March 17, 2016 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The Bethel Public Schools would like to formally thank the job coaches, businesses and agencies which support our Community Partnership Program.  The program was developed to support students with disabilities in their transition programs to adult services and job placements.  With the support of all of the participants in the Community Partnership Program provide opportunities for vocational internships and support transition activities.  It is with this partnership that our students continue to learn independence skills and promote career readiness.   

The following individuals, businesses, and agencies are recognized for their contributions and commitment to the Bethel Schools’ Community Partnership Program

Community Businesses	Bethel Health Care Center Bethel Music Center Stony Hill Hardware Bethel Big Y Caraluzzi’s Rainy Day Paperback Exchange Redding Roasters Eaton Corporation Financial Strategies Memry Corporation Nutmeg Cleaners	Dana Denho Bruce and Dana Trudel Ron and Carolyn Dufner Jennifer Vargas Matt Caraluzzi Nora O’Neill Kaitlynn Heisler Jill Swearingen Steve Brill Marcy Macdonald Andy and Donna Paproski
Community Agencies	Bethel Public Library   Bethel’s Pro Access Teen Center Bethel Parks and Recreation Bethel Senior Center Regional YMCA of Western CT Kennedy Center Travel Training Bethel Chamber of Commerce The Women’s Center	Lynn Rosato, Kate Soboleva, Olivia Von Kohorn Claudia Fortunato Eileen Earle, Rachel McGrath Lisa Plumb Jennifer Pane Traci Resler Bobbi Jo Beers Ann Rodwell-Lawton
State Agencies	Department of Developmental Services Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Department of Child and Families	BrianSmith Warren Stamp, Leah Pavone Elizabeth Wyatt   Chris Hart
Bus Company	First Student	Patricia Murphy
Bethel Public Schools	Job Coaches	Toni Johnson Robert Barricelli Robert Uhl Dawn Tanner Madeleine Neave
Individual BPS Staff Members	Berry School Bethel High School Bethel High School Media Center	Barbara Barese John Blackwell, Dave Belcourt Jess Wismar, Sue DeCarlo

 

Rationale:  The Month of March is Connecticut Board of Education Appreciation Month.  We would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to our hardworking and dedicated board members.  We thank you for the time and effort you devote to board business.

Rationale: 

As you are aware, the Bethel Public Schools implemented a 1:1 model at Bethel Middle School.  This report is intended to provide members of the Board of Education with a summary of: 

• How the devices are used instructionally.
• Logistical issues with the implementation of the model (insurance, breakage, and security)
• Expansion of the model for 2016-2017

The presentation will be given by:

• Dr. Michael Vose, Director of Instructional Technology
• Mr. Derek Muharem, Principal
• Mr. Bryan Watson, Assistant Principal
• Ms. Donna Burns, Library Media Coordinator
• Mr. Dave Arre, Supervisor of Technology Operations

Rationale: 

The first correspondence is a memo from Commissioner Wentzell to the Bethel Public Schools congratulating us for exceeding state standards in participation rates for the administration of the Spring, 2015 Smarter Balanced Assessment, both in total population and subgroups.  

The second correspondence is notification to districts of the elimination of the performance task as part of the literacy assessment (Smarter Balanced Assessment).  This will greatly reduce the time in administration of the assessment.  

The third correspondence is to the Board of Education from Dr. Pat Consentino regarding one of our teachers, Mrs. Mickie Paradise.  

 

Rationale: 

• Next Generation Accountability Report, 2014-2015
  • State Accountability Model, Berry School was name a School of Distinction
• CABE Workshop - Global Competency
• WCSU Bridges Program Accuplacer Exam
• High School Reimagined Project.

Rationale: 

Topic:  Stemscopes Science Program

Summary of the Briefing:

• Bethel teachers have been awaiting the Next Generation Science Standards adoption and for the past several years have been learning how to embed the science and engineering practices into their instruction.

• The Stemscopes program is written by Rice University  and is the only program written from the ground up addressing the NGSS standards.

  • Every NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea, Performance Expectation, Crosscutting Concept (i.e.  Patterns; Cause and Effect; Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Systems and System Models; Energy and Matter; Structure and Function; and Stability and Change), and Science & Engineering Practice is covered (1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information)

• Each Stemscopes module (each grade level has up to 12 modules) has 2-5 hands-on activities, including project-based learning, engineering solutions, and virtual investigations which support an environment of inquiry and discourse

• Innovative claim-evidence-reasoning assessments are incorporated into the program  

• Launching this program K-5 provides best practice for science instruction along with a vertical alignment of instruction and assessment

• Stemscopes supports our Strategic Plan in providing systematic and sustained opportunities for authentic STEM experiences so that students can develop critical thinking and problem solving skills

• Stemscopes is a digital resource and updates all cloud-based resources in real time

• All resources and assessments are housed in one location for easy access.

• Total cost of the K-5 program (digital subscriptions, print resources, and kits) is $37,325.84.  Future annual costs for kit refills will be absorbed by school budgets.  

• The BHS Stemscopes program will be absorbed by the current BHS science budget.

Rationale: 

PA 15-215,  An Act Concerning Various Revisions and Additions to the Education Statutes, requires language identifying that members of the Educator Evaluation Committees, both teacher and administrator, include one member of the Bethel Education Association and Bethel Administrators Association.  We have added the language to reflect that change.  

In reviewing Policy 4115, Certified Evaluation with Dr. Brooks, we felt that much of the language was to detailed, getting into the details of the plan.   As the Board of Education annually approves the plan itself, we have removed the language which reflects the specificity of the plan within the policy. 

In addition, we are eliminating the regulation to the policy.  The regulation is the actual plan itself.  It outlines the way in which we evaluate the certified staff.    

 

Rationale: 

PA 15-215,  An Act Concerning Various Revisions and Additions to the Education Statutes requires the the membership of the Professional Learning Council include a member of the Bethel Education Association and Bethel Administrators Association.  We have added the language to reflect that change.  

In addition, just like the policy regarding Certified Evaluation, Dr. Brooks and I felt that there were several language adjustments required.  

Please note, Policy 4131 has an Appendix of mandated Professional Learning Topics.  We eliminated the Appendix, which was more aligned to when the state tracked Continuing Education Units (CEU's) for certification.   

 

 

Rationale:  We recently as a Board of Education reviewed the regulation regarding student records.  In review of our existing policies, we discovered a second policy 5145.15 which specifically relates to Directory Information.   The purpose of the review was to align it to the other regulation.  

Rationale: 

As you are aware, in the budget process the Board has supported the creation of the position of Mathematics Interventionist.  The attached job description outlines the qualifications for application to the position and core job responsibilities.  All Interventionist will report to Dr. Brooks, Assistant Superintendent.   

The job description was developed with input from all of our Elementary Principals and Mrs. Rutledge.