December 6, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Congratulations to the Bethel High School Wildcat Marching Band and Color Guard who recently placed in the following:

3rd place- US Bands Northeast State Regional Championship

4th place - US Bands 2A National Championship

Group 2A - Best Color Guard

Group 2A - Best Percussion

 

Congratulations to Farrah Volpintesta on winning the Class L Diving Championship, shattering her own personal record and setting a new Class L record.  

 

GIFTS, GRANTS, & BEQUESTS:

Bethel High School

$25,000 donation for BHS EMT program for the BHS EMT travel/conference expenses to attend EMS Today Conference, Arnhold Foundation, NY, NY.

Johnson School

96 copies of the book, Ghost, by Jason Reynolds, Alice Hutchinson, Byrds Books, Bethel

Districtwide

10, $25 Big Y Gift Cards for families in need for Thanksgiving, Little Gobbler Program, The Solution, Shrewsbury, MA, BPS nominated to receive the gift cards by Beck Snyder.

 

$1,250 (estimated) donation to cover outstanding lunch accounts, Ingersoll Auto Act of Kindness Program, Danbury, CT.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

As requested, Mrs. Legnard, Dr. Amori (Rockwell for Ms. Soucy) and Mrs. Salerno will be providing a brief  presentation on their School Improvement Plans for the 2018-19 school year.  The purpose of the presentation is to provide the Board with an overview of the focus of the schools for the 2018,2019.  The major components of the plan were presented at open houses in September, so parents could have a similar overview.  

The school administration will be presenting an overview of their Theories of Action, student learning outcome measures and major strategies/action steps to achieve those outcomes.  We began this planning process as a district in the summer of 2015.  Previously, all improvement plans were primarily developed by administrators.  These plans were collaboratively developed by teams within each school.  

Rationale: 

• Letter from State of CT, Department of Administrative Services approving the the final plans for the Johnson School Renovation Project.
• Letter from State of CT, Department of Administrative Services approving the the final plans for the Rockwell School Renovation Project.
• Email - Common Core, again - J. Gangi

Rationale:  (Please note:  The Board welcomes Public Participation and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes.  Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them.  The Board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about Board of Education personnel and students, nor against any person connected with the Bethel Public School System.)

Rationale: 

I will be providing verbal updates on the following topic:

• NEASC Summary - Full Update December Meeting
• Security Assessment & Grant
• Active Shooter Training with Bethel Police Department
• Business Advisory Committee - Partnership with Naugatuck Valley Community College
• Start Time Committee - Parent Focus Group Session
• Campus Improvements

Rationale: 

Summary of the Briefing:

• The curricula for each of these courses is aligned to the newly adopted technology standards, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards which were formerly known as the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).

• Critical thinking is embedded throughout the curricula.

• These courses use a flipped classroom environment that is competency-based and self-paced

• Assessments are performance-based requiring application of skills  

• Topics for each course include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Computer Applications for Business: computer basics such as file management and basic skills in Microsoft Office Suite

• Robotics: basic foundation in robotics, programming using C++, and electronic circuitry

• Web Design & Development: basics of web design, coding in XHTML and CSS

• Computer Science: the study of computers and algorithmic processes, hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society

• AP Computer Science: This is a continuation of computer science focused on further application of skills aligned to College Board requirements

You can find the curriculum here:

Computer Applications for Business

Robotics

Web Design & Development

Computer Science

AP Computer Science

Rationale:  This is the first reading of this policy/regulation.   In the last session, the legislature distinguished between Seclusion and Exclusionary Time Out.  The policy updates legislative definition of Exclusionary Time Out and guidelines for the use.  The recommended changes come directly from the Shipman and Goodwin Model Policy.  The policy has been reviewed by Mrs. Budris, Director of Pupil Personnel, Ms. DiBiase, Supervisor of Special Education and our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).  

Rationale: 

Bethel Public Schools receives this federal grant, whose primary purpose is to provide intervention for at risk students.  As a result of receiving the Federal dollars, the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires Boards of Education, who accept that funding, to develop a written policy on how they will engage parents.

It was the consensus of the committee on June 8, 2017 to recommend Policy 6172.4 Parent and Family Engagement Policy for Title I Students be submitted to the full Board of Education for a first reading. 

However, the policy was not included in the agenda and therefore will need to go to the full Board for First Reading.

 

Rationale: 

While developing the policy for Therapy Dogs, we recognized that we also need a policy for Service Dogs.  Service Dogs fall under a different category than Therapy Dogs as they are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.  The model policy attached was provided to us by Shipman and and Goodwin.  This is the second reading of the policy.  

Policy was tabled for questions for Board attorney about proof of compliance under section C. 6. 

Dr. Carver checked with Board attorney regarding required documentation/guidelines of a service dog, like we have in the therapy dog policy.  

Rationale: 

For Informational Purposes Only - Regulation Update 

This item is for informational purposes only.   There was only a slight change in this regulation.  The change made was to align language within our return to play protocol with the CIAC.  The previous language had allowed Athletic Trainers to provide final clearance for return to play after a concussion.   Our Health Supervisor, Medical Advisor  and Athletic Director agree wit the CIAC, that a licensed medical professional is the only one who should determining if an athlete should return to play after a concussion.  

 

Rationale:  The Management Agreement attached is being reviewed by the Board's attorney.  If they have any input we will have it for the Board meeting.

Rationale: 

• Memo to Public Site & Building Commission - Follow Up to 11-27-18 Meeting

Rationale:  By November 30th of each year, the Board of Education needs to submit to the Board of Selectman the Capital Plan.