Superintendent’s News
Congratulations!
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May has been a great month for the Bethel Public Schools and was capped off in exemplary fashion last night during Bethel High’s annual Scholarship Night. 93 graduating seniors were awarded just over $3 million dollars in scholarships over the course of the evening. This substantial number highlights the focus, determination, hard work and perseverance of our senior class, their families, and the many teachers they have had over the years. Our graduating seniors are the living embodiment of our goals and aspirations as a school system. They reflect the very best of what we hope for from a future generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and globally conscious and responsible citizenry. The scholarship earnings of this graduating class are one more sign of a school district that has a clear vision and mission of placing a primary focus on student achievement. Please join me in congratulating all of our scholarship winners – they make us all very proud!
College & Community Scholarships= $2,880,757
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Local Scholarships $140,407 Total $3,021,164
Scholarship Recipients Class of 2012
To see the complete list of recipients, download the newsletter from the gallery.
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.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Bethel High School is proud to announce that sophomore student Ashley Johnson is this year's BHS Youth Ambassador at the 2012 Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference at the University of Bridgeport. This conference encourages students to continue to grow as leaders and inspires them to make a difference in their school community. Good luck, Ashley!
Junior, Ray Iaizzi won a filming and editing contest for a short video he made about skateboarding. The contest was sponsored by Poweredge Magazine and for his efforts Ray won a Canon 60 D digital video camera. His prize winning video can be viewed at poweredgemagazine.com under the "contest" tab. The video is very well done and we hope he submits it to the Mirage Film Festival next year.
BHS On Stage Players has recently received several honors and recognitions for its theatrical productions this year. On May 31st they received two Halo Awards at the Halo Award ceremony held at the Waterbury Palace Theatre. The event was sponsored by Seven Angels Theatre, a professional equity theatre in Waterbury.
Seven Angels Theatre is a true supporter of High School Theater and sends judges around the state to view high school productions, who later vote on a variety of categories related to performance and production. The On Stage Players received an award for its Outstanding Contribution to the Community with its presentation of “Jack and the Beanstalk”.
The Art Honor Society also received a Halo Award for Best Props Design for “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Also, the On Stage Players received nominations for Best Comic Female Performance, Lucy Shea in the fall drama “Blithe Spirit” and Best Revival of a Period Play (pre 1965) for “Blithe Spirit”. Along with these prestigious awards they were chosen as one of the high schools to take part in the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2013. Congratulations to Mr. Ciro Franco and the On Stage Players. Bethel High School is extremely proud of your accomplishments.
CONGRATULATIONS BETHEL BOYS TRACK & FIELD!!!!!! At the Class MM State Meet Championship, the Bethel Boys Team finished 4th out of 33 teams! Josh Barrera took second in the 100M (10.99)* and Gold in the 200M (22.36)* (ALL STATE) Trevor Ochs won 3 medals!!! Second in the Discus (137-11)*, 6th in the Shot (44-11)* and 3rd in the Javelin! Matt Kelly propelled to a 6th Place Medal in the high jump with a PR 5-10!! Other points from Austin Allaby 7th in Javelin and Jon Matthews 8th in High Jump!
You can watch the entire meet now on live stream. www.casciac.org go to outdoor track, then to Class MM results. Toggle for live stream at the top. You can also purchase a copy of the meet if you wish!
BHS Boys LAX Moves on to State Quarterfinals!
The Bethel High School Boys Lacrosse entered the Class S State tournament on Wednesday as the number seven seed. In first round action Bethel defeated Suffield 17-13. This is the first time in school history the boys’ lacrosse team qualified and won a state tournament game. Bethel travels to Granby Memorial High School on Saturday, June 2nd for the quarterfinals. The game starts at 4:00 pm. please come out and support the boys!
Bethel Girls Tennis will be represented by Carina Leggio and Kiana Yup in the State Tennis Tournament tomorrow at Yale. Good luck girls!
Special Advisory Committee on Family-School Partnerships
The Family-School Partnership Committee is actively working to create family participation initiatives and programs for the Bethel K-12 schools that unify organizations within the district towards the common goal of growing student achievement.
Parent Mentors Needed!
The first program the group is developing is a parent-to-parent mentor program at each school. In order to successfully implement this program by Fall 2012 we are in need of parent volunteers, at each school, that are interested in being a mentor to a new parent to their school. The role of the parent mentor is to provide support, guidance and assistance to the new parent.
If you are interested in being a parent mentor or would like to hear more about the program, please email your school's Mentor Program Manager/Coordinator.
Rockwell School - Email rockwellmentors@gmail.com Berry School - Email berrymentors@gmail.com Johnson School - Email johnsonmentors@gmail.com Bethel Middle School - Email bmsmentors@gmail.com Bethel High School - Email bethelhighmentors@gmail.com
Please consider this important role.
Parent Survey
Please click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySchoolPartnerships or paste it into your browser and participate in a parent survey. The results from this survey will be used by the committee to design programs and initiatives for the schools. Please complete the survey by June 14th (the last day of school). It only takes a few minutes and your input is critical to the success of these programs.
What's Coming Up?
• Brainstorming sessions in the Fall. Questions? bfspcommittee@gmail.com Like us on Facebook "Bethel Family-School Partnerships"
Board of Education
Tip o’ the Cap
Special thanks to Johnson School music teachers Margaret Genuario and Linda Ciacchi and their students who performed for the Bethel Senior Center. Congratulations on a job well done to: Nicholas Marchak, Evan Barnabo, Auguste Smith, Rheanna Flores, Shawn Sato, Tim Shindika, Nicholas Vieira, Andrew Emslie, Corbin Quinn, Emily Figueiredo, Chris Bergen, Matt Canfield, Kasey Galbis, Laurel Stejskal, Sophia Sauber, Braden Young, Tim Joyce, Michael Benda, Matthew Fuller, Doug Allen, Michael Broussard, Hideki Morales, Sophia Harovas, Tara Donahue, Moira Lee, Jillian Paulin, and Elizabeth Fagan.
Thursday, June 14th – Last Day of School – Early Dismissal K-12
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.
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 Click here for a list of closed classes. Save the month of July to enroll your child in a rewarding summer experience!
Apply now for Morning-Care for Sept. 2012!
Applications are now being accepted for Morning Stars, a morning-care program for children in Berry and Rockwell schools. Morning Stars begins at 7:35 AM in room 102 of the high school, and is open on days that school is in session. At approximately 8:35 the children are taken by bus to their school. The fee for this program is $450.00 for the 2012-2013 school year.
Calendar Reminder
Summer’s BEST 2012
Circle of Friends/Kindergarten News
Morning Stars is staffed by a teacher, teacher aides, and high school students who are in the Child Development Program at Bethel High School. The high school students plan a variety of projects for the children. In addition to planned activities, the children have an opportunity to read, get help with homework, play board games, socialize, etc.
You may pick up a registration form at your child’s school, or contact Sandy Milsap at milsaps@bethel.k12.ct.us (preferred) or 794-8600 ext 102.
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
Save the Dates - BHS Freshmen Orientation Dates are August 21, 22, 23, 2013 a formal letter of invitation will be sent home the first week in August.
Middle School Summer Enrichment Programs
Enrichment programs for Middle School Students will take place from July 2- July 27, 2012 at BMS. Please visit www.bethel.k12.ct.us and download a registration form under the summer school link. If you have any questions, please call Linda Anderson at 203-794-8600 ext. 375
BHS would like to congratulate the following students who have made their post secondary decisions and have reported their plans using Naviance Family Connection.
Middle School News
High School News
Class of 2012 Graduation - The Board of Education approved the graduation date for the Class of 2012. The Bethel High School graduation will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 6:00 PM at WCSU's O'Neill Center.
Free group/individual tutoring will be available on a walk-in basis from July 2nd - July 26th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from noon - 3:00 pm, excluding July 4th. Summer tutoring for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Statistics, and SAT Math. The location is to be at Bethel Middle School, room number will be posted in the front hall. For more information- Please call Linda Anderson at 203-794-8600 ext 375.
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Attention BHS Underclassman Families: The Yearbooks will soon be here!
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ALLpreorderedbookswillbedistributedduringtheschooldayonThursday,June7th
The remaining books will be on sale for a limited time only beginning June 7 on a first come, first serve basis. See Ms. Lacey in room 105 periods 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8; or in room 212 periods 4, 5 and 6. Checks for $85 should be made payable to “BHS Yearbook”.
- Your Senior Portraits have been scheduled and you should receive an appointment card in the mail from Lifetouch Studios. Appointment times are also posted in the old front entrance of the high school. Portraits are on June 6th, 7th and 8th in the auditorium.
Please email Rebecca Lacey with any questions: laceyr@bethel.k12.ct.us
Mirage Coffee House - Everyone is cordially invited to attend the annual Mirage Coffee House at Bethel High School on Friday, June 8th at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. This event features the creative talents of our BHS student body: musical performances, monologues, skits, stand-up comedy, short films, poetry readings, etc. We will be announcing thewinners of the Mirage contest and distributing over $600 in prize money. Admission for event is $5.00. This includes a free copy of the 2012 edition of the Mirage Literary Arts magazine. All additional copies will be sold at $3.00 each. See you there!!
Attention BHS Class of 2013 Families:
Bethel Student Families and District Staff Members! Please don't forget to send your handheld electronics into school for collection and disposal by the BHS Band Boosters. All collection boxes are located in the offices. This is a great way to dispose of these items safely for the earth, while helping our wonderful High School Band programs - A true WIN WIN!
Click here for our informational flyer - sorry no laptops! We thank you, in advance, for your support!
BHS Band Boosters
The Bethel Mile - June 2, 2012 - Join us for THE BETHEL MILE Road Race at the Bethel Municipal Center in Bethel, CT to benefit The TJ Burke and James Thomsen Memorial Scholarships. Two Bethel High School senior athletes receive $1000 scholarships each year in memory of TJ and James. Click here for more information and registration form.
Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team Tag Sale/Bake Sale June 16th. The girls' varsity soccer team is organizing a tag sale/bake sale for Saturday, June 16th on the Municipal Center's Front Lawn as a fundraiser for this upcoming season. Contact Coach Trainor with questions. Trainorm@bethel.k12.ct.us
Parents of the class of 2012, as part of the post prom activities, we would like to establish a memory wall for the students. We are looking for class pictures from all of the pre-school, elementary school and middle school grades. If you have class pictures to share, please send an email to Michele, Mary, or Paula letting us know what year and school. We will contact you if we need that particular year and school.
In addition to class pictures, we would like to put up miscellaneous candid pictures of the kids from birthday parties, scouting events, Halloween parades, team pictures, etc. The pictures may be dropped off in the main office, in room 221, or sent electronically to Mary, Michele, or Paula (our email addresses are listed below). Please mark all pictures with your name and what school year it is from, Rockwell/Berry, etc. so that we may return them to you.
(maryghio@sbcglobal.net, pcon64@gmail.com or mimbrad@sbcglobal.net.)
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact Michele, Mary or Paula. We need additional volunteers for our Picture Committee so if you would like to help out, please let us know as well.
All Sports Booster Club has Bethel Wildcats spirit wear available for sale – click here for more information.
Elementary Menu for June 4 – June 8
Monday – Oven- Baked Coleman’s Chicken Nuggets Or Garden Burger on a Roll with Tater Tots, daily selection of fresh healthy sides
Elementary School Lunch News
BERRY SCHOOLWIDE BBQ - Foot-Long Hot Dog or Hamburger on the Grill, Chips, Watermelon & Lemonade
Tuesday – BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH – Fresh Toast Sticks with Syrup & Breakfast Sausage, daily selection of fresh healthy sides
Wednesday – 100% Beef Coleman’s All Natural Hot Dog with Tiny Twist Pretzels & 4 oz. Cool Tropic Slushy Drink, daily selection of fresh healthy sides
Thursday – Golden Breaded Chicken Patty on a Roll with Carrot Short Cuts , daily selection of fresh healthy sides
Friday - Freshly-Made Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza with Tossed Salad & Fresh-Baked Cookie or Tuna Sandwich, daily selection of fresh healthy sides
LUNCH PRICES – Elementary - $2.45 Secondary - $2.85
Each lunch includes a main item, up to two sides and a milk.
INSTRUCTORS WANTED: Do you have a hobby or subject that you would like to be paid to teach to other adults? Bethel Continuing Education is looking for instructors for the Fall 2012 semester. Teachers are needed to teach Spanish, French and Italian languages, cooking, jewelry-making, yoga, kick boxing, computers, photography, dancing or gardening? Please contact Angela Guerriero@continuingeducation@bethel.k12.ct.us or 203-794-8600 ext. 450 for additional information.
You can follow Bethel High School Athletics on Twitter @bethelsports
The annual Ralph J. DeSantis Memorial Golf Tournament is taking place on Monday June 25, 2012. It is being held at the Oxford Greens Golf Club. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start at 2:00 p.m. The day will include a BBQ lunch, snacks and beverages on the course, dinner with live auctions and raffles at the conclusion of the round.
The tournament allows the All Sports Booster Club to give over $10,000 in student scholarships each year. It provides means to supplement our sports programs with equipment, and update our training, practice, and game facilities. In addition to supporting our programs and athletes, we provide fan bus transportation to CIAC tournament state games for our students and purchase championship banners for our gymnasium. Your support helps us accomplish all this and more, ultimately making sure Bethel has well funded and well equipped athletic programs.
We have several sponsorship packages available. Please review the flyer for those details. The cost to play in the tournament this year is $185 (single player) or $740 (foursome). If you register and pay in full for a foursome by June 11th, a discount of $40 will be given.
ROCKWELL SCHOOLWIDE BBQ - Foot-Long Hot Dog or Hamburger on the Grill, Chips, Watermelon & Lemonade
Bethel Continuing Education News
Sports News & Information
To register, please complete the golf registration form and mail to the address listed on the form. We look forward to seeing you at the tournament, and we thank you for your continued support of Bethel Athletics.
The BHS Volleyball Team is hosting a camp August 18 - 21 for all girls interested in trying out for the team. Please contact Maureen DeFazio at mdbd5@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Get Your Tickets Today! Celebrate the start of summer vacation with the Bethel Education Foundation at the second annual Family Summer Kickoff, Thursday, June 14th (rain or shine), 2:00pm-6:00pm on the grounds of Bethel Middle School. Thanks to generous donations from local businesses, one admissions price includes games and activities for kids of all ages, sports games, Monster Basketball, bounce house, dunk tank, silly photo booth, face painting, pirate tattoos by Dr. Smith, live music by Bethel Middle School's own Mia Gaetano and her band Marmalade Sky and much more! To purchase discount tickets, use order form. All proceeds benefit the BEF which supports public and private education and community initiatives in Bethel through grants to teachers, administrators and community members.
Music from the Heart – An Afternoon Recital of Broadway Favorites, In honor of McKenzie Newsome, Sunday, June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Ave. $5.00 per person suggested donation. Click here for flyer.
Healthy Families, Happy Lives - Sunday, June 3rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Bethel Municipal Center. Sponsored by MOMS Club of Bethel.
Free Workshops for Parents/Teens
11:30 to 12:15 - Domestic Violence/Dating Violence 12:30 to 1:15 - Cyber Safety - Keeping your Kids Safe Online 1:30 to 2:15 - Take a Stand - A Team Approach to Bully Prevention 2:15 to 3:00 - Child Sexual Abuse - Know the Warning Signs
Children's Room
Carnival- type games provided by Pro Access, Bethel's Teen Center Free Secure Babysitting for children 3+ - provided by Bethel Girl Scouts. Free crafts provided by Bethel Girl Scouts. Face Painting for children by BHS Art students Free Entertainment for children. Magic Show, Martial Arts Demo, Dance performance by Bethel School of Dance, Local band performance by "The Guys Over There" and a DJ. Vendor fair/raffles will be held in the municipal center gym.
The Hat City Cyclists club is hosting its 20th annual Cyclefest event on Sunday, June 10th, at the Bethel Middle School. In conjunction with that event, they are facilitating a Bicycle Safety Rodeo from 9 AM to 1 PM. for kids 5 to 14 years. Click here for more information.
Bethel Education Foundation
Community News & Events
The Downtown Bethel Farmer's Market is scheduled to re-open Thursday June 21st at the Municipal Center and will have extended the operating hours. The Market will be open from 3pm - 7pm.
Parents, have you heard of Macaroni Kid? Macaroni Kid is the premier, go-to online resource for parents to find out about local events and happenings for kids and families. Editor/Publisher and Bethel resident, Meghan Friedland, says, “As a mom, I know how difficult it is for parents to find and keep track of the fun events and enriching activities available for kids in our area. So with Macaroni Kid, we do the work for you, compiling all known events in an easy-to-read, online calendar and deliver it to your inbox every week.” Macaroni Kid Danbury-Bethel-Ridgefield covers the spectrum of things to do with kids -- classes, shows and events -- as well as contests, kid- friendly recipes and craft projects. You can subscribe to receive the free weekly e-mail newsletter from Macaroni Kid at: www.danbury.macaronikid.com. Macaroni Kid Danbury-Bethel-Ridgefield, along with three other local Macaroni Kid editions, is hosting a Women's Night Out and fundraiser called Womanologie: The Art & Style of Being a Woman at Capellaro's Grove on June 8th from 7- 10PM. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit EverWonder Children's Museum, to be located in Newtown. You can learn more about this event and purchase tickets online at: www.womanologiect.com
Bethel Parks & Recreation SUMMER REGISTRATION 2012 - Click here for more information. REGISTRATION
DATE: TIME: LOCATION: DEADLINE: CAMP DEADLINE:
Begins Tuesday, May 22nd 9:00am-6:00pm Parks & Recreation Department June 25th for all programs excluding playground camps
Session I: When we reach our limit or June 8th
Session II & III: July 2nd All participants must be registered before the first day of the program. Once a program has begun no registrations will be accepted.
Bethel Parks & Recreation Summer Playground Camp 2012
Registration begins Tuesday, April 24, 2012 for Bethel Residents at the Parks & Recreation office during regular office hours from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. Non Residents may register starting May 1, 2012. Playground camps are for Bethel Residents and Non Residents for an extra non-resident fee of $15.00 per session. Click here for more information.
Pro Access will NOT be opened this Friday, June 1 or next Wed. June 6.
Volunteers are needed this Sunday to supervise games during the program by the Women’s Club of Bethel’s to help raise awareness on Domestic Violence. Shifts are from 10 to 1, 1 to 4, or 10 to 4.
We’re going to Jail. The trip will be on July 11 to the Green Haven Correctional Facility. We’ll be visiting with inmates, taking a tour of the jail and eating an “institutional meal. It promises to be a wonderful learning experience. This program is FREE. RSVP needed by 6/29.
ProAccess Teen Center News & Events
June calendars along with a sign-up sheet for the Firecracker Road and Walk Race will be sent home today. All proceeds for walkers will benefit Pro Access. Please consider joining us to walk during this fun event on the morning of the 4th of July.
There’s still time to buy a balloon for your favorite Senior. Pro Access will deliver 3 balloons to their homes the night before graduation. Email Hilda for the form.
For more information contact Hilda DeLucia at hilda@bethelproaccess.org.
Here's what's on BEtv: The BMS Band adds to our concert series and BHS gives out some very impressive awards to some very impressive students. Remember you can always check our schedule at http://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/subsite/bhs/page/betv-schedule-1308
BEtv Schedule
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