Family - Bethany Public Schools

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 Current signed lease, rental agreement, deed, or mortgage statement. Current utility (electric, gas, oil, or cable) bill, Bethany real estate tax bill, Bethany voter registration/letter, current homeowners insurance bill, utility company confirmation of service letter. The document provided must include the same name and address as the lease, rental agreement, deed, or mortgage statement.
Required	Original Long Form Raised Seal Birth Certificate OR Valid passport if Birth Certificate is not available
Required	Connecticut Health Assessment Form Birth to Age 5 Age 6+
If Applicable	Medication Administration Form
If Applicable	Custodial Documents
If Applicable	Student & Parent Living with Bethany Resident Affidavit #1 - Completed by Parent of Student Affidavit #3 - Completed by 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 Affidavit #2 - Completed by Parent of Student Affidavit #3 - Completed by 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

Have questions about Free & Reduced Lunch?
Contact Donna Ricciardi at dricciardi@bethany-ed.org or (203) 393-1170 x802

Additional Family Resources

MyPaymentsPlus

2024-2025 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	$1.75
Cookie	$0.90
Warm Pretzel	$1.50
Rice Krispie Treat	$1.75
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bar	$1.75
Pop Tart	$1.75

Food Service Provider

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
Donna Ricciardi, Food Service Coordinator
Peter Ferrara, Food Service Director
Caitlin Bruni, School Nurse
Andrea Hubbard, Teacher
Noor Ajjan, Parent
MaryGrace Crisci, Parent
Christine Youngberg, Parent
Hamza Amarou, Student
Silvia Bartels, Student
Nathan Bukowski, Student
Ashling Cleveland, Student
Timothy Crisci, Student
Nash Dittman, Student
William Fournier, Student
Erik Youngberg, Student

Lunch Advisory Board Meetings

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

Nutrition Resources & Communications

Summer Meals

2024-2025 Parent-Student Handbook

2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 School Bus Rules and Regulations

BCS Transportation Committee Appeals
Please email written appeals to csorensenllc@gmail.com and bspargo@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: B&B Transportation

59 Munson
21 Rainbow
28 Woodcutters
Woodcutters and Amadeo
99 Woodcutters
655 Carrington
Carrington and Brookwood
108 Gaylord Mountain
127 Gaylord Mountain
337 Wooding Hill
285 Wooding Hill
134 Wooding Hill
Hoadley and Raccio
422 Downs
378 Downs
Downs and Carmel
314 Downs
94 Downs
72 Downs
66 Brooks
37 Carmel
179 Litchfield
113 Litchfield
109 Litchfield
Litchfirld and Brinton
Litchfield and Mountain View
200 Valley Rd

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 2

First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

117 Hatfield Hill
73 Hatfield Hill
55 Carrington
8 Carrington
155 Sperry
117 Sperry
91 Sperry
21 Sperry (PM only)
28 Sperry
55 Hatfirld
348 Sperry
324 Sperry
340 Sperry
6 Tuttle
Carrington and Hilltop
275 Carrington
611 Litchfield Turnpike
625 Litchfield Turnpike
693 Litchfield Turnpike
Litchfield and Perkins
58 Perkins
Ann and Litchfield
161 Humiston
Ann and Humiston
535 Carrington
512 Carrington
523 Carrington
548 Carrington
Carrington and Woods
392 Carrington
370 Carrington
151 Hilldale

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 3

First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: B & B Transportation

455 Amity Road
106 Luke Hill
Green Hill and Luke Hill
38 Luke Hill
19 Luke Hill
16 Luke Hill
212 Amity
274 Amity
8 Dayton
347 Amity
243 Amity
233 Amity
Amity and Collins
Amity and Hamilton
42 Russell
102 Russell
134 Russell
148 Russell
172 Russell
200 Russell
Bethmour and Glenwood
Bethmour and Rolling Green
456 Bethmour
Bethmour and Simpson
530 Bethmour
615 Bethmour

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 4

First Pickup: 7:50 a.m.
Bus Driver: M.DiGennaro

18 Old Mill
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
59 Bethany Farms
123 Bethmour
159 Bethmour
Bethmour and Atwater
225 Bethmour
Schaffer and Emerald

This run is done in reverse in the afternoon

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 5

First Pickup: 7:55 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

27 Miller
103 Miller
168 Miller
Miller and Coachmans
31 Crestwood
36 Crestwood
Crestwood and Falcon
Crestwood and High
73 High
21 Ridge
Hopp Brook and Fatima
275 Bear Hill
Bear Hill and Hinman

This route is done in reverse in the afternoon

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 6

First Pickup: 8:01 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

Virginia Rail & Pole Hill
170 Schaffer
Schaffer and Cedar
165 Pole Hill
198 Pole Hill
188 Falls
23 Bachelor Oak
340 Falls
60 Mesa
25 Mesa
60 Tawney
29 Tawney
12 Tawney
159 Falls
135 Falls
Falls and Timber
4 Peck (must be correct side of street)

As of August 15, 2024

Bus 7

Bus Pickup: 7:52 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

48 Cheshire
65 Cheshire
Cheshire and Doolittle
30 North Humiston
North Humiston and Oak Ridge
North Humiston at cul de sac
131 Cheshire
5 Oak Ridge-Bundle of Joy Daycare
809 Carrington
739 Carrington
25 Sabrina
171 Cheshire
119 Cheshire
Lacey and Knollwood
36 Knollwood
17 Knollwood
53 Lacey
93 Lacey
980 Amity
Amity and Third
1051 Amity
Amity and Tollgate
938 Litchfield
273 Beacon
191 Beacon
181 Beacon
899 Litchfield

As of August 16, 2024

Bus 9

First Pickup: 8:00 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

508 Amity
77 Pleasant
11 Pleasant
660 Amity
Amity and Sargent
Amity and Judd Hill
415 Fairwood
Fairwood and Deerfield
22 Lebanon
70 Lebanon
112 Lebanon
Lebanon and Blackberrry Ridge
Fairwood and Old Fairwood
Northrop and Ridgewood
Northrop and Ralph
Northrop and Northrop Ext
204 Fairwood
Fairwood and Hunter’s Trail

As of August 16, 2024

Bus 10

First Pickup: 8:00 a.m.
Bus Driver: B&B Transportation

286 Bear Hill
Prince and Bear Hill
250 Bear Hill
Bear Hill and Clay
Bear Hill and Keegan
150 Bear Hill
Bear Hill and Anella
Poplar Swamp and Early
79 Bethmour
Bethmour and Pine Brook
283 Seymour
44 Francis
Clay and Hi Ann
Clay and Anthony
Bethmour and Carriage

As of August 16, 2024

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

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

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

October 24, 2023	Agenda	Minutes
February 27, 2024	Agenda	Minutes

November 9, 2022	Agenda	Minutes
March 23, 2023	Agenda	Minutes

November 24, 2021	Agenda	Minutes
May 25, 2022	Agenda	Minutes