Family
- New Student Registration
- Resources
- Food Service Program
- 2023-2024 Parent-Student Handbook
- 2023-2024 Bus Routes
- CT Learning Hub
- Device Protection Insurance
- BCS Technology Support
- PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Report Card Information
- MyPaymentsPlus
- Homework
- Talk It Out
- Smarter Balanced Information
- BCS PTO
- School Behavior
- Suggested School Supplies
- School Choice Programs
New Student Registration
Questions or problems? Contact the BCS Main Office at office@bethany-ed.org or (203) 393-3350 x601.
NOTE: You may experience technical difficulties when registering your child(ren) online with a Smartphone. It is recommended that you use a laptop/desktop/tablet and the Google Chrome browser to complete online registration.
New Student Registration Request
You will receive a confirmation email that your request was submitted.
Students enrolling in the current school year will receive a second email from powerschool@bethany-ed.org with additional information and next steps.
Students enrolling in the next school year will receive a second email from powerschool@bethany-ed.org with additional information and next steps in the future.
Next Steps
Please review and gather the following documentation, as applicable:
| Status | Document |
|---|---|
| Required |
Proofs of Residency
|
| Required |
Original Long Form Raised Seal Birth Certificate |
| Required |
Connecticut Health Assessment Form |
| If Applicable | Medication Administration Form |
| If Applicable | Custodial Documents |
| If Applicable |
Student & Parent Living with Bethany Resident
The Bethany Resident must provide 2 proofs of acceptable residency indicated above along with both notarized affidavits. |
| If Applicable |
Student Living with Bethany Resident
The Bethany Resident must provide 2 proofs of acceptable residency indicated above along with both notarized affidavits. |
Resources
Food Service Program
- Daily Menu
- Free & Reduced Meal Program & Resources
- MyPaymentsPlus
- 2023-2024 Meal and A la Carte Prices
- Food Service Provider
- Nondiscrimination Statement
- Lunch Advisory Board
- Nutrition Resources & Communications
- Summer Meals
Daily Menu
Free & Reduced Meal Program & Resources
Have questions about Free & Reduced Lunch?
Contact Donna Ricciardi at dricciardi@bethany-ed.org or (203) 393-1170 x802
- 2023-2024 Policy Statement for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
- 2023-2024 Free & Reduced-Price Meals FAQ's
- 2023-2024 Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (English) (Translated Applications)
*How to Fill Out the Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals - Sharing Information with Other Programs
- Does your child have Health Insurance? Husky Health Information
- Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Additional Family Resources
MyPaymentsPlus
2023-2024 Meal and A la Carte Prices
Meal and a la carte pricing are as follows:
| Student Full Pay Lunch | $3.30 |
| Student Reduced Lunch | FREE |
| Adult Lunch | $5.00 |
| 8 oz Milk | $0.75 |
| 16 oz Water | $1.50 |
| 6 oz Juice Box | $1.25 |
| Fruit | $1.00 |
| Vegetable | $1.00 |
| Chips | $1.50 |
| Cookie | $0.75 |
| Warm Pretzel | $1.25 |
| Rice Krispie Treat | $1.50 |
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bar | $1.50 |
| Pop Tart | $1.50 |
Food Service Provider
Chartwells is the BCS Lunch Provider. To learn more about Chartwells visit their website at www.eatlearnlive.com. If you have questions, contact Chartwells Food Service Director, Peter Ferrara at (203) 397-4853.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Nondiscrimination Statement
This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. The Connecticut State Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of age, ancestry, color, criminal record (in state employment and licensing), gender identity or expression, genetic information, intellectual disability, learning disability, marital status, mental disability (past or present), national origin, physical disability (including blindness), race, religious creed, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, sex (pregnancy or sexual harassment), sexual orientation, veteran status or workplace hazards to reproductive systems, unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification excluding persons in any of the aforementioned protected classes.
Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Levy Gillespie, Equal Employment Opportunity Director/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator (ADA), Connecticut State Department of Education, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 505, Hartford, CT 06103, 860-807-2071, levy.gillespie@ct.gov.
Lunch Advisory Board
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires that schools who participate in the program must create and maintain a School Lunch Advisory Board that meets twice per year to discuss school lunch meal planning. The BCS Advisory Board consists of the Superintendent, a school administrator, teachers, parents, students, and a representative from the food service program. The Advisory Board needs representation from students in grades 3 - 6, and parents at all grade levels to provide feedback on the school lunch program.
2023-2024 Lunch Advisory Board Members
Kai Byrd, Chair
Tom Reed-Swale, Principal
Sue Carpenter, BOE Executive Assistant
Donna Ricciardi, Food Service Coordinator
Peter Ferrara, Food Service Director
Caitlin Bruni, School Nurse
Andrea Hubbard, Teacher
MaryGrace Crisci, Parent
Christine Youngberg, Parent
Silvia Bartels, Student
Timothy Crisci, Student
Erik Youngberg, Student
Lunch Advisory Board Meetings
Nutrition Resources & Communications
Summer Meals
2023-2024 Parent-Student Handbook
2023-2024 Bus Routes
The Bethany Community School Bus Routes are published below. Routes are subject to change as students move in and out of the district. Students in Grades PreK to 3 will not be dropped without a parent/adult present at the bus stop. Bus drivers are not allowed to change bus stops. Questions about your child's bus stop should be directed to Troy Sorensen, Transportation Coordinator at csorensenllc@gmail.com or (203) 298-4864.
2023-2024 School Bus Rules and Regulations
BCS Transportation Committee Appeals
Please email written appeals to csorensenllc@gmail.com and scarpenter@bethany-ed.org.
The subject line should state, "Appeal to BCS Transportation Committee."
They will notify the committee and convene a meeting. You will be notified in writing of the committee's determination.
Bus 1
First Pick up: 7:50 a.m.
Driver: Joe
- 59 Munson
- 21 Rainbow
- 54 Rainbow
- 84 Gaylord Mountain
- 28 Woodcutters
- Woodcutters and Amadeo
- 99 Woodcutters
- 655 Carrington
- Carrington and Brookwood
- 337 Wooding Hill
- 285 Wooding Hill
- Hoadley and Raccio
- 422 Downs
- 378 Downs
- Downs and Carmel
- 314 Downs
- 72 Downs
- 66 Brooks
- 37 Carmel
- 179 Litchfield
- 113 Litchfield
- 128 Litchfield
- Litchfield and Mountain View
- 5 Hatfield Hill
- 200 Valley Rd
As of August 21, 2023
Bus 2
First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: Chelsea
- 348 Sperry
- 55 Carrington
- 340 Sperry
- 155 Sperry
- 28 Sperry
- 21 Sperry (p.m. only) Caroline’s Daycare
- 73 Hatfield Hill
- 55 Hatfield Hill (Pick up on Sperry)
- 6 Tuttle
- Carrington and Hilltop
- 625 Litchfield Turnpike
- 693 Litchfield Turnpike
- Litchfield and Perkins
- 58 Perkins
- Ann and Litchfield
- 161 Humiston
- Ann and Humiston (125 Humiston)
- 535 Carrington
- 512 Carrington
- 523 Carrington
- 482 Carrington
- Carrington and Woods
- 392 Carrington
- 151 Hilldale
As of August 10, 2023
Bus 3
First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: Liz
- 106 Luke Hill
- Green Hill and Luke Hill
- 38 Luke Hill
- 19 Luke Hill
- 212 Amity
- 234 Amity
- 274 Amity
- 8 Dayton
- 347 Amity
- 345 Amity
- 243 Amity
- 233 Amity
- Amity and Collins
- Amity and Hamilton
- 42 Russell
- 134 Russell
- 148 Russell
- 172 Russell
- 200 Russell
- Bethmour and Glenwood
- Bethmour and Rolling Green
- 456 Bethmour
- Bethmour and Simpson
As of August 10, 2023
Bus 4
First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: Roxanne
- Old Mill And Bethridge
- 27 Briar
- 50 Briar
- 47 Chelsea
- Chelsea /Country/Farmview
- Country at cul de sac
- 79 Farm View
- 60 Farm View
- 33 Farm View
- Farm View and Acorn
- Acorn and Bethany Farms
- 123 Bethmour
- Bethmour and Atwater
- 223 Bethmour
- Schaffer and Emerald
As of August 10, 2023
Bus 5
Bus 6
Bus 7
Bus Pickup: 7:52 a.m.
Bus Driver: Shauna
- 850 Litchfield
- 48 Cheshire
- Cheshire and Doolittle
- 30 North Humiston
- North Humiston and Oak Ridge
- North Humiston at cul de sac
- 5 Oak Ridge
- 739 Carrington
- 25 Sabrina
- 171 Cheshire
- 97 Cheshire
- 14 Lacey
- Lacey and Knollwood
- 36 Knollwood
- 53 Lacey
- 93 Lacey
- 980 Amity
- 1058 Amity
- Amity and Third
- 1051 Amity
- Amity and Tollgate
- 938 Litchfield
- 191 Beacon
- 181 Beacon
- 899 Litchfield
As of August 21, 2023
Bus 9
First Pickup: 8:00 a.m.
Bus Driver: Donna
- 508 Amity
- 77 Pleasant
- 11 Pleasant
- 660 Amity
- Amity and Sargent
- 696 Amity
- 44 Tuttle
- Amity and Judd Hill
- Amity and Tuttle
- 415 Fairwood
- Fairwood and Deerfield
- 22 Lebanon
- 70 Lebanon
- 112 Lebanon
- Fairwood and Old Fairwood
- Northrop and Ridgewood
- Northrop and Ralph
- Northrop and Northrop Ext
- 204 Fairwood
- 165 Fairwood
- Fairwood and Hunter’s Trail
As of August 17, 2023
Bus 10
CT Learning Hub
Device Protection Insurance
The Bethany Public School District offers a voluntary device protection plan for parents/guardians and students. The plan will cover the cost of accidental damage to the District-owned device in accordance with the terms and conditions provided. Intentional abuse or mishandling or non-accidental loss or damage to a device, charger, or school provided accessories due to negligence remains the full responsibility of the student/family and will NOT be covered under the Device Protection Plan. In these cases, the parent/guardian is responsible for the full cost to replace or repair the device.
District Protection Plan
The District shall provide repairs at no cost for normal wear and tear, prorated per occurrence. The protection plan cost is $50.00 annually for each device payable online at www.mypaymentsplus.com. Coverage will begin upon receipt of payment and ends at the conclusion of the school year or upon the student’s withdrawal. Families eligible for Free or Reduced School Lunch meals will be offered discounted rates, visit www.mypaymentsplus.com for those costs.
What’s Covered
- Accidental Damage including but not limited to broken screen, liquid spillage, dropped, broken keys, power cords.
- Unavoidable theft – A police report must be submitted within 72 hours of the theft.
What’s Not Covered
- Lost devices are not covered by this plan. A full replacement cost will not exceed $250.
- Excessive scratches/wear to device exterior.
- Foreign objects (paperclips, pens, etc.) inserted into the ports/openings
- Intentional marking, defacing, removing name labels, and asset tags.
- Damage caused by tampering with hardware components or operating systems (i.e., jailbreaking) to alter District configurations.
Prorated Repair Cost Sharing
|
Occurrence |
District Share |
Family Share |
|
First Repair |
100% |
0% |
|
Second Repair |
50% |
50% |
|
Third Repair |
20% |
80% |
|
Fourth Repair |
0% |
Replace Device |
Device Warranty
The District’s device warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. This limited warranty covers normal use, mechanical breakdown or faulty construction and will provide replacement parts necessary to repair the device or device replacement. The warranty does not cover damages caused by inappropriate use, abuse or neglect, accidents, or device viruses. All device problems should be reported to the IT Director immediately.
Device Case
The District will provide a protective Gumdrop case for all students.
BCS Technology Support
Contact BCS Technology Support and describe the issue you are having.
PowerSchool Parent Portal
Report Card Information
MyPaymentsPlus
Homework
The purpose of homework is to help students become self-directed, independent learners. Good study habits should be initiated early and emphasized throughout the school years. Well-structured assignments, designed so that the child can complete them without the help of a parent, foster a positive self-image and develop a child’s sense of responsibility. Homework assignments vary in content, frequency and amount according to the student’s ability and grade level.
Specific homework assignments may:
- Strengthen basic skills.
- Extend classroom learning.
- Stimulate interests outside the classroom.
- Reinforce independent study skills.
- Develop initiative, responsibility and self-direction.
- Stimulate a worthwhile use of leisure time.
- Acquaint parents with the student’s work in school.
If a student cannot complete homework assignments within a reasonable period of time, parents should contact the teacher who assigned the work to discuss the situation.
Parents can show their support by following theses homework tips:
- Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.
Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going. - Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.
Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance. - Help your child with time management.
Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates. - Be positive about homework.
Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires. - When your child does homework, you do homework.
Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook. - When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.
Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her. - When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.
Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher. - If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.
Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills. - Stay informed.
Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child's class rules are. - Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.
Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in. - Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.
Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment. - Reward progress in homework.
If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.
Talk It Out
Parents and caregivers are invited to call 833-258-5011 and/or visit www.talkitoutct.com to speak with trained professionals (in both English and Spanish) who will listen and discuss your concerns and, if additional help is needed, refer you to responsive services. The "Talk It Out Line" is available Monday-Friday from 8am to 8pm; and on weekends from 1 pm to 8 pm.
Smarter Balanced Information
Bethany Community School students participate in standardized and benchmark testing at designated times during the school year. Individual and group testing results are used to assess student progress and to improve educational programs. Personally identifiable individual student test results are confidential and will be shared with parents. General test results, class data, etc. will be compiled for statistical purposes and program evaluation.
Currently, we give the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) to all grades 3 through 5 students. Students in grade 5 will still take the science subtest of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) in the spring of 2015. We also give the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) to students in grade 3 to determine academic strengths and weaknesses. We will give parents advance notice of the dates of these tests to ensure that children are prepared and well-rested. All SBAC, CMT and OLSAT test results will become a part of each child’s student record. Results of these tests will be given to parents.
What Parents and Students Should Know
