeary 2nd place

   Jillian Ramey      3rd place

These students were recognized at the March 29th Board of Education Meeting.

 

Congratulations go out to 4th Grader Hailey Kinsman and 5th Grader Endora McNeary, who have had their self-portraits selected to be on display at Take Time from March 27th through April 30th in the “I Like the Way I Look” Kindergarten through 8th Grade Art Collection.

The following students will have their work displayed in this year’s Bethel Blooms Celebration. Be sure to look for their work on display as you celebrate spring in this wonderful town event. The student works on display are by 5th graders Jamie Beeland, Allison Hermansen, Nicholas Marchak, Aileen Zheng, Moira Lee, Megan Green, Michael Renda, Rahul Bhagwani, Madelyn Wachnuik, and Savannah Giordano. The 4th graders are Amy Hermansen, Isabella Donatucci, Susannah Deep, Sophia Anastasakis, Satvik Addala, Ryan Dudley, Dominic Broccoli, Jasmine Guerrero, Kyle Platt, Samantha Rizzo, and Kimberly Yuen.

Mark your Calendar! This year’s Johnson School Art Walk will be on Wednesday, April 25, from  5-7 p.m.

 

Middle School News

MARCH IS YOUTH ART MONTH and this is a great art month for Bethel Middle School students.

Yesterday, an exhibition at the Legislature Office Building in Hartford, Art Slam, closed after two-weeks. This student exhibition was an Art Advocacy day of musicians and artists for members of the State Government. Student artwork in this show was represented by:

Emily Rogers

Abe Defeo

Karen Duffy

Maura Leaden

Hunter Van

 

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 31st is the closing reception for CAEA (CT Art Educators Association) exhibition. This show includes the work of the following students:

Karen Duffy

Meghan Kirschbaum

Patrick Joyce

Monique Silva

Marika Gutzman

Stephanie Polistena

Michael Giordano

Jonathan DaSilvio

 

This week-end is the Bethel Blooms Event. We have 24 art students that will represent BMS. These students include:

Eighth graders

Ferdous Shaker

Kevin Cooper

Ryan Griffin

Darrah Magro

Tate Breeland

Marko Pilepich

Erika Bonanna

Alexandra DeLuca

Stephanie Ferguson

Rose Chelednik

Jesse Sage Robinson

 

Seventh graders

Luke Newman

Varum Baddam

Kyle Johnson

Nick Bivona

Kenneth Foss

Dane Jacques

 

Sixth graders

Thomas Broomhead

Caitlyn Clark

Dean Havlock

Britney Roach

Cameron Klinefelter

Alyssa Furtado

Sara Reseska

And while you are downtown viewing all the windows, stop in to the Take Time Relaxation Center on Greenwood Avenue to see a collection of self-portraits titled, “I Like the Way I Look”. BMS students include:

Rocko Chiapetta

Lexie Hratko

Joey Zanchelli

Karen Duffy

Michael Fusaro

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR FABULOUS ART STUDENTS!!!

Middle school yearbooks are still on sale. They may be ordered online at JostensYearbooks.com or click here for the order form and submit (with a check for $36 made out to BMS Yearbook) to Mrs. Malatesta in the Library Information Center.

 

High School News

Application for the Mary Edna Cargill Scholarship offered by the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association is available at www.bethelvna.org. This scholarship is awarded to one or more Bethel residents enrolled in or accepted to a degree program in a health-related field. Applications must be completed by May 1st.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR BHS BAND PROGRAMS!

The BHS Band Students are working to raise $13,000 in start-up funding for our band programs.  Normally this funding comes from "Quest", the Marching Band's Home Show.  However between a scheduling conflict, and then our favorite, "Storm Alfred" - we were unable to have a show.

We have two on-going fundraisers for which we will receive 40% of your purchases!  Your participation on any level is greatly appreciated!

Cookie Dough - we are selling tubs of cookie dough @ $15 per tub.  You may view the items we're selling by going to our parent website @ www.bethelband.com.  If you'd like to purchase cookie dough in support of the bands, please email parenthelp@bethelband.com and a student rep will contact you to pick up your order and payment.

Magazines - NO NEW PURCHASES NECESSARY - Of course you can order new magazines if you'd like but you may also simply RENEW your existing subscriptions!  Go to our parent website @ www.bethelband.com  Click on the Fundraiser box on the right side of the Home Page.  Enter the name of a current band student and you're in!  Be sure to check the "Renewal" box on your order so you don't miss any issues of your existing subscriptions!.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to email us!  We're happy to help in any way needed.

We are very grateful for the ongoing support of our community!

Bethel High School Band Boosters

 

The BHS Key Club will be holding the third annual Easter Egg Hunt at Meckauer Park on Sunday, April 1st.  The hunt begins promptly at 11:00, noon and 1:00.  Admission is $5 per child.  Bring your Easter basket and get ready for a hopping good time of games, sweets and more.  We look forward to seeing you then! Click here for flyer.

International Dinner at Bethel High - Bring your friends and family to experience all of the great foods and talents Bethel High has to offer! The World Language Honor Society invites you to our first annual International Dinner on Tuesday, April 10th, at 6 pm in the BHS Cafeteria. The night will include ethnic foods from current language students, competitive skits between classes, musical performances and chopstick and origami tutorials! Admission is free. For any questions or more information, please contact Abdullah Hasan at hasan.abdullah7@gmail.com or Nestor Rodriguez at 2012nestor@gmail.com.

iPAD Raffle - The students traveling on the Bethel Abroad trip this summer are holding a fund-raiser to offset the cost of their trip to London, Paris, and Barcelona. We are selling raffle tickets for a 16GB iPad 2- 3G at $5.00 each. If you would like to purchase a ticket (and help in this fund-raising endeavor), you can purchase tickets from BHS teachers, Mari Lerz or Marjorie Overmier, or any of the Bethel Abroad students. We will be selling the tickets all spring. The drawing will be held in June.

Send cash or check (made out to BHS Student Activities) with your name, address, phone numbers and other important contact info to:

 

Bethel Abroad Program

c/o Mari Lerz and Marjorie Overmier

Bethel High School

300 Whittlesey Dr.

Bethel, CT. 06801

Don't miss out on an opportunity to win a great piece of technology!!!Thanks for supporting the Bethel Abroad program!

 

Elementary School Lunch News

Elementary Menu for April 2 – April 6

Monday – Oven-Baked Coleman’s All Natural Chicken Tenders with Corn OR Gardenburger on a Roll, daily selection of fresh healthy sides

Tuesday – Spaghetti with Meatballs, Freshly-Baked Breadstick & Tossed Salad, daily selection of fresh healthy sides.

Wednesday – 100% Beef Coleman’s All Natural Hot Dog with Pretzels, daily selection of fresh healthy sides

Thursday – Freshly-Made Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza with Tossed Salad & Fresh-Baked Cookies or Tuna Sandwich, daily selection of fresh healthy sides

Friday - NO SCHOOL – GOOD FRIDAY

 

LUNCH PRICES –

Elementary - $2.45

Secondary - $2.85

Each lunch includes a main item, up to two sides and a milk.

 

Bethel Continuing Education News

Save gas Money – Try an Online Class at home! Bethel Continuing Education has a program that makes it easy for you to take high-quality, noncredit online courses, no matter where you are located. We have partnered with ed2go to offer hundreds of online, instructor-facilitated courses. This is your opportunity to brush up on an old skill, learn a new one, or take that course you have always been interested in. Most importantly, you will save money on gas! All of the courses provide well-crafted lessons, expert online instruction, and interaction with fellow students. You have the flexibility to study at your own pace, while still having enough structure and support to complete the course.

Classroom access is available 24/7 from anywhere with an Internet connection. New sessions of each course run every month. They last six weeks, with two new lessons being released weekly (for a total of 12). The courses are entirely Web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignments. A dedicated expert instructor facilitates every course; pacing learners, answering questions, giving feedback, and facilitating discussions. To learn more, call Angela Guerriero at 203-794-8600 x450 or visit them online at www.ed2go.com/bethel.

 

Sports News & Information

You can follow Bethel High School Athletics on Twitter @bethelsports

 

Community News & Events

4TH Annual Youth Education Day Candlewood Valley Chapter, Trout Unlimited. This is a great opportunity to teach your child about cold water conservation and the sport of fishing for children ages 8-18. The event takes place Saturday, April 28, 2012. Click here for more information.

The BETHEL WOMENS' SOFTBALL LEAGUE is currently taking registrations for women that would like to play slow pitch softball in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Teams play two nights/week and games begin after the school year ends (mid June) and go through the 2nd week in August. All ages play but you must be 21 before 6/1/12. Fee is $40. Go to eteamz.com/bethelsoftballwomen for more information or contact Bethel Parks & Rec at 794-8531.

 

Announcing a SPECIAL INVITATION to all boys entering First to Fifth Grade!

Cub Scout Pack 54 is holding a NEW SCOUT RECRUITMENT NIGHT Wednesday, April 11, 7 - 8 PM at Rockwell’s Cafetoirum. Click here for more info.

 

Bethel Public Library Board Scholarship This one-year $500.00 scholarship is granted to a high school senior who is a resident of the Town of Bethel, Connecticut, and who plans to attend an accredited degree granting institution. Applications & all required documents are due at the Library before 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

http://www.bethellibrary.org/teen/dnld/scholarship_application_3-12.pdf

 

Bethel Blooms Spring Festival and Art Walk is on Saturday March 31st from 11am to 4pm - Egg Hunt, Live Music, Art Demonstrations, and more! http://www.bethelchamber.com for complete details. Bethel Student Artwork will be on display at Bethel Photoworks.

Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.  JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.   JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world - enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school.

This school year, Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut working in partnership with community and corporate volunteers will provide empowering programs to approximately 1,790 students in Bethel, CT.  But we need your help! Junior Achievement provides the training, curriculum and Bethel students ready to meet you!  Our volunteers receive a resource kit complete with an easy-to-follow teaching guide and learning materials necessary for program implementation. Volunteers present 5-8, one-hour activities, typically once a week, in a classroom during a convenient time for them within the school day. Volunteers are needed at F.A. Berry Elementary, Bethel High School and Bethel Middle School. For more information please contact Katie Rossi, 203-690-2336 krossi@jawct.org. For more information about JAWCT visit our website, http://jawct.org or LIKE us on Facebook!

 

BEtv Schedule

Here's what's on BEtv this weekend.

The BHS On Stage Players present "Jack and the Beanstalk" also the Jazz Band and Symphonic Band put on a great early Spring Concert. Don't miss it. View our schedule at http://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/subsite/bhs/page/betv-schedule-1308


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