Schools

Bethel Public Schools Newsletter June 9, 2012

Graduation info and summer plans.

 

As we rapidly draw this school year to a close I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our parents and community members who demonstrate so much support for the Bethel Public Schools. Positive parent and community partnerships are critical to the mission and success of our district. I am grateful for the work of Janice Chrzescijanek and the Family-School Partnership committee on strengthening this vital component of our work. All parents are strongly encouraged to support their efforts by providing feedback on the survey they constructed. This information will assist in guiding them as they develop a strategic action plan. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySchoolPartnerships

Speaking of Family-School Partnerships...
Celebrate the start of summer vacation with the Bethel Education Foundation at the second annual FAMILY SUMMER KICKOFF, Thursday, June 14th, rain or shine, 2pm-6pm 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, pirate tattoos by Dr. Smith, live music by BMS’ own Mia Gaetano and her band Marmalade Sky and much more! Tickets are available at the door. For more information visit www.BethelEdFoundation.org. All proceeds benefit the BEF which supports public and private education and community initiatives in Bethel through grants to teachers, administrators, and community members.

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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.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the Bethel High School Sikorksy STEM Challenge team on successfully completing the project and earning the award for Best Visual Model! This yearlong challenge focused on redesigning the engine mount on the Corsair F4U-1 aircraft using modern technologies and materials. Students worked with mentors from Sikorsky and their partner companies to examine and work through each phase of the engineering process. Five schools were originally accepted into the Challenge, with three schools ultimately making it through to the final presentation at the CT Student Innovation Exposition on May 19th. Students were then treated to an in-depth tour of the Sikorsky facility yesterday, including seeing the premiere military aircraft, the Black Hawk, in production and seeing video of a test flight of the new helicopter Sikorsky has in development. It was an amazing experience modeled on a real-world challenge. The BHS team

included seniors Brain Michalka, Matthew Correnty, Matthew Palmer, Ryan Gizaowski, Devon Smith, Thomas Sheehan, Nicholas Spinella, and junior Stefan Larsen. Faculty coaches included Gene Waring and Karen Fildes.

Girls Track & Field were very successful at the class MM State Meet Championship. The 100m Relay team consisting of Deana Weiner, Emily Mills, Elisa Navarro and Alexandra Hernandez finished 6th. Deana Weiner finished 6th in the 200M receiving two medals. The 400M Relay team consisting of Alexandra Hernandez, Emily Mills, Deana Weiner and Lucy Daniels finished 7th, and Alexandra Hernandez finished 4th in the 300M Hurdles, clinching two medals and advancing to State Opens this Monday.

Board of Education

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"

Tip o’ the Cap

Special thanks to Denise Musser and the committee that organized the Post Prom! This event was a tremendous success with a high level of student participation.

Calendar Reminder

Thursday, June 14th – Last Day of School – Early Dismissal K-12

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.

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!

Circle of Friends/Kindergarten News

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.

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

Rockwell School News

Connecticut Fitness Assessment - Mrs. Janofsky – 2012
May is National Fitness and Sport month. During this month all the classes in grades 1–3 took the Connecticut Fitness Assessment. Most of the test was administered in small groups while the othe r students worked quietly at 8 sport/fitness centers.

When you look at your child’s fitness test results praise the areas where they met the Health Fitness Zone (passing score), give them a pat on the back for meeting High Fitness Performance Zone and if your child was in the Needs Improvement Zone set a realistic goal to improve for next year. Following is a brief description of the criteria for each part of the Connecticut Fitness Assessment:

Run/Walk Assessment:

In First Grade the students run/walk for 1⁄2 mile: passing score 6-8 minutes Second Grade they will do a 3⁄4 mile: passing score 8-10 minutes
Third Grade we go to the track to run our first official Mile (4 laps) -

8 yrs. old – 10:00 - 12:30 minutes 9 yrs. old - 9:30 – 12:00 minutes 10 yrs. old – 9:00 – 11:30 minutes

Sit and Reach Assessment: Reach as far on the centimeter ruler, while sitting in the number 4 position on their right and left sides.

PassingScore: 8ormorecentimeters. Measuresflexibility.
Right Angle Push-up: Complete as many right angle push-ups as possible at a rhythmic pace. Passing Score: 8 or more centimeters. Measures strength/endurance
Partial Curl-up: Complete as many partial curl-ups as possible at a rhythmic pace.
Passing Score – Grade 1 – 4-16 Measures abdominal strength and

Grade 2 – 5-18 endurance Grade 3 – 9 -24

* * * Remember to enjoy your Summer Fitness Calendar! * * * Then bring it back to school this fall!

Summer suggestions from Mrs. Miller, Art-Rockwell
Weir Farm National Historic Site (A National Park devoted to the legacy of Impressionist painter, Julian Weir – beautiful grounds to hike and art kits available to draw and sketch – beautiful!) 735 Nod Hill Road, Wilton, CT (203)-834-1896 www.nps.gov/wefa

New Britain Museum of American Art (FULL of masterworks – adjacent grounds perfect for a picnic) 56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT (860)-229-0257 www.nbmaa.org

Imagine Nation Museum for Children and Families (A hands-on, interactive science and art site geared for ages 2-10) One Pleasant Street, Bristol, CT (860)-314-1400 www.imaginenation.org

Metropolitan Museum of Art (Extensive collections and new Wing open exhibiting Impressionist masterworks studied at Rockwell.) 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY (212)-570-3894 www.metmuseum.org

Museum of Modern Art (So much to see plus Vincent vanGogh’s Starry Night!) 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY (212)-708-9400 www.moma.org

Middle School News

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.

8th Grade Dance Baked Goods

Just a quick reminder that all baked goods for the 8th Grade Dance can be dropped off anytime during the day of the dance to the main office. There will be a cart to place everything on.

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

High School News

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.

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.

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 the winners 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!!

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

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 forthisupcomingseason. ContactCoachTrainorwithquestions.Trainorm@bethel.k12.ct.us

All Sports Booster Club has Bethel Wildcats spirit wear available for sale – click here for more information.

Elementary School Lunch News

Elementary Menu for June 11– June 14

Monday – Oven- Baked Coleman’s Chicken Tenders or Garden Burger on a Roll with Tater Tots, daily selection of fresh healthy sides

Tuesday– HomemadeItalianDunkerswithMarinaraSauce&TossedSalad,dailyselectionof fresh healthy sides

Wednesday – 100% Beef Coleman’s All Natural Hot Dog with 1⁄2 oz. Lay’s Potato Chips & 4 oz. Cool Tropic Slushy Drink, daily selection of fresh healthy sides

Thursday– JuicyHamburgerorCheeseburgeronaRollwithTaterTots,dailyselectionoffresh healthy sides

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY SUMMER BREAK!!

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

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, ki ck boxi ng, compute rs, photography, d ancing or garde ni ng? Pl e ase contact Angel a Guerriero@continuingeducation@bethel.k12.ct.us or 203-794-8600 ext. 450 for additional information.

Sports News & 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.

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.

Bethel Education Foundation

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.

Community News & Events

BETHEL YOUTH GIRL’S LACROSSE - Skills and Drills: Summer Camp

Learn and play the fastest game on two feet!
It’s fun and easy – Just signed up at Bethel Park and Rec. Dates: Monday to Friday, August 13th -17th (Grades 2-8) Place: Rockwell Field
Time: 9:00am to 12: 00pm

Who: Open to all girls entering grades 2nd through 8th Cost: $100.00 per person includes jersey & party Click here for more information.

Travel Soccer Team Tryouts 2012-2013 Season

BYSA, Inc. is pleased to announce the following schedule of tryouts for travel teams for the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 seasons. All interested players are encouraged to attend both tryout dates. Players should come outfitted to play with shin guards, a ball and drinking water. Players who have previously played on a travel team should bring a one-inch by one-inch headshot photograph. Players who have not previously played on a travel team must also bring a copy of birth certificate or passport. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to allow enough time to register. *All tryouts will take place at the Rourke Field.

For more information visit www.bethelsoccer.org

CJSA Recognized Age Divisions for the Seasonal Year 2012 – 2013 Under 9 8-1-03 to 7-31-05 Under 12 8-1-00 to 7-31-01
Under 10 8-1-02 to 7-31-03 Under 13 8-1-99 to 7-31-00
Under 11 8-1-01 to 7-31-02 Under 14 8-1-98 to 7-31-99

Tryouts will be scheduled as follows.
Wednesday, June 13th (Rain date June 20th)
Boys U9, Boys U10, Girls U9, Girls U10, Girls U11, & Girls U12 5:00–6:30PM @ Rourke Field Boys U11, Boys U12, Boys U13, Boys U14, Girls U13, & Girls U14 6:30–8:00PM @ Rourke Field Friday, June 15th (Rain date June 22nd)
Boys U9, Boys U10, Girls U9, Girls U10, Girls U11& Girls U12 5:00–6:30PM @ Rourke Field Boys U11, Boys U12, Boys U13, Boys U14, Girls U13, & Girls U14 6:30–8:00PM @ Rourke Field

Bethel Historical Society – Colonial Times Kids Camp (For ages 6 and up) – What was it like to be a kid in 19th century Colonial Bethel? To have played games as colonial children did? To have made toys and books? To have prepared food as a colonial family? Come spend five mornings with us andfindout! Seeflyerformoreinformation.

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.

“Musicals at Richter” is a non-profit organization that provides quality family entertainment to the greater Danbury area in the form of musical theater, operettas, musical revues, and children's theater. Students from Johnson, Bethel Middle School and Bethel High School will be performing a MARduringthesummerinvariousplays. Clickhereforthissummer’sschedule.

The Downtown Bethel Farmer's Market is scheduled to re-open Thursday June 21st at the MunicipalCenterandwillhaveextendedtheoperatinghours. TheMarketwillbeopenfrom3pm- 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. PlaygroundcampsareforBethelResidentsandNonResidentsforanextranon-residentfee of $15.00 per session. Click here for more information.

ProAccess Teen Center News & Events

MondayisthelastdaytogetyourBalloon-A-GradorderintoProAccess. Wewanttocoverthe town with 100 balloons for graduates of Bethel High!

Surprise a BHS graduate with a bouquet of balloons on graduation day! We will deliver a mylar graduation balloon and 2 latex balloons to their mailbox or front door the night before graduation. Feel free to add a personal message to be included with the balloons!

The cost of the delivery and balloons is $15.

Proceeds from this event benefit Pro Access, Bethel’s Teen Center. We thank you for your support. Please make checks payable to Pro Access and mail checks and order form to Pro Access 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801 or drop it off in our mailbox in the back of the municipal center next to the Pro Access front door. Any questions please contact Pro Access at 203-778-7522.

Next week at Pro Access:

ATTENTION PARENTS OF 6th GRADE PARENTS (next year’s 7th graders) – Your child can join Pro Access this summer. We encourage and invite you to attend some or all of our programs next week or in the coming weeks to learn more about Pro Access.

SYCAMORES on Monday for $5 you can eat a hamburger, chicken nuggets, hot dog or grilled cheese with fries, and a shake! Tuesday, June 12 from 3-5PM Meet us at Sycamores for games and fun.

GIRLS ONLY program – this is a great way for girls to learn how to manage “friend issues”, peer pressure and more! Come meet the author of Tao Girls Rule, CJ Golden Wed. June 13 from 3:30 to 5PM. Cost: $5

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TOURNAMENTS AND PEACHWAVE! This is a great way for 6th graders who will now officially be 7th graders to come down and check us out and for our current members to celebrate the last day of school! We will have pool, pingpong, fooseball and air hockey tournaments and then we’ll be going to Peachwave. Cost is $4 for Peachwave and $1 per tournament you enter.

One Year Anniversary Party – We’ve been in our “temporary” home for one year and we want to celebrate! Pro Access will be opened from 1 to 6 and will provide light snacks throughout the day. At 4PM Senator Mike McLachlan will be on hand to present a flag flown at the Capital in honor of Pro Access and Bethel Teens. All are invited!

JOIN US IN JAIL! We will be visiting the Green Haven Correctional Facility on July 11. RSVP for this free tree sponsored by the Bethel Community Care Coalition is June 29. Visit our website for all the details!

Visit us on the web at www.bethelproaccess.org or call us at 203-778-7522. BEtv Schedule

Here's what's on BEtv this weekend. Some highlights are: The Mock Car Crash at BHS, 6th Grade Orientation for Parents and more Awards and Scholarships for our fabulous Graduates! Remember you can always check our schedule at http://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/subsite/bhs/page/betv-schedule-1308 


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