District Information
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Bethany is a small community comprised of slightly more than 5,000 residents living within an area of approximately twenty-one square miles. Officially designated as rural in nature, it is located mid way between New Haven and Waterbury. The Bethany Public School District serves approximately five hundred and fifty students from preschool through grade six in the Lower House and Upper House of the Bethany Community School. Also, more than five hundred Bethany students in grades seven through twelve attend Amity Regional School District #5 at the Amity Regional Middle School - Bethany Campus and at Amity High School in Woodbridge. The district's educational facilities are located in several buildings on a beautiful campus setting surrounded by trees and recreational fields in the center of Bethany. The Bethany school district is governed by a nine member Board of Education whose members are elected for staggered six year terms. The Board appoints a Superintendent of Schools as the chief executive officer of the district. The Bethany Community School is organized into two "houses" or schools within a school. Mr. Robert Spino is the Housemaster (administrator) of the Lower School (grades PK-2). Mrs. Mary Federico is the Housemaster for the Upper School (grades 3-6). In addition to the school administration, Mrs. Maureen Galla, as the Coordinator of Curriculum, provides leadership and support to the district in the areas of curriculum, enrichment, professional development, student assessment, remedial education and the Beginning Educator Support and Training Program (BEST), the state assessment program for new teachers. Mr. Timothy Charron provides leadership in the education of students with disabilities through his role as the Coordinator of Special Education.
The Bethany Community School offers a comprehensive elementary education program beginning in kindergarten that includes all core academic areas of study as well as Spanish language, physical education, art, music and technology education. Students have access to multiple computer laboratories, mobile word processing labs, computers in each classroom, and a closed circuit television network staffed by students providing cable broadcasts accessible in each classroom. In addition new technology available to students and teachers includes interactive white boards in selected regular classrooms and special area classrooms as well as new mobile computer labs housed in the fifth and sixth grade annex buildings. A new state of the art sound system will enhance and support the many student performances and activities held throughout the school year.
Although Bethany's school facilities are currently over capacity due to age and the increasingly complex demands of a modern instructional program, students are able to enjoy a clean, well equipped, and pleasant learning environment. During the past several years, numerous temporary instructional spaces have been added through the use of modular classrooms, internal reconfiguration of hallways, assembly areas, storage areas, and office space. The core facilities include a library-media center, an expanded athletic facility/gymnasium that also serves as an auditorium/music center and a cafeteria that seats two hundred and twenty-five individuals. A state-of-the-art technology network continues to be expanded and enhanced providing access to the school district computer network, the World Wide Web, the internet and email communications.
As a compliment to the general academic and special area programs, a broad range of additional student support services are provided in the areas of school health services, guidance and counseling, school psychological services, special education and related special education services (such as speech and/or language therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy). A school-wide supplemental skills program is also provided to assist students experiencing delays in academic achievement in meeting the state and district educational goals in all areas. To meet the learning needs of all students, enhanced learning opportunities are provided throughout the school year at all grade levels. Enrichment occurs through classroom-based activities as well as on campus and off campus learning experiences, curriculum extensions, special programs, field trips, international cultural exchanges, and other opportunities for students to explore their interests, abilities, and talents.
A very successful and comprehensive Pre-Kindergarten program is provided without charge for children with identified special needs beginning at age three. Children without special needs are invited to enroll in the program on a tuition basis and serve as peer role models. Enrollment is limited due to space constraints.
The school lunch program is provided through contracted services with the Sodexho Corporation and offers the opportunity for students to purchase healthy, nutritionally balanced, and tasty lunches in the school cafeteria. A Wellness Committee consisting of Board members, faculty, staff, administration, parents and Sodexho personnel provides support, information, and oversight to the school lunch program.
School transportation services are available to Bethany students. School bus transportation is provided by the district through a unique arrangement between the districts of Bethany, Orange, Woodbridge and Amity (BOWA) consisting of contracted services with individual owner-operator school transportation service providers. This system has proven to be safe, cost effective, and reliable. Local contractors work with the BOWA districts to provide a comprehensive network of bus routes throughout the town. Bus routes are published annually in August in the local newspapers.
Child care is available before and after school at the school campus each day and during school recesses through the "Kid's Club" Program operated under contract with the Greater New Haven Jewish Community Center". The program is staffed and administered by the Jewish Community Center.
A "Summer-Skills" program offers students the opportunity to continue their learning experiences through the acquisition of essential academic skills for five weeks during the summer recess. This program focuses on core academic skills such as reading and math and enrichment opportunities while preparing students to enter school in the fall. A Kindergarten readiness opportunity is available within the "Summer-Skills" program for children entering Kindergarten. All programs offered within the Summer Skills sessions are tuition based.
Instrumental music lessons are offered to students throughout the school year on a fee basis outside of regular school hours. Students may participate in extra-curricular instrumental music education for a nominal fee. Regular notices of this opportunity are disseminated during the school year.
Bethany School facilities provide a safe, secure, and comfortable atmosphere for students, staff, and guests. Due to heightened security on the campus, all doors to school buildings except the main entrance are locked at all times. Guests are asked to enter only through the main entrance where they will be greeted by security greeters and issued a badge for access to the facilities. The school campus is monitored by closed circuit television cameras and a constantly monitored alarm system. Parent and community involvement in the school is strongly encouraged. The Bethany Parent Teacher Organization is a dynamic and supportive group of dedicated parents who provide significant assistance to the school in the form of volunteer hours, special programs and planning. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for community members to volunteer at the school.
The Bethany School District offers an outstanding educational opportunity for all children. Ongoing refinements and program enhancements are continually developed and implemented to ensure that the children of the community are provided with an educational experience, which will serve them for a lifetime.
During the course of this school year the District will be making significant improvements to our web site. We plan to make the transition from our current host, www.myschoolonline, to hosting our own web site and hope to accomplish this task by January 2007. In the interim, we hope you continue to enjoy this website and find the information to be timely and helpful.
Timothy F. Connellan
Superintendent of Schools
