Family
- New Student Registration
- CT Learning Hub
- Device Protection Insurance
- BCS Technology Support
- PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Report Card Information
- MyPaymentsPlus
- 2020-2021 Parent-Student Handbook
- Lunch Program
- 2020-2021 Bus Routes
- Talk It Out
- Homework
- Smarter Balanced Information
- BCS PTO
- School Behavior
New Student Registration
Questions or problems? Contact the BCS Main Office at office@bethany-ed.org or (203) 393-3350 x601.
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 donotreply@bethany-ed.org with additional information and next steps within 1-2 business days.
Students enrolling in the next school year will receive a second email from donotreply@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 | Transfer of Confidential Information |
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. |
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
2020-2021 Parent-Student Handbook
Lunch Program
- Daily Lunch Menu & Order Form
- Free & Reduced Lunch Program
- MyPaymentsPlus
- 2020-2021 Lunch Prices
- Food Service Provider
- Nondiscrimination Statements
- Lunch Advisory Board
- Newsletters & Communications
Daily Lunch Menu & Order Form
Free & Reduced Lunch Program
Have questions about Free & Reduced Lunch?
Contact Donna Ricciardi at dricciardi@bethany-ed.org or (203) 393-1170.
- 2020-2021 Policy Statement for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
- 2020-2021 Free & Reduced-Price Lunch FAQ's
- 2020-2021 Application for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (English) (Translated Applications)
- Sharing Information with Other Programs
- Does your child have Health Insurance? Husky Health Information
- Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
MyPaymentsPlus
2020-2021 Lunch Prices
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 Statements
Nondiscrimination Statements
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, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of affirmative action/equal opportunity 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, civil air patrol status, 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.
2020-2021 Lunch Advisory Board Members
Colleen Murray, Chair
Tom Reed-Swale, Principal
Donna Ricciardi, BOE Office Assistant
Peter Ferrara, Food Service Director
Dr. Namita Wijesekera, BOE Member & Medical Advisor
Cheryl Santore, School Nurse
Nina Brewer, Teacher
James Bruni, Teacher
Andrea Hubbard, Teacher
Rajni Mehta, Parent
Marie Bartels, Parent
MaryGrace Crisci, Parent
Matthew Crisci, Student
Timothy Crisci, Student
Phoebe Bartels, Student
Natalie Dorais, Student
Meetings
October 10, 2018 |
Agenda | |
May 15, 2019 |
Agenda | |
October 16, 2019 |
Agenda | Minutes |
October 21, 2020 |
Agenda | Minutes |
Newsletters & Communications
2020-2021 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. Questions about your child's bus stop should be directed to Beth Cohen, Transportation Coordinator at beth@bandbtrans.com or (203) 393-9750.
2020-2021 School Bus Rules and Regulations
BCS Transportation Committee Appeals
Please email written appeals to beth@bandbtrans.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 Pickup: 7:50 am
Bus Driver: Joe
- 59 Munson
- 21 Rainbow
- 54 Rainbow
- 610 Carrington
- 28 Woodcutters
- 99 Woodcutters
- Carrington and Brookwood
- 324 Wooding Hill
- 312 Wooding Hill
- 290 Wooding Hill
- Hoadley and Raccio
- Downs and Carmel
- 37 Carmel
- 150 Brooks
- 72 Downs
- 273 Downs
- 95 Hatfield Hill
- 179 Litchfield
- 17 Mountain View
- 1 Mountain View
- 5 Hatfield Hill
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 2
First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: Emily
- 48 Valley
- 60 Valley
- 182 Valley
- 285 Sperry
- 158 Sperry
- 117 Sperry
- 21 Sperry (pm only)
- 73 Hatfield Hill
- 275 Carrington
- 539 Litchfield
- 625 Litchfield
- 693 Litchfield
- Litchfield and Perkins
- 58 Perkins
- Ann and Litchfield
- 161 Humiston
- Ann and Humiston
- 512 Carrington
- 523 Carrington
- Carrington and Woods
- 151 Hilldale
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 3
First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: Liz
- 132 Luke Hill
- Green Hill and Luke Hill
- Cul de sac at Green Hill
- Luke Hill and Split Rock
- 212 Amity
- 274 Amity
- 352 Dayton
- 8 Dayton
- 341/345 Amity
- 239/243 Amity
- 233 Amity
- Amity and Hamilton
- 58 Russell
- 102 Russell
- 134 Russell
- 172 Russell
- Bethmour and Glenwood
- Bethmour and Rolling Green
- Bethmour and Simpson
- 619 Bethmour
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 4
Bus 5
First Pickup: 7:55 a.m.
Bus Driver: Jeff
- 29 Miller
- 103 Miller
- 168 Miller
- Miller and Coachmans
- Crestwood and Falcon
- Crestwood and High
- 73 High
- Hopp Brook and Fatima
- Hopp Brook Road and Hopp Brook Lane
- Bear Hill and Robertson
- Bear Hill and Prince
- Bear Hill and Hinman
- 28 Johnson
- 79 Peck Road
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 6
Bus 7
Bus Pickup: 7:52 a.m.
Bus Driver: Shauna
- 508 Amity
- 788 Amity
- North Humiston and Oak Ridge
- North Humiston at cul de sac
- 5 Oak Ridge
- 739 Carrington
- 14 Lacey
- Lacey and Knollwood
- 36 Knollwood
- 47 Lacey
- 1058 Amity
- Amity and Third
- 1051 Amity
- 951 Litchfield
- 191 Beacon
- 185 Beacon
- 187 Beacon
- Amity and Judd Hill
- 731 Amity
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 9
First Pickup: 8:00 a.m.
Bus Driver: Donna
- 121 Pleasant
- 26 Pleasant
- 6 Tuttle
- 415 Fairwood
- Fairwood and Deerfield
- 340 Fairwood
- 22 Lebanon
- 70 Lebanon
- Fairwood and Old Fairwood
- Northrop and Ridgewood
- Northrop and Ralph
- Northrop and Northrop Ext
- 204 Fairwood
- Fairwood and Hunters Trail
- 119 Fairwood
- 111 Fairwood
As of August 13, 2020
Bus 10
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.
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.
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