October 22, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Congratulations to the BHS Marching Band and Color Guard as they won their first competition of the season against 8 other bands from all around the country. This season, competitions are virtual. So, there's no A class or Open class. There is also no state or regional breakdown. It's just any band that participates in the USBands circuit, that is able to have a season and submit recordings of their performance is in the same competitive pool.

This was the same day of the their new uniform debut.

Several Band students where chosen to participate in an American Express commercial. The students and their parents went to New Jersey for the filming.

Congratulations to Mr. Bryan Watson, BMS Principal, for receiving the Connecticut Association of School Librarians' Administrator Award for 2020.

Bethel Middle School

12 Gallons of hand sanitizer ($360), Dick's Sporting Goods, Danbury, CT. 

After the Board of Education retreat, it was communicated to the administration that the Board of Education would like an overview of how the district typically assesses progress of students and how we will determine if there is learning loss as a result of the pandemic and change in instructional model. We will be doing two presentations to the BOE.  The outcomes of this presentation will be to:  

• Understand the different types of assessments and their purposes 
• Understand our plan for determining learning gaps and how we will support student needs

In our next presentation (December or January), we should have actual summative data to review with the Board to determine if there are learning gaps, in what areas, and plans to address those gaps.  Please note, that this will be dependent on whether or not we consistently are able to remain in school, to complete the NWEA.  We should have PSAT/SAT data, as it was administered in October.  

• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Inappropriate Employee Promotion of Event and Business - P. Antolini

(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.)

BHS is adjusting the hybrid schedule beginning the week of October 26th, 2020.  This adjustment will allow for our In-Person students to be in school on Wednesdays in an alternating schedule (Cohort A and B).  For instance, during the week of 10/26, Cohort A students will be In Person for three days 10/26-10/28.  In the following week, Cohort B students will be In Person for three days, 11/4-11/6.  They will continue to run all 8 periods on Wednesdays.  Please see the attached Tentative Schedule for specific details.  Students will be provided a final schedule with class times, when we get closer to the start date. 

Some updates from the Connecticut State Department of Education:  

• Snow Days (Remote Learning Days): The State Board of Education (SBE) passed a resolution to allow Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to develop guidelines for school districts to implement remote learning due to inclement weather for the 2020-2021 school year.   We have not received that guidance yet, but will let you know when we do.
• COVID-19 Testing in Schools:  You might have heard on the news about testing for COVID in schools.   From what I understand, the testing will be used in "hotspot areas"/  or places where there are spikes.  Here is the information provided directly from SDE: "DPH is developing a strategy for implementation of the distribution of the Abbott BinaxNOW tests that CT has received from the Federal Government.  DPH will orchestrate their distribution to ensure it is possible to follow the testing protocols and collect the data needed.  They are currently generating a list of testing partners.  They are intending to prioritize COVID testing for students and school staff with the expectation that it may reduce the need for school closure or excessive student/staff absence.  BinaxNOW tests are designed for symptomatic individuals, not for surveillance testing of non-symptomatic individuals.  With that said, any individuals that are sick should be reminded to stay home.  We are strongly discouraging testing for symptomatic individuals in school settings.  Sites off campus are being sought."  
• SEEK Presentation on Behalf of CAPSS
• SDE Presentation with Park and Rec - Best Practices
• COVID - 19 Update - Reopening 
• Website - Dashboard Update - We will be showing you a district dashboard, which was discussed at the last RMBO meeting for your input before it goes publicly live.  Unfortunately, we are unable to let you "play" with it because if we do, it will be publicly live.  

NEASC Visiting Team Meeting w/Board Members:

Plaque for Johnson and Rockwell Schools.  We need a list of names for the plaque.  I would suggest all BOE members since the passing of the referendum to include:  

• Melanie O'Brien, Chair
• Jennifer Ackerman 
• Scott Clayton 
• Larry Craybas
• William Foster
• Nicholas Hoffman
• Kristen Lacey
• Jennifer Larsen
• Courtney Martin
• Daniel Nostin 
• Robin Renner 
• Cathy Schaefer

2020-2021 Additional Early Release Days - COVID-19 Planning

Our teachers and staff are entering uncharted waters, as we try to redefine our educational system to our students during this pandemic.   Our teachers always rise to the occasion and set high expectations for their instructional practice so that our students continue to make growth.  That being said, the amount of change and the ability to learn while implementing these complex systems requires time for professional learning and planning.  The time that they currently have is not adequate to keep up with the pace of expectations.  Therefore, we are requesting that the Board consider the following adjustments in the 2020-2021 calendar to a conference schedule early dismissal.  This schedule will give teachers 2 opportunities for extra planning a month (coupled with professional learning days):

• November 3rd - Professional Learning Day

• November 11th

• December 2nd

• December 16th

• January 6th

• January 20th

• February 3rd

• February 24th

• March 3rd

• March 17th

• April 7th

By November 30th of each year, the Board of Education needs to submit to the Board of Selectman the Capital Plan.  The Board will need to vote on the plan at the November Board meeting.

Capital Plan 2020-2030

The monthly owner's report was not available for the month of October. I have attached the following information which I would like to review with the Board of Education regarding both projects:

• STV analysis of spending to complete projects, including outstanding issues; 
• Current tracking budgets for both Johnson and Rockwell;
• Plans for filing with Office of School Construction regarding the environmental issues at Rockwell; School for eligibility;
• Next "turn over" of spaces for Johnson and Rockwell Schools; 
• Playground update; and 
• Tracking of punch list items.